York rivers trail launches to connect people, place and flood resilience
A new way to explore Yorkâs rivers has launched this summer, inviting residents and visitors to discover how water shapes the city, its communities and its future. The York rivers trail: the rivers and us is a walking and wheeling trail along the River Ouse in York, combining art, storytelling and digital experiences to help people understand…
North Yorkshire river project delivers 9 ways to drive positive environmental change
York St John University report highlights the power of community engagement, spending time in nature and sharing local know-how across generations.  A pioneering environmental initiative working across the River Esk and Coastal Streams Catchment is helping communities reconnect with nature while building a stronger foundation for long-term conservation and biodiversity recovery. The River Esk catchment…
Why the UK needs an essential user fuel rebate
While the UK government has largely stayed quiet on fuel support for commercial operators, the rest of the world hasn’t been as passive. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) published a breakdown of how other countries are responding to the current fuel crisis, and the contrast with the UK is hard to ignore. Whilst the World…
Industrial waste management firm named York and North Yorkshireâs top ranked business for 2026Â
The regionâs business community gathers at York St John University for the prestigious Top 100 awards. The best performing and most impactful businesses in York and North Yorkshire have been unveiled at a high-profile event at York St John University this afternoon. Hosted by York Business School in partnership with York Press, the York and…
Frozen Food Temperatures: The Impact of Three Degrees
The -18°C standard for frozen food storage was set over 100 years ago and hasnât changed since. Technology has evolved. Food science has advanced. Customer expectations have shifted. And yet, that temperature of -18°C has remained steadfastly the same. Whatâs more surprising is that the standard is rooted in 0°F (-17.8°C), not in any precise…
All aboard for Yorkâs Festival of Ideas as City Cruises leads journey towards Yorkâs river trails launch on River Ouse
One of York attraction staple City Cruisesâ boats became home to a new experience last week, as residents, partners and contributors came together on the River Ouse to help shape the York rivers trail. The event, held as part of the York Festival of Ideas, invited participants onto a City Cruise for a curated journey through…
York rivers trail gathers momentum as community helps shape new experience on the River Ouse
A new riverside experience for York took a significant step forward last week, as residents, partners and contributors came together on the River Ouse to help shape the York rivers trail. The event, held as part of the York Festival of Ideas, invited participants onto the water for a curated journey through the city. From…
We want your views to shape accessible and inclusive play areas in York
We are inviting people across York to help shape the future of the cityâs play areas, as part of our major investment in parks and green spaces. We have launched the Accessible and Inclusive Play Areas Survey 2026 to gather views from disabled children and young people and their parents and carers, so we can…
York leads the way as air quality targets met for second year running
As Clean Air Day (Thursday 18 June) approaches, City of York Council has confirmed that the city has met national air pollution targets for the second consecutive year. New monitoring data for 2025, presented at the Combined Executive Member Decision Session on 2 June 2026, shows that the significantly lower nitrogen dioxide levels recorded in 2024…
Spring floral spectacle: rhododendrons bloom at Castle Howard and the Arboretum
Castle Howardâs Ray Wood, a 25-acre ornamental woodland in the Gardens, boasts a collection of nearly 800 rhododendron species from around the world. It is a fantastic location for spring-flower lovers to see rhododendrons and azaleas in April and May. The plant collection in Ray Wood, including the rhododendrons and azaleas, is of national importance….
