Hannah Bullock 5 January 2009, Cars
Hannah Bullock talks to Andrew Valentine, the man who aims to “take the hassle out of driving” – while taking our cars off the roads.
Martin Wright 18 December 2008, Fossil fuels

Act now on peak oil, say business leaders
Peak oil poses a more immediate risk to the UK economy than climate change – but action now could help address both challenges, say leading businesses.
Roger East 18 December 2008, Energy conservation & efficiency, Wind power

Inside views from the green energy sector on oil price volatility
Oil up at nearly $150 a barrel? Just half a year ago that was the new reality. It surely spelled death for the gas-guzzler – and a place in the sun for alternative energy supplies.
Olivia Leybourne 17 December 2008, Waste management, Waste minimisation, Waste to energy

Supermarkets get into anaerobic digesters
In a bid to redress their role in Britain’s massive food wastage problem, leading retailers have started using the stuff they can’t sell to generate power.
Amy Fetzer 9 December 2008, Construction, Energy conservation & efficiency, Higher/Further Education
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From campus life to coursework content and innovative research, universities should be at the forefront of the drive for sustainability. But are they up to it? Amy Fetzer gives our academic institutions the third degree.
Roger East 5 December 2008, Energy conservation & efficiency, Heritage
Heritage organisations look to lower carbon future
Our historic buildings need not be unsustainable. What’s more, we can still learn a lot from their many examples of innovative technology, says a new report.
Roger East 5 December 2008, Construction, Energy conservation & efficiency, Housing

Two-storey semi a first for UK
At Ralegh’s Cross in Somerset, they’re building a two-storey semi out of straw bale – hitting the spot both economically and environmentally
Mark Lupton 5 December 2008, Fishing, Regulation

Transferable quotas are the key to conserving stocks, study shows
The risk of fish stocks collapsing can be cut by half if fishermen agree on a system of ‘catch shares’.
Stephen Hale 27 November 2008, Climate change, Politics
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It is high time we got serious, says Stephen Hale, about understanding why we are failing in the war against climate change – and how we can succeed.
Polly Ghazi 27 November 2008, Americas, Green government, Regulation

He’s been touted as America’s great green hope, but Polly Ghazi asks: What we can really expect an Obama presidency to deliver?
David Baker 19 November 2008, Hydro electric, Inland waterways, Microgeneration, Wind power

Waterways to host £150 million green energy project
Long left dormant since their heyday before the railway age, Britain’s canals are set to power our homes and cool our offices.
Martin Wright 13 November 2008, Climate change, Entrepreneurship

As a global competition launches offering big bucks to help tackle climate change, Martin Wright seeks out the entrepreneurs that are already combining creativity, green innovation and hard-headed business sense to cut the carbon – while making a profit.
David Baker 11 November 2008, Corporate responsibility, Society & culture

New initiative brings mass patronage to ‘deserving’ businesses
A convenience store in London’s Covent Garden has just been the site of a particularly benign type of environmental action – as the UK’s second ever CarrotMob event descended on Miranas Food & Wine for some environmentally-minded shopping.
Polly Ghazi 10 November 2008, International policies & agreements, Regulation

US regional emissions trading scheme goes live in eastern US
In a big breakthrough on carbon trading, the US now has its first mandatory cap and trade programme. Polly Ghazi reports.
Roger East 10 November 2008, Benchmarking/Rankings, Urban

As Forum for the Future unveils its latest Sustainable Cities Index, Roger East asks just what makes a city sustainable – and how do we begin to achieve it in the here and now?
Alison Winward 15 October 2008, Europe, Transport & travel

Government launches incentives, imposes limits, in drive to cut oil use
Industry minister Miguel Sebastián introduces a 31-point government plan designed to slash the country’s oil bill drastically by 2011.
Roger East 15 October 2008, Climate change, International

Scorecard ranks G8 industrialised countries on emissions performance and policy
The UK comes out best, and Canada and the US rank even worse than Russia, in an assessment of how and what they are actually doing to limit their climate change impact.
Hannah Bullock 14 October 2008, Hydrogen/fuel cells

Island to harness renewable power through fuel cells
This autumn sees the installation of a vehicle fuelling station on the Hebridean island of Lewis. The excitement lies in the fuel it has on offer – renewably generated hydrogen.
Hannah Bullock and Jon Wallace 14 October 2008, Farming/Horticulture

