Tag: environment

Industry encouraged to shape UK transition to zero emission vehicles

  • Consultation launched to shape the 2030 petrol and diesel car phase-out.
  • Industry invited to have their say on the UK’s approach to the zero emission vehicle transition and how consumers can be supported to make the switch.
  • Comes as figures show more than 72,000 public chargepoints available, helping the UK become a clean energy superpower and delivering on our Plan for Change.

The UK automotive and charging industries have been invited to shape the UK’s transition to zero emission vehicles, as the UK Government works with the sector to harness the huge opportunities for economic growth and improve living standards for working people.

Today [Tuesday 24 December], Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has launched a consultation to ask views from industry on how to deliver on the manifesto commitment to restore the 2030 phase out date for new purely petrol and diesel cars and make the transition to zero emissions vehicles a success.

The 2030 phase out date was broadly supported by industry before the previous UK Government extended the phase out to 2035. Currently more than two-thirds of car manufacturers in the UK, including Nissan and Stellantis, have already committed to fully transitioning to electric cars by 2030.

Today’s consultation will restore clarity for vehicle manufacturers and the charging industry so that they have the confidence to invest in the UK in the long-term and drive growth in the UK automotive industry.

The consultation proposes updates to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which is the joint responsibility of the UK Government, the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government. The mandate sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans manufacturers will be required to sell each year up to 2030.

To support manufacturers in the transition, the ZEV Mandate already features a range of flexibilities to help industry comply in a way that makes sense for them and the wider market, including selling fewer zero emission vehicles than the headline target if they make up for it in other ways. The consultation explores the design of the flexibilities to ensure they continue to support manufacturers.

This consultation is focused on how, not if, we reach the 2030 target. It will give the sector the opportunity to consider how the current arrangements and flexibilities are working, which hybrid cars can be sold alongside zero emission models between 2030 and 2035, and any further support measures to help make the transition a success for industry and consumers.

The UK automotive industry already employs over 152,000 people, is our most valuable exported good, and adds £19 billion to our economy. EVs are also cheaper to own and drive than ever, and can run from as little as 2p per mile.

Industry research also shows that using an electric vehicle could save people up to £750 a year in running costs if they’re charged at home compared to using petrol and diesel cars. Upfront costs are also coming down, with 1 in 3 used electric cars now costing under £20,000 to buy, according to industry data.

Getting this transition right and supporting the growth of the electric vehicle market in the UK will enable Britain to tap into a multibillion-pound industry, create high paid jobs for decades to come and deliver on our plan for change by putting more money in the pockets of hardworking families.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: ““Employing 152,000 people and adding £19 billion to our economy, the UK’s automotive industry is a huge asset to our nation — and the transition to electric is an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment, harness British innovation, and deliver growth for generations to come.

“Yet over the last few years, our automotive industry has been stifled by a lack of certainty and direction. This Government will change that.

“Drivers are already embracing EVs faster than ever, with one in four new cars sold in November electric. Today’s measures will help us capitalise on the clean energy transition to support thousands of jobs, make the UK a clean energy superpower, and rebuild Britain”.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: ““There is no route to net zero without backing British industries and workers. There are huge advantages for British industry and we must make sure decarbonisation creates jobs and opportunities.

“We are steadfast in our mission to help our world-leading automotive industry thrive, and this consultation will look at how we can support manufacturers, investors, and the wider industry to reach their targets.

“This Government is backing the auto sector with £2 billion to support our domestic manufacturers to transition to zero emission vehicles and over £300 million to drive consumer uptake”.

Today’s consultation is part of a wider push to make it easier and cheaper for drivers to charge their electric cars. It follows over £2.3 billion investment from the UK Government to support domestic manufacturers and consumers switch to EVs.

With 56 public chargers added on average to the network every day in 2024, 24/7 helplines, and up-to-date chargepoint locations, it’s never been easier for drivers to charge their EVs. They can now rely on more than 72,000 public chargers across the UK, alongside £6 billion of private investment by 2030 to roll out our chargepoint network at pace.

Charging infrastructure will continue to match the rising sales of EVs, with another 100,000 chargers planned by local authorities all across England under the Government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund alone.

It comes as data shows that one in four new cars sold this November was an EV, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) – a 58% increase on November 2023. EV owners are seeing the benefits too, as 97% of electric car drivers say they do not want to go back to petrol and diesel cars.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: ““Accelerating the transition to electric vehicles will drive forward our clean energy superpower mission and brings huge economic opportunities.

“It will help drivers access cars that are cheaper to run, cut air pollution in our cities and towns, back British manufacturers and provide highly-skilled jobs in emerging industries.”

With more and more drivers switching to electric vehicles, the UK government has also unveiled a series of measures today to continue to improve charging infrastructure and tackle barriers to EV take-up and drive forward this transition.

The new measures include a separate consultation on whether we can reduce barriers to roll out more zero emission vans – crucial to help decarbonise the freight and delivery sectors more quickly.

