News

Defra hails 98 per cent drop in single-use plastic bag sales since charge introduced

Taxation

Defra hails 98 per cent drop in single-use plastic bag sales since charge introduced

Introduction of 5p plastic bag charge in 2014 has helped avoid seven billion carrier bags from going to waste, according to new data from Defra

clock 01 August 2023 • 4 min read
Calls grow for 'greener lorry levy' as distance-based charges returns from Covid-related hiatus

Policy

Calls grow for 'greener lorry levy' as distance-based charges returns from Covid-related hiatus

As the UK's HGV levy returns, environmental groups call for shift from a flat levy to distance-based charging with exemptions for new zero emission trucks

clock 01 August 2023 • 4 min read
UKGBC publishes green energy procurement guidance

Energy

UKGBC publishes green energy procurement guidance

UK Green Building Council guidance sets out best practices to help building owners and occupiers support the transition to decarbonised electricity system by 2035

clock 01 August 2023 • 3 min read
Octopus Electric Vehicles launches salary-sacrifice scheme for second-hand electric cars

Automotive

Octopus Electric Vehicles launches salary-sacrifice scheme for second-hand electric cars

Company claims new service will make EVs more accessible by enabling UK workers to drive an EV from £300 a month including leasing, fuel, and maintenance

clock 01 August 2023 • 3 min read
Unilever, BASF and Walgreens Boots Alliance tout vision for biodegradable PLF chemicals by 2030

Recycling

Unilever, BASF and Walgreens Boots Alliance tout vision for biodegradable PLF chemicals by 2030

Business taskforce set up by Royal Society of Chemistry unveils roadmap to tackle scourge of 'unrecyclable' polymers in liquid formulations (PLFs) by 2040

clock 31 July 2023 • 3 min read
Community Energy Together: Local solar collective unveils initial 36MW pipeline

Solar

Community Energy Together: Local solar collective unveils initial 36MW pipeline

New community energy collective aims to generate £20m in local benefits across England and Wales while growing the community solar sector by a fifth

clock 31 July 2023 • 2 min read
Sunak green lights wave of oil and gas licenses - and two further carbon capture hubs

Infrastructure

Sunak green lights wave of oil and gas licenses - and two further carbon capture hubs

Prime Minister insists issuing hundreds new oil and gas licenses will not jeopardise net zero targets, as green groups slam latest 'cynical political ploy to sow division'

clock 31 July 2023 • 9 min read
Octopus earmarks up to £2m for early-stage PV and battery storage business

Energy

Octopus earmarks up to £2m for early-stage PV and battery storage business

Octopus to invest up to £2m in new business to create 'large pipeline' of ground-mounted solar PV and battery storage projects

clock 31 July 2023 • 2 min read
'Urgent need to turn hopes into actions': MPs urge government for 'concrete and detailed' nuclear energy strategy

Nuclear

'Urgent need to turn hopes into actions': MPs urge government for 'concrete and detailed' nuclear energy strategy

Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee warns government is off track to meet its nuclear targets unless urgent reforms to its strategy are made

clock 31 July 2023 • 5 min read
Drax biomass power station named as UK's largest CO2 emitter

Energy

Drax biomass power station named as UK's largest CO2 emitter

New analysis from think tank Ember states the biomass power station is 'by far' largest single emitter in UK power sector, but operator insists 'well-established science' confirms that it results in substantial emissions savings

clock 31 July 2023 • 5 min read