global warming
The latest round of international climate change talks are now under way in Bonn. Speaking on opening day, Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, warned that not much time remains to negotiate a meaningful response to climate change before the next round
mobile phones
Oslo-based telecommunications firm Telenor has announced a new mobile phone buyback/recycling programme that will also support a Red Cross tree-planting effort in Asia. With a goal of collecting 70,000 mobile phones, Telenor hopes to enable the planting of nearly 1.8 million trees — 25 for each phone — in
agriculture
Researchers at the universities of Leicester and Oxford have identified the gene that controls plant growth as temperatures increase — a discovery with potential benefits for agriculture in the face of ongoing climate change. “Exposure of plants to high temperature results in the rapid elongation of stems and a dramatic upwards
The Prince of Wales’ sustainable food company is expanding its offerings with foods produced at Liz Hurley’s 400-acre Gloucestershire farm, Scotsman.com reports. Duchy Originals, Charles’ food business, will market seasonal poultry and other foods from Hurley’s organic farm, which also produces grains and rare-breed lamb, pork and
Manufacturing firms need to do better at managing resources efficiently, not only to save on costs but to prepare for an “increasingly regulated post-recession economy,” according to a new report from the manufacturers’ organisation EEF. Prepared in conjunction with Barclays Commercial Bank, the report — “Resource Efficiency: Business Benefits from Sustainable
Looking for a way to promote a sustainable future while earning the chance for an awesome prize and a bit of fame? Then why not submit a photo to Greenbang’s newest competition: a photo contest with the theme, “Business and the Earth”? How you interpret the theme is up
cleantech
Cleantech news as it happens — check back for regular updates: * Earth Hour saw record participation this year, with a record 4,000 cities in 88 countries turning off lights for one hour on 28 March to raise awareness about climate change; * HSBC plans to begin offering “green” insurance products across
Jurdy has difficulties with the obvious …
cleantech
Missed a few cleantech headlines over the past 24 hours? Here are a few news stories and developments you might have missed: * The Carbon Trust has awarded a Belfast firm more than £153,000 to help develop an innovative electricity-generating wave energy converter; * US scientists have unveiled a nanogenerator that
energy consumption
Nearly half of UK employees say they’re more likely to try and help their employers save money in light of the current economic crisis, according to new research from the Carbon Trust. Forty-six percent of employees surveyed said they’re increasingly willing to help their firms save money, while
energy consumption
Rather than use energy more efficiently than traditional industries, newer types of manufacturing processes — solar panel production, for example — are outrageously energy-inefficient, according to a new analysis from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Timothy Gutowski of MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering led the analysis, which examined the materials
energy efficiency
A firm based in Horden, County Durham, has slashed its energy bills after receiving some expert advice from the MAS North East’s Energy team. Actem UK’s efficiency improvements helped it cut its annual fuel bills from £65,000 to below £40,000, reports One North East. The firm
