Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
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 Ransford A. Acheampong Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Urban Posted:
The measures we put in place around transport and mobility are critical to how we emerge from this pandemic and rebuild in the coming years. In this blog, Dr Ransford A. Acheampong examines how to make transport safe as some of the most vulnerable groups are returning to work, and shows that active travel is […]
By Iain White, Graham Haughton and Nuno Pinto Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth Posted:
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to discussions on what shape planning should take post-crisis. Here, Prof Iain White, Prof Graham Haughton, and Dr Nuno Pinto outline how current regulations have exacerbated difficulties for some people in lockdown, discuss how opportunistic developers or politicians may seek to hijack the policy responses, and suggest solutions to ensure […]
By Tim Braunholtz-Speight Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology, Urban Posted:
The fall in the cost of renewable energy has created new possibilities for citizen investors to fund community energy projects. However, the majority require some level of price support. In this blog, researchers from The University of Manchester call for policies to support the growth of this sector, such as encouraging the purchase of community-generated […]
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 Patsy Perry Filed Under: Energy and Environment Posted:
About to embark on one more festive shopping spree? Perhaps you should think twice before buying yet another Christmas jumper for loved ones this holiday season… In this blog, Dr Patsy Perry – Senior Lecturer in Fashion Marketing, invites you to spare a thought for the environmental consequences of fashion as she examines the damaging […]
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 […]
By Claire Hoolohan and Alison Browne Filed Under: Energy and Environment Posted:
In a recent consultation, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) requested evidence on measures to reduce personal water use. In this blog Dr Claire Hoolohan, a research fellow at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and Dr Alison Browne, a senior lecturer in Geography explore ways in which the UK Government […]
By Sarah Mander Filed Under: Energy and Environment Posted:
Across the UK, Local Authorities and Devolved Administrations are seeking to use their planning powers to block the development of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas. This is against UK Government policy. In this blog Dr Sarah Mander from the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering looks at what all of this could mean for the […]