Month: March 2021

Volvo Cars launches new, pure electric Volvo C40 Recharge

Stuart Mitchell

The future of Volvo Cars is electric and the new Volvo C40 Recharge is the latest manifestation of its commitment to a zero emission future. The C40 Recharge has all the benefits of an SUV but with a lower and sleeker design. It is based on the CMA vehicle platform and the first Volvo model in history designed as pure electric only. Following the introduction of the XC40 Recharge and now the C40 Recharge, Volvo Cars will roll out several additional electric models in coming years. Already by 2025, it…

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Drax kickstarts application process to build vital negative emissions technology

Stuart Mitchell

Drax is to kickstart the planning process for its proposals to build ground-breaking negative emissions technology, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), marking a major milestone in the project. The energy company has already transformed its power station near Selby in North Yorkshire to become the largest decarbonisation project in Europe having converted it to use sustainable biomass instead of coal. Now it has ambitions to go further by using BECCS to permanently remove millions of tonnes of CO2 each year from the atmosphere and create a negative carbon…

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CIPR; David Cameron lobbying activity highlights need for change in legislation

Stuart Mitchell

In response to a front-page story in the Financial Times concerning former Prime Minister David Cameron lobbying the UK government on behalf of a firm he was advising, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has repeated its call for changes in legislation to ensure that all attempts to influence political decisions by lobbyists, in whatever capacity, are captured. Current legislation governing lobbying in Westminster only requires consultant lobbying to be registered, leaving those on an organisation’s payroll outside the scope of full public scrutiny. This is something the Institute…

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‘Former MPs cannot exercise influence for commercial gain’ – PRCA responds to David Cameron reports

Stuart Mitchell

The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) has responded to reports that former Prime Minister David Cameron allegedly lobbied Whitehall to increase access to emergency COVID-19 loans schemes for a private company. Reports suggest David Cameron used his influence amongst former colleagues to secure access to funding for financial services company, Greensill Capital. The organisation now faces bankruptcy and owes debts of up $1.75bn. Public Affairs Board Chair Liam Herbert CMPRCA: “It is difficult to ignore the irony of a former PM who targeted the ethical and regulated practices of…

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Borealis invests EUR 17.6 million to lower CO2 emissions, energy consumption, and flaring at plant in Finland

Stuart Mitchell

Borealis announces it is investing EUR 17.6 million in a new Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) for its polyolefins plants in Porvoo, Finland. This equipment will significantly lower the site’s CO2 emissions, reduce flaring and save around 60 gigawatt hours (GWh) energy each year. Project kick-off is in February 2021, with completion planned for 2023. RTO installation serves greater energy and climate goals Borealis has implemented a wide range of measures and programmes to protect the climate and ensure the more sustainable development of all of its business areas. In its…

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