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A communiqué signed by a group of 32 cross-party Mayors and local leaders from across the UK have called for a ‘Power Shift’ from Whitehall so that local and regional authorities can deliver Net Zero. This statement proposes a new, enhanced partnership between the UK government, devolved governments and regional, city and local authorities to accelerate the transition to Net Zero. Polly Billington,...

The electricity system operator for Great Britain describes what the future of energy may look like between now and 2050. The Future Energy Scenarios (FES) outline four different pathways for the future of energy, with each one considering how much energy the nation might need and where it could come from. According to National Grid ESO, the report can be used...

The European Commission has adopted a package of proposals to make the EU's climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. The proposals introduced by the Commission are set to enable the necessary acceleration of greenhouse gas emission reductions in the next decade. They...

The Environment Agency has released its annual report on the environmental performance of England’s nine water and sewerage companies. Whilst there were improvements in 2020, according to the Environment Agency, no single company achieved all the expectations for the period 2015 to 2020. These included the reduction of total pollution incidents by at least one-third compared with 2012 and for incident self-reporting...

A new consultation by Department for Transport seeks views on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) within the UK. Views are sought specifically on: when to end the sale of new non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in the UK whether to increase the maximum permissible weights for zero emission and alternatively fuelled...

The water sector will invest £2.7 billion to deliver lasting environmental improvements. Ofwat, in collaboration with Defra, the Environment Agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, and Consumer Council for Water (CCW), has given the go ahead on delivering 'a broad range of proposals to offer a more resilient, greener and healthier future.' David Black, Interim Chief Executive at Ofwat, commented on the...

To mark the Bees’ Needs Week 2021 (12 – 18 July), Environment Minister Rebecca Pow has called on everyone, from individuals, farmers, gardeners, or managers of urban spaces, to take five simple actions to care for bees and other pollinators: Grow more flowers, shrubs and trees Let your garden grow wild Cut your grass less often Don’t disturb insect...

A new green paper proposes options for a carbon dioxide (CO2) regulatory framework for all new road vehicles in the UK. Department for Transport is seeking views on the proposed regulatory framework for the UK with regard to all newly sold road vehicles. Removing all tailpipe emissions from road vehicles is fundamental to decarbonising transport. In total, road vehicles are responsible for 91%...

Ofwat has set out a number of actions water companies can take to help customers who may be struggling through the pandemic in a new report. The report follows the Water regulator's 'Listen, Care, Share'-conversation, which took a deep dive into customers’ experiences during the pandemic and the different types of support offered. David Black, Interim Chief Executive Officer commented on...

The UK government has welcomed 15 new recommendations from the independent Green Jobs Taskforce in a new independent report. The Taskforce, which was convened by the Business and Education departments in November 2020, has published its findings and recommendations on how the UK government, industry and skills sector can best deliver the green jobs and skills of the future. Director at...