Whitehall Watch

The White Papers that could haunt Brown

Whitehall Watch

Will a Brown cabinet be green?

Whitehall Watch

Why local government matters

Whitehall Watch

Brown and Cameron set out their stalls

Whitehall Watch

Green themes stand out at party conference time

Navigating the future

As Forum for the Future reaches its tenth birthday, Peter Madden looks ahead to the next decade, and the Forum founders share their ideas on where next.

Big brother is watching your health

Smart medical gadgets, governmental incentives and health-promoting foods: we are facing a new age of health care and awareness. Peter Madden, CEO, Forum for the Future, finds tomorrow’s pulse.

The showrooms of the future

In 20 years’ time, our city streets will no longer be dominated by the motor car as vehicles of all shapes and sizes will zoom silently around, says Peter Madden. 

Sustainable sci fi: the nano world of 2020

By 2020, there’ll be billions of tiny computers embedded in pretty much everything: stuck on our food labels, woven into our clothes, even injected into our skin. Peter Madden explores the potential of a sci-fi future.

The cleantech revolution sweeps through America

A cleantech revolution is sweeping America - but will government have the courage to put the wind in its sails? Polly Ghazi investigates. 

Paint it white: what role should geo-engineering play in tackling climate change?

Peter Madden asks how much we should manipulate our future.

The hanging gardens of the future

Peter Madden sees a future in which cities feed themselves

Within a few decades, every one of us will own a ‘farm in a box’, which will sit on our balcony, roof or next to a window

Innovating for a low-carbon age

As five climate change innovations vie for a $75,000 prize, Peter Madden asks you to vote for which will make the biggest contribution to saving the planet.

Whitehall Watch

Must sustainability always suffer from political short-termism? Peter Madden says it’s time to take the longer view.

Whitehall Watch

As London’s mayoral elections turn up the heat on transport policy, our national politicians need to look and learn, says Peter Madden.

Whitehall Watch

So much for the rhetoric, Peter Madden wants action

In his wide-ranging speech in November, the prime minister set out a vision of a fourth technological revolution. He made a tokenistic pledge on plastic bags. And he talked tough on climate change.

Whitehall watch

A precautionary note for government planners

Yes, Britain needs more houses. But will government get the planning equations right – or just open the floodgates and let down the locals? Peter Madden says Gordon Brown needs to think this through.