Adam Vaughan
@adamvaughan.bsky.social
Environment Editor at The Times. Clean it Up water campaign. Planet Hope podcast host. When not working, usually running. Previously New Scientist and Guardian.
adam.vaughan@thetimes.co.uk
Signal: adamvaughan.53
adam.vaughan@thetimes.co.uk
Signal: adamvaughan.53
The UK bottle return scheme (DRS) will include glass after all.
But only in Wales, not the rest of the country.
Notable because glass industry had heavily, and successfully, lobbied for it to be excluded from the scheme.
www.gov.wales/written-stat...
But only in Wales, not the rest of the country.
Notable because glass industry had heavily, and successfully, lobbied for it to be excluded from the scheme.
www.gov.wales/written-stat...
Written Statement: The Deposit Return Scheme for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026 | GOV.WALES
Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
www.gov.wales
February 12, 2026 at 4:58 PM
The UK bottle return scheme (DRS) will include glass after all.
But only in Wales, not the rest of the country.
Notable because glass industry had heavily, and successfully, lobbied for it to be excluded from the scheme.
www.gov.wales/written-stat...
But only in Wales, not the rest of the country.
Notable because glass industry had heavily, and successfully, lobbied for it to be excluded from the scheme.
www.gov.wales/written-stat...
Britain needs to think beyond net zero and discuss what it does about tackling the "overshoot" of the world's 1.5C goal, says Jim Skea, chair of the IPCC
Interview here, including what he thinks about the US quittig the IPCC:
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Interview here, including what he thinks about the US quittig the IPCC:
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Britain needs to think beyond net zero, says UN climate scientist
Machines that suck carbon dioxide from the atmosphere could help reduce global warming, but Jim Skea believes breaching the 1.5C limit is ‘inevitable’
www.thetimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Britain needs to think beyond net zero and discuss what it does about tackling the "overshoot" of the world's 1.5C goal, says Jim Skea, chair of the IPCC
Interview here, including what he thinks about the US quittig the IPCC:
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Interview here, including what he thinks about the US quittig the IPCC:
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
The energy department, run by Ed Miliband, has admitted that it cannot name a single national park where regulations are holding up nuclear projects, despite a review urging that protections for the landscapes be reduced.
Latest on Fingleton review
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Latest on Fingleton review
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
‘Green laws hold up nuclear plans — but we can’t say where’
Despite calling for a reduction in planning protections for the landscapes, the energy department admits it can’t identify any where regulations are a problem
www.thetimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:04 AM
The energy department, run by Ed Miliband, has admitted that it cannot name a single national park where regulations are holding up nuclear projects, despite a review urging that protections for the landscapes be reduced.
Latest on Fingleton review
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Latest on Fingleton review
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Nature is the "ultimate foundation" for the economy, the King has told global experts meeting in Britain to discuss the decline in biodiversity.
Charles told delegates at an @ipbes.net meeting that nature is "vitally important" and underpins the climate, food, water and air we rely on.
Charles told delegates at an @ipbes.net meeting that nature is "vitally important" and underpins the climate, food, water and air we rely on.
February 4, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Nature is the "ultimate foundation" for the economy, the King has told global experts meeting in Britain to discuss the decline in biodiversity.
Charles told delegates at an @ipbes.net meeting that nature is "vitally important" and underpins the climate, food, water and air we rely on.
Charles told delegates at an @ipbes.net meeting that nature is "vitally important" and underpins the climate, food, water and air we rely on.
How much will it cost the UK to reach an 87% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040?
In a new letter, @thecccuk.bsky.social confirms about £4bn a year (£26bn a year of costs minus £22bn a year of savings).
www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/u...
87% by 2040 is a stepping stone to net zero by 2050
In a new letter, @thecccuk.bsky.social confirms about £4bn a year (£26bn a year of costs minus £22bn a year of savings).
www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/u...
87% by 2040 is a stepping stone to net zero by 2050
February 3, 2026 at 10:40 AM
How much will it cost the UK to reach an 87% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040?
In a new letter, @thecccuk.bsky.social confirms about £4bn a year (£26bn a year of costs minus £22bn a year of savings).
www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/u...
87% by 2040 is a stepping stone to net zero by 2050
In a new letter, @thecccuk.bsky.social confirms about £4bn a year (£26bn a year of costs minus £22bn a year of savings).
www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/u...
