. last update: 12/07/10 . 
News
Sprouts magazine commissions regular column
WORDetc's founder, Joanna Peios, is delighted to have been commissioned to write a regular column for parenting magazine, Sprouts. Aimed predominantly at parents of under–5s, Jo's column will centre around the impracticalities and dilemmas faced by a working mum/wanna-be eco-warrior. The first column will be published in the September edition.
The Cambridge Challenge goes live
Securing planning permission on a major site such as Trumpington Meadows at 40% affordable housing is one of Cambridgeshire Partnerships greatest achievements to date. It bucks the trend for sites to be either mothballed or for the percentage of affordable housing to be negotiated down. To view this news story as well as latest newsletter, written and edited by WORDetc, please visit Cambridgeshire Partnerships
Norwich architects win Best Residential Conversion award
Norwich-based architects, A Squared, won Best Residential Conversion in the LABC East Anglia Building Excellence Awards for the conversion of Wensum Factory, Norwich, into 48 apartments. A Squared recently launched a new website, designed by Special Design Studio and written by WORDetc. Read more about the project at A Squared
Twitter for local businesses
WORDetc wrote the site content for ipatter, a social media platform, which is set to transform the way businesses and organisations connect with each other and their customers. More succinct than traditional communication channels, like post or emails, and more tailored than social media platforms, ipatter simply gives organisations, businesses, charities and educational institutions a platform to broadcast their messages or patters.
Suitable for both b2b and b2c audiences, individual users can choose who they want to connect to, and gradually build a network of things that matter to them, on a local level and beyond. Visit ipatter
Norwich photographer launches packshot business
Norwich-based commercial photographer Mike Harrington, has launched The Packshot People, which specialises in pack photography or product photography. WORDetc was commissioned to write the web content, which incorporates search engine friendly content. Please visit The Packshot People
Skillset commissions series of case studies
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the Creative Industries, has commissioned WORDetc's founder, Joanna Peios, to interview 12 producers and directors from its acclaimed screen and media academies, as well as produce case studies for Skillset's website and printed media.
we buy local campaign
WORDetc has been working with buy local, a non-profit making social enterprise established to encourage growth and stability in the local Norfolk economy, to help launch a consumer facing campaign. we buy local is challenging people living in Norwich to shop in local and independent shops and use local services, in a bid to show how easy it is to support our local businesses. To sign up and show your support, visit we buy local
Supporting the local community
WORDetc is now a member of buy local. buy local is a non-profit making social enterprise, established to encourage growth and stability in the local Norfolk economy. WORDetc is committed to working with and supporting local suppliers where possible. For more details, visit buy local
Thriving new communities
The Housing Corporation has chosen Cambridgeshire Partnerships Ltd (CPL) as the strategic development partner for the delivery of affordable housing on three strategic sites in Cambridge – Northstowe, Southern Fringe and North West Cambridge. CPL was selected from a shortlist of bidders for being best able to contribute to well designed communities with high-quality homes. The proposal includes establishment of a separate legal entity and provides efficiencies and broader benefits to deliver affordable homes in the three designated sites. WORDetc has been commissioned to provide content for CPL’s quarterly newsletters.
Norfolk is one of 10 finalists in the Government's £7m Digital Challenge
WORDetc has provided copywriting and editing services for Norfolk's bid, mynorfolk, which recognises that most people simply don't know what's out there to help them when a new situation arises. What they need is a friend in the same position who has accessed all the relevant services and can point them in the right direction. mynorfolk will be that friend.
To read more about the bid, including pilot projects, visit mynorfolk
2006 Pre-Budget Report
The 2006 Pre-Budget Report sets out the next stage in the Government’s strategy for tackling climate change both domestically and globally, including:
• promoting the development of a global carbon market through the expansion and strengthening of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and linking it to
schemes outside the EU
• taking further steps towards realising carbon capture and storage technology, including tendering for consulting engineers to help enable a decision in 2007 on whether to support a UK-based demonstration plant
• an increase in all rates of air passenger duty, with effect from 1 February 2007, in recognition of the environmental costs of air travel
• an inflation-based increase of 1.25 pence per litre (ppl) in the rate of road fuel duty with effect from midnight tonight; and the same increase of 1.25 ppl in duty for rebated fuels, maintaining the differential with main fuel duty rates
• a package of measures to encourage the development of the biofuels market and innovative types of biofuels
• an ambition for all new homes to be zero carbon within a decade with a time-limited stamp duty exemption for the vast majority of new zero-carbon homes
• legislation to ensure householders installing microgeneration are not subject to income tax on any payment for surplus electricity exported back to the grid
• the extension of the Landlords Energy Saving Allowance to 2015 and to
corporate landlords.