Studies unearth surprisingly high value of trees
We should stop and consider the broader picture before we grub up more of the UK’s fast disappearing orchards – because they may be worth more than we think.
Hannah Bullock 14 October 2008, Biofuels

Oil from algae attracts attention as biofuel solution
Algae biotech company Sapphire Energy has raised $100 million in initial investment to develop a sustainable version of oil that it’s calling “green crude”. So why might this be a better bet than other highly problematic biofuels?Giovanna Dunmall 14 October 2008, Wind power
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Scientists link chain of kites to harvest wind energy six miles high
They call it a laddermill – and they think it is “the third generation of wind power”. The device is essentially a huge chain of wing-like kites attached to a looped cable, developed by scientists at the Delft University of Technology.Roger East 14 October 2008, Eco-products & services

‘Library’ scheme lets public get real feel of low-energy bulbs
People do still harbour suspicions about compact fluorescent lightbulbs. Must they be an ugly shape – or too cumbersome, their glow too dim, their light too cold? Will they fit their fittings – and work with their dimmer switches?Roger East and Tim Nichols 14 October 2008, Housing, Regeneration

Camden showcases ‘heritage-friendly’ low-carbon refurb
Yes, it is possible – to cut the climate change impact of a typical 150-year-old English home dramatically without ruining its character.Hannah Bullock 14 October 2008, Retail, Socially responsible investment

Ikea invests €50 million in cleantech start-ups
The new investment arm, Ikea GreenTech, aims to work with five or six companies in areas such as solar, lighting, energy efficiency and water saving, over the next five years.
Hannah Bullock 14 October 2008, Climate change impacts, Conservation

A: Butterfly Survival Zones
Twenty of them have been designated across Britain in a bid to stop the country entering a ‘post-butterfly era’.
Hannah Bullock 13 October 2008, People

In the first of a new series, the Co-op’s Paul Monaghan lets us in on the secret.
Martin Wright 13 October 2008, Railways

Martin Wright gets cross with Greenpeace – and productive on a train
Helen Clarkson 13 October 2008, Cycling, Health

Yes, the road is full of crazed people (some of them pedestrians). Yes, it often rains. And yes, I have on occasion forgotten to pack my shoes. But being outside and getting exercise without having to join a gym keeps me reasonably sane.
Roger East 13 October 2008

Pulling out of Cambridge station, the London train passes a building site. It’s all quiet on that front – the time of the morning, or the state of the housing market?
Bill Thompson and Jon Wallace 13 October 2008, Information technology, Innovation

Bill Thompson feels the weight of the online world.
Jonathon Porritt 13 October 2008, Climate change impacts, Corporate responsibility

Seize the time for sustainable capitalism, says Jonathon Porritt.
James Goodman 13 October 2008, Climate change, Visions & futures

James Goodman explores contrasting futures for a world wrestling with a new climate.
Martin Hunt 13 October 2008, Housing

There I was, all set to help develop a positive, forward-thinking work programme with one of Forum’s business partners. And here was the MD, introducing the internal sustainability workshop.
Darren Towers 13 October 2008, Green Futures partners, Water

Tapping efficiency gains – Thames Water
13 October 2008

"A recession is an excellent opportunity to bring economic and environmental considerations together. They are inextricably related, a part of the same thing, and we need to make sure that the public and political debate is framed in those terms."
Iain Aitch 13 October 2008, Aviation, Carbon reduction, Green Futures partners

Getting to grips with aviation’s footprint – Entec
Iain Aitch 13 October 2008, Carbon offset/neutrality, Green Futures partners

Offsets for everyone – TUI
Dax Lovegrove 13 October 2008, Carbon reduction, Climate change impacts, Corporate responsibility, Green Futures partners

Taking stock on green investment – WWF
Roger East and Terry Slavin 8 October 2008, Carbon offset/neutrality, Carbon reduction, Housing

Will new homes meet the zero-carbon test by 2016? Terry Slavin and Roger East investigate.
Christian Wolmar 8 October 2008, Carbon reduction, Green Futures partners, Railways

At the heart of low-carbon transport – Rail Safety and Standards Board
Alison Winward 7 October 2008, Schools

Councils ‘must try harder’ on emissions, says sustainability watchdog
The CO2 output from schools will be counted as part of each authority’s total under the Carbon Reduction Commitment, the domestic emissions trading scheme due to be launched in 2010.
Giovanna Dunmall 7 October 2008, Climate change impacts

