United Kingdom

UK farming's 'net zero' climate target in doubt

Thursday - Ambitious plans to make farming ‘net zero’ by 2040 - 10 years ahead of the UK’s legally-binding national target – may not be achieved, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) has told the BBC.

UK’s methane hotspots include landfills and last coalmine

5 Sep 24 - Greenpeace urges UK’s Labour to ‘fulfil international obligations’ as critics question accuracy of official data.

Renewable energy auction secures enough power for 11m UK homes

4 Sep 24 - Great Britain’s renewable energy auction has secured enough new clean electricity projects to power 11m UK homes after the Labour government made record funding available to suppliers.

Green groups call on UK govt to stop subsidies for biomass plant

2 Sep 24 - More than 40 groups are calling on the government to scrap plans to pay billions in subsidies to the Drax biomass power plant, which was recently revealed as the country's worst carbon emitter.

UK could approve 13 new oil and gas projects despite North Sea pledge

13 Aug 24 - The UK government could approve 13 new oil and gas projects in the North Sea, with the fuel produced emitting 350m tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e) if burned.

How a livestock industry lobbying campaign is turning Europe against lab-grown meat

2 Aug 24 - Last month the UK became the first country in Europe to approve the sale of meat grown in a laboratory, giving the green light to a pet food made of cell-cultivated chicken.

UK’s Labour will honour pledge of £11.6bn in overseas climate aid

30 Jul 24 - Labour will honour a pledge of £11.6bn in overseas aid for the climate crisis, the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, told an unusual meeting of COP presidents past and present.

Landmark lawsuit challenges Britain’s climate change adaptation plan

26 Jul 24 - In a landmark climate case, Friends of the Earth and two people whose lives have been severely affected by the changing climate are suing the government of the United Kingdom over its failure to...

UK first European country to approve lab-grown meat, starting with pet food

22 Jul 24 - Lab-grown pet food is to hit UK shelves as Britain becomes the first country in Europe to approve cultivated meat.

UK supermarkets to trial methane-reducing feed supplement for dairy cows

19 Jul 24 - UK supermarket chain Tesco has announced it will trial a methane-reducing feed supplement for dairy cows as part of an initiative to cut its carbon footprint.

From green energy to rivers, environment at heart of nine plans in King’s speech

19 Jul 24 - The UK's new Labour government recognises the ‘urgency of climate challenge’ but also presents measures as way to also cut the cost of living.

Preparing London for climate impacts is ‘non-negotiable,’ landmark review warns

18 Jul 24 - The government has been warned that preparing London for climate change is “non-negotiable” as a landmark review of the capital’s climate resilience is published.

New UK govt lifts ‘absurd’ ban on onshore windfarms

10 Jul 24 - The de facto ban on new onshore windfarms has been dropped by the Labour government, to the delight of environmentalists and energy experts.

‘Our work is urgent’: Will the UK’s new Labour government prioritise the climate crisis?

8 Jul 24 - Campaigners and experts say support for environmental policies in the UK general election means Labour must now make climate action a top priority.

The Guardian view on Britain’s green future: where was the debate?

5 Jul 24 - OPINION: The climate emergency should have been a more prominent theme during an underwhelming election campaign.

Key oil project must count full climate impact - court

24 Jun 24 - The Supreme Court has ruled a local council should have considered the full climate impact of burning oil from new wells - a landmark decision which could put future UK oil and gas projects in...

The Tory network of climate denial and fossil fuel funding

14 Jun 24 - DeSmog catalogues how oil and gas firms have forged ties with the highest levels of government in the UK, as well as with the media and influential think tanks.

UK climate aid reaches record £1.8bn in 2023 after loosening rules

10 Jun 24 - The UK government’s spending on climate aid reached its highest-ever level last year, with more than £1.8bn channelled into projects aimed at cutting emissions.

UK won’t cook the books to hit its climate goals

23 May 24 - Announcement on next carbon budget comes after weeks of speculation the government would try and find more ‘headroom.’