Doug Parr
@dougparr.bsky.social
@greenpeaceuk.bsky.social chief scientist, policy director
View are all my own, except those I've borrowed
View are all my own, except those I've borrowed
Blaming the planning system for high prices of nuclear power is absurd
The EPR being built at Hinkley was way over budget in Finland, China & France
The AP1000 the USA is keen on bankrupted Westinghouse when built in S Carolina
Nuclear power is expensive. Period
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The EPR being built at Hinkley was way over budget in Finland, China & France
The AP1000 the USA is keen on bankrupted Westinghouse when built in S Carolina
Nuclear power is expensive. Period
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK is world's most expensive place to develop nuclear power, report says
Experts criticise “overly complex” rules and call for an overhaul of Britain's nuclear strategy.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Blaming the planning system for high prices of nuclear power is absurd
The EPR being built at Hinkley was way over budget in Finland, China & France
The AP1000 the USA is keen on bankrupted Westinghouse when built in S Carolina
Nuclear power is expensive. Period
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The EPR being built at Hinkley was way over budget in Finland, China & France
The AP1000 the USA is keen on bankrupted Westinghouse when built in S Carolina
Nuclear power is expensive. Period
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Wind was delivering 22.7GW during the evening peak on Nov 11, nearly 44% of power, equivalent to 22 million homes supplied
The System Operator said "our national grid can run safely and securely on large quantities of renewables generated right here in Britain"
news.sky.com/story/new-re...
The System Operator said "our national grid can run safely and securely on large quantities of renewables generated right here in Britain"
news.sky.com/story/new-re...
New record for wind-powered electricity in Britain
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) has predicted Britain could hit another milestone in the months ahead by running the grid for a period entirely with zero carbon power, renewables and nuclea...
news.sky.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Wind was delivering 22.7GW during the evening peak on Nov 11, nearly 44% of power, equivalent to 22 million homes supplied
The System Operator said "our national grid can run safely and securely on large quantities of renewables generated right here in Britain"
news.sky.com/story/new-re...
The System Operator said "our national grid can run safely and securely on large quantities of renewables generated right here in Britain"
news.sky.com/story/new-re...
European meat industry lobbying extends its footprint to the UK as terms like 'veggie burger' to be banned n order to protect meat sales
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Ban on veggie ‘burgers’: plant-based products may lose meaty names in UK under EU law
Exclusive: Trade agreement means UK is subject to some food labelling rules, with vote on vegetarian food terms this week
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:11 AM
European meat industry lobbying extends its footprint to the UK as terms like 'veggie burger' to be banned n order to protect meat sales
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Study of all-electric properties in Birmingham, with heat pumps and solar, shows they use less energy at peak times than expected, reducing stress on the grid
“We’re finding all those reasons not to go ahead with a heat pump are slowly but surely falling away”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“We’re finding all those reasons not to go ahead with a heat pump are slowly but surely falling away”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Heat-pump homes put less strain on grid than expected, study shows
Analysis of new-builds in Birmingham suggests all-electric homes not only use less energy but vary in peak usage
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Study of all-electric properties in Birmingham, with heat pumps and solar, shows they use less energy at peak times than expected, reducing stress on the grid
“We’re finding all those reasons not to go ahead with a heat pump are slowly but surely falling away”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“We’re finding all those reasons not to go ahead with a heat pump are slowly but surely falling away”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The world's govts already agreed to triple renewables, double energy efficiency, & substantially cut methane emissions
*If* they follow through on these by 2035, it would quickly slow the rate of warming, lowering temperature rise this century from 2.6C to 1.7C
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
*If* they follow through on these by 2035, it would quickly slow the rate of warming, lowering temperature rise this century from 2.6C to 1.7C
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Keeping promises on renewables, energy efficiency and methane ‘would avoid nearly 1C of global heating’
Analysis published at Cop30 summit shows adhering to pledges offer world hope of avoiding climate breakdown
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:16 AM
The world's govts already agreed to triple renewables, double energy efficiency, & substantially cut methane emissions
*If* they follow through on these by 2035, it would quickly slow the rate of warming, lowering temperature rise this century from 2.6C to 1.7C
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
*If* they follow through on these by 2035, it would quickly slow the rate of warming, lowering temperature rise this century from 2.6C to 1.7C
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
As clear a demonstration as possible governments can choose to accelerate renewables development **if they want to**
This is levelised cost of renewable projects versus Average Cost of Capital (= % interest paid)
Using govt balance sheet to lower ACC matters
theconversation.com/renewable-en...
