STA responds to reports of possible policy changes for solar power
BusinessGreen quotes Government sources confirming that DECC will launch an “imminent” review of solar support schemes. If this includes the Renewables Obligation (RO) this will be the third RO Review for solar power in less than three years. The STA has been concerned about this prospect for some time and is expecting a meeting with […]
Allotments could be key to sustainable farming, study finds
Soils under Britain’s allotments are significantly healthier than intensively farmed soils and with the first study to show that growing at small-scale in urban areas produces food sustainably without damaging soils, authors say planning and policy makers should promote urban own-growing as a sustainable way of meeting increasing food demand. An increase in urban allotments […]
Landowners need reassurance on fracking access
The CLA has said reports of a potential announcement relaxing access rights for shale gas operators should come as ‘little surprise’. The organisation said the Government has already made clear its commitment to developing the shale gas industry, but landowners need reassurance if access rights for fracking are relaxed. CLA President Henry Robinson said: “The […]
IPCC sets out vast potential for solar power
The full report on Climate Change Mitigation options was published today by the IPCC Working Group III. The report includes a 137 page analysis of the energy system, which is responsible for 35% of global emissions. Renewable energy provided 21% of world electricity demand in 2012. The IPCC calculate that renewables can meet world primary […]
Changes to renewable energy State Aid Guidelines “a big risk”
The outcome of the European Commission’s review of State Aid Guidelines for renewable energy between 2014 and 2020 will be published today. The Commission has reviewed the Guidelines to move renewables support programmes towards competitive allocation mechanisms such as auctions. The REA and STA have been working with Government and fellow […]
Gazasia and Aseagas celebrate inaugural bio-methane digestion plant in the Philippines
On March 18th Richard Lilleystone, Chief Executive Officer of UK based Gazasia Ltd, took part in a tree planting ceremony at the site of the first Aseagas bio-methane digestion plant in the Philippines. He was accompanied by Sabin Aboitiz and Juan Alfonso, President and Chief Operating Officer respectively of Aseagas Corporation, Gazasia’s joint venture with […]
UK schools to become Polli:Nation Habitats thanks to £1.3m Heritage Lottery Funding
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced support for the UK-wide biodiversity project – Polli:Nation, a programme which supports schools in helping to protect the future of our seriously dwindling bee population. The Polli:Nation project, developed by the school grounds charity, Learning through Landscapes, will receive the initial support ¹ of £1.3m, including a […]
Restricting water access may damage UK food production
The CLA has responded to the Government’s water abstraction consultation ‘Making the most of every drop’. The organisation said the Government’s proposals to reduce access to water should exclude agriculture from the regime. CLA President Henry Robinson said: “Agriculture represents less than one percent of the total licensed volumes of water, and should be […]
Study shows invasive species in waterways on rise due to climate change
One of the most serious threats to global biodiversity and the leisure and tourism industries is set to increase with climate change according to new research by Queen’s University Belfast. Researchers at Queen’s have found that certain invasive weeds, which have previously been killed off by low winter temperatures, are set to thrive as global […]
