Blue & Green Daily: Thursday 18 December headlines

Blue & Green Daily finds and summarises the top sustainability stories around the web every morning. We start with our own picks from Blue & Green Tomorrow.

Car industry calls for standardisation for London’s ultra-low emission zone

Climate change playing significant role in record temperatures

Climate finance of $150bn needed to limit climate change

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18 December headlines

New York state to ban fracking over ‘red flags’ to public health

The state of New York said it would ban the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing on Wednesday because of “red flags” about its risks to public health. The ban puts one of the last great areas of untapped potential in the Marcellus Shale off-limits to the oil and gas industry. Guardian.

UK using less energy despite growing economy, report finds

People in the UK are using less energy even though the economy is growing, new figures confirm. Increased wealth typically leads to increased energy use – but this link appears to have been broken by technology and government policy. BBC.

New benchmark to rank companies on their human rights records

A global index measuring the human rights records of large companies is to be launched with backing from several major investment groups and funding from the Government. Telegraph.

Microplastic deposits found deep in world’s oceans and seas

Scientists believe they have solved the mystery of where tens of thousands of tonnes of missing tiny pieces of plastic are ending up – and the answer lies in the mud and sand on the ocean floor. Guardian.

Bankers see $1 trillion of zombie investments stranded in the oil fields

After crude prices dropped 49% in six months, oil projects planned for next year are the undead –still standing upright but with little hope of a productive future. Goldman Sachs found almost $1 trillion in investments in future oil project at risk. Bloomberg.

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Interesting picks

Climate change could darken cities: is yours under threat? – Tech Times

The climate is ripe for social change – Mail & Guardian

A truly global summit on climate change – Washington Post

Photo: Sanja gjenero via Freeimages