This is levelised cost of renewable projects versus Average Cost of Capital (= % interest paid)
Using govt balance sheet to lower ACC matters
theconversation.com/renewable-en...
November 18, 2025 at 11:27 AM
As clear a demonstration as possible governments can choose to accelerate renewables development **if they want to**
This is levelised cost of renewable projects versus Average Cost of Capital (= % interest paid)
Using govt balance sheet to lower ACC matters
theconversation.com/renewable-en...
This is levelised cost of renewable projects versus Average Cost of Capital (= % interest paid)
Using govt balance sheet to lower ACC matters
theconversation.com/renewable-en...
Lobbyists representing the interests of industrial cattle farming, commodity grains & pesticides is up 14% on last year’s climate COP
The agricultural industry, esp in Brazil, is the major cause of deforestation
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The agricultural industry, esp in Brazil, is the major cause of deforestation
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
More than 300 big agriculture lobbyists took part in Cop30, investigation finds
Lobbyists representing industry responsible for a quarter to a third of global emissions participated in key talks at the UN climate summit
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Lobbyists representing the interests of industrial cattle farming, commodity grains & pesticides is up 14% on last year’s climate COP
The agricultural industry, esp in Brazil, is the major cause of deforestation
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The agricultural industry, esp in Brazil, is the major cause of deforestation
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Doug Parr
Filming at an abandoned uranium mine in Arizona. The mining waste is uncontained, open to the winds. Professor Kearfott, University of Michigan, telks me the Geiger counter readings I took here are similar to those remaining around Chernobyl.
vimeo.com/ondemand/thi...
vimeo.com/ondemand/thi...
November 17, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Filming at an abandoned uranium mine in Arizona. The mining waste is uncontained, open to the winds. Professor Kearfott, University of Michigan, telks me the Geiger counter readings I took here are similar to those remaining around Chernobyl.
vimeo.com/ondemand/thi...
vimeo.com/ondemand/thi...
UK govt's war on bats & newts - update
UK Govt still sees this war as necessary to unblock infrastructure projects
But the Environmental Audit Committee of MPs, said nature was being scapegoated, wasn't a block to growth, and is necessary for resilient towns
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK Govt still sees this war as necessary to unblock infrastructure projects
But the Environmental Audit Committee of MPs, said nature was being scapegoated, wasn't a block to growth, and is necessary for resilient towns
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Nature not a blocker to housing growth, inquiry finds
Commons committee report challenges ‘lazy narrative’ used by ministers that scapegoats wildlife and the environment
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:56 AM
UK govt's war on bats & newts - update
UK Govt still sees this war as necessary to unblock infrastructure projects
But the Environmental Audit Committee of MPs, said nature was being scapegoated, wasn't a block to growth, and is necessary for resilient towns
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK Govt still sees this war as necessary to unblock infrastructure projects
But the Environmental Audit Committee of MPs, said nature was being scapegoated, wasn't a block to growth, and is necessary for resilient towns
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Ban on neonicotinoid pesticides is allowing insect-eating bird species to recover
Skilled volunteer ornithologists looked at over 1,900 sites across France dividing data into 2 groups – 5 years before the ban, 2013 - 2018; & post-ban period from 2019 - 2022
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Skilled volunteer ornithologists looked at over 1,900 sites across France dividing data into 2 groups – 5 years before the ban, 2013 - 2018; & post-ban period from 2019 - 2022
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
With neonicotinoid pesticide ban, France’s birds make a tentative recovery - study
Analysis shows small hike in populations of insect-eating species after 2018 ruling, but full recovery may take decades
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Ban on neonicotinoid pesticides is allowing insect-eating bird species to recover
Skilled volunteer ornithologists looked at over 1,900 sites across France dividing data into 2 groups – 5 years before the ban, 2013 - 2018; & post-ban period from 2019 - 2022
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Skilled volunteer ornithologists looked at over 1,900 sites across France dividing data into 2 groups – 5 years before the ban, 2013 - 2018; & post-ban period from 2019 - 2022
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
This chart can, and should, get a lot of attention in the second week of #COP30 because it starkly demonstrates the inequality at the heart of the climate problem
www.ft.com/content/d0c2...
