climate change

'Green planning rulebook' launched to ensure that new developments are planned and built sustainably

March 9, 2010 - Housing and Planning Minister John Healey has announced a triple boost for councils tackling climate change by updating planning rules, granting nearly £10million to improve green skills and backing further progress by the 'second wave' of eco-towns. more >

Papers in rare accord on political importance of ‘Climategate’

By Rik Thomas

Although split on whether the stories in question actually undermine our understanding of climate science, media commentators all agreed that the recent spate of global warming ‘scandals’ has been a serious setback for advocates of ‘decarbonisation’ policies.

Local authorities’ role in the climate challenge to be highlighted

November 3, 2009 - EU Heads of State and Government have officially recognised 'the role which local authorities will play in implementing mitigation and adaptation actions and call for recognition of that role in the Copenhagen agreement'. The European Council offered the endorsement at its meeting of 29-30 October on the Environment Council’s conclusions of 21 October. ... more >

Preparing cities for global warming: new research outlines the options for transport, built environment and policy planners

October 13, 2009 - Houses on stilts, small scale energy generation and recycling our dishwater are just some of the measures that are being proposed to prepare our cities for the effects of global warming. A three-year project led by Newcastle University for the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research has outlined how our major cities must respond if they are to continue to grow in the face of climate change. more >

Survey confirms that changing perceptions and behaviour is major challenge in moving to low carbon living

October 12, 2009 - Research published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change reveals that over 50% of people questioned don’t believe climate change will affect them, and only 1 in 5 (18%) respondents think that climate change will take effect during their children’s lifetime. more >