Latest news with #eco-friendly
Sky News
a day ago
- Business
- Sky News
Could your summer holiday be greener? Government invests £63m into more sustainable types of jet fuel
The government is investing £63m in new types of jet fuel that it hopes will make your summer holiday a little more eco-friendly - though not everyone is convinced. The cash will be shared by 17 British companies developing different types of "sustainable aviation fuel" (SAF), made from materials including forest cuttings, household rubbish, sugar beet or hydrogen gas. Ministers said the funds could support 1,400 jobs, add £5bn to the economy and help the British industry get ahead as global demand for SAF soars in order to meet stricter climate targets. But campaigners question how sustainable these fuels really are, saying the real answer is to deter "frequent flying". They warn the materials needed for sustainable fuels are hard to come by and too expensive to ever scale up. Industry says it needs this cash injection precisely in order to lower costs and grow, and global demand is booming. 1:55 As of January, flights taking off from the UK must use 2% SAF in their fuel, under new government rules. This will gradually rise to 10% in 2030 and 22% in 2040. But there have been alarm bells warning not enough SAF will be available to meet those targets. The government says sustainable fuels cut emissions of greenhouse gases by 70% on average compared with kerosene over the course of its life, which includes producing it and burning it. Aviation minister Mike Kane said: "We're not just backing brilliant British innovation, we're creating thousands of high-skilled jobs and positioning the UK at the forefront of the global sustainable aviation market." He said the move would "kickstart economic growth, secure energy independence, and make Britain a clean energy superpower". But campaigners say at best the fuels will reduce aviation emissions "by a tiny fraction of the amount needed", and are being used to justify "irresponsible levels" of airport expansion. James Sutton, co-director of climate charity Possible, told Sky News they were not anti-investment, but that the SAF plans would not bring down emissions at the pace and scale necessary. He said: "We need to cut those emissions immediately if we have any hope of hitting our climate goals, not just sit and hope for the best in a few decades time. "The technology and investment required for SAF to displace kerosene entirely is simply not there yet, but policies aimed at reducing demand for flights and taxing frequent flyers, which will therefore cut emissions, are possible now. "So that is what we need to focus on first and foremost." The biggest winner in this round of funding was Stockton-on-Tees based Alfanar Energy, which will get £8m for converting waste wood from sawmills and forestry into SAF.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi sustainable building demand triples
JEDDAH: Demand for environmental performance assessments under Saudi Arabia's Sustainable Building program has tripled over the past five years, highlighting the Kingdom's growing focus on eco-friendly development. The growth follows the launch of the program's digital platform, the automation of service procedures, and improved accessibility. It also reflects enhancements to the ready-built property inspection service, which now allows developers to submit detailed inspection requests for villa compounds and apartment buildings, according to a Saudi Press Agency report citing an official press release. As part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy, the nation is accelerating efforts to make its rapidly growing construction sector more sustainable and environmentally responsible. Developed by the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs, and Housing, the Mostadam, meaning 'sustainable,' program is designed to suit the Kingdom's local climate and environmental conditions. It promotes sustainable building practices by improving the efficiency of energy, water, and resource use, while supporting economic growth and job creation. Projects are awarded one of five ratings, ranging from Green to Diamond, based on their compliance with established sustainability criteria. 'The program noted that six projects received sustainability assessment certificates during the first half of 2025, marking a 200 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Moreover, the number of projects granted design conformity certificates rose by 93 percent, reaching 29 projects,' SPA reported. The release-based report said that 38 new projects, including four communities covering over 8 million sq. meters, have registered for sustainability assessment services, with a combined built-up area exceeding 700,000 sq. meters. Since its inception in 2018, the platform has issued over 6,000 reports, encompassing property inspections and evaluations of construction quality. The national program, in cooperation with the Real Estate General Authority, also announced that university students registered with the Saudi Council of Engineers are now