Short items, October 2009

RCUK publishes code of conduct

Following public consultation, Research Councils UK (RCUK) has announced a code of conduct containing guidance on best practice for researchers. The body, which represents seven research funding councils, has for the first time outlined instructions on managing research to the highest standards and on reporting and investigating unacceptable research practice.  

Australian renewable energy target 

The Australian government has passed a law requiring that 20 per cent of the country’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020. This is an 8 per cent rise on the current figures. The senate had previously blocked a scheme to tax industries’ carbon emissions and to cut the country’s emissions by up to 25 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020. 

Innovative Medicines Initiative calls for proposals 

The Innovative Medicines Initiative, a collaboration between the European Commission and Europe’s pharmaceutical industry launched in 2007, has announced its second call for funding proposals. €156.3 million (?139 million) is now available for research that will accelerate the discovery and development of innovative new drugs for cancer, inflammatory and infectious diseases. Specific topics eligible include developing point-of-care diagnostic kits for bacterial diseases. 

Go Figure  

6.2 per cent  

The amount the EU-15’s 2008 greenhouse emissions were below 1990 base levels, as estimated by the European Environment Agency. The figure also represents a 1.3 per cent fall on 2007 levels.