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Posted 9 months ago
  • 97% of people report mental wellbeing benefits from forest activities (Forestry England)
  • €9M Almazara Forest development will combine forest views with Spanish sunshine (Taylor Wimpey España)
  • Forest play shown to boost children’s immune systems in just 28 days (Natural Resources Institute Finland)  

Leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España is tapping into the increasing body of evidence that shows how positive the effects of forests are on people’s mental and physical health. The company’s €9 million new Almazara Forest development sits next to rolling forestland in Istán, Malaga, with the two- and three-bedroom apartments looking out over the greenery.

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Countries around the world are gradually increasing their understanding of how forests can positively impact health. Finland has been leading the way. For the last decade, the country’s “health forest” project has been establishing forests next to national healthcare centres. Patients taken on guided treks through the forest have demonstrated a “clinically significant” increase in their mental wellbeing, according to a recent study by Helsinki University, the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare and Sipoo municipality.

The Natural Resources Institute Finland has observed the physical health benefits that forests can deliver. Its study found that playing in grass and forest undergrowth boosted the immune systems of children aged three to five within just 28 days. The children benefited from increased microbial diversity on their skin and in their guts, a greater number of T cells and a higher proportion of anti-inflammatory molecules in their blood plasma – all indicators of healthier immune systems.

In the UK, research by Forestry England and Sport England has also shown the positive impact that spending time in the forest can deliver. The Active Forests Programme encompassed a range of forest-based events and activities, after which 97% of participants reported mental wellbeing benefits. Other benefits receiving a 95% or more positive survey responses included a sense of fun and enjoyment, a feeling of escape and freedom, physical wellbeing benefits and feeling close to nature.

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For many of us, daily life is disconnected from the natural world, meaning missed opportunities for improving mental and physical wellbeing. That’s one reason Almazara Forest is such a special place – it provides the chance to reestablish a relationship with nature and reap the myriad rewards that come with doing so.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director, Taylor Wimpey España

Almazara Forest’s 24 apartments all come with underground parking, a storage room for clutter-free living and a lovely communal pool and garden area. The homes, which are rated ‘A’ for their energy efficiency, cost from €360,000 plus VAT. They are available to purchase off-plan, with delivery scheduled for February 2026.

The new homes at Almazara Forest are part of the larger Almazara Residences development, which represents a total investment of €38 million in the local area by Taylor Wimpey España. The development has already attracted buyers of 17 different nationalities, with Dutch, Belgian and British buyers leading the field.

In addition to Almazara Forest, the wider development is home to a selection of beautiful apartments and penthouses at Almazara Hills, the first phase of which has already sold out. The second phase, due for imminent delivery in May 2024, currently has its last penthouses available. The homes provide panoramic views across the greenery to the stunning Istán reservoir, along with spacious solariums. Prices start from 520,000 plus VAT.

Almazara Residences is also home to a selection of attractive townhouses at Almazara Views. Costing from €548,000 plus VAT, the semi-detached homes are nestled on the side of the mountain, commanding superb views towards Marbella Bay and Gibraltar.

Istán itself is an exceptional residential destination on the Costa del Sol. The idyllic town, which sits at the foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves, just minutes away from the golden beaches of Marbella, balances luxury and serenity with easy connectivity. Its lush cork and pine forests provide plentiful opportunities for an active outdoor lifestyle.

Taylor Wimpey España’s homes in Istán have been meticulously designed to respect the bountiful natural environment and to blend sophistication with functionality for an unparalleled living experience.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

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Posted 9 months ago
  • E.ON has revealed a striking mural in the heart of Coventry, inspired by what children imagine a greener future could look like in our cities
  • New research has revealed more than half (58%) of children hope to see more green spaces as part of a more sustainable future with some even visualising litter picking robots (19%)
  • Designed by Coventry artist Ben Barter, the mural titled ‘Our Imagined Future’ has been painted by school children
  • Unveiled in Coventry’s FarGo Village, the mural celebrates the 15-year strategic energy partnership between Coventry City Council and E.ON

E.ON has this week revealed a giant mural in Coventry’s FarGo Village, illustrating what children across the country imagine a greener city could look like.

