Editors' blog
Martin Wright, 31 Mar 2008
If you wanted a persuasive advert for 'Slow Travel', you could do worse than...
Most read this month
Riding with the Rail Guru
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Ed Gillespie meets The Man in Seat 61
“That’s good – it’s buying me a curry.” Mark Smith’s reaction to the first payment he received for ‘The Man in Seat 61’ is somehow typical of the man behind this pioneering train travel advice site
The Green Futures Interview: Rowan Williams
“The environmental crisis is the major moral issue which confronts us – and I’ve got into trouble for saying so.”
These days, we pretty much expect our archbishops to be turbulent priests. Martin Wright meets Rowan Williams
Briefing: Farm food nation?
State law opens way for local farm food into US schools, low-income communities
So far, America’s booming local food movement has largely been limited to the farmers’ market loving middle class. But that’s starting to change.
Briefing: Traffic goes electric green
Wind-powered recharge grid on the horizon for Danish battery vehicles
It’s looking good for electric cars in Denmark – as a new scheme promises a network of renewably-powered recharging stations by 2011.
Feature: Carbon markets - time to clean up
The Clean Development Mechanism is widely derided as a source of easy pickings for wealthy polluters. So how, asks Terry Slavin, can it be made fit for purpose?
Profile: Ethical oilman
As the biofuel debate becomes a snakepit, Mike Lawton sets out to make good business from jatropha oil – in every sense. Mary Zacaroli checks his profile.
A president to save the planet?
Polly Ghazi April 23 2008, Americas, Politics
Colour, gender, age – whichever way it goes, the next US president will be the first. The first commited to tackling climate change. With fresh hope in her heart, Polly Ghazi draws the finer distinctions between the three contenders’ shades of green.
Sun rises on US energy scene
Polly Ghazi April 18 2008, Energy issues, Solar energy/PV
California’s “biggest ever” solar project follows record year for industry growth
America’s solar energy industry is coming of age.
After a record growth year in 2007, pumping over $2 billion into the economy, the sector as a whole – manufacturers and distributors of photovoltaic, concentrating solar power and solar heating technology - is projecting that revenues will again more than double in 2008.
Cutting down with the Joneses
Tom Bamford April 15 2008, Green government, Housing, Regeneration
Green Neighbourhoods scheme to turn existing communities into beacons of low carbon living
Who’s showing the way on cutting the carbon footprint of the UK’s existing housing stock? Under a new government initiative, 100 communities across Britain could become shining examples of what’s possible - and achievable by ordinary people in ‘bog standard’ homes.
Duty to disclose
Jon Wallace April 15 2008, Benchmarking/Rankings, Business, Communications/Reporting, Corporate responsibility
Companies face obligation to report CO2 after amendment to Climate Change Bill
Binding rules on carbon disclosure will put companies on a level playing field, where consumers and investors alike can make meaningful comparisons between the leaders – and the laggards.
Ships take a blow
Jon Wallace March 25 2008, Shipping, Wind power
Merchant shipping tries out carbon-cutting solutions as true extent of emissions emerges
Hybrid container ships have arrived on a commercial scale.
Hybrid, that is, as in partly wind-powered. In a world first for a container vessel, the 10,000-tonne MS Beluga SkySails has been fitted with a computer-guided kite to help blow it along – taking some of the load off its oil-powered engine.
Fast forward
Jon Wallace March 25 2008, Biofuels, Sport
A green assault on a world speed record is under way
On the Spanish dockside of Sagunto, the hawk-like biodiesel-powered trimaran Earthrace has been undergoing final trials, before setting sail in a bid to break the 74-day record for circumnavigating the globe.
Feeding our cars
Hannah Bullock March 25 2008, Cars, Waste to energy
General Motors turns food waste into fuel
It seems that everybody wants a share of our household food waste. Over in the US, General Motors is planning to transform the stuff into ethanol to fuel cars.
The new mile high club
March 25 2008, Aviation, Carbon offset/neutrality, Recycling
Airlines get passengers offsetting and recycling
When’s the best time to get air passengers to sign up to carbon offsets? When you can prick their conscience the most – on the plane. Virgin Atlantic is now offering offsetting to customers in-flight, along with the duty-free.
Take-off for biofuels?