Mayoral plan addresses climate change risks to London
London’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change has spurred mayor Boris Johnson to announce what is billed as the first ever Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for a major city.
Julia Sussams 3 October 2008, Wave power/tidal

The world’s largest snake, which hunts its prey in water, has given its name to a pioneering new device for generating electricity from waves.
Hannah Bullock 1 October 2008, Hydrogen/fuel cells, Microgeneration, Solar energy/PV

Promise of homes as mini ‘power stations’ via solar PV link to hydrogen production
Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have high hopes for their latest “breakthrough” in solar photovoltaics.
Julia Sussams 1 October 2008, Wind power

Floating platforms promise economic wind farms far out at sea
Can offshore turbines be freed from the limitations – and high costs – of fixed installation on the seabed? Yes, say the developers of floating platforms, designed to support wind farms much further out to sea than is currently viable.
Jon Wallace 29 September 2008, Carbon reduction, Eco-products & services, Entrepreneurship, People
One-time Tory party candidate and property millionaire Andrew Charalambous, aka Dr Earth, talks to Green Futures at Bar Surya, his ‘world-first’ eco club – where you generate electricity while you dance.
Martin Wright 24 September 2008, Asia, Climate change

Proposals 'too little, too late' say critics
Solar power will be “centre stage” in India’s strategy to tackle global warming, according to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Hannah Bullock and Vicki Lesley 19 September 2008, Climate change, Local food, Society & culture
Around the country, towns are printing their own currency, turning over scraps of land to grow food and re-skilling their workforce for a future where fossil fuels are no longer on tap.
5 September 2008, Africa
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‘Great green wall’ tree planting plan aims to halt spread of Sahara
African states all around the Sahara have signed up to an ambitious Great Green Wall Initiative to combat desertification.
Louise Vennells 5 September 2008, Built environment, Innovation, Science & technology
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Window coating could be low-cost solar breakthrough
Price is still a real barrier to household-level photovoltaic power. But a special coated window glass, developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, could help crack that problem.
29 August 2008, Awards & grants, Cycling, Places/demonstration centres
‘Cycling city’ Bristol heads push on bikes in towns
That most familiar of all zero-carbon vehicles, the bicycle, is to get £100 million backing from the government in a drive to promote its potential as an urban alternative to the car.
Julia Sussams 21 August 2008, Recycling
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City market leads the way in waste recycling
London’s bustling and colourful Whitechapel Market, selling everything from salmon to saris, has suddenly gone greener and cleaner – as the first market in the country to recycle nearly 100% of its rubbish.
18 August 2008, Aviation, Transport & travel
GF tastes airship technology at first hand over London
A cleaner, more civilised flying experience than frenetic jet travel? Green Futures went on one of the world’s largest airships to find out.
Louise Vennells 18 August 2008, Local government, Policy, Waste & recycling
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Councils to reward residents for recycling
Within months, UK residents could be cashing in on their recycling under a new scheme which has already encouraged Americans to go green on their rubbish.
15 August 2008, Behaviour change, Higher/Further Education, Society & culture, Young people

Fired up over climate change, US students are turning up the heat on colleges’ green credentials. Polly Ghazi sees this driving a race for the top.
Tom Bamford 8 August 2008, Freight, Hydrogen/fuel cells, Shipping

Barge breakthrough on zero emission shipping
When transport secretary Ruth Kelly addressed the International Maritime Organization on the subject of the shipping industry’s huge carbon dioxide emissions, she might have drawn inspiration from an unassuming canal boat in Birmingham.
Susan Gransden 7 August 2008, Energy sources

