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RESIDENTS want local authorities to act on climate change and are attracted by the prospect of being part of a collective solution, new research finds. The mechanism to achieve this, Community Municipal Investments (CMIs), is a bond issued by local authorities through a crowdfunding platform giving residents the chance to support low-carbon projects, directly benefiting their own community. CMIs are being...

A ‘SMART’ system that controls the storage and release of energy from wind turbines will reduce the risk of power cuts and support the increase of wind energy use world-wide, say researchers at the University of Birmingham. The system uses the variable speed of the rotors in wind turbine systems to more closely regulate the supply of power to the...

THE AUTOMOTIVE industry is set to benefit from a £73.5 million government investment to develop green technologies and safeguard jobs, Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi announced today. Ten projects across the UK will receive a share of this new investment to develop cutting-edge technology for the next generation of electric taxis, cars and vans – including recyclable batteries, advanced electrical systems...

THREE new biomethane production plants are to be added into Cadent’s network this year. Increasing the use of biomethane – using food, farm, human and other wastes as feedstocks to produce grid quality gas – is widely-recognised as a key stage in Britain’s journey to net zero. Cadent has 35 production plants connected into their network, supplying enough gas to meet demand from up to 243,000 homes. That's more than enough to meet...

IF the UK is to make a low carbon recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, then it’s essential that we reuse more materials and renovate existing buildings rather than constructing new ones, according to researchers from the University of Sheffield. The call, made by engineers in the University’s Urban Flows Observatory, is in response to the built environment emitting up to...

BACKING has been given by BayWa r.e. Energy Ventures, Encavis, and RP Global to Pexapark’s software and advisory services that help manage financial risk in the post-subsidy renewable energy markets. Pexapark, a software and advisory services provider for renewable energy sales, has secured additional growth capital to sustain and accelerate its expansion in the global renewable energy markets. The business has...

THE PERCENTAGE of pupils travelling to school by car reached its highest ever recorded level in 2019, according to new data released by Sustrans Scotland. More than a quarter of pupils said they used private motorised transport to get to school each day, with 23.8% reporting that they arrived by car – the highest level since the survey began in...

NEW climate research has stated that urgent action on emissions from existing ships is the key to tackling shipping’s impact on climate change. The shipping sector ‘can’t wait’ for new, low-carbon ships to enter its fleet if it is to cut CO2 emissions in line with Paris Agreement targets, according to a University of Manchester study published in the new...

BEAMA and RenewableUK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to work more closely together on key issues to help to build the modern, flexible low-carbon energy system which the UK needs to reach net zero emissions. BEAMA represents manufacturers and providers of energy infrastructure technologies and systems, with over 200 member companies providing products for low carbon energy and...

INEQUALITIES that already existed between families are magnified by lockdown, Executive Member for Children and Families at Leeds City Council told Public Sector Executive's new podcast. 14 authorities across Yorkshire and Humber have been working together to support families during the pandemic, offering them resources online. Councillor Fiona Venner joined host Emily Rodgers on Public Sector Voices last week to discuss...