Alex Mackaness
@alexmackaness.bsky.social
Nature and land use @LCEFUK.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
Our first panel is discussing a new settlement for nature and planning. Chair @jessicaelgot.bsky.social is joined by @pollybillington.bsky.social, @rachelblakemp.bsky.social, Natasha Hyde and Ali Plummer.
September 4, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Our first panel is discussing a new settlement for nature and planning. Chair @jessicaelgot.bsky.social is joined by @pollybillington.bsky.social, @rachelblakemp.bsky.social, Natasha Hyde and Ali Plummer.
Really enjoyed this roundtable. Gov has a huge opportunity to drive forward nature investment at scale.
Great roundtable this morning on the investment case for nature as critical national infrastructure - thank you to Rebuilding Nature for the excellent discussion and @pollybillington.bsky.social for hosting!
June 25, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Really enjoyed this roundtable. Gov has a huge opportunity to drive forward nature investment at scale.
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
🚨 Trustee Announcement 🚨
We’re delighted to welcome five new trustees to the board of the Labour Climate and Environment Forum (LCEF)!
At a time when climate ambition has never been more urgent, we’re growing our governance team with an experienced group from across the Labour movement.
We’re delighted to welcome five new trustees to the board of the Labour Climate and Environment Forum (LCEF)!
At a time when climate ambition has never been more urgent, we’re growing our governance team with an experienced group from across the Labour movement.
May 14, 2025 at 10:42 AM
🚨 Trustee Announcement 🚨
We’re delighted to welcome five new trustees to the board of the Labour Climate and Environment Forum (LCEF)!
At a time when climate ambition has never been more urgent, we’re growing our governance team with an experienced group from across the Labour movement.
We’re delighted to welcome five new trustees to the board of the Labour Climate and Environment Forum (LCEF)!
At a time when climate ambition has never been more urgent, we’re growing our governance team with an experienced group from across the Labour movement.
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
Great article by @TomHayes in the New Statesman today that cuts through the noise and speaks to what the British people want.
www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/su...
www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/su...
Kemi Badenoch is wrong about net zero
Opposing clean power isn't the vote winner that the Tories - or Reform - think it will be.
www.newstatesman.com
May 1, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Great article by @TomHayes in the New Statesman today that cuts through the noise and speaks to what the British people want.
www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/su...
www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/su...
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
Government to extend ban on moorland burning - closing loopholes in existing rules
Great news for nature, carbon, & people who’ll be spared from acrid smoke & flooding
Bad news for dukes & billionaires who own grouse moors 🎻
Here's my quote running on PA newswire: 1/
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Great news for nature, carbon, & people who’ll be spared from acrid smoke & flooding
Bad news for dukes & billionaires who own grouse moors 🎻
Here's my quote running on PA newswire: 1/
www.gov.uk/government/n...
March 31, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Government to extend ban on moorland burning - closing loopholes in existing rules
Great news for nature, carbon, & people who’ll be spared from acrid smoke & flooding
Bad news for dukes & billionaires who own grouse moors 🎻
Here's my quote running on PA newswire: 1/
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Great news for nature, carbon, & people who’ll be spared from acrid smoke & flooding
Bad news for dukes & billionaires who own grouse moors 🎻
Here's my quote running on PA newswire: 1/
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
'This is what Labour understand about energy and what some of our opponents don’t. Investing in our own home-grown energy generation grows the money available for everything else that we need'
@annagelderdmp.bsky.social great in @labourlist.bsky.social today.
labourlist.org/2025/03/gb-e...
@annagelderdmp.bsky.social great in @labourlist.bsky.social today.
labourlist.org/2025/03/gb-e...
'GB Energy's first investment demonstrates Labour's climate leadership' - LabourList
The funding announced is just the start in an ambitious programme to set up a new, publicly owned energy company which will play a leading role in delivering our clean power mission.
labourlist.org
March 23, 2025 at 8:26 AM
'This is what Labour understand about energy and what some of our opponents don’t. Investing in our own home-grown energy generation grows the money available for everything else that we need'
@annagelderdmp.bsky.social great in @labourlist.bsky.social today.
labourlist.org/2025/03/gb-e...
@annagelderdmp.bsky.social great in @labourlist.bsky.social today.
labourlist.org/2025/03/gb-e...
📣Some really exciting news for nature over the last 24 hours.