The Pre-Budget Report also reports on the Government’s strategy for tackling other environmental challenges, including:
• confirmation that the standard rate of landfill tax will increase by £3 per tonne to £24 per tonne with effect from 1 April 2007. The Government will also consider the case for steeper increases in the tax from 2008.
Ethical consumerism outstrips beer and cigarettes sales
The value of UK ethical consumerism last year exceeded the sales of 'over-the-counter' beer and cigarettes, according to the Co-operative Bank's annual Ethical Consumerism Report published on 27 November 2006.
The report, which acts as a barometer of ethical spending in the UK, shows that in 2005 UK ethical consumerism was worth GBP29.3 billion, for the first time overtaking the retail market for tobacco and alcohol which stood at GBP28.0 billion.
Spending on ethical food which includes organic products, Fairtrade goods and free-range eggs was up 18% GBP4.6 billion to GBP5.4 billion. Green home expenditure, which incorporates energy-efficient electrical appliances, green mortgage repayments, small renewables (such as micro-wind turbines) and green energy was up from GBP3.8 billion to GBP4.1 billion.
Eco-travel and transport costs, which include environmentally friendly transport, responsible tour operators, public transport and sales of green cars, were up from GBP1.7 billion to GBP1.8 billion.
Spending on personal products, such as humane cosmetics and eco-fashion, was up 5 per cent to GBP1.3 billion. Monies in ethical finance, which includes ethical banking and investments, stood at GBP11.6 billion, up from GBP10.6 billion last year.
However, the Co-operative Bank was quick to guard against complacency and cautioned against interpreting this growth as a sign that the markets were capable of delivering sustainable solutions without intervention.
Climate Dome project
CarbonNeutral North East is working on a project to develop an Experiential Climate Dome, which aims to change public attitudes to climate change across the North East of England.
The Climate Dome will offer a variety of exhibits including a climate wall, audio-visual projections on both internal and external fabric developed with scientists as well as a host of digital interactives. It will be accompanied by an advertising and marketing programme, competitions, giveaways and a call to action.
The Dome is designed to engage people who are either not yet aware of convinced of climate change as a “here and now” threat to the region. It will be exhibited at shopping centres, city centres, sports and music events, schools and colleges.
WORDetc has been commissioned to write the exhibition material. Exhibition dates to follow soon.
http://www.carbonneutralnewcastle.com/
CSR article for Director magazine
23 October 2006 was the day when we started to live beyond our ecological means. So isn't it about time that, if they haven't already, SMEs should begin integrating green business practices into their strategy and operations.
I've written an opinion-led piece on why this issue is important (environmentally but also economically) and how directors can start improving their green credentials. You'll find the article in the Best Practice section of December's Director, the magazine for Institute of Directors.
Stern Review findings
In his report, commissioned by UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, Sir Nicholas Stern says that markets for low carbon energy projects are likely to be worth at least USD 500bn a year by 2050. He also calls for a stronger price signal for carbon, greater international co-operation and more cash for research and development into low carbon technologies, all of which will boost clean technology companies. The report’s central message is that the world does not need to choose between averting climate change and promoting growth and development.
"Ignoring climate change will eventually damage economic growth," the report warns, adding, “Tackling climate change is the pro-growth strategy for the longer term, and it can be done in a way that does not cap the aspirations for growth of rich or poor countries. There will also be business opportunities as the markets for low-carbon, high-efficiency goods and services expand.”
The report’s conclusion that 1.0% of global GDP needs to be spent on tackling the problem suggests investment flows into the sector are likely to remain strong in coming years.