The design of the mural, titled ‘Our Imagined Future’, has been inspired following E.ON’s research with 2,000 children from across the UK1 which revealed over half of children (58%) would like to see more parks and green spaces such as allotments in their local city, as well as more public recycling options (52%). Some children let their imagination run wild, suggesting litter picking robots (19%) and animals living in harmony amongst us (44%), all of which have been incorporated into the mural design by Coventry artist Ben Barter.

E.ON unveils ‘Our Imagined Future’ – a fantastical mural illustrating Coventry’s greener future, as envisaged and painted by children

Unveiled in Coventry’s FarGo Village, the mural celebrates the 15-year strategic energy partnership between Coventry City Council and E.ON.

Over half of children in the UK (54%) also believe we need to reduce our use of plastic to make cities more sustainable, with 44% stating there should be more sustainable travel options in the future, such as trams and electric buses. In addition, almost half (47%) feel it is vital to have solar panels on all buildings and bus stops and over a third (34%) want to see only electric vehicles on the roads.

Ben Tuck, Social Value Programme Manager at E.ON, said: “Through this mural, we hope to further raise awareness of the importance of sustainability in cities like Coventry, and indeed across the country, as well as the changes we can all make to help build a greener future. ‘Our Imagined Future’ is a great way to visualise children’s inspiring and creative solutions to make our cities greener, more sustainable and better places to live.

“As part of our commitment to working with Coventry City Council to deliver long-term benefit to the local community, we are keen to build awareness and excitement amongst local residents around our shared goal of building a cleaner, greener Coventry.”

The mural design incorporates key findings from the new research, as well as sustainable solutions such as heat pumps, solar panels and EV chargers as part of a greener future in cities.

E.ON unveils ‘Our Imagined Future’ – a fantastical mural illustrating Coventry’s greener future, as envisaged and painted by children
Unveiled in Coventry’s FarGo Village, the mural celebrates the 15-year strategic energy partnership between Coventry City Council and E.ON.

Located at the entrance of FarGo Village in the heart of Coventry and designed by both artist Ben Barter and muralist Katie O’Sullivan, the 32ft mural took over XX hours to complete. It was finished by pupils aged 9-12 from local schools, Earlsdon Primary and West Coventry Academy, adding colour to children’s imagined futures.

Coventry artist, Ben Barter explains: “It has been inspiring to see how children interpret what a more sustainable future could consist of within this city. My personal favourite is the robots picking up litter and the animals living alongside us in an ecologically diverse environment. As a Coventry local myself, I am excited to see this all come to life as well as witness the artistic talents of the next generation.”

Local Coventry muralist, Katie O’Sullivan, who helped create and paint E.ON’s illustration, adds: “Coventry is a beautiful city that I have been fortunate enough to help paint, and decorate. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of this campaign, bringing life and colour to children’s hopes for the sustainable future. Mural artwork is a great platform to shed light on important topics and this particular piece will hopefully encourage visitors and the community to work towards an eco-friendly future.”

When looking into a sustainable future, 46% of children believe that cost is the main obstacle when it comes to building a greener city, followed by a lack of knowledge (17%) and confusion over what to do (13%).

The mural was commissioned to celebrate E.ON’s 15-year strategic energy partnership with Coventry City Council to transform the city’s approach to carbon reduction. The initiative sees the company, which has had its UK home in Coventry for almost 30 years, become the city’s new Strategic Energy Partner, forming an alliance that aims to build a cleaner and more sustainable city and drive a new green economy that will bring jobs and skills for generations to come.

E.ON is also making its return as lead partner for MotoFest Coventry 2024 and the company’s customer facing arm, E.ON Next, has been announced as a major sponsor of the Godiva festival.

