Archive for the ‘Wales’ Category

Ban Ki-moon says countries must abandon ‘negotiating gamesmanship’ at Durban Summit in November

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has called on world leaders to re double efforts to reach a global emissions cutting deal at the forthcoming Durban climate summit. He warned that time is running out to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change.

Ban concluded his tour of the south Pacific with a speech at Sydney University today in which he said that the November talks must overcome the political deadlock over the future of the Kyoto Protocol which marred the previous climate summits at Copenhagen in 2009 and Cancun last year. Read the rest of this entry »

A 30 per cent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions north of the border outstrips English, Welsh and Northern Irish efforts

According to new statistics Scotland has slashed greenhouse gas emissions by almost a third since 1990 – surpassing all the other home nations

Figures published yesterday by the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory show that in 2009 Scotland had cut emissions by 30.5 per cent against 1990 levels, narrowly beating England, which delivered a 29.5 per cent cut in emissions, and also leading Wales and Northern Ireland, which cut emissions 23.3 per cent and 20.3 per cent, respectively. Read the rest of this entry »

Survey finds majority of UK homeowners would consider installing renewable energy generation

The government’s flagship energy efficiency Green Deal scheme which plans to get millions of UK households involved, is at risk of failing, after a new survey showed a lack of understanding about the scheme.

A YouGov survey of 2,022 adults carried out at the start of the month on behalf of utility and environmental consultancy Gemserv found that 61 per cent of homeowners would consider installing technology such as solar PV panels, hydro power or using biomass fuel to generate their own energy Read the rest of this entry »

Ministers and UN officials dismiss reports of poor preparation and departmental “turf wars”

After weeks of speculation amongst diplomats and green groups that preparations for Durban Climate Change Summit talks were not moving fast enough –and following accusations of a “turf war” between the two departments tasked with organising the crucial meeting – The UN and the South African government have both moved to alleviate concerns.

Speaking to reporters late last week, UN conference coordinator Salwa Dallalah told reporters in Durban that preparations for the COP 17 summit remained on schedule. “We are moving very well and we are on target,” she said. “We will finish our work soon.” Read the rest of this entry »

The Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) is planning to crack down on retailers handing out plastic carrier bags to customers, after new figures revealed that a voluntary commitment by supermarkets to cut the number of bags they distribute has stalled.

Figures released by the government-backed Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) today reveal a five per cent national increase in the number of single-use carrier bags handed out in supermarkets in 2010 compared to 2009/2010.

However there is a different picture in Northern Ireland and Wales – indicative national figures showed a decline in the number of bags handed out in these two countries which have legislated to cut carrier bag use. In contrast, bag use has risen in England and Scotland where no such legislation is in place. Read the rest of this entry »

The El Sueno Existe festival is a vibrant fusion of Welsh and Latin American music, dance, poetry, theatre and political discussion, held in Machynlleth, Powys in the beautiful Dyfi Valley. Keith Jackson festival chairman said ” the festival is a colourful mix of artists and dreamers who will converge in Machynlleth on 12, 13 14th August to celebrate the 4th El Sueno Existe festival.”

The festival takes inspiration from Victor Jara, the Chilean theatre director and singer-songwriter who has become an enduring symbol of the struggle for human rights and justice across Latin America. This year’s theme Yma o Hyd/Against all the Odds, signifies the resilience of social movements in Latin America and Wales in preserving their integrity and culture. Read the rest of this entry »

Wildlife and conservation experts from across the UK will gather on the weekend 23rd- 24th July to take part in a Wildlife Festival at the Centre for Alternative Technology. The vibrant and informative weekend is being held in order to educate and inform people about wildlife. Speakers and presentations include Gareth Morgan the ‘Mid Wales Badger man’ who spent 25 years visiting a badger’s sett and has been accepted as part of their group. Read the rest of this entry »

Eight new nuclear sites approved in final National Policy Statements

The Government in the United Kingdom this morning, in its final National Policy Statements (NPS), designed to boost investor confidence in the UK’s low-carbon economy, identified 8 locations around the country that they say are suitable for the construction of new nuclear power stations by 2025.

Ministers had announced plans for 8 new nuclear stations last October, but did not at that time pinpoint where. Today’s announcement moves the country closer to an energy future in which nuclear will continue to play a strong role.

The UK is relying on nuclear as well as offshore wind and other technologies to help hit future carbon emission reduction targets. Read the rest of this entry »