Reducing the environmental impact of existing non-domestic buildings

Addressing the existing uk building stock and in particular non domestic stock is mush talked about - but unlike housing not too much action as yet.
The All Party Urban Development Group is undertaking its latest inquiry, exploring ways to reduce the environmental impact of existing non-domestic buildings that are concentrated in our city centres and [...]

Modern online communities are the new co-operatives.

The recent speech by Tom Watson MP, Minister for Transformational Governance, Power of Information,  can be found here and is a fascinating overview and history of information management - well worth a read.

Eco town locations revealed - but is it all another greenwash?

The government has released today the short list for Eco Towns, and they are:

Bordon, Hampshire
Coltishall, Norfolk
Curborough, Staffordshire
Elsenham, Essex
Ford, West Sussex
Hanley Grange, Cambridgeshire
Imerys, Cornwall
Leeds city region, West Yorkshire
Manby, Lincolnshire
Marston Vale and New Marston, Bedfordshire
Middle Quinton, Warwickshire
Pennbury, Leicestershire
Rossington, South Yorkshire
Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire
Weston Otmoor, Oxfordshire

isite has commented on the viability and concept of Eco-Towns on many occasions, and along [...]

Twitter News: PM helps housebuilders go green

From the 10 Downing Street Twitter feed earlier today:
DowningStreet No10 news: PM helps householders go green: The Prime Minister has said that fighting clim.. http://tinyurl.com/yugre7

and
Green Neighbourhoods initiative will give a “green makeover” to up to 100 neighbourhoods in England with an aim to reduce their carbon footprints by more than 60 per cent.

FMB Building a Greener Britain

In a week when Ken Livingston and joined forces with Sian Berry (Green Party) against Boris Johnson, in their pursuit for the next London Mayor, warning of his negative and regressive green views and plans, the FMB (Federation of Master Builders) released a press statement calling Boris Johnson’s vision for London housing - “fresh thinking’.
Details [...]

coal - a great green scam?

Continuing the coal theme (seam?) … for an astute insight to the coal issue in the UK read George Monbiot’s article Burnt Out, on his blog and published in todays Guardian.

oh no Darling …

In December 2007 Alistair Darling was quoted as saying:
“Sustainability will be at the heart of the next Budget.
This is not an optional extra. It is essential for all our futures”
So was it? - well hardly, pale green, maybe, at its best - but with the focus on plastic bags - just another greenwash exercise. [...]

one to watch?

Reported in todays Guardian….
A powerful new government climate change committee will meet today for the first time to decide how ministers will meet their commitment to cut carbon emissions by 60% by 2050, and whether the target needs to be strengthened in the face of worsening forecasts on climate change.
But is 60% by 2050 enough [...]

Eco … build, homes, villages and towns - pah… greenwash?

James Meikle’s article in yesterdays guardian paints a picture of growing concerns and gaps in the thinking behind the current push towards ‘eco‘ villages and towns.
As a flagship for the huge number of homes to be built and eco towns to be created, Northstowe, if the Guardian report is correct has problems:
As the town takes [...]

New coal fired power station gets go ahead

The news that Medway Council have given the green light to a coal fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent seems at complete odds with the current informed thinking on energy, on coal and on the current ‘mood’ or zeitgeist towards sustainability. It also appears as a developing country decision - not one taken by [...]