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Net Zero
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Time to #VolunteerForClimate?
Published 18 September 2023Reach Volunteering launches a campaign this week to #VolunteerForClimate for those of us who want to know how we can make a difference to our world. The campaign will connect people with expertise and organisations that need experts to help drive positive change for sustainability. Reach is a ‘national charity which connects people who want […]
5 ways to reduce the carbon footprint of a small business
Published 14 September 2023It might seem like there is not much that can be done to reduce the carbon footprint of a small business. But even a small business can calculate where their highest carbon emissions are generated and change the way they work. Here are five ways to reduce the carbon footprint of a small business. 1. […]
Is infra-red electric heating the future of heating?
Published 7 September 2023The UK needs new ways to heat homes if it is to meet net zero goals. New technology is being developed every day including solar panels, battery storage, or ground and air source heat pumps. Nexgen heating have developed a heated ‘wallpaper’ that uses far infra-red electric heating and conductive heating to heat homes. What […]
Can hydrogen help the UK reach net zero?
Published 21 August 2023Hydrogen is a key component in the UK Government’s plan to achieve net zero, because it does not produce carbon dioxide. But what is hydrogen, how is it produced and do we have the technology we need to make it? What is hydrogen? Hydrogen is a chemical element (National Grid). It’s contained in vast quantities […]
Chloe Haywood’s couture patches are the perfect fashion fix for Manchester Art Gallery
Published 16 August 2023Chloe Haywood’s design style is a perfect match for Manchester Art Gallery’s new fashion exhibition. Unpicking Couture will feature pieces from a high-end fashion collection that was recently acquired by the gallery. The exhibition will showcase fabulous outfits from design greats like Christian Dior, Elsa Schiaparelli, Azzedine Alaia, Vivienne Westwood, Bruce Oldfield and Alexander McQueen. […]
What is an EPC rating?
Published 7 August 2023What is an EPC rating and why should it matter to property owners? An EPC is an Energy Performance Certificate and the ratings run from G (worst) to A (best). Read on to find out why improving your EPC rating will help you financially. Who provides EPC ratings? There are three types of energy certificate: […]
The UK’s first office and showroom powered by renewable energy gets an A rating
Published 20 July 2023Elite Renewables have constructed the UK’s first office and showroom powered by renewable energy. They were recently awarded a new EPC rating and they have moved from a D to an A rating. This extraordinary improvement is all part of their plan. They wanted to achieve a zero-carbon environment for their offices, despite working with […]
The Green Angel Story – The Doorway to a Green World
Published 10 July 2023Written for Blue Patch by Nick Lyth, Founder and President The Green Angel story is the story of a mission: to bring new access to a greener world through investment in innovation. The idea is to open the door to the changes we all want to see in our environment, its health, its safety, its […]
Our communities are choosing renewables
Published 29 June 2023Local communities are choosing renewables for themselves, their families and their local area. The UK continues to depend on fossil fuels and increase consumption of them. There is not enough investment in renewables. That’s why local communities are choosing to develop projects for themselves. Blue Patch supports these initiatives. Increase in fossil fuel energy The […]
Is joining the CPTPP net positive or net negative for the UK?
Published 22 June 2023DLA Piper raises the question of whether the recent signing of the UK into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is net positive or net negative (Lexology). They say that the media will jump in and raise arguments for why the UK should not have become a member. Campaigners are concerned […]
The workplace is changing
Published 12 June 2023Change in the workplace is in some respects inevitable. Businesses outgrow their existing premises, acquire other businesses or restructure. The economy and the world changes too, as we saw during the pandemic which resulted in seismic shifts in employment. This can mean that businesses need more space or less space and have to move premises. […]
What to look for in a sustainable beauty brand
Published 25 May 2023There are so many companies claiming to be a sustainable beauty brand that it can be difficult to find one that is ethical. Here’s our guide for what to look for from ingredients to packaging and everything in between. Almost every brand boasts about natural ingredients, but not all natural ingredients are what they claim […]
Retrofitting energy efficiency into our homes
Published 5 May 2023PAS 2035 is a new British standard that creates a recognisable quality standard for the retrofit and energy efficiency sector for housing (Social Housing Retrofit). Retrofitting energy efficiency involves building improvements into existing housing as opposed to a new build design. A qualified retrofit assessor visits your house and collects technical details on the property […]
What is doughnut economics?
