Surprise changes to the Finance Bill in its third reading have withdrawn tax benefits for investors in community renewable energy projects, writes Georgina Matthews. While some societies are rushing to complete their fund-raising by the end of the month, others have been forced to close. If these measures are not withdrawn, a small but flourishing sector will be at risk.
… George Osborne must back down on community energy tax Georgina Matthews | 11th … 2015 Comment Energy Renewables Society Community Finance Green Economy UK … have withdrawn tax benefits for investors in community renewable energy projects, writes …
Pristine beaches, clear Caribbean waters, coral reefs, fertile land ... such is the homeland of the Garifuna people, writes Jeff Abbott. It's so lovely that outsiders are desperate to seize ever more of their territory to develop for mass tourism, oil palm plantations, illicit drug production ... and the land grabs have the full support of Honduras military government, backed to the hilt by Uncle Sam.
… multinational corporations to invest in more community-damaging mega-development projects … said Angel Castro, a resident of the Garifuna community of Vallecito. "They are not here to … the same situation" , said Selvyn, from the community of Porto Cortez. "We are all being …
The palm oil industry's repeated failure to keep its promises illustrates why global initiatives to achieve 'sustainable palm oil' must place communities centre-stage, writes FPP. Standard-setters like the RSPO must demand action, enforcement and accountability - not just lofty commitments that inspire hope, but rarely deliver.
… Indigenous Peoples vb2_img_6748-cut.jpg Local community forest land cleared and planted by … agreement procedure, the company is acquiring community land (potentially permanently) in … and some zinc roofing. Reports are that local community members have been threatened with …
Mourning the loss of your beloved local shop? With a little help from the Community Shops Network, you can set up and run your own shop and post office...
… Saving and rebuilding community shops Eifion Rees | 1st June 2010 … How To Make A Difference Plunkett Foundation Community Shops Network CORE Programme Community Retailing Network Post Office …
What can western countries learn from their less industrialised counterparts about returning woodlands and forests to productive, profitable, local control?
… 29th June 2010 News Society Woodlands Forests Community Natural World sunthroughtrees.jpg … national interests,' says Tom Blomley, a community forestry expert in East Africa. … A tale of two systems Tanzania set up two community systems. The first allows villagers …
A practical guide to help would-be community developers turn renewable energy projects into climate change-busting reality
… Five steps to developing a community-based energy project Mary Walsh | … Generation Hydroelectric Carbon Trust NESTA communityhands.jpg A practical guide to help would-be community developers turn renewable energy …
An 500-strong Indigenous community in Alberta, the heart of Canada's environmentally catastrophic tar sands industry, is fighting back against the pollution, writes Melina Laboucan-Massimo - by cutting themselves adrift from dependence on fossil fuels, and starting up their own solar power station: a vital first step towards building a just and sustainable society.
… An 500-strong Indigenous community in Alberta, the heart of Canada's … They are turning their gaze to the sun. In a community of five hundred people in northern … energy back in to the grid. The Indigenous community of the Lubicon Cree used to be …
Kate Hathway from the local communities charity Urban Forum says we should look to Europe for tips on successful community renewable energy projects
… Hathway | 13th August 2010 Comment Renewable Community Energy Climate Change freiburg.jpg … in Germany, people are forging ahead with community-owned renewable energy projects Kate … should look to Europe for tips on successful community renewable energy projects Standing …
For over two years the small community of San José del Golfo has maintained a 24-hour barricade against the US-owned mine El Tambor that threatens to destroy their land and water. The non-violent resistance, led by women, is transforming the traditional 'macho' culture, and attracting support across Guatemala, and beyond.
… abbott-cut.jpg For over two years the small community of San José del Golfo has maintained … those permits are for projects in the small community of San José del Golfo, which sits … car between San José del Golfo and another community nearby when she observed the mining …
A new paradigm of forest conservation is gaining ground, writes Isaac Rojas: 'financialising' them and the climate and ecological services they provide to global investors. But this is a false solution - and one that excludes the local and indigenous forest communities who can truly be relied upon to sustain their sylvan heritage.
… out in a second FOEI report released today, Community Forest Management (CFM) is a way to … absolute protection regimes. Video: The small community of Malaris in South Kalimantan, … Credit: FoEI and WALHI, FoE Indonesia. Community Forest Management is a win-win …
A pioneering community-based hydroelectric energy project in the Brecon Beacons is a blueprint for how green energy can provide more than just low-carbon power...
… Hydro Talybont Energy tgv1.jpg A pioneering community-based hydroelectric energy project … park that led Ellis and Ham to help set up a Community Interest Company (a legal structure … Valleys is helping communities to develop community-owned micro hydro schemes by …
The surprise removal of tax benefits for investors in community renewable energy schemes - effective from Monday - is unlawful and must be reversed, states a legal letter to the Treasury. But meanwhile, investments in the sector have hit record levels, with two days still to go.