The UK government will also change planning legislation to provide additional flexibility in England through permitted development rights when installing off-street electric vehicle chargepoints. We will also amend legislation to allow chargepoint installers to use street works permits instead of licences to make it easier and quicker to install chargers, and to apply for these online using the DfT’s Street Manager digital service for planning and managing works.

The results of a review will also be published on how to improve grid connections for chargepoints, increasing cohesion, cooperation and communication across the industry. Local councils will continue to be supported in their charging projects with resource and new guidance.

The transition to electric is an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment, harness British ingenuity, and deliver growth for generations to come. The UK Government wants to work in partnership with industry to make sure that our approach to the transition supports a thriving UK automotive sector now and for years to come.

It is fundamental to our Growth and Clean Energy missions and will help lead Britain and the world into a cleaner, safer, a more prosperous future. 

Scottish Government unveils 2030 Route map to circular economy

PLAN TO BOOST REUSE AND RECYCLING

Actions aimed at ensuring households and businesses in Scotland boost reuse and recycling rates and cut waste have been published.

The Circular Economy and Waste Route Map sets out 11 priority areas where efforts and resources will be concentrated to support a transition to a circular economy – where resources are kept in use for as long as possible. 

They include:

  • setting new circular economy targets
  • reducing the amount of food waste produced
  • developing a model for regional hubs and networks for the reuse of construction materials and assets
  • improving the provision of recycling and waste services
  • minimising the carbon impacts of the energy from waste sector

The Route Map is the product of extensive collaboration and engagement with the public, private and third sectors through two consultations since 2022, with consistently high levels of support for the proposals.

The overall recycling rate in Scotland is at its highest level since records began in 2011, and the actions in the Route Map complement provisions in the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, which was passed unanimously by MSPs in June.

Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin launched the Route Map at a visit to Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh, which upcycles discarded wooden furniture into new items.

She said: “Reusing and recycling materials has a huge role to play in Scotland’s response to tackling the climate crisis. 

“We must make the circular option, where we value materials and keep them in use for as long as possible, either in their original form or recycled, an easier choice for Scottish households, businesses and the public sector.

“The Route Map sets out an ambitious plan to help make this a reality and I want to thank all those who have contributed to its development.

“There have been consistently high levels of support for its actions, which promote and support responsible production and consumption, along with the sustainable management of Scotland’s resources – and the final route map will be key to supporting the Scottish Government’s net zero and economic growth goals.”

Helene van der Ploeg, CEO of the Grassmarket Community Project said: “We pride ourselves on our initiatives to repurpose, recycle and reuse through our wood workshop, and Tartan shop. Old furniture, church pews and fallen trees are donated and re-worked into beautiful pieces of furniture or small household items. Leftover tartan from weavers, and donated fabric scraps are handcrafted into beautiful gifts.

“These materials, once considered waste and destined for landfill, are now valuable contributors to the circular economy. Thanks to generous donations, we’re recycling these materials, giving them new purpose, and creating timeless treasures that will be passed down through generations.

“Along the way, we generate income, provide essential skills training for our members (beneficiaries) and volunteers, all of which embodies and reinforces the values of the Route Map and our commitment to the circular economy.”

Read the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map 

Summary of priority actions:

* = Relates to provisions in the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024

  1. Publish a Product Stewardship Plan to set out how we will tackle the environmental impact of priority products by 2025/26
  2. Develop an intervention plan to guide long-term work on household food waste reduction behaviour change by 2026/27
  3. *Develop with stakeholders’ effective options to implement mandatory reporting for food waste and surplus by businesses from 2025/26
  4. Support the development of a model for regional Scottish hubs and networks for the reuse of construction materials and assets from 2025-2027
  5. *Facilitate a co-design process for high quality, high performing household recycling and reuse services, 2024 – 2026
  6. Review of compliance with commercial recycling requirements, 2026
  7. Co-design measures to improve commercial waste service provisions, commencing by 2030
  8. Develop a Residual Waste Plan to 2045, by 2027
  9. Facilitate the development of a Sector-Led Plan to minimise the carbon impacts of the energy from waste sector, by 2027
  10. *Develop a circular economy strategy every five years, with first one published in 2026
  11. *Set new circular economy targets by 2027.

Planning proposals get Britain building and turn the tide on nature’s decline

A new approach to development and the environment will boost the number of homes being built

  • Measures will create a ‘win-win’ for nature and the economy, accelerating economic and environmental growth. 
  • Rules will focus on driving up environmental outcomes over rigid processes that block and delay development, with developers able to pay into a fund for improvements to nature as a quicker and simpler way of meeting their environmental obligations.

Measures to turbocharge housebuilding have been set out (15 December) as part of wider proposals for the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill.  The Bill will play a key role in promoting economic growth, unlocking a new scale of delivery for housing and infrastructure. 

Common sense changes to environmental rules will support the Government’s commitment to build 1.5 million homes and advance 150 major infrastructure project decisions, while also helping halt and reverse the decline of species and natural habitats. 

A new Nature Restoration Fund would enable developers to meet their environmental obligations more quickly and with greater impact – accelerating the building of homes and improving the environment.

