In early August, we secured a major improvement to the new Aldi in Bishops Cleeve.

Instead of just 80 kWp of solar, thanks to Green Councillor Matt Dimond-Brown, the store will now deliver at least 144 kWp of rooftop solar panels, plus air source heat pumps, EV chargers, and cycle parking & shelters – all locked in by a new planning condition with checks after completion to make sure it’s delivered.

This sets a powerful precedent for future developments in Tewkesbury: when Greens push, climate ambition rises.

Matt supported the application because it brings more choice for residents in Bishops Cleeve from a retailer making real efforts on energy efficiency, active travel, organics, Fairtrade, MSC fish and supporting British farmers.

💚 Real climate action, practical wins, better outcomes for people and planet.

The post 🌍 Green Win at Tewkesbury Borough Planning Committee! appeared first on Tewkesbury Green Party.

Plans for a “enormous” multi-storey car park at Cotswolds Designer Outlet have been rejected while plans for another parking area have been approved.

Full details and source Gloucestershire Live

The post Decision on ‘enormous’ multi-storey car park near M5 as council debates different Cotswolds Designer Outlet plans appeared first on Tewkesbury Green Party.

The post Greener Gloucestershire August Newsletter appeared first on Tewkesbury Green Party.

Full report from the House of Commons Library

Here’s a two-page summary of the key points from the “The UK’s Plans and Progress to Reach Net Zero by 2050” research briefing:

Page 1: Overview and Targets

The UK is committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as legally mandated by the Climate Change Act 2008. This target aims to limit global warming and mitigate climate change. The UK has set interim targets and carbon budgets to track progress towards this goal.

Key Targets and Governance:

• Net Zero by 2050: A legally binding target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 100% below 1990 levels.
• Carbon Budgets: Five-yearly caps on emissions, with the seventh carbon budget to be set by June 2026.
• Interim Targets: The UK committed to reducing economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030 and 81% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels.

Policy Developments:

• Net Zero Strategy (2021): Outlined policies to meet the 2050 target but was deemed inadequate by the High Court.
• Carbon Budget Delivery Plan (2023): A revised strategy to meet carbon budgets four to six, but also faced legal challenges.
• Clean Power by 2030 (2024): A Labour Government initiative to accelerate decarbonization of the energy sector.

Progress and Challenges:

• Overall Assessment: The Climate Change Committee (CCC) assesses that the UK’s net zero target is “within reach, provided the government stays the course.” However, there are significant risks, particularly in sectors beyond energy supply.
• Sectoral Progress: While there has been progress in low-carbon technologies and the electrification of transport, challenges remain in decarbonizing industry, agriculture, and land use.
• Legal Challenges: The UK Government has faced legal challenges regarding the adequacy of its climate plans, leading to the requirement for a revised Carbon Budget Delivery Plan by October 2025.

Page 2: Sectoral Progress and Recommendations

Sectoral Breakdown:

• Electricity Supply: Significant progress with an 82% reduction in emissions since 2008, primarily due to phasing out coal. The closure of the last coal power station in 2024 marked a milestone.
• Transport: Surface transport is the highest emitting sector, responsible for 30% of UK emissions in 2024. There has been a resurgence in electric vehicle sales and charge point deployment, but challenges remain in meeting the 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel cars.
• Heat and Buildings: Buildings accounted for 20% of UK emissions in 2022. Heat pump deployment has increased, but high costs and the need for a Warm Homes Plan to provide further ambition are noted.
• Industry: The industry sector contributed 13% of UK emissions in 2024. There has been improvement in plans for industry emissions, but significant risks remain, particularly in reducing the cost of electricity to enable a switch from fossil fuels to electric alternatives.
• Agriculture and Land Use: Agriculture contributed 12% of UK emissions in 2024. Progress in reducing emissions has been slow, with a lack of credible plans and significant risks in meeting targets.

CCC’s Priority Recommendations for 2025:

1. Make electricity cheaper by removing policy costs.
2. Scale up heat pump deployment and ensure the Warm Homes Plan is consistent with this ambition.
3. Implement regulations to prevent new homes from being connected to the gas grid.
4. Introduce a comprehensive program for decarbonizing public sector buildings.
5. Accelerate the electrification of industrial heat and link the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to the EU market.
6. Deliver a rapid expansion of the low-carbon electricity system.
7. Ramp up tree planting and peatland restoration.
8. Develop policy to address aviation emissions.
9. Finalize business models for engineered carbon dioxide removals.
10. Publish a strategy to support skills needed in green industries.

Conclusion:
The UK’s journey to net zero by 2050 is progressing, but significant challenges remain. The government’s plans have faced legal scrutiny, and there is a need for urgent action in several critical areas, particularly in making electricity cheaper and accelerating decarbonization across all sectors. The CCC’s recommendations provide a roadmap for the UK to stay on track to meet its net zero ambitions.

The post The UK’s Plans and Progress to Reach Net Zero by 2050 appeared first on Tewkesbury Green Party.

Plastic-free wet wipes are a more sustainable alternative to traditional wipes—ideal for those wanting to reduce plastic waste. Just remember: always dispose of them properly, even if they’re supposedly biodegradable. And if you’re feeling extra eco-savvy, options like reusable cloth wipes or gel wipes can reduce waste even further.

It appears that they are not in England as yet and timescale is still unknown.

BBC Report and Full Story

Plastic wet wipes will be banned in Wales to reduce environmental harm following a vote in the Senedd.

The post Plastic wet wipes to be banned in Wales from 2026 appeared first on Tewkesbury Green Party.

The post Mangroves can draw down 5 times more carbon per hectare than tropical rainforests! appeared first on Tewkesbury Green Party.

When Theresa May signed the UK’s 2050 net zero target into law in 2019, it passed through parliament with the support of all the major parties.

But the political consensus has since fragmented. The term “net zero” is often used by critics to attack environmental targets, which they claim are being put ahead of economic goals.

The Labour government is still committed to the 2050 goal.

But the Conservatives would scrap the 2050 date, though say they are still committed to net zero. Meanwhile Reform UK wants to abolish the push for net zero entirely.

These two parties say that current plans are too costly and unachievable.

They argue that, in isolation, the UK’s efforts make little difference to climate change and that UK emissions are much smaller than countries like China and the US.

By contrast, the Liberal Democrats and Green Party want faster climate action. The Lib Dems want net zero by 2045 while the Greens want it as soon as possible and “more than a decade” before 2050.

Both parties argue that as a relatively rich nation the UK has a responsibility to take the lead, pointing to the increasing severity of many weather extremes around the world.

And like Labour, they say it’s in the UK’s economic interest to wean itself off fossil fuels, which can be volatile in price.

The SNP has targeted net zero by 2045 for Scotland. Plaid Cymru wants to accelerate the transition to net zero in Wales, but has not committed to a specific date.

Full Article and Source BBC

The post Where do UK parties stand on net zero? appeared first on Tewkesbury Green Party.

Source and Full Report

The post 87 per cent of UK schools in toxic air zones, study finds appeared first on Tewkesbury Green Party.

The post What Greens Have Achieved in Tewkesbury appeared first on Tewkesbury Green Party.

The post UK plastic waste set to rise 20% by 2030 – worrying news appeared first on Tewkesbury Green Party.