environment


ULEZ expansion 'a lifeline for Londoners' 25/10/2021 As London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) sees a massive expansion, a think tank has called on mayor Sadiq Khan to go further and introduce a pay-per-mile road user charging scheme.
What does local government hope to get from the Spending Review? 25/10/2021 From a a multi-year funding settlement to fixing the social care crisis, William Eichler explores what local government is hoping to hear on Wednesday.
Accelerating local government’s transition to net zero with AI-enabled procurement 22/10/2021 Muhammad Malik explains how local government can harness AI technologies to streamline the cost of procuring renewable energy without impacting daily operations.
A lot of hot air from government on air quality? 20/10/2021 Mark Nichols explains how live data on air quality can help councils identify areas of concern and what actions will be the most effective.
Now is the time to support, inspire and empower our youth in addressing climate change 19/10/2021 David Ingham explains why the Pod (Wastebuster’s free school environmental education and campaign programme) and The Energy Saving Trust Foundation have joined forces in the run-up to COP26, to provide free support for schools and their students.
Retrofitting risks ‘dangerous divide’ 18/10/2021 Councils should have a role to play in avoiding widening regional inequalities when retrofitting housing, according to a new report today.
Camden becomes latest council to consider climate bond 14/10/2021 The London Borough of Camden Council has announced plans to create climate bonds to fund environmental projects.
Adaptation in danger of being ‘undercooked’ at COP26 13/10/2021 The importance of adapting local communities to make them more resilient in the face of the climate emergency is not being taken seriously enough, the Environment Agency today warned.
Planning for a carbon zero fleet 04/10/2021 Tammy Carter explains how small changes to local government’s transport and travel strategy can help us reach carbon net zero.
Council set to approve Clean Air Zone despite reservations 29/09/2021 Portsmouth City Council is set to discuss the start date of its Government-mandated Clean Air Zone (CAZ) despite its preference for other options to improve air quality.
New research to help local authorities plan for a ‘just’ transition to net zero 28/09/2021 A new research project to discover how the UK’s transition to net zero will affect the poorest families and communities has been launched.
Report sets out plan to reverse biodiversity decline by 2030 22/09/2021 A new report has set out nine changes that can be delivered by local government and other partners to reverse biodiversity decline by the 2030s.
Green homes 'revolution' would give £9.8bn boost to UK economy, report argues 21/09/2021 A new strategy to decarbonise the UK's housing stock could create up to 138,600 new jobs and boost the economy by £9.8bn by 2030, according to a new report.
Call to give councils the power to fight non-traffic air pollution 15/09/2021 Councils should be given tough new powers to tackle non-transport related pollution, according to a debate in the House of Lords this week.
UK’s first Zero Emission Zone to launch next year 10/09/2021 Britain’s first Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) pilot will take place in Oxford next February, it has been confirmed.
Encouraging biodiversity in UK cities: Bee Bus Stops and more 07/09/2021 Will Ramage discusses how councils can use urban infrastructure to positively contribute towards biodiversity and climate resilience.
Charity calls for hedgerows to be boosted by 40% 06/09/2021 The Government should set a target of increasing the hedgerow network by 40% by 2050 to create thousands more jobs and boost the economy, according to a countryside charity.
The battle for sustainability will be won or lost in cities 01/09/2021 Ben Hudson outlines the importance cities will play on the climate crisis and how COVID-19 has taught us that health is a key mechanism for levelling-up in urban areas.
Business rates system 'discourages shift to net zero' 31/08/2021 Small firms have written to the Government warning that the business rates system is a disincentive to invest in net zero and employee wellbeing measures.
Over 100 councils pledge support for Bill aimed at cutting emissions 20/08/2021 Over 100 local authorities have pledged their support for a Bill aimed at reducing the UK’s carbon emissions and ecological footprint.
Record levels of lithium discovered in Cornwall 12/08/2021 The energy company Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) yesterday announced that it had discovered record levels of lithium in its geothermal waters.
Only one third of planning authorities have access to ‘in-house’ ecologist 12/08/2021 A skills shortage in ecologists is a barrier to achieving biodiversity net gain goals, local authorities have warned.
London boroughs react to the ‘intensifying’ climate crisis 11/08/2021 Council chiefs have called on the Government to champion their role in tackling the climate crisis after warnings that climate change was ‘intensifying’.
Consultation on plans to support natural areas launched 11/08/2021 The Government yesterday launched a consultation on plans to help local communities better support their natural areas.
Camden council launches world’s densest air quality sensor network 05/08/2021 The world’s densest air quality sensor network, which aims to fundamentally transform how air pollution is monitored and managed, will be installed in the London borough of Camden this summer.
How key is procurement for reaching climate targets in local government? 02/08/2021 After hosting a first-of-its-kind event, Net Zero Week, Gavin Rimmington shares insight into why procurement is key for enabling the public sector to reach climate targets.
