Blogs
Spotlight on the latest blogs from across the Institute and also from Policy@Manchester's 'energy and environment' theme.
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Fracking’s back on the menu, but is it half-baked?
30 September 2022
The UK and other European countries are facing a severe energy crisis, with the potential to place more than 8 million UK households in fuel poverty this winter. This ‘energy’ crisis is more accurately a natural gas crisis, driven mostly by restrictions on Russian gas supply to Europe. In one of her first initiatives as […]
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Water demand and drought: how can we reduce demand to address multiple socio-environmental crises?
23 September 2022
Water demand and drought: how can we reduce demand to address multiple socio-environmental crises? Droughts are becoming more severe across the UK and Europe, not least as a result of climate change, and there are renewed debates about sustainability and continuation of water supplies. How people use water in their homes has consequences for water […]
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The many facets of sustainable fashion – how to tackle the issue
20 September 2022
Do sustainability and fashion go hand in hand? Sustainable fashion and engaging with it, is a complex process – and there is no ‘one fits all’ solution – it requires a collaborative approach from business, consumers and policymakers. In this blog, Dr Claudia E Henninger examines the relationship between fashion and sustainability, and highlights opportunities […]
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Hidden infrastructures of decarbonisation
14 September 2022
The post Hidden infrastructures of decarbonisation appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Nuclear power – the role of government
5 August 2022
In 2006, Prime Minister Tony Blair assured Britain that nuclear was “back on the agenda with a vengeance”. Boris Johnson has described his commitment to deliver nuclear at “warp speed”, and the three intervening Prime Ministers have also emphasised their support for nuclear. Yet Britain’s first new nuclear plant – Hinkley Point C (HPC) – […]
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The skills gap for long term nuclear future
22 July 2022
The world’s climate and energy crises continues to worsen with extreme weather, heatwaves and increasing global energy prices. The IEA’s net zero by 2050 pathway has identified the need for nuclear, including SMRs growing support for this in the UK, Canada, France and the US. In this blog, Aneeqa Khan discusses the steps needed to […]
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The other side of the fence: Consumption, activism, and the Owens Park tower occupation
15 July 2022
The post The other side of the fence: Consumption, activism, and the Owens Park tower occupation appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Electrification – Technology and People
4 July 2022
The drive to achieve Net Zero is underpinned by the principle that as a society we should ensure that we leave this planet better off, and indeed make it better for the next generation. Smart electrification is a key part of this. This is the combination of technology and human behaviour; it means electricity can’t […]
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Making sustainable business models for green electricity attractive to the mainstream
4 July 2022
Scaling up green electricity is key to achieving net zero. While the government has made progress in supporting solar PV and offshore wind, technologies alone will not make for a successful transition to net zero. To be successful in the market, technologies need an attractive business model. In this blog, Professor Jonatan Pinkse discusses how […]
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The importance of mapping in the shift to net zero
17 June 2022
Delivering on net zero energy requires the radical transformation of our whole energy system from supply and distribution to demand. In this blog, Charlotte Brown, Hannah Charles and Rob Bellamy explore three topics that illustrate the importance of mapping in relation to low carbon energy transitions and their implications for policy. Policymakers should go ‘beyond […]
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Energy inequality and low carbon futures: geography matters
17 June 2022
The UK is heading towards a period of economic uncertainty. The cost-of-living crisis, inflation, and an increase in energy prices have further stressed the finances of households. With a rapid increase in the number of households experiencing difficulty in affording their domestic energy, many will be unable to secure the level of energy needed for […]
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Taking action on hot air: Why agriculture is the key to reducing UK methane emissions
24 May 2022
While much of the global discussion on climate change focusses on cutting CO2 emissions, methane is around 25 times more potent as a greenhouse gas in trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. At COP26, the UK Government committed to reducing methane emissions by 30%. In this blog, Emeritus Professor Ian Plewis lays out the scale […]
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Citizen Food Futures – event report
25 November 2021
The Citizen Food Futures event was a week-long event aiming to communicate academic research and opinion on the development of more sustainable food systems and facilitate dialogue with the general public and other stakeholders. The post Citizen Food Futures – event report appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Why the success of a green recovery requires engaging with – and learning from – minority communities
19 July 2021
Although the UK has world-leading net-zero targets, simply setting the target is not enough. Achieving it requires the participation of all sectors of society. However, racialized minority communities are under-represented in mainstream approaches to achieving environmental sustainability. The post Why the success of a green recovery requires engaging with – and learning from – minority communities appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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SCI PhD Alice Swift reports on a recent action by the German climate activist group ‘Ende Gelände’
30 October 2020
Ende Gelände mobilised thousands in Germany in October, targeting both coal and gas and developing tactics to protect activists from coronavirus transmission. The post SCI PhD Alice Swift reports on a recent action by the German climate activist group ‘Ende Gelände’ appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Waste management and COVID-19 – What have we learnt so far?