Currently developers may need to secure mitigation for environmental harm before being granted planning permission.

This adds cost, delays and can entirely block the housing and infrastructure our country needs – with rules too focused on preserving the status quo instead of supporting growth and charting a course to nature recovery.

Under these reforms, developers will instead be able to pay into the fund allowing building to proceed immediately – quicker, simpler, and more certain that the broken status quo.

A delivery body, such as Natural England, will then take responsibility for securing positive environmental outcomes, for example, delivering a reduction in nutrient pollution affecting the water environment or securing habitats to increase the population of a protected species.

This represents a shift away from a broken system which has stifled development, growth and nature recovery for far too long – failing communities and the environment. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner said: “Getting Britain building means stripping away unnecessary barriers to growth to deliver the homes that we so desperately need.

“For years, vital housing and infrastructure projects have been tied up in red tape leaving communities without the homes, infrastructure and jobs they need.

“Our Plan for Change will put an end to the status quo while restoring nature.  It’s win-win for development and our environment, including targeted reforms allowing us to use the economic benefits of growth to fund tangible and targeted action for nature’s recovery.”

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: “We were elected on a mandate to get Britain building again and protect nature.

“But the status quo is blocking the building of homes and failing to protect the environment.

“These reforms will allow tens of thousands of homes to be built while protecting the natural environment we all depend on.”   

The proposals set out three steps the government will take to help developers get building while delivering their environmental obligations in a more sensible and strategic way.

This approach will mean developers don’t have to pay for individual site level assessments for the matters covered by the Nature Restoration Fund – which adds cost and delay – and will no longer have to deliver mitigation needed.

A single payment will enable development to proceed. A delivery body will then take the actions needed to drive nature recovery at a strategic, not site-by-site, scale:  

  • Government will lead a single strategic assessment and delivery plan for an area – not an individual site – which will allow decisions to be made at an appropriate geographic scale. The current process is uncertain and costly, with assessments on issues such as nutrient neutrality requiring bespoke calculations and significant technical expertise at the level of each individual project. This also misses the opportunity to support the best outcomes for nature. 
  • A public delivery body will consider which actions are needed to address the environmental impact of development across an appropriate area and determine how much developers will pay into the Nature Restoration Fund. The delivery body will secure the actions funded by developers, removing the need for actions to be taken on a case by case basis. 
  • Contributions will be secured from developers to fully fund nature recovery actions. This would enable developers to meet certain environmental obligations through a single payment into the Nature Restoration Fund – which would streamline the process and maximise the impact of money spent on nature by directing it to real world action instead of paperwork and process.

The proposals are set out in a working paper, which seeks views from stakeholders including communities, housing and clean power developers, nature service providers and local authorities. Feedback from the working paper will inform the next stage of policy development.  

Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said: “It is evident that we need to take urgent action to address the worsening decline of nature, and we must also lean into the challenges posed by housing shortages.

“We will continue to work with the Government to help deliver their plans – but the two key issues of today, nature and economic recovery, should not be pitted against one another, as we step up efforts to avoid losing what protected remnants of nature remain while also restoring some of what has gone. 

“Instead, we should consider the huge opportunities which can be unlocked through better strategic planning which considers environmental improvements, economic development and green spaces for public enjoyment on a landscape scale.” 

Commenting on the National Planning Policy Framework, countryside charity CPRE chief executive Roger Mortlock said: “‘The broken housebuilding market is to blame for the painfully slow delivery of much-needed new homes. When big housebuilders deliberately limit the supply of new homes to maximise their profits, supercharging the current system will not lead to the change the government is looking for.  

‘The government’s plans risk a huge hike in the number of unaffordable, car-dependent homes. Building on England’s 1.2 million shovel-ready brownfield sites would do far more to unlock growth, regenerate communities and provide sustainable, genuinely affordable new homes. 

‘We welcome the commitment to local plans and affordable homes. However, local authorities responsible for delivering new homes will be swamped with speculative applications on high-quality Green Belt and farmland. Inevitably, many of these will be approved to meet nationally imposed targets.  

‘The ‘grey belt’ policy needs to be much more clearly defined and exclude working farms. It will undermine the Green Belt, one of this country’s most successful spatial protections with huge potential to help address the climate and nature emergencies.  

‘There’s some hope ahead with plans for a strategy that covers all our use of land. Longer-term commitments to build genuinely affordable and better designed homes are welcome too. Until then,, our countryside will remain needlessly under threat.’

The government would use the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to introduce legislative changes to drive action at a strategic level which will provide certainty for both developers and the environment.

This will also establish a more efficient and effective way for Habitats Regulations and other environmental obligations to be discharged, pooling individual contributions to deliver the strategic interventions necessary to drive nature recovery.  

£150 million for offshore wind

Capital investment almost trebled to unlock private sector growth

Record funding of £150 million capital investment from the Scottish Government will support the growth of the offshore wind sector and support thousands of well-paid, green jobs across Scotland over the next decade. 