It's really good to see a more strategic approach to nature's recovery and government partnerships working in action to deliver on the ground.
It's really good to see a more strategic approach to nature's recovery and government partnerships working in action to deliver on the ground.
March 21, 2025 at 9:08 AM
📣Some really exciting news for nature over the last 24 hours.
It's really good to see a more strategic approach to nature's recovery and government partnerships working in action to deliver on the ground.
It's really good to see a more strategic approach to nature's recovery and government partnerships working in action to deliver on the ground.
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
Great to see that one of three new national forests is planned for the west of England.
Positive there’s a focus on urban areas too (including Bristol) where trees are going to play a crucial role in supporting climate resilience.
Positive there’s a focus on urban areas too (including Bristol) where trees are going to play a crucial role in supporting climate resilience.
New national forest to see 20m trees planted across West by 2050
The government says the new Western Forest project will help the UK meet its tree-planting targets.
www.bbc.com
March 21, 2025 at 6:24 AM
Great to see that one of three new national forests is planned for the west of England.
Positive there’s a focus on urban areas too (including Bristol) where trees are going to play a crucial role in supporting climate resilience.
Positive there’s a focus on urban areas too (including Bristol) where trees are going to play a crucial role in supporting climate resilience.
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
BREAKING: DEFRA asks England’s biggest landowners to come up with plans to restore nature.
The new National Estate for Nature is a bold move by Labour, summoning landowners who own a tenth of the country to report on their stewardship.
With comment from me:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The new National Estate for Nature is a bold move by Labour, summoning landowners who own a tenth of the country to report on their stewardship.
With comment from me:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Defra asks England’s biggest landowners to come up with plans to restore nature
Exclusive: Representatives of king, National Trust and others called on to work together to protect environment
www.theguardian.com
March 20, 2025 at 5:17 PM
BREAKING: DEFRA asks England’s biggest landowners to come up with plans to restore nature.
The new National Estate for Nature is a bold move by Labour, summoning landowners who own a tenth of the country to report on their stewardship.
With comment from me:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The new National Estate for Nature is a bold move by Labour, summoning landowners who own a tenth of the country to report on their stewardship.
With comment from me:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
Today's announcement by Kemi Badenoch - breaking the long-standing UK consensus on climate - leaves a massive hole in the political centre ground and presents a huge opportunity for Labour to take advantage of. 🧵
March 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Today's announcement by Kemi Badenoch - breaking the long-standing UK consensus on climate - leaves a massive hole in the political centre ground and presents a huge opportunity for Labour to take advantage of. 🧵
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
LCEF are delighted to announce the upcoming launch of our new essay collection! 'The Return of Spring' will explore the historical links between the labour movement and environmentalism. 1/2
March 13, 2025 at 12:05 PM
LCEF are delighted to announce the upcoming launch of our new essay collection! 'The Return of Spring' will explore the historical links between the labour movement and environmentalism. 1/2
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
Pleased to have contributed an essay to this forthcoming collection by @lcefuk.bsky.social - about Labour, environmentalism, and the development of what @matthewjkelly.bsky.social has termed the 'Nature State':
bsky.app/profile/lcef...
bsky.app/profile/lcef...
LCEF are delighted to announce the upcoming launch of our new essay collection! 'The Return of Spring' will explore the historical links between the labour movement and environmentalism. 1/2
March 13, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Pleased to have contributed an essay to this forthcoming collection by @lcefuk.bsky.social - about Labour, environmentalism, and the development of what @matthewjkelly.bsky.social has termed the 'Nature State':
bsky.app/profile/lcef...
bsky.app/profile/lcef...
There are political challenges of over-reliance on energy imports.
With geopolitical uncertainty as it is, energy independence resonates with the public, the risk with current biomass model is that this undermines it.
With geopolitical uncertainty as it is, energy independence resonates with the public, the risk with current biomass model is that this undermines it.
Following the collapse of coal, bioenergy is the 3rd largest energy import after oil and gas in the UK.
🌲 Clean Power 2030 will halve gas imports, but large-scale biomass power remains totally reliant on imported wood pellets.
ember-energy.org/lat...
🌲 Clean Power 2030 will halve gas imports, but large-scale biomass power remains totally reliant on imported wood pellets.
ember-energy.org/lat...
March 11, 2025 at 9:45 AM
There are political challenges of over-reliance on energy imports.
With geopolitical uncertainty as it is, energy independence resonates with the public, the risk with current biomass model is that this undermines it.