87% by 2040 is a stepping stone to net zero by 2050
The UK government has finally issued a plan for tackling "forever chemicals".
Except the PFAS plan isn't much of a plan — it's a promise of more tests and more consultations later down the line.
Doc here
lnkd.in/enArqKPs
Except the PFAS plan isn't much of a plan — it's a promise of more tests and more consultations later down the line.
Doc here
lnkd.in/enArqKPs
February 3, 2026 at 9:46 AM
The UK government has finally issued a plan for tackling "forever chemicals".
Except the PFAS plan isn't much of a plan — it's a promise of more tests and more consultations later down the line.
Doc here
lnkd.in/enArqKPs
Except the PFAS plan isn't much of a plan — it's a promise of more tests and more consultations later down the line.
Doc here
lnkd.in/enArqKPs
The Met Office is introducing 14-day weather forecasts in a shift in its communications with the public, trusting them to understand probability and that it does not know exactly what will happen
www.thetimes.com/uk/weather/a...
www.thetimes.com/uk/weather/a...
Met Office to introduce two-week weather forecasts
Long-range forecasts are less accurate, but meteorologists say the public understands probability and uncertainty and will be armed to make better decisions
www.thetimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:51 AM
The Met Office is introducing 14-day weather forecasts in a shift in its communications with the public, trusting them to understand probability and that it does not know exactly what will happen
www.thetimes.com/uk/weather/a...
www.thetimes.com/uk/weather/a...
Interesting upcoming talk with @tomheap.bsky.social where he promises to: "Bust media peddled myths about the cost of green energy, the unpopularity of climate action, the role of China and the unshakeable dominance of fossil fuels."
norwichartscentre.co.uk/event/green-...
norwichartscentre.co.uk/event/green-...
Green Shoots presents The Mend of the World: An Evening with Tom Heap - Norwich Arts Centre
norwichartscentre.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Interesting upcoming talk with @tomheap.bsky.social where he promises to: "Bust media peddled myths about the cost of green energy, the unpopularity of climate action, the role of China and the unshakeable dominance of fossil fuels."
norwichartscentre.co.uk/event/green-...
norwichartscentre.co.uk/event/green-...
The US is now formally out of the Paris Agreement, one year after it triggered the exit process from the climate treaty.
It has subsequently announced it will also withdraw from the UNFCCC and IPCC.
It has subsequently announced it will also withdraw from the UNFCCC and IPCC.
January 27, 2026 at 10:01 AM
The US is now formally out of the Paris Agreement, one year after it triggered the exit process from the climate treaty.
It has subsequently announced it will also withdraw from the UNFCCC and IPCC.
It has subsequently announced it will also withdraw from the UNFCCC and IPCC.
Wood-burning stoves to come with health warnings
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
January 22, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Wood-burning stoves to come with health warnings
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
UK government ‘concedes data centre consent should be quashed over flimsy environmental commitments’
www.endsreport.com/article/1945...
www.endsreport.com/article/1945...
Government ‘concedes data centre consent should be quashed over flimsy environmental commitments’
The government has conceded that its consent for a giant data centre in Buckinghamshire should be quashed, agreeing that it was wrong to allow the scheme to go ahead “without binding commitments from ...
www.endsreport.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:17 PM
UK government ‘concedes data centre consent should be quashed over flimsy environmental commitments’
www.endsreport.com/article/1945...
www.endsreport.com/article/1945...
Households will be able to get zero-interest loans for solar panels and grants for heat pumps to provide air conditioning under a £15 billion UK government “warm homes plan”.
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Zero-interest solar panel loans in Labour’s warm homes plan
The government is also considering a ‘Netflix-style’ subscription where customers would pay a monthly charge for energy and equipment installation costs
www.thetimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Households will be able to get zero-interest loans for solar panels and grants for heat pumps to provide air conditioning under a £15 billion UK government “warm homes plan”.
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Intensive cattle farms face a crackdown on the pollution they spill into rivers under sweeping water reforms.
