University of East Anglia pioneers thatched roof campus
At UEA’s Enterprise Centre, local materials meet hi-tech carbon monitoring – all on a traditional budget Visitors to The Enterprise Centre at the University of East Anglia’s campus can smell the wood as soon as they arrive, although they may not know it comes from nearby Thetford Forest. And though most admire the building’s beautiful […]
Copenhagen to Washington: 24 hour climate hack to make cities sustainable
Climate-KIC’s campaign saw 20 cities crowdsource ideas to make their cities greener, from cycling to food waste How to get people interested in climate change action when the problem seems so great and so removed from everyday reality? That’s the conundrum governments, activists, companies and the media have faced for decades. Occasionally a standout voice […]
Rachel Bradley: Guardian Sustainable Business unsung hero of the year 2016
Under Bradley’s leadership B&Q has moved to 100% responsibly sourced timber and is working towards all products being peat-free Quiet tenacity, impressive determination and outstanding leadership are just some of the qualities Rachel Bradley’s colleagues point to when asked why they nominated her to be the Guardian Sustainable Business Unsung Hero 2016. The reader-nominated award, […]
'Men are here so we don't have to be': tackling sexism in India
Marcatus QED hopes its films will engage Indian farming communities and help empower women India’s attitude towards women – exemplified by its handling of rape cases and the deeply rooted stigma attached to the victims – has provoked international outrage. It’s a country in which women struggle to be heard. But Marcatus QED, a global […]
Edinburgh universities support low-carbon startups
As well as curbing emissions, the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation is believed to have added millions to the Scottish economy When Vijay Bhopal had an idea for a consultancy and research firm to support the growth of the community energy sector, he was a business novice. It was 2011 and he had little idea […]
The west country cheddar maker powered by solar and cow dung
Wyke Farms saves £100,000 a year on energy bills thanks to green initiatives. And that’s just the start “My grandparents used to tell me that if you look after nature, then nature will look after you,” says Richard Clothier, managing director of Wyke Farms, which generates electricity, gas and heat from renewable sources. “It’s nice […]
Eagle lager: the Ugandan beer that aims to help local farmers and communities
For more than 10 years SABMiller has been producing an affordable local beer with profits ploughed into HIV/Aids testing, clean water and education Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy in Uganda. Despite its favourable climate, however, the country’s population has yet to fully benefit from the potential the sector offers for fuelling economic growth. […]
Ikea vows to be net exporter of renewable energy by 2020
Renewable power sources, low-energy products and supply chain emissions cuts help Swedish furniture giant boost sustainability As December’s landmark climate change summit in Paris (COP21) approached, Ikea made a number of major announcements. It pledged to invest €600m (£471m) in renewable energy projects – in addition to an earlier €1.5bn (£1.2bn) cash injection – and […]
New boa constrictor species discovered on remote Caribbean island
Silver snake, with distinctive metallic appearance, discovered in Bahamas and confirmed as previously unknown species A new species of boa constrictor has been discovered on a remote island in the Bahamas. Scientists identified 20 of the metre-long snakes during two expeditions to the Caribbean islands, the second made in October last year. Continue reading… Source: […]
Sadiq Khan joins air pollution court case against UK government
Mayor of London will submit statement and evidence in high court case brought by ClientEarth on the air pollution crisis in the capital The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has joined a high court challenge against the government over its air pollution plans, overturning the position of his predecessor, Boris Johnson. Khan filed legal documents […]