Blog by Jane Marsh – Equitable access to solar energy: community solar programs

Despite a significant decrease in market valuation, solar energy remains unattainable for many people. Installing rooftop solar panels has high initial costs, even with federal tax credits, state incentives and manufacturer rebates. Meanwhile, low-income households may not have suitable roofs for solar panel systems, especially if they rent. This leaves millions of U.S. households behind … Continue reading Blog by Jane Marsh – Equitable access to solar energy: community solar programs →

Blog by Jane Marsh – The future of energy cooperatives: challenges and innovations

Energy cooperatives are redefining how communities access and manage renewable energy, becoming vital players in the transition to a zero-carbon future. These cooperatives offer decentralized energy solutions, empower communities and promote sustainability. However, they face numerous challenges while embracing innovative solutions to remain relevant in the rapidly evolving energy landscape. Explore the obstacles energy cooperatives … Continue reading Blog by Jane Marsh – The future of energy cooperatives: challenges and innovations →

Blog by Jane Marsh – Battery Cities: the next step in sustainable urban development

Situated in the heart of lower Manhattan, Battery Park City (BPC) is a testament to the possibilities of a future brimming with vibrant, environmentally conscious communities. Could this transformative development inspire a global shift toward sustainable living and shape the urban spaces of tomorrow? The Makings of a Battery-Style City BPC is a shining example … Continue reading Blog by Jane Marsh – Battery Cities: the next step in sustainable urban development →

New IN-PLAN Practice to empower local and regional authorities to revolutionise their sustainable energy, climate, and spatial planning

The IN-PLAN project team this week has launched IN-PLAN Practice, an innovative and long-lasting support structure designed to assist local and regional authorities across Europe in effectively implementing their sustainable energy, climate, and spatial plans. Developed as part of a collaborative effort co-funded by the LIFE programme of the European Union, the IN-PLAN Practice aims … Continue reading New IN-PLAN Practice to empower local and regional authorities to revolutionise their sustainable energy, climate, and spatial planning →

Legislation makes it illegal in The Hague to advertise fossil fuel products and services with a high carbon footprint

Legislation passed this week spells the end of publicly and privately funded advertising for petrol and diesel, aviation and cruise ships in the streets of the Dutch city, including on billboards and bus shelters. It takes effect from the start of next year. Isabella Kaminski discusses the developments in an article on the Guardian website. … Continue reading Legislation makes it illegal in The Hague to advertise fossil fuel products and services with a high carbon footprint →

Is London ready to be a “sponge city”?

A sponge city, according to Wikipedia, is a new urban planning model in China that emphasizes flood management via strengthening green infrastructures instead of purely relying on drainage systems. Jacob Evans writes on the BBC News website whether London should become one. What are your views? What about other cities? Would yours be a candidate? … Continue reading Is London ready to be a “sponge city”? →

Paris embraces the ’15-minute city’ concept

Helena Horton writes on the Guardian website about the urbanist Carlos Moreno on how his concept is transforming French life and what is hindering change across the Channel in the UK. Why has the ‘15-minute city’ taken off in Paris but become a toxic idea in UK? The “15-minute city” has become a toxic … Continue reading Paris embraces the ’15-minute city’ concept →

One year out from the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic and Paralympic games, the clean-up of the Seine shows there is public interest in clean, swimmable waterways for our health, wellbeing and pleasure

Gary Osmond from The University of Queensland and Rebecca Olive from RMIT University write on The Conversation website discuss the plans to use the River Seine for Olympic swimming and how important this initiative is for our environmental wellbeing. Olympic swimming in the Seine highlights efforts to clean up city rivers worldwide One year … Continue reading One year out from the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic and Paralympic games, the clean-up of the Seine shows there is public interest in clean, swimmable waterways for our health, wellbeing and pleasure →

One local authority’s launch of a retrofit academy to create jobs address skill shortages

Martin Guttridge-Hewitt writes on the Environmental Journal website about the initiative of Essex County Council in England to develop a training pipeline in order to plug a skill shortage in the region. They were faced with 68% of the local homes with an EPC rating of D or below and they seriously needed an upgrading. … Continue reading One local authority’s launch of a retrofit academy to create jobs address skill shortages →

For Europe’s mayors it’s the Green Deal or bust, and it’s time everyone put their cards on the table

Burkhard Jung, president of Eurocities and mayor of Leipzig, Germany, in an article on the Politico website, explains the important role cities are playing in the implementation of the EU European Green Deal. Europe’s mayors are looking forward to a sustainable future, but, as Mr Jung explains, some governments seem ready to backtrack and there … Continue reading For Europe’s mayors it’s the Green Deal or bust, and it’s time everyone put their cards on the table →