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 […]

Why ‘A New Vision for Water’ must consider the role of water for food security and economic growth

By Tim Foster and Christopher Bowden Filed Under: All posts, Environment, Science and Engineering Posted: June 2, 2026

Farming and food security, in the UK, is increasingly exposed to drought and water scarcity. Yet, the UK government’s White Paper, ‘A New Vision for Water’, treats farming primarily as a source of water pollution, not as a sector whose productive capacity is closely linked to water security. The White Paper promises a once-in-a-generation reform […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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

By Maria Sharmina, Xintong Cao and Rosa Cuéllar-Franca Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: August 14, 2025

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 […]

No room for waste – unlocking the potential of landfill mining

By Daniel Welch and Pawan Srikanth Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Environment Posted: July 8, 2025

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

By Helen Zheng and Arijit De Filed Under: Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth Posted: June 18, 2025

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 […]