Browse Green Futures Articles

The new politics of climate change

Stephen Hale 27 November 2008, Climate change, Politics

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.

Briefing: 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.

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

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

‘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

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

‘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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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

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

"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

Award-winning projects from Tibet to Truro.

Hang the DJ

Martin Wright 28 June 2008, Entrepreneurship, Radio

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

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

The new look of tomorrow’s homes – Entec UK

Power without responsibility?

Dax Lovegrove 28 June 2008, Carbon reduction, Corporate responsibility

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

Bread rising

Giovanna Dunmall 24 June 2008, Health, Local food, Organics

Campaign backs 'real' baking, exposes factory failings

Good bread needs to be at the centre of our tables again, says organic baker, teacher and campaigner Andrew Whitley. So get ready for a nationwide Bread Campaign, due to launch later this year.

Leaf service

Alison Winward 24 June 2008, Eco-products & services, Innovation

Indian leaves bring new life to disposable crockery

They’ve been used in rural India for countless years, but ‘disposable’ plates made from leaves are now becoming a big hit on British dining tables.

Boris beds in

Jon Wallace 24 June 2008, Carbon reduction

Major tree-planting under way in capital as new research points to health benefits

Fresh from his victory in the London mayoral elections, Boris Johnson has announced a scheme to plant 10,000 new trees on the streets of the capital over the next three years.

Redesign for living

Tom Bamford 24 June 2008, Recycling, Waste management, Waste minimisation

Student design rethink takes on the compost bucket

Where would you go for inspiration on sustainable design?

Coffin makers carry it off

Roger East 24 June 2008, Awards & grants

Awards fete UK's greenest companies

Another sign of the interest in ‘green exemplars’ – the new Sunday Times Best Green Companies awards.

Fast lane to sane lane

Tom Bamford 24 June 2008, Carbon reduction, Cars

Local curb breaches German principle of limitless
autobahn speed

Fast cars are big business in Germany, but there are signs that the brakes are going on.

Carbon pricing US style

Polly Ghazi 24 June 2008, Carbon reduction

San Francisco pioneers emissions levy for local businesses

In the first measure of its kind in the USA, companies in California’s Bay Area now face mandatory fees for their carbon emissions.

Hybrids by retro-fit

Andrew Williams and Roger East 24 June 2008, Cars

UK company's makeover approach could "convert conventional cars"

Can your current car boast the green credentials – and fuel economy – of a fuel/electric hybrid? If not, there may be a solution on the horizon, if a new conversion system lives up to its promise.

Where does the power lie?

Anna Birney 24 June 2008, Behaviour change, Inspiration

People keep asking me about my job title. The ‘change’ bit isn’t the issue; the question is about what we mean by ‘leadership’.

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“Time is our scarcest resource. We are crossing natural thresholds that we cannot see and violating deadlines that we do not recognise. These deadlines are set by nature. Nature is the timekeeper, but we cannot see the clock."Veteran US environmental crisis-confronter Lester Brown, publicising his latest book 'Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization'

$100 billion

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