News

The environmental watchdogs Arnika, Children of the Earth and Greenpeace on Friday released their annual report of the country’s biggest polluters in 2023. Similarly as in the previous year, coal-fired power plants topped the list.  Last year, however, the amount of hazardous substances emitted into the environment, such as mercury, dropped, which environmentalists ascribe to European efforts to replace coal-fired electricity with renewable sources. The biggest polluters, named in the report  include Spolana Neratovice and the Počerady and Chvaletice power plants. On the other hand, the Liberty Ostrava steel producer, which was forced to cut production in 2023, fell to the lower rungs of the rankings.

The government has extended the state of emergency declared in connection with the floods in the Olomouc Region and the Moravian-Silesian Region until 13 November at the request of the region’s governors.  The move has practical implications since under a state of emergency the regions can request further help from soldiers and firefighters in the affected areas. Moreover, there is no need to apply for building permits, which makes it much easier for companies to repair damaged electricity, gas and water distribution systems.

The Czech authorities should strengthen their efforts to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings, in particular as regards labour exploitation, improve the identification of victims, and take further action to prevent child trafficking, according to a new report released today by the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA).

According to official statistics, 90 adult victims of trafficking were identified in 2019-2023. The majority were foreign nationals exploited in the sectors of construction, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, food processing and domestic work. There is no data available on child victims of trafficking.

The government has approved an amendment to the Packaging Act, which introduces a deposit system for PET bottles and metal cans. The decision was announced at a press conference on Thursday by Environment Minister Petr Hladík.

The amendment aims to introduce a four-crown deposit for each bottle or can, though the exact amount will be determined by a decree. The draft legislation will now be submitted to Parliament for further debate.

The primary objective of the new legislation is to boost the recycling rate and limit the amount of waste that ends up in nature. Additionally, the legislation also aims to introduce a recycling fee for manufacturers and restrict the distribution of leaflets to consumers who do not wish to receive them.