Azets joins trailblazing flood defence project
A UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm in Leeds has thrown its weight behind a trailblazing new community initiative to protect the city from floods. Azets, which has offices in King Street, is a business partner of the Aire Resilience Company (ARC) and has taken on the role of inaugural finance partner. It…
Castle Howard Estate plants over 60,000 trees to create more woodland, as part of wider strategy to sequester carbon and increase biodiversity
Castle Howard has planted 60,978 trees in winter 2025/6 on the Castle Howard Estate, as part of a five-year plan to plant 100 hectares of new woodland, supported by the Forestry Commission England Woodland Creation Offer. Trees have been planted between the Stray (the six-kilometre public road that stretches through the Estate) and the village…
How US-Iran war makes a mockery of climate change targets
Has the world just avoided a major environmental catastrophe in the Middle East? A direct missile strike on the South Pars refinery in Iran would release more than double the amount of CO2 the UK generates in a year into the atmosphere â that’s according to University of Bradford pollution expert Dr Nejat Rahmanian, who…
Have your say on introducing wheeled recycling bins
City of York Council is set to launch a cityâwide consultation inviting residents to share their views on proposed changes to kerbside recycling collections from Monday 23 March. The council is considering moving from the current threeâbox system to a wheeledâbin service and is asking households across the city to take part in a short online…
Carbon Neutral Group reveals why sustainability plans can fail and how businesses can fix this
Consultancy shares some tips on how to create a good starting point when it comes down to sustainability Carbon Neutral Group, one of the UK’s fastest-growing carbon neutral and sustainability consultancies has revealed why some businesses have sustainability plans that can fail and how brands can prevent this happening. Most organisations now recognise the need…
Sustainable Property through Architecture and Design
Approximately 45% of greenhouse gas emissions in West Yorkshire are generated by buildings, and it is this aspect where those in the industry and even homeowners can make a difference. The tightening up of UK Legislation requires all new buildings meet set emissions targets, however we have Europeâs oldest building stock and the biggest challenge…
Bradford-led research could cut cement CO2 emissions by 40%
The University of Bradford is set to play a central role in a ground-breaking international research project which could dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry. Working with a Post Doctoral Research Fellow from Tianjin University, China, and the Holcim Innovation Center, France, Bradford researchers will help develop a new concrete technology capable…
City of York Council set to expand smoke control area to improve air quality and health
City of York Council is set to approve plans to expand the Smoke Control Area (SCA) to cover the entire city, in a major step towards cleaner air and healthier communities, at a meeting next week. Currently, 80 per cent of Yorkâs households are within an SCA. The new citywide approach will ensure consistent rules…
City of York Council to begin engagement on introducing wheeled recycling bins
City of York Council will begin talking with residents on proposals to move from kerbside recycling boxes to wheeled recycling bins, aiming to make recycling easier, safer and more efficient for households across the city. The proposed change forms part of the Councilâs wider transformation of waste services. It would support future national recycling requirements,…
New Leeds Beckett University partnership to simplify solar energy adoption for businesses
Electronic engineering and computer science experts at Leeds Beckett University (LBU) are partnering with Huddersfield-based Zenergy Solar on a research-led project designed to make large-scale solar energy systems easier to install, monitor and manage â particularly for organisations operating across multiple sites. The collaboration brings together LBUâs expertise in computing, data systems and applied research…
New âclick before you tipâ booking system introduced at Hazel Court HWRC
City of York Council will introduce a preâbooked timeslot system at Hazel Court Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) from Monday 2 March, to help reduce congestion, improve safety and provide a better experience for residents and site users. Under the new âClick Before You Tipâ approach, all visitors – including residents, registered traders, charities and…
Bradford research powers first global launch of plasticâfree drink technology