30 June 2020
Mariel Vilella discusses how COVID-19 has shaken up our waste management systems. The post Waste management and COVID-19 – What have we learnt so far? appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Food support provision in Covid-19 times: Preliminary results from a study based in GM
30 June 2020
In June a mixed-method study was launched to understand the obstacles, the needs, and the prospects of the food support providers active in Greater Manchester [1] immediately after the Covid-19 peak. The post Food support provision in Covid-19 times: Preliminary results from a study based in GM appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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It’s time to talk about a feminist green new deal
3 June 2020
Building back better requires building back differently. We need a ‘rainbow recovery’. The post It’s time to talk about a feminist green new deal appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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COVID-19, ecological justice, and veganism
29 May 2020
COVID-19 highlights the need for ecological justice. Hannah Battersby explore the links between Covid-19, ecological justice and veganism. The post COVID-19, ecological justice, and veganism appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Lockdown and eating out
26 May 2020
We are told that nothing is normal, that ‘Lockdown’ has overturned life as we know it. However, beyond the apocalyptic narrative there is much speculation about what might become the ‘new normal’. The post Lockdown and eating out appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Changing behaviours, transforming society
21 May 2020
With the search for a COVID vaccine still ongoing to enable a safe way out of the pandemic, the debate about what comes after COVID is currently in full swing. The post Changing behaviours, transforming society appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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How coronavirus reveals our unbreakable bond with single use plastic
27 April 2020
As coronavirus bears down on society, single-use plastic steps up in an unprecedented way. The post How coronavirus reveals our unbreakable bond with single use plastic appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Imagined futures of consumption: Lay expectations and speculations
25 November 2019
Imagined futures of consumption have played a central role politically and economically since the end of the Second World War. The post Imagined futures of consumption: Lay expectations and speculations appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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All food is “plant-based” – particularly meat and dairy
25 November 2019
Academics, policy makers and businesses increasingly consider a shift towards so-called “plant-based” diets that principally require less land, energy, and other resources. The post All food is “plant-based” – particularly meat and dairy appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Can we reduce water demand to 80 litres a day? And what can the government do to support it?
