Susie Tomson

Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs) are designed to provide transparency by certifying the origin of renewable energy & helping track its credentials from generation to user. But as the application of REGOs extends beyond the original design, we ask what more may be needed to support decarbonisation? Cornwall Insight’s new report, commissioned by BT Group, 'Reviewing the Future of REGOs for Corporate' explores four critical questions to answer what the future holds for REGOs: ➡ What role do REGOs play in the GB electricity sector? ➡ Do REGOs encourage the development of new renewable energy projects? ➡ How does end-user participation in the REGO market affect the renewable energy transition? ➡ What viable alternatives to REGOs exist? Discover the full insights by downloading the report here: https://lnkd.in/evwwjxuU

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“Customers have enjoyed the benefits of less investment…” says Water UK’s David Henderson on BBC Radio 4 Today programme, 8.25am, 8/10/24. I get his point and, to be fair, the full quote is below, but customers did not want lower water bills at the expense of rivers and seas being more polluted, and wildlife diminished. The stand-off over the size of water bills between water and sewerage companies and the government’s regulators is not helping. On the one hand companies have treated water bill payers as cash machines. On the other, Ofwat, the government’s economic regulator, has been environmentally-clueless. The government's obsession with deregulation and cutting its Environment Agency doesn't help. We’re constantly given the false choice of either low bills and more polluted and nature-depleted waters, or higher bills with perhaps a little less pollution, and nature in better condition at some vague point in the future...maybe. Here’s Henderson’s reply to Amol Rajan’s question about customers having to pay more now to make up for past failures to invest in fixing water pipes, upgrading creaky sewage plants etc: “Well, I’m afraid you’re right. It’s either the state pays or the customers pay. Customers have enjoyed the benefits of less investment than we think has been needed over the last fifteen or so years. “That’s why bills are about 20 per cent lower than if they had merely risen with inflation. So, now we have to play catch up, and unfortunately, because we are investing now and not ten years ago, interest rates are much higher so the costs is going to be greater…” Aside from blame games between Ofwat and Water UK, Mr Henderson didn’t get to say that some companies admit NOT investing enough in the past even within bill levels Ofwat set.

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🌊 Driving Innovation in Scotland’s Mussel Farming Sector 🌊 So pleased to share that Shell-volution, a pioneering £4.4M project, is officially underway! Supported by the UK Government through the #IslandsGrowthDeal, this initiative will transform the mussel farming sector, which is vital to the economy and sustainability of our region—especially our islands. As our region's anchor academic institution, UHI is delighted to see this industry-led project set to drive ground-breaking research and innovation tackling challenges in the sector. From developing predictive growth models to improving the reliability of wild spat recruitment, #research will be at the forefront of creating solutions that will: ✅ Increase Scotland’s mussel production by 10,000 tonnes annually. ✅ Strengthen rural and island economies by safeguarding and creating jobs. ✅ Promote sustainable practices that contribute to net-zero goals. This ambitious project demonstrates the power of #collaboration, bringing together industry, academia, and public sector partners to secure the future of mussel farming in Scotland. By advancing sustainable aquaculture, Shell-volution will not only benefit local communities but also set a benchmark for global best practices in the blue economy. Huge thanks to Seafood Shetland, the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers, Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, as well as UHI Shetland and UHI colleagues. All credit to them for their shared vision and hard work in making this project a reality! #UHIResearch #BlueEconomy #Innovation #Sustainability #ThinkUHI

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We’re hearing from various sectors about just how valuable carbon baselines are. They're helping SMEs make meaningful progress toward net zero, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and save money in the process! 🌍💡 #NetZero #Sustainability

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📢 The Environmental Policy Forum (EPF) has written to several new UK government Ministers, outlining our ten priorities for a better environment and healthier economy. We previously shared our ten priorities in advance of the election, which should be achieved by government working alongside business. The priorities we outline are interconnected, reflecting the urgent need for a joined-up approach to policymaking, involving effective communication and coordinated policy across government departments. Our letter is attached to this post. The EPF is a coalition of professional bodies and learned societies representing over 110,000 qualified professionals across a variety of different disciplines. SocEnv is secretariat of the EPF and has coordinated the development of this letter, as well as being one of 11 organisations signing up in support, alongside Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), CIWM, CIWEM (The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management), Institute of Chartered Foresters, IEMA, Institute Of Fisheries Management, IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining), Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), Institution of Royal Engineers and Landscape Institute. Find out more about the EPF here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eiQaD9jx #EnvironmentalPolicy #Government #Environment

