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Controlling degradation of structural materials: A call for leadership in mapping the optimal route to Net Zero

Andrew Bowfield By Filed Under: All posts, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

The UK’s legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 remains world-leading, but the changes required of key sectors are substantial and the date by which such changes need implementing remain shrouded in uncertainty. A strategic approach, directed by senior leadership, offers the best chance of realising the significant economic and societal […]

Decarbonising transport: Inequality, joined-up action, and the risk of technological optimism

By and Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

The Department for Transport (DfT) recently released their long-awaited Decarbonising Transport plan. In this blog, Dr Cristina Temenos and Dr Joe Blakey outline how its technologically-optimistic vision risks locking in high-carbon futures, overlooking transport inequalities, and opportunities for joined-up thinking and the precautionary principle. DfT’s Decarbonising Transport Plan makes some welcome proposals, but it is […]

Close up of plastic bottles

New business models cutting back on single-use plastic: lessons for a zero waste circular economy

Picture of Mariel Vilella By Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment, Growth and Inclusion Posted:

As the host for the COP26 this November, the UK is in the spotlight when it comes to reducing emissions. Plastic production and consumption is an important contributor to climate change, business models that are cutting back on single-use plastic offer important lessons, and inspiration, to drive an agenda that moves towards a circular economy. […]

Close up of bats in a cage

Building a sustainable wildlife trade sector to avoid future pandemics

By Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Health and Social Care Posted:

Since early reports linked the emergence of COVID-19 to the wild meat trade, the pandemic has thrown the wildlife trade into the global spotlight for its role in spreading zoonotic disease pathogens. This has motivated calls to ban wildlife trade, among other proposals to strengthen regulation and control over the trade in wildlife and their […]

Two researchers collecting river bed samples

Microplastic contamination of UK rivers caused by poor wastewater management

Prof Jamie Woodward By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment Posted:

River corridors have provided therapeutic green spaces in our towns and cities during the pandemic. These rivers are being degraded by the widespread practice of ‘spilling’ untreated sewage. This raw sewage – laced with microplastics – has profound impacts on the environment and on public health. In this blog, Professor Jamie Woodward, from the Department […]

One bin to rule them all: the future of plastic waste?

By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

Despite the success of environmental campaigners in raising awareness of plastic pollution, much of the plastic waste produced in the UK is not recycled. In part, this is due to the complexity of the multiple recycling schemes in place across the country, causing confusion for both the public and waste management companies in terms of […]

The hydrogen economy: why is the sub-surface essential?

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

The UK Government has made a commitment to deliver a hydrogen economy as a means to decarbonise heating and heavy transport. This was most recently highlighted in the Government’s “Ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution” and the recent Energy White Paper “Powering our net zero future”. In this blog, Professor Kevin Taylor, from the […]

windmill and factory

Turning climate change ambitions to reality

Sarah Mander By 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 […]

paper with overlaid text "coronavirus recovery"

Tackling the twin crises of COVID-19 and climate change

Alice Larkin By 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 […]

woman on wheelchair entering bus

Mobility transitions: COVID-19 and building back better post-carbon transport futures

By 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 […]

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