Posts Tagged ‘Enviromental Liability’

Failure to meet environmental targets   China: According to the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), environmental problems have become a major hindrance to China's economic and social development. In 2006, 161 severe pollution incidents were recorded. Their goals of reducing energy consumption by 4% and emissions of pollutants by 2% were not met; on the contrary, energy consumption and emissions increased during the first half of the year. Moreover, more than 70% of rivers, lakes and underground water supplies in 90% of Chinese cities are contaminated.   Full story

China: The Hubei province government in central China cut water supplies to some 200,000 people, as part of the Han River and its tributaries turned red and foamy due to pollution. Tests revealed elevated levels of ammonia, nitrogen and permanganate, a chemical used for metal cleaning, tanning and bleaching. The communities were dependent on emergency water supplies; five schools were closed, while others could not provide food to the students.   Full story

China: Jilin Petrochemical, a subsidiary of Petrochina Group, was fined a record CNY 1 million (USD128,000) as a result of a toxic spill that even reached Russia and caused authorities to cut off water supplies to millions of people. This fine constitutes the maximum amount allowed by law. In November 2005, a huge explosion caused approximately 100 tonnes of carcinogenic benzene to seep into the Songhua River raising benzene levels to 108 times safety levels in China. The government only announced the severe damage ten days following the incident and after repeated denials that there had been any major environmental impact.   Full story

Cina: Jilin Petrochemical, anak perusahaan Grup Petrochina, telah didenda sebesar 1 juta Yuan  (USD128, 000) atas pencemaran racun yang tumpah bahkan mencapai Rusia yang menyebabkan pihak berwenang untuk memutus pasokan air untuk jutaan orang. Denda ini merupakan jumlah maksimum yang diizinkan oleh undang-undang. In November 2005, a huge explosion caused approximately 100 tonnes of carcinogenic benzene to seep into the Songhua River raising benzene levels to 108 times safety levels in China.Pada bulan November 2005, sebuah ledakan besar menyebabkan sekitar 100 ton carcinogenic benzene (zat yg dapat menyebabkan kanker) mencemari sungai Songhua dan mengakibatkan kandungan bensol dalam air meningkat 108 kali lipat dari tingkat aman di Cina. The government only announced the severe damage ten days following the incident and after repeated denials that there had been any major environmental impact. Pemerintah hanya mengumumkan kerusakan parah sepuluh hari setelah kejadian dan menolak menyebutkan bahwa telah ada kerusakan besar terhadap lingkungan.   Full story