Waste timber, sawdust, or even willow, could be powering your home in 2011 if you get some of your electricity from a new biomass power station in Lincolnshire.
Polly Ghazi 29 July 2008, Americas, Carbon reduction, Energy issues, Fossil fuels
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New plants “must set CO2 limits”, US court rules
In the latest salvo in the intensifying US battle over the future of coal-fired electricity generation, the state of Georgia has blocked construction of a major new power station...
Jon Wallace 29 July 2008, Carbon sequestration, Climate change, Fossil fuels, Policy
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Halt plans for 'unclean' coal power stations, say reports
With no fewer than six current projects proposing to build new coal-fired power stations in the UK, it would be a bad mistake to approve any of them now, says Matthew Lockwood of the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr).
Hannah Bullock and Julia Sussams 25 July 2008, Corporate responsibility, Freight, Shipping
Sailing ship takes ‘slow cargo’ from France to Ireland
Tesco made a splash last autum transporting wine by barge. Now a French shipping company has taken ‘slow freight’ one step further...
Clare Dowdy 21 July 2008, Marketing, Re-use/refurbishment
Vintage has made it from the fringe to the high street, as big brands decorate their stores with reclaimed materials. But if you scratch the surface is there any substance? Clare Dowdy asks what we’re buying into.
Oliver Tickell 14 July 2008, Carbon reduction
Oliver Tickell makes the case for controlling greenhouse gases ‘close to the source’ via a groundbreaking new worldwide permits auction.
Hannah Bullock 14 July 2008, Energy sources, Solar energy/PV, Wind power

Government launches ambitious blueprint for alternative energy future
A government proposal to generate 15% of energy from renewables by 2020 paints a radically different picture of life in just 12 years’ time: solar panels on 7 million buildings, 3 million homes heated with biomass...
Jon Wallace 11 July 2008, Biofuels, Sport

Green powerboat takes on the world – and wins
Pulling into the Spanish port of Sagunto a full 13 days, 21 hours and 9 minutes ahead of the official circumnavigation record, it was a case of around the world in 60 days for the crew of Earthrace, the hawk-like biodiesel-powered trimaran.
Martin Wright 11 July 2008, Climate change, Energy issues
"We've just seen the first big win in the fight to stabilise the world's climate"
Lester Brown finds cause for optimism on climate change.
Julia Sussams 7 July 2008, Hydrogen/fuel cells, Mass transit/Public transport
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Hydrogen taxis get the green light for 2012
London’s aim of organising the “first ‘sustainable’ Games” has been given a further boost after plans were unveiled for a fleet of zero-emission hydrogen taxis, to be on the streets in time for the start of the 2012 Olympics.
Martin Hunt 4 July 2008, Construction, Housing

New build is the low-hanging fruit in policy terms – while upgrading the existing housing stock is the unmentioned elephant in the room.
Martin Wright 30 June 2008, Lifestyles, Transport & travel

“Like crying wolf when all seems quiet, it’s counter-productive to bang on endlessly about the dangers of climate change”
Faced with a mix of recession and a muddle of climate change denial, it's time to extol green joys, not taxes, says Martin Wright.
30 June 2008
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"There’ll never be a more blatant example to show that, when needs must, it’s OK to put to one side all that guff about governments not interfering in the market."
Martin Wright 28 June 2008, Awards & grants, Community energy, Solar energy/PV
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Award-winning projects from Tibet to Truro.
Martin Wright 28 June 2008, Entrepreneurship, Radio
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Chantal Cook saw the future of radio. Now she broadcasts it on Passion for the Planet.
Mike Scott 28 June 2008, Banking, Climate change impacts, Socially responsible investment
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Mike Scott checks out green investment as a safe haven.
Peter Madden 28 June 2008, Budget/Taxation, Green government, Local government

Must sustainability always suffer from political short-termism? Peter Madden says it’s time to take the longer view.
Marie-Louise Schembri 28 June 2008, Architecture, Construction
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The new look of tomorrow’s homes – Entec UK
Dax Lovegrove 28 June 2008, Carbon reduction, Corporate responsibility
Energy majors in the dock on climate change – WWF
Ed Gillespie 28 June 2008, Aviation, Mass transit/Public transport, Railways, Transport & travel
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.
Roger East 28 June 2008, Built environment, Housing
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Volume housebuilder showcases the zero carbon home
The ‘zero carbon home’ has become concrete reality. The Barratt Green House is the first new home built by a mainstream housebuilder which measures up to the strict sustainability criteria they’ll all have to meet by 2016.
27 June 2008, Banking, Finance, Green Futures partners, Socially responsible investment
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Silver lining on credit for social business – Triodos Bank
Neil Wilks 27 June 2008, Carbon sequestration, Climate change impacts, Green Futures partners
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A chance to lead the world on carbon capture – Yorkshire Forward
Polly Ghazi 27 June 2008, Americas, Behaviour change, Cars, Commuting, Consumption

