Editors' blog
Hannah Bullock, 5 Nov 2008
The low winter sun that blinded me from behind the City buildings did look s...
Browse Green Futures Articles
A desire named Streetcar
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.
Peak practice
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.
What does cheap oil mean for renewables?
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.
From waste to power
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.
The future by degrees
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.
No turning back
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.
Landmark for straw
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
Share the catch to save the fish
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’.
The new politics of climate change
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.
American Eye
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?
Liquid energy
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.
Innovation nation
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.
Bring in the CarrotMob
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.
States launch carbon market
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.
Cities of light
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?
The aim in Spain
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.
Best of a bad lot?
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.
Hebridean hopes for hydrogen
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.
Orchards’ richer harvest
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.
Green crude
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?Pulling power
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.Lending light
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?Victorian home of the future
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.Ikea DIYs it
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.
Q: Where do butterflies go when it all gets too much?
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’.
The Knowledge
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.
And another thing…
Martin Wright 13 October 2008, Railways
Martin Wright gets cross with Greenpeace – and productive on a train
“If the NHS built cycle paths…”
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.
Editorial
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?
Smarter bytes, slimmer footprints
Bill Thompson and Jon Wallace 13 October 2008, Information technology, Innovation
Bill Thompson feels the weight of the online world.
Zero hour for a new capitalism
Jonathon Porritt 13 October 2008, Climate change impacts, Corporate responsibility
Seize the time for sustainable capitalism, says Jonathon Porritt.
New Year’s Day 2030
James Goodman 13 October 2008, Climate change, Visions & futures
James Goodman explores contrasting futures for a world wrestling with a new climate.
Building “must stand up”
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.
Wet revolution
Darren Towers 13 October 2008, Green Futures partners, Water
Tapping efficiency gains – Thames Water
Letters
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."
Plane sensible
Iain Aitch 13 October 2008, Aviation, Carbon reduction, Green Futures partners
Getting to grips with aviation’s footprint – Entec
Package deal
Iain Aitch 13 October 2008, Carbon offset/neutrality, Green Futures partners
Offsets for everyone – TUI
Money talks
Dax Lovegrove 13 October 2008, Carbon reduction, Climate change impacts, Corporate responsibility, Green Futures partners
Taking stock on green investment – WWF
Green house effect
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.
Track changes?
Christian Wolmar 8 October 2008, Carbon reduction, Green Futures partners, Railways
At the heart of low-carbon transport – Rail Safety and Standards Board
School report
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.
Adapting the capital
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.
Anaconda joins wave energy hunt
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.
Solar all night?
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.
Wind in deep water
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.
Now you’re talking – Dr Earth
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.
India launches climate action plan
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.
The futureproofers
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.
Line in the sand
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.
PV’s bright future?
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.
Wheelie wins
29 August 2008, Awards & grants, Cycling, Places/demonstration centres
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‘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.
Greening Whitechapel
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.
Transport of delight
18 August 2008, Aviation, Transport & travel
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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.
Bin bounty
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.
American Eye
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.
Hydrogen takes to the water
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.
Beefing up biomass
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.
Coal out for carbon count
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...
Cool-off for coal
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).
Old World wine
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...
Brand old
Clare Dowdy 21 July 2008, Marketing, Re-use/refurbishment
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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.
“Science dictates that we need a 100% reduction in carbon emissions. Here’s how to achieve it”
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.
2020 vision
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...
Bucking trends and breaking records
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.
Reasons to be cheerful
Martin Wright 11 July 2008, Climate change, Energy issues
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"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.
Hailing the future
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.
The elephant in the room
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.
And another thing
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.
Letters
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."
Energy for change
Martin Wright 28 June 2008, Awards & grants, Community energy, Solar energy/PV
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Award-winning projects from Tibet to Truro.
Hang the DJ
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.
Shelter from the storm?
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.
Whitehall Watch
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.
Des res, future style
Marie-Louise Schembri 28 June 2008, Architecture, Construction
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The new look of tomorrow’s homes – Entec UK
Power without responsibility?
Dax Lovegrove 28 June 2008, Carbon reduction, Corporate responsibility
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Energy majors in the dock on climate change – WWF
Riding with the Rail Guru
Ed Gillespie 28 June 2008, Aviation, Mass transit/Public transport, Railways, Transport & travel
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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.
Tomorrow's house today
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.
Green borrowers afloat
27 June 2008, Banking, Finance, Green Futures partners, Socially responsible investment
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Silver lining on credit for social business – Triodos Bank
Consigning carbon to captivity?
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
American Eye
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.
What price carbon?
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.
Do try this at home
Roger East 27 June 2008, Construction, Housing, Regeneration
Raising the banner for lower carbon by example
The multi-million makeover menu
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.
Insulation, insulation, insulation
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.
Aspiration, aspiration, aspiration
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.
Time to stop tinkering
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.
The governing principle
Roger East 26 June 2008, Construction, Housing
Supportive sounds from Caroline Flint – so what is the government’s stance so far?
Getting there
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?
Building change
26 June 2008, Carbon offset/neutrality, Carbon reduction, Heritage, Housing
The Existing Homes Alliance calls for concerted action.
Getting better by design
Jon de Souza 26 June 2008, Construction, Housing, Regeneration
Well adapted buildings are crucial for Constructing Excellence, says Jonathan de Souza.
Where the action is
Matt Ross 26 June 2008, Housing, Regeneration
Matt Ross on the need to turn a patchwork of programmes into a proper refurb strategy.
Wind among the Jewels
Roger East 26 June 2008, Wind power
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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.
Editorial
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”.
Uncontained delight
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.
Great wall of light
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.
One down, but one to go
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...
Seagen tidecatcher makes its debut
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.
The taming of the screw
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.
From cow to bag
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.
The national distrust
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...
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