Overall strategic investment of up to £500 million over five years is expected to boost private investment in the sector by up to £1.5 billion and unlock opportunities for growth in a variety of industries in key areas from ports, manufacturing and assembly work to major supply chain opportunities. 

The 2025-26 Scottish Budget also sets out a commitment to establish an offshore wind hub in the North-East to provide an additional route for industry to engage with policy teams.

The investment follows the recent publication of the Green Industrial Strategy which highlighted Scotland’s wind economy as one of five priority areas to secure growth and investment.

Acting Net Zero and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Accelerating Scotland’s offshore wind capabilities presents enormous economic opportunities for our country.

“Our vast resources provide us with significant opportunity to create thousands of well-paid, green jobs across Scotland while accelerating our journey to net zero. We must maximise the economic benefits from offshore wind deployment if we are to ensure a just transition that takes our existing skilled workforce and supply chain with us.

“This significant investment will help boost innovation and expertise in the sector, create a highly productive and competitive economy and deliver a sustainable supply chain that will benefit all of Scotland for decades to come.

“We will work with industry and public sector partners to ensure we identify and deliver the best projects at pace.”

Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “The renewable energy industry is pleased that the Scottish Government will increase the next tranche of its funding commitment to the offshore wind supply chain. It is also encouraging to see the revenues from ScotWind directly utilised for clean industrial growth.

“We will work closely with the Scottish Government to help shape how this funding can be used as part of the wider investment landscape in order to secure the flow of significant private capital into the infrastructure that will help Scotland optimise the opportunity brought by offshore wind.”

Latest active travel route opens

The Roseburn to Union Canal active travel route was officially opened on Monday (9 December) with an inaugural group cycle ride and walk from Sauchiebank to Dalry Community Park.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson was joined by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop and Scotland Director for Sustrans, Karen McGregor alongside groups of local schoolchildren and representatives of the Dalry community, to cut the red ribbon marking the opening.

There were also stalls from partners at Police Scotland, Spokes, Soul Cycles and the Council’s Active Travel team.

The £17m project has transformed public spaces along the route, creating a green corridor with enhanced walking, wheeling and cycling connections alongside bringing disused areas back into community use.

Dalry Community Park itself is one of the greenspaces that has been upgraded with new play equipment after consultation with pupils at Dalry Primary School. We’ve also installed two new bridges along the route over the Mid Calder railway line and Dalry Road.

Along the route we’ve planted 200 semi-mature trees with further planting and seeding planned for spring 2025. This will create a healthier and more diverse woodland which will enhance the area’s ecological value.

Community gardens are planned for the Sauchiebank area, and a new toucan crossing has been installed across the West Approach Road to connect to Dundee Street.

The route also links to one of our other flagship active travel projects, the City Centre West to East Link along with the other established paths networks in the local area.

Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme, which is funded by the Scottish Government, financed 100% of the design costs and up to 70% of construction costs totalling £11.6m. The Council financed the remaining £5.4m and led on the project’s delivery.

Further information is available on the city council’s website.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “It was a real pleasure to open the brand new Roseburn to Union Canal active travel route today. This project will breathe new life into Dalry, revitalising previously less used community spaces and the community play park, whilst making it easier and safer for residents and visitors to get around and keep Edinburgh moving.

“Expanding active travel routes in the Capital is a key priority for us and remains central to our goal of becoming a net zero city by 2030, by providing people with more options for safe, sustainable travel. I have no doubt that this route will be a great success as we carry on with delivering a greener, healthier, and more sustainable city for all.

“I’d also like to thank all our excellent colleagues for their hard work and to Transport Scotland and Sustrans who have been instrumental in seeing this project completed.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said: “I was delighted to take part in the official opening of the Roseburn to Union Canal active travel route and to celebrate with local schoolchildren and residents who will benefit – not only from the path, but through the improved public spaces also.

“£11.6 million of Scottish Government funding was awarded to the Roseburn to Union Canal active travel project through the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme.

“Ambitious projects such as this are making it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle – tackling poverty and protecting the environment – but there is so much more we wish to achieve.

“Over £155 million has been invested this year and through the Draft Budget for 2025-26, we intend to invest over £188 million to help people leave their cars at home and to choose healthier and greener transport options.

Scotland Director for Sustrans, Karen McGregor added: “We’re very pleased that the Roseburn to Union Canal Path is now open to the public.

“Safer routes for walking, wheeling and cycling save lives. The current lack of off-road cycling connections in our cities is the biggest challenge facing people who want to travel actively.

“The evidence shows that in providing convenient and accessible links away from traffic, we are giving more people the confidence to make healthier and more sustainable journeys. Protected routes like the Roseburn to Union Canal Path do just that, enabling those living and working in Edinburgh to get around with ease.”

Online giants to pay their fair share for electrical waste

Online marketplaces and vape producers to pay for recycling and cleaning up of household electrical waste

Online marketplaces and vape producers will soon be paying their fair share towards the cost of recycling waste electricals, from toasters to vapes and hair curlers, levelling the playing field for UK retailers, Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh has announced.