A breakthrough University of Bradford technology that could eliminate billions of singleâuse plastic bottles is hitting the global market this week, with a New Zealand drinks launch built on the Universityâs patented coâcrystal science and manufactured under exclusive licence by Yorkshire firms Octopoda Innovations and Health Innovations (UK). A University of Bradford research breakthrough with…
Leeds students gain real-world sustainability experience as part of live construction project
Product design students have been set a real-world sustainability challenge following a visit to a major live construction project in Leeds. Students from Elliott Hudson College were welcomed on site while work is underway to significantly expand the existing Primark store at White Rose Shopping Centre. Lindum Group is delivering the project on behalf of…
Two flyâtippers fined over ÂŁ2,000 as council enforces âCrime â Not to Careâ
Two residents found to have illegally dumped waste, have been prosecuted by City of York Council. On Thursday 22 January, York Magistrates Court ordered them to pay a total ÂŁ2,190 in fines, costs, and surcharges, as the council continues to deliver its âCrime â Not to Careâ campaign and protect neighbourhoods from environmental harm. Jake…
Carbon Neutral Group lists sector net zero readiness in Hospitality, FMCG, Manufacturing, Logistics and Retail
Carbon Neutral Group, who work with organisations to build actionable net zero roadmaps, grounded in robust carbon accounting and operational change, has reviewed industry sectors and their road in sustainability, specifically those who are leading the way to becoming net zero, by examining their decarbonisation progress across five major industries. When it comes down to…
2026 Garden Waste Subscription Scheme open
Households eligible to subscribe to the 2026 Garden Waste Subscription Scheme can now sign up ahead of the new season in March. The easiest way to sign up for the scheme is to complete an online form at www.york.gov.uk/GardenWaste Support is available for anyone who is not able to apply this way by calling 01904…
Bradford College âJunction Millsâ Development Achieves Sustainability Award for Carbon Savings
Bradford College is celebrating after attaining Morgan Sindall Constructionâs platinum certification for outstanding carbon savings on a new building development. It was the only project in the whole of the Yorkshire region to achieve this status in 2025. Bradford Collegeâs ÂŁ19.3 million Junction Mills building on Thornton Road has saved an impressive 473 tonnes of…
York St John now the highest rated university in the region for sustainability
A record 91 place rise in the People & Planet sustainability and ethical performance rankings Sustainability work right across York St John University is behind a record result in People & Planetâs University League 2025. This is the only comprehensive and independent league table of UK universities ranked by environmental and ethical performance. York St…
How AI can be used to help combat wildfires
The University of Bradford is using artificial intelligence (AI) to spot wildfires early and send alerts to emergency teams, helping them act quickly and reduce damage. Wildfire detection in remote areas is risky for responders, an issue raised at AI for All, the University of Bradfordâs event at MyLahore in Birmingham on using new technologies…
YorEnergy retrofit event to help York and North Yorkshire residents cut bills and make homes warmer
Residents across York and North Yorkshire are invited to discover how to make their homes warmer, greener, and cheaper to run at the YorEnergy Retrofit Futures event on Tuesday 25 November 2025 at York Guildhall. The event also marks the public launch of YorEnergy, a new end-to-end home retrofit service developed through the Retrofit One…
York has cut city-wide emissions by 16% in just two years
City of York Council has confirmed thereâs been a 16 per cent reduction in city-wide carbon emissions since 2021, as the council acts to improve health and cut costs, whilst marking significant progress towards the cityâs ambition to reach net zero by 2030. The figures, published in the latest City-Wide Emissions Report, show emissions fell from…
Why climate change affects women more than men
TV weather presenter Laura Tobin hosted a conference to discuss why climate change adversely affects women more than men. Climate Justice for Women was held at University of Bradford, which three years ago gained members status of COP (COP30, the largest global United Nations event for discussions and negotiations on climate change, runs until November…
York Walls in Bloom: Celebrating the changing seasons
As part of the York Walls in Bloom initiative, the vibrant wildflowers across the cityâs historic walls are carefully managed to reflect the natural rhythm of the seasons. Now the summer blooms are starting to fade, City of York Council and dedicated volunteers, led by St Nicks, are coming together to care for these unique spaces….
