Environment & Sustainability News
The environment is a pressing concern for Guildford. It affects all of us and should inform all development.
Guildford is situated in a wonderful natural environment formed by the North Downs. The town sits on the edge of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. The northern part of the borough contains part of the internationally recognised Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area.
All our work groups are aware of our environmental concerns and include their consideration in their activities. As there are other well-founded groups handling environmental issues we have chosen not to form an Environment and Sustainability Work Group but to collaborate with gourps such as Guildford Environmental Forum, Zero Carbon Guildford, and Guildford Bycle User Goup((GBUG)
In all our areas, natural habitats are under continuous pressure from development and over-use. The Society supports efforts to manage our natural environment and to ensure the town and urban areas are linked effectively to the countryside. We wish to see the Wey Navigation preserved and are keen to explore whether moving the AONB to National Park status would be beneficial.
The built environment in Guildford must play its part in providing sustainable living. This includes upgrading existing buildings to the latest environment standards wherever possible. Environmentally friendly buildings can be of high-quality design and economic to build. The Society is also keen to see buildings repurposed, rather than knocked down and rebuilt. Many newer buildings have substantial life left in their steel and concrete structures. Planning policies should encourage sustainable communities which are not car dependent, and respond to the need to minimise commuting. Our Design and Planning Groups review and comment on these issues.
Transport is a critical area for Guildford, where pollution and congestion must be reduced. Active travel, such as cycling and walking, also provides health benefits compared with car or public transport use. Our Transport Group promotes changes to the local transport system.
The economics of the environment are of particular relevance to Guildford. New technology such as 5G, emerging from local education establishments and companies, can create new sustainable employment opportunities. Guildford could also become a ‘gateway’ to the North Downs supporting sustainable tourism. The Strategy and Economics Group is concerned that Guildford adapts its economy in a strategic manner to meet the challenges ahead.
Waste management in all its forms should not be overlooked. This is an area where technology is advancing, and there are possibilities to improve recycling and to use waste as an energy source.
The Society believes the challenges we face on environmental issues are an opportunity for Guildford to show leadership in the UK. We should also learn from others: for example, from our twin town of Freiburg, in southern Germany, an acclaimed example of sustainable urban living.
Food not consumed occupies nearly 30% of global agricultural land, View article
24,242 tons of waste food redistributed to charities from supermarkets in the UK marks an improvement on four years ago, it pales when compared to France, Spain and Italy, where food surplus donations are four to five times higher. Every 1,... View article
Low and Zero Emission Buses £49million funding View article
To accelerate the introduction of ultra-low and zero emission buses in Surrey; Surrey County Council are backing a scheme to introduce up to 80 ultra-low or zero-emission buses and 50 community transport minibuses by 2025 with the aim that all buses ... View article
Electric Buses become more viable with solid state batteries View article
Lithium-ion battery technology, as used in most electric vehicles, has made impressive gains over the years. Today's cells are cheaper than they have ever been, but lithium-ion still leaves a lot to be desired in terms of energy density compared ... View article
Flooding Alleviation View article
Having endured another period of intense rainfall it is natural to consider what is happening to the Flood Alleviation Schemes proposed for Guildford. Little has been heard recently of the plans by the Environment Agency to implement a Guildfor... View article
Network Rail considering Environmental Pollution View article
Network Rail have published a report September 2020 on how they plan to tackle Environmental Pollution across the rail network in years to come.
Andrew Haines Network Rail Chief Executive highlights:
The opportunity for ra... View article