  • You can visit the mural at FarGo Village, 105-106 Far Gosford Street, Coventry, CV1 5EA from 22nd May 2024 onwards.
  • To find out more about the mural, and the partnership with Coventry City Council, please visit eonenergy.com/coventry
  • To find out more about E.ON Next, please visit eonnext.com

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Posted 9 months ago

Following six months of intense scrutiny into Seep as part of the award’s gruelling selection process, Laura Harnett has become one of only 33 women worldwide (and one of three in Europe) to secure a place on this year’s Cartier fellowship.

She was awarded the prestigious title in China’s leading city for innovation and entrepreneurship, Shenzhen on 22 May for the plastic-free cleaning tools business she founded during lockdown.

This Global programme to support female founders includes leadership development with INSTEAD business school and a $30k prize.

Now in its 17th Year, the Cartier Women’s Initiative boasts that 92% of women who join their programme as fellows remain in business. 

The initiative was set up by Cartier in 2006 and aims to drive change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs. It is a global award split across nine regions, Europe being one, that recognises and helps to fund talented impact entrepreneurs who use their business as a force for good.

Seep was founded by Laura during the pandemic as she was frustrated by the amount of plastic in the cleaning aisle and knew that there was a better alternative. Now a Certified B Corp, Seep’s mission is to eliminate 1 billion plastic cleaning products from landfills by 2030. The company estimates that it has diverted 3.5M items (10.1 tons of waste) from landfills since its launch. Seep offers a line of zero-plastic, high-quality cleaning accessories made from natural renewable sources like wood pulp, plant-based viscose, maize, and bamboo.

Laura never planned to become an entrepreneur but said that setting up her own business later in life has been the best thing she ever did.

Laura said: “I was devastated to be diagnosed with breast cancer when I was just 39 years old. I was very fortunate to fully recover after a few years but that experience meant that I totally lost my fear of failure. After battling cancer I knew that I could do anything. 

“I always felt that start ups were just for young people. But then I read a Harvard Business Review article that completely debunked that myth. It said that when you look at the most successful firms, the average founder age goes up, and that overall, evidence shows that successful entrepreneurs tend to be middle aged.

“The biggest reason new businesses fail is because there’s no need for that product or service. More important than age or experience is to find a true gap in the market.”

Seep has a product range of 10 eco friendly, plastic free and biodegradable cleaning tools including cloths, sponges, bin bags, rubber gloves and copper scourers.

Wingee Sing, from Cartier, said: “The Cartier Women’s Initiative has been driving change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs for the past 17 years, and our commitment is unwavering.


“Throughout this time, while providing financial and human capital to grow these impactful businesses, we found that the biggest part of our work is to create opportunities for role models and sisterhood.

“By investing in women entrepreneurs, the Cartier Women’s Initiative recognises and grants the work of these changemakers. We provide the necessary skills and knowledge to support entrepreneurship and its community creates space for connections between the hearts and minds of entrepreneurs and between entrepreneurs and their supporters.

“Every year we have the chance to hear from thousands of entrepreneurs from around the world through their applications, our community and ecosystem engagement events.”

Seep has an all women team of five and also won sustainable brand of the year in The Start up 100 earlier this year.

Seep is an award-winning start-up bringing pioneering products to a dusty cleaning category, continuing to rethink traditional materials and innovate. https://theseepcompany.com/

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Posted 9 months ago

As gas boilers are being phased out, the home construction industry has the choice of using  eco-friendly heating systems. Heat pumps, like air source and ground source, are emerging as sustainable alternatives. 

We take a look at how many new homes in England and Wales have these heating methods installed. We also see which areas are leading in their adoption.

How many new builds have heat pumps installed?

Newly built homes in England and Wales that have been constructed with heat pumps between 2019 and 2023

New builds with type of heat pumpNumber of new builds% of total new builds
Air source heat pump49,4894.53%
Ground source heat pump4,2700.39%
Total53,7584.92%

Air source and ground source heat pumps (GSHP) are only in a small number of new builds. Since 2019 air source heat pumps have been installed in 4.53% of new homes, while ground source heat pumps are in just 0.39%. Together, they’re in 4.92% of all new builds in England and Wales. This means around 54,000 new homes are using these green options.

