Cities and Environment

One bin to rule them all: the future of plastic waste?

By Mike Shaver Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: March 18, 2021

Despite the success of environmental campaigners in raising awareness of plastic pollution, much of the plastic waste produced in the UK is not recycled. In part, this is due to the complexity of the multiple recycling schemes in place across the country, causing confusion for both the public and waste management companies in terms of […]

From celebration to public policy: International Mother Language Day as a civic identity badge

By Yaron Matras, Daniele Viktor Leggio and Rebecca Tipton Filed Under: Cities and Environment, Growth and Inclusion Posted: February 16, 2021

On 21 February 2021, Manchester will again be celebrating UNESCO International Mother Language Day (IMLD). This year’s activities will be held online to accommodate to the pandemic conditions. For the second time, they are being coordinated by the City of Literature initiative based in Manchester’s local authority. In this blog, Professor Yaron Matras, Dr Daniele […]

How can we drive businesses to deliver on Net Zero?

By Jonatan Pinkse Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Urban Posted: February 3, 2021

Nearly a fifth of the UK’s carbon emissions are generated by businesses. With global emissions expected to be just 4% lower than in 2019, urgent action is required across all sectors to achieve net zero goals. But how can we push businesses to sustainability when their bottom line is at stake? Here, Professor Jonatan Pinkse, […]

Mobility transitions: COVID-19 and building back better post-carbon transport futures

By Cristina Temenos Filed Under: Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment Posted: November 5, 2020

In the days and weeks following the global lockdowns due to COVID-19, reports emerged on plunging carbon emissions and better air quality. The hashtag #BuildBackBetter quickly emerged as communities and governments started thinking about how to reconfigure essential travel infrastructure in a rapidly changing world. But as lockdown restrictions have eased, to varying levels, emissions […]

Building back better: rethinking urban futures with children and young people

By Deborah Ralls Filed Under: Cities and Environment, Education, Inclusive Growth Posted: October 27, 2020

The global pandemic of 2020 has had a huge impact on the lives of millions of citizens around the world, with research showing that children and young people (CYP) have been the most severely affected. Here in the UK and beyond, governments and policymakers are expressing their determination to ‘build back better’ after COVID-19, while […]

Protecting our children’s memory – how can we tackle the scourge of poor air quality in and around our schools?

By Martie van Tongeren and Luke Munford Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted: October 8, 2020

Every day, children are exposed to levels of pollution, both during their journeys to and from school but also in playgrounds and classrooms. Results from a new literature review carried out by The University of Manchester suggests traffic-related air pollution, specifically particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), are detrimental to cognitive functioning in children […]

COVID-19 and sustainable everyday routines

By Claire Hoolohan Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Urban Posted: October 1, 2020

Climate change requires rapid and fundamental transformation of our society to change the way that resources like energy and water are used during everyday routines. However, unsustainable consumption proves surprisingly impervious to policies and interventions intended to reduce emissions, not least because taken-for-granted ways of living become ‘locked-in’ by cultural and material conditions of society. […]

Graphene providing a firm foundation for a more sustainable construction industry

By James Baker Filed Under: Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: September 21, 2020

If we want to achieve a zero carbon world we literally need to build it in a different way. Here, James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester talks about the need to support and accelerate graphene innovation to help make building materials much more sustainable in a bid to meet regional and national net zero targets. Greater […]

Getting women’s voices into policymaking in Greater Manchester

By Francesca Gains Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Devo, Growth and Inclusion Posted: August 26, 2020

Progress toward achieving equality in life chances, so that all citizens can fulfil their potential, has been slow. Despite women in the UK having the vote for over 100 years and protection from equalities legislation since the 1970s, there are still significant inequalities in the educational, employment, care and retirement choices available to men and […]

The retrofitting challenge in Manchester

By Matt Ziembla, Elvira Uyarra and Jonatan Pinkse Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Urban Posted: July 13, 2020

During January-March 2020, Mateusz Ziembla, together with Dr Elvira Uyarra and Professor Jonatan Pinkse, undertook a study for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), funded by Research England, aimed at analysing the challenges associated with improving the energy efficiency of existing housing stock in order to articulate recommendations for policy action. Cost-effective decarbonisation of domestic […]