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A TEAM of scientists, led by the University of Bristol, has developed a new photosynthetic protein system that enables an enhanced and more sustainable approach to solar-powered technological devices. The initiative is part of a broader effort in the field of synthetic biology to use proteins in place of man-made materials which are often scarce, expensive and can be harmful...

ENERGY UK is leading conversation with the government on behalf of utility companies about setting up a loan scheme to help their business and household customers struggling amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The talks follow industry-wide concerns about the effect of the epidemic on their operations as growing pressure mounts on their customers to keep up with their bills. The loan is...

OFWAT is stepping to help business customers struggling to pay their water and sewerage bills on time as a result of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. According to the regulator coronavirus emergency is expected to have a significant effect on water consumption and is therefore putting in place interim measures aimed at ensuring charges more accurately reflect reduced levels of consumption. As...

GROWING consumption of energy and fossil fuels over four decades did not play a significant role in increasing life expectancy across 70 countries. New research, led by the University of Leeds, has quantified the importance of different development factors to improvements in physical health on an international scale. Because a country’s energy use is highly correlated with life expectancy at any single point in time, it has generally been assumed that growth in energy use is required for increases in life expectancy. However, the...

A DECISION has been made to cancel the proposed climate levy on households’ council tax bills across the Warwick district amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Warwick District Council had planned to meet on 25 March to consider a proposal to cancel the planned referendum to ask households to increase their council tax contribution to fund a Climate Action Fund. However, given the...

PRIVATE and social tenants will be given increased protection from eviction during the coronavirus pandemic, the Scottish Government has announced. Emergency legislation will increase the minimum notice period for private and social tenants to up to six months depending on the grounds used, helping to protect them from eviction. The Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill, to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament today,...

MP for Highlands is calling for 'fairer' energy prices as the UK government figures show the north of Scotland pays the highest price for electricity in the country. According to the Inverness Courier, Highland MP Ian Blackford has slammed the current system as an 'absolute scandal' as well as 'discrimination.' The UK is divided into different electricity delivery sectors, with the...

THE UK'S electric vehicle charging infrastructure sector seeks a clear voice as two leading trade associations representing the industry are set to merge. The UK Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Association, established in 2013, will join forces with the Renewable Energy Association's EV Forum, established in 2017. Tanya Sinclair, Director of Policy UK & Ireland at ChargePoint and Chair of the REA...

THE SCOTTISH Government has decided not to introduce upcoming regulations to improve the energy efficiency of private rented housing due to the current focus on coronavirus. The Energy Efficiency (Domestic Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, which had been due to come into force on 1 April 2020, would have prohibited the letting of properties with new tenancies that fall below...

INPUT on what Foreign and Commonwealth Office's environmental diplomacy strategy and COP26 should look like is launched amid waiting for government response about the future of the climate change summit. In addition to launching the inquiry, the Foreign Affairs Committee's chair is suggesting that COP26, which is due to be held in Glasgow in November, should be postponed in the...