Tag: environment

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)

It’s World Toilet Day!

Do you have a leaky loo? Check now to save money and protect the environment

To celebrate World Toilet Day (19 November), WaterSafe and Waterwise are sharing a new, short video showing how to check for leaking toilets:

Up to 1 in 20 toilets leak, with some losing up to 400 litres of water a day – the same amount a three-person household uses daily.

This waste impacts household water bills and contributes to unnecessary carbon emissions from treating and delivering water.

The video, released by WaterSafe, the national register of approved plumbers, provides a straightforward method to check for leaks:

  • Place a square of toilet paper at the back of the toilet bowl
  • Leave it overnight
  • If it’s wet or torn by morning, the toilet is leaking and needs fixing.

Residents are urged to contact a WaterSafe-approved plumber to repair any leaks.

Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe, emphasises the importance of addressing this issue: “Leaky toilets are a hidden problem in many homes, but they can be easily fixed.

“By taking simple steps to check for leaks, homeowners can save money and help protect our precious water resources. We’re excited to share this video and encourage everyone to act.”

Chloe McFarland, Campaigns Manager at Waterwise said: “At Waterwise, we’re passionate about the small actions that can have a big impact when it comes to saving water.

“A leaky toilet can go unnoticed, but it is so easy to check for – and easy to fix! Catching leaks early can help you avoid unexpected costs and reduce water waste.”

Watch the video on WaterSafe’s YouTube channel or visit www.watersafe.org.uk to find out more or find a local approved plumber.

WaterSafe is a free online search facility funded by the water industry to help customers find competent and qualified plumbers, water supply pipe installers and other water services specialists in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Waterwise is a leading authority on water efficiency in the UK.

Scotland ‘driving progress on global climate financing’

Investment to support just resilience projects

Communities which are most at risk from the impacts of climate change will benefit from Scottish Government funding which will support them to prepare for climate changes ahead.

The Scottish Government will provide £40,000 to Regions4 to deliver a project focused on the emerging area of ‘just resilience’.

The term broadly refers to actions which prepare countries and regions for the known impacts of climate change – whilst recognising that those least responsible for climate change are often most impacted by it.

The project will help create a standardised definition of the term and identify examples of best practice – to help countries in global south access funding to prepare for the impacts of climate change, such as flooding, fire and disease. It will also assess bids from communities within Regions4 partner regions and match relevant projects with suitable funding.

The Scottish Government will also provide £200,000 to help develop cholera vaccine testing in Malawi and Zambia.

These countries have been experiencing a surge of cases brought about by the impacts of climate change. This funding builds on the Scottish Government’s existing partnerships with both countries, and will strengthen local capacity for vaccine testing, distribution and delivery.

Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Climate justice is at the heart of COP29 – and the Scottish Government is working to ensure that it supports and champions the voice of communities from the global south.

“Just Resilience has the potential to make a significant impact upon the lives of those most affected by climate change and this project represents a rare opportunity for the Scottish Government to lead on an emerging field of climate action in a way that is in line with our climate justice principles.

“By supporting the development of a globally recognised definition of just resilience, as well as identifying examples of best practice – countries and regions will be able to better identify opportunities for funding and support.

“Ensuring that everyone has access to safe and effective vaccines is also critical – as cases of diseases such as cholera become more prevalent as a direct consequence of climate change.

“These two projects are the latest examples of our work as a good global citizen and further developing the resilience of countries in the global south against the impacts of climate change.”

Speaking about the Just Resilience fund, Regions4 Secretary General, Natalia Uribe said:  “Scotland’s contribution to the Just Resilience Project shows an invaluable commitment to advancing climate and biodiversity action that is both fair and inclusive.

“This support allows Regions4 to bring the concept of Just Resilience to life by capturing and sharing transformative actions from subnational governments in the Global South.

“By establishing frameworks, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration, we are building the capacity of local governments to implement resilient solutions that prioritize the needs of communities most vulnerable to climate impacts.

“Together, we are working to empower these communities, ensuring that they are equipped to face climate challenges and have a central role in protecting our shared future.”

More information on vaccine testing: Global health – International development – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

WHY NOT SCOTLAND?

DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE – MONDAY 18th NOVEMBER

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre are delighted to be hosting a recently-produced film WHY NOT SCOTLAND? on Monday 18th November from 6.30-9pm.

Across mainland Europe, nature is making a dramatic recovery – could Scotland be next?

Join us for a screening of Why Not Scotland? the compelling story of Flo, a young Scot, as she discovers #rewilding across Europe, prompting her to ponder the potential for a similar revival in Scotland. #RewildingNation#WhyNotScotland

https://www.scotlandbigpicture.com/why-not-scotland

This FREE screening will be followed by a Q and A session led by local artist Natalie Taylor who produced SCRAN FIR BEES on Ferry Road.

On our panel will be Dr Ian Edwards, ecologist and forest specialist formerly of RBGE, and Julia Pennycuik, co-founder of Midlothian Wildflowers.

Come along for an evening of inspirational visions of what Scotland could look like if nature is encouraged to return alongside the folks who live within and beside it.