… Osborne's community renewables tax 'unlawful' The … Energy Finance Renewables Law Politics UK Community westmill-cut.jpg The surprise … removal of tax benefits for investors in community renewable energy schemes - effective …
Marine conservation is usually expressed in austere and negative terms, writes Alasdair Harris, with strict quotas and exclusion zones. But the truth is the exact opposite: it's about working with natural ecosystems to unlock their productive potential, creating sustainable wealth and abundance for fishing communities while enhancing marine biodiversity.
… area for 7 months. When it was reopened the community saw huge increase in not only their … local people to establish the world's first community-based sea cucumber farms. Sea … and rapid population growth - in the coastal community of Velondriake in southwest …
Landfill sites, giant hog farms, incinerators and other 'bad neighbor' industries in the US tend to be situated in African American communities, writes Heather Kathryn Ross. The Environmental Protection Agency is legally obliged to prevent 'environmental racism', but from California to Michigan, low-income communities of color have been waiting years for it to take a stand. Now, backed by Earthjustice, they are forcing the issue - in the courts.
… who have died or moved away, further eroding community wealth and security. A decade ago, … or an incinerator - in a middle class white community without health protections." Of hogs … facility rivals all the rest for a truly vile community experience: controlled animal …
Another week, another renewable energy cut. This time George Osborne is swinging the axe at tax breaks for community renewable energy schemes, writes Aisha Gani - even though previous cuts have already made 90% of projects unviable.
… Government cuts tax relief for community green energy Aisha Gani the Guardian … Osborne is swinging the axe at tax breaks for community renewable energy schemes, writes … The government plans to cut tax reliefs for community energy schemes to build new …
NESTA's Big Green Challenge inspired community groups to come up with innovative ways to reduce carbon emissions. Along the way, it has proved that change really can come from a grassroots level
… NESTA's Big Green Challenge inspired community groups to come up with innovative … could be practically adopted by other community groups across the country. The … October 2009 to reduce CO2 emissions in their community. Between them, they proved the …
How one Colombian community put wind turbines where they shouldn't have turned, water pumps where they shouldn't have worked, and planted a forest in soils thought long dead
While the fossil fuel industry and Republican states and senators step up legal and political challenges to Obama's Clean Power Plan, protests have also been flooding in to the EPA's ten regional offices from climate activists - demanding that it cut out dirty biofuels and 'carbon trading' loopholes, and protect vulnerable communities from fossil fuel pollution.
… 2015 Activism Climate Change Fossil Fuels Community USA COP21 Regulation chicago-cut.jpg … CPP: "The Flint government let their community down by not protecting our most … trading schemes; early investments; including community infrastructure like nonprofits and …
This year's Community Energy Fortnight is taking place at a strange time, writes Jonathon Porritt, with the entire renewable energy industry under government attack as never before. What can we do about it? For a start, by joining in some of the hundreds of events that are taking place across the UK!
… Community Energy Fortnight - to participate is … 2015 Ethical Living Energy Commons Renewables community-energy-cut.jpg This year's Community Energy Fortnight is taking place at …
Ecuador's president, Rafael Correa, has personally attacked eco-defender Carlos Zorrilla in TV broadcasts for resisting a vast new copper mine in a precious area of pristine cloud forest, and opposing the advance of oil exploration into the Amazon. Fearful for his life, Zorilla is now seeking international support for his, and his community's, battle for land, water and the natural world.
… from Ecuador - where defending nature and community is a crime Carlos Zorrilla | 25th … the copper mine attack members of the Intag community. Photo: Elisabeth Weydt via … international support for his, and his community's, battle for land, water and the …
A hypermarket victory in Hackney demonstrates how local groups can help protect community shops...
… Life without supermarkets: community action is the best way to beat them … Food And Farming Society Green Shopping Community Shops Food Co-ops Farmers' Market … Groups Vegetarian Vegan Food Grow Garden Community Action garden.jpg A hypermarket …
The story of how a group of dissatisfied residents pulled together, got funding, and created a blooming community garden where the work, and the rewards, are shared
… Reclaiming a derelict site to create a community garden Matilda Lee | 23rd March 2010 Activism Food And Farming Green Living Community Gardening Stratford Newham What Will … together, got funding, and created a blooming community garden where the work, and the …
Concerned about the state of your food? Here are some ways to tackle the problem at root - from community gardens to animal welfare
… Food Miles Gm Pesticides Food Procurement Community Orchards Capital Growth … ways to tackle the problem at root - from community gardens to animal welfare Animal … with the director of Food Inc. Local and community food growing Capital Growth aims to …
Australia's aboriginal communities inhabit remote Outback regions of enormous importance for wildlife conservation, write Craig Moritz, Emilie-Jane Ens & Jon Altman - and they, and the land management services they provide, are essential to maintain both biodiversity and ancient indigenous knowledge. So why is Prime Minister Tony Abbott putting all that at risk?
… the Yugul Mangi Rangers, based in the remote community of Ngukurr, Southeast Arnhem Land, … and continue to grow with both Aboriginal community, government, private sector and … education or else ensure attendance in remote community schools. Tony Abbott has asked the …