Author page: Nathan Morgan

A de-facto windfall tax on renewables? 

What’s going on here? Earlier this month the UK Government introduced the Energy Prices Bill to the House of Commons. The bill would give the Government emergency powers, intended to help households and businesses with increasing energy costs. What does this mean? In light of massive energy price rises, many have welcomed the financial support for consumers and businesses. But, industry and…

Opposite sides of the world heading in opposite directions?

What’s going on here? In recent weeks three developed nations, the UK, the US and Australia, have all made announcements which majorly affect their approach to climate change. What does this mean? Last week, in her first few days as the new Prime Minister of the UK, Liz Truss announced a raft of measures ostensibly aimed at protecting consumers from rising energy…

Off peak electricity

What’s going on here? The UK’s National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) is reportedly considering schemes that reward consumers for reducing their electricity demand at peak times. What does this mean? National Grid ESO is the transmission system operator responsible for balancing the supply and demand of electricity in the UK. In an effort to reduce the risk of blackouts this winter…

Clean air – a human right?

What’s going on here? Last week a new bill entitled the “Clean Air (Human Rights) Act” had its first reading in the House of Lords.  What does this mean? This is the first step in enshrining in UK law the right to clean air across all forms of pollution.  The law will be known as “Ella’s Law” after Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah (pictured), a…

Fashion sustainability schemes – A licence to greenwash

What’s Going On Here? Changing Markets Foundation, a sustainability campaign group, just released their latest report into the fashion industry. The report, titled ‘Licence to Greenwash’, found that the industry’s biggest and most well known sustainability schemes “facilitate greenwashing”. What Does This Mean? Ten schemes were analysed including well known ones such as WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), bluesign, EU Ecolabel…

🌈🦄 Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability

What’s Going On Here? The report formally known as “Working Group II contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report” has been published. Catchy eh?  It’s the latest update from the international authority on climate change – the United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). What Does This Mean?  This is the sixth release of the IPCC’s much venerated assessment report –…

Neonicotinoids – What’s the buzz?

What’s Going On Here? After an application from the National Farmers Union (NFU) and British Sugar, last week Defra authorised the ‘emergency’ use of a neonicotinoid pesticide treatment on sugar beet crops planted in England in the 2022 season. In 2018, the EU banned all outdoor uses of neonicotinoids due to evidence that they cause harm to bees.  What Does This Mean? …

Autumn Budget 2021: The price of flying

Arivals board. Airport

What’s Going On Here? Wednesday 27th October was budget day – the day when the Chancellor of the Exchequer sets out his plans for taxation for the next year. Updates made to the rate of Air Passenger Duty (APD) paid by plane operators could have a big impact on the UK’s commitment to reach net zero. What Does This Mean? APD is…