Single-use plastic bag sales in England fall 86% since 2015
Campaigners are now calling for charges on plastic bottles and disposable coffee cups in the hope of producing a similar effect.
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.
U.K. offshore wind power set to double as government confirms future auctions
The U.K. offshore wind energy industry is set to double after the country’s Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy announced long-term political support.
Scotland’s groundbreaking offshore wind test site generates first power
The groundbreaking project has delivered its first power to the U.K. National Grid this week, marking yet another landmark moment for the offshore wind industry.
U.K. to ban “abhorrent practice” of gay conversion therapy
The British government says it will ban gay conversion therapy as part of 4.5-million-pound ($5.9 million) effort to make society more inclusive for LGBT people.
Scotland sets target of cutting greenhouse gases by 90% by 2050
The Scottish government also said it would have a new interim target for 2020 of a 56 per cent cut compared with the existing goal of 42 per cent.
Pivot Power to build ‘world first’ battery network in the U.K.
Pivot Power unveiled plans to build the world’s first national network of grid-scale batteries and rapid-charge stations across the U.K. to accelerate electric vehicle adoption.
The Church of Scotland has voted to allow ministers to conduct same-sex marriages
The Church of Scotland has voted to draft new laws that would allow ministers to conduct same-sex marriages.
Every major supermarket in Britain agrees to ban unnecessary single-use plastic packaging by 2025
The agreement, organised by Government-backed waste charity Wrap, is a world-leading collaborative effort by Britain’s biggest consumer companies to tackle the scourge of plastic waste on the environment.
The U.K. goes 55 hours without using coal for the first time in history
No coal was used for power generation by stations in the U.K. between 10:25 p.m. in London on Monday until 5:10 a.m. on Thursday.
U.K. government funds £260 million to improve air quality
A £220 million Clean Air Fund is set to tackle roadside emissions, which is part of a £260 million plus package from the government to improve air quality.