The Stern Review calls for the power sector to be up to 75% decarbonised by 2050. This will require a range of clean energy technologies, including solar power, wind and biomass, biofuels and alternative fuel technologies such as fuel cells and hybrids, and those involved in demand-side saving measures such as energy efficiency.
Independent bookshops bite back at internet giants
An article in November's Red Pepper about independent bookshops fighting to remain competitive and a look at Bookcrossing, a trend whereby people leave a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise.
Britain tops energy waste league
British people are Europe's worst energy wasters, with bad habits such as leaving appliances on stand-by likely to waste £11bn by 2010, a study claims. If current levels of wastage continue, an extra 43m tonnes of carbon dioxide will be pumped into the atmosphere in that time, it added. Leaving mobile phone chargers plugged in and lights on were among the most common energy-wasting habits.
The Energy Saving Trust surveyed 5,000 people in five countries for the study. Figures in the Habits of a Lifetime report, commissioned to mark the start of Energy Saving Week, said 71% of UK consumers admit to leaving stand-by buttons on once a week. Meanwhile, 65% of UK consumers leave chargers on once a week and 63% forget to switch the lights off when leaving the room.
Have your say on waste legislation
The Government has recently announced plans to finally implement the WEEE Directive. The new waste legislation, which will ensure all electronic hardware is disposed of in an environmentally friendly way, will now come into force on the 1st July 2007. Implementation of the WEEE Directive, (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) has been delayed several times due to opposition within the industry. Because of this the government launched a consultation on its latest plans this week to respond to these concerns. Businesses will have until 17th October 2006 to let the Government know what they think. To submit your views go to: http://www.dti.gov.uk/consultations
Carbon swipe cards
Every British citizen could be issued with a carbon allowance, recorded on a personal swipe card, under radical new plans being considered by the Government. Points would be deducted at the point of sale for items such as petrol or plane tickets, reports The Guardian.
People who don't use their entire carbon ration would be able to sell the excess to a central bank, from which consumers who had exhausted their points could buy extra capacity. The total ration would be reduced each year, so as to reduce the nation's total emissions.
"It is easy to dismiss the idea as too complex administratively or too much a burden," said Environment Minister David Miliband, "but in the long term there may be potential to make a system work effectively and in a way that is arguably more equitable, more empowering and more effective than the traditional tools of information, tax and regulation." More details at http://www.defra.gov.uk
Landfull
An estimated seven million tonnes of food is dumped every year - a quarter of it is perfectly edible. A new charity scheme, FareShare, is offering food companies a cheaper, greener alternative. It will take surplus produce off their hands and use it to feed the poor; anything inedible will be made into compost or animal feed. Visit our links page for web address.
Holidays that don't cost the earth
Tourism is the world's largest and fastest growing industry, so can it be a force for good? Can we travel with our families AND have a positive impact on the places we visit? Find out by reading an article written by Joanna Peios in July-August 2006 edition of Sprouts magazine.
Website of the month
www.WORDetc.co.uk has been awarded Website of the Month by Women's Employment, Enterprise and Training Unit (WEETU). Described as 'a useful resource for Environmental/Corporate Social Responsibility news and tips for ethical living.'
Emerging group of conscientious consumers
Research commissioned by BBC Magazines into UK consumers has revealed that understanding the views and demands of 'Big Britain' can help businesses and brands fail or succeed.
Big Britain is a group of 20 million UK adults between 25-70 years old who are conscientious consumers, have a spending power of £238 billion, share distinct common values with each other, and have a will and the financial means to significantly influence key changes in British society.
75% of Big Britons prefer to buy brands that give something back to the community
94% of Big Britons agree that there is so much spin nowadays; it is hard to find the truth
65% of Big Britons agree that they recycle as much as possible and are prepared to pay more for environmentally friendly products.
Carbon set to cost UK businesses £570m this summer
Wasted energy will cost UK businesses £570 million this summer, owing to poor energy efficiency according to new figures released on 15 June 2006 by the Carbon Trust. This means that even in the summer months businesses are wasting 15 per cent of total energy spend, which could be cost effectively saved.