Ensuring large online retailers pay their fair share is fairer for UK businesses who already pay to cover the costs of recycling. It comes as the government delivers on its Plan for Change, and reflects a further step in the government’s mission to boost growth.

The changes will also help fund recycling services and kick-start the country on the road to a circular economy, which is a priority for the Government. 

Before now, UK-based firms were shouldering the majority of costs around collection and processing of electronic waste and operating at a disadvantage. With 100,000 tonnes of household electricals binned every year, the changes will for the first time make sure the burden of these costs does not unduly fall on UK based retailers compared to their online rivals.

Waste electricals are difficult to recycle – and represent a huge drain on resources, when they are not collected separately. Valuable metals – such as copper – are chucked away needlessly, while electrical components and chemicals can pose a health and safety risk to the waste industry. 

In conjunction with this government’s wider actions to tackle waste and end the throwaway society, today’s announcement will help to ensure that businesses take responsibility for the huge quantities of waste that might otherwise end up being littered or fly-tipped, and support our efforts to protect the environment. 

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “Electrical equipment like vapes are being sold in the UK by producers who are failing to pay their fair share when recycling and reusing of dealing with old or broken items. 

“Today we’re ending this: creating a level playing field for all producers of electronics, to ensure fairness and fund the cost of the treatment of waste electricals.   

“As part of our Plan for Change, we are helping UK businesses compete and grow, and we continue to get more households recycling, cracking down on waste and ending the throwaway society.”

Alex Baldock, CEO at Currys, said: “We believe that if you sell something, this comes with a commitment to help keep it working, and then to recycle it responsibly when it reaches the end of its life. We continue to do everything we can to give tech a longer life, but there are many who don’t.

“We welcome the Government’s new measures to help level the playing field for responsibility for waste, making online marketplaces do their part. Low value, low quality and unsustainable tech is piling up in landfills, and it’s good to see Government doing something to tackle that.

“We’ll continue to work with them to help ensure our industry performs its important role in helping protect our planet and be a force for good.

Scott Butler, Executive Director at Material Focus, said: “We welcome the Government’s vital new reforms to the waste electrical regulations.  FastTech items such as vapes, have swamped the UK market, with half a billion items bought in the past year alone. These small, cheap and too easily thrown away items contain valuable materials such as copper, gold, and lithium which are lost forever and could instead power our tech future. 

“These changes to regulations will mean that online marketplaces, many of which are selling FastTech and other electricals, must take on their producer responsibilities and contribute their share of the costs of recycling them.

“Creating a separate category for vapes also means that those who have been profiting from the boom in their sales can be held responsible for providing public takeback, communications and most importantly pay for recycling them.”

Research from Material Focus estimates that British households incorrectly throw away over 100,000 tonnes of smaller household electrical items, such as kettles and lamps, every year. In addition, an estimated 880 million unwanted items containing valuable commodities such as gold and platinum, are abandoned or ignored in the back of the UK’s cupboards and drawers. 

Under the plans, online marketplaces will need to register with the Environment Agency and report data on UK sales of their overseas sellers. This data will be used to calculate the financial contribution the online marketplace will make towards the costs of collection and treatment of waste electricals that are collected by local authorities and returned to retailers.  The cost of that annual registration will be subject to a consultation led by the Environment Agency. 

A new category of electrical equipment for vapes will also be introduced to ensure that the costs of collecting and treating vapes fall fairly on those who produce them.   

Material Focus found almost 5 million vapes are either littered or thrown away in general waste every week in the UK. Vapes are rarely designed with the end of life in mind and are difficult and time consuming to recycle, a cost that is not always being borne by those who produce them.  

Acting on these important issues now will help address unfairness and deliver on our commitment to kick-start the push towards a circular economy.   

UK Government action to end the throwaway society

To further deliver this, the UK Government has formed a Circular Economy Taskforce, comprising of members from industry, academia, and civil society across the UK. They will lead on the development of a Circular Economy Strategy for England, which will be published next year outlining how individual sectors can contribute to ambitions in this area.   

This is alongside plans to move forward with the implementation of the deposit return scheme for drinks containers and extended producer responsibility for packaging that will end the nation’s throwaway culture and stop the avalanche of rubbish that is filling up our high streets, countryside, and oceans.    

These packaging reforms will collectively support 21,000 jobs, stimulate more than £10 billion investment in recycling capability during the next decade, and drive £1 billion worth of investment opportunities in plastics infrastructure.    

Discussions between the UK Government and devolved governments on other proposals from the consultation will continue. Plans for wider reforms that reflect their strategic priorities in the drive towards a circular economy across the UK will be set out next year.   

The formal consultation response can be accessed online.

EDF announces Torness extension

French state-owned energy company EDF has announced it will keep four ageing nuclear power stations in Britain open for longer than planned.

EDF said two stations currently due to close in March 2026 — Hartlepool and Heysham 1 — will now remain online until March 2027, while Heysham 2 and Torness – scheduled to close in March 2028 – will now stay open until March 2030.

Responding to EDF’s announcement that they plan to extend the life of Torness nuclear power station Sam Richards, CEO of pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade, said: “The news that EDF is moving ahead with extending the life of Torness nuclear power station is hugely welcome news.

