Dustin Benton
@dbenton.bsky.social
Sustainability MD Forefront Advisers. Prev:@GreenAllianceUK; Chief Analyst @food_strategy. Generic personal achievement. Folksy identifier. Humblebrag. #hashtag
Pleased to be talking about the future of UK wind power in light of the loss of political consensus on climate - alongside Andrew Bowie, Conservative energy minister.
October 23, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Pleased to be talking about the future of UK wind power in light of the loss of political consensus on climate - alongside Andrew Bowie, Conservative energy minister.
Nice bit of journalism here on a potential 5x rise in the farming inheritance tax threshold. I tend to agree that it buys no goodwill: news.sky.com/story/damage...
October 13, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Nice bit of journalism here on a potential 5x rise in the farming inheritance tax threshold. I tend to agree that it buys no goodwill: news.sky.com/story/damage...
I'm looking forward to tea production stats from English tea growers (shout out to www.dartmoorestatetea.com, tregothnan.co.uk, and peterstontea.com) that look like this chart...
September 17, 2025 at 1:03 PM
I'm looking forward to tea production stats from English tea growers (shout out to www.dartmoorestatetea.com, tregothnan.co.uk, and peterstontea.com) that look like this chart...
Why are food prices still on the up? Come on BBC - it’s global heating. Those droughts and heatwaves that raise food prices are 10x to 100x more likely because of the carbon emissions we’re putting into the atmosphere.
September 17, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Why are food prices still on the up? Come on BBC - it’s global heating. Those droughts and heatwaves that raise food prices are 10x to 100x more likely because of the carbon emissions we’re putting into the atmosphere.
A 'don't invest in Britain' message from Reform.
Two problems: 1. Nearly 1m people now work in the UK's green economy. This promises them unemployment.
2. AR7 allocates contracts. Reform won't honour contract law, which underpins private property. If you thought Liz Truss was bad, just wait 💡🔌
Two problems: 1. Nearly 1m people now work in the UK's green economy. This promises them unemployment.
2. AR7 allocates contracts. Reform won't honour contract law, which underpins private property. If you thought Liz Truss was bad, just wait 💡🔌
July 17, 2025 at 7:35 AM
A 'don't invest in Britain' message from Reform.
Two problems: 1. Nearly 1m people now work in the UK's green economy. This promises them unemployment.
2. AR7 allocates contracts. Reform won't honour contract law, which underpins private property. If you thought Liz Truss was bad, just wait 💡🔌
Two problems: 1. Nearly 1m people now work in the UK's green economy. This promises them unemployment.
2. AR7 allocates contracts. Reform won't honour contract law, which underpins private property. If you thought Liz Truss was bad, just wait 💡🔌
The OBR report you should be reading- excellent from @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org.
Mitigation costs are down to ~0.5% of GDP and are *way* cheaper than avoidable damage costs. Plus, damage costs will rise - economics is a long way behind climate science.
www.carbonbrief.org/obr-net-zero...
Mitigation costs are down to ~0.5% of GDP and are *way* cheaper than avoidable damage costs. Plus, damage costs will rise - economics is a long way behind climate science.
www.carbonbrief.org/obr-net-zero...
July 9, 2025 at 1:26 PM
The OBR report you should be reading- excellent from @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org.
Mitigation costs are down to ~0.5% of GDP and are *way* cheaper than avoidable damage costs. Plus, damage costs will rise - economics is a long way behind climate science.
www.carbonbrief.org/obr-net-zero...
Mitigation costs are down to ~0.5% of GDP and are *way* cheaper than avoidable damage costs. Plus, damage costs will rise - economics is a long way behind climate science.
www.carbonbrief.org/obr-net-zero...
Uh these are most definitely not idiosycratic drivers of inflation for the 21st century, Mr Bailey.
Climate risks are the inflation megatrend of this century.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Climate risks are the inflation megatrend of this century.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
June 26, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Uh these are most definitely not idiosycratic drivers of inflation for the 21st century, Mr Bailey.
Climate risks are the inflation megatrend of this century.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Climate risks are the inflation megatrend of this century.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
This is a problem for EV uptake in Europe: high electricity prices mean EVs are no longer always cheaper to run than petrol.
Time-of-use pricing avoids this problem, but it's near impossible to find public chargers in the UK that are the same price as petrol.
Time-of-use pricing avoids this problem, but it's near impossible to find public chargers in the UK that are the same price as petrol.
June 19, 2025 at 8:40 AM
This is a problem for EV uptake in Europe: high electricity prices mean EVs are no longer always cheaper to run than petrol.
Time-of-use pricing avoids this problem, but it's near impossible to find public chargers in the UK that are the same price as petrol.
Time-of-use pricing avoids this problem, but it's near impossible to find public chargers in the UK that are the same price as petrol.
