The Guardian – Page 3

Will the government push for economic growth at the expense of environmental protection?

On January 31, 2012March 13, 2012 By admin

I have been quoted in Damian Carrington‘s most recent Environment Blog for The Guardian, Environmental protection rules may be headed for government shredder. The blog covers Oliver Letwin’s proposition to replace all of the current environmental guidance including that on pollution, waste, and wildlife, with one 50-page document. To see […]

Chris Huhne is right – green ‘red tape’ can be good for business

On June 21, 2011March 13, 2012 By admin

Published in The Guardian, on 21st June 2011. The minister is rightly frustrated at an attack on regulation by the Tory right based on flawed notions of freedom and growth There is a great deal of debate these days about the real David Cameron. Is he a genuine moderniser with […]

Without a true green investment bank there can be no environmental progress

On October 7, 2010March 13, 2012 By admin

Published in The Guardian on 7th October 2010. If David Cameron is to deliver his promise of a low-carbon economy, he must demonstrate the political will. David Cameron promised this to be the greenest government ever. Brave words. But it is not yet clear they will be matched by brave […]

Green investment bank may be announced in the budget, but what would it deliver?

On March 23, 2010March 13, 2012 By admin

Published in The Guardian, on 23rd March 2010. A green investment bank or fund is expected to be unveiled in Alastair Darling’s budget tomorrow. But there is little clarity on how it would operate, or what it would invest in. The idea has been studied by a range of financial […]

Overthrow of New King Coal

On January 16, 2008March 27, 2012 By admin

Published in The Guardian, on 16th January 2008. The energy analyst: It may have been a tough decision to take, but the government has got it badly wrong The government’s case for reviving a moribund nuclear industry turns significantly on nuclear’s role in avoiding dangerous climate change – the most […]

The facts are not with him

On May 18, 2006March 13, 2012 By admin

Published in The Guardian, on 18th May 2006. The prime minister has a taste for pre-emptive strikes and dodgy dossiers. He pre-empted his own white paper on energy policy with the energy review. He has now pre-empted the review by declaring that Britain needs new nuclear power stations. In so […]

The power and the unglory

On November 30, 2005March 13, 2012 By admin

Published in The Guardian, on 30th November 2005. First, a panic is whipped up. Then there are denials that a decision has been taken. The dodgy dossier comes next. Later, the long-made decision is announced. Then we discover there was no reason to panic. Then we find ourselves in a […]

Enigma code

On June 29, 2005March 13, 2012 By admin

Published in The Guardian, on 29th June 2005. Civil servants long ago discovered the infinite elasticity of the English language. It can be greatly stretched to cover the holes where policies should be, providing an essential service to their political masters whose failures of will would otherwise be all too […]

Plant Life

On May 18, 2005March 13, 2012 By admin

Published on The Guardian, 18th May 2005. New nuclear power stations are inevitable. That is the message from a barrage of headlines in recent weeks. “Secret” plans to announce the building of 10 new nuclear power stations after the election played nicely into the running story of a prime minister […]

Nuclear delusion

On March 2, 2005March 13, 2012 By admin

Published in The Guardian, on 2nd March 2005. The nuclear industry has grasped at climate change like a drowning man clutching a passing log. Its latest piece of flailing around involved persuading some journalists that the prime minister is just waiting for the general election to be over to put out […]