“If the government and industry is to deliver a clean energy grid by 2030 it is essential that we keep as much nuclear capacity as possible on the grid. If we fail to do this the result will be the burning of more natural gas and more emissions released into the atmosphere. 

“EDF’s intentions are now clear. Ministers and the Office for Nuclear Regulation now need to urgently back their plans to extend the life of existing reactors where it is safe to do so. We have done it before, and we can do it again. 

“With this announcement ministers must not take their eyes off the ball and continue to push for the rapid development of Small Modular Reactors to run alongside their bigger cousins.

“They must also increase grid capacity and slash the time it takes for clean energy projects to get connected to the grid. Extending our existing reactors is a big step, but it’s not job done.”  

Bee killing pesticides polluting the vast majority of English rivers

  • New figures reveal an ongoing pollution problem from bee-killing pesticides in English rivers.
  • 85% of rivers tested in 2023 – 2024 were found to have bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides present, with the proportion affected seeming to have risen slightly from previous years.  
  • Campaigners call on the Government to deliver a step change on river pollution, enforce and extend neonicotinoid bans, better resourced regulators to make polluters pay, and ensure nature-friendly farm payments which incentivise a transition to pesticide-free approaches.
  • The calls come after thousands of people marched the streets of London to protest the state of UK rivers and seas in The March For Clean Water on 3 November. 

A new analysis of the latest official data from the Environment Agency has uncovered widespread river pollution linked to toxic neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics), known for their harmful effects on bees.

The data suggests a slight increase in the proportion of rivers affected over the past two years. These findings emerge as the government considers granting a controversial ‘emergency’ authorisation for the use of a banned bee-killing pesticide on sugar beet crops.

The analysis from the Rivers Trust and Wildlife and Countryside Link showed that:

  • 1 or more harmful neonics were found in 85% of English river sites between 2023-2024 (23 of 27 surface water sites tested for neonics by the Environment Agency). The proportion of rivers affected seems to have increased – In 2020-2022 neonics were present in 79% of river sites tested by the regulator (34 of 43 sites).[1]
  • Areas where sugar beet farming and processing is concentrated (particularly the East Midlands and East of England) had some of the highest detection rates of neonics in samples tested, and have many of the rivers with the highest number of neonics detected. The South West and South East had the highest overall neonic detection rate, in 54% and 41% of samples respectively.
  • The largest numbers of neonics were found at single sites on the River Waveney and River Wensum in the East Midlands, where all 5 of the neonics analysed for were detected. Other sites that had high numbers of neonics detected included the River Nene, River Ouse and River Ivel in the East of England, River Lugg, River Tame and River Teme in the West Midlands, Sincil Dyke and the River Dove in the East Midlands, River Ouse and Ancholm in Yorks and Humber, River Test in the South East, River Chelt in the South West and the River Douglas in the North West.
  • Only 27 river sites across the whole of England were tested for neonics in 2023-24, down from 43 sites in 2020-2022, a fall of over a third (37%) in the number of sites tested. Nature charities warn that this is an indicative sign of the worsening resources of the Environment Agency and the resulting decline in river monitoring by the regulator.

Two pesticides, Clothianidin and Imidacloprid, are by far the most prevalent neonics (both found at 29 of 45 river sites tested between 2020-2024 – 64.4%).

Clothianidin is a neonicotinoid in its own right but is also a breakdown product of Thiamethoxam – the banned pesticide permitted for ‘emergency use’ by the sugar industry for the last 4 years by the previous Conservative Government.

Imidacloprid is banned for use on crops but is still used in tick and flea treatments, with pet and livestock use the likely main cause of Imidacloprid pollution in our rivers. 

Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “The extensive presence of potent pesticides in rivers is another smoking gun in the hands of intensive agriculture and the decline of nature. 

“The Labour Party has pledged to end emergency authorisations of the use of banned neonicotinoid pesticides and to halve the risk of pesticide pollution by 2030. The sugar industry has again applied for emergency authorisation to use Cruiser SB coated sugar beet seeds and if approved this would make the 5th year in a row of ‘emergency’ use of neonicotinoids.

!The Government must surely deny the request and redouble farming reforms to offer generous support for farmers who cut right down on chemical use.”

Barnaby Coupe, senior land use policy manager at the Wildlife Trusts, said: “The UK Government’s pledge to end the emergency use of these bee-killing pesticides must be signed into law.

“Pollinating insects like bees are the foundation of a healthy ecosystem and essential for pollinating crops. These chemicals are banned because they are extremely harmful for soils, water, wildlife and human health.

“The evidence is clear that the environmental risks from neonicotinoids are far too great – there is no place in modern society for them to be used.”

Dr Rob Collins, Director of Policy and Science at the Rivers Trust, said: “The widespread presence of neonicotinoid pesticides in rivers raises alarm bells for the health of our freshwater ecosystems and contributes to the huge cocktail of chemicals afflicting rivers, derived from agriculture, industry, transport and our homes and businesses.