Is the adoption of heat pumps in new builds improving?

Yes. Between 2018 and 2023, the installation of air source and ground source heat pumps in new homes across England and Wales has increased. Installation of air source heat pumps went from 2.68% in 2018 to 7.58% in 2023, a jump of 4.9 percentage points. Ground source heat pumps rose from 0.21% to 0.47% in 2023, a change of 0.26 percentage points. 

The increases are modest, but there’s a definite move towards greener heating in newly built homes, fueled by environmental consciousness and advancements in renewable energy technology.

Hand holding light bulb with icons energy sources for renewable,love the world concept.

Which areas are leading the way for heat pump installations in new builds?

Top 10 local authorities in England and Wales with the largest per cent of new builds with air source heat pumps between 2018 and 2023

Local authority nameNumber of new builds with air source heat pump% of new builds with air source heat pump
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk129352.12%
Ceredigion30739.26%
Breckland121338.58%
Tandridge44036.24%
Mid Suffolk104728.20%
Isle of Anglesey28926.93%
Babergh58626.15%
East Cambridgeshire63825.57%
Powys43624.99%
Cornwall335924.42%

In King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, over half of new homes built between 2018 and 2023 heat pumps installed, followed by Ceredigion with 39.26% and Breckland with 38.58%. Whereas, some areas like Liverpool (0.08%), Halton (0.08%), and Sandwell (0.04%) have very low adoption rates of air source heat pumps in newly built homes.

Top 10 local authorities in England and Wales with the largest per cent of new builds with ground source heat pumps between 2019 and 2023

Local authority nameNumber of new builds with ground source heat pump% of new builds with ground source heat pump
Pendle837.78%
Rhondda Cynon Taf1146.65%
Warrington1774.77%
Cornwall4773.47%
Bury343.37%
Cardiff1683.00%
Swansea732.84%
Newark and Sherwood832.83%
Luton872.49%
Ceredigion192.43%

Some areas, like Pendle (7.78%), Rhondda Cynon Taf (6.65%), and Warrington (4.77%), stand out with higher adoption rates of ground source heat pumps in new builds. But most areas have lower rates with many below 1%, suggesting slower GSHP uptake overall, especially compared to air source heat pumps.

Which areas have improved the most over 5 years for heat pump installations in new builds?

Top 10 local authorities in England and Wales with the largest per cent increase of new builds with air source heat pumps between 2018 and 2023

Local authority nameNumber of new builds with air source heat pumps in 2018% of new builds with air source heat pumps in 2018Number of new builds with air source heat pump in 2023% of new builds with air source heat pump in 2023Percentage Point change, last 5 years
Bromsgrove30.59%10946.58%46.00%
Cotswold202.29%16747.31%45.02%
Isle of Anglesey135.56%13450.38%44.82%
Pembrokeshire154.08%18644.08%40.00%
Dacorum92.02%20639.85%37.82%
Powys206.97%11837.46%30.49%
Rutland3314.22%3144.29%30.06%
Gwynedd328.27%5338.13%29.86%
Cheltenham122.26%8332.05%29.78%
North Norfolk499.90%6539.39%29.49%

The percentage of new builds installing air source heat pumps has increased across many areas over the last five years.  Showing a growing trend towards sustainable heating solutions. Bromsgrove, Cotswold, Isle of Anglesey, and Pembrokeshire have all seen over a 40% increase in new builds being constructed with an air source heat pump.

