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The Scottish Government has set out how it is embracing the findings of Scotland’s Climate Assembly to help shape the country’s approach to net zero. The comprehensive response has welcomed all of the Assembly’s 81 recommendations, and those made by the Children’s Parliament. It sets out how the Scottish Government will deliver the Assembly’s proposals across a number of key themes...

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced the publication of four research projects commissioned by her Department as part of its input to the Executive’s Energy Strategy. The independent research covers the areas of Active Travel and Modal Shift, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, Alternative Fuels for Transport and Greening of the Fleets. Minister Mallon commented: “These reports will be key in our battle...

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), together with the World Green Building Council, several European Green Building Councils, Climate Alliance and the Buildings Performance Institute Europe, has published a framework to support cities and local authorities to measure the impacts and wider benefits of building retrofit. According to UKGBC, the built environment is directly responsible for 25% of the UK’s...

To celebrate Christmas, ICON's reporter/researcher Ida Vaisanen steps away from news momentarily to share her festive thoughts with our readers.   Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, there is a good chance that your plans have changed for reasons outside your control this year. You might not be able to meet loved ones in person, travel or must work when you...

Conservation scientists at ZSL (Zoological Society London) have used data collected by the general public in Greater London to map out the best places for hedgehogs to live in the capital. Due to loss of natural habitat, the west European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), once common across the British Isles, is now vulnerable to extinction. Cities and towns are especially important for conservationists to consider in any action plans, hedgehogs are found in almost...

A 20-year vision to eradicate fuel poverty in Scotland has been published today. The Fuel Poverty Strategy sets out policies and proposals for national government, local authorities and third sector partners to help meet the targets set out in the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019 and meet the Scottish Government’s commitment to eradicate fuel poverty 'as...

The UK government has launched a consultation on the design of a new climate compatibility checkpoint for the oil and gas industry. The checkpoint will be a new measure carried out before each future oil and gas licensing process to ensure any new licences are only awarded on the basis that they are aligned with the UK’s climate change commitments,...

Carbon Plantations Ltd, a new business backed by Aether Energy Ltd, has received regulatory approval from the Forestry Commission for what is described as the UK’s first ever plantations of a new hybrid species of Paulownia in Norfolk and Suffolk. While Paulownia trees are widespread in Asia, this new Paulownia variety is an infertile hybrid which has been bred to...

Plans to ban the use of peat in horticulture in England and Wales by the end of this Parliament have been set out by the Government in an effort to protect peatland habitats and meet net zero targets. Peatlands are the UK’s largest carbon store and are routinely dug up in the UK for horticultural purposes, such as for growing...

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has launched a new energy strategy for Northern Ireland. Titled 'Path to Net Zero Energy', the new strategy sets out a pathway for energy to 2030 that will 'mobilise the skills, technologies and behaviours needed' to take the country towards its vision of net zero carbon and affordable energy by 2050. The strategy sets three key targets: ...