“We need to see greater resources made available to monitor chemicals in the environment and systemic change that delivers a much more sustainable approach to their use, right across society.”

In its election manifesto the Labour Party pledged to end emergency authorisations of the use of banned neonicotinoid pesticides. Yet British Sugar, which has a monopoly on the UK sugar industry, has again applied for emergency authorisation to use Cruiser SB coated sugar beet seeds, and the Government has yet to confirm whether it will deny the request.

If approved this would make the 5th year in a row ‘emergency’ use of neonicotinoids is approved on sugar beet crops.  

Cruiser SB is based on the pesticide Thiamethoxam. Not only is the neonicotinoid pesticide Thiamethoxam highly toxic to bees (with one teaspoonful of such neonicotinoids able to kill 1.25 billion bees) there are also many farmers who recognise we should be moving away from its use.

With  40% of sugar farmers choosing not to use this product even when it is authorised, demonstrating farmers are deciding their crops and yields can cope without banned pesticides.

There is also massive public opposition to the emergency authorisations of neonicotinoids for use by the sugar industry. Multiple environment charities have had huge responses to petitions about neonicotinoids.

A current petition from Greenpeace alone is running at 1.6 million signatures, with members of the public encouraged to sign the petition  ahead of it  being handed in to Government imminently:  

https://action.greenpeace.org.uk/ban-bee-killing-pesticides

Dr Doug Parr, Policy Director at Greenpeace UK, said: “Scientists are clear that neonicotinoids are killing bees and other pollinators while threatening our nature and food security.

“We now have worrying new findings about these pesticides polluting our waterways and harming the life in our rivers.

“Before the election Labour pledged to stop further use of bee poisons and, with the public overwhelmingly in support, they simply must stand by their promises.

“Now Labour are in the hot seat of government they can take the initiative by supporting farmers to transition away from these chemicals, backing essential clean food production and ensuring that nature can recover.”

Paul de Zylva, senior sustainability analyst at Friends of the Earth, said: “Our rivers and freshwaters are under assault from pesticides, which are too often overlooked as pollutants.

“Pesticide firms and the intensive farm industry claim that banning harmful pesticides would cause crop failures and job losses, but this simply hasn’t happened.

“Nutritious, plentiful food can be grown without relying on quick-fix chemicals that clearly harm the nation’s soils and wildlife.

“That’s why Labour must stick to its pledge to end the use of these unnecessary and highly damaging pesticides, and ensure its independent water review fully addresses pollution from industrial and agricultural chemicals.”

Josie Cohen, Head of Policy and Campaigns, Pesticide Action Network UK, said: “The previous UK Government banned neonics in 2018 because of the harms they cause to pollinators. 

“When in opposition, Labour were very supportive of the ban and criticised the Conservatives harshly for repeatedly granting emergency permissions for sugar beat.  Despite all their warm words about restoring nature, it now seems possible that our new  Government will follow their predecessors’ leads in allowing an emergency authorisation which prioritises corporate interests over the environment.

“If Labour want voters to believe they are serious about protecting nature then they must end the use of all neonics in any circumstances.” 

Amy Fairman, Head of Campaigns, River Action said: “There’s a toxic cocktail of pollutants stirring in our rivers with pesticides a dangerous part of the mix.

“We need to ensure that the agricultural, chemical and sewage contamination dirtying our rivers, lakes and seas is taken off the menu for good. And that can only be achieved by much tougher legislation, regulation, and enforcement to make sure polluting doesn’t pay!

“Tens of thousands of people and over 140 organisations joined us in flooding the streets on 3 November on the March for Clean Water disgusted at the state of our rivers and seas. The Government must heed the public outrage on this issue and deliver on its promises to turn the tide on the state of our waters.”

Environmental charities are urging the Government to:

  • Fulfil promises to make water polluters pay, including giving the pollution watchdog – the Environment Agency – stronger teeth. Years of underinvestment have left the regulator overstretched and under-resourced to monitor water pollution and enforce the law.
  • Ensure nature-friendly farm payments incentivise and support land managers to transition to pesticide-free approaches and increase the use of nature-friendly alternatives.
  • Fulfil Labour manifesto promises to permanently ban ‘emergency’ neonicotinoid authorisations for crops by putting this into law and ban the use of key harmful neonicotinoids in flea and tick treatments. These chemicals are already banned for use on crops, due to their hazards, so should also be prevented from ending up in our waters from pet and livestock parasite treatments.
  • Deliver structural reform of the water sector, with tough targets and action plans for water pollution as part of the water review, including:  strengthening the Water Framework Directive regulations; toughening polluter pays approaches including ring-fencing fines for nature’s recovery; and accelerating and expanding the use of green pollution solutions.

“Transformative” partnership aims to keep hostelling affordable and sustainable amid rising costs

Energy consumption has plummeted at one of Edinburgh’s biggest hostels as the result of a pilot programme designed to keep costs down for visitors while improving sustainability.

After the success of the innovative energy saving programme at Edinburgh Central Hostel, Hostelling Scotland is now exploring how to roll out the energy saving programme across their portfolio of larger hostels which are open all year round.

