Blue & Green Daily: Wednesday 30 April 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.

There are two sets of eyes on charities’ investments

HS2 vote: project to go ahead despite Tory revolt

FTSE and BlackRock launch ‘ground-breaking’ indices excluding fossil fuels

Europe must look to renewables to solve Ukraine gas crisis

Coastal megacities are sinking scientists warn

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30 April headlines

Diesel engine pollution linked to early deaths and costs NHS billions

Diesel engines in buses, vans, cars and trains may be responsible for thousands of premature deaths a year and cost the NHS billions of pounds, say air pollution health experts. According to Frank Kelly, professor of environmental health at King’s College diesel fuel burned in vehicles could be responsible for around one in four of all air pollution deaths. Guardian.

Bank of England mocks up crisis scenario for new bank stress test

The Bank of England has set out the stipulation for its rigorous new stress test for commercial banks, which lay out a crisis situation. The Bank’s recession scenario includes interest rates jumping from the present 0.5% to 4%. It envisages a 30% crash in the UK stock market. The stress test, which will be imposed on top of the European Union’s own exercise, will be conducted over the summer and autumn. Independent.

Fossil fuel subsidies growing despite concerns

Government subsidies for renewable energy cause great consternation to those who believe in the sanctity of free markets. But in actual fact subsidies for oil, coal and gas far outweigh those for renewables. According to the International Energy Agency, in 2012 global fossil fuel subsides totalled $544 billion, while those for renewable amounted to $101 billion. BBC.

BP plays down Rosneft sanctions threat

America’s sanctions against Rosneft president Igor Sechin will have no effect on BP’s dealing with its Russian partner the chief executive of the British oil giant has insisted. Bob Dudley stressed that he could continue to deal with the state-backed Russian oil group, in which BP has a near 20% stake, including attending board meetings where Mr Sechin was present. Telegraph.

Cuadrilla gets green light for oil test at Balcombe

UK shale gas exploration company Cuadrilla has been given the green light to test oil extraction in Balcombe, the West Sussex village that saw major anti-fracking protests last summer. At a planning committee meeting that had to be adjourned at one point due to people disrupting it, West Sussex county council approved the company’s application. Guardian.

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Interesting picks

Abolishing renewable energy target offers short-term gain, long-term pain – Guardian

Exxon, Total and Shell are finally talking about climate change – Guardian

Teaching CSV will not breed sustainable business leaders – Financial Times

Photo: Sanja gjenero via Freeimages