Putting sustainability at the heart of local authority decisions 02/08/2021 Andy Wales outlines how BT can help public sector organisations achieve their green goals.
MPs launch inquiry into local government and net zero 26/07/2021 A new inquiry examining the role local authorities should play in reaching net zero has been launched by MPs today.
Councils in north east band together to plant 500 hectares of trees 21/07/2021 Six local authorities in the north east have joined forces with environmental organisations to plant a new forest.
Public call on councils to do more to protect the natural environment 19/07/2021 Only a third of the UK public think local government is doing enough to protect and enhance the natural environment, a report has revealed today.
Leaders call for new powers to tackle climate change 13/07/2021 A cross-party group of 32 mayors and local leaders have called for greater powers and resources to deliver net zero.
Procurement and the challenges of decarbonising local government fleets 12/07/2021 Gavin Rimmington offers insight into the important role of procurement to decarbonising local government fleets, and the most efficient ways to enable large-scale transitioning.
First shortlist unveiled for £120m zero emission buses funding 07/07/2021 The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced its first shortlist from the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, providing £120m to support the roll-out of zero emission buses across England.
Net zero could generate £330bn investment into UK, commission finds 02/07/2021 Meeting net zero in London and the UK’s Core Cities could bring up to £330bn of investment into the UK, new analysis has revealed.
Glasgow first city to sign Circular Cities Declaration 02/07/2021 Glasgow has become the first city in the UK to sign the Circular Cities Declaration.
Labour warns UK needs more than 127,000 chargepoints by 2025 29/06/2021 The UK has only 15% of the electric vehicle charging points it needs to meet net zero, according to new analysis.
We must seize the opportunity to accelerate a circular economy 25/06/2021 Victoria Lawson argues that moving to a circular economy could tackle the climate crisis, shorten supply chains, support new green jobs and encourage more connected and resilient communities.
Helping councils create greener construction sites 23/06/2021 Dave Luscombe explains how local authorities can help to deliver a cleaner construction environment, with ECV (Emissions Compliance Verification) for construction machinery.
Burnham's Clean Air zone accused of having 'blind' spot towards air pollution 22/06/2021 Greater Manchester (GM) mayor Andy Burnham has ‘put local taxi drivers first’ by adding them to a list of vehicle operators who will initially be exempt from the region’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ), despite claims that it will ‘kick-start the city region's green revolution’.
Local authorities competing for clean air 17/06/2021 Gavin Bailey argues the current Clean Air Zone mechanism is asking local authorities to fix a problem they simply cannot fix.
Oxford-Cambridge Arc: environment actions not rhetoric 04/06/2021 Cllr Bridget Smith outlines the five Principles that will turn the Ox-Cam region into a ‘Green Arc.’
Charges for Birmingham's Clean Air Zone delayed for two weeks 02/06/2021 Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) finally went live on Monday, but with a two-week ‘soft launch period’ where no charges will be levied.
It’s time for councils to step on the gas 01/06/2021 Chris Hampton explains how councils can decarbonise transport hubs with hydrogen and provides a quick guide on how to get started.
Children call on local leaders to tackle air pollution 01/06/2021 Nearly half of British children believe local leaders should be helping to tackle air pollution, according to the results of a new survey.
Tackling the red tape in green energy 25/05/2021 How do we make net zero more accessible for public sector bodies? Ranjit Singh reports.
Local leaders calls for 'further and faster' action on climate change 25/05/2021 Local leaders have called for more funding and powers to help achieve climate change targets.
Ofgem announces £300m investment in charging infrastructure 24/05/2021 Ofgem today announced that it is investing £300m in new infrastructure to support the roll out of 1,800 ultra-rapid charging points at motorway service areas.
Nearly 60 councils commit to ambitious net zero targets 21/05/2021 Nearly 60 council leaders have now pledged to meet net zero five years earlier than the Government.
Highways England steps in to improve toxic air in Dorset village 12/05/2021 Highways England is to impose a permanent 30mph speed limit in a village suffering high air pollution after a trial achieved an improvement.
Queen's speech: PM's 'live local and prosper' promise 09/05/2021 Levelling up, boosting the economy and backing the NHS are set to be the priorities for Tuesday’s Queen’s speech.
Pollution fears rise as traffic surges in Scottish cities 06/05/2021 New data shows that traffic levels in Edinburgh and Glasgow have exceeded pre-pandemic levels, adding to fears about air quality following delays to Scotland’s planned Low Emission Zones (LEZs).
Calls to declare a climate and ecological emergency 06/05/2021 A climate and ecological emergency should be declared to avoid a health and mental health 'catastrophe', the Royal College of Psychiatrists has warned today.
Building a public EV charging network 05/05/2021 Cecilia Routledge looks at the seven key things that local authorities need to consider when installing EV chargepoints.
