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The Conservatives plan to develop the shale industry in Britain, but only if “rigorous” environmental protections are upheld. Image: Jay Allen

Conservative manifesto: Energy efficiency focus, oil and gas support and 'fracking revolution'

The Conservatives have pledged to maintain the UK’s climate change commitments through enhanced clean technology and energy efficiency funding, but the Party's manifesto also proposes continued support for the North Sea oil and gas industry and an additional focus on fracking.

The risks and rewards of brokers

As the non-domestic retail water market opens on April 1, brokers are anticipating a boom in business. edie sister title Utility Week has provided an in-depth guide to the utility broker market as it stands, and considers how it is likely to change after market opening.

Brexit negotiations, President-elect Donald Trump, air pollution laws and marine protection regulations are among the key developments to look out for this year

What will be the big environment events in 2017?

From air pollution to Trump and wildlife extinction, we look at the major environmental issues for the year ahead.

$It was the first application for fracking in the UK to be given council approval since a ban was lifted in 2012$

North Yorkshire fracking approved by High Court ruling

Fracking in North Yorkshire will go ahead after a legal challenge by green campaigners was dismissed by a High Court ruling, in the same week that President Obama permanently banned new oil and gas drilling in most US-owned waters in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans.

The tracker revealed a record high of 71% of people supporting onshore wind, up from the previous high of 70% in 2014

Public support for renewables rises as nuclear and fracking falls

Public backing for nuclear energy and fracking has fallen in recent months while support for clean energy continues to surge, according to the latest opinion tracker from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Javid deferred a decision on the second site, at Roseacre Wood, to give Cuadrilla more time to provide evidence on road traffic issues

Fracking in UK given go-ahead as Lancashire council rejection overturned

Communities secretary, Sajid Javid has overturned Lancashire county council's rejection of a fracking site, paving the way for shale company Cuadrilla to drill in the county next year and drawing outrage from local groups, environmentalists and politicians.

The Government’s plans to give households cash payments have been criticised by environmental groups as a bribe to diminish community hostility to the technology

New shale consultation deepens fracking controversy

Payments for communities near fracking wells will not be circulated until a new well site begins operating and producing gas, the Government has confirmed in a consultation published on the shale wealth fund.

$Anti-fracking campaigners may seek a judicial review if they do not get a satisfactory response from the council$

Campaigners threaten legal action over fracking decision

Campaigners have written to North Yorkshire County Council, threatening to take legal action over its decision to approve Third Energy's plans for fracking near the village of Kirby Misperton.

$Anti-fracking protesters gathered outside North Yorkshire County Council earlier today. Photo: Friends of the Earth UK$

Landmark North Yorkshire fracking approval leaves green groups up in arms

Shale development company Third Energy has been given the go-ahead by North Yorkshire County Council to hydraulically fracture an existing well near the village of Kirby Misperton - a decision labelled as "bitterly disappointing" and "an absolute travesty" by campaign groups and environmentalists.

Rudd warned that a potential Brexit would hit working people through higher energy costs and job losses

Brexit would cause 'electric shock' for energy costs, warns Amber Rudd

Energy Secretary Amber Rudd has today (24 March) warned that leaving the European Union would see energy costs 'rocket' by £500m as well as depleting investor confidence.

$The DECC survey introduced questions about fracking opposition for the first time$

DECC survey: The more people know about fracking, the less they support it

The more people know about fracking, the less they support it, new Government research has found.

It is ‘almost impossible’ for UK electricity demand to be met by 2025, engineers say

Engineers warn of looming UK energy gap

The UK is facing an unprecedented "energy gap" in a decade's time, according to engineers, with demand for electricity likely to outstrip supply by more than 40%, which could lead to black outs .

$MPs have voted to allow fracking for shale gas 1,200m below national parks and other protected sites$

MPs vote to approve fracking under national parks

MPs have voted by 298 to 261 to allow fracking to take place under national parks, despite the government previously pledging an outright ban on fracking in protected areas.

$The UK is moving backwards on renewables while accelerating on fracking, says Lord Chris Smith$

UK is going into reverse on clean energy, says former Environment Agency head

The UK is going into reverse on renewable energy while pressing the accelerator on fracking, according to former Environment Agency chairman Lord Chris Smith.

Interactive Map: The world's 14 biggest carbon emitters

As world leaders continue hammering out a new climate pact in Paris, see how the major national carbon reduction pledges compare with the current state of play among the globe's biggest polluters.

The coal announcement makes the UK the first major economy to set a clear date to phase out coal.

Rudd's 'reset' speech: 12 things you need to know...

Amber Rudd has delivered an historic speech today (18 November), laying out a new direction for UK energy policy - including a target end-date for coal generation, plans for more gas-fired power plants and potential subsidy auctions for offshore wind.