Government plans mean that beef and dairy farmers may have to apply for environmental permits usually reserved for incinerators & chemical plants
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Government plans mean that beef and dairy farmers may have to apply for environmental permits usually reserved for incinerators & chemical plants
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Cattle farms may be treated like chemical plants under pollution rules
Ministers are proposing to force farmers to apply for environmental permits usually reserved for industry amid growing concerns about the impact on waterways
www.thetimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Intensive cattle farms face a crackdown on the pollution they spill into rivers under sweeping water reforms.
Government plans mean that beef and dairy farmers may have to apply for environmental permits usually reserved for incinerators & chemical plants
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Government plans mean that beef and dairy farmers may have to apply for environmental permits usually reserved for incinerators & chemical plants
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Water companies will face surprise inspections as part of a crackdown on wrongdoing in the industry.
Among wide-ranging reforms to be announced on Tuesday, a regulator will be granted “no notice” powers to inspect sewage treatment works and other infrastructure:
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Among wide-ranging reforms to be announced on Tuesday, a regulator will be granted “no notice” powers to inspect sewage treatment works and other infrastructure:
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Surprise inspections to stop water companies covering up errors
Government reforms aim to stop suppliers ‘marking their own homework’ and give inspectors more powers including ‘no notice’ visits to treatment works
www.thetimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Water companies will face surprise inspections as part of a crackdown on wrongdoing in the industry.
Among wide-ranging reforms to be announced on Tuesday, a regulator will be granted “no notice” powers to inspect sewage treatment works and other infrastructure:
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Among wide-ranging reforms to be announced on Tuesday, a regulator will be granted “no notice” powers to inspect sewage treatment works and other infrastructure:
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Bill Gates charity trust’s holdings in fossil fuel firms rise despite divestment claims
Not exactly what the Keep it in the Ground campaign was asking for...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Not exactly what the Keep it in the Ground campaign was asking for...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Bill Gates charity trust’s holdings in fossil fuel firms rise despite divestment claims
Trust had $254m invested in companies such as Chevron, BP and Shell in 2024, a nine-year record, analysis shows
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Bill Gates charity trust’s holdings in fossil fuel firms rise despite divestment claims
Not exactly what the Keep it in the Ground campaign was asking for...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Not exactly what the Keep it in the Ground campaign was asking for...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Adam Vaughan
2025 global climate highlights are out:
🌡️ 2025 was 3rd warmest year on record, 1.47ºC above the preindustrial level
📈 2023-2025 is the first three year period above 1.5ºC (according to ERA5)
🌍 The last 11 years have been the warmest 11 years on record
See: climate.copernicus.eu/global-clima...
⚒️🧪🌊
🌡️ 2025 was 3rd warmest year on record, 1.47ºC above the preindustrial level
📈 2023-2025 is the first three year period above 1.5ºC (according to ERA5)
🌍 The last 11 years have been the warmest 11 years on record
See: climate.copernicus.eu/global-clima...
⚒️🧪🌊
January 14, 2026 at 6:34 AM
2025 global climate highlights are out:
🌡️ 2025 was 3rd warmest year on record, 1.47ºC above the preindustrial level
📈 2023-2025 is the first three year period above 1.5ºC (according to ERA5)
🌍 The last 11 years have been the warmest 11 years on record
See: climate.copernicus.eu/global-clima...
⚒️🧪🌊
🌡️ 2025 was 3rd warmest year on record, 1.47ºC above the preindustrial level
📈 2023-2025 is the first three year period above 1.5ºC (according to ERA5)
🌍 The last 11 years have been the warmest 11 years on record
See: climate.copernicus.eu/global-clima...
⚒️🧪🌊
A UK govt auction of renewable energy subsidies has secured 8.4GW of offshore wind power.
That's huge. Total installed capacity today is 16GW.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
That's huge. Total installed capacity today is 16GW.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
UK wind farm expansion could add £1.8bn in green levies to bills
Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, has approved hundreds of giant turbines to reach his target of 95 per cent clean power generation by 2030
www.thetimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:17 AM
A UK govt auction of renewable energy subsidies has secured 8.4GW of offshore wind power.
That's huge. Total installed capacity today is 16GW.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
That's huge. Total installed capacity today is 16GW.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Adam Vaughan
NEW: Coal-fired power generation fell in both China and India in 2025, for the first time since 1973. The drop came after record clean energy additions in both countries, and was the first time that clean energy was a major driver of falling coal power use.
