Ousewem launches first project at Smaden Head Farm
Ousewem is thrilled to announce the commencement of its first major project, with spades officially hitting the ground at Smaden Head Farm. This groundbreaking initiative is part of Ousewem’s broader mission to implement nature-based solutions (NbS) and natural flood management (NFM) across the Swale, Ure, Nidd, and Ouse (SUNO) catchments. An additional project will break…
Join in: seven ‘Days of Action’ to help clean up Bradford, Keighley and Huddersfield
Housing provider Incommunities has announced a series of ‘Days of Action’ to help clean up local areas. The seven Days of Action will see Incommunities teaming up with local residents to undertake activities like litter picking, painting, and planting shrubs. Colleagues from Bradford Council, Kirklees Council and West Yorkshire Police will also be on hand…
York launches new air alert service
City of York Council has launched a new service designed to send free air pollution alerts and health advice to residents and visitors most likely to be affected by air pollution. The York Air Alert service is funded by DEFRA and aims to give advanced warning of when air pollution is expected to be higher than usual,…
Otley garden centre provides plants to renovate Leeds children’s charity garden
The team at Otley Garden Centre has provided subsidised plants to support the renovation of three areas of Leeds Children’s Charity’s Lineham Farm in Eccup. Leeds University student, Aaron Cook approached Otley Garden Centre for support when he and fellow university students wanted to renovate the garden at Lineham Farm in memory of a friend…
New Garden Waste Subscription Scheme launches in York
City of York Council has launched a new Garden Waste Subscription Scheme, which will introduce a charge for garden waste collections from Monday 5 August 2024. The easiest way to sign up for the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme is to complete an online form at www.york.gov.uk/GardenWaste Support is available for anyone who is not able…
GB Railfreight celebrates 10,000th delivery to Drax Power Station
GB Railfreight has today completed the delivery of its 10,000th biomass train from Liverpool to Drax Power Station, North Yorkshire. Since 2016, GB Railfreight’s trains have moved over 15m tonnes of sustainable biomass between Peel Ports, Liverpool and Drax Power Station in Selby, Yorkshire. The biomass hauled by these 10,000 train journeys – equivalent to…
Leading Yorkshire nursery, Johnsons Nurseries, partners with college for second year of successful training course
Two Yorkshire businesses, an agricultural and horticultural college, Askham Bryan College, York and one of the UK’s largest commercial plant growers, Johnsons Nurseries, have partnered up for a second year to deliver a bespoke training course following a successful launch in 2023. Developed exclusively for Johnsons Nurseries’ staff, the 12-week ‘Introduction to Horticulture’ course will…
Whitby Netwalking with English Heritage
The West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce team visited the beautiful North Yorkshire landscape yesterday, for a guided tour around Whiby Abbey led by English Heritage. Joined by various business representatives from across the region, guests enjoyed the glorious sunshine on offer whilst also being treated to an insightful talk about the rich history…
South Leeds Garden Centre celebrates nationwide EV rally with free charging on 2nd July
The team at a South Leeds garden centre group is celebrating after being invited to host a prestigious event for electric vehicles next month. Tingley Garden Centre is home to one of the largest electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Yorkshire and has been selected to host an event as part of a five-day 1400-mile…
Get set Harrogate, your new generation electric buses are coming!
Spa town’s power-packed new zero emission buses prepare for the open road as families and VIPs join the launch party They’ve had a movie star launch in the heart of Harrogate – and now the first of the spa town’s sparkling new electric buses are being prepared to carry their first customers in service in…
Bradford College receives £2.6m grant to help tackle climate change
Bradford College has been awarded a £2.6 million grant for energy-efficiency works that will contribute to ambitious national net-zero targets. Delivered by Salix and run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Phase 3c Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) aims to slash energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. The Scheme targets public…
Drax Foundation gives £500k to boost stem education, support communities and reduce energy poverty
New funding will go to seven projects that are sited near to where Drax Group operates in England and Scotland Latest donation of over £500k will support 3,600 vulnerable people with their energy bills, enable 3,100 children to access STEM education, and help 240 schools become more energy efficient. The Drax Foundation, the charitable entity…
Affordable homes scheme underscores association’s strong commitment to Keighley
The chief executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has spoken of his pride after the organisation handed over the keys to new tenants of 11 properties which make up the first phase of a new development of 20 affordable homes in Keighley. The remaining nine properties are nearing completion and will be occupied later this…
Trinity Leeds launches innovative sustainable retail concept ‘Re:Pair Lab’
An innovative new sustainable fashion concept from Trinity Leeds will see up-and-coming designers showcased alongside local fashion brands and second-hand sellers this summer. Re:Pair Lab is a new initiative from Trinity Leeds owner Landsec, partnering with Leeds Beckett University and Wayne Hemingway – co-founder of HemingwayDesign, who have been at the forefront of bringing sustainable retail…
We’ve got the power – could you be the face of Harrogate’s electrifying new buses?
