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Housing Minister Christopher Pincher has announced six finalists in a competition to design the homes of the future. The Home of 2030 competition has encouraged talents of the housing industry to design environmentally friendly homes that support people in leading independent, fulfilling lives as our society ages. The finalists and their designs are: The Positive Collective (changebuilding Perpendicular Architecture & humblebee) with...

The government has set out how it will use legally-binding targets under its Environment Bill to combat the environmental and climate challenges our society faces. The government will introduce at least one long-term target in four priority areas to drive 'significant and lasting environmental improvements': cleaner air, cleaner water, less waste and more biodiversity. To make sure the government is continuing...

The renewable energy industry needs to adopt the ideas of a circular economy, where equipment is designed to be reused or re-manufactured when it reaches the end of its operational life, according to new Leeds University research. Researchers say it would reduce the environmental cost of low-carbon infrastructure, such as offshore wind turbines, solar panels and batteries, which are required if the UK is to achieve its net-zero carbon targets. The...

Exceedances for pesticides continue to be detected in drinking water supplies around Ireland, according to Irish Water. While the pesticide levels the company is detecting do not pose a health risk, they are 'nevertheless undesirable and ideally should be as close to zero as possible.' The amounts are being picked up in drinking water because the water courses from which the...

New plans seeking to ensure that pension providers must consider the risk of climate change on their investments have been unveiled by the government. The new proposals will ensure trustees are legally required to assess and report on the financial risks of climate change within their portfolios. United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance and the Prime Minister’s Finance...

Farmers and land managers across England are encouraged to apply for the Woodland Carbon Guarantee scheme by 11 October, ahead of the next online auction to be held between 26 October to 1 November. The Woodland Carbon Guarantee is a Forestry Commission-administered £50 million scheme that aims to help boost woodland planting rates and permanently remove carbon dioxide from the...

Devon's householders have the been offered a chance to help the county to reach its net zero target by joining Devon Climate Emergency’s solar panel group-buying scheme. Devon Climate Emergency is made up of Devon’s principle public and private sector organisations, and they have joined forces to draw up a Carbon Plan, the county’s plan to reach carbon neutrality. Devon Climate...

SSE Energy Services missed its target to install gas and electricity smart meters for customers in 2019. Ovo Energy, which acquired SSE Energy Services in January 2020, will voluntarily pay £1.2 million to Ofgem's consumer redress fund for SSE Energy Services' historic issue. Under the Government’s smart metering implementation programme, suppliers are required by their licence to take all reasonable steps...

It is evident that the Chancellor Rishi Sunak is taking the Prime Minister’s promise to Build Back Better seriously, by announcing a pledge to make homes greener as part of a £3 billion investment in green technology to cut carbon emissions. This will only apply to England, there are alternate schemes for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.     What is it? The...

Despite the health crisis, climate change is still seen by the public in several European countries as the biggest issue that mankind faces, according to new research by Vattenfall. The new survey complements a report by Vattenfall carried out in December 2019, which explored people’s attitudes and emotional response to the conversation on climate change. This first round of research found...