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Policy@Manchester Articles: Energy and Environment
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Making sustainable business models for green electricity attractive to the mainstream

By Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Renewables Posted:

Scaling up green electricity is key to achieving net zero. While the government has made progress in supporting solar PV and offshore wind, technologies alone will not make for a successful transition to net zero. To be successful in the market, technologies need an attractive business model. In this blog, Professor Jonatan Pinkse discusses how […]

Aerial view of UK town

The importance of mapping in the shift to net zero

Picture of Charlottepicture of Hannah By , and Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment Posted:

Delivering on net zero energy requires the radical transformation of our whole energy system from supply and distribution to demand. In this blog, Charlotte Brown, Hannah Charles and Rob Bellamy explore three topics that illustrate the importance of mapping in relation to low carbon energy transitions and their implications for policy. Policymakers should go ‘beyond […]

Smart meter on kitchen counter

Energy inequality and low carbon futures: geography matters

Picture of AmishDr Kate ScottPicture of Manonpicture of Stefan By , , and Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment Posted:

The UK is heading towards a period of economic uncertainty. The cost-of-living crisis, inflation, and an increase in energy prices have further stressed the finances of households. With a rapid increase in the number of households experiencing difficulty in affording their domestic energy, many will be unable to secure the level of energy needed for […]

Taking action on hot air: Why agriculture is the key to reducing UK methane emissions

By Filed Under: Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

While much of the global discussion on climate change focusses on cutting CO2 emissions, methane is around 25 times more potent as a greenhouse gas in trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. At COP26, the UK Government committed to reducing methane emissions by 30%. In this blog, Emeritus Professor Ian Plewis lays out the scale […]

Engineers surveying windfarm in the UK.

The energy strategy: missed opportunities, false solutions, better ways forward

Prof Matthew Paterson By Filed Under: British Politics, Energy and Environment Posted:

The government’s ‘British Energy Security Strategy’ released on the 7th April 2022 has raised more questions than answers for those in interested in energy policy. While it claims to offer solutions to the dual problems of rising energy prices and threats to natural gas supplies, it adopts an outdated method that runs conversely to net […]

Antifungal resistance – a growing global problem

By Filed Under: Energy and Environment, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Science and Technology Posted:

The spread of resistance to antifungal medications has led to many serious infections becoming untreatable, compromising patient safety and posing a global public health threat. The World Health Organisation (WHO) will soon publish its fungal pathogen priority list, highlighting fungi that are already untreatable, and those for which treatment outcomes are poor. In this blog, […]

picture of a windmill and a factory emitting smoke

Why policy on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions needs to be joined-up

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

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving air quality are closely linked objectives but are not considered simultaneously under current policy frameworks. In this blog, Professor Grant Allen discusses the benefits of developing a common policy framework aligning GHGs reduction goals with improvements in air quality. Considering these two objectives simultaneously, rather than in isolation, […]

The Energy Security Strategy: Going nuclear

Francis Livens By Filed Under: Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

The government has today announced plans to build eight new nuclear reactors in the UK, alongside strategies to boost wind, hydrogen, and solar production. These new reactors are intended to improve the UK’s energy self-sufficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as creating thousands of new jobs. In this blog, Professor Francis Livens of […]

water sink

Reimagining water consumption: challenges and opportunities to reduce domestic water demand in the UK

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

Emissions related to domestic water use contribute 5-6% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing emissions from domestic water use is necessary for the UK to meet its ambitious target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. However, current policy instruments to reduce water-related emissions remain limited in scope. In this blog, Dr Claire Hoololan […]

man operating heater

Decarbonising domestic heating

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

Home is where the heart is, but with climate change the way our homes are built and required to function is shifting. Overheating is just one example that is being discussed at length within the academic and commercial sectors. Projections for UK homes in 2050 and 2080 show significant issues around overheating and sustained overheating […]

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