News round-up: biodiversity indicators, fish, green genius, African farming, resource scarcity, renewables…

New biodiversity indicators

The 2012 statistics on biodiversity indicators have been published, for both England and UK. The set of 24 indicators – including the status of priority species, habitats and ecosystems, expenditure on biodiversity, and the conservation volunteering – provides an insight into the health of our natural environment. More from Defra…

UK secures major step forward in EU fish negotiations

The UK Government has achieved a major step towards radical reform of the broken Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) today, as the EU Council has agreed a general approach which includes a commitment to ban the discarding of dead fish. More from Defra…

Ordnance Survey’s new head office wins Sustainable Achievement Award

Ordnance Survey’s head office Explorer House, is one of the most sustainable buildings of its kind in the country. The base for 1 000 staff of Great Britain’s national mapping agency won the Sustainable Achievement Award at The Office Agents Society (OAS) Development Awards at a ceremony in London. More from OS…

Deputy Prime Minister launches search for the next ‘Green Genius’

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has launched a new national competition worth £3 million to drive forward the UK’s green growth agenda. The Green Genius – or ‘Greenius’ – contest will look for solutions to questions of food, water and energy security, such as how to keep bills down for consumers and businesses, how to better manage our food and water resources, and ensure a secure supply of clean, green and reliable energy. More from BIS…

Food: Innovative technology to boost African farming

Britain will help millions of poor farmers across Africa to use innovative technology to boost food security through a scheme backed by world leaders, the World Bank and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The new joint initiative will help develop and introduce successful farming and agricultural technology to farmers who need it most.. More from DFID…

The search for European Green Capital 2015?

The European Commission has launched the search to find the city that will win the European Green Capital title in 2015. The European Green Capital Award recognises cities that are at the forefront of environmentally-friendly urban living and which can act as role-models to inspire other cities. The annual award is intended to spur European cities to become more attractive and healthy places – “fit for life”.More from European Commission…

Green growth: Business to help beat resource scarcity

The latest European Report on Development shows that demand for energy and water is expected to grow by 40% and food by 50% by the year 2030. Poorer countries will be hardest hit as populations continue grow and the consumption of resources increases as a key means of economic growth. The report – supported by DFID – highlights how businesses, aid agencies and governments must work together to deliver clean, renewable energy, new technology and protect natural resources in some of the poorest countries. More from DFID…

Written Ministerial Statement on the Renewable Heat Incentive

Climate Change Minister Greg Barker reports on the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), providing long term support for renewable heat technologies such as heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal panels.More from DECC…