Hannah Bullock March 25 2008, Aviation, Biofuels
First ever biodiesel flight launches amidst controversy
A Virgin Atlantic test flight has boosted biofuel enthusiasts’ belief in its technical viability as aviation fuel. Yet the breakthrough comes as European targets to raise overall biofuel use are called into question – over the environmental and food security implications of large-scale production
Raising the bar for water
Matt Radcliffe March 25 2008, Behaviour change, Water
London restaurant banishes the bottled stuff in style
Could this be the beginning of the end for bottled water? For years now, aspirational consumers with scant regard for sustainability have been lapping up the wet stuff from ever more exotic sources like it’s going out of fashion. And now, happily, there are signs that it is.
Who’s on message?
Julian Rollins March 25 2008, Awards & grants, Communications/Reporting, Corporate responsibility
Reporting awards encourage focus on sustainability – not just CSR
BT’s 2007 sustainability report has been judged Britain’s best, and Unilever’s is runner-up. But the judges of accountancy organisation ACCA’s annual awards were disappointed to find that most of the contenders were still stuck in the language – and mindset – of ‘corporate social responsibility’ rather than ‘sustainability’.
High card, low carbon
March 25 2008, Culture, Young people
Top Trumps, the cult card game for kids, has had a makeover from the environmental charity Marches Energy Agency.
Sun down under
Julian Rollins March 25 2008, Community energy, Solar energy/PV
Outback town plans world first in solar power
The Queensland town of Cloncurry is aiming to transform itself into the world’s first fully solar-powered community. The centrepiece of the plan will be a 10MW solar thermal power tower, generating around 30 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year.
Cadbury boost for producers?
Julian Rollins March 25 2008, Africa, Corporate responsibility, Farming/Horticulture, Poverty/social exclusion
Partnership approach backs cocoa farmers in sustainability drive
Our love affair with chocolate would have a pretty flaky future, if growers couldn’t make a livelihood out of the beans.
Patent clarity
Iain Aitch March 25 2008, Innovation
Companies show less protective streak over IP to save the planet
Businesses usually fight tooth and nail to protect their intellectual property. But now IBM, Nokia, Sony and Pitney Bowes are taking part in what is being described as the Eco-Patent Commons.
Lights! Camera! Climate action!
Chris Alden March 25 2008, Climate change impacts, Culture, TV
Campaign to get better grip on London film industry’s emissions
You can’t accuse film-makers in London of being blind to climate change. Only last summer, the disaster movie Flood depicted what might happen if the Thames was overwhelmed by rising seawater
Two wheels better
Roger East March 25 2008, Cycling
Heartening signs for cyclists and pedestrians
Hot on the heels of Sustrans’s success in winning
£50 million of lottery money for its Connect2 cyclepaths scheme comes the announcement of a £140 million three-year plan at the Department for Transport to boost cycle training for children, connect more schools to the National Cycle Network, and help towns run cycling pilot projects.
Eggstra leg room
March 25 2008, Consumption, Farming/Horticulture
The Co-op is the latest supermarket to stop selling eggs from battery hens.
Following a consultation with its members, in which a quarter identified animal welfare as a priority, the retailer removed the offending items in February.
London charging ahead
Iain Aitch March 25 2008, Congestion, Mass transit/Public transport
Congestion charging scheme and Paris’s free bikes share US award
Porsche drivers and mums in 4x4s on the school run might loathe both him and it, but Ken Livingstone’s congestion charge keeps winning plaudits.
Not just rearranging the loungers…
Alison Winward March 25 2008, Construction, Health
Titanic Spa aims to set an eco-example
It says it’s “the UK’s first eco-spa”. It opened last year inside Titanic Mill, a luxury green apartment complex conversion in a former textile mill near Huddersfield.
Village greening
Jon Wallace March 25 2008, Awards & grants, Community energy, Microgeneration
Locals press forward on waste elimination, parish hall retrofits
St Arvans, two miles outside Chepstow, has set itself the target of becoming the first zero-waste Welsh community. Residents already recycle an impressive average 77% of waste with the help of weekly collections by Monmouthshire Community Recycling, a social enterprise established by local people.
Changing the limelight
Claire Wyatt March 24 2008, Culture, Energy conservation & efficiency
London theatre stages first sustainable production
Hydrogen fuel cell powered stage lighting was one of the stars making its debut, along with a raft of other clean green initiatives, when Simple8’s production of The Living Unknown Soldier opened earlier this year at a London studio theatre.
Whitehall Watch
Peter Madden March 24 2008, Carbon reduction, Commuting, Cycling, Local government, Mass transit/Public transport
As London’s mayoral elections turn up the heat on transport policy, our national politicians need to look and learn, says Peter Madden.
American Eye
Polly Ghazi March 24 2008, Americas, Carbon offset/neutrality, Carbon reduction
Most Americans have two religions: their faith and their sports team. Suddenly, says Polly Ghazi, some powerful players in the sports world are beefing up their green credentials. Will the fans follow?
