In a recent speech the new Mayor for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, listed climate as a potential ‘fourth C’ to add to his three guiding principles of compassion, cooperation and community. We shouldn’t be surprised that a children’s doctor is prioritizing climate action. The climate emergency is after all a health emergency which […]
It’s good to see that Cambridge City council has recently declared a target to reduce its Direct Carbon Emissions to Net Zero by 2030 and has published a strategy to achieve it. It is important to realise that this target is just for the measurable emissions that are under the Council’s own direct control (e.g […]
Climate Change was identified as the top priority in last year’s consultation on the new Local Plan, and the planners are currently working on the detail before the next stage of public consultation in summer/autumn 2021. In the meantime, Greater Cambridge has been deluged with over 650 speculative proposals for housing developments, which all seem […]
Climate Change is happening here and now for farmers. 2020 saw the wettest February followed by the sunniest April and May on record in the UK. These dramatic weather changes affect us all but none more so than arable farmers. Last year saw a fall in yields: for example, the wheat yield was 20% lower […]
As the new year dawns, I suspect I’m not alone in craving an end to the angry divisiveness of the last few years. A part of the solution is often simply to be brave and talk to each other. For example, a few years ago, in the heated aftermath of the Brexit referendum, I found […]
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 […]