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CENTRICA has launched a not-for-profit social impact scheme offering grants of between £100,000 and £500,000 to support organisations with innovative ideas for developing affordable, accessible, and reliable clean energy, the company announced today. Called Energy for Tomorrow, the scheme aims to partner with six to 10 organisations which will each receive funding for a period of up to three years,...

A RESEARCH project between the Universities of Manchester, Utrecht and Durham, and the National Oceanography Centre has revealed for the first time how submarine sediment avalanches can transport microplastics from land into the deep ocean. The study also revealed that these flows, the largest on earth, are responsible for sorting different types of microplastics – burying some, and moving others...

A GO-AHEAD has been given to first stage deployment project to assess and scope of deploying green hydrogen in Humberside to help to clean up the area's emissions. ITM Power, an energy storage and clean fuel company, has won, with partner Element Energy, a first stage deployment project in the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund competition 'Decarbonisation of Industrial...

A CHALK stream restoration project between Affinity Water, the Environment Agency, Luton Borough Council and catchment partners has been completed. The Moor river improvement project in Luton is one of a number of projects that are part of the Revitalising Chalk Rivers partnership, in collaboration with the Environment Agency. Kevin Barton, Head of External Communication for Affinity Water, commented on the...

NEWCASTLE University researchers are rolling out a project to study the impact of the UK Government’s lock down on energy networks. The six-month project will look at the change in energy consumption for domestic, industrial and commercial use. It aims to identify key challenges for the energy networks during the period of lockdown, closures of schools and businesses and the move...

GREENHOUSE gas emissions are down and air quality has gone up, as governments react to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the head of the UN Environment Programme, Inger Andersen, has cautioned against viewing this as a boon for the environment. In an editorial for the UN News, Ms. Andersen calls instead for a profound, systemic shift to a more sustainable economy that...

FOUR Hillfoots community councils in Clackmannanshire are supporting a plan to re-direct local community funding from EDF Renewables Burnfoot Hill Wind Farm to support their COVID-19 responses, giving an immediate funding boost of £12,000 to the local area. Each of the four communities - Alva, Dollar, Menstrie and Tillicoultry, Coalsnaughton and Devonside– receive funding annually from the wind farm. Part of...

AS we approach our fourth weekend in lockdown, you might feel like venturing further afield than your own living room. Luckily this is possible, still from the comfort of your home, as many famous landmarks from around the world can be visited on virtual tours. To accompany our previous lists of zoos and museums that you can still enjoy while in...

OFWAT has launched a consultation on a further package of measures aimed at protecting business retail customers and minimising disruption in the market as the coronavirus emergency continues. The UK economy has been significantly affected by the Covid-19 outbreak and the Government is making unprecedented levels of financial support available to businesses. Ofwat has already worked closely with the market operator...

THE UK Government has postponed the ban on single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds to October because of the coronavirus outbreak. The ban was originally due to come into force this month after secondary legislation was laid in Parliament in March. A DEFRA spokesperson stressed that the delay has not been due to lobbying from the plastic sector but ministers...