With geopolitical uncertainty as it is, energy independence resonates with the public, the risk with current biomass model is that this undermines it.
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
No exodus to state sector after VAT added to private school fees, say English councils
Most say they have seen no impact on applications for year 7 places, despite warnings from those against policy
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Most say they have seen no impact on applications for year 7 places, despite warnings from those against policy
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
No exodus to state sector after VAT added to private school fees, say English councils
Most say they have seen no impact on applications for year 7 places, despite warnings from those against policy
www.theguardian.com
March 10, 2025 at 7:53 AM
No exodus to state sector after VAT added to private school fees, say English councils
Most say they have seen no impact on applications for year 7 places, despite warnings from those against policy
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Most say they have seen no impact on applications for year 7 places, despite warnings from those against policy
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Well done @guyshrubsole.bsky.social.
Huge opportunity for @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social and a Labour government to bring more transparency and, ultimately accountability, to land ownership.
Could be game changing.
Huge opportunity for @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social and a Labour government to bring more transparency and, ultimately accountability, to land ownership.
Could be game changing.
Huge win! Government announces plans to open up the Land Registry.
If delivered, will finally reveal more about who owns land in England and Wales.
Read my blog post for more details & how you can write to the Minister to make sure this now happens:
whoownsengland.org/2025/03/06/h...
🧵1/
If delivered, will finally reveal more about who owns land in England and Wales.
Read my blog post for more details & how you can write to the Minister to make sure this now happens:
whoownsengland.org/2025/03/06/h...
🧵1/
Huge win! Government announces plan to open up Land Registry
This post is by Guy Shrubsole. Today the UK Government has announced plans to open up the Land Registry – which, if delivered, will finally reveal more about who owns land in England and Wale…
whoownsengland.org
March 6, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Well done @guyshrubsole.bsky.social.
Huge opportunity for @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social and a Labour government to bring more transparency and, ultimately accountability, to land ownership.
Could be game changing.
Huge opportunity for @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social and a Labour government to bring more transparency and, ultimately accountability, to land ownership.
Could be game changing.
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
On today's big Drax decision by govt - very pleased to see the principles LCEF has been pushing for recognised in this new deal.
✅Profit loopholes closed
✅Drastic reduction of subsidies and supply
✅100% sustainability supply chain standards
✅Windfall tax on excessive profits
✅Profit loopholes closed
✅Drastic reduction of subsidies and supply
✅100% sustainability supply chain standards
✅Windfall tax on excessive profits
👇The Government has published its statement on the future of Drax Power Station this morning - read our Deputy Director's (@mcortonscott.bsky.social) thoughts below:
February 10, 2025 at 2:01 PM
On today's big Drax decision by govt - very pleased to see the principles LCEF has been pushing for recognised in this new deal.
✅Profit loopholes closed
✅Drastic reduction of subsidies and supply
✅100% sustainability supply chain standards
✅Windfall tax on excessive profits
✅Profit loopholes closed
✅Drastic reduction of subsidies and supply
✅100% sustainability supply chain standards
✅Windfall tax on excessive profits
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
It’s with a heavy heart that I’ve been forced to write to Claire Coutinho again.
January 15, 2025 at 9:30 AM
It’s with a heavy heart that I’ve been forced to write to Claire Coutinho again.
The UK imports millions of tonnes of wood from overseas to burn for electricity each year & has cost billpayers billions to subsidise.
Ahead of a decision on whether to extend subsidies, I write on the political risks of subsidising biomass for Labour.
www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...
Ahead of a decision on whether to extend subsidies, I write on the political risks of subsidising biomass for Labour.
www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...
Sticking with Drax could undermine net zero. Labour must be brave
The decision on whether to end Drax's energy subsidies is not an easy one, but the Government must face up to the tough choices that the Tories dod...
www.politicshome.com
January 8, 2025 at 12:05 PM
The UK imports millions of tonnes of wood from overseas to burn for electricity each year & has cost billpayers billions to subsidise.
Ahead of a decision on whether to extend subsidies, I write on the political risks of subsidising biomass for Labour.
www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...
Ahead of a decision on whether to extend subsidies, I write on the political risks of subsidising biomass for Labour.
www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...
With more farmer protests & the launch of the latest UK Food Security Report, I’ve been musing about the need for leadership on farming.
