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GREENHOUSE WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP

Greta Jonyniate | 25.11.11

The Commons debate attempting to block the government's controversial decision to slash incentives for solar installations was defeated last night, after a mooted rebellion from Lib Dem backbenchers failed to materialise. "The Government are forging ahead with a cut which is going to cost the Treasury a fortune, as well as devastate a thriving industry," said Howard Johns of the Cut Don't Kill campaign. Read Howard’s article, Just another day in the Commons – where we merrily destroy the PV sector with spin, on the Business Green website to hear the inside story.

Huhne unveiled details in parliament of the coalition's flagship energy and climate policy, the "green deal", under which 14m homes could be fitted with insulation and other energy-saving measures, in a move that the government hopes will create 65,000 new jobs and help millions of people out of fuel poverty. Housholders will be able to take out loans of up to £10,000 over a 25-year term, and in some circumstances will be able to borrow more. Read the full article HERE

The Duke of Edinburgh has unleashed a scathing attack on the UK's wind turbine industry, calling onshore wind farms a "useless". According to Infinergy's managing director Esbjorn Wilmar, Prince Philip said that onshore wind turbines are "absolutely useless, completely reliant on subsidies and an absolute disgrace". Britain has 3,421 turbines, of which more than 2,900 are onshore. Thousands more will need to be built if the Government is to meet its target of generating 15 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020. Read the full article HERE

Ethical bank Triodos is to expand in Scotland, opening its first high street office in the UK in Edinburgh. Dr. Bevis Watts, head of business banking for Triodos in the UK, said: "Naturally everybody wants to feel the benefit of their savings working for them but I think the financial crisis has really heightened what people's money is doing. Read the full article HERE

And finally, last Friday in Trafalgar Square Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London and the campaigner Tristram Stuart spoke to the public to raise awareness of the cost of throwing good food away. An estimated 30% of fruit and veg are rejected by supermarkets for not meeting cosmetic standards. Read the full article on The Times website.

The most clicky story of the week:

Waste food feeds 5,000 for lunch at Trafalgar Square
Wonky carrots, misshapen potatoes and tonnes of food rejected by supermarkets have been used to give 5,000 people a free curry lunch in Trafalgar Square.
(BBC News)

Some other links we loved this week:

Gates pushes for green investment
Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and one of the richest men in the world, has called upon the US government to triple its research spending on clean-energy
(The Independent)

Retail and food industry improving palm oil sourcing, says WWF
WWF praises companies such as Cadbury and Unilever for using sustainable palm oil, but says situation is still bad
(The Guardian)

The raw milk revolution
Why a growing army of foodies is drinking unpasteurised, unhomogenised milk
(The Guardian)

Five green options for your rooftop
How to find an eco friendly solution for your home
(Ecofriend)

5 tips to make your children’s birthday party eco-friendly
Eco friendly party
(Greenfudge)