25 November 2019
Dr Claire Hoolohan (Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research) and Dr Alison Browne (Sustainable Consumption Institute) reflect on their consultation submission to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on measures to reduce personal water use. The post Can we reduce water demand to 80 litres a day? And what can the government do to support it? appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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The Sustainable Consumption Institute at the European Sociological Association Conference 2019
18 November 2019
SCI research was well represented at ESA2019 in Manchester. The post The Sustainable Consumption Institute at the European Sociological Association Conference 2019 appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Inequalities and climate change
14 November 2019
World scientists have collectively endorsed the proposition that the world is facing a climate emergency. Social scientists need to address the burning issue of inequality at the heart of this emergency. The post Inequalities and climate change appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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International Repair Day – the right to repair and the politics of practice
21 October 2019
As International Repair Day celebrates its third anniversary, Ulrike Ehgartner, Steffen Hirth and Dan Welch discuss the “Right to Repair” and endangered practices. The post International Repair Day – the right to repair and the politics of practice appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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The Green New Deal’s contradiction
3 October 2019
New infrastructure and redistribution may boost carbon emissions. The post The Green New Deal’s contradiction appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Don’t bet on the UN to fix climate change
3 October 2019
It’s failed for 30 years. The post Don’t bet on the UN to fix climate change appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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What the Amazon fires tell us about the geopolitics of the climate emergency
23 September 2019
Two climate denying Presidents, growing demand for soya in China and deforestation in Brazil have created the perfect climate-change storm, argues Mark Harvey. The post What the Amazon fires tell us about the geopolitics of the climate emergency appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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A vegan meat revolution is coming to global fast food chains – and it could help save the planet
17 September 2019
A few years ago, convincing meat-free “meat” was nothing more than a distant dream for most consumers. Meat substitutes in supermarkets lacked variety and quality. Plant-based burgers were few and far between in major fast food outlets – and meaty they were not. The post A vegan meat revolution is coming to global fast food chains – and it could help save the planet appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Vegan is the new vegetarian – why supermarkets need to go ‘plant-based’ to help save the planet
17 September 2019
Veganism is arguably the biggest food trend of the moment. The post Vegan is the new vegetarian – why supermarkets need to go ‘plant-based’ to help save the planet appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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New net zero emissions target won’t end UK’s contribution to global warming – here’s why
2 July 2019
Joe Blakey and Marc Hudson disagree with the UK Government’s much vaunted target of zero-carbon by 2050 constitutes the country’s “highest possible ambition”. The post New net zero emissions target won’t end UK’s contribution to global warming – here’s why appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Dr Alison Browne presents to Defra’s Joint Water Evidence Programme ‘Grand Challenges’ policy workshop
5 June 2019
The SCI’s Ali Browne was invited to present to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Environment Agency’s ‘Joint Water Evidence Programme’ policy workshop on 6 June 2019. The post Dr Alison Browne presents to Defra’s Joint Water Evidence Programme ‘Grand Challenges’ policy workshop appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Education for sustainability, action-oriented research and the value of building bridges
24 April 2019
During March 2019 the Sustainable Consumption Institute held a series of activities around sustainability education and hosted Rachel Trajber, Cemaden (National Monitoring and Early Warning and Centre of Natural Disasters). The post Education for sustainability, action-oriented research and the value of building bridges appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Why the meat industry could win big from the switch to veggie lifestyles
27 March 2019
One of the largest meat processors in the UK, has launched a plant-based meat alternative. Before long, the meat producers could take over this growing market for meat-free alternatives. The post Why the meat industry could win big from the switch to veggie lifestyles appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Everyday thriftiness: Austerity and sustainability
5 March 2019
With 12.4 million people living in absolute low income poverty in the UK in 2016/17, continued uncertainty from Brexit, and persistent issues with the new benefits system, Universal Credit, life remains bleak for many in the UK. The post Everyday thriftiness: Austerity and sustainability appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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School climate strikes: What next for the latest generation of activists?
22 February 2019
Last Friday students across the UK (and the world) went on strike, leaving their lessons to protest about the lack of effective action on climate change. The post School climate strikes: What next for the latest generation of activists? appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Victims, saviours or villains? Children in popular climate imaginaries
15 February 2019
With the school children’s #ClimateStrike movement reaching the UK, Catherine Walker explores how children are framed in climate change discourse and asks how can children moves us beyond our current political impasse? The post Victims, saviours or villains? Children in popular climate imaginaries appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Gilets jaunes, Extinction Rebellion and neoliberal climate policy
4 February 2019
Two protest movements erupted in the UK and France on November 17, with apparently opposite logics. Matthew Paterson argues that both movements result from the the way carbon pricing has been both regressive socially and woefully inadequate in climate terms. The post Gilets jaunes, Extinction Rebellion and neoliberal climate policy appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Meat-free alternatives are dull – we need exciting vegan Christmas dinner ideas
9 January 2019
Before Christmas SCI doctoral researcher Malte Rödl had a piece published in The Conversation challenging cooks to look beyond “meat –eating without the meat”. With ‘Veganuary’ in the headlines we thought it was a viewpoint still worth looking at. The post Meat-free alternatives are dull – we need exciting vegan Christmas dinner ideas appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Professor Mark Harvey – a political and intellectual trajectory
26 November 2018
The SCI co-sponsored a conference to mark the retirement of Professor Mark Harvey. Read Mark’s inspiring talk on the political and intellectual trajectory of his career. The post Professor Mark Harvey – a political and intellectual trajectory appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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To tackle inequality, we must first understand the exploitation that creates it
3 July 2018
We need a theory of exploitation fit for the twenty-first century, argues Mark Harvey. The post To tackle inequality, we must first understand the exploitation that creates it appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Why France banned meat names for vegetarian alternatives
14 May 2018
France recently passed an amendment to its Agriculture Bill, prohibiting any product that is largely based on non-animal ingredients from being labelled like a traditional animal product. The post Why France banned meat names for vegetarian alternatives appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Can a city ever be truly ‘carbon neutral’?