🧵
🧵
December 11, 2024 at 11:44 AM
With more farmer protests & the launch of the latest UK Food Security Report, I’ve been musing about the need for leadership on farming.
🧵
🧵
Really great to hear Defra SoS Steve Reed announce a new Gov Food Strategy - crucial to tackle so many objectives (health, nature, climate, education)
High emphasis on cross-gov collaboration - this should boost confidence that Gov are serious about food and farming. Now to deliver!
High emphasis on cross-gov collaboration - this should boost confidence that Gov are serious about food and farming. Now to deliver!
December 10, 2024 at 5:34 PM
Really great to hear Defra SoS Steve Reed announce a new Gov Food Strategy - crucial to tackle so many objectives (health, nature, climate, education)
High emphasis on cross-gov collaboration - this should boost confidence that Gov are serious about food and farming. Now to deliver!
High emphasis on cross-gov collaboration - this should boost confidence that Gov are serious about food and farming. Now to deliver!
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
STRIKING NEW DATA: More than a quarter of new cars sold in the UK in November were battery EVs (so much for "stalling sales")
📈BEV sales up 51% year-on-year
📉Petrol sales down 35% year-on-year (!)
Data from New Automotive
📈BEV sales up 51% year-on-year
📉Petrol sales down 35% year-on-year (!)
Data from New Automotive
December 5, 2024 at 9:34 AM
STRIKING NEW DATA: More than a quarter of new cars sold in the UK in November were battery EVs (so much for "stalling sales")
📈BEV sales up 51% year-on-year
📉Petrol sales down 35% year-on-year (!)
Data from New Automotive
📈BEV sales up 51% year-on-year
📉Petrol sales down 35% year-on-year (!)
Data from New Automotive
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
Delays to Countryside Stewardship ‘higher tier’ scheme risk hitting poorest farmers hardest
Currently, upland farmers only receive 8% (£39m) of gov’s new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
Why does this matter? 🧵
Currently, upland farmers only receive 8% (£39m) of gov’s new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
Why does this matter? 🧵
December 5, 2024 at 8:47 AM
Delays to Countryside Stewardship ‘higher tier’ scheme risk hitting poorest farmers hardest
Currently, upland farmers only receive 8% (£39m) of gov’s new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
Why does this matter? 🧵
Currently, upland farmers only receive 8% (£39m) of gov’s new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
Why does this matter? 🧵
Reposted by Alex Mackaness
Could Tenbury Wells be the first UK town centre abandoned due to #ClimateCrisis ?
- Town has been flooded seven times in past four years and shop owners can no longer afford insurance
Story by Jessica Murray
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- Town has been flooded seven times in past four years and shop owners can no longer afford insurance
Story by Jessica Murray
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Could Tenbury Wells be the first UK town centre abandoned over climate change?
Worcestershire town has been flooded seven times in past four years and shop owners can no longer afford insurance
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2024 at 10:53 AM
Could Tenbury Wells be the first UK town centre abandoned due to #ClimateCrisis ?
- Town has been flooded seven times in past four years and shop owners can no longer afford insurance
Story by Jessica Murray
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- Town has been flooded seven times in past four years and shop owners can no longer afford insurance
Story by Jessica Murray
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Rising food prices are canary in the coal mine for climate impacts on food production.
Q for Lab is how to increase resilience in food systems. This means what we produce + how, and how we protect those with least from higher costs.
Empty shelves tend not to be a great look for Gov.
Q for Lab is how to increase resilience in food systems. This means what we produce + how, and how we protect those with least from higher costs.
Empty shelves tend not to be a great look for Gov.
Wake up and smell the coffee: rising food prices show destabilising impact of climate crisis | Heather Stewart
Wake up and smell the coffee: rising food prices show destabilising impact of climate crisis | Heather Stewart
Policymakers must act as extreme weather events put more pressure on food inflation and production worldwide
Your morning – and afternoon – coffee is the latest staple threatened by climate chaos: the price of quality arabica beans shot to its highest…
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2024 at 11:26 AM
Rising food prices are canary in the coal mine for climate impacts on food production.
Q for Lab is how to increase resilience in food systems. This means what we produce + how, and how we protect those with least from higher costs.
Empty shelves tend not to be a great look for Gov.
Q for Lab is how to increase resilience in food systems. This means what we produce + how, and how we protect those with least from higher costs.
Empty shelves tend not to be a great look for Gov.