eligible to enroll in training programs offered by the Saudi Real Estate Institute, SPA added. The release said that the initiative aims to support students, enhance their professional readiness, and empower youth by enabling them to develop their skills and create a 'Certified Engineer' account through the Mostadam platform. The Sustainability Assessment is the Kingdom's first evaluation system aligned with international best practices and the Saudi Building Code. It enables owners and developers to measure the sustainability of new and existing buildings through a comprehensive rating system, from design to maintenance. The assessment standards were specifically developed to suit the nation's climate and environmental conditions, focusing on key areas such as energy, water, health, and quality of life, consistent with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
World's first LIVING coffin: Eco-friendly casket is made from mushrooms - and the unusual method is already available in Britain
When it comes to funerals, two choices usually spring to mind. Most people will opt for either a traditional ground burial in a wooden coffin or a cremation, which turns a person's remains into ashes. But an alternative method is now available - and it's good news for nature-lovers. A company has designed the world's first 'living coffin', made of natural materials which degrade in just 45 days once buried. Dutch company Loop Biotech, who are behind the design, grow the 'Living Cocoon' from local mushroom species and upcycled hemp fibres in the space of a week. They pad out the interior with a soft hemp bed and a pillow of moss, with the option to 'upgrade' to a bed of wool or soft cotton. The coffin itself weighs 30kg and has a carrying capacity of up to 200kg, with six integrated handles for easy transportation. The unusual burial method is already available in the UK, but it isn't cheap - the living coffin costs around £3,000. Mark Ancker recently become the first person in the US to be buried in the eco-friendly casket. 'I have confidence that my dad will be fully part of the garden by winter,' Marsya Ancker told Fast Company. 'He didn't want to be embalmed, just to return to the Earth in a place that he loved.' Her father always used to tell her that he wanted to be buried naked, under a tree in the woods. When he passed away in June, her first call was to Loop Biotech and her father has since become the first person in the US to be buried in the 'Living Cocoon' - in a forest clearing on his property in Maine. So far, the company has sold around 2,500 caskets in Europe - mostly in the Netherlands - but their coffins are also available to be shipped to the UK. 'Become part of nature's majestic loop of life and enrich the earth with the world's first living coffin,' their website reads. The company said traditional wooden coffins 'not only require decades for trees to grow but also involve chopping, importing and processing them'. Their 'Living Cocoon', however, can be fully grown in seven days using local raw materials, eliminating unnecessary transportation and the need for additional paint, glue, varnish or screws. What is mycelium? One of the key ingredients used to make the caskets is mycelium, the 'root' system of mushrooms. It plays an important part in nutrient absorption and decomposition, and is known as one of nature's greatest recyclers. As it breaks down, mycelium can help 'foster new life in the soil' by introducing a new carbon and energy source. To make their caskets they mix mycelium - the 'root' system of mushrooms - with hemp, a plant often cultivated for its fibre. The mixture is poured into a mould and a coffin grows out of it over the space of a week. The company has a 1,500 square-metre growing facility in Delft, Netherlands, with the capacity to grow 500 caskets at a time. The living coffin costs around £3,000, and can also be used for cremations. Meanwhile their biodegradable urns cost roughly £300. Meanwhile price of a wooden coffin can vary significantly depending on the type of wood, level of craftsmanship and whether it's for cremation or burial – but can cost as little as £270 and up to around £2,000 in the UK. 'Funerals can be more than endings - they can be beginnings,' Bob Hendrikx, founder of Loop Biotech, said. 'We created the Loop Living Cocoon to offer a way for humans to enrich nature after death. It's about leaving the world better than we found it.' So-called 'green' burials, which have grown in popularity since the 1990s, are a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional funerals. They focus on minimising environmental impact by using biodegradable coffins or shrouds and avoiding embalming, often taking place in designated natural burial grounds such as woodlands or meadows. 