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The Environmental Audit Committee is calling for written evidence on the recently published report by the National Audit Office (NAO) on Local government and net zero. The NAO’s analysis followed the Committee's request to examine how effectively central Government and local authorities are collaborating to achieve net zero outcomes. Environmental Audit Committee Chairman, Philip Dunne, commented: “I warmly welcome this excellent...

A judging panel has been announced for a £40 million competition designed to unleash a wave of innovation across the water sector to deliver 'transformative benefits' for customers, society and the environment. The inaugural Water Breakthrough Challenge encourages collaboration with water companies and organisations, including universities, start-ups, local authorities and other utilities, to tackle challenges facing the sector. Led by the water regulator Ofwat, the...

A clear policy framework is essential to ensure that industry can deliver the vehicles and charging infrastructure required to deliver the Government’s ambition, according to a new Transport Committee report. Titled 'Zero emission vehicles', the report outlines a set of recommendations to Government to boost the production and purchase of electric vehicles as the net zero deadline approaches. Chair of the...

MOSL, market operator for the non-household retail market in England, is set to launch its first Market Improvement Fund for innovative projects that can 'make a significant impact on the market and deliver benefits to business customers.' The fund, which will be accepting nominations between 1st and 30th of September, gives individuals or groups the opportunity to apply for funding for projects between...

The Environment Agency and Ofwat have set out the review of the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). The WINEP, which sets out the actions water companies need to undertake to improve the environment, has delivered significant benefits to water quality, biodiversity and water resources over the last 30 years, including increasing the proportion of “excellent” bathing waters from less...

A programme to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency is set to receive an extra £9 million of funding this year to support reducing greenhouse gas emissions and help fuel poor households save money on their heating bills, the Scottish Government has announced. The Scottish Government’s Area Based Scheme (ABS) programme will provide over £64 million in 2021/22, up...

Projects to restore kelp forests, create new woodland, deliver natural flood risk management, and improve water quality are among an initial 27 schemes to benefit from a new fund to drive private investment in nature and tackle climate change, Defra, the Environment Agency & Natural England have announced. Organisations across England have been awarded up to £100,000 each, as part...

A new consultation sets out Department for Transport's proposed approach and principles to reach net zero aviation by 2050. The ambition is outlined as decarbonising aviation in a way that preserves the benefits of air travel and maximising the opportunities that decarbonisation can bring. A suite of policies are suggested to support industry to reduce and, where possible, eliminate carbon dioxide...

The Go-Ahead Group has out a strategy to achieve a 75% cut in emissions by 2035, and becoming a fully carbon neutral company by 2045. The exacting targets are set to be achieved through a combination of investment in zero-carbon technology, a crackdown on waste and a significant increase in reuse and recycling of materials. David Brown, Chief Executive of The...

The Environment Agency is seeking views on proposed new guidance for appropriate measures for permitted facilities that transfer or treat waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), including waste cooling equipment (WCE) in England. This proposed guidance has been produced to: provide improvements in the operation of permitted facilities in the WEEE treatment sector make relevant standards clear, consistent and enforceable The...