The Harrogate Bus Company launches search for locals to get in the picture – on the back of a sparkling new electric bus Could you be the star on the back of a sparkling new electric bus in Harrogate? The spa town’s leading bus operator, The Harrogate Bus Company, is launching a quest to find…
Leeds Beckett experts leading new project to reduce carbon footprint of Leeds manufacturers
Business and computing experts at Leeds Beckett University are joining forces with Leeds-based Quality Bearings Online Ltd (QBOL) to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, by creating an innovative new business model for the net zero era. The project is a 30-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded by the Government through Innovate UK. The academics and QBOL will create…
Drax Foundation helps 148 UK schools save £1.6m in energy costs and reduce their CO2 emissions by 1,700 tonnes
The Drax Foundation, which is the corporate foundation of the renewable energy company Drax Group, launched a three-year programme in 2023 to donate £4.5m to projects that help schools and other community-led organisations to become more energy efficient. In the first year of operation, the programme has supported the energy education charity, Energy Sparks, and…
MOU agreed to develop ‘bioship’ technology and plans to construct the world’s first biomass-fuelled ship
New bioship technology would use gas from biomass to propel ship MoU between Japanese and British companies contains plans to develop bioship by the end of the decade Technology could decarbonise shipping of biomass pellets to Japan, potentially reducing carbon emissions by 22% Leading Japanese companies, NYK Line (NYK), NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers (NBP),…
Ousewem unveils powerful video collaboration with The Artery to address environmental challenges
Ousewem, an innovative flood resilience project supporting vulnerable North Yorkshire communities, is proud to unveil an insightful video created in partnership with The Artery, a champion for creativity and collaboration in North Yorkshire’s rural and coastal communities. Founded on the principles of fostering creativity and empowering early-career creatives, The Artery has received funding from Innovate…
Innovative flood resilience project introduces talking lampposts to Yorkshire
Ousewem, an innovative flood resilience project, is transforming community engagement efforts by enlisting the help of talking lampposts to raise awareness about natural flood management (NFM) in North Yorkshire. Led by City of York Council, in collaboration with North Yorkshire Council, Ousewem aims to identify and deliver nature-based solutions (NbS), including NFM, to reduce flood…
Council launches Buzz About York
City of York Council is launching the ‘Buzz About York’ campaign to promote biodiversity and help wildlife flourish across the city. We are trialling sustainable planting in flowerbeds with long-lasting, perennial plants that will provide a good source of nectar for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. This will: increase biodiversity; provide habitats for insects and…
UK first – AA launches a trio of full-electric recovery vehicles
Up to 6000 kg payload and 170 mile range from one charge Major focus on piloting shift to low emissions vehicles in preparation for net zero Fully electric recovery trucks will be hitting the UK’s roads thanks to a pioneering launch from The AA. The move will see The AA become the first UK-based roadside…
City of York Council hits tree planting milestone
Almost 2,500 new trees have been planted as part of the council’s Green Streets© project. Working with local schools, parish councils and other stakeholders, trees have been planted along Malton Road and at Melrosegate Park, Huntington Environment Park, Carr Infants School, Lakeside Primary Academy, Burton Green Primary and seven other school sites. This first year of…
Building a smokefree generation in York
City of York Council is helping to create a smokefree generation in York. The council has been allocated £195k government funding to help expand its existing offer to residents and provide even more support to help people quit for good over the next five years – as new figures from Action on Smoking and Health…
Q1 trading update – strong system support performance and balance sheet refinancing
Highlights Strong system support and generation performance during first three months of 2024 Full year 2024 expectations for Adj. EBITDA(1) in line with analysts’ consensus estimates(2) New balance sheet facilities further extending maturity profile £408 million(3) of term-loans with three to five year maturities €350 million five-year (2029) bond Repayment of 2025 bonds Notice of…
Ebor Lecture: Professor Rupert Read explores climate change emergency