Councils' efforts to tackle climate change hindered by 'broken' system, warns report 04/05/2021 Local authorities are leading to way in tackling climate change but are being held back by a ‘broken’ national system, a new report has found.
How local councils can help stop unnecessary plastic ending up in landfill 28/04/2021 Paul Empson outlines three simple ways councils can help raise awareness of the impact plastic food delivery trays have on the environment.
Westminster first UK council to install 1,000 EV charge points 28/04/2021 Westminster City Council is the first local authority in the UK to install more than 1,000 electric vehicle charge points.
Glasgow first to sign circular economy commitment 22/04/2021 Glasgow City Council has become the first in the UK to sign a commitment to raise awareness of the full benefits of the circular economy.
Councils at 'forefront' of climate change action 22/04/2021 To mark Earth Day, the Local Government Association (LGA) has highlighted the work being done by councils to help tackle climate change and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The importance of sustainable waste management strategies for the UK's local authorities 26/03/2021 Peter Vernon sustainable waste management strategies in the context of wheelie-bin procurement and improved recycling rates.
Coventry gets go-ahead for all-electric buses 24/03/2021 Coventry is set to become the UK’s first All Electric Bus City after the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) backed the project.
Government unveils hydrogen transport hub ‘masterplan’ 17/03/2021 The Government has unveiled the official ‘masterplan’ for the UK’s first-ever hydrogen transport hub.
County council approves Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone pilot 17/03/2021 Oxford’s proposed Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) pilot has been formally approved by Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet for launch in August.
MPs to examine the role of local government in meeting 'net zero' by 2050 16/03/2021 The role local government can play in helping the UK achieve net zero by 2050 will be examined by MPs.
Bath's Clean Air Zone goes live 15/03/2021 The UK’s first charging clean air zone (CAZ) outside of London has been launched in Bath today.
Councils urged to set whole-area climate change targets 11/03/2021 Only half of local plans aim to reach net-zero across the entire local area, new analysis has shown.
Councils share £5m in Air Quality Grants 10/03/2021 A further £5m has been awarded to local authorities across England to deliver projects that tackle air pollution.
Schools Streets cutting air pollution, study reveals 09/03/2021 Closing roads around schools at pick-up and drop-off times has reduced air pollution by 23% in London, a new study published by mayor Sadiq Khan has revealed.
UK has broken air pollution law for a decade, top court warns 05/03/2021 The UK has 'systematically and persistently' broken legal limits on dangerous air pollution since 2010, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled.
Pandemic could lead to rise in road traffic levels, data warns 04/03/2021 Traffic levels in some of the UK’s largest cities have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, new data has revealed.
Campaigners call for £10.6bn investment in ‘green apprenticeships’ 02/03/2021 Environmental campaigners have called for the creation of 250,000 ‘green apprenticeships’ in areas such as renewable energy as part of the effort to address the twin crises of youth unemployment and climate change.
BT Partners with scale-ups on breakthrough green tech 23/02/2021 Tech scale-ups collaborate with BT to develop new services aimed at helping public sector customers transition to Net Zero.
Why green will be the next tick box for procurement 23/02/2021 Richard Lilwall explains how AI can be used to help councils develop their green fleet strategies.
Council pension funds invest nearly £10bn in fossil fuels 23/02/2021 Nearly £10bn of local government pension funds are still invested in fossil fuels, new research has uncovered.
Social housing sector calls for guidance to meet sustainability targets 16/02/2021 Nine in 10 social housing construction professionals believe the sector is in urgent need of new Government guidelines if it is going to meet sustainability targets, a new survey has revealed.
UK set for first hydrogen homes 16/02/2021 The UK’s first homes with appliances fuelled entirely by hydrogen will be built in Gateshead this April.
Council to trial hydrotreated vegetable oil-fuelled waste collections 11/02/2021 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council’s waste collections could soon be run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) following an agreement with Crown Oil to trial this environmentally friendly fuel in two of its refuse vehicles.
Living in a climate emergency 11/02/2021 Cllr Scott Patient outlines how Calderdale MBC is working with partners and communities to both reduce flood risk and cut the impacts of climate change – but help is needed, and the council is calling on the Government to unlock resources.
MPs call for tougher targets to lower air pollution 11/02/2021 MPs have urged the Government to set tougher targets to lower air pollution in and give councils extra funding to improve local air quality.
Defra announces £10m fund to drive private sector investment in nature 10/02/2021 The Government has announced a multi-million-pound fund which aims to help local authorities attract private investment into projects focused on tackling climate change.
Over half a million face clean air zone charges this year 08/02/2021 Half a million drivers in London and Birmingham could be 'priced off the road' under Clean Air Zone charges this year, according to motoring group The AA.
