Niamh James

OnePlanet technology now available to UK local government for direct purchase through G-Cloud

Whenever a government body buys a good or service it is using taxpayers money. So, it stands to reason that the procurement decision be transparent and deliver value for money. But having a system that delivers this transparency can be a barrier to smaller businesses. Therefore, the Crown Commercial Service have developed a Digital Marketplace...

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Niamh James

The value of sustainability in real estate development

By Maresce Stephanus and Niamh James OnePlanet has recently been listed on UKGBC’s solutions page supporting them on their mission to radically improve the sustainability of the built environment. The OnePlanet platform is being used on a number of real estate developments, delivering benefits such as:  Providing consistent and transparent management of compliance to reduce...

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Niamh James

Degrowth: redefining progress.

Should we start defining progress in terms of planetary health and social wellbeing, rather than economic growth? We explore this question drawing upon references from Less is More by Jason Hickel.  The term ‘economic growth’ is an all too familiar term when we hear politicians talk about progress or the solution to a nation’s problem....

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Niamh James

How beavers are transforming the UK environment for the better

The beaver is a keystone species which means it plays a critical role in maintaining the ecosystems it is a part of. Without them, the ecosystem would break down. Beavers are known as ‘ecosystem engineers’ because they are able to create and transform a habitat.  Beavers had been extinct in the UK for around 400...

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Niamh James

Five actions to adapt to heatwaves

Over the past week the UK experienced yet another heatwave with temperatures reaching 35oC. Official drought was also declared across large parts of England. Frequent extreme heat events across the world are inevitable as global average temperatures continue to rise due to greenhouse gas emissions.  Cities are more vulnerable to overheating because of the density...

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Niamh James

US Senate passes ‘boldest climate package in US history’ by just one vote

After over a year of negotiations, United States Senate Democrats passed a tax, climate and health bill formerly called The Inflation Reduction Act. The $739 billion bill seeks to raise corporate taxes whilst lowering healthcare costs and combatting climate change. Vice President Kamala Harris cast the deciding vote in favour of the bill which was...

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