Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Joe Blakey and Marc Hudson Filed Under: Science and Engineering Posted:
The UK’s minister for energy and clean growth wants to set the UK on a path to a ‘zero-carbon economy’. Marc Hudson and Joe Blakey from The University of Manchester’s Sustainable Consumption Institute ask whether ‘zero-carbon’ will give zero-thought to the emissions from the international supply chains that underpin our economy. What does a ‘zero-carbon […]
By Julia Kasmire Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Energy and Environment Posted:
Ahead of Andy Burnham’s Green Summit this week, Julia Kasmire of the University of Manchester’s Sustainable Consumption Institute investigates whether the Greater Manchester Combined Authority will take the necessary steps to take responsibility for achieving carbon neutrality. Andy Burnham has called for a Green Summit which is expected to establish a ‘green charter’ to lay […]
By James Baker Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Science and Engineering Posted:
Finding ways to reduce the amount of plastic used in food packaging, while still ensuring products are protected and kept fresh, is an increasingly important challenge. James Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Graphene@Manchester, explains how the answer could lie in the use of novel 2D materials. Changes in consumer perception and behaviour relating to plastic […]
By Ron Chan Filed Under: Energy and Environment Posted:
Doctor Ron Chan is Lecturer in Environmental Economics at The University of Manchester’s School of Social Sciences. Here, he introduces ‘ECOSTAR’ – an innovation and investment project that brings together universities, business, and the public sector to deliver ground-breaking, nature-based business initiatives. ECOSTAR promotes business ventures that can demonstrate a genuinely positive contribution to the […]
By Claire Hoolohan and Maria Sharmina Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Land provides a wide range of goods and services to society. But with multiple demands placed on our land, both now and into the future, Claire Hoolohan and Maria Sharmina ask why are land-use policies failing to make the most of UK land? Land is an invaluable resource that sustains much of the UK economy […]
By Mark Burton Filed Under: Devo, Featured Posted:
Mark Burton tries to imagine how city-region devolution might help to produce a fairer and more sustainable society. The Greater Manchester devolution deal is firmly rooted in a highly orthodox economic and social model. Other deals, with regions hand-picked by the Treasury, are at various stages of gestation. There is every reason to think they […]
By Sally Gee and Elvira Uyarra Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted:
Public bodies play a unique role in renewing our urban infrastructure to make our cities more sustainable. The transformation of the Greater Manchester waste system illustrates how local government can accomplish this through ambitious procurement projects, argue Dr Sally Gee and Dr Elvira Uyarra. In 1999, local government faced a major problem. European legislation was […]
By Daniel Welch and David Evans Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted:
Eating ‘properly’ and special occasions are more to blame for household food waste than lazy consumers and supermarket BOGOFs, according to Dr David Evans and Dr Daniel Welch. We waste 15 million tonnes of food in the UK every year, according to a recent report from the House of Commons EU Committee. This has serious […]
By Claire Hoolohan Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted:
Last week Quorn announced it will invest £30m in its County Durham factory following significant sales growth in recent years. Claire Hoolohan argues that Quorn’s success is a signal to governments, policy makers, academics, and others that the time has arrived to move forward on the sustainable food agenda. Reducing the amount of meat in […]
By Daniel Welch and Nicola Spurling Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted:
Sustainable consumption is all too often framed in terms of individuals’ choices. The social practice perspective offers an alternative model, argue Dr Daniel Welch and Dr Nicola Spurling. “Do you find it easy to follow a sustainable lifestyle? Do you switch off every light? Plan each meal to avoid food waste? Why is behaviour change […]