Government's EV charging plans 'won't be enough', report argues 02/02/2021 The UK needs to install public electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints five times faster than the current rate at an estimated cost of between £5bn and £10bn by 2030, a think tank has said.
Councils urged to bid for extended electric vehicle chargepoints funding 02/02/2021 Local authorities are being urged to apply for a share of £20m funding to help increase the number of on-street electric vehicle chargepoints.
Scottish council launches world’s first hydrogen double-decker buses 29/01/2021 Aberdeen has claimed a world first after a fleet of double-decker hydrogen buses officially launched into service.
Oxford first council to approve city-wide air pollution target 21/01/2021 Oxford City Council has become the first local authority in the UK to approve a city-wide air pollution reduction target.
Councils plan to install 35 on-street EV chargers each by 2025 20/01/2021 Councils are planning on installing just 35 on-street electric vehicle chargers each by 2025 on average, an investigation has revealed.
New homes will need to reduce emissions by at least 75% by 2025 20/01/2021 All new buildings will have to meet tough new energy efficiency standards under plans published by the Government.
Campaigners call on councils to help reduce car use 19/01/2021 Environmental campaigners have called on local authorities to cancel spending on road building and to redirect funds to boost public transport and active travel.
Local authorities can lead green agenda by taking advantage of government incentives 11/01/2021 With the right support, UK local authorities can lead the charge on introducing new energy efficiency measures – but tapping into government funding is key, explains Dr Tanja Groth.
Towards Net Zero 07/01/2021 Join us on 26 January to discover break-through technology supporting the UK’s green recovery
Coventry and Oxford prepare to run UK’s first all-electric bus services 07/01/2021 Coventry and Oxford are set to receive up to £50m to help them become the first parts of the UK to run all-electric bus services, the transport secretary has announced.
How schools can combat waste 22/12/2020 Michael Taylor, general manager at Skip Hire UK, looks at how schools can combat waste.
Top 100: Our most popular local government stories of 2020 16/12/2020 Although the dispute over council pay caused the most stir in the local government sector this year, the impact of dealing with the pandemic obviously dominated the headlines as well.
Coventry named best for EV infrastructure for mainland UK 16/12/2020 Coventry City Council provides the most electric car chargers in mainland Britain, according to new research.
Local authorities need greater clarity and commitment from government to make our homes greener 16/12/2020 Mike Thornton argues local authorities cannot be successful in reducing carbon emissions in their areas without the backing of a clear national policy framework.
Eight in ten councils hit by climate-related incidents 14/12/2020 Eight in ten councils have suffered climate-related incidents in the last five years, new research has revealed.
Councils warned to push ahead with clean air zones 10/12/2020 Air pollution exceeds pre-pandemic levels in 80% of places despite continued lockdown restrictions, new research has uncovered today.
Scope 3 emissions - what are they and why are they so important? 09/12/2020 George Beechener explains how Scope 3 emissions work and why they’re so important.
Whitehall failing to harness councils’ enthusiasm on climate action 04/12/2020 The Government will fail to meet its 2050 net zero carbon target without working in partnership with local authorities, a new report has warned.
Regions urged to apply to host UK's prototype fusion power plant 02/12/2020 Local communities and regions are being invited to put forward proposals to host the UK’s prototype fusion energy power plant.
Big Issue eBikes: Biking for good! 01/12/2020 Lord John Bird explains why The Big Issue has launched 'Biking for Good' with ShareBike to boost employment in the UK.

What does local government hope to get from the Spending Review?

From a a multi-year funding settlement to fixing the social care crisis, William Eichler explores what local government is hoping to hear on Wednesday.

Accelerating local government’s transition to net zero with AI-enabled procurement

Muhammad Malik explains how local government can harness AI technologies to streamline the cost of procuring renewable energy without impacting daily operations.

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Recuriter: Telford & Wrekin Council

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£53,984 - £63,449 - plus Market Rate Supplement of £6,000, reviewed annually.

You will be responsible for ensuring our children and young people have outstanding homes that enable them to feel safe, loved and to thrive. Kirklees, West Yorkshire

Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Digital Content Designer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

£30,558 to £38,616 per annum

This role is employed under the Shared Staffing Arrangement between Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. Wandsworth, London (Greater)

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Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Public Property

This issue of Public Property examines how how flexible workspaces can lead the way in regeneration for local authorities, Why local authority intervention is key to successful urban regeneration schemes and if the Government’s challenge of embracing beauty is an opportunity for communities.

The March issue also takes a closer look at Blackburn with Darwen Council's first digital health hub to help people gain control over health and care services.