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Still trash? UK flexible plastic packaging recycling and infrastructural contraction

By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Environment, Urban Posted:

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 , and Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Urban Posted:

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

Sarah MacQuarrie By , and Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted:

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 […]

Large data computer

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

Dlzar Al Kez headshotAoife Foley headshot By and Filed Under: Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, Energy and Environment, Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

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. […]

Securing the UK’s critical minerals future: building an ethical and resilient supply chain

Maria Sharmina By , and Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

The global transition to net zero hinges on securing minerals such as lithium and cobalt, which are critical for use in renewable energy technologies. Despite its rich mining heritage and expertise, the UK faces challenges in rebuilding a resilient and ethical critical minerals sector. The UK government has emphasised the importance of securing supplies of […]

Landfill bulldozer on a pile of rubbish

No room for waste – unlocking the potential of landfill mining

Daniel WelchHeadshot of Pawan Srikanth By and Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Environment Posted:

As the UK pursues its net zero goals by 2050, the transition toward a circular economy shapes practices of how resources are consumed – and how waste and resources are perceived. In this article, Pawan Srikanth and Dr Daniel Welch explore how legacy landfill sites across the UK offer pathways for the UK’s net zero […]

No one left behind: Supporting disadvantaged groups to adopt electric vehicles

Photograph of man By and Filed Under: Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth Posted:

While electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to rise, EV ownership remains inaccessible to large portions of the population. Research by Helen Zheng and Arijit De addresses this by using geospatial analysis and agent-based simulations (ABSs) to identify priority areas for EV infrastructure in Greater Manchester (GM). In this article, they discuss how these steps will […]

Image of factory pollution against a sun set.

Clearing the air: pollution and cardiovascular health

Holly Shiels headshot By Filed Under: All posts, Environment, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

Air pollution is increasingly recognised as a major contributor to ill health, including cardiovascular disease. One of the most harmful chemicals released by burning fossil fuels – phenanthrene – is linked to heart disease, as well as other illnesses. Here, Professor Holly Shiels outlines work to investigate the sources of air pollution, the effect on cardiovascular health, […]

Image of an industrial structure

A load of hot water: overcoming the barriers to decarbonising the heating sector

Headshot of Jingyi Li, pictured smiling into camera.Dr Alejandro Gallego Schmid By , and Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Renewables Posted:

The heating sector accounts for nearly one third of the UK’s annual carbon emissions. Despite the pressing need to achieve net-zero by 2050,  decarbonisation of the heating sector in the UK faces significant challenges. The previous UK government’s delay in curtailing oil and gas projects in the North Sea has served to divert focus away […]

Industrial blue containers in background with large piles of sand in front.

Can hydrogen help decarbonise small industrial emitters?

Maria SharminaHeadshot of Dr Vincenzo Spallina. By and Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Environment, Inclusive Growth, Renewables, Research and development, Science and Technology, UK economy Posted:

Decarbonising industry, among other hard-to-abate sectors, is a high priority in the UK as the country embarks on a pathway to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The government’s focus to date has been on the decarbonisation of large-scale energy-intensive industries. However, more than a fifth of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions come from […]

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