'We have helped many families in the UK with our sustainable funeral solutions,' a spokesman for Loop told MailOnline. They said that last weekend Poppy's Funerals - a funeral director based in London - had a burial with one of their Living Cocoons. The latest burial option follows an emerging trend for 'boil in a bag' funerals that dissolve bodies and flush them down the drain. The method, which could soon become available in Britain after catching on around the world, is officially known as water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis. It involves rapidly decomposing a corpse in water and alkaline chemicals under high temperatures, leaving only liquid and bones. The liquid, known as 'effluent', can go down the drain with other wastewater and bones that can be ground to ash for the bereaved owner to take home. Advocates say the method is better for the environment, but others believe it is an undignified way to dispose of the dead. Promession, or cryomation - Involves using liquid nitrogen to chill the body to -196c, leaving it so brittle that it can be 'fragmented' on a vibrating mat. A magnet then removes metal objects such as fillings and artificial limbs, leaving a sterile powder - giving a whole new meaning to 'dust to dust'. Aquamation - Sees bodies placed in silk bags and submerged in an alkaline solution that has been heated to 160C. Flesh, organs and bones all dissolve under the onslaught, leaving behind fluid and bones. Ashes turned into diamonds - This technique utilises the fact that both human beings and diamonds are carbon-based. A body is cremated and the resulting ash is then purified at 3,000C before being further heated and pressurised into a diamond over a 16-week period.
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Brad Pitt, 61, reveals secret to his youthful appearance after looking 40 in F1... and it is NOT Botox
Brad Pitt looked very youthful in his new action-packed Formula One movie F1. And now the 61-year-old star has revealed how he looks decades younger, after laughing off questions about Botox. Turns out it is his Beau Domaine brand which has now introduced planet-friendly packaging. His French skin care brand - which he co-founded three years ago - is set to roll out a range of new product packaging, which uses matte white bottles with wooden tops. 'Every detail of the new look is intentional. From the recycled glass to the oak cap,' he told WWD on Tuesday. 'I wanted science-backed skincare that makes sense — not just for your skin, but for what you stand for.' When the brand originally launched, the original casing was made up of dark glass bottles with wooden tops. They were made from Château de Beaucastel, which is a Perrin-owned vineyard in Provence owned by the Perrin family. Now, the brand's bottles have been designed to be more light-weight in a bid to bring down their carbon footprint. In another move to reduce waste, the company is looking to use grape pomace - which is the leftover residue during the winemaking process - in bioactive skincare products. Last month, Brad also launched a line of linen clothing for summer, having founded his own God's True Cashmere company in 2019 with designer and spiritual healer Sat Hari. Now the brand is branching out into warm weather wear with The Elysian Collection, a unisex range made from biodegradable linen. Brad said in a statement: 'This collection is vibrant, exciting and introduces a fresh dimension to what we are doing. 'Linen seems like the obvious progression of the brand, adding natural fibers with properties and textures we enjoy.' Hari added: 'I am inspired by this new adventure for the brand. We have focused on expressing our version of what a luxury linen garment could be. 'There is a natural progression from our cashmere line including familiar bodies, gemstones and a focus on the holistic qualities, which I believe will resonate with our customer.' The pieces - which include shirts, trousers and shorts - come in shades of cream, white, yellow and green. God's True Cashmere launched with a range of cashmere shirts which feature seven buttons made from healing stones that are aligned with the body's chakras. The shirts retail from around £1,500 and the collection also includes cashmere hats, scarves and socks as well as jackets and T-shirts, which sell from around £500. Hari previously revealed she designs all the garments with the actor's help. She previously told the New Yorker: 'Brad and I design it all together. We pick the gemstone snap that we feel resonates with the shirt. It's almost like the shirt asks for the snap that it needs.' She also explained the idea for the company came after she had a dream in which she saw Brad dressed head-to-toe in green cashmere. She said of the dream: 'I looked at him and said: "What are you doing? Are you going golfing? You look like a leprechaun." And he said: "No, I just need more softness in my life."' She later told the actor about the dream: 'And he said: "That's strange, because on Tuesday I told my stylist: I need more green cashmere in my life. I need more softness." They went on to start the company together after Hari made him a green cashmere shirt. Meanwhile, his ex-wife Angelina Jolie oversees her clothing and accessories shop Atelier Jolie in New York City and his other ex Gwyneth Paltrow has her own brand of clothing with GOOP. Ex-wife Jennifer Aniston has her LolaVie haircare line.