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In our latest case study, we take a closer look at how we’re supporting the Carbon Neutral Islands (CNI) project – a Scottish Government programme aimed at supporting six identified islands to become carbon neutral by 2040. Adler and Allan were commissioned to conduct research into where blue carbon habitats may be. These are defined as areas where carbon may be captured and stored in marine and coastal ecosystems through natural processes over long timescales. Understanding the carbon storage of marine environments can help to inform marine policy and spatial planning, to prevent damage to these valuable habitats. Preserving and enhancing these habitats will encourage the sustainable use of marine spaces, protect vulnerable species, and help islands on the road to Net-Zero. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e2dJbaA7 #casestudy #carbonneutral #bluecarbon #ecosystems #preservation #habitats #nature #netzero

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Really useful summary of key climate and energy commitments in the U.K. budget from Carbon Brief

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The RSE recently responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on the circular economy and waste route map to 2030. The response emphasised: 🔹 The direction of travel in circular economy thinking is promising in Scotland; however, this route map lacks critical details of the timelines and resources needed to deliver confidence for sector stakeholders and risks delaying much-needed action. 🔹 There are dates included for some policies and some actions that are identified as mandatory, but much of this strategy appears to be about preparing for the future rather than acting in the present. 🔹 Circularising the bioeconomy has been forgotten, which is a significant omission given the substantial economic and environmental opportunities. 🔹 Cooperation at the UK level will be essential to delivering a circular economy, and the RSE proposes setting up a UK commission (much like the Climate Change Committee) for the circular economy to determine how the UK and devolved nations can work together to drive progress. 🔹 The need for a separate circular economy strategy is unclear, given that circularity should be embedded across all Scottish Government strategies and departments. The route map tackles too much at once, lacking clear connections to relevant policies and a path to measurable action.

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Now open - the new Green Impact Fund (GIF) for organisations located and operating in the Devon and Torbay areas (yes including Mid Devon!) aims to support decarbonisation measures, reduce energy use and lower the carbon footprint for local business and community organisations. Details > https://lnkd.in/eZjVF9D6 Capital grants £5,000 up to £49,999 available! The GIF will fund up to 80% of eligible costs (for revenue-generating organisations) and up to 100% of eligible costs (for non-profit organisations). The deadline for a full application is 29 November 2024. Awarded grants must be spent by 31 March 2025. The programme is a £1.8 million scheme funded by the UK government as part of the Devon and Torbay Devolution Deal, and is managed by Devon County Council. Who can apply? = private businesses; public organisations; voluntary organisations or agencies; charities; community groups; social enterprises; community interest companies! #SustainableMidDevon #decarbonisation #businessgrants #funding Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

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Looking forward to the outcome of this review and hoping for positive outcomes. Particularly on the focus on: - Nature friendly farming (and getting it right) - Maximise contribution from protected wildlife sites - Speed up action in marine environments - How do we reconcile competing demands for use of land and seas and encouraging/enabling green financing/investment to enable conservation/biodiversity/carbon gains.

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Environmental Priorities for the next UK Government As the nation gears up for the upcoming general election, the Environmental Policy Forum (EPF) has unveiled its report titled ‘Environmental Priorities for the Next UK Government’. To read the full article, follow the link below. #ACDEnvironmental #EPF #UKGOV

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Looking forward to joining #BlakeMorgan in Southampton for a session on circular and low carbon estates. If you want to engage on this more, why not join us? Along with colleagues, Joanna Rees (legal perspective) and Mark Richardson (decarbonisation and energy productivity) we will explore how recycled commodities can have real-world impacts on circular and low carbon design in the built environment. #circulareconomy #sustainableconstruction #lowcarbondesign #recycling #europeanmetalrecycling #emr #lifecycleassessment #circularity Its not to late to register: https://lnkd.in/e8ahzfuv

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Questions for a Sustainable Future // 1. What are the topics you'd like to explore with AberInnovation, me and colleagues at our Shaping a Sustainable Future Conference on 3rd December? 2. What help might you need to develop a strategy and business plan that's based on working with the laws of physics and biology rather than the convenient comfort of continuing to do the wrong things better, and call that enough? 3. What people skills will you and your teams need to respond fully to the wild scale of disruption coming our way as we head towards our planned and intended temperature increase of +3c? 4. What would you set out to do if you took the evidence around as real, and knew that when you responded, you couldn't fail? Climate LinkUP Mark Jones Alan Horton Rhian Hayward MBE Iain Donnison

