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There are 10 item(s) tagged with the keyword "renewables".
- Displaying: 1 - 10 of 10
- 1. The biodiversity bonus… on your own doorstep
David Attenborough’s brilliant book ‘A life on our planet’ is a striking ‘witness statement’ as he describes it, to the impact of climate change on the world, but what it also provides, is some answers. Many of which we could action at a local council level. The rewilding of land to reinstate the natural order of nature, between predatory species and food-chains, the necessity of diverse plant species and tree preservation, in mitigating soil erosion and supporting carbon capture. These steps are not just about the Amazon rainforests, as essential as they are, but how we manage and value our local public realm and urban green space.
Whilst many councils have declared a climate emergency a great many have also declared a climate and ecological emergency; reflecting that responses should not just be about EV charging points or solar panels, but about the preservation, and in many cases reinstatement of land.
- 2. Councils can lead green deal
My recent article from Public Finance
The government has gone cool on green issues. Whitehall must do more to support council initiatives
The CBI, environmental campaigners and trade associations were united in criticising Chancellor George Osborne’s lack of support for green initiatives in his latest Budget.
The Association for Public Service Excellence has been one of the organisations arguing that investment in environmentally friendly infrastructure and technology will stimulate economic growth as well as curbing climate change.
- By Paul O'Brien
- 3. The business case for going green
Copy of an article Neil McInroy from CLES and myself recently did for Public Finance magazine.
Councils should be leading the way with renewable energy schemes. They can reap important economic and social rewards as well as environmental benefits
A report published this week by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) suggests there is still a business case for local government-led renewable energy schemes.
- By Paul O'Brien
- 4. Green light for better asset management
APSE’s first strategic forum of the New Year took place last night on the theme of energy efficiency in asset management. Guest speaker was David Kilduff, Head of the Commercial Group at Walker Morris Solicitors, who gave an overview of the issues facing local government in this area.
These events are used as an opportunity to develop policy and share knowledge.
- By Paul O'Brien
- 5. A pause before feeding on renewables recommences
Although many Armageddon prophecies have been written about the coalition Government’s proposed cut to Feed in Tariffs for solar PV and its impact on the wider renewables agenda, I have to say that I don’t quite buy this vision of the future.
- By Paul O'Brien
- 6. Plugged into the renewables grid
When APSE launched its research publication ‘The virtuous green circle: creating a revolving fund for local authority solar energy’, in Birmingham recently, I was impressed by the number of authorities present who were making progress with delivering projects in this area of renewable energy.
- By Paul O'Brien
- 7. Let it shine
Launch of APSE's new research publication 'the virtuous green circle: creating a revolving fund for local authority solar energy', at Birmingham City Football Club. The report demonstrates a business case as to how you can undertake renewables projects in local government on a self financing basis.
- By Paul O'Brien
- 8. How councils can use the green agenda to generate renewable energy and cash
Got this article published on the Guardian's website today on the back of the debate I took part in last week.
With latest ONS figures showing more than 132,000 jobs were lost from the public sector last year and councils grappling with unprecedented budget cuts, green issues are in danger of slipping down the priority list. But in my view, it would be an economic error for local authorities to take their eyes off the environmental ball now.
- By Paul O'Brien
- 9. Are cuts killing the Green Agenda in Local Government?
Took part in a Guardian online debate today on the impact that the cuts were having on the Green agenda in local government.
A point I made that sparked a bit of debate was about how you generate behavioural change amongst the public, the example I gave is pasted below:
- By Paul O'Brien
- 10. Delivering a low carbon future
Spent today at the Liberal Democrats annual conference in Liverpool and attended a fringe on how to deliver a low carbon future. The speakers were Doug Parr from Greenpeace, Barry Neville from Centrica and more importantly Chris Huhne the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.
- By Paul O'Brien
- Displaying: 1 - 10 of 10
Promoting excellence in public services
APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) is a not for profit unincorporated association working with over 300 councils throughout the UK. Promoting excellence in public services, APSE is the foremost specialist in local authority frontline services, hosting a network for frontline service providers in areas such as waste and refuse collection, parks and environmental services, cemeteries and crematorium, environmental health, leisure, school meals, cleaning, housing and building maintenance.
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