Regulation
Environmental rules set to change to boost housebuilding
UK ministers have signalled intent to overhaul ‘nutrient neutrality’ regulations to enable new housing development.
Environment
Pioneering mushroom farm at Blenheim estate
Work has begun on a pioneering mushroom farm on the Blenheim Estate to grow gourmet mushrooms on spawn-inoculated substrate created from organic waste from Blenheim Palace.
Regulation
Key BNG lessons for Local Planning Authorities
The Planning Advisory Service and Natural England have listed key BNG lessons for Local Planning Authorities.
Natural Capital
Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland celebrates milestone tree planting and pathway creation
Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company Plc and the Upper Urr Environment Trust celebrate completion of initial works at the new Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland Site in Scotland.
Plants
More than 50% of Kew’s trees at risk from effects of climate change
New report states that more than half of their 11,000 trees are at risk by 2090, due to the effects of climate change.
Wildlife
Blackbird facing rapid decline
Experts believe blackbird numbers in Greater London and southern England have plummeted on account of the Usutu virus, first detected in UK in 2020
Business
Sarah Raven nursery Rookery Farm is Planet Mark certified
Sarah Raven announced that their plant nursery, Rookery Farm is now Planet Mark certified.
Design
Max Fordham House & Garden
The environmental engineering firm and its eponymous late founder designed Max Fordham House, the UK’s first net zero residential home in Camden, north London.
Wildlife
Trees for bees at Wakehurst
Wakehurst is using citizen science to help discover the trees most favoured by pollinators and how to make cities more pollinator-friendly.
Environment
HTA solar panels save over 9 tonnes of carbon emissions in the first year
During Net Zero Week, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) reflects on the energy generated and the carbon saved during the first year since its solar panel installation.
Interview
Biodiversity Net Gain: the new nature market explained
The Dirt News interviews Katie Leach, Lloyds Banking Group’s first Head of Nature about the wider environmental and industry benefits brought forward by BNG, and the role of the financial institutions to develop the new compliance nature market.
Plants
Embracing Britain’s native wildflowers
Native plants are those that have occurred naturally in a particular place without human introduction, acclimatised to UK conditions and capable of surviving without intervention.
Business
One of Scotland’s oldest of the ‘new’ native woodlands goes on sale
Conserved and nurtured for the past three decades, the 1200 hectares, native woodland rich Cashel Estate has gone on sale with an asking price of £4m.
Research
Native vegetation does not impact insect biodiversity in small urban gardens
Research in small urban gardens in the Netherlands found that insects were just as abundant in gardens planted with exotic plants as in those filled with native plants
Wildlife
Purple Emperor Butterflies at Knepp
The Knepp estate now hosts the UK’s largest population of the magnificent, elusive Purple Emperor butterfly.
People
Steve Reed appointed DEFRA Secretary
Steve Reed MP as Secretary of State for Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), a role he has shadowed since September 2023.
Environment
New maps show impact of climate change per UK constituency
New maps show climate changes by constituency, allowing constituents to see not only the changes over the years, but how they compare and future projections.
Research
The more sustainable one’s gardening, the better for you & planet
Scientists at the Royal Horticultural Society have found that gardening sustainably the higher the perceived levels of wellbeing as well as being better for the planet
Regulation
Landmark EU law will see 20% of land and sea restored by 2030
Despite months of deadlock and fierce protests, the European Union passed the landmark nature restoration law on the 17th of June, aiming to restore 20% of EU land and sea by 2030.
Business
Contribute to the nation’s largest national research on business progress to net zero
The UK Net Zero Business Census aims to provide invaluable insights into the nation’s net zero journey for policy makers, investors and business leaders.