17 April 2018
Following the Greater Manchester Green Summit, Sherilyn MacGregor and Joe Blakey ask whether the vision of a ‘carbon neutral’ city-region is all that it appears. The post Can a city ever be truly ‘carbon neutral’? appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Greater Manchester’s Green Charter: The responsibility of whom?
16 April 2018
In wake of Andy Burnham’s Green Summit, Julia Kasmire investigates whether the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) will take the necessary steps to take responsibility for achieving carbon neutrality. The post Greater Manchester’s Green Charter: The responsibility of whom? appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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The SCI organised a workshop on the topic of meat consumption, non-meat consumption and sustainability as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences
9 April 2018
Whilst there is a broad consensus amongst academics and other experts that meat needs to be addressed as a social-ecological problem, the minutiae of how to do so are less certain. The post The SCI organised a workshop on the topic of meat consumption, non-meat consumption and sustainability as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Planet 50:50? Linking labour and environment this International Women’s Day
8 March 2018
This blog by the SCI's Sherilyn MacGregor was originally posted for International Women's Day March 2017. The post Planet 50:50? Linking labour and environment this International Women’s Day appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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On the ‘meat edge’? Meat consumption and reduction in middle class urban China
2 March 2018
Drawing on insights from a qualitative study of meat eating in urban China, Alison Browne, Josephine Mylan and Zhu Di suggest there is a need to re-think the dominant view on changing consumption. The post On the ‘meat edge’? Meat consumption and reduction in middle class urban China appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Environmental feminists taking up space at Conference of Parties (COP)
9 January 2018
SCI PhD researcher Joanna Wilson reports back, suggesting that the voices of environmental feminists remain sidelined, despite the conference being branded as ‘inclusive’ and ‘participatory’. The post Environmental feminists taking up space at Conference of Parties (COP) appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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How to solve the ‘monster’ fatberg problem
27 November 2017
Fatbergs – enormous solid masses of oil, grease, wet wipes and other hygiene products that congeal together to cause major blockages – are wreaking havoc on the sewers of cities around the world. The post How to solve the ‘monster’ fatberg problem appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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The real story behind the huge crowds gathered at iPhone launches
6 November 2017
Apple's special edition iPhone X release – what sane person would queue overnight for an over-priced, at best incrementally-changed gadget? The post The real story behind the huge crowds gathered at iPhone launches appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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SCI at the British Sociological Association Conference 2017
29 September 2017
Jessica Paddock reports on SCI contributions to the BSA on home turf in Manchester. The post SCI at the British Sociological Association Conference 2017 appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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The International Sustainability Transitions Conference 2017
29 September 2017
Cameron Roberts reports on IST 2017 and the SCI’s contributions. The post The International Sustainability Transitions Conference 2017 appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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The SCI at the GRF: ‘Sustainable lifestyles, livelihoods, and the circular economy’
29 September 2017
Wouter Spekkink reports on the third international conference of the Global Research Forum on Sustainable Production and Consumption. The post The SCI at the GRF: ‘Sustainable lifestyles, livelihoods, and the circular economy’ appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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The European Sociological Association 2017
29 September 2017
Dan Welch reports on the SCI’s contribution to the ESA’s 13th biennial conference in Athens. The post The European Sociological Association 2017 appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Sustainability: The new alchemy?