And another thing
Martin Wright March 24 2008, Asia, Cars, Poverty/social exclusion
“What happens when improving people’s quality of life runs slap bang into environmental limits? The Tata Nano does exactly that.”
Rural renaissance
Julian Rollins March 20 2008, Carbon reduction, Railways
Village pioneers are finding positive answers for low-carbon local development. Now the government needs to get on track. - The Commission for Rural Communities
Tasty money
March 20 2008, Banking, Green Futures partners, Social enterprise, Socially responsible investment
Why do ethical consumers have a blind spot when it comes to choosing a bank? If you care about the environment, you probably recycle, buy organic food, and may even have promised to cut down on air travel. But have you greened your bank account, too? - TRIODOS
When fuel grows on trees
Julian Rollins March 20 2008
How good old wood can help Yorkshire cut its carbon and boost its economy. - YORKSHIRE FORWARD
Just a generation ago Dearne Valley, on the outskirts of Barnsley, was a post-industrial wasteland. Today, the coal industry has been replaced by newer, cleaner businesses, and at its heart a derelict marshland has been transformed into an RSPB wetland reserve.
Green tea
Chris Alden March 20 2008, Corporate responsibility, Farming/Horticulture, Green Futures partners, Organics
Sustainable tea can be big brand tea. UNILEVER teams up with the Rainforest Alliance.
Tradition with a new face
Julian Rollins March 20 2008, Eco-products & services, Energy conservation & efficiency, Green Futures partners, Microgeneration, Wind power
A wind-powered Aga… whatever next?
Coalbrookdale in Telford, Shropshire, has a record when it comes to innovation. It’s where the 18th-century ironmaster Abraham Darby first tried using coke instead of charcoal to make cast iron. - AGA Foodservices Group
Calling on the lifeline
Chris Alden March 20 2008, Telecommunications, Young people
When is a phone not a phone? When it’s a mobile support centre.
A new generation of ‘mobile natives’ – teenagers who have never known a world without mobile phones – is tapping into the technology for its vital needs. VODAFONE
Big wet footprints
Peter Denton March 20 2008, Green Futures partners, Water
Just got to grips with working out your carbon footprint? ‘Water footprinting’ is the next big thing. - WWF
Kicking ahead
Mark Hillsdon March 19 2008, Carbon offset/neutrality, Carbon reduction, Sport
The beautiful game plays the green card – but Mark Hillsdon wants more.
How green is my lecky?
Rebecca Willis March 19 2008, Energy sources
Is your green electricity tariff just a con? Rebecca Willis picks a way through the minefield to resolve the current chaos.
Cradle-to-cradle in North Carolina
Nick Hunt February 29 2008, Housing
America’s first ‘restorative’ development planned by green design guru
Crops growing on landscaped roofs should quickly tell you there’s something green about Greenbridge...
Leaders and laggards
Julian Rollins February 29 2008, Corporate responsibility
Businesses “must try harder” on sustainability and climate change, reports say
Leader businesses may be vying with one another to seize the opportunities of the sustainability agenda – but much of the business world is still in a state of doubt and confusion about it.
Chip maker goes low carb
Rikki Stancich February 18 2008, Carbon reduction, Methane, Waste to energy
Who ever said that slime doesn’t pay?
McCain Foods is paring down its carbon footprint by harnessing renewable energy at its largest UK plant, out at Whittlesey in the Cambridgeshire fens.
La Défense of the planet
February 12 2008, Construction, Solar energy/PV
Eco office block to give more than it takes
Planning is under way in Paris for the first large scale, sustainable office block that will produce more energy than it consumes.
PV good to go
David Howells and Jon Wallace February 4 2008, Africa, Solar energy/PV, Telecommunications
Solar technology breaks new ground on cheap and durable chargers
A Cardiff-based company is about to ship the first of a new kind of solar charger, more durable than the conventional silicon cell type. The technology it uses has been a long time coming to market, but promises to be well suited to the needs of the developing world
Hempsulation
Jon Wallace February 4 2008, Energy conservation & efficiency, Housing, Materials
Innovative insulation acts as carbon sink
Biological materials don’t get much more versatile than hemp. Its latest incarnation is as a building material with solid sustainability credentials.
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Quips
“I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.”£28.30
The money a regular cyclist saves the NHS from spending each year. A report from Cycling England calculates that the overall savings to taxpayers from a 20% increase in cycling across Britain add up to £520 million - thanks to lower healthcare costs and reduced congestion.
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