Report highlights risks to effectiveness of BNG legislation
There are risks to the long-term effectiveness of the government's new Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy, launched in February, according to a 17 May...
Turning sludge into hydrogen, and other OFWAT award winners
Winners of OFWAT’s latest Water Breakthrough Challenge were announced on 16 May, and included a project to turn sewage sludge into hydrogen, and another...
Study maps human uptake of microplastics across 109 countries
Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines top the global per capita list of dietary uptakes of microplastics, while China, Mongolia...
Clean growth and local government innovators showcased at ADEPT awards
At its annual President’s Awards on the 16th of May, the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) recognised the achievements...
Bloomberg report: Urgent deployment of existing technology can get world close to net zero
Although prevailing wisdom holds that time is running out, BloombergNEF’s New Energy Outlook 2024 seemingly shows how the world could still achieve the major...
Engineering interventions that could reduce exposure of open-water swimmers to human faecal matter
Wastewater treatment must be improved to reduce exposure to human faecal pathogens in treated effluent, according to a new report published on 21...
Can coal mines be tapped for rare earth elements?
Research led by the University of Utah has documented elevated concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) in active coal mines rimming the Uinta coal...
$3.7m crop lab will create food for ‘tomorrow’s atmosphere today’
A new $3.7m facility at the University of Essex aims to make it possible to adapt plants for a hotter drier climate, preventing threats...
Data scarcity challenges identification of endocrine disruptors
Lack of data from the chemical industry in the EU often prevents the assessment of whether substances used in consumer products, for example, are...
Electricity networks accelerate potential connection dates of over 200 clean energy projects
7.8GW of clean energy projects, more than double the output of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, have had their connection offer dates brought...
The sins of the land are visited upon the sea
A new report attempts to better understand the provenance and impact of plastics in the ocean.
Launched ahead of Earth Day 2024 (22nd April),...
EU rules compel manufacturers to make repair easier
The European Parliament voted on 23 April to adopt new rules on the so-called “right to repair” for consumers, which aim to make it...
DRS to be delayed until 2027
The UK government has announced a delay to the scheduled October 2025 start date of a UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), which will now...
Chitty-chitty-pop-bang! Are noise cameras ready to tackle UK traffic?
Noise camera technology is ready to be deployed for monitoring urban traffic, according to a number of firms developing it. Envirotec looks at how...
Regret over target climbdown
Commentators expressed disappointment at the Scottish government's 19 April decision to abandon its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent by 2030.
Màiri...
Call for clarity on DEFRA plan to withhold air quality funding
The Environmental Industries Commission’s Air Quality Taskforce has called for greater clarity on the future of the Air Quality Grant scheme following the news...
Cooling conjecture: cloud engineering could be more promising than previously believed
Cloud ‘engineering’ could be more effective for climate cooling than previously thought, because of the increased cloud cover produced, new research seems to show....
Circular pallets scheme gears up for May rollout
Recyclable pallets initiative The Pallet LOOP says it is manufacturing tens of thousands of its distinctive bright green, circular economy pallets in readiness for...
High Court agrees to hear legal challenge over Gove’s green homes ‘roadblock’
The High Court has given the green light for a judicial review of Michael Gove’s policy on green homes. Campaigners say the barriers...
Switch to green wastewater infrastructure could reduce emissions and provide huge savings
Researchers say they have shown that a transition to green wastewater-treatment approaches in the US, away from greywater treatment, could save $15.6 billion and...
