In Depth
MPs in doubt over who's in charge of flood defence
Latest features, analysis and comment
DCLG consults on passing EU fines to local councils
The government has set out its intended process for handing on potential EU fines to councils and other public authorities
Comment: Could civil sanctions have an 'unsavoury outcome'?
There is some risk the public might see donations made to green council projects through the civil sanctions regime as bribes
MPs call for tighter EU ETS cap
A parliamentary committee has called for action to prop up the EU emissions trading scheme's carbon price
Recast WEEE directive sets high collection targets
More waste electrical goods will have to be collected and recycled under changes agreed by the EU
Green Deal proposals still lack credibility
Consumer trust, together with high levels of coverage, quality control and value for money are vital if the Green Deal is to succeed say stakeholders
Little improvement in river water quality, shows latest WFD report
English and Welsh rivers are little closer to Water Framework Directive targets, Environment Agency figures show. The “unambitious” targets have many critics.
Sky on course to raise £4m for rainforest protection programme
Brazilian farmers are receiving financial and technical support to adopt sustainable land management practices and avoid further deforestation
No goals set in Westfield’s first green report
Global shopping centre giant Westfield has published its first report on sustainability. But it has yet to set any carbon reduction targets
Infographic: Water industry's sustainability progress a mixed picture
Sustainability indicators of the water industry show both decline and progress over the past year, according to Water UK's latest report on sustainability.
Aquifer diverts high-speed rail
The proposed HS2 rail link route has been changed to reduce environmental damage. The changes have also lowered the expected costs.
Court judgment on solar cuts threatens feed-in tariff regime
The High Court has ruled that plans to cut subsidies for solar photovoltaic projects are illegal. The government is appealing the decision and it now has a Plan B
Marked drop in gas leakage over the past decade
Almost 0.7% of carbon emissions are the result of gas network leakage, but there is little market incentive for operators to improve the situation
Taking water: changing the rules of the game
Simon Inglethorpe examines prospects for abstraction licensing reform in the wake of the water white paper
How water abstraction works... or doesn’t
There are currently 21,500 abstraction licences in England and Wales work, but most give the owner the right to abstract water forever
Climate change means shortages are likely
Forecasts of future water supply to 2050 show a likely shortage mid-century
BT makes the carbon reduction connection
James Richens reports on how BT is cutting energy use while demand for digital services continues to rise.
Cuts to Renewables Obligation need rethinking, say trade bodies
Wind, biomass and energy-from-waste projects will be endangered by plans to revise renewables subsidies, trade bodies have warned the government.
SUDS phase-in on the cards
Sustainable drainage systems may only be required for major developments at first to give councils time to prepare for their introduction. Developers have also been offered a cost get-out.
Consultation on extending nitrate rules across England and Wales
Nitrate vulnerable zones that currently limit fertiliser and manure spreading on farms in parts of England and Wales could be extended to the entire country.
Comment: Seeing off the behemoths
Not one, but two, gargantuan transport projects lurched forward in January. These may address issues of UK competitiveness and capacity constraint, but does human progress, prosperity and happiness demand that everyone travels ever faster and further?
