A UK Government scheme, designed to help finance energy efficiency improvements in the home, has been assessed in a recent study. The researchers advise that better information for homeowners is needed to encourage uptake of the ‘Green Deal’ initiative, and point to Germany’s Passivhaus standard as an aspirational model for green retrofitting.

The ecological impacts of micro wind turbines (up to 50 kW) are treated in a diverse way by different local authorities in the UK during the planning approval process, research suggests. The study calls for ecologists, policymakers, planners and industry representatives to improve the integration of ecological information within planning, and for greater guidance for local authorities on the ecological considerations of micro-turbines.

Simple measures to upgrade buildings by improvements to insulation or heating systems could result in energy savings of up to 85% in Italian homes, according to recent research. Across Europe, such measures could potentially provide energy savings of more than 40% on average, say the researchers.

A recent survey of Dutch mobile phone owners has identified why some consumers buy refurbished mobile phones while others buy new ones. Some consumers perceived refurbished phones to be inferior, which was a major barrier to their purchase. The study’s authors make a number of recommendations to increase consumer uptake of refurbished mobile phones, including promoting the financial and environmental benefits and offering warranties.

Wind is an important renewable energy source for Europe. The wind power capacity installed in 2014 could produce enough electricity to meet over 10% of the EU’s electricity consumption. However, wind power structures can also be harmful to birds, which can collide with turbines. This study assessed methods of reducing avian collisions with wind turbines and makes several practical recommendations.

Wind energy will likely continue to play a leading role in reaching the EU’s renewable energy targets. However, in some areas wind turbines face social opposition based in large part on the visual impact of wind turbines in the landscape. A new study outlines a novel methodology to measure emotional response to wind turbine visuals, which may assist wind farm planners in gauging public acceptance.

A new tool has been developed to map the sensitivity of seabirds to offshore wind farm development. The Seabird Mapping and Sensitivity Tool (SeaMaST), currently for use in English waters, combines information on the sensitivity of seabird species to wind turbines with data on the birds’ distribution. It provides maps that can be used for both the offshore wind farm industry and marine spatial planning.

With the microblogging site emerging as a key platform for information dissemination, many central banks are active on Twitter, especially in these times of economic uncertainties amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The platform enables enterprises to reduce Video KYC completion drop-offs by 20% and reduce the cost of operations by up to 90%

The ecological impacts of micro wind turbines (up to 50 kW) are treated in a diverse way by different local authorities in the UK during the planning approval process, research suggests. The study calls for ecologists, policymakers, planners and industry representatives to improve the integration of ecological information within planning, and for greater guidance for local authorities on the ecological considerations of micro-turbines.

How do offshore wind farms affect marine wildlife? A new study outlines a systematic approach developed for Swedish waters that could also be useful for assessing wind energy impacts on the marine environment more widely.

Only about two or three small birds are killed by wind turbines each year for every 225-300 houses supplied with renewable energy, new research suggests. The study collated data from 116 US and Canadian studies on 156 species of passerines (small birds). The study suggests some species are affected more than others, but that wind turbines generally have only a minor impact on these small-bird populations.

The European ban on atrazine has effectively reduced concentrations of the herbicide in coastal waters, a new study has found. However, the researchers also warn that, in some areas, atrazine levels remain relatively high as some countries have not yet restricted use of the chemical.

This study assessed the effects of herbicides on non-target plants in Denmark and Canada. The findings showed that some plants are more sensitive to herbicides in the reproductive stages of their life cycle and can experience delays in flowering and reduced seed production. The authors say future ecological assessments should consider reproductive outcomes.

Herbicides in aquatic environments can have negative consequences on local plant life. This study investigated the effects of glyphosate, one of the most widely used herbicides in the world, on a marine plant species. The herbicide caused significant changes to the plant, reducing the number and chlorophyll content of leaves, and high concentrations were lethal. The authors say use of this chemical may be dangerous to plants in estuaries.

Pesticide-sparing approaches to farming do not have to compromise on crop yields, new research suggests. A study that explored the impact of reduced herbicide use across a variety of different farming contexts found that herbicide-efficient systems could be just as productive as conventional systems — and more so than organic systems — whilst having other important environmental benefits.