$4 a gallon? It may seem peanuts to British drivers, writes Polly Ghazi, but in shell shocked America, soaring fuel prices are triggering a revolution in commuter habits, and a fundamental shake-up of the auto industry.
Rebecca Willis 27 June 2008, Carbon offset/neutrality, Carbon reduction, Planning, Policy
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The government’s shadow pricing tool needs sharpening, says Rebecca Willis.
Roger East 27 June 2008, Construction, Housing, Regeneration

Raising the banner for lower carbon by example
Matt Ross 27 June 2008, Carbon reduction, Construction, Microgeneration, Regeneration

The low hanging fruit should pick itself, but solid wall insulation is a tougher cookie – and microgen choices aren’t yet quite as easy as pie.
Martin Wright 27 June 2008, Carbon reduction, Housing, Regeneration
His friends were hoping for loads of glam green gizmos, but effectiveness came first for Martin Wright’s home refurb.
Kevin Telfer 26 June 2008, Architecture, Carbon offset/neutrality, Carbon reduction, Construction, Housing, Planning, Regeneration

Kevin Telfer gets fired up about some high profile projects.
Ben Tuxworth 26 June 2008, Carbon offset/neutrality, Carbon reduction, Construction, Housing, Planning

Unlocking a massive retro-fit effort, says Paul King of the Green Building Council, is less to do with technical solutions, more to do with getting the finance right.
Roger East 26 June 2008, Construction, Housing

Supportive sounds from Caroline Flint – so what is the government’s stance so far?
Roger East 26 June 2008, Carbon reduction, Housing, Regeneration
Are we setting the right standards for existing homes – and how do we know if they can measure up?
26 June 2008, Carbon offset/neutrality, Carbon reduction, Heritage, Housing

The Existing Homes Alliance calls for concerted action.
Jon de Souza 26 June 2008, Construction, Housing, Regeneration
Well adapted buildings are crucial for Constructing Excellence, says Jonathan de Souza.
Matt Ross 26 June 2008, Housing, Regeneration

Matt Ross on the need to turn a patchwork of programmes into a proper refurb strategy.
Roger East 26 June 2008, Wind power
Crown Estate reaches Round Three
Although Shell shocked the renewables industry by pulling out of the massive London Array project, a big future still beckons for offshore wind in the UK. The Crown Estate (which owns the seabed within UK territorial waters) has now launched Round Three of its site-leasing programme.
Roger East 24 June 2008

There aren’t many subjects on which I prefer Harry S Truman’s words to those of Oscar Wilde. But the former US president’s prosaic definitions – “a pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities, while an optimist makes opportunities of his difficulties” seem more helpful in these crunch times than the poet’s cry, “the basis of optimism is pure terror”.
Tom Bamford 24 June 2008, Behaviour change, Consumption, Local food, Retail
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Goods without wrappers catch on with shoppers
A shop in Islington is changing the way we look at packaging.
Tom Bamford 24 June 2008, Architecture, Built environment, Solar energy/PV
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Chinese capital showcases solar powered LEDs
It might not be the biggest wall in China, but the Greenpix Zero Energy Media Wall in Beijing can lay claim to its own record.
Jon Wallace 24 June 2008
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Renewed optimism follows “bitter disappointment” over Lewis wind farm
It was a case of one door closing, another opening for renewable energy on the island of Lewis...
Roger East 24 June 2008, Wave power/tidal

Largest tidal stream power device in the world ready to launch
The innovative tide-harnessing turbine known as SeaGen is securely in place, linked up to the grid, and almost ready to start turning the rapid ebbs and flows of Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough into green electricity.
Jon Wallace 24 June 2008, Hydro electric
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Ancient technology finds new application
Thousands of years after it was invented for drawing water out of ship hulls, the ‘Archimedes screw’ has been rediscovered as an efficient, low-maintenance and ecologically sound hydropower generator.
Tom Bamford 24 June 2008, Packaging

Sainsbury's to sell milk in recyclable plastic ‘pouches’
The initiative, in partnership with milk supplier Dairy Crest, will only work if customers prove more green-minded than they were in 2001, when the supermarket chain’s first attempt to wean us onto pouches was abandoned due to lack of consumer interest.
Roger East 24 June 2008, Green government, Toolkits/information packs

Environmental messaging bedevilled by 'greenwash'
“Only 10% of US and UK consumers trust green messages from businesses”. That was a year ago – and it’s getting worse...