Spiritual orientation, climate chaos and reconnecting with nature will all be under the microscope in the first Ebor Lecture of 2024 Professor Rupert Read, Co-Director of the Climate Majority Project and Emeritus Professor at the University of East Anglia, will share his thoughts on eco-spirituality in his Ebor Spring lecture, Earth-Hope, at York St John…
AAB Group launches ESG division to support businesses build sustainable futures
In line with the global imperative for decarbonisation, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting legislation is ramping up around the world. In the last year ESG reporting changes have been written into EU regulations and will be written into UK regulations over the next three years, impacting a range of businesses from larger companies through…
Supercharged growth for renewable energy start-up as it reports £1 million turnover in just one year
Leeds-based specialist renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) firm, E-Merge Group, has experienced a supercharged first year of operations, reporting a turnover of £1 million since the start-up business was established just 12 months ago. Set up in April 2023 by renewable energy experts, Marc Haley and Charlotte Ward, the E-Merge Group has experienced unprecedented…
Vastint UK reveals first look at the second phase of Aire Park masterplan
Vastint UK, the developer behind Leeds’ highly anticipated mixed-use district Aire Park, has revealed a first look at its plans for the final phase of its masterplan. The next step in transforming the former brownfield site in Leeds South Bank into a vibrant new destination, the plans feature 502 high-quality 1,2,3 and 4 bedroom homes,…
Analysis: delays to building new UK power generation creates energy security ‘crunch point’ in 2028
By 2028 the UK’s demand for power is set to exceed secure dispatchable and baseload capacity by 7.5GW at peak times “Crunch point” is a result of delays in bringing new generation on to the system, increasing demand for power and upcoming retirement of existing assets Shortfall would leave UK more dependent on intermittent domestic…
National innovation award for AI powered help to cut household food waste
Data scientist from York St John University is on a mission to help us to keep track of what’s in our fridge and cupboards An artificial intelligence expert has won a national innovation award worth £50,000 to further develop a sustainability app that is helping to cut global food waste. Dr Somdip Dey, a Lecturer…
CSI York – Project to boost green construction skills
A new initiative which plans to create new jobs, boost green construction skills and in turn help tackle the climate emergency will be discussed at a meeting next week (20 February). The council, with partners on the Retrofit One Stop Shop York (ROSSY) project, has been awarded £3.37m from Innovate UK to support, promote and…
PM’s electrifying visit to Harrogate’s leading bus operator
Sunak hails progress on multi-million pound switch to zero emission bus fleet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has today (12 February 2024) welcomed progress towards a multi-million pound switch to zero emission electric buses during a visit to Harrogate’s leading bus operator. The Harrogate Bus Company, a subsidiary of Transdev, placed orders in Autumn 2023 worth…
The role of finance in driving down NHS carbon emissions
Carbon reduction commitments already play a role in the assessment of public sector suppliers, but for this to genuinely shift the dial towards net zero, we all need to improve how we understand, assess and monitor carbon reduction both within our own organisations and among our suppliers. Since April 2023, suppliers for all new government…
Bridging Mechanism Consultation
Drax welcomes the UK Government’s announcement of the launch of a consultation on a transitional support mechanism for large-scale biomass generators, including Drax Power Station, as they transition from the end of their current renewable schemes in 2027 to bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). The consultation, which closes on 29 February 2024, recognises…
Analysis: Development of BECCS at Drax power station projected to save UK £15bn and offset carbon emissions equivalent to all departing flights from Heathrow
Cost savings from carbon removals from BECCS at Drax are projected to be equivalent to £700m per year from 2030 to 2050, compared to other more complex carbon reduction measures Annual amount of carbon captured by the project would be equivalent to taking 3 million cars off the road or cancelling all annual departing flights…
Leeds Beckett engineers collaborate to develop innovative new products using NHS healthcare waste
