Sustainability
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£25m invested in natural flood resilience projects
Around £25m has been committed to projects that use nature to protect communities from flooding. The funding, provided by the government and the environment agency, will support natural flood management schemes across England that use nature led techniques, such as tree planting and the creation of wetlands to slow and store water, reducing the risk of flood. “This approach not only reduces flood risk and helps tackle climate change, it can also benefit water quality, restore habitats and boost biodiversity,” says environment minister, Rebecca Pow. These schemes will also create more green spaces for communities and improve air quality, while…
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Horticulture can play a ‘crucial role’ in achieving climate change targets, says RHS
The horticulture sector has the potential to play a ‘crucial role’ in helping the UK achieve its ‘ambitious’ climate change targets, says the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society). Last week Rishi Sunak announced the government’s plans to delay the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035, and the phasing out of gas boilers. Sunak backed the decision to push back the UK’s net zero goals by stating he wanted to take a “more pragmatic, proportionate and realistic approach.” Director general of the RHS, Clare Matterson says, “we are painfully aware that we face a climate…
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Cement substitute “unlikely” to reduce global emissions
An ingredient used to create ‘greener’ concrete might not be as effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions as first hoped. Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) is a by-product of the iron and steel industry and has become an increasingly popular replacement for the carbon intensive Portland cement clinker, which is produced in kilns with other materials when heated up to around 1,480°C. But a report published this week by The Institution of Structural Engineers and others has found that increasing the use of the supplementary cementitious material in place of clinker in any one area is unlikely to have…
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The HTA welcomes inquiry into Urban Green Spaces
The House of Common Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee has launched an Inquiry into Urban Green Spaces in response to data that shows the number of people living in urban areas in the UK is expected to increase over the next decade. The total provision of green spaces is expected to decline as a result of infrastructure increases to meet demands of the growing population. The Horticultural Trades Association welcomes news of the inquiry after ‘actively engaging with parliamentarians and policy-makers in calling for a greater focus’ on the value of urban green spaces. “Urban green spaces…
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Green Tree Badge initiative launched to inspire millions of children
Together The Royal Forestry Society and Bags of Ethics has launched a new Green Tree Badge initiative, to support millions of children nationwide get involved with the world of trees. The national initiative aims to support millions of children’s engagement with trees andstrengthen their understanding of the important role trees have in the earth’s ecosystem and the battle against climate change. Participating children can earn their own Green Tree Badge via the completion of an activity book, with activities taking place across the country, including the exploration of various tree species, how they grow and what wildlife benefits from each. …
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New House of Lords ruling could be detrimental to UK housebuilding target, says Fix Radio
The governments’ recent plans to relax restrictions on water pollution has been blocked by the House of Lords. The government put forward plans to remove EU-era ‘nutrient neutrality’ rules last month, with the intention to encourage housebuilding amid current sector slump, and support its own housebuilding target. UK housebuilding has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade, with only 898 major residential projects approved between April and June this year, says trade radio station Fix Radio. Approval rates for major residential projects between April and June has fallen by 11%, in comparison to the same time last year;…
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From Chelsea to the Biome, the Fauna, and Flora Garden
Working closely with conservation partners in over 40 countries, saving nature and boosting awareness, Fauna and Flora focuses on protecting and restoring habitats, saving species from extinction, and developing sustainable livelihoods for those living closest to nature. Cornish-based Garden designer, Jilayne Rickards approached Fauna & Flora to design a garden to best portray their work and messages. It was hard to encapsulate all of its work in just one garden since it does so many wonderful projects, says Rickards, so they “decided to focus in on the gorilla project, because of the link to their vice president, Sir David Attenborough.…
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Nine Elms Park phase one opens
Thames City has opened the first portion of the 2.5-acre Nine Elms Park. Designed by Gillespies and delivered by R&F Properties (UK) and C C Land, it includes water features, a nature inspired children’s play park, interactive trails, and intimate seating areas. A range of tree species, shrubs, and herbaceous plants have been planted to support biodiversity and to futureproof the park to withstand unpredictable weather patterns and the challenges of the urban environment. The park has multiple access points for pedestrian walkways and cycle paths, creating connections between Vauxhall to the east, through to Battersea Power Station and Battersea…
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British bank funds 10,000 new sustainable homes
