Our choices about what Infrastructure we invest in [ eg power systems, buildings, and transport links] are an important part of getting to Net Zero, because infrastructure is expensive and lasts a long time. It also fundamentally shapes our future options and can create (or block) lots of jobs. For example, if developers are allowed […]
Ashden and Friends of the Earth, with the support of CDP, have put together an evidence-based list of the most effective actions councils can take on climate. We think this is an excellent toolkit, full of useful practical examples for local council officers about how to cut carbon and improve people’s lives, but as it’s […]
People who are trying to get to Net Zero carbon often ask me about offsetting This is the idea that once you’ve done everything you can to reduce your own carbon emissions, but still have some emissions left, you can achieve Net Zero by paying someone else to clean up their emissions instead, for example […]
Do you live in a “hotspot”, where lots of homes can be easily be upgraded to become healthier with lower carbon emissions and bills? Here are three simple steps to do now
The Green Homes Grant scheme has just been launched, but will it deliver? The government’s track record is not good. The previous scheme, the “Green Deal”, was launched at the end of 2012 with much fanfare. I listened with some scepticism as the minister Greg Barker claimed that it would be a world beater, but […]
Towards the end of this summer’s little heatwave, I popped into the Sydney Street Sainsbury’s hoping to restock with ice cream. But I was out of luck. Their refrigeration system had failed, and the staff were hard at work removing all the chilled and frozen foods. The shelves were bare. This is a distressing waste […]
Anglian Water are one of the largest users of power in the East of England, so I was pleased to see that they have set themselves a target of being Net Zero Carbon by 2030. As construction accounts for about 15% of their carbon footprint, it’s also good that they’re being thorough by including both […]
I was pleased to see that in their recently published Climate Strategy, South Cambs will be enforcing the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard on rented homes. This makes it an offence for landlords to rent out properties with a dreadful Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F&G, unless they have registered with the Council for an […]
In what we think is the largest ever group to meet with a single MP, 139 constituents met online with Daniel Zeichner MP on 30th June 2020 to call for a fairer greener recovery. As one participant said “This is a great way to interact with our MP. I hope this can be done more […]
During the first quarter of 2020, for the first time ever, UK electricity became lower carbon than gas. Since 2013, dirty coal fired power stations have steadily been phased out in the UK, with electricity generated instead by renewables such as solar, wind and hydro. This has reduced the carbon intensity of electricity by a […]