The UK grid looks v clean for the next 48h. There's enough power to switch all fossil fuel generation off, but is there enough inertia? 4.9GW of nuclear, interconnectors, batteries and synchronous condensers are are due to be ready this year. But will NESO dare, given the recent Iberian blackouts?🔌💡
May 24, 2025 at 1:35 PM
The UK grid looks v clean for the next 48h. There's enough power to switch all fossil fuel generation off, but is there enough inertia? 4.9GW of nuclear, interconnectors, batteries and synchronous condensers are are due to be ready this year. But will NESO dare, given the recent Iberian blackouts?🔌💡
And in aviation, the CCC has been clever in linking demand growth with the growth of SAF and carbon removals.
It's polluter pays and totally sensible. Airbus ditching H2 engines and SAF moving slowly is a bit of a problem though, but it's good to frame this as an industry problem to solve.
It's polluter pays and totally sensible. Airbus ditching H2 engines and SAF moving slowly is a bit of a problem though, but it's good to frame this as an industry problem to solve.
February 26, 2025 at 9:35 AM
And in aviation, the CCC has been clever in linking demand growth with the growth of SAF and carbon removals.
It's polluter pays and totally sensible. Airbus ditching H2 engines and SAF moving slowly is a bit of a problem though, but it's good to frame this as an industry problem to solve.
It's polluter pays and totally sensible. Airbus ditching H2 engines and SAF moving slowly is a bit of a problem though, but it's good to frame this as an industry problem to solve.
Peek under the surface though and the numbers show a lot of change. Eg in land use, the sharp turn after 2040 is due to planting lots of trees this decade.
This can definitely raise rural incomes, and be beautiful- by 2040 the UK would still have a lot less woodland than France. But it's different.
This can definitely raise rural incomes, and be beautiful- by 2040 the UK would still have a lot less woodland than France. But it's different.
February 26, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Peek under the surface though and the numbers show a lot of change. Eg in land use, the sharp turn after 2040 is due to planting lots of trees this decade.
This can definitely raise rural incomes, and be beautiful- by 2040 the UK would still have a lot less woodland than France. But it's different.
This can definitely raise rural incomes, and be beautiful- by 2040 the UK would still have a lot less woodland than France. But it's different.
Not sure 'ripping up the rules' is the right frame for nuclear power...
February 6, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Not sure 'ripping up the rules' is the right frame for nuclear power...
Kudos to Defra for producing (and releasing) lovely maps to accompany the land use framework consultation.
I'll do a digested read before long, but this one jumped out - loads of opportunities for habitat creation in the unprofitable uplands are a real economic opportunity for rural England.
I'll do a digested read before long, but this one jumped out - loads of opportunities for habitat creation in the unprofitable uplands are a real economic opportunity for rural England.
January 31, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Kudos to Defra for producing (and releasing) lovely maps to accompany the land use framework consultation.
I'll do a digested read before long, but this one jumped out - loads of opportunities for habitat creation in the unprofitable uplands are a real economic opportunity for rural England.
I'll do a digested read before long, but this one jumped out - loads of opportunities for habitat creation in the unprofitable uplands are a real economic opportunity for rural England.
@henrymance.bsky.social well worth reading if you are at all interested in AMOC collapse. You should be: www.ft.com/content/7711...
If you're interested in AMOC's little brother, the north Atlantic Subpolar Gyre (SPG), I coauthored a paper on it late last year (here: bsky.app/profile/dben...)
If you're interested in AMOC's little brother, the north Atlantic Subpolar Gyre (SPG), I coauthored a paper on it late last year (here: bsky.app/profile/dben...)
January 15, 2025 at 9:35 AM
@henrymance.bsky.social well worth reading if you are at all interested in AMOC collapse. You should be: www.ft.com/content/7711...
If you're interested in AMOC's little brother, the north Atlantic Subpolar Gyre (SPG), I coauthored a paper on it late last year (here: bsky.app/profile/dben...)
If you're interested in AMOC's little brother, the north Atlantic Subpolar Gyre (SPG), I coauthored a paper on it late last year (here: bsky.app/profile/dben...)
It's an unorthodox approach to zonal pricing...
January 13, 2025 at 12:19 PM
It's an unorthodox approach to zonal pricing...
Of course, on the disinformation machine that is X/Twitter, this is a Bill Gates conspiracy to give you eye irritation.
THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS (like lower carbon cows).
THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS (like lower carbon cows).
November 27, 2024 at 4:32 PM
Of course, on the disinformation machine that is X/Twitter, this is a Bill Gates conspiracy to give you eye irritation.
THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS (like lower carbon cows).
THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS (like lower carbon cows).
Here's why - EVs have eaten all the demand growth in fossil cars, globally, since the pandemic (HT @colinmckerracher.bsky.social).
Yes, European carmakers risk being out-competed by Chinese EV makers, who now have a price and tech lead. The ZEV mandate isn't the problem.