Top 10 local authorities in England and Wales with the largest per cent increase of new builds with ground source heat pumps between 2018 and 2023

Local authority nameNumber of new builds with ground source heat pumps in 2018% of new builds with ground source heat pumps in 2018Number of new builds with ground source heat pump in 2023% of new builds with ground source heat pump in 2023Percentage Point change, last 5 years
Pendle10.95%7928.52%27.57%
Luton00.00%8715.00%15.00%
Cardiff20.27%907.86%7.59%
Boston00.00%227.17%7.17%
Herefordshire, County of70.90%435.76%4.86%
Huntingdonshire00.00%594.43%4.43%
Cotswold10.11%164.53%4.42%
Bristol, City of00.00%504.00%4.00%
Cornwall852.53%1546.40%3.87%
Brighton and Hove00.00%423.06%3.06%

In Pendle, the use of ground source heat pumps in new buildings jumped from 0.95% to 28.52% over 5 years, showing more interest in this heating method. In Luton, no new builds had these pumps in 2018, but had increased to 87 in 2023. 

All other areas in England and Wales saw less than a 10 percentage point increase over 5 years, suggesting a much slower takeup of ground source heat pumps compared to air source heat pumps.

Heat pumps in homes are slowly getting more popular.  But are still a long way off from being the most common heating source installed in new homes. Between air source and ground source heat pumps, air source is leading the way. This is likely due to the space required to install it and the overall cost. While the costs of installing greener heating sources are still high, consumers can look for the most cost-effective options for their energy needs by comparing quotes at Confused.com.

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Posted 9 months ago

Be at One is the definitive vegan make-up brand. It’s the brainchild of vegan campaigner Heather Mills and Milena Thacker, the make-up artist and model. 

The Be at One collection, which is available via www.be-at-one.com is specifically designed to be gentle and nourishing on the skin without using any animal derivatives.

 Heather Mills said, 

“Be at One combines beautiful make-up with vegan integrity. The name is from being at one with the planet, yourself and animals. I have wanted to create a vegan make up brand for over two decades and finally found the perfect business partner in Milena.” 

Standard make-up typically employs animal products that are disguised using technical names. 

For example, shark liver is called squalene and can be used in skin products, pig fat is called glycerine … and can be found in lipstick and even toothpaste…… crushed female beetles that produce the red in bright lipstick, is known as carmine.*

Heather continues,

Make-up brands need to be clear about the ingredients they use. After all, our skin is our largest organ. Incorporating animal products, and trying to disguise them, is disrespectful to the humans using the make-up and the sentient beings sacrificed for our vanity.

Be at One represents a movement towards compassion and sustainability. With an increasing number of consumers embracing a vegan lifestyle, the demand for cosmetics free from animal derived ingredients is skyrocketing. This demand reflects a growing awareness of the impact our choices have on animals, the planet, and our own well-being.” 

The Be at One make-up collection is formulated and manufactured in Italy to the highest standards. The range is entirely free of all animal products and derivatives, and none of the individual ingredients or finished products have been tested on animals. 

Milena, who has directed the formulation of the brand, said, 

“Our quest for vegan ingredients has not compromised the professional standard and beauty of the brand. It has only added to its quality and appeal. I’ve worked with make-up my entire career. 

Be At One is exceptional in the way it looks and feels on the skin. And it outperforms most other make-up on the market without using any animal products.  

There is no question, Be at One is the future of make-up.”

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Posted 9 months ago

The Scottish-based natural beauty company, Seilich has launched a customer reward scheme and is asking customers to sign up to help wild meadows flourish.

Members of the Seilich Meadow Rewards Club will earn points by making a purchase or engaging with the brand on social media. Redeeming these points allows a new area of meadow to be created, with the bonus that customers receive an exclusive discount on Seilich skincare purchases.


Dr Sally Gouldstone founded her meadow grown skincare business in 2018 and said:

“The ethos of the company has always been to work in partnership with nature. The environment is a priority in all aspects of business, with profits used to create more wildflower meadows, with an overall positive environmental impact. I want Seilich to lead by example and demonstrate that businesses can be a force for good. Creating the Meadow Rewards Club, is a way to give back to nature in a really meaningful way.”

“Lot of businesses rely on nature in some way, but many have kind of a one-way relationship, taking from nature without giving back. I was keen to have more of a circular business model where we were putting back. The creation of our Meadow Rewards Club means that as the business succeeds the meadows keep growing.


