environment

Why English football needs a climate game plan

By James Jackson Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment, Environment Posted: July 17, 2026

How to make football more sustainable is an issue that faces English football, spotlighted in summer 2026 with the World Cup. Following the Football Governance Act in 2025 and the formation of the Independent Football Regulator, Dr James Jackson suggests a series of policy recommendations to make football more sustainable. Football can prioritise sustainability by, […]

Developing a healthy nation: The use of environmental data in preventing ill health 

By John Ainsworth Filed Under: All posts, Environment, Health and Care Posted: June 29, 2026

Healthcare is at a crossroads. Ever increasing demand from an ageing population combined with escalating costs of care means the system will become unsustainable. Building a National Health Service that is fit for the future is one of the government’s key missions to deliver on over the course of this parliament and beyond. The transition […]

‘Simpler Recycling’ or recycled promises? Calling for a stronger approach to UK flexible plastic packaging recycling

By Torik Holmes Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Environment Posted: June 11, 2026

Thanks to the rollout of Simpler Recycling, in a little less than a year, flexible plastic packaging (such as bread bags, food pouches, chocolate bar wrappers and crisp packets) will be collected from homes and businesses for recycling across the UK. As things stand, the UK is ill-prepared to recycle what will be collected. If […]

The Role of Data in Supporting Decision Making: Utilising Spatial Data and GIS for Informed Policy and Practice

By Richard Kingston Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Environment, Health and Social Care, Research and development, Science and Technology Posted: May 26, 2026

In an era marked by rapid technological advancement and ever-increasing complexity, the ability to make informed, timely decisions has never been more vital. Across government, industry, academia and the public sector, organisations are striving to integrate digital solutions that enable evidence-based policy and practical action. Here Professor Richard Kingston explores how data can lead the […]

School Streets: A win for children, a challenge for communities?

By Joel Gildert and Sarah Mander Filed Under: All posts, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted: March 4, 2026

School Streets is a scheme where the road outside a school is closed to motorised traffic at drop-off and pick-up times to make it safer, healthier and more pleasant for residents and those using it. Currently, it is estimated there are approximately 1000 School Streets in operation in the UK, the vast majority of which […]

Running dry? The invisible impacts on water demand

By Claire Hoolohan, Alison Browne and Leilai Immel-Parkinson Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Urban Posted: January 26, 2026

Water scarcity is one of the most critical and widespread impacts of climate change. In England, water stress is an immediate crisis, with the gap between public water supply and demand increasing year on year. Alongside necessary changes to supply systems and improving the efficiency of buildings and appliances, additional measures to curb demand are […]

Still trash? UK flexible plastic packaging recycling and infrastructural contraction

By Torik Holmes Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Environment, Urban Posted: December 1, 2025

From food packaging to washing detergent pouches, flexible plastic packaging is an increasingly common feature of everyday life. This rising use is commonly explained as part of well-meaning moves to lightweight products, shrink carbon footprints, and reduce the overall use of plastics, but despite these intentions, only a small fraction of flexible plastic packaging is […]

New towns, new challenges?

By Cecilia Wong, Mark Baker and Sui Zhang Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Urban Posted: October 15, 2025

After the last of three waves of new towns were designated, the British new towns project essentially halted in the late 1960s – until now. Government have placed the serious development of new towns firmly back on the agenda with the establishment of a New Towns Taskforce (NTT). In this article, Professor Mark Baker, Sui […]

The right to play: making play a policy and practice priority

By Cathy Atkinson, Sarah MacQuarrie and Amy Phillips Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted: September 29, 2025

Policy dialogue around children, young people and education often focuses on either wellbeing or attainment. But play is a fundamental part of childhood and adolescence, recognised as fuelling learning, development and wellbeing. The establishment of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play could mark a turning point by placing play higher on the political agenda […]

Too hot to ignore: fixing the infrastructure gap in data centre cooling

By Dlzar Al Kez and Aoife Foley Filed Under: Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, Energy and Environment, Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: August 26, 2025

Data centres are rapidly becoming one of the most energy- and water-intensive components of the digital economy, yet their cooling systems remain largely invisible in infrastructure and climate policy. While advanced cooling technologies can significantly reduce energy and resource use, the UK lacks a national framework to guide their adoption or measure their environmental impact. […]