Environmental Economics - News Update

There is so much happening in the environmental economics news space at the moment. Here are some links to and reflections on a range of topical news stories ranging from New Zealand banning plastic bags for fresh produce to new evidence on lower carbon emissions from trains.

New Zealand bans plastic bags for fresh produce in supermarkets

Another move towards reducing plastic waste, with New Zealand banning the use of plastic bags for fresh produce in supermarkets. As ever, this seems to be a good thing but is it good economics?

What are people going to use instead? What might happen to the quantity of food waste? Is there going to be an alternative provided, and, if so, what are its environmental credentials? Lots to ponder.

Please read: New Zealand bans plastic bags for fresh produce in supermarkets

Energy boss says prices might rise this winter

A story to keep an eye on going forward: the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, has warned that energy prices could spike again this winter because of conditions in the energy market, with high levels of competition for scarce resources driving energy prices up again.

Please read: Energy boss says prices might rise this winter

UK airports say they can reach net zero and still expand. Is it just pie in the sky?

Economics is all about trade-offs such as this: can UK airports expand and still reach net zero or is there a limit to which this can happen?

Gatwick is looking for a second runway; other regional airports are looking to increase in size. So how is the compatible with environmental targets.

Please read: UK airports say they can reach net zero and still expand. Is it just pie in the sky?

Sunak U-turn on wind farms in England draws wrath of green Tories

Having previously signalled willingness to relax planning restrictions and permit the building of more onshore windfarms, and seemingly backtrack on previous commitments.

The uptake of renewable energy is key to the UK meeting its climate change targets, and anything that compromises this is going to be controversial.

Please read: Sunak U-turn on wind farms in England draws wrath of green Tories

Carbon emissions from UK rail travel lower than previously thought

And in other good news, it seems that rail travel is less carbon-intensive than previously thought .From a Theory of Knowledge perspective, it once again highlights the importance of the accurate measurement of carbon emission informing policy decisions.

Please read: Carbon emissions from UK rail travel lower than previously thought