KPMG sustainability chief: IEA recommendations could bring predictability for business
Yvo de Boer, who leads KPMG’s Global Climate Change and Sustainability practice, today commented on the publication of the International Energy Authority’s (IEA) new report – Redrawing the Energy Climate Map – which was published today. He said: “The IEA’s latest report demonstrates that a limited set of policy measures can help bring global temperature […]
Nature’s Feast pledges to support UK farmers
Officially launched at this year’s Gardeners’ World Live, the brand has pledged to support farmers operating in an environmentally friendly way as part of its commitment to the responsible sourcing of ingredients, and to meet customers’ high expectations. The pledge, will see Nature’s Feast, where possible, source as many raw ingredients for its extensive range […]
UK farmers tackle air quality
Green Week (June 4-7), organised by the European Commission, is the biggest annual conference on European environment policy and has chosen air quality as this year’s theme. As the Commission continues to seek new ways to improve air quality, NFU chief environment adviser Diane Mitchell said UK farmers are helping to tackle emissions such as […]
The future of the UK’s iconic wildlife hangs in the balance
The coalition of 18 organisations have written to Owen Paterson MP – the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and also to the agriculture ministers in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland – warning them of the impending crisis facing wildlife, landscape and communities in so-called High Nature Value (HNV) farming areas. […]
Frustration at cuts in support for biomass heat despite RHI seriously under-performing
Government made two announcements on the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) yesterday : a degression to the tariff for mid-sized biomass and a new consultation on proposed tariff increases. DECC has announced that the mid-size biomass heat tariff will be cut by 5% from 1st July, despite the scheme as a whole seriously under-performing The […]
Cattle return to Farthing Downs
Spring is here at last. The grass has started growing, and after a long winter in the barn, the City of London Corporation’s herd of Sussex Red cattle are finally returning to Farthing Downs (Coulsdon, Surrey). Bob Warnock, the City of London Corporation’s Superintendent at Farthing Downs, said: “The cattle are always a little frisky […]
Recognise farmers’ contribution to wildlife survival, says FUW
The State of Nature report, launched in Cardiff last night by TV and wildlife presenter Iolo Williams alongside Welsh conservation charities, concludes wildlife in Wales is at a crisis point. Scientists from 25 wildlife organisations have compiled a stock take of our native species – the first of its kind in Wales and the UK. […]
Economy should serve ecology
In its latest report on ecosystem services, CIWEM champions the fundamental role of biodiversity and ecosystems to human survival and well-being. Water and biodiversity, the theme of the 2013 United Nations International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated 22 May each year, speaks to the important role of biodiversity and ecosystems in providing for water security […]
New research into protecting vegetables from disease, naturally
This research collaboration will assess the impact of plant defence elicitors – compounds that induce a natural defence response – on brassica and allium crops such as cabbages, Brussels sprouts and onions. The results will be of interest not only to large commercial growers but also to vegetable growers in gardens and allotments across the […]