Wasted summer energy emits over 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, the equivalent to Birmingham’s annual carbon emissions and enough to fill the new Wembley stadium a thousand times. As carbon emissions are the key cause of climate change, and business is responsible for up to 45 per cent of all carbon emissions in the UK, the Carbon Trust urges all companies to act now to improve energy efficiency and reduce the cost of carbon.
The new research also looks at the summer energy used and wasted by businesses across ten UK cities and key manufacturing and service sectors. Across manufacturing, including the food and drink and chemical sectors, the amount of energy spent is £1.8 billion, of which 12 per cent (£226 million) is wasted. In the service sector, industries such as wholesale and retail and leisure are spending £1.6 billion, of which 19 per cent (£305 million) is wasted during the summer.
Super acai
June 06 edition of Red Pepper included an article I've written on the superberry Acai and describes how its increase in popularity is good news for the Amazon rainforest. Farmers have swapped logging with the harvesting of acai, which also provides a far more sustainable alternative to soya cultivation.
Britain's rising dependence on the rest of the world's resources
New research reveals that on 16 April 2006 the UK in effect stops relying on its own natural resources to support itself and starts to ‘live off’ the rest of the world. At current UK levels of consumption our ‘ecological debt day’ – the day we begin living beyond our environmental means – falls only a third of the way through the year and has crept ever earlier over the last four decades.
These are the findings of a new report from nef (the new economics foundation) which exposes for the first time a sharp rise in how the UK depends on the rest of world, and how the burden of the Britain’s high-consuming lifestyle is exported internationally.
In fact, if everyone in the world lived as we do in the UK, we would need 3.1 planets to sustain us.
Body Shop's ethical rating to plummet
The Body Shop, trailblazer of ethical issues on the high street, will see its ethical rating fall from 11 out of 20 to 2.5 on Ethical Consumer´s unique rating system "ethiscore", if its takeover by L´Oreal goes through.
L´Oreal receives a worst rating from Ethical Consumer for its animal testing policy, and also has had boycott calls against it for testing its cosmetic products on animals. And while the Body Shop has always considered natural ingredients as important, L´Oreal is criticised by environmental campaigners for including harmful pollutants and worrying cosmetics in its cosmetics. L´Oreal´s link to Nestlé - it owns 26% of the company - is also a concern.
Alternative camping
I write a regular column called Red Hot for Red Pepper magazine. Check out April 06 edition for my latest article on stylish alternatives to traditional camping holidays, such as yurts and tipis.
Green houses are hot property
The Energy Saving Trust revealed on 28th March 2006 that nearly 7 out of 10 Britons believe that houses boasting energy saving features are worth paying more money for, with almost half (44%) willing to pay an additional £5,000 - £10,000 for a green house built to high environmental standards.
Therefore, houses with features such as sufficient levels of insulation, double-glazing and energy efficient boilers will be more attractive to buyers, and could possibly sell quicker.
Research shows that the 59% of property sellers focussing their attentions on quick wins such as applying a lick of paint, or adding a few scatter cushions might be missing a trick, compared to just 21% who would consider improving the energy efficiency of their houses before putting it on the market.
Old, clapped out boilers, single glazed windows and insufficient insulation would sway more than two thirds (64%) of property buyers against a purchase, compared to less than one in ten would be put off by the décor, the garden or tidiness of the property.
Spring cleaning the eco-friendly way
Look out for my latest article in March 06 edition of Red Pepper magazine.
Guerrilla Guides: how to spring clean the house while retaining a toxic-free environment.
Ethical consumerism on the rise
According to the most recent Ethical Consumerism survey by the Co-operative Bank, ethically motivated shopping and behaviour continues to grow and is here to stay.
Market share for ethical products increased by 22% over the past 6 years.
Over half of those questioned agreed with the statement; 'As a consumer, I can make a difference to how responsibly a company behaves'. Only 17% disagreed.
58% avoided a product or service on the basis of a company's reputation.
Brand new web site online
We are still in the process of uploading new content and links. Please visit us again soon to view latest work, news and links. Thanks for your patience.