Government urged to increase ambition for renewables as costs fall
Britain should accelerate the roll-out of renewables so they generate two-thirds of electricity by 2030, government advisers have said.
environment
Household plastic waste footprint has increased during lockdown, survey shows
British households have created an increasing amount of plastic waste in lockdown, a survey of the problem suggests.
Mauritius declares emergency as fuel spills from grounded ship
The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius has declared a “state of environmental emergency” after a Japanese-owned ship that ran aground two weeks ago began spilling tons of fuel.
England’s first wild beavers in 400 years allowed to stay on river home
England’s first wild breeding population of beavers for 400 years have been given the permanent right to stay in their Devon river home.
Beavers allowed to stay on River Otter: so what next for the endangered species?
A decision to let wild beavers stay on the River Otter in Devon permanently is the culmination of a wildlife saga that has run for more than a decade.
New emperor penguin colonies found in Antarctica
Eleven new colonies of emperor penguins have been discovered in Antarctica after a study using satellite mapping technology.
BP to cut oil and gas production by 40% as it sets out road to net zero
BP is to cut the amount of oil and gas it produces by 40% by the end of the decade, the energy giant announced on Tuesday as it fleshed out plans to become a “net zero” company by 2050.
Model Lily Cole reveals reason she nearly scrapped her book
Lily Cole has said she nearly did not publish her new book because she feared it would attract personal attacks and scrutiny.
Animal campaigners want interim measure to prevent killing of mountain hares
Animal campaigners have expressed frustration at the Scottish Government as they called for urgent measures to prevent the killing of mountain hares before they are given new protected status.
Coastal flooding risks forecast to increase as climate warms
Coastal flooding could become more frequent and endanger millions more people around the world by the end of the century, a study warns.
Single-use plastic bag sales down 95% since 5p charge brought in
The number of single-use plastic bags distributed by the big supermarkets in England has fallen more than 95% since a 5p charge was introduced in 2015, figures show.
Origin of Stonehenge’s huge standing stones revealed
The origins of the huge “sarsen” stones which create Stonehenge’s distinctive profile have been revealed – with the help of a sample returned from the US.
Campaigners fear ‘unjustified killing’ of mountain hares despite new law
Animal campaigners have raised concerns about the possible “unjustified killing” of mountain hares before they are given new protected status.
The new app that aims to cut food waste by offering consumers the chance to buy unsold produce at bargain prices
Too Good To Go is an app that puts consumers in touch with retailers to stop food ending up in landfill. Brian Stormont tried it out for himself.
Lack of trust could hamper UK-EU environment deal, say peers
A lack of trust and mixed signals from the Government risk hampering a UK-EU agreement on the environment, it has been claimed.
Zero Waste Scotland bids to cut own carbon footprint with move to home-working
Working from home during the pandemic has led to a cut in carbon emissions at the body responsible for reducing Scotland’s environmental impact.
Amount of plastic ending up in the oceans ‘could nearly triple by 2040’
The amount of plastic ending up in the world’s oceans could nearly triple by 2040 without major action to curb the problem, researchers have warned.
PM: £350m for projects to cut industry, construction and transport emissions
Almost £350 million is being made available to help cut emissions from heavy industry, construction and transport, the Prime Minister has announced.
More than 90,000 microplastics flow down River Thames every second – study
An estimated 94,000 microplastics flow down some sections of the River Thames in London every second, according to a new study.
Annual national beach-clean to take place with Covid-19 changes
Conservationists are urging the public to take part in a UK-wide annual beach-clean – although this year’s event is a little different due to Covid-19.
Mountaineering Scotland urges people to take their rubbish home
Climbers and hillwalkers are being urged to help keep Scotland’s mountains beautiful by taking their litter home with them.
Vodafone commits to green-powered network by July 2021
Mobile giant Vodafone has said its European network will be powered by 100% renewable electricity by no later than July 2021.
Zero-waste shopping service Loop launched with Tesco to help consumers go green
A zero-waste shopping service is launching in the UK to allow people to buy products from laundry detergent to ketchup in refillable packaging.
England’s ‘B-Lines’ network of wildflower habitat to help bees launched
Rivers of wildflowers criss-crossing the country could help declining bees, butterflies and other wildlife move across the landscape, conservationists said.
Waste water grit can be used as building material, trial concludes
Grit found in waste water could be recovered and sold for building material, a trial by Zero Waste Scotland and Scottish Water has found.
Pandemic recovery can be catapult to net-zero economy, climate group urges
Policies to reduce carbon emissions have been proposed as Scotland’s economy moves out of lockdown.
Water supply could run out within 20 years, MPs warn
Parts of England risk running out of water within the next 20 years because the Government and regulators have “taken their eye of the ball”, MPs have warned.
Lung cancer in non-smokers ‘biologically distinct’ from that in smokers – study
Lung cancer in non-smokers is a biologically distinct disease from that in smokers, research suggests.
Salisbury Cathedral installs solar panels in carbon-neutral drive
A bishop has climbed on to the roof of his cathedral cloisters where dozens of solar panels have been installed as part of plans to become carbon-neutral.
Chris Packham pursues legal action over HS2
A major review of the HS2 rail scheme gave a “very incomplete assessment of environmental matters”, the Court of Appeal has been told.