No need to book but any questions to natalie@drylawnc.org.uk.

UK ‘shows international leadership in tackling climate crisis’

UK government announces new climate goals at COP29, including reducing emissions by 81% by 2035, as Prime Minister calls on other countries to bring forward ambitious targets

  • New UK target to reduce emissions by 81% by 2035 at COP29 in Azerbaijan
  • targets support government’s clean energy superpower mission to give Britain more security, deliver jobs and economic growth
  • Prime Minister calls for others to come forward with ambitious targets

Tackling the climate crisis is essential to our national energy security, economic growth, and our efforts to protect current and future generations, the UK government said as it unveils the UK’s new climate goals at the COP29 Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.  

Yesterday’s announcement will strengthen the UK’s position as a place for investment in the technologies and jobs that are driving growth across the world.   

There are 640,000 green jobs in the UK, growing at a rate 4 times faster than overall UK employment.

To support the industry the government has announced a significant investment programme in homegrown British energy – including renewables, carbon capture and storage, nuclear and hydrogen.  

The UK’s reliance on fossil fuels has also been felt by every family and business in the last few years with the worst cost of living crisis in memory, driven by energy price spikes from international gas markets. 

That’s why the government’s mission is to tackle the climate crisis in a way that makes the British people better off by investing in clean homegrown power and unlocking thousands of jobs, having already seen £34.8 billion of private investment into the UK’s clean energy industries since July.   

This ambitious and pragmatic new target supports the UK’s mission for growth, helping to attract further investment and jobs in low carbon technologies such as solar and wind, electric vehicles and batteries. 

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The only way to protect current generations is by making Britain a clean energy superpower, and the only way to protect future generations is by tackling the climate crisis.   

“Britain is back in the business of climate leadership, with an ambitious new target that will protect our environment, deliver energy security and restore our global climate reputation.  

“We will cut emissions across the country, delivering for our environment and ending our exposure to spiking fossil fuel markets.”

This ambitious and pragmatic new target – in line with the recommendation from the Climate Change Committee and previously legislated and legally-binding Carbon Budgets for the same period.

The target forms what is called the UK’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): commitments that countries make to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change. It is aligned to 1.5C.

The UK has called for other countries to match the UK’s ambition to address the urgency of climate change, following stark warnings from the United Nations that the world is way off track to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C.

Since July the government has:   

  • lifted the ban on onshore wind in England
  • delivered a record number of clean energy projects through its renewables auction
  • consented unprecedented amounts of nationally significant solar – 2GW – more than the last 14 years combined
  • launched Great British Energy backed by £8.3 billion to speed up the deployment of clean technologies 
  • fired the starting gun on the UK’s carbon capture, usage and storage industry, with funding agreed for 2 clusters in Teesside and the North West

Globally, the costs of renewables continue to fall, with solar and wind now cheaper than existing coal and gas power plants in most of the world.  

Recent analysis from the International Energy Agency found that in 2023 for every $1 spent on fossil fuels, $1.7 was spent on clean energy. Global energy investment is set to be over $3 trillion in 2024, with $2 trillion of this on clean energy technologies and infrastructure.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s National Statement at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan yesterday:

The United Kingdom is determined to stand alongside those countries on the frontline of the climate crisis today…

And to seize the opportunities of tomorrow.

Because action on climate now is the route towards economic growth…

Energy security…

Better jobs….

And national security in the long term. 

To deliver on the Paris Agreement…

And keep 1.5 degrees within reach.

In the first 100 days of my government…

We launched Great British Energy – to create clean British power…

We created a National Wealth Fund – to invest in the green industries and jobs of the future…

We scrapped the ban on onshore wind…

Committed to no new North Sea oil and gas licences….

And closed the UK’s final coal power plant at the end of September – becoming the first G7 economy to phase out coal power.

In line with the international agreement at COP28 to transition from fossil fuels…

and the UK’s ambitious goal to be the first major economy to deliver clean power by 2030. 

Today I can confirm – three months ahead of deadline…

The UK’s 2035 international target –

Our nationally determined contribution –

to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% on 1990 levels….

Aligned with 1.5 degrees. 

And we urge all Parties –

To come forward with ambitious targets of their own…

As we all agreed at the last COP.

We will work in partnership…

to support other countries to develop their own commitments…

And transition through our forthcoming Global Clean Power Alliance – 

And finance will be its first focus. 

We will honour the commitment made by the previous government…

to provide £11.6 billion in of climate finance between April 2021 and March 2026….

But we must use public finance as a multiplier…

To unlock much more private investment…

And reform our international financial institutions. 

Today we launch the new CIF Capital Market Mechanism, listed on the London Stock Exchange…

With the potential to mobilise up to $75 billion…

in additional climate capital for developing countries over the next decade.

Putting the UK’s role as a global financial centre…

at the service of driving the green finance and green energy transitions.

Climate action is at the heart of this government’s mission for the protection and prosperity of Britain and the world. 

Writ large across our domestic and international priorities…

We are taking the urgent action needed – to protect our planet and its people.