EPG expands environmental expertise through acquisition of Hafren Water
The Environmental Protection Group (EPG) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Hafren Water (hafrenwater.com), a respected environmental consultancy specialising in hydrology and hydrogeology services. This acquisition marks another exciting milestone in EPGâs continued growth, with Hafren Waterâs hydrogeology expertise complementing EPGâs existing services and strengths with the ability to deliver integrated water and geoenvironmental…
Bradford Energy Network to slash Universityâs carbon footprint by 90%
A ground-breaking city-wide heat network is set to cut the University of Bradfordâs carbon emissions by 90%. The Bradford Energy Network (BEN), developed by low-carbon infrastructure firm 1Energy, is a ÂŁ75 million initiative that will transform how buildings across the city are heated. The University is the anchor partner and main sponsor of the project,…
Have your say on Yorkâs Local Flood Risk Management Strategy
City of York Council has worked with key partners including the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water to prepare a draft Local Flood Risk Management strategy. The draft opened for consultation on 19 October and will run until the 11 January at www.york.gov.uk/consultations The strategy updates the 2014 strategy version and reflects learnings from major flood events, including those in…
York residents can now recycle more at kerbside
For the first time, residents across York can now recycle food and drink cartons and toothpaste tubes in the same container as glass, plastics and tins, thanks to an upgrade to the cityâs kerbside recycling service. This change marks a significant step forward in simplifying household recycling and forms part of the UK Governmentâs new…
Green Business Forum focus on Energy bills as they celebrate their second anniversary
With October marking the second anniversary of the formation of the York Green Business Forum the group are celebrating by hosting their upcoming event focussing on energy bills. The event is taking place as part of York Environment Festival 2025, and aims to help businesses across the city tackle their energy bills and learn how…
Weather presenter set to shine light on climate inequality
National TV weather presenter Laura Tobin will host a debate on how women are unequally affected by climate change held at the University of Bradford. Laura will also be part of an expert panel of scientists, industry experts, academics and activists at âClimate Justice for Womenâ, on Thursday 6 November. They will discuss why women…
Professorâs vision for future cities inspires international award
The next generation of architects and urban planners will be honoured through an international award created in memory of a University of Bradford academic. Â âThe City of My Future – Professor Claudia Trillo Awardâ will promote the work of young researchers in the field of sustainable urban regeneration. Â Â The award celebrates the work…
Grab five muddy minutes for health boost
A University of Bradford academic is calling on people to embrace nature and spend five minutes in the mud, revealing our gut microbes – affectionately dubbed âbelly bugsâ – thrive when we do. Dr Elizabeth Kiilu, Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University, said: âYour belly is full of friendly microbes – and theyâre…
York community shapes new rivers trail at soft launch walk
As part of York Walking Festival and York Environment Festival, York residents joined a creative riverside walk to help shape the new York rivers trail. The trail, co-designed with schools, stakeholders and local communities, will blend art, science and local voices to tell the cityâs flood and climate story when it plans to launch in…
Bloominâ marvellous: Campus strikes gold with award
An edible campus, beehives and wooded areas helped clinch gold for the University of Bradford at this yearâs Yorkshire in Bloom. The gardening team secured the prestigious prize in Yorkshire in Bloom 2025âs Universities, Colleges and Further Education (FE) Establishments category, moving up from the Silver Gilt prize in 2024. They were also named joint…
Major improvements set for Yorkâs Park and Ride
Overnight parking and a host of other improvements to Yorkâs Park and Ride services will be considered at a meeting next week (7 October). The meeting follows a citywide consultation earlier this year around how government funding through the Bus Service Improvement Plan could be best spent on the Park and Ride. Proposed improvements include:…
New 1.5-acre park opens next to 78 new Passivhaus homes
A new green space for all to enjoy has been opened as part of work to build 78 ultra low-energy homes at Burnholme Green. A 1.5-acre park has been opened with play and exercise areas, meadows and coppices of trees, connected to the local communities by a network of paths dotted with benches. Across the…
Module shortlisted for AMBA CSR and Sustainability Award
A University of Bradford module on sustainability has been shortlisted for a prestigious international award. The Circular Design for the Real World module is a finalist in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability Initiative category at the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and Business Graduates Association (BGA) Excellence Awards 2026. Dr Farzaneh Fakhredin, Lecturer…
Castle Howardâs Conservation Volunteer program wins Environmental Initiative of the Year at the Yorkshire Post Rural Awards
Castle Howardâs new Conservation Volunteer programme was awarded Environmental Initiative of the Year at the Yorkshire Post Rural Awards on Thursday 18th September. The Conservation Volunteer group formed in December 2024, with the programme quickly becoming an important element of the Estateâs natural environmental strategy. In just six months, the volunteer group has delivered measurable…
City of York Council puts pride back into local communities
City of York Council is proud to introduce Yorkâs new Neighbourhood Caretakers – a team that looks at improving public spaces, supporting community-led action, and putting pride in our city. The dedicated team will work closely with residents, councillors, and volunteers to deliver visible improvements in local areas â from removing weeds and street cleaning…