The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development brings together the world's richest countries, so naturally takes a keen interest in the health of the world's economy. And this is not necessarily in opposition to its ecological health. A recent set of reference procedures sets out some options for governments in costing policies that affect biodiversity.

It hits the headlines, it arouses passions, and it is a subject of widespread concern. Nuclear waste. How much, though, do Europeans actually know about the subject - and who do we trust to tell us about it? Eurobarometer reports on the public's low level of knowledge, limited confidence in the powers that be and their hopes that something will be done soon.

Trading in greenhouse gas emissions is seen as an efficient and cost-effective way for companies and countries to meet their obligations under international treaties. But how to set up a workable system? A new study assesses the vexing issue of how to allocate credits to companies to kick off a scheme that could potentially be worth 30 billion a year in the EU alone.