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 […]
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 […]