She adds: “Customers who buy our products value the natural environment and love the idea that we grow the plants in this semi-wild setting. Now members of the Meadow Rewards Club can be rewarded for caring about what we do.”

Every Seilich skincare product contains handpicked botanicals. Dr Sally Gouldstone takes conservation led approach, gathering only 10% of each plant species are gathered, which leaves behind a flourishing biodiverse meadow. Sally added: “By harnessing the power of the meadow and using only natural, organic, and UK-grown Wildlife and Bee Friendly certified ingredients we are using highest-quality ingredients in our beauty products.”

Including award-winning Meadow Face Oil £52.00 currently £39.00 made from botanical oils, that deeply penetrates the skin whilst improving its outer-most barrier. These carefully curated oils are infused with powerful meadow-grown hand-picked botanicals including daisy’s, plantain, calendula, rose petals and red clover to deeply nourish the skin. Wild Rose and Mallow Moisturising Lotion £45.00 and Wild Carrot and Sea Buckthorn Moisturising Lotion £45.00 both currently £33.75

Customers who sign up to the scheme earn five hundred points. By redeeming two hundred points Seilich will create 1 m2 of meadow and the customer receives a £2 discount, five hundred points will create 2.5 m2 of meadow and earns a £5 discount. Redeeming one thousand points creates 5 m2 of new meadow and unlocks a £10 discount.

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Posted 9 months ago

NEW nail polish collection; In The Zen at www.earthynailpolish.com.  We are proud of our award winning eco-conscious brand, our natural origin nail polishes and treatments are certified halal, vegan and cruelty free

We have replaced single use plastic caps with highly sustainable bamboo and all seals within the cap are made from 100% post-consumer plastic.  Our plant-based formula includes enriching calcium and magnesium to help strengthen and condition nails with continued use.  We also offer a Recycle Reuse Programme to our customers, where all empties can be sent back for a circular economy.

We are celebrating the sunny season with a brand new collection, In The Zen! Our new collection is inspired by the need for a slower pace and finding inner peace. It’s about being centred at your core, mentally with your soul. This inner calmness is manifested through our four new delicate pastel hues. 

The four shades include Barely There, a minimalist sheer pink giving ‘your nails but better’.  Lilac Tide, a fresh powdery pale purple hue that is predicted to be huge in 2024. Hint Of Mint is a gorgeous pistachio colour that we like to describe as the new neutral. Finally, we have Lemon Zest, the epitome of calmness.  This delicate shade of yellow is what the latest Butter nails trend is all about.

This new collection has launched for May 2024! For £24.95 or individual shades can be purchased for £7.99 at www.earthynailpolish.com

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Posted 9 months ago

You might be used to going to your local library to pick up books, but what about light? That is exactly what new light libraries, created by British charity SEED Madagascar in conjunction with Solar United Madagascar, are offering.

This month, following fantastic results, sees the light library project, which has built 40 libraries to date, enter its next phase of expansion, looking to create another 60 libraries over the coming year. Built in remote areas across the vast island of  Madagascar for local communities, results show the light libraries have had benefits for education, the environment and income generation, helping highlight, as governments pledge billions to green energy, the impact even small green energy initiatives can have on people’s lives.

Primarily constructed adjoining primary schools, some also built by SEED Madagascar, they may look more like garden sheds than typical libraries, but these little structures are helping alter the lives of those in the local area.

Power is a much needed commodity in Madagascar, which remains one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, with only 8.3% of primary schools having access to electricity, the majority of which are in urban locations.

One thing Madagascar is not short on however is sunlight, enabling this solar project, and others like it, to become established; with initial results very positive.

The concept is simple. Each school has solar panels installed on its roof, these charge power banks, which are then available, alongside LED lights powered by them, to the school and the broader community. These provide light in classrooms (where education if often impacted as a result of limited natural lighting during the day, making reading, writing, and concentrating challenging for students). Teachers are also positively impacted, now having the ability to mark and prepare schoolwork outside of school hours, enhancing their ability to deliver high-quality education.

