The North's Environment Minister could face a legal challenge over his withdrawal of protection for an ice-age site in Co Tyrone, it was warned tonight.

A new crackdown on aircraft pollution as part of efforts to curb carbon emissions has been agreed by Euro-MPs and EU governments.

Budget 2008 opened with an olive branch for the Greens – the Minister for Finance promised no conflict between the environment and the economy.

THE number of children driven to school by their parents has almost doubled in 20 years — with most journeys as short as two kilometres.

GOVERNMENT policy of carbon emission charges is great news for the big-time polluters, according to Friends of the Earth (FOE), but not such good news for the PAYE citizens that will pay the price.

SHOPPERS could be paying double for their plastic carrier bags later this year after Environment Minister Dick Roche signalled a hike in the 15 cent levy.

Environmental campaigners today attacked the Government’s record on combating climate change, claiming it was making paltry progress in promoting renewable energy.

THE first genetically modified superweed has been discovered in Britain — the result of GM oilseed rape cross-breeding with a common weed.

Tesco offered its rivals no respite today after buoyant Christmas sales kept the supermarket giant on course for annual profits of more than £2bn (€2.9bn).

A five-and-a-half-year European ban on the use of genetically-modified crops is expected to be lifted today.

AN inquiry was launched yesterday after an RAF jet was shot down by US “friendly fire” in the Gulf.

Premiership latest:

Premiership latest:

Stormont Minister Dermot Nesbitt was tonight accused of being “naive” about Sellafield nuclear plant after he called for the public debate on it to be based on facts, not emotion.

Plans by the British Government to allow a new MOX plant at Sellafield were today facing two legal challenges brought by Ireland and environmental groups, it has emerged.

Pension fund trustees must dramatically ‘‘raise their game’’ if they are to meet investor concerns about ethical investment, according to a report published today.

The Kyoto Protocol deal has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth and the World Wildlife Fund.

Oil giant Shell was today expected to become the latest energy group to come under pressure from environmentalists over its exploration policies.

New genetically modified foods could be licensed for use in the European Union by the end of the year following a vote of Euro-MPs in Strasbourg.