www.ft.com/content/d0c2...
November 17, 2025 at 7:31 AM
This chart can, and should, get a lot of attention in the second week of #COP30 because it starkly demonstrates the inequality at the heart of the climate problem
www.ft.com/content/d0c2...
www.ft.com/content/d0c2...
As #COP30 brings the Amazon into focus, reminder that the voluntary agreement known as the 'soya moratorium' has slowed rates of deforestation in the region
It's under thereat from big farmer interests. It's vital Tesco, Sainsbury's, McDonald's, KFC et al stand firm
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's under thereat from big farmer interests. It's vital Tesco, Sainsbury's, McDonald's, KFC et al stand firm
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 17, 2025 at 7:19 AM
As #COP30 brings the Amazon into focus, reminder that the voluntary agreement known as the 'soya moratorium' has slowed rates of deforestation in the region
It's under thereat from big farmer interests. It's vital Tesco, Sainsbury's, McDonald's, KFC et al stand firm
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's under thereat from big farmer interests. It's vital Tesco, Sainsbury's, McDonald's, KFC et al stand firm
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The UK does need a chunk of grid upgrade, but £80bn is a lot when there’s such a challenge with energy bills
Surely we need a clear justification for every major transmission project
If these justifications are essentially secret, it’s a huge governance fail
www.theguardian.com/business/nil...
Surely we need a clear justification for every major transmission project
If these justifications are essentially secret, it’s a huge governance fail
www.theguardian.com/business/nil...
SSE is a winner in the great grid upgrade. Who is looking out for consumers and small businesses? | Nils Pratley
Nobody doubts chunky spending is necessary to improve the grid. But how much of that money will be funded through consumer bills?
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:37 AM
The UK does need a chunk of grid upgrade, but £80bn is a lot when there’s such a challenge with energy bills
Surely we need a clear justification for every major transmission project
If these justifications are essentially secret, it’s a huge governance fail
www.theguardian.com/business/nil...
Surely we need a clear justification for every major transmission project
If these justifications are essentially secret, it’s a huge governance fail
www.theguardian.com/business/nil...