Pesticides used on agricultural land can leach into nearby surface water; this is called run-off and can harm aquatic ecosystems. This study evaluated the potential of ditches to reduce run-off, using Italy’s Po Valley as a case study. Grassy ditches were able to significantly reduce the concentration of herbicides, even during extreme flooding. The researchers therefore suggest that the promotion of vegetated ditches via agri-environment schemes would be beneficial for pesticide mitigation.

Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide, able to kill a broad range of plants ('weeds') that compete with crops. This study used a validated method to assess its presence in 10 German estuaries that lead to the Baltic Sea. All but one was contaminated with glyphosate, and all were contaminated with its metabolite AMPA. The researchers recommend risk assessments for these chemicals in the Baltic Sea and other marine environments.

New research suggests that feral oilseed rape poses little risk of contaminating crops, but if the oilseed is genetically modified (GM), it could be a minor source of GM traits in weeds. Throughout Europe, feral oilseed rape is now widespread on waysides and wasteland, making it potentially more problematic than some other crops, such as maize, which do not easily establish feral populations.

Driving up the long curved path up to The Grove always feels like a treat, and none more so than on last Friday evening when I was invited to try the hotel’s newly refurbished restaurant.

Less than five days after leaving Earth atop a blazing Long March launcher, China's Chang'e 3 spacecraft reached lunar orbit.

Gatherings of hermit crabs over a deceased crab may look like a funeral, but they have a much more selfish purpose.

A rural town creates its own luck when it decides to embrace wind energy.

Turbines in Denmark and Sweden throw off blades — a rare event, but one to consider as alternative energy use grows across globe.

It's ok to take a longer hot shower when your electricity is coming from the family wind turbine.

Select Ace Hardware stores will begin selling the new Honeywell WT6500 home wind turbine next month.

Video: President visits a wind turbine blade manufacturing plant in Iowa and discusses how the administration's clean energy investments are creating jobs and i

I knew wind turbine blades were long, but who knew they could be THIS long!?

About wind turbines. Efficiency, safety and neighbors are key issues for wind power siting.

Strong winds make for a great place to operate a wind turbine but a lousy location to put one up.

Anyone can jump off a building or a cliff. It takes a real green adrenaline junkie to hurl himself off a wind turbine.

Select Home Depot stores across 6 states are now selling the Skystream 3.7, a personal wind turbine that's quiet, compact and capable of producing up to 400 kWh

Wind energy may be clean energy, but could it end up destroying everything we know? The Onion investigates.

Researchers have developed an interactive tool that uses bat calls and local environmental conditions to help wind farms reduce bat fatalities while still runni

Alec Baldwin champions both renewable energy and the preservation of East Hampton, N.Y., with equal passion. So how will things play out now that the actor has

Comedian describes the litany of health issues claimed by people living near wind turbines - which includes, of all things, herpes.

Multitasking infrastructure on the Canary Islands could power as many as 500 homes.

Toy giant freezes purchases from supplier accused of deforestation.

A speedy NASA probe has crossed the orbit of Neptune, notching one more spaceflight milestone on its way toward a historic flyby of Pluto.

Critics of renewable energy are obsessed with the costs and practicalities of cleantech right this instant. Visitors to Silicon Valley in the 1970s didn't see t

Redditor Demo_of_demo shared this beautiful photo taken from high atop his wind-turbine "office."

To harness the power of the wind, some creative minds have looked beyond the traditional turbine. You may never look at a kite in the same way again.

Wind energy may be cost efficient, but it's costing us over half a million birds each year.

This isn't your father's turbine. It can create more electricity at lower wind speeds and does a better job of predicting the supply of wind energy.

Wind power critics argue that turbines kill birds. So why is the U.K.'s largest bird charity planning a turbine?

Offshore wind has great potential, but the marine environment presents challenges. A new kind of turbine aims to overcome those obstacles.

Waves crash against wind turbines perched on a jetty in Boulogne-sur-mer, France.

In a rare interview, Santa reveals why he is sick of so much "stuff". He's donning a green suit and delivering clean energy as a gift instead.

Residents in the New York town of Denning rally against 'Taxi' actor Judd Hirsch's proposed wind turbine project.

Fairbanks will be the demo deployment site for BAT (Buoyant Altitude Turbine), an inflatable wind turbine floating 1,000 feet above the earth.