Reed Elsevier Environmental Challenge Launched to Improve Access to Safe and Sustainable Water

Winning Projects to be Highlighted in Water Research

LONDON, June 29, 2010 - The Reed Elsevier Environmental Challenge was launched today, inviting
submissions of innovative ideas to improve access to safe and sustainable
water supply for communities where access is presently at risk. The winning
project will receive a prize of $50,000, with a second place prize of
$25,000.

Relevant Reed Elsevier products such as Water Research (
www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/309/description#
description), the journal of the International Water Association, will be
made available to applicants to help prepare their competition entry. The
winning entries will be highlighted in Water Research.

According to the World Health Organisation, lack of water to meet daily
needs is a reality for one in three people around the world. Poor access to
safe water contributes to health crises in many developing countries, and
increasingly leads to violent conflict.

The Reed Elsevier Environmental Challenge will contribute to the Water
for Life Decade, established by the UN General Assembly, running between 2005
and 2015, in support of the Millennium Development Goal to reduce by half the
number of people without access to safe drinking water and to stop
unsustainable exploitation of water resources.

Entries should focus on increasing access to safe and sustainable water
supply where it is presently at risk and demonstrate that the project:

    - Is replicable, scalable and sustainable, setting a high benchmark for
      innovation

    - Emphasises solutions with practical applicability

    - Addresses non-discrimination/equality of access from a scientific,
      legal or other basis

    - Involves and impacts a range of stakeholders

    - Engages local communities

Youngsuk "Y.S." Chi, CEO of Elsevier Science and Technology and a member
of the Reed Elsevier Management Committee, said, "The Environmental Challenge
will draw attention to a critical problem facing our world - access to water.
By leveraging our extensive networks and environmental publishing expertise,
Reed Elsevier is uniquely placed to facilitate the exchange and dissemination
of information about improving access to safe and sustainable water supply -
and through the Reed Elsevier Environmental Challenge, we hope to highlight
projects that really can make a difference".

To learn more about The Environmental Challenge, please visit the
challenge website (
www.reedelsevier.com/CorporateResponsibility/EnvChallenge/2010.htm).

About Reed Elsevier

Reed Elsevier (www.reed-elsevier.com/Pages/Home.aspx)
is a world leading publisher and information provider targeting the science
and medical, legal and risk management, and business to business sectors. We
provide high value and flexible information solutions to professional users,
with increasing emphasis on internet delivery. Reed Elsevier employs around
32,000 people. In February 2010, Reed Elsevier reported revenues for 2009 of
GBP6,071/EUR6,800m. Reed Elsevier Group plc is owned equally by two parent
companies, Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. Their shares are traded on
the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker
symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RUK and ENL.

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    Media Contact
    Sarah Dyson
    sarah.dyson@reedelsevier.com
    +44-207-166-5612

Media Contact, Sarah Dyson, sarah.dyson at reedelsevier.com, +44-207-166-5612