The ‘Eyes on the Energy’ trial came after Hostelling Scotland was introduced to energy monitoring solutions company, Energy Saving Bear through Royal Bank of Scotland.

The partnership saw the hostel install high-tech sensors to measure electricity usage throughout the premises, allowing the team to pinpoint exactly where and how much energy was being consumed or wasted and providing a clear foundation for developing effective energy-saving solutions.

The project, which is on track to achieve a return on investment in less than six months, has already resulted in a 19% drop in consumption in just four months.

Margo Paterson, CEO of Hostelling Scotland, said: “The results of this trial could be transformative for our Edinburgh Central Hostel – and hostels across Scotland.

“With energy prices affecting the sector, we are on a mission to make travelling in Scotland accessible and affordable to visitors. The beauty of hostelling is how it provides opportunities to a wider group of people to explore more of what our beautiful country has to offer. 

“As an organisation, we are always experimenting with ways to make sure we give people the chance to travel while reducing their impact on the environment. We’re very pleased to see this trial showed significant energy savings and reduced carbon emissions.”

Located at the top of Leith Walk, Edinburgh Central Hostel is in a prime city centre location and is visited by travellers from across the globe looking for a budget stay, as well as being a place for carers and Parent Network Scotland to use for respite breaks. It also enables youth programmes to give disadvantaged young people the opportunity to see part of the country they might not have been able to.

Kevin Havelock, Head of Commercial Mid Markets at Royal Bank of Scotland, added: “By introducing Hostelling Scotland, our long-standing customer, to Jamie and the team at Energy Saving Bear, we empowered them to harness smart technology and innovative solutions.

“This collaborative effort led to a deeper understanding of energy consumption patterns and inspired a cultural shift towards sustainable practices.

“The early success of this partnership is a testament to the strength of collaboration.  By uniting efforts and sharing a common purpose, we have achieved significant results.”

To find out more about the support Royal Bank of Scotland provides to businesses to grow and scale, click here.

Tackling the nature emergency

Ambition to halt Scotland’s nature loss by 2030

Enhancing water and air quality, protecting and restoring vulnerable marine and coastal ecosystems, and establishing a programme of species recovery are all part of a new plan to make significant progress in restoring nature by 2045.

A new Biodiversity Delivery Plan for 2024-2030 contains over 100 actions to accelerate the pace and scale of efforts to address the biodiversity crisis.

It supports the Biodiversity Strategy, which sets out a strategic vision for a nature positive, net zero future where natural environment loss is halted and restored. Statutory targets for nature will be included in a new Natural Environment Bill to be introduced this Parliamentary year.

Delivery plan actions include:

  • substantially reducing deer densities, protecting 30% of land for nature and developing a nature positive agriculture programme
  • investing in nature restoration – through the Nature Restoration Fund, more than £65 million over this parliament and investing in woodland creation and peatland restoration
  • tackling the indirect drivers of biodiversity loss, particularly engaging and strengthening the connection between people and nature

Launching the plan at Bawsinch and Duddingston Reserve, Acting Climate Minister Dr Alasdair Allan said: “The Global Climate Emergency and the Nature Emergency are twin reinforcing crises: the actions we take to address each are fundamental to our wellbeing and survival as a species. We need a partnership approach to delivery – government cannot do it alone.

“This new Biodiversity Delivery Plan sets out clear actions that government, businesses and individuals can take to protect and restore our precious natural environment for future generations to come.

“The whole of society has a role to play but especially the stewards of our land, rivers, lochs and seas such as farmers, gamekeepers and fishers who have the knowledge and skills to drive the transformation that is needed.

“Biodiversity supports these essential industries – food production needs pollinators and healthy soils whilst, fish and fish farming depend on healthy, thriving seas.”

NatureScot Chair Professor Colin Galbraith said: “We all rely on nature for our survival, and it is everyone’s responsibility to care for it. The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy is Scotland’s response to the nature crisis, and it sets out a clear and comprehensive plan, supported by a series of actions that will help restore nature back to a healthy, thriving state.

“To restore nature across Scotland will take a sustained national effort, but in doing so, we will increase our resilience to climate change and reaffirm our connection with the natural world. This will bring many benefits for the people of Scotland, and we urge everyone to stand up and play their part in creating a net-zero and nature positive future for all.”

Jo Pike, Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “We are pleased to see the launch of the long-awaited and much-needed Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and Delivery Plans.

“The Scottish Wildlife Trust believes that a huge effort is needed across the whole of society if we are to realistically tackle the climate and nature emergencies. Alongside the strategy, we welcome the Government’s commitment to develop statutory targets for nature’s recovery in the forthcoming Natural Environment Bill.

“Together, they can help us move closer to realising the ambitions of the many people who have fed into this strategy. However, this will require leadership at all levels, increased resources and a recognition that nature is vital to our economy, our wellbeing and our future.” 

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Strategic Biodiversity Framework Delivery Plan 2024–2030 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) | NatureScot

Biodiversity – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)