The power banks and lights are also available to rent to the wider community, giving them access to affordable clean energy to power lights and radios, and charge phones and other electrical devices, at a time and location convenient to them.

This isn’t just a benefit of convenience though, with health, environmental and educational benefits also being realised through the project. SEED Madagascar’s research has revealed that community members typically have to walk several kilometres to access basic electrical services and that kerosene lamps are currently the most common light source used by community members – these lamps provide inadequate lighting, are expensive to use for extended periods, and have negative consequences for users’ health and the environment.

Results show a positive correlation between classroom lighting and academic achievement, with the provision of LED lighting proven to be the best lighting upgrade for a learning environment and improving learning processes.

The schools involved are benefiting in another way too. From the rental of the lamps through the ‘light libraries’ they receive additional income; a portion of which is being placed in an insurance fund for repairs and used for contributions towards school resources.

After such positive initial results, the scheme is now hoping to build on this early success and create further libraries across the region.

As global voices continue to shout about the need for increased green energy to stave off ever rising temperatures, projects like this help highlight green technology’s benefits at a more basic ground level and the incredibly positive impact these can have on people’s lives.

The project has been coordinated within the wider-consortium of Solar United Madagascar, comprised of several charities working across Madagascar. The next step will bring solar electricity to 40 new communities, but it’s going to take support and Solar United Madagascar and SEED Madagascar are currently raising funds to expand the project. To find out more, or to donate, visit https://madagascar.enthuse.com/cf/solar-schools

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Posted 9 months ago

New data discovered by The Eco Experts, shows a recent UK surge inpeople searching for the term how to increase EPC rating. The Google Trends search data shows that this term reached peak popularity from 7th-13th April 2024.

In light of this recent peak in interest, The Eco Experts have shared four ways to help improve your home’s EPC rating.1.  Add an insulating jacket to your hot water tank: If you get your hot water from a tank, you might want to consider adding (or topping up) its insulating jacket. For best results, aim for around 60mm to 80mm thick. Depending on how much you add, you could see savings of around £50 per year in electricity bills. Doing so can also add a few points toward your property’s EPC rating. 

1.  Add an insulating jacket to your hot water tank: If you get your hot water from a tank, you might want to consider adding (or topping up) its insulating jacket. For best results, aim for around 60mm to 80mm thick. Depending on how much you add, you could see savings of around £50 per year in electricity bills. Doing so can also add a few points toward your property’s EPC rating. 

“In an ideal world, you’d eliminate your hot water cylinder altogether. They are effectively large heat emitters that constantly need topping up to stay hot,” explains EPC expert and energy assessor Christopher McFadden


“However, some properties need them, especially if you have solar water heating or need a lot of hot water. In this case, you should make them as ‘heat tight’ as possible by adding insulating jackets that are as thick as you can get them,”. “Modern hot water cylinders have come a long way over the years, so you can also consider getting one with superb factory-fitted insulation, too,”.

2. Replace your light bulbs: Replacing old-fashioned incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps or LED bulbs could score a few points on your EPC rating. You could also save money in the long run – for a typical 60-watt incandescent bulb; you’ll average around 1,200 hours of lighting before it needs to be replaced. A 6-watt LED bulb, on the other hand, will last upwards of 60,000 hours.

Energy assessor Christopher McFadden explains, “Inefficient lighting, like old incandescent bulbs or spotlights, can significantly increase your electrical bill if used for a long period of time.” 

“Switching them for CFLs or LEDs is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to save you a pretty penny while also improving your EPC rating a little,”.

3. Get cavity wall insulation: As most modern UK homes have a gap between the walls,cavity insulation has become the most common type. It’s also relatively cheap, averaging around £370–£500 for a typical UK home. However, this is not always appropriate for your home, especially if it has a narrow cavity like most 1930-1950s properties. If you have an EPC, it should detail if this is the case. Once installed, you’ll see a substantial benefit to your home’s energy efficiency if appropriate.

