Here at the ILMC we are keen to champion websites like www.agreenerfestival.com, music industry initiative www.juliesbicycle.com and YOUROPE's Green 'n' Clean awards. But if the music industry doesn't clean up its own act, rest assured there are countless politicians who will legislate for it.

Here at the ILMC we are keen to champion websites like www.agreenerfestival.com, music industry initiative www.juliesbicycle.com and YOUROPE's Green 'n' Clean awards. But if the music industry doesn't clean up its own act, rest assured there are countless politicians who will legislate for it. 

A new European Commission report has been published detailing progress towards the aims of the EU's renewed Sustainable Development Strategy which was adopted in June 2006. The report recommends that Europe must implement its climate change policies, markedly increase the use of alternative energy, take bolder steps towards environmentally-friendly transport and increase efforts to halt biodiversity loss and Commission president José Manuel Barroso said "We must reverse unsustainable long-term trends in areas like energy consumption, transport, bio-diversity and health" adding "We will continue to lead in fighting climate change and keep our promises to the developing world". French President Nicolas Sarkozy has put a moratorium on the growing of genetically-modified crops in France and has announced plans to ban energy-wasting lightbulbs along with a raft of other concessions to the environment in a move which is supposed to put France in the vanguard of 'green' states on the international stage. In Northern Ireland, a leading wildlife charity has published a new report which urges the government to act to improve education about sustainable development and business practices.

The report, entitled Sustainable Schools - Building, inspiring and protecting our shared future, was produced by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). It argues that it is vital young children are taught about environmental sustainability as these people will be the business leaders of the future who have to tackle issues surrounding climate change. Finally the UK Government, not to be outdone by the French, has announced that the UK's Climate Change Bill will be amended to increase transparency and accountability, ministers have announced.

Environment secretary Hilary Benn revealed the changes to the draft legislation following a three-month public consultation. The Bill will make the UK the first country to introduce legally-binding targets to reduce emissions, and ministers hope it will inspire other nations to follow suit.

Mr Benn confirmed Prime Minister Gordon Brown's announcement last month that the target of reducing emissions by 60% by 2050 will now be reviewed by the Committee on Climate Change which will be established by the Bill. The committee will also be asked to examine whether shipping and aviation emissions should be included in the UK's targets. The Bill will also, as originally planned, introduce a new cap and trade scheme to cut the emissions of larger companies not already covered under existing schemes. Following the announcement, campaign groups including Friends Of the Earth and Stop Climate Chaos urged minister to immediately increase the 2050 target to 80% and to include shipping and aviation emissions from the outset.