How to produce a sustainability report

This book is a step-by-step guide to the practices and processes in producing a sustainability/integrated report using the GRI framework.

$The report points out that 88% of the studies on air quality around fracking sites have shown increased levels of on-site air pollutants$

Report: EU fracking guidelines fail to protect environment & citizens

Non-binding EU guidelines on shale gas exploration are "weak" and fail to protect the environment and health of citizens, a new report has claimed today (8 October).

The poll revealed that 78% would support local projects within two miles of their home

UK poll reveals 'overwhelming' public support for community renewables

More than three quarters of UK households would support renewable energy projects such as wind turbines and solar farms if the profits generated benefitted the local community, a poll has found.

Protesters from Don't Frack Lancashire. Photo: Friends of the Earth

Government could push through fracking applications if councils delay

Fracking planing applications that are being held up by local councils could be fast-tracked by Government, following new measures announced today by Energy Secretary Amber Rudd and Communities Secretary Greg Clark.

In her column, Rudd claimed shale could create 60,000 new jobs in the UK and generate billions of pounds for the economy

Rudd warns councils to speed up fracking decisions

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd has announced the Government will be writing to local councils to urge them to speed up planning decisions on fracking.

Jeremy Corbyn's ambitious environmental strategy comes after a number of cuts to renewable energy

Labour frontrunner launches ambitious environmental manifesto

Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn has announced a far-reaching green vision for his environmental policy in an announcement today (7 August).

$Just 21% of 2,118 UK households supported fracking$

One fifth of Brits back fracking, Government survey reveals

Public support for fracking has dropped to an all-time low, as new Government figures show a clear link between education about fracking and opposition to the technology.

The appeal by Cuadrilla was widely expected after the rejection by Lancashire county council

Cuadrilla to appeal against fracking refusal by Lancashire county council

Lancashire county council faces an appeal by a leading UK shale gas company after refusing its applications to frack for shale gas in the county.

The Task Force calls for greater regulation but also for easing of planning regulations to allow onsite monitoring

'Rigorous regulation' needed to make fracking safe, says Task Force

The Task Force on Shale Gas has called on the Government to allow the drilling of boreholes without full planning consent, in a report released today (15 July).

Fracking could hurt house prices, health and environment, official report says

Fracking operations to extract shale gas in Britain could cause nearby house prices to fall by up to 7% and create a risk of environmental damage, according to a government report that has been published in full for the first time.

$Lancashire council has turned down the first of two applications for fracking by Cuadrilla$

First Cuadrilla fracking bid rejected by Lancashire council

Lancashire County Council has turned down Cuardrilla's planning application for fracking at Roseacre Wood.

Gas power plants produce around 500kg of emissions per MWh of electricity – compared to 750kg/MWh for coal power plants

Natural gas 'very risky' to clean up energy supply

Natural gas does should not be considered an 'easy bridge' between coal power and renewable energy, the New Climate Economy (NCE) has warned.

The Conservative manifesto claims the party has stayed true to it promise to be the 'greenest government ever'

Conservative manifesto: "We have been the greenest government ever"

Prime Minister David Cameron outlined the Conservative party's election pledges in a manifesto document which was immediately slammed by green groups as "anti-green growth" and "a recipe for higher energy bills".

$Fracking opponents argue that high-pressure fracturing of rocks to release gas risks health and environmental impacts and will undermine the country's climate change goals$

Doctors diagnose 'serious health risks' of fracking

Doctors and other health professionals have added their weight to the campaign for an immediate moratorium on fracking in the UK as a new report from health charity Medact warns that exploratory drilling for shale gas poses a serious risk to public health.

$Chris Smith chairs the taskforce on shale gas, an independent group funded by fracking companies to examine how shale gas exploration should be overseen in the UK$

Lord Smith 'hugely sceptical' of fracking for shale oil in the UK

The former chief of the Environment Agency is "hugely sceptical" on the prospects of fracking for shale oil in the UK, saying it is far from clear that the process should be used to extract quantities of oil from downlands in the south-east of England.

What sustainability professionals want from George Osbrone and what they get, could be two very different things

Budget 2015: 10 hopes for energy & environment

Elections are not won on environmental policy. That is the accepted wisdom. But sustainability professionals are, by their nature, an optimistic bunch, and have been vocal in laying out their demands for Wednesday's budget - the last of the current Parliament.

$Tim Yeo says people who think fracking is an environmental problem are mistaken$

Shale gas should be at centre of next government's energy policy - Tim Yeo

Shale gas exploration can be environmentally sound, and should be the centrepiece of the next government's energy policy, the Conservative's most senior green-leaning MP has urged.

South Downs National Park. Horizontal drilling for shale gas will now be allowed if the well pad is outside of the park

Fracking will be allowed under national parks, MPs decide

Fracking companies will be allowed to drill horizontally under national parks and other protected areas if the wells start just outside their boundaries, after the government rowed back on its earlier acceptance of new environmental protections.

