Macron pledges €30bn to re-industrialise and decarbonise France October 12, 2021 French president Emmanuel Macron has unveiled a €30bn plan to re-industrialise France, pledging funds to a string of sectors from across green energy to robotics. The plan, dubbed ‘France 2030’, has placed a renewed focus on decarbonising French industry, as the country looks to become a leader in green hydrogen. Speaking at the Elysee Palace, Macron [...]
COP26 is not a ‘photo op’ but an opportunity to ‘step up’, says Alok Sharma October 12, 2021 COP26 lead Alok Sharma is expected to urge world leaders today that the upcoming climate conference is not a “photo op” but where “each country must step up”. Speaking at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris today, Sharma is set to say: “Responsibility rests with each and every country. And we must all play [...]
Grid investments coming up short risks freezing the UK’s renewables transition October 11, 2021 The conditions are ripe for growth in the UK’s renewable sector as COP26 fast approaches, though a lack of investment could hamper the country’s goals. As policy paves the way for fresh investment and new tech, the renewables sector continues to battle bottlenecks – which could require a doubling of investment over the next 10 [...]
UK-listed firms are most likely to pledge net zero targets, but few will reach them October 11, 2021 UK-listed firms are the most likely to have set a net zero target for their emissions output than their European counterparts, according to a new report. Though just five per cent across the continent are on track to meet their targets. The study, by consulting and outsourcing giant Accenture, found that less fossil-fuel reliant industries [...]
Less than half of Brits think the UK will achieve net zero by 2050 October 11, 2021 Less than half of Brits think the UK will achieve its emissions target of net zero by 2050, according to a new report shared with Morning Wire today. The report, by market intelligence firm Savanta, revealed that 42 per cent of the UK think the government’s pledge is ‘likely’, while 46 per cent think it [...]
The UK should ban domestic flights, says advocacy group October 11, 2021 British advocacy group Campaign for Better Transport is calling on the government to ban some domestic flights to reduce the amount of CO2 emissions produced domestically by aviation. If introduced, the ban would end several short-haul routes such as London to Manchester, London to Edinburgh and Birmingham to Glasgow. Travellers would be offered train tickets [...]
More than 1.2m construction jobs could be created if economy goes fully ‘green’ October 11, 2021 If the UK economy went ‘green’, around one million manufacturing and construction jobs could be created by 2050, according to a business group. Make UK said a third of manufacturing firms are suffering from a skills gap, highlighting the need for more support from the Government. A survey of almost 200 manufacturers suggested that most [...]
Heathrow calls on government to decarbonise aviation ahead of COP26 October 11, 2021 Heathrow has called on the government to “show real leadership” and commit to decarbonising aviation amid a fall in passenger numbers. The London-based airport was the busiest in Europe prior to the Covid-19 pandemic but has seen a sharp decline in passengers as a result of Covid related travel restrictions. The travel hub today revealed [...]
Two years on the EU and the UK need to find a way to work together on finance October 11, 2021 It has been almost two years since the UK left the European Union. In that time, political relations across the Channel have been turbulent, to put it mildly. As with any divorce, we have all been taking time to adjust to the new relationship. Over this period it has also become clearer than ever that [...]
Nicola Sturgeon urged to ‘tear up’ deal with Heathrow before COP26 lands in Glasgow October 9, 2021 Scotland’s first minister has been urged to tear up an agreement between her government and Heathrow airport before the start of the global COP26 summit later this month. If Nicola Sturgeon does not “tear up” the memorandum of understanding signed with the London airport before the climate change convention gets under way on October 31, [...]