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We had a fantastic evening in Edinburgh celebrating NatureScot’s Digital Category win at the Scottish Planning Innovation Awards yesterday alongside colleagues and fellow innovation partners.   From its origins in the GovTech and the CivTech Scotland Accelerator, to a successful local pilot and its future national rollout, this project has been a beacon of exceptional collaboration. It exemplifies how diversity of thought and smart procurement can address complex challenges, benefiting customers and allowing NatureScot’s expert staff to focus on critical issues like biodiversity restoration and climate change mitigation.   During the event, we heard from Seth Finegan, UK CEO of Informed Solutions, and Francesca Osowska, CEO of NatureScot. They spoke about the importance of innovation partnerships and the transformative impact technology can have on organisations who are attempting to tackle complex challenges such as biodiversity restoration and climate change mitigation.   The award is a landmark moment for InformedDECISION™ - a pioneering AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP) platform that enables organisations to make better, faster, more informed decisions.   This secure, scalable, and ethical application of AI is helping NatureScot leverage digital technology for environmental sustainability, ensuring better management of land resources for people and the planet.   In bringing together environmental management and biodiversity experts with data science, AI, and cloud specialists, the platform has reduced evaluation time for Sites of Special Scientific Interest Consents by a remarkable 75%, enabling NatureScot experts to focus on addressing biodiversity restoration and promotion priorities. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Historic Environment Scotland CivTech Scotland Scottish Forestry Stephen Patterson David Lawton Daniel Rex James Cruddas Annabel Sunnucks Darren Hemsley   #Innovation #AI #Sustainability #NatureScot #Biodiversity #ClimateChange #ScottishPlanningInnovationAwards #InformedSolutions #TechForGood

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Excellent, easily understood and balanced analysis from a dispassionate observer of what's happening in the UK water industry. Sheds light and dispels myths. Well worth a read whether in the industry, a stakeholder, or consumer. https://lnkd.in/eWrcC9Jq #infrastructureinvestment #infrastructurefinance #waterindustry

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Net Zero News is compiled by our team every 8-12 weeks to give a round-up of key climate news and updates. In this edition, we cover: 🗳️ Key environmental policy updates following the UK General Election. 🌱 Further environmental news from across the UK, including legal proceedings from the Wildlife and Countryside Link Group to ensure the new government will commit to halting the decline of wildlife in the UK by 2030. 🌎 Latest news from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), including continued controversy around their decision to accept ‘environmental attribute certificates’ as a way to abate Scope 3 emissions. ✅ Green claims code news, including an investigation into Worcester Bosch by the Competition and Markets Authority, and a ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority on Virgin’s ‘100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel’ flight. Read the full edition here: https://lnkd.in/eJvc88Gf

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Are you looking to work with the NHS or public sector bodies on a Framework Agreement? 🏥 Are you struggling to try and do you own data collection and emissions measurements? 🤔 Well Ecologi | B Corp™ can help you 💫 All submissions to public sector Framework Agreements now require a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) inline with the #PPN0621. To see an example report, and find out how we can support you in your submission - click below: https://lnkd.in/gVvq44NT #sustainability

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Interesting that ministers have announced a(nother) review of the #PartnershipFunding approach to taxpayer investment in flood & coastal erosion risk management in England. FWIW it was my team at Defra that introduced the policy in 2011. https://lnkd.in/ekdu9_YB The challenge now - as it was then - is that there's never enough money to go around, to pay for all the cost-beneficial flood and coastal defences, renewals and upgrades that are needed. What we had before 2011 was an 'all or nothing approach', where in theory any cost effective scheme could attract full funding, but in practice only the best schemes did. All others had to sit and wait, often for years and in many cases indefinitely. The independent Pitt Review into the widespread 2007 flooding criticised this 'all or nothing' approach, and suggested there should be a clearer link between flood defence beneficiaries and those that pay for them. This paved the way for Partnership Funding. So how do you fairly and equitably ration a limited resource (FCERM grant-in-aid) amongst competing priorities and communities? There's no perfect answer, but we went back to first economic principles to come up with a 'payment for outcomes' set of payment rates and calculator that: - Prioritised the most at risk communities, where the proposed investment would make the biggest difference in terms of reducing expected damages - With higher payment rates in deprived areas, where communities are least able to pay for defences themselves and most likely to be uninsured against flood damage - With extra funding to encourage projects to work with natural processes and achieve environmental outcomes - With all other benefits factored in too but with a lower weighting (businesses, agricultural land, etc where the rationale for taxpayer investment in defending these private assets is much less strong). Assuming government isn't going to massively step up levels of investment so there is no longer a shortage of cash (in fact the opposite was rumoured ahead of the Autumn Budget and the Spending Review next spring) then tweaking the formula only serves to rob investment from Peter to defend Paul. And it's likely to reduce the overall value for taxpayers' money of the flood investment programme, which the UK National Audit Office will no doubt look at closely. Will be interesting to see what Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Environment Agency comes up with! CIWEM (The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management) The National Flood Forum Julie Foley Sebastian Catovsky Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Jim Hall Climate Change Committee Flood Re

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