Yes, European carmakers risk being out-competed by Chinese EV makers, who now have a price and tech lead. The ZEV mandate isn't the problem.
November 27, 2024 at 9:29 AM
Here's why - EVs have eaten all the demand growth in fossil cars, globally, since the pandemic (HT @colinmckerracher.bsky.social).
Yes, European carmakers risk being out-competed by Chinese EV makers, who now have a price and tech lead. The ZEV mandate isn't the problem.
Yes, European carmakers risk being out-competed by Chinese EV makers, who now have a price and tech lead. The ZEV mandate isn't the problem.
You'll see lots of "news" about the closing of Vauxhall's Luton plant, associated with the UK's ZEV mandate. EG the Mail below.
This is PR to disguise an unpopular closure, not an EV thing. In fact, Stellantis (Vauxhall's owner) is consolidating everywhere so it can compete with Chinese EV brands.
This is PR to disguise an unpopular closure, not an EV thing. In fact, Stellantis (Vauxhall's owner) is consolidating everywhere so it can compete with Chinese EV brands.
November 27, 2024 at 9:25 AM
You'll see lots of "news" about the closing of Vauxhall's Luton plant, associated with the UK's ZEV mandate. EG the Mail below.
This is PR to disguise an unpopular closure, not an EV thing. In fact, Stellantis (Vauxhall's owner) is consolidating everywhere so it can compete with Chinese EV brands.
This is PR to disguise an unpopular closure, not an EV thing. In fact, Stellantis (Vauxhall's owner) is consolidating everywhere so it can compete with Chinese EV brands.
I've now read the UK's new industrial strategy, and am disappointed to not find references to the 'Medici model' as a solution for the UK's regional productivity gap - seems that Labour has ditched Michael Gove's inimitable style
(for those who had forgotten: www.thearticle.com/michael-gove...)
(for those who had forgotten: www.thearticle.com/michael-gove...)
October 14, 2024 at 2:32 PM
I've now read the UK's new industrial strategy, and am disappointed to not find references to the 'Medici model' as a solution for the UK's regional productivity gap - seems that Labour has ditched Michael Gove's inimitable style
(for those who had forgotten: www.thearticle.com/michael-gove...)
(for those who had forgotten: www.thearticle.com/michael-gove...)
This doesn't sound like GB Energy is speeding up SMRs - 4 companies on the short list, down from a longlist of 5.
EDF pulled out last month, and Nuscale - the only company that didn't make it - has been on life support since its Utah contract got cancelled...
EDF pulled out last month, and Nuscale - the only company that didn't make it - has been on life support since its Utah contract got cancelled...
September 26, 2024 at 9:14 AM
This doesn't sound like GB Energy is speeding up SMRs - 4 companies on the short list, down from a longlist of 5.
EDF pulled out last month, and Nuscale - the only company that didn't make it - has been on life support since its Utah contract got cancelled...
EDF pulled out last month, and Nuscale - the only company that didn't make it - has been on life support since its Utah contract got cancelled...
Chris Stark's first public speech since he became head of Mission Control
September 12, 2024 at 8:36 AM
Chris Stark's first public speech since he became head of Mission Control
Our most recent work shows that anything - pumped hydro, compressed air storage, H2 power stations, CCS, even using car batteries to firm the grid for more than 10h at a time - would be cheaper than unabated gas. green-alliance.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Why choose expensive and dirty?
Why choose expensive and dirty?
March 12, 2024 at 8:39 AM
Our most recent work shows that anything - pumped hydro, compressed air storage, H2 power stations, CCS, even using car batteries to firm the grid for more than 10h at a time - would be cheaper than unabated gas. green-alliance.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Why choose expensive and dirty?
Why choose expensive and dirty?
We've known since 2011 that there was real risk of gas lock in. We didn't anticipate the invasion of Ukraine, or that this would double your energy bills.
Seems mad to double down on the technology that made for the highest energy bills in a generation.
Seems mad to double down on the technology that made for the highest energy bills in a generation.
March 12, 2024 at 8:37 AM
We've known since 2011 that there was real risk of gas lock in. We didn't anticipate the invasion of Ukraine, or that this would double your energy bills.
Seems mad to double down on the technology that made for the highest energy bills in a generation.
Seems mad to double down on the technology that made for the highest energy bills in a generation.
The UK wants to build more gas power stations. It's an admission of gov't failure: we've known since 2016 that the capacity market wasn't building clean, flexible power (and demand response/reduction). At an 80% emissions cut, large new gas power didn't make sense: (1/n)
March 12, 2024 at 8:35 AM
The UK wants to build more gas power stations. It's an admission of gov't failure: we've known since 2016 that the capacity market wasn't building clean, flexible power (and demand response/reduction). At an 80% emissions cut, large new gas power didn't make sense: (1/n)