Othersfield Sustainable Communications

Let's not greenhush growth - Othersfield Thoughts on the UK government's growth delivery plan and other recent clean energy measures, by sustainability PR specialist Tim Chapman.

Is the UK government greenhushing its flagship energy policy?

It’d be easy to miss the release of the latest Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan. It’s an ambitious but, I think, realistic plan to rewire and reenergise the national economy.

othersfield.com/comment/grow...

“This study demonstrates why we should reframe our understanding of green investment from costly environmental subsidy to a high-return national investment.” 👍

Postcard from the Camargue - Othersfield Photos and thoughts on preserving the Camargue's unique landscape, from sustainability PR specialist Tim Chapman.

Some thoughts and photos from a holiday in the Camargue.
It’s a unique landscape, with the highest point just a few metres above sea level.
That makes it extremely vulnerable to climate change. The flamingos will survive, but it could be bad news for people.
othersfield.com/photo/camarg...

As Tories vow to scrap ‘failed targets’, how do their climate claims stack up? We fact check Kemi Badenoch and her party after she promised to repeal Climate Change Act if they win power

A nice example of how to demolish lies about energy and emissions reduction - www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Get your teeth into Doughnut 3.0!

But while it's a brilliant tool for understanding the physical boundaries of a closed economic system, I do wish it had a better name - ideally something that wasn't also a colloquial insult.

87 hours over nine months might not seem that much, but this is a big deal -

Story-telling for case studies - Othersfield Advice on turning case studies into compelling stories, by sustainability-focused PR specialist Tim Chapman.

How do you create a compelling story from a corporate case study?
Here's some basic advice, distilled from many years' experience -
othersfield.com/comment/case...

Also worth noting that there's been a lot of detailed modelling of potential energy systems for the UK, and there's not many that don't have a big chunk of nuclear in their optimal mix.
Big nuclear does have huge upfront costs, but it does have a very long life and reliably steady outputs.

You might be able to retrofit every suitable home for that sum, but making a functional grid out of it would be the big challenge.
I suspect the politics and logistics would also be a lot more difficult than one would hope.

Countryside just outside Huddersfield, looking over a broken stone wall to a field of sheep, trees and Castle Hill beyond.

Happy Yorkshire Day to everyone working towards a green and prosperous future for the region.

We can help you take a plain-speaking no-nonsense approach to the most complex topics in low-carbon tech, energy and sustainability.

Here's the view from t'other side of the hill. Proper Yorkshire.

Some provocative framing, but the essential recommendations here are solid - bring in effective carbon pricing, and stop subsidising fossil fuels.

One interesting point about the new financing arrangement is the return of Centrica, who originally had a 20% stake in the HPC/Sizewell C venture. They pulled out in 2013 citing uncertainty about overall project costs and the construction schedule (with some justification).

Hate to say it, but that is somewhat unfair. The delay was mostly due to EDF not committing. The principle that the government wouldn't invest in new nuclear was set under Blair and Brown.

Possible review - Othersfield Book review of Possible by Chris Goodall - review written by low-carbon technology PR specialist Tim Chapman.

Chris Goodall's Possible is a nuts and bolts guide to the technologies that could help the world reach net zero emissions by 2050.
It could do more to bring the projects to life, but is still a valuable addition to any sustainability bookshelf.
Read our review -
othersfield.com/review/possi...

Annual climate stocktake shows weather records and extremes now the norm in UK Climate Record breaking and extreme weather has become increasingly commonplace in the UK as our climate has changed over the last few decades.

The Met Office State of the UK Climate Report for 2024 shows that record breaking and extreme weather has become increasingly commonplace in the UK as our climate has changed over the last few decades

Published today by @wiley.com in @rmets.org

Learn more 👇

The OBR report doesn't examine every aspect of mitigation vs adaptation, but the basic message is the same as the Stern Report from almost two decades ago - investing to reduce emissions is much much much much much less expensive than not doing so.

Sizewell nuclear power stations seen in the hazy distance over a long line of concrete blocks.

Good news for nuclear power in the UK, as EDF confirms its intention to invest in Sizewell C - but it's still short of a final investment decision.
EDF will take a 12.5% stake in the c£30bn project, with other investors and financing details tbc later this summer.
www.gov.uk/government/n...

Optimism vs guff at ReGeneration Earth - Othersfield Report from the ReGeneration Earth 2025 conference in Leeds, by Yorkshire-based sustainable PR specialist Tim Chapman.

Thoughts from last week's excellent ReGeneration Earth conference in Leeds, including:
- big-picture broadsides from key speakers.
- where AI can actually deliver value.
- practical measures for local action.
- why optimistic storytelling beats guff.
othersfield.com/comment/rege...

Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan The UK's plan to create investment, growth, and good jobs in clean energy industries, as part of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

And a bit more detail in the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan
-
www.gov.uk/government/p...

Not much that’s groundbreaking, but a lot of fairly sensible steps.
The measures on electricity costs should be a stopgap, pending a revamp of price-setting mechanisms.
The challenge now is to ensure that this Industrial Strategy has a longer life than previous versions!

Advanced manufacturing is also one of the IS-8 priority sectors, with batteries and advanced materials among the target markets, and strategic support for the steel sector and critical materials.
Also the usual mix of R&D funding, skills investment, and support for automation.

A few highlights for manufacturers:
A new £1 billion Clean Energy Supply Chain Fund, to be run under Great British Energy, with £300 million to support domestic capabilities for offshore wind.
A further round of the Heat Pump Investment Accelerator to grow manufacturing capacity.

The definition of “Clean Energy Industries” includes something to please/annoy almost everyone:
• Wind (onshore, offshore and floating offshore)
• Fusion energy
• Nuclear fission
• Hydrogen
• Carbon capture usage and storage, including greenhouse gas removals
• Heat pumps

Nowt on energy storage!

Proposals to reform the grid connection system for new generation and demand projects - much needed!

New routes to market for low-carbon electricity generators through Corporate Power Purchase Agreements, which should also stabilise prices for business consumers.

Alongside the headline reduction in electricity costs for energy-intensive industries, there’s a promise of continuing support for energy efficiency, decarbonisation and innovation, with a review of support mechanisms by the end of the year.

Industrial Strategy Strategy document setting out a new economic approach to backing the UK’s strengths, with ambitious plans for 8 high-growth sectors.

First thoughts on the new Industrial Strategy, which correctly identifies the transition to net zero as “the economic opportunity of the century”.
The "IS-8" of priority sectors includes clean energy, with the aim of doubling business investment to over £30 billion.
www.gov.uk/government/p...

Climate of Truth review - Othersfield Book review of A Climate of Truth by Mike Berners-Lee - review by sustainability PR specialist Tim Chapman.

Our review of A Climate of Truth - othersfield.com/review/clima...

Mike Berners-Lee squeezes a graph

Regeneration Earth closes with another broadside against lies, bullshit and guff, with @mikebernerslee.bsky.social summarising A Climate of Truth.
It’s been a really interesting two days - full summary thoughts to come in the next few days.

Punchy talk from Lord Deben at ReGeneration Earth in Leeds. He’s just accused Kemi Badenoch of “talking guff”.

Long road to new nuclear - Othersfield Comment on UK government investment in new nuclear power including Rolls-Royce SMR, Sizewell C and fusion.

Government investment in new nuclear power is welcome, and very overdue.
Decarbonising the UK’s power supply would be a lot harder and more expensive without a significant share for nuclear, but there are a few outstanding issues.
Here's our thoughts -
othersfield.com/comment/new-...