A Breath of Fresh Air
Plans put forward by three North East councils to rapidly reduce air pollution are a golden opportunity to forge a sustainable transport system. Wednesday saw the start of a ten...
latest features
5 Barriers to Retrofit
In the first of a new series on Retrofit, we look at the main barriers to making serious energy efficiency improvements to our existing housing stock. The collapse of coal and...
A Tale of Two Walls : Rammed Earth Construction in the North East
Two rammed earth walls built in the North East offer a modern low carbon interpretation of an ancient technology. People have been constructing rammed earth walls for over 2,000 years....
Top Posts of 2018
As Tracing Green reaches its 4th birthday, we reveal your favourite 3 posts of 2018. Today marks the end of our 4th year writing on green building, low-impact living, sustainable...
Each Home Counts
The striking contrast between two housing developments in the North West shows that lessons in low energy housing must be learnt. In November I travelled over to see the Lancaster...
E-bike Maintenance
E-bikes are trouble-free but like all bicycles, they require regular maintenance. For years I’ve owned bikes that were best described as ‘cheap and cheerful’. When a bike doesn’t owe you...
Two Ecohomes Secure Planning Permission
Proposals for two low-energy ecohomes in the North East have recently secured planning approval. A quick look at the UK map of certified Passivhaus projects tells you everything you need...
Upper Ouseburn Restoration Project
A partnership of local environmental charities has been enhancing an important tributary to the Tyne to improve its water quality. For over 18 months Groundwork North East & Cumbria has...
Footprint 2018
Taking steps towards a more positive and sustainable future. Last weekend I attended Footprint 2018 at Durham University. Run over two days, the event was a series of seminars, workshops,...
The plastic pegs that should be hung out to dry
Plastic pollution is pervasive, but there are some solutions close to home. On a recent holiday in the Yorkshire Dales, I stopped for lunch beside a waterfall in a well...
No Time to Waste
Newcastle’s Waste Commission publishes final recommendations and the City Council sets to work implementing ambitious waste strategy. Last year, Newcastle City Council set up a task force to consider how...
Adam Vaughan
Mark Siddall