Guardian data analysis has revealed that 39.7% of England would be affected by the new bans

Fracking set to be banned from 40% of England's shale areas

Fracking is set to be banned on two-fifths of the land in England being offered for shale gas exploration by the government, according to a Guardian analysis.

The announcement was welcomed by campaigners as

Scotland announces moratorium on fracking for shale gas

The Scottish government has announced a moratorium on all planning consents for unconventional oil and gas extraction, including fracking.

The focus of the debate will now switch to Cuadrilla and Lancashire County Council

Infrastructure Bill: What it means and what they said

The recent debate and vote on the Infrastructure Bill - the first such vote for MPs on fracking - had major ramifications for the environment and the UK energy mix.

$An anti-fracking protest outside parliament on Monday. The Tories were forced into a U-turn on fast-track fracking$

Fracking u-turn: Banned in national parks, moratorium rejected

Fracking for shale gas will NOT be fast-tracked in the UK after the Government accepted Labour proposals close a number of environmental loopholes in a spectacular last-minute u-turn.

$A 267,933-strong petition urging the Prime Minister to reconsider his 'all-out' support for fracking was handed in to Downing Street. Photo: Dalziel/Greenpeace$

Fracking fracas: Campaigners and MPs urge Cameron to reconsider

A mass anti-fracking petition has been delivered to Downing Street and a new survey revealing the widespread condemnation of the Government's 'all-out' support for shale has been released, ahead of the first Commons vote on fracking legislation.

Renewables create over six times as many jobs as gas per unit of power generated or saved, and around three times as many jobs per pound of investment

Fracking job claims hugely exaggerated, says Friends of the Earth

Renewable energy generates six times as many jobs as gas, says a new Friends of the Earth (FoE) report which rubbishes claims from shale-exploration firm Cuadrilla that each fracking wellpad will support 1,100 jobs.

The push to exploit shale gas in the UK has received strong backing from David Cameron and George Osborne

UK's shale gas revolution falls flat with just 11 new wells planned for 2015

The UK government's planned shale gas revolution has barely got out of the starting blocks with just 11 new exploratory wells for shale gas and oil due to be drilled this year even before the impact of plunging oil prices has fully begun to impact on the industry.

$The new funding seeks to curb the environmental impact of controversial fracking technology$

Government commits to 'greener' fracking with £2m fund

The Government has unveiled a new £2m fund for 19 companies across the UK to develop innovative ideas that improve the sustainability and safety of shale oil and gas.

$Labour proposed a ban on fracking near groundwater aquifers$

Labour's proposed fracking restrictions welcomed by green groups

Friends of the Earth have welcomed a new Labour proposal to ban fracking near vital underground water stores.

$Experts disagree about the potential impact of fracking on the water supply$

Report: Businesses 'surprisingly relaxed' about water impacts of fracking

Key stakeholders in the use and procurement of shale gas appear unconcerned about the potential impacts of fracking on water pollution and water resources, according to a new report from a sustainability consultancy firm.

Chancellor George Osborne concluded his Autumn Statement by proclaiming the UK is now

Autumn statement 2014: What it means for green business

"Britain is back on course," proclaimed George Osborne earlier today, but environmental announcements were in short supply as the Chancellor delivered his final Autumn Statement before the General Election.

Scientists turn sawdust into renewable fuel

Belgian researchers have developed a new process allowing them to turn sawdust into the building blocks for gasoline.

$Lord Chris Smith, former chair of the Environment Agency, is to lead a task force assessing the impacts of fracking in the UK$

Former Environment Agency head to lead industry-funded fracking task force

The risks and benefits of fracking for the UK are to be examined by a "independent" task force, led by the former head of the Environment Agency, Lord Chris Smith, and funded by shale gas companies.

Owen Paterson proposed four sweeping changes to Britain's energy policy

Owen Paterson: Current energy policy 'a slave to flawed climate action'

Former Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has delivered another controversial speech, this time arguing that the UK's current energy policy is not reducing emissions and providing the power the country needs.

The CDP Climate Performance Leadership Index 2014

This research has been created at the request of 767 investors who represent more than a third of the world’s invested capital.

A working circular economy could be a practical solution to the planet's emerging resource problems

UK energy policy 'vital' to circular economy success, report argues

A new report which warns that current energy policies are stifling the UK's transition to a circular economy has been welcomed by the renewables industry, with calls for the Government to do more to realise the green potential of waste.

The UK is 'leading, not following, on climate change.'

Conservative Party Conference: Cameron ignores climate change

Despite highlighting climate change as one of the 'biggest challenges of this generation' at the Climate Summit last week, Cameron made no mention of the issue in his final conference speech before next year's general election today, other than to announce that the UK is 'leading, not following, on climate change.'