China now emits more CO2 than the USA, EU, India and Japan combined
New reports say we’re still on track for over 2.6C climate warming
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
New reports say we’re still on track for over 2.6C climate warming
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
China now emits more CO2 than the USA, EU, India and Japan combined
New reports say we’re still on track for over 2.6C climate warming
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
New reports say we’re still on track for over 2.6C climate warming
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Almost half a billion people live within 1km of fossil fuels sites incl drilling wells, processing plants & pipelines
Most active projects have created heavily contaminated areas where low-income & marginalized groups bear a disproportionate burden of pollution
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Most active projects have created heavily contaminated areas where low-income & marginalized groups bear a disproportionate burden of pollution
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Fossil fuel projects around the world threaten the health of 2bn people – report
Exclusive: ‘Deep-rooted injustices’ affect billions of people due to location of wells, pipelines and other infrastructure
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Almost half a billion people live within 1km of fossil fuels sites incl drilling wells, processing plants & pipelines
Most active projects have created heavily contaminated areas where low-income & marginalized groups bear a disproportionate burden of pollution
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Most active projects have created heavily contaminated areas where low-income & marginalized groups bear a disproportionate burden of pollution
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
That's quite a contrast of headlines in the news on the same report
It arises because of the way that the International Energy Agency is choosing to report its scenarios
🧵🧵 1/3
www.ft.com/content/8696...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
It arises because of the way that the International Energy Agency is choosing to report its scenarios
🧵🧵 1/3
www.ft.com/content/8696...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
November 12, 2025 at 7:08 AM
That's quite a contrast of headlines in the news on the same report
It arises because of the way that the International Energy Agency is choosing to report its scenarios
🧵🧵 1/3
www.ft.com/content/8696...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
It arises because of the way that the International Energy Agency is choosing to report its scenarios
🧵🧵 1/3
www.ft.com/content/8696...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Flatlining CO2 emissions in China foreshadows that global emissions will peak
Not fast enough, and the fall may not be steep enough. But at least the peak is is sight
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...
Not fast enough, and the fall may not be steep enough. But at least the peak is is sight
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...
November 11, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Flatlining CO2 emissions in China foreshadows that global emissions will peak
Not fast enough, and the fall may not be steep enough. But at least the peak is is sight
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...
Not fast enough, and the fall may not be steep enough. But at least the peak is is sight
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...
Reposted by Doug Parr
Good to see @dougparr.bsky.social from Greenpeace quoted. It’s clear that insulation gives people warmer homes and more disposable income to put back into the economy.
Cutting the insulation schemes that are one of the best ways to permanently reduce energy bills for low income families would be an eyewateringly daft & counterproductive way of seeking to reduce energy bills, as well as driving up emissions & leading to mass job cuts in the insulation sector 🙄
Cutting home insulation funding will imperil UK’s climate goals, Reeves told
Energy firms and charities urge chancellor to avoid short-term fix that could also harm low-income households
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Good to see @dougparr.bsky.social from Greenpeace quoted. It’s clear that insulation gives people warmer homes and more disposable income to put back into the economy.
Reposted by Doug Parr
"We need nuclear power because renewables are unreliable" is sounding more and more stupid. At this rate, by the time Hinkley C is built we'll have enough battery storage to run the electricity system on 100% renewables for many days at a time - quite possibly all year round.
Hinkley Point C in UK will be delayed by another year after EDF "continues to grapple with installation of electrical systems"
I am shocked, shocked!
Message to UK govt & hangers on: delay has nothing to do with planning, bats, newts or other bete noir
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
I am shocked, shocked!
Message to UK govt & hangers on: delay has nothing to do with planning, bats, newts or other bete noir
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
EDF Braces for More Delays at UK Hinkley Point Nuclear Project
The Hinkley Point nuclear project in the UK, ridden by repeated delays and cost overruns, is bracing for yet more setbacks.
www.bloomberg.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:42 AM
"We need nuclear power because renewables are unreliable" is sounding more and more stupid. At this rate, by the time Hinkley C is built we'll have enough battery storage to run the electricity system on 100% renewables for many days at a time - quite possibly all year round.
Hinkley Point C in UK will be delayed by another year after EDF "continues to grapple with installation of electrical systems"
I am shocked, shocked!
Message to UK govt & hangers on: delay has nothing to do with planning, bats, newts or other bete noir
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
I am shocked, shocked!
Message to UK govt & hangers on: delay has nothing to do with planning, bats, newts or other bete noir
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
EDF Braces for More Delays at UK Hinkley Point Nuclear Project
The Hinkley Point nuclear project in the UK, ridden by repeated delays and cost overruns, is bracing for yet more setbacks.
www.bloomberg.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Hinkley Point C in UK will be delayed by another year after EDF "continues to grapple with installation of electrical systems"
I am shocked, shocked!
