The Icon

Restrictions on the sale of coal, wet wood and manufactured solid fuels for burning in the home have came into force on first of May. Burning at home, particularly with traditional house coal or wet wood, is a major source of the pollutant PM2.5 – tiny particles which can enter the bloodstream and lodge in lungs and other organs. PM2.5...

A call of evidence has been launched to examine the supply chain for battery electric vehicles. According to the Environmental Audit Committee, a supply chain focused on battery technology and the associated power electronics, machines and drives (PEMD) will be required for UK’s shift to electric vehicles to be successful, while a delay in growing this supply chain, or a failure...

The Environmental Audit Committee has expressed disappointment that the Government has 'failed to acknowledge' the role community energy can play in prompting behaviour change and lowering emissions on the path to net zero. In a letter to the Business Secretary, Committee's Chair Philip Dunne raises concern about the lack of clarity from the Government on the role of community energy...

Over half of UK consumers would consider installing renewable energy sources at home, new survey reveals. A survey by GHD, a professional services company, has found that UK consumers look set to embrace green technology at home, with the majority of respondents saying that would consider installing solar panels (63%), hydrogen boilers (57%), hydrogen batteries (53%) and ground source heat...

The Work and Pensions Committee has launched an inquiry into the Government’s approach to ensuring pension schemes consider the risks to funds posed by climate change and the role schemes can play in meeting emission reduction targets. Following a consultation at the start of the year, the Government is due to bring in regulations for pension schemes on managing climate risk...

A new international sustainable textile agreement, joined by household brands including ASOS, Boohoo, John Lewis, Primark and New look, has been launched. Led by circular economy charity WRAP, the voluntary 'Textiles 2030' agreement seeks to slash the environmental impact of UK clothing and home fabrics through practical interventions along the entire textiles chain. Having secured commitment from more than 18 major...

Ofwat seeks views on the structure and scope of charges for developer services, particularly on the balance of costs recovered from developers and other customers (the balance of charges) and incentives for better outcomes for the environment and society (environmental incentives). According to the water regulator, this consultation complements ongoing work on improving the cost reflectivity of new connection charges. The...

A consultation examines a new Waste Prevention Programme for England that sets out priorities to manage resources and waste in accordance with the waste hierarchy, which includes preventing waste by increasing reuse, repair and remanufacture of products. The Programme outlines the potential for, and benefits of, action on waste prevention, what industry is already doing and could do, as well...

The Environmental Audit Committee has written to the Business Secretary calling for clarity for contractors and homeowners following the Government announcement to end Green Homes Grant. The Committee called for the Green Homes Grant to be urgently overhauled and extended within its recent Energy Efficiency in Existing Homes-report. A week after report publication however, the Government announced its intention to end...

New report showcases the impact that different UK habitats can have in taking carbon out of the atmosphere and helping reach net zero by 2050, whilst delivering for both biodiversity and conservation. In 'Carbon Storage and Sequestration by Habitat 2021', Natural England researchers found that peatlands and native woodlands are habitats which have the greatest capacity to store carbon, but...