U.K. carbon emissions have fallen by 29% in last decade
In 2019, Carbon Brief found that the U.K.’s CO2 emissions fell by 2.9%, bringing the total reduction to 29% over the past decade since 2010, even as the economy grew by a fifth.
United Kingdom
This archive gathers solutions-journalism stories and milestones from the United Kingdom — covering health, climate, policy, and social progress. Each entry highlights real, reported advances from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
United Kingdom to ban petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars by 2035
The sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be banned as of 2035. After the ban comes into effect, only electric and hydrogen vehicles will be available for purchase.
AI system develops new drug for OCD patients, cutting costs and moving it to trail faster
AI could reduce costs of labor and R&D of pharmaceuticals by 80%. The front-loaded savings means that more drugs for more diseases can be synthesized and moved into trials.
British carbon tax leads to 93% drop in coal-fired electricity
A tax on carbon dioxide emissions in Great Britain, introduced in 2013, has led to the proportion of electricity generated from coal falling from 40% to 3% over six years, according to research led by UCL.
The world’s most-profitable hedge fund pushes portfolio companies to dramatically cut emissions
TCI Fund Management – with $30 billion in assets – is pushing portfolio companies to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and disclose their carbon footprint. If they don’t, they’ll oust their boards or dump their shares.
Scotland on track for 100% renewable electricity in 2020
If Scotland achieves its target of being 100 percent powered by renewable electricity next year, it would join a small group of countries who have already accomplished the same goal: Albania, the Congo, Iceland, and Paraguay.
Half of U.K. universities have committed to divest from fossil fuel
Seventy-eight of the U.K.’s 154 public universities have joined the divestment campaign, either divesting or pledging to divest hundreds of millions from the fossil fuel industry.
Same-sex marriage now legal in Northern Ireland
From Monday, same-sex couples will be able to register to marry, meaning the first ceremonies will take place in February.
U.K. renewables outperform natural gas for first quarter ever
In the third quarter of 2019 renewable energy sources provided a record 38.9% of the country’s electricity — exceeding natural gas for the first time ever, which provided 38.8%.
EasyJet becomes world’s first carbon-neutral airline by offsetting all emissions
EasyJet will begin to offset emissions from its 331 planes immediately. It will become the world’s first major airline to operate net zero carbon flights across their entire network.