Message to UK govt & hangers on: delay has nothing to do with planning, bats, newts or other bete noir
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
I am shocked, shocked!
Message to UK govt & hangers on: delay has nothing to do with planning, bats, newts or other bete noir
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Starting at Cop26 in 2021, 159 countries signed the global methane pledge, requiring a cut of 30% by 2030
Yet collectively, emissions from 6 of the biggest signatories – US, Australia, Kuwait, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Iraq – are now 8.5% *above* 2020 level
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Yet collectively, emissions from 6 of the biggest signatories – US, Australia, Kuwait, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Iraq – are now 8.5% *above* 2020 level
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
November 10, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Starting at Cop26 in 2021, 159 countries signed the global methane pledge, requiring a cut of 30% by 2030
Yet collectively, emissions from 6 of the biggest signatories – US, Australia, Kuwait, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Iraq – are now 8.5% *above* 2020 level
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Yet collectively, emissions from 6 of the biggest signatories – US, Australia, Kuwait, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Iraq – are now 8.5% *above* 2020 level
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
There is an "AI arms race" developing in planning as AI scanning speeds up planning applications
But off-the-shelf AI-analysis of those planning applications generates objections
(objections which will then all be analysed by...AI !!)
It's all going a bit mad
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
But off-the-shelf AI-analysis of those planning applications generates objections
(objections which will then all be analysed by...AI !!)
It's all going a bit mad
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
AI-powered nimbyism could grind UK planning system to a halt, experts warn
Tools that help people scan applications and find grounds for objection have potential to hit government’s housebuilding plans
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 AM
There is an "AI arms race" developing in planning as AI scanning speeds up planning applications
But off-the-shelf AI-analysis of those planning applications generates objections
(objections which will then all be analysed by...AI !!)
It's all going a bit mad
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
But off-the-shelf AI-analysis of those planning applications generates objections
(objections which will then all be analysed by...AI !!)
It's all going a bit mad
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Official data from government of British Columbia, along with satellite monitoring, backs claims that a Canadian subsidiary owned by Drax sourced 250-year-old trees to manufacture biomass pellets as recently as this year
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Drax still burning 250-year-old trees sourced from forests in Canada, experts say
Exclusive: report by Stand.earth says subsidiary of power plant received truckloads of whole logs at biomass pellet sites
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Official data from government of British Columbia, along with satellite monitoring, backs claims that a Canadian subsidiary owned by Drax sourced 250-year-old trees to manufacture biomass pellets as recently as this year
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
My quote in this story:
“Slashing this funding would be the most counter-productive thing the chancellor could do to reduce energy costs.
“Government insulation programmes should be paid through tax, so those with the broadest shoulders pay a fairer share”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“Slashing this funding would be the most counter-productive thing the chancellor could do to reduce energy costs.
“Government insulation programmes should be paid through tax, so those with the broadest shoulders pay a fairer share”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Cutting home insulation funding will imperil UK’s climate goals, Reeves told
Energy firms and charities urge chancellor to avoid short-term fix that could also harm low-income households
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:04 AM
My quote in this story:
“Slashing this funding would be the most counter-productive thing the chancellor could do to reduce energy costs.
“Government insulation programmes should be paid through tax, so those with the broadest shoulders pay a fairer share”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“Slashing this funding would be the most counter-productive thing the chancellor could do to reduce energy costs.
“Government insulation programmes should be paid through tax, so those with the broadest shoulders pay a fairer share”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Air pollution from Ineos’s €4bn plastics feedstock production facility would cause 410 deaths once operational, compared with the 300 permanent jobs created, say Client Earth
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Pollution from Ineos’s Antwerp plastic plant ‘could cause more deaths than jobs created’
Lawyers challenge €4bn Project One development, saying emissions and health impacts vastly underestimated
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Air pollution from Ineos’s €4bn plastics feedstock production facility would cause 410 deaths once operational, compared with the 300 permanent jobs created, say Client Earth
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...