“Cavity wall insulation is another great way to boost your EPC rating while also saving money. However, you might want to get some expert advice, as installing it in homes that are not appropriate can cause major headaches in the future, like condensation and mould,” explains Christopher. 

“Apart from older early narrow cavity walled properties, homes in high wind-driven areas or have damaged walls are not advised to get cavity wall insulation,”. 

4. Replace your old boiler: Your heating system greatly impacts your home’s EPC rating, and making it more efficient can add many points. When you install a new boiler, your EPC rating could rise by as much as 40 points. The minimum EPC rating is 39, so getting a new boiler could help you reach the required standard even if you don’t do anything else. 

Consider replacing your boiler with a heat pump, as these renewable devices are three times more efficient than boilers. Heat pumps cost anywhere from £7,000 to over £30,000 to buy and install, depending on the size of your home and the type of heat pump you’re getting, but with the Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could get £7500 towards these costs

“The boiler is the home’s primary method of heating. For this reason, it is understandable why switching it out for the most efficient model is the best way to boost your EPC rating. It will also save you tons of money, especially if you have older conventional or back boilers,” Chris explains. 
“Like many things in life, however, ensure you get expert advice before going down this road, and check for potential grants or other finance you can get to help with the cost,”.

However, you can do other simple things to help reduce your heating bills that are not necessarily beneficial to your EPC rating. 

“Some other measures that are not always reflected on an EPC include draughtproofing your home,” explains Chris. “It is a shame to waste energy heating air in your home only to have it ‘leak’ outside, so make your home as ‘airtight’ as possible,” Chris adds. 

“You should also look at blocking off old unused fireplaces,” Chris adds.

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Posted 9 months ago

Following the success of last year, Primal Gathering (https://primalgathering.co), the world’s first hands-on regenerative gathering, is returning in UK for a 5-day event  in Selgars Mill, in Devon (https://www.selgars.org) on 14th – 19th May.

Primal Gathering is a unique and intimate five day environmental and social gathering with a mission to help restore people, forests and ecosystems, and leave both the people and the land better than how they were found.

This year festival’s guest speakers and practitionersincludes Indian-British activist and founder of Schumacher College Satish Kumar, Climate Activist Farhana Yamin, well known British Barrister and founder of Lawyers for Nature Paul Powlesland, famous instagram foraging influencer Foraged by Fern, Sophie Shnapps from Brian Eno’s EarthPercent Charity, and music from Mammal Hands and other speakers and musicians.

On this 5-day immersion, guests will have a chance to naturally build a sculpture and pizza oven, learn how to plant food, participate in mushroom inoculation, herbalism, regenerative leadership, place-based regeneration, and learn how to forage with Fern. Woven together with myth, folklore and druidry from the British isles, accompanied by soundscapes from across the world.

Primal Gathering supports participants from thinking about making a change, to taking collective action and inspiring real, lasting and visible impact on the land that we inhabit.

Adriana, a participant from last year, says: “Being part of this gathering of beautiful wonderful people was incredible! It felt like we all knew each other for so long, it felt like home, a safe space to share anything and to be our true authentic selves with no judgement. I learned a lot, cabout how to build a more sustainable future, but also about myself. I left with my heart filled with love, light, compassion and gratitude.”

Nicole Bosky, Founder of Primal Gathering & Primal Leadership, says: “We work with organisations and communities to build cultures of care that foster empathy as a way of working, as we believe empathy is a catalyst towards climate action, and a happier and fulfilled workforce.

Our intention is to lay the foundations of a new emerging regenerative educational model that is participatory, locally responsive, and globally collaborative to address some of the most pressing issues of our time.”.


It is Primal Gathering’s belief that the path to changing the world comes from our capacity to change our individual behaviours, which comes with more ease when done with the support of practical tools, education and community.

Tickets for the event range from £360.00 for Camping, up to £1280 for a Private Wagon, and are available to buy from the website.

Website: www.primalgathering.co

Instagram: @primalgathering

For all press enquiries please contact Carlotta PRcarlotta@carlottapr.com