Khaleej Times
10-07-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Houses made from rice: Kyrgyzstan's eco-friendly revolution
It may look like an ordinary building site but Akmatbek Uraimov's new house in Kyrgyzstan is being built with blocks of rice. The eco-friendly alternative to conventional construction materials is booming in the Central Asian country, which is vulnerable to global warming and grapples with water shortages. Before selecting the unorthodox material, Uraimov had researched other options, but concluded that the relatively cheap blocks made from rice husks were his best option. "In terms of insulation, cost, as well as for builders, it turned out to be convenient," said Uraimov, who lives in the village of Kyzyl-Kiya in southern Kyrgyzstan. "People didn't know about it. Now they see it, they are interested, they call," he told AFP. Nursultan Taabaldyev is one of the pioneers of the technology in Central Asia hailed as an environmentally friendly alternative to water-intensive concrete. In a workshop in his home region of Batken, rice dust was billowing into the air from the husks, the rough outer shell of rice which is normally thrown away or burned. Workers with protective masks over their faces were compressing the bricks before rushing to dry them, and helping clients load the finished blocks onto trucks. They are "made of 60 percent rice husks. The rest is clay, cement and a chemical-free glue," Taabaldyev told AFP. When dry, they are as strong as cement thanks to silica naturally present inside the husks. "This idea came to me as a child, while doing carpentry with my father," said Taabaldyev. The 27-year-old has already built "300 houses" in five years -- first with sawdust, then with rice. 'No particular danger' When he started, there was little robust research into the technology. That is starting to change. Several initial studies from various countries have highlighted the potential economic and environmental benefits of using rice blocks in construction. Crucially, they require less cement, which is responsible for approximately eight percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to 2023 figures from the World Economic Forum. In her village in a mountainous and arid region, Ykhval Boriyeva has also opted for rice blocks, praising their insulating qualities. Her house remains "warm in winter and cool in spring" thanks to its low thermal conductivity. "We save on coal. The walls retain heat and coolness well," she said. The material is also well within reach, with the Batken region producing a third of Kyrgyzstan's rice crop. "Rice waste is thrown into the fields, slowly burns, harms the environment, and is not used as fertiliser. So we decided to recycle it," Taabaldyev said. The problem of dealing with rice waste is even more acute in large rice producers like India. There "31.4 million tons of rice husks fill landfills and cause environmental problems," according to a study late last year published by Springer Nature. "Farmers are happy for us to remove rice waste because its accumulation creates a fire risk" in barns if ventilation is poor, said Taabaldyev. But as for the fire hazard to buildings made of rice, a regional official from Kyrgyzstan's emergency situations ministry said there was "no particular danger". Next up 'crushed reed' Farmer Abdimamat Saparov is another who has welcomed Taabaldyev's innovative approach, pointing at the mounds of rice waste. "After harvesting and drying the rice, about 40 percent of waste remains, which we have no way of processing," said Saparov. Such abundance makes the blocks cheaper than ordinary building bricks -- another crucial factor in southern Kyrgyzstan, where the average monthly salary is around $230. Cement is more expensive in Kyrgyzstan than anywhere else in Central Asia and the government is mulling adding it to a list of socially sensitive products, alongside bread and oil, that would allow it to dampen surging prices. Having proved the concept in the mountainous region, Taabaldyev dreams of industrialising production, expanding internationally and eyeing up even more potential materials. "I want to go to (neighbouring) Kazakhstan to make bricks from crushed reed and straw," he said.