A British bank has provided funding for 10,000 new sustainable homes across the south of Wales in the next decade. Lloyds Bank has contributed a £100m sustainability linked loan to social housing provider, Pobl Group, in a bid to incentivise Pobl to meet its target on new home energy ratings and increase the number of affordable homes. “Integrating solar panels and smart batteries, leveraging heat networks, improving insulation and providing electric vehicle charging are just some of the raft of measures our team is reviewing and delivering as part of our sustainable development plans,” says James O’Connor, director of corporate…
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Construction industry calls for urgent action from net zero minister
Several construction industry organisations are calling for immediate action from the new net zero minister. The appointment of new secretary of state for energy security and net zero, Claire Mouthinho MP, has prompted the construction sector to put forward a list of priorities. “Millions are living in energy inefficient homes that are in dire need of retrofitting,” says RIBA president, Simon Allford. “If we are to address the climate emergency, help households with the cost-of-living crisis, and create new green jobs, we urgently need a well-funded National Retrofit Strategy, with a robust timetable and targets.” Members of the UK Green…
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£16m funding for peatland restoration
Thousands of hectares of peatland in the UK are set to be restored to help tackle climate change and recover biodiversity. Over £16m of government funding has been submitted to 12 restoration projects, from the Great North Bog to the Norfolk Broads, including projects from Somerset to County Durham. The government is investing more than £50m to peat restoration as part of its commitment to restore approximately 35,000ha of peatland in England by the end of this parliament. “Our peatlands hold over half of our terrestrial store of carbon,” says environment minister Rebecca Pow. “With just 1% in a near…
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Trades people set to be “worst hit” by ULEZ expansion
The expansion of the ULEZ is causing concern across London’s trade sector, and for good reason. The added charge inflicts unsustainable financial pressure on a number of trade businesses. As of today, drivers of non-compliant vehicles will have to pay £12.50 a day to travel in the now affected areas, which cover a majority of Greater London. The charge, which is equivalent to more than £3k a year, is already incurring multi-level knock-on effects as tradespeople increase their prices to compensate. According to Fix Radio, 25% of construction workers say they have lost work as a direct result of the…
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Hasty peat ban could lead to “detrimental” outcomes, warns the HTA
The HTA warns of the “significant environmental and economic impacts” across multiple industries, from bringing the peat ban forward by four years. New data from independent economists at Oxford Economics, commissioned and released by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) shows that the fast-tracked peat ban could lead to a loss of over £500m in Gross Value Added (GVA) and over £100m in decline tax revenues. More than half (68%) of garden centres are expected to cut staff in 2027 as a result of the expected 100 million plant and tree shortage immediately after the ban takes effect as the accelerated…
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Khan accused of trying to “silence” contradictory ULEZ study
Sadiq Khan’s office has been accused of trying to “silence” a scientific report that questions how beneficial the controversial ULEZ charge is for the environment. It is reported that more than £800k has been paid to the Imperial College’s Environmental Research Group since 2021, with director of the group, professor Frank Kelly, subsequently agreeing to issue a statement stating the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has helped to “dramatically reduce air pollution.” However, a study from the Imperial College’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, published in 2021 found that the original ULEZ established in 2019 had only cut nitrogen…
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£100m Scottish framework announced to reach net zero
The Scottish Procurement Alliance’s (SPA) is calling on businesses across Scotland to get involved in its new £100m framework in support of the countries net zero target. The RM3 framework will offer property refurbishments and modernisation specialists of all sizes the opportunity to undertake environmental, electrical, joinery, pluming and decorative works. One of the SPA’s leading objectives via the framework is geared towards tackling Scotland’s 2045 net zero target, with a compliant route to market for the construction, refurbishment and maintenance of social housing and public buildings. RM3 works include landscaping and additional external works and energy efficiency. Lesley Anderson,…
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Builders Merchants Federation “disappointed” by ULEZ decision
The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) continues to call for a 12-month delay to the ULEZ expansion, which is set to be introduced at the end of next month. The expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) throughout London has been ruled lawful by His Majesty’s High Court, following a challenge brought forward by the boroughs of Bexley, Harrow and Willingdon, and Surrey County Council. The ULEZ is now set be expanded on 29 August 2023 to cover all 32 London boroughs, bringing approximately five million additional people into the zone. John Newcomb, CEO of the BMF – a trade…
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Lantra appoints new members to its Board of Trustees
Land-based accrediting organisation, Lantra has appointed three new members to its board of trustees. The new trustees include Trefor Owens, a chartered forester and senior leader in sustainable land management, with experience sitting on land-based industry committees and advisory boards for organisations, including Forestry and Land Scotland, Defra and Welsh Government. Also joining the board is Euryn Jones, regional agricultural director for HSBC with prior experience in the education sector through the role of agricultural lecturer, and a background in the position of farms director. Helen Taylor, a committee advisor and chartered surveyor with governance experience across the UK’s public…
