News

Home

News

A Green Investment Bank?

Tuesday, 30 March 2010 03:39 By Chris Innis

The Government last week announced another big idea for the environment sector, a "Green Investment Bank" owned and funded by Government to promote clean industry and technology. Like all these ideas, first impressions are good. The Government is seen to be doing things, it is an easy headline to convey and understand and it is always applauded by those from the industry.

However, it is another bad idea and a waste of money. Why?

Weighing waste and taxes

Tuesday, 09 March 2010 10:44 By Chris Innis

Bristol City has announced that it is trailing a scheme where households will pay by weight for the removal of household rubbish. The scheme will allocate a waste level to each household, waste or rubbish will be weighed, and if the household weighs in above its allocation, it will pay more for the removal of its waste. On the face of it, it looks like a great idea. But is it?

One aspect of government in the last 30 years has been that policy changes too often have been made without a thorough examination of the consequences, intended and unintended.

WRAP announces waste reduction targets under Courtauld Commitment 2

Monday, 08 March 2010 02:52 By Chris Innis

WRAP, the industry sponsored association, that helps business reduce waste has announced its members' targets for waste reduction under an new agreement referrred to as the Courtauld Commitment 2. The new targets are a 10% reduction in carbon impact of grocery waste by 2013, a reduction in household waste of 4% by 2013 and a reduction in supply chain product and packaging waste of 5% by 2013. The new commitment was signed by 29 of the UK's largest retailers and suppliers. Others are expected to follow.

While any target is progress, but given the amount of waste that the food and grocery sector generates, are these targets enough?

Call to reduce waste!

Thursday, 05 November 2009 03:14 By Chris Innis

The first official European Week for Waste Reduction is to take place in November 2009, and the East of England is leading the way as the only region taking part.

The week aims to inform people about simple actions they can take to help contribute to waste reduction. The week is supported by the European Commission’s LIFE+ Programme.

Should public transport be free in a low carbon economy?

Thursday, 05 November 2009 02:28 By Chris Innis

A recent survey from the Automobile Association has found that vehicle congestion in cities as dropped by 31 per cent as a result of the recession. On that statistic, recessions are good for the environment. However, congestion, like economies come back and with every major urban area forecast to grow over the next 30 years, congestion will increase.

Cities like London are becoming more difficult to live in and unless you are wealthy, the quality of life is falling. Travel to and from work has lengthened, a direct product of congestion.

More Articles...