26 July 2017
Julia Kasmire asks what sustainability and alchemy have in common? And what does this mean for the sustainability movement? The post Sustainability: The new alchemy? appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Small steps for creating community resilience – The Make Do and Mend Expo
12 July 2017
In June, Dr Helen Holmes held The Make Do and Mend Expo – an interactive event that brought together third-sector organisations to debate the future of community resilience. The post Small steps for creating community resilience – The Make Do and Mend Expo appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Re-making Greater Manchester sustainably
23 June 2017
How might the newly elected Mayor of Greater Manchester remake Greater Manchester sustainably? Joe Blakey reflects on a recent workshop by the SCI’s Mike Hodson and Sherilyn MacGregor in his latest blog post. The post Re-making Greater Manchester sustainably appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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From meat-free days to meat-free diets?
15 June 2017
Last Monday was World Meat Free Day. In the first blog of the SCI’s new website, Jo Mylan and Nicklas Neuman argue ‘Meat Free’ days are only one piece of broader puzzle of how to limit the effects of industrial meat production. The post From meat-free days to meat-free diets? appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Following the action: An approach for studying the coordination of practice
19 May 2017
A principle methodological challenge for any research is the identification of the core unit of analysis and the ‘entry point’ for empirical enquiry. Both depend on the research questions to hand. For the study of practices these challenges are particularly acute. The post Following the action: An approach for studying the coordination of practice appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Divestment, destabilisation, decarbonisation?
19 May 2017
With The University of Manchester considering divesting its assets from fossil fuel related industries, Viki Johnson considers whether divestment can really destabilise an industry. The post Divestment, destabilisation, decarbonisation? appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Overcoming ‘speciesism’: how to include other living beings
30 March 2017
In this contribution, Anna Wienhues and Steffen Hirth use theoretical considerations from philosophy and sociology to explore the ways in which ‘the nonhuman’ is – or is not – taken into account. The post Overcoming ‘speciesism’: how to include other living beings appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Turning climate governance upside down
12 January 2017
A rethink of contemporary wisdom on governing the climate is increasingly urgent. Successive climate summits, strategies, targets and action plans have been implemented, but the chances of staying within anything like safe temperature increases are diminishing fast. The post Turning climate governance upside down appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Renewables in South Australia: Blame games and framing battles
30 November 2016
With South Australia’s increase in renewables blamed for a blackout caused by high winds, Marc Hudson examines the ‘framing battles’ taking place in Australia. The post Renewables in South Australia: Blame games and framing battles appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Blog archive
12 April 2016
The post Blog archive appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Flooding, consumption and the normality of everyday life
30 March 2016
The latest blog by SCI PhD student Patrick Gould weaves together reflections on climate change, disruption, time, consumption, normality and the circular economy, with current research and business and policy responses. The post Flooding, consumption and the normality of everyday life appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Light and sustainability: Concepts, practices, experiment
19 May 2015
The SCI recently hosted the latest Light and sustainability: Concepts, practices, experiment seminar, read Cary Monreal Clark and Joanne Edwards. The post Light and sustainability: Concepts, practices, experiment appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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The wider environmental effects of food and drink packaging
19 January 2015
Cary Monreal Clark discusses the wider environmental effects of food and drink packaging in his latest blog. The post The wider environmental effects of food and drink packaging appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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How to make cooling measures cooler?
19 August 2014
The early summer publication of the Adaptation Sub-Committee (ASC) Progress Report 2014 Managing Climate Risks to Well-Being and the Economy seems to have had a limited impact on the public’s attitude regarding the growing risk of heatwaves in the UK. The post How to make cooling measures cooler? appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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What is happening to the sustainable city?
31 July 2014
What is happening to the sustainable city? Why is this question arising now? And does it matter? These concerns are addressed in our recently published edited book, After Sustainable Cities? The post What is happening to the sustainable city? appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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Is it time to take gender seriously in sustainable consumption?
13 May 2014
SCI researcher Jo Mylan reflects on Professor Oriel Sullivan’s seminar at the SCI (6 May): ‘Domestic outsourcing and multitasking – how much do they really contribute to women’s dual burden?’ The post Is it time to take gender seriously in sustainable consumption? appeared first on Sustainable Consumption Institute blog.
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