Government: environment improved in 2012

The state of the environment in the Czech Republic improved in 2012, mainly due to an economic slowdown, according to a new government report released on Wednesday. The report notes a decrease in greenhouse gasses emissions which last year reached the lowest levels since 1990. Production of hazardous waste decreased by 10 percent last year, as did water consumption. The report also registers an increase in the numbers of deciduous trees which experts say improves the overall quality of forests. Among persisting environmental problems are high levels of air pollution in some areas, increasing noise levels, massive use of pesticides and mineral fertilizers, and others.