Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Sarah Mander Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
The UK Government has announced both its aim to cut emissions by 68% by the end of 2030 and its Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, seeking to provide a blueprint to allow the UK “to forge ahead with eradicating its contribution to climate change by 2050”. Here, Dr Sarah Mander from the […]
By Alice Larkin Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
The global pandemic of 2020 has meant massive changes to millions of people around the world. But as we look to adjust to life in the ‘new normal’, are there lessons to learn in how we can ‘build back better’? With less than a year to go until the postponed COP26, Professor Alice Larkin from the Tyndall Centre […]
By Cristina Temenos Filed Under: Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment Posted:
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 […]
By Sandra G. Hamilton Filed Under: Energy and Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth Posted:
Amidst the social and economic challenges of a post-Brexit, post-COVID landscape, public procurement is gaining increased visibility and legitimacy as a policy tool. Effective 1 January 2021, the UK is positioned to become the first nation in the world to mandate that taxpayer-funded contracts are fully leveraged to maximise social value. A minimum 10% weighting […]
By Claire Hoolohan Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Urban Posted:
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. […]
By Simon Bullock Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering Posted:
The shipping sector is playing a vital role in the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping Britain supplied with everything from pasta to PPE. But what role does it need to play in another great crisis – preventing catastrophic climate change? Here, Simon Bullock from the Tyndall Centre, Manchester, looks at what needs to be done in order […]
Much of the world’s plastic waste is still not disposed of responsibly, and it can now be found in all natural environments. Dr Ian Kane has focused his research on understanding the problem of microplastics in world oceans. In this blog, he tells us about some of the pathways plastics take to enter oceans and […]
By Tim Foster and Roshan Adhikari Filed Under: All posts Posted:
As we celebrate World Water day, Dr Timothy Foster, Lecturer in Water-Food Security in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, and Dr Roshan Adhikari, Research Associate in the Global Development Institute, take a look at how rainfall variability impacts farmers in South Asia and explore what local and national governments can be doing […]
By Laura Leay Filed Under: Energy and Environment Posted:
The UK nuclear industry is predicted to generate just under 5 million tonnes of radioactive waste across its entire lifetime. A small fraction of this, about 6%, will remain radioactive for millennia, which means that a long-term plan is required for managing new nuclear waste as well as the long-lived waste already being stored in […]
By William Bodel Filed Under: Energy and Environment Posted:
In this blog, William Bodel a post-doctoral research associate at the Dalton Nuclear Institute at The University of Manchester, looks at the future of low-carbon energy generation in the UK to see whether nuclear energy should support the UK Government’s climate change commitments. Concerns around climate change, and the political drive to achieve net-zero greenhouse […]