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Judges announced for Pro Landscaper Sustainability & Biodiversity Awards in partnership with Kress
Thirteen industry experts have been revealed as judges for this year’s inaugural Pro Landscaper Sustainability & Biodiversity Awards in partnership with Kress. The new awards initiative has been launched to recognise and reward the landscaping industry’s most sustainable companies and projects. Those who enter the awards will have their companies and/or projects judged by leaders in the sustainability field, from those who are creating low carbon landscapes to those who are setting the standards and driving innovation. The judging panel so far is made up of the following industry experts: Martin Townsend – director for Sustainability Centre for Excellence, BSI…
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Hampton Court roses become biodegradable confetti
English Rose breeder and supplier, David Austin has donated all spent blooms from the gold medal winning roses exhibit at last week’s RHS Hampton Court to Confetti Club London to become biodegradable confetti. Over 60,000 petals from over 20 English Rose variants, including the Penelope Lively®, a new rose revealed at Hampton this year will become sustainable, biodegradable confetti sold on via Confetti Club London with all profits going to several UK cancer charities. CEO David Austin Jnr. says: “This is exactly the sort of socially responsible behaviour we care to foster at David Austin® – the sort that is…
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Carnivorous plants ensnare peat-free living
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has successfully grown two commercially favoured varieties of carnivorous pitcher plants using five different peat-free growing media. All final specimens were judged to be of superior quality to that of the control plants grown in 100% peat. Carnivorous plants were considered to be ‘one of the most difficult’ plant groups to transition to peat-free with several variants can be found growing naturally in peatland habitats. The pitcher plants used were a Sarracenia leucophylla hybrid and subspecies of Sarracenia purpurea1, known for ensnaring their animal prey through ornate pipes (or pitchers), providing them the nutrients not…
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Pro Landscaper launches new sustainability awards
Pro Landscaper has unveiled a new award initiative to recognise the industry’s most sustainable companies and projects. The Pro Landscaper Sustainability & Biodiversity Awards will recognise and reward the environmental benefits being provided by companies in the sector and the projects they’re creating. The awards will showcase innovation and initiatives across the UK landscaping sector, from design and construction through the product supply and manufacturing. General manager Joe Wilkinson says: “The Pro Landscaper Sustainability & Biodiversity Awards yet again shows Pro Landscaper’s commitment to the landscaping industry. In a sector that is at the forefront of the sustainability movement, it’s…
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Zoe Claymore on empowering renters to garden
The National Wildlife Trusts’ first Hampton Court Show Garden ‘Renters Retreat’ designed by Zoe Claymore, highlights ways to support the natural colonisation of local wildlife in residential gardens, employing transient tenant friendly features. Over eight million households in England alone rent, of those eight million, over five million households have access to private outdoor spaces. “We really needed a garden explicitly focused on renters and what could be achieved in a rented space for novice gardeners.” Befitting its name, the Renter’s Retreat exclusively uses a myriad of impermanent tenant friendly methods at multiple price points, creating a realistic source of…
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Greenwood Plants awarded £2.7m National Highways contract
Wholesale nursery Greenwood Plants has been awarded £2.7m in funding by National Highways to grow three million trees from seed over the coming five years. National Highways is targeting net zero by planting at least three million trees by 2030 with Greenwood signed as the sole supplier for the project. The tree whips will be cultivated from seed and grown peat-free in alignment with Greenwood’s ‘growing greener’ commitment to cease all peat use by 2030 and National Highways’ targets to cutting carbon emissions and facilitating increased biodiversity Greenwood Plant managing director, Melanie Asker says: “We are really proud to be…
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Green-tech: An official drop-off hub for Free Tubex Collection & Recycling Programme
Tubex has expanded the reach of its Tree Shelter Collection and Recycling Programme by providing new hubs around the UK where tree shelters can be dropped off to be recycled for free. The scheme is a joint initiative with charity Yorkshire Dales Millennium (YDMT), which opened a number of its own recycling hubs in 2021. There will be a total of 14 national hub locations, five of which will be provided by Tubex’s parent company Berry Global. Landscape provider, Green-tech will also be supplying a hub for free shelter collection, at its premises in North Yorkshire. Green-tech’s sales director Richard…
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Wales considers banning artificial lawns
The Welsh Government is considering a country-wide ban on artificial grass following “worrying reports” of the toxicity levels emitted. Climate change minister Julie James confirms she “wants to explore proactively” the possibility of a ban across Wales. Plaid Cymru MS Sioned Williams raised a concern regarding the use of artificial grass by the Swansea Council as part of the city’s regeneration. Swansea confirmed it “would not be used by the council in the public realm, even on a temporary basis going forward,” leading Williams to ask whether the Welsh government would commit in banning artificial grass in government schemes, excluding…
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