Leeds Beckett University and Q Medical Technologies Limited have secured Government funding to develop and commercialise innovative new products repurposing healthcare waste. The team will begin by commercialising new, low-carbon aggregate substitutes known as floc – repurposed and treated, clinical and offensive NHS waste – which are in demand for use in civil engineering. Dr…
City of York Council backs Clean Air Night
As winter draws in and the nights get cold, the council is supporting Clean Air Night (24 January) to raise awareness of the dangers of burning wood and other solid fuels in the home. While it might appear more cost-effective to use a wood stove or fireplace with rising energy costs this winter, research shows…
Develop launches new F-Gas training to bridge the HVACR skills gap
Develop Training, the UK’s leading accredited provider of compliance, technical, and safety training, has re-launched one of its most popular courses, F-Gas (Category 1), to provide delegates with training to identify the hazards and safe working practices for working with fluorinated gases. Re-launched on 20th November, the return of the course to Develop is well-timed with…
‘Fuel for Thought’ this Winter
The council has launched its new ‘Fuel for Thought’ campaign this week, raising awareness of the dangers of burning wood and other solid fuels in the home. The campaign highlights that burning solid fuels in stoves and open fireplaces releases tiny, harmful particles in the smoke (known as fine particulate matter, PM2.5 for short) that…
Trad Collective Ltd joins prestigious Leeds scheme
Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) announces the opening date for the latest brand set to join its premium Vicar Lane scheme in the heart of Leeds, Trad Collective Ltd. A unique, sustainable clothing and lifestyle products retailer, Trad Collective Ltd will open on December 10 2023. This exciting addition to the Yorkshire retail landscape promises…
Council delighted by ‘micro woods’ grant win
City of York Council has won a £39,000 grant to plant more trees in the city from the DEFRA / Forestry Commission ‘Coronation Living Heritage Fund’. This fund was set up to support local tree planting initiatives to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III. The grant will support CYC’s tree planting ambitions through 100%…
Industry awards recognise contribution in the drive to Net Zero
Parkin-Spencer Refractories Technical Manager, Dr Jafar Daji, and Parkinson Spencer Refractories were delighted to be presented with two industry awards at the British Ceramic Confederation’s “Delivering Net Zero for British Ceramics 2023.” Technical Manager Dr Jafar Daji recently attended the flagship UK Ceramics Industry Decarbonisation Conference “Delivering Net Zero for British Ceramics 2023”; organised by…
Transdev places £7.5 million order for 15 new electric buses
Government-backed order to convert Shuttle route between Keighley and Bradford to zero-emission operation Yorkshire bus operator Transdev today confirms it has placed an order worth £7.5 million for 15 new electric buses to convert one of its most popular routes, the Shuttle linking Keighley and Bradford in West Yorkshire, to zero-emission operation. The orders are…
Yorkshire Garden Centres group reaches final of regional food and drink award
The team at a Bradford-headquartered garden centre group is celebrating after reaching the final of a regional food and drink business award. Yorkshire Garden Centres has been shortlisted in the Best Retailer category in the Azets Food and Drink Business Awards. Yorkshire Garden Centres’ MD, Mark Farnsworth, said: “We have grown our family of garden…
Tingley garden centre celebrates its first gardening season with a spring launch weekend
A Tingley garden centre is celebrating springtime and its first gardening season with a celebration launch weekend next month On the 1st and 2nd of April, visitors to Tingley Garden Centre will be able to see the changes that owners, Yorkshire Garden Centres, have made since it opened in September and get 15% off plants, garden furniture,…
Bradford Garden Centre to host free houseplant advice session
A Bradford garden centre is hosting a free drop-in session for customers to get expert houseplant advice. Gardeners’ World Live presenter Joe Bagley will be in the houseplant department at Tong Garden Centre from 12 pm on Saturday, 25th March to give advice and answer questions about houseplants. “More people are interested in indoor gardening than…
Bradford garden centre wins regional sustainability award
The team at a Bradford garden centre is celebrating after winning a regional sustainability award. Sustainability Lead, Steph Bates and Head of People and Culture, Neil Barwise-Carr from Tong Garden Centre were presented with the Sustainability Award at the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards in Yorkshire and The Humber on 24th February. Organised by the…