Action on GHGs builds momentum
The Greenhouse Gas Action Plan’s (GHGAP) first progress report to Government sets out the work the industry is undertaking to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by three million tonnes of CO2 equivalents by the third carbon budget period, without compromising domestic production. The Action Plan is making a difference by uniting the industry in key […]
Electricity Market Reform and Green Investment Bank introduced
The Queen’s Speech at the State Opening or Parliament today introduced Electricity Market Reform (EMR) [1] and the Green Investment Bank (GIB). Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the REA [2], said: “We look forward to seeing the details of the Energy Bill. This is of immense importance to project developers in renewables, as the measures […]
Defra consultation muddies the water
Defra’s consultation on the Water Act 2003 contains proposals that could leave farmers without a licence to abstract water, and no right of compensation. In addition, the NFU believes that Defra has been unclear over what would constitute the ‘serious damage’ that would justify the withdrawal of an abstraction licence, and that not enough emphasis […]
Hundreds of threatened birds’ nests drowned in flood catastrophy
Several of the Society’s 211 nature reserves have suffered severe flooding, including the internationally-important Ouse Washes in East Anglia. The reserve, which is home to the largest concentration of nesting wading birds in lowland England, is now two metres under water. The rising flood waters have drowned the nests and breeding attempts of an estimated […]
Beat the drought with moisture retention, farmers told
Earlier this year, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman hosted a drought summit with water companies, farmers and wildlife groups and warned of potential supply disruptions. In spite of increased rainfall in April, large swathes of England are still officially in drought. In addition, several water stress studies predict that the South East will show ‘extreme stress’ […]
Solar Industry CEOs Launch Global Solar Council
Global Solar Council members will engage with policymakers worldwide to demonstrate the progress towards abundant, affordable and low emissions energy already made possible by the solar industry and to emphasize the importance of a supportive policy and trade environment, which will enable the ongoing development of competitively–‐priced solar energy, driving job creation and economic growth. […]
Latest tests confirm increased energy generation of Evance small wind turbine
The R9000 5kW turbine was one of the first small wind turbines to be fully certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) in July 2010, and since then has received system improvements. Many Evance customers have already benefitted from higher than expected energy generation as the R9000 system improvements were implemented several months ago. For […]
New venture to improve farming and retail carbon footprint
The Cool Farm Tool (CFT) was created by the University of Aberdeen in partnership with Unilever and the Sustainable Food Lab to guide farmers over their greenhouse gas emissions and to provide tips on how they might lessen their environmental impacts. The computer-based tool – also aimed at processors and retailers with sustainability schemes – […]
Plant perfumes woo beneficial bugs
This is the first chemical signal that has been shown to attract beneficial bacteria to the maize root environment. The study was led by Dr Andy Neal of Rothamsted Research in Hertfordshire and Dr Jurriaan Ton of the University of Sheffield’s Department of Animal and Plant Sciences. By deepening our understanding of how cereals interact […]
