The Icon

Green number plates will be seen on roads for the first time from today, Transport Minister Rachel Maclean has announced. The new green plates will make it easier for cars to be identified as zero emission vehicles, helping local authorities design and put in place new policies to incentivise people to own and drive them. For example, drivers could benefit from...

The public expects councils to take a leading role in fight against climate change, according to a recent survey by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE).   1693 UK residents took part in the survey, which measured public attitudes to local neighbourhood services in 2020, covering topics such as response to COVID-19 pandemic and trust in local and national governments in delivering...

The government needs to change how it shapes energy policy ahead of major decisions on the gas grid’s fate, the decarbonisation of homes, and the future of nuclear power – or risk hindering efforts to reach its 2050 net zero target, a new report by Institute for Government warns. This 'Evidence in energy policy making' report compares the UK’s approach...

Evidence is sought to strengthen the government's evidence base on greenhouse gas removal methods and helps to inform future policy in this area. Greenhouse gas removals (GGRs) are likely to make a contribution to the UK’s net zero ambition, but many methods are not yet ready to be deployed at scale. Therefore, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)...

By autumn 2020, 75% of local authorities in England had declared a climate emergency, but are held back from acting on the climate crisis by a lack of long term funding, resources and support from central government, according to a new report by Green Alliance. In 'The local climate challenge: a new partnership approach', the think tank argues that a...

A new plan aims for at least 68% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, compared to 1990 levels, by 2030. Recognising the urgency to go further to tackle climate change, the UK’s new target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Climate Agreement – is among the highest in the world and commits the...

The environmental impact of water companies needs significant improvement, regulator Ofwat's annual performance assessment warns. The Service and Delivery Report 2019-20 finds that some companies are making good progress, and all companies demonstrate some aspects of leading performance, but there still remains more for companies to do for their customers and the environment and warns that some companies 'fall short...

Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a market study into electric vehicle charging to make sure this new sector works well for UK drivers. The UK currently has almost 20,000 charge points, up from around 1,500 in 2011 – although more will be needed in the future as this is the only way to power electric vehicles. The CMA is...

The Chief Statistician has released new figures on fuel poverty, energy efficiency and the condition of housing in Scotland in 2019. 45% of Scottish homes were in the highest energy efficiency bands, C or better, and half had an energy efficiency rating of 67 or higher in 2019. The share of those rated C or better, increased from 24% in 2010...

The Welsh Government has published an electric vehicle charging strategy based on a vision that 'by 2025, all users of electric cars and vans in Wales are confident that they can access charging infrastructure when and where they need it.' Proposed investment of £30 million over five years will be set aside to help with delivery, and a consultation has...