Published 28 April 2023Doughnut Economics is a book written by Kate Raworth. It invites 21st century economists to think about seven guiding principles. The principles are: Embrace the 21st Century goal See the big picture Nurture human nature Think in systems Be distributive Be regenerative and Aim to thrive rather than grow Traditional economics ignore climate change, inequality, […]
Play Press Toys develops zero waste packaging
Published 13 April 2023Play Press Toys have developed new and innovative zero waste packaging for their products. The toys have always been eco-friendly and non-toxic and this was the logical next step for the company to take. Play Press Toys have always delivered products in limited amounts of packaging, reducing the need to throw large boxes away once […]
Are we overfishing our favourite fish?
Published 30 March 2023Cod and haddock are our favourite fish, but with cod fish stocks in decline, are we overfishing? We love to eat fish. Especially when it is fish & chips. The British eat 167 million fish & chip suppers each year (UK Fisheries). Nearly a quarter of us eat fish & chips weekly and 80% of […]
What is a 15 minute city?
Published 23 March 2023The idea behind a 15 minute city is that all the services you need are within a 15 minute walk or bike ride, so that you do not need to use your car as much. The services include your work, food, healthcare, education, culture and leisure (The Guardian). The reduction in car travel and public […]
Preview the limited edition Dalerb range from Angus Ross at RHS Chelsea in May
Published 16 March 2023Award winning furniture designer and master craftsman Angus Ross will be exhibiting at RHS Chelsea in May this year for the first time. On display will be the limited edition Dalerb range of garden furniture. The range is available to pre-order from Angus Ross for construction after the show is over. The company is proud […]
What is green insurance?
Published 24 February 2023Green insurers are ethical providers. They will aim to align their policies with environmental, social and governance guidelines. They will ensure that every part of the insurance supply chain is ethical and responsible (UN). The insurance industry is big business in the UK, making investments to £1.6 trillion and employing 321,000 people in the UK […]
Lithium extraction from geothermal brines
Published 16 February 2023Mining companies are excited about the prospect of mining vast amounts of lithium through lithium extraction from geothermal brines. This is a potentially low carbon and environmentally friendly way to meet the demand for lithium that is used in modern technology. What is lithium and what is it used for? Lithium is a fascinating metal. […]
What are solar tiles and are they better than solar panels?
Published 9 February 2023Solar tiles or solar shingles are small photovoltaic modules that look like normal roof tiles. They are also sometimes called rackless solar systems because there are no racks of panels. Tiles can be used instead of solar panels where aesthetics are important. However, they are not suitable for retrofitting, according to Spirit Energy, and so […]
Single use plastic: What are the alternatives for takeaways?
Published 26 January 2023The UK Government has announced a ban on single use plastics from October, but what is a small takeaway or restaurant owner to use instead? The answer is one of the many alternatives made out of materials like sugarcane or wood, paper and metal. The next question is whether these materials are a viable and […]
Energy efficiency of homes in the UK
Published 19 January 2023UK housing stock is not energy efficient and that costs both the inhabitants and the planet. Energy inefficient homes cost more to heat. The cost of heating a home with poor wall insulation is likely to add £350 to a bill for the first quarter in 2023 (Resolution Foundation). Residential housing contributes around a fifth […]
Food waste and its connection with the climate crisis
Published 5 January 2023Most UK consumers are familiar with the idea of food waste. They know that wasted food adds to the cost of their shopping. But they are unaware of, or don’t think about, the connection between it and the climate crisis. The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) reports that 4.5 million tonnes of food gets […]
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