Green Alliance

Buying on #BlackFriday can be irresistible, especially with the cost of living as high as it is. But, before snapping up a bargain… spare a thought for what it means for the planet. Here are some stats on why it matters, and what we’ve recommended to reduce the environmental burden: In the UK: ??#BlackFriday deliveries result in 429mtCO2e emissions (buy local instead) ?? ~80% of textiles, plastics and electronic goods eventually end up in landfill, incineration or low grade recycling, often not long after they’re bought (only buy things you need that last) ?? The UK is the 2nd largest #ewaste producer in the world (do you really need to upgrade?) Some blame the environmental impact of #BlackFriday on shoppers, but people aren’t deliberately buying things that do the most environmental harm. Our research shows people overwhelmingly want better quality products that they can mend easily. It’s within the government’s power to make this happen. ?? Beware of low quality products that disappoint you: 90% of ‘fast tech’ items bought, like headphones and cables, have to be thrown away very soon after, wasting the resources and causing unnecessary pollution. ??And those sparkly dresses filling the rails this Christmas? Did you know that brand new, unsold items are routinely destroyed without ever being worn. We think manufacturers and retailers should be held responsible for avoiding this waste and the pollution it causes. ?? In the UK, 30k usable devices are recycled every week. It’s estimated over 880m more sit unused in people’s homes. But 5.8m still can’t access the smart devices needed for modern life. The government could actively tackle #digitalexclusion and cut #ewaste by supporting secure nationwide redistribution schemes. ???We’re looking forward to the government’s #CircularEconomy strategy, a chance to turn #BlackFriday green in future. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/da8TJDS4 https://lnkd.in/e5AVJsFW And look out for our report on digital exclusion soon: https://lnkd.in/dgYexjEB

Last month, Ofgem closed its Regional Energy Strategic Plan policy framework consultation, and while there are positive developments, further reforms to #energy #governance are still needed. Dr Richard Lowes and Dr Jessica Britton explain why and how it should be done: https://lnkd.in/ebFgvP3s

At #COP29, the PM said he wasn't going to 'tell people how to live their lives'. Rebecca Willis discusses how this wording was a misstep, and what he could have said instead: https://lnkd.in/g75prxGA This article was originally posted on the Climate Citizens blog.

New research today from Kingfisher plc shows that energy inefficient homes are costing UK households ￡3.8 billion in additional annual energy bills, with older generations hardest hit. In their press release, Kingfisher make three policy recommendations to government: ?? Insulate the 5 million+ uninsulated lofts across the UK ?? Improve the?EPC-rating scheme ??♂? Robust support for trade careers Read more: https://lnkd.in/eBVkXxkP #EnergyEfficiency

While pollution from sewage has had plenty of attention, #WaterPollution from agriculture is being overlooked. In our latest blog, Faustine Wheeler, policy adviser, discusses how the government can tackle the issue while giving farmers a better deal. ?? Read the blog: https://buff.ly/3ZnEWZd ?? Read our recent briefing outlining 10 recommendations to govt to tackle water pollution from agriculture : https://lnkd.in/eynvcAAb

"What looks like a bulletproof asset today may soon start to look like a liability." Celeste Hicks, policy manager at Aviation Environment Federation, discusses how well the aviation leasing industry is equipped to reach net zero: https://lnkd.in/epN-P-Rs

We're hosting an online #GAevent next week with the Office for Budget Responsibility, delving into their recent report that looks at the impact of climate change on the economy. Register now ??

Stuart Dossett, senior policy adviser, and Chanakya Prakash Ranjan, policy analyst, recently visited the Airbus facilities in Bristol to discuss #ZeroEmission aviation. ?? A key point of discussion was Airbus's ZEROe initiative, which aims to bring hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft to the market by 2035. Aviation is a notoriously hard to decarbonise sector but with right policies in place UK can be a leader in decarbonising the aviation industry. ?? Read our report 'The role of zero emission flight in reaching net zero':?https://lnkd.in/eZ-MpkH8 ?? Read our work on decarbonising transport:?https://lnkd.in/eSE4-dXx

?? Event | UK Environmental Law: Taking Stock and Looking To The Future This government has come into power following a period of significant change in environmental law. Now is time to take stock of recent innovations and look forward to the future. This seminar will discuss the implementation of the Environment Act 2021, UK-wide developments and regulatory and planning law reforms addressing economic, infrastructure, climate and biodiversity challenges. ?? Co-convened with UCL Centre for Law and Environment & UKELA - UK Environmental Law Association ??? Ruth Chambers, Dame Glenys Stacey, Chris Hilson, Rosie Sutherland (RSPB), Becky Shrubsole (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), Richard Broadbent, & Maria Lee ??? 22 January 2025, 6pm - 8pm ?? Endsleigh Gardens, Bentham House (Hybrid) Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/eytxDqKn

The government will soon launch a taskforce to co-design a #CircularEconomy strategy for England. In anticipation, last week we released a series of explainers detailing how a circular economy will benefit people, businesses and the UK as a whole. Emily Carr, policy adviser, summarises for the blog: https://lnkd.in/ekTs_XdD