January 13, 2026 at 4:56 AM
NEW: Coal-fired power generation fell in both China and India in 2025, for the first time since 1973. The drop came after record clean energy additions in both countries, and was the first time that clean energy was a major driver of falling coal power use.
People can still be an environmentalists if they drive, fly and eat meat, said @zackpolanski.bsky.social, the leader of the Green Party.
He also talked about social media, whether talks about the environment enough, nuclear power, IHT and farmers, Rosebank & more
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
He also talked about social media, whether talks about the environment enough, nuclear power, IHT and farmers, Rosebank & more
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Zack Polanski: You can fly, drive, eat meat and still be green
The leader of the Greens wants to widen his party’s appeal and has triggered a surge in membership since his election
www.thetimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:28 AM
People can still be an environmentalists if they drive, fly and eat meat, said @zackpolanski.bsky.social, the leader of the Green Party.
He also talked about social media, whether talks about the environment enough, nuclear power, IHT and farmers, Rosebank & more
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
He also talked about social media, whether talks about the environment enough, nuclear power, IHT and farmers, Rosebank & more
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Students should be encouraged to eat venison at university to keep the nation’s deer population numbers under control, campaigners have said
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Stag on student menu could help save trees
Experts say at least 750,000 deer need to be culled annually. Turning venison into a sustainable food source could ease the problem
www.thetimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Students should be encouraged to eat venison at university to keep the nation’s deer population numbers under control, campaigners have said
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Extraordinary that the US is pulling out of the IPCC and UNFCCC
There's no getting around it, this is a blow to international climate science and climate diplomacy
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
There's no getting around it, this is a blow to international climate science and climate diplomacy
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Withdrawing the United States from International Organizations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Contrary to the Interests of the United States
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United
www.whitehouse.gov
January 8, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Extraordinary that the US is pulling out of the IPCC and UNFCCC
There's no getting around it, this is a blow to international climate science and climate diplomacy
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
There's no getting around it, this is a blow to international climate science and climate diplomacy
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
The repair cafés fixing Britain’s throwaway culture are headed to the festival circuit
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
The repair cafés fixing Britain’s throwaway culture
From toasters to laptops, the volunteer-led projects are spreading fast and they have been taking their anti-waste message to festivals
www.thetimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:19 AM
The repair cafés fixing Britain’s throwaway culture are headed to the festival circuit
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Water voles are on the verge of a renaissance in London.
A little Christmas good news story about American mink getting lured to their doom:
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
A little Christmas good news story about American mink getting lured to their doom:
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Welcome back, Ratty: water voles return to London
With their main predator, the American mink, thought to be eradicated there is hope that one of the stars of The Wind in the Willows will thrive again
www.thetimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Water voles are on the verge of a renaissance in London.
A little Christmas good news story about American mink getting lured to their doom:
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
A little Christmas good news story about American mink getting lured to their doom:
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Reposted by Adam Vaughan
‘Massive disruption’: UK’s worst-case #climatecrisis scenarios revealed by scientists
- Scientists say government must be prepared for unlikely but ‘plausible’ 4C rise in temperature and a 2-metre rise in sea levels
Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- Scientists say government must be prepared for unlikely but ‘plausible’ 4C rise in temperature and a 2-metre rise in sea levels
Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Massive disruption’: UK’s worst-case climate crisis scenarios revealed by scientists
Scientists say government must prepare for ‘plausible’ 4C rise in temperature and a 2-metre rise in sea levels
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
‘Massive disruption’: UK’s worst-case #climatecrisis scenarios revealed by scientists
- Scientists say government must be prepared for unlikely but ‘plausible’ 4C rise in temperature and a 2-metre rise in sea levels
Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- Scientists say government must be prepared for unlikely but ‘plausible’ 4C rise in temperature and a 2-metre rise in sea levels
Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Southern Water has been accused of not fully co-operating with a regulator’s investigation after millions of plastic beads were spilt on popular beaches and rare habitats, The Times understands.
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Southern Water ‘not fully co-operating’ with pollution spill inquiry
Millions of plastic beads accidentally released from a treatment works near Eastbourne have contaminated beaches from Hastings to Camber Sands
www.thetimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Southern Water has been accused of not fully co-operating with a regulator’s investigation after millions of plastic beads were spilt on popular beaches and rare habitats, The Times understands.
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...