A unique initiative which will help business make full use of Scotland's world-leading university 'know-how' was launched on 8th March 2006.

Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen launched Interface - backed by £870,000 from the Scottish Funding Council - which will match companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, with the skills and expertise of Scotland's higher education and research institutions.

Mr Stephen said that Interface would provide a much-needed boost to Scotland's business research and development rate, and would create new opportunities and increase revenue.

Listed below are conferences, exhibitions and environmental milestones happening over the next few months.  Click on the weblinks supplied to view further information.

Britain's emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide are now higher than they were in 1990, the benchmark year used in government targets to tackle the pollution which is driving climate change.

The UK and Brazil have this week signed a joint statement that strengthens ties on a range of environmental and sustainable development policies, as part of the Brazilian President’s State Visit to London.

New regulations were laid before Parliament on 9th March 2006 to clarify how costs for water infrastructure for new housing developments should be shared.

A £400,000 grant is financing a hi-tech biomass heating plant at the new multi-million pound Queen Margaret University College (QMUC) campus on the edge of Musselburgh which is due to open to staff and students in autumn 2007.

Nine Scottish companies have received grant funding in the last year to work on a series of innovative projects.

UK industry will face increased costs of around £350 million after the European Commission's decision to reject the UK's amended emissions plan, according to business leaders.

An Action Plan aimed at maintaining Dundee’s reputation for generally good air quality is to be drawn up by the city council.