Science & Environment Archives

In Focus

UK contribution to international development: Mitigating the impact of climate change on developing nations

Friday, 22 December, 2023

The UK government spent £12.79bn in official development assistance in 2022. A portion of this support was focused on mitigating the impact of climate change on developing countries, including through measures outlined in the government’s international development white paper and through contributions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s green climate fund. However, some stakeholders have called on the government to provide further support, particularly in relation to its spending commitments.
Research Briefing

Data Protection and Digital Information Bill: HL Bill 30 of 2023–24

Wednesday, 13 December, 2023

The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill would amend existing data protection legislation and introduce new provisions in areas such as digital verification services and smart data. The bill was carried over from the last session and is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 19 December 2023.
In Focus

Educational technology: Digital innovation and AI in schools

Monday, 20 November, 2023

The usage of educational technology in UK schools is already growing and likely to increase significantly in coming years, particularly as a result of the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Many commentators suggest that these technologies present significant opportunities but also substantial risks. This briefing examines these issues ahead of a forthcoming debate in the House of Lords.
In Focus

Agricultural fungicides: Impact on long-term food and biological security

Monday, 20 November, 2023

Agricultural fungicides are pesticides which are used to prevent or control plant disease caused by fungi. They can help ensure food availability, affordability and safety. However, they can also have negative environmental effects and exposure to chemical pesticides has been linked to a higher risk of chronic disease in humans. The government is due to publish a revised national action plan on the sustainable use of pesticides by the end of 2023.
In Focus

Mopeds, motorcycles and the powered light vehicle industry

Monday, 20 November, 2023

Powered light vehicles (PLVs) are a category of smaller, lighter vehicles, including mopeds and motorcycles. Zero emission PLVs can contribute to reducing congestion and air and noise pollution. The government consulted in 2022 on ending sales of new non-zero emission PLVs by 2035, but the industry argues this is unrealistic. It is not clear how the government’s decision to delay the date for ending sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans affects this proposal.
In Focus

King’s Speech 2023: Science, innovation and technology

Wednesday, 01 November, 2023

This briefing considers legislation that may be announced in the King’s Speech on 7 November 2023 relating to science, innovation and technology. For example, the government has said that it does not initially intend to introduce legislation regulating artificial intelligence but is continuing to look at the area.
In Focus

King’s Speech 2023: Agriculture, natural environment and animal welfare

Wednesday, 01 November, 2023

After announcing it would not be progressing the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, first introduced in the 2021–22 session, the government has committed to take animal welfare measures forward as single bills, including proposals on pet abduction. The government also intends to use secondary legislation to end the keeping of primates as pets and ban American XL bully dogs. On the natural environment, consultations are being held on hedgerows and water quality.
- In Focus
- Agriculture & Farming
In Focus

King’s Speech 2023: Energy security and net zero

Wednesday, 01 November, 2023

The government has committed to reducing the UK’s carbon emissions and household energy costs while increasing energy security. In September 2023, the government announced it would be pushing back some of its previously announced net zero related deadlines, including those for the transition to electric vehicles and the phasing out of fossil fuel boilers for off-gas-grid homes. This briefing provides a summary of the government’s recent announcements.
- In Focus
- Energy
- Environment
- Transport
Current Affairs Digest

Current Affairs Digest: Science—part 2 (October 2023)

Tuesday, 24 October, 2023

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are changing medical diagnostics. Trained on vast datasets of images and research, AI tools are designed to interpret scans, refine images for clinical review and map anatomy ahead of treatment. AI has the potential to save clinician time, costs and workload. This briefing presents a range of studies on applications, accuracy and challenges.
Current Affairs Digest

Current Affairs Digest: Science—part 1 (October 2023)

Thursday, 12 October, 2023

Anti-ageing, personalised cancer cures and robotic dosing implants: artificial intelligence is making headlines for its breakthroughs in the pharmaceutical world. But how close are they to being part of everyday medicine? And what are the risks of AI drug discovery?
- Current Affairs Digest
- Science & Technology
In Focus

‘Investing in energy: Price, security, and the transition to net zero’: Economic Affairs Committee report

Thursday, 28 September, 2023

In February 2022, the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee launched an inquiry into how the government could support investment in UK energy in order to achieve greater security of supply, improve affordability and meet the UK’s net zero targets. This article summarises the committee’s conclusions and the then government’s response to its recommendations. It also provides an overview of subsequent developments in the government’s energy policies.
- In Focus
- Business
- Energy
- Environment
In Focus

Cleaning up failures in water and sewage regulation: Industry and Regulators Committee report

Friday, 22 September, 2023

In 2022 the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee launched an inquiry into the work of the water regulator, Ofwat. It considered issues including the discharge of sewage by water companies and whether Ofwat was promoting sufficient investment in water and sewage infrastructure. This article summarises the committee’s conclusions and recommendations, the response to the report from both the government and Ofwat, and the conclusions of a follow-up inquiry held in summer 2023.
- In Focus
- Environment
Current Affairs Digest

Current Affairs Digest: Environment (September 2023)

Monday, 11 September, 2023

There have been several large wildfires this year, including in southern Europe, Canada and Hawaii. These have taken place during a period of record high temperatures around the world. This article considers the environmental impact of these recent wildfires, and the significance of climate change.
- Current Affairs Digest
- Environment
In Focus

The future UK-EU relationship: Report by the House of Lords European Affairs Committee

Friday, 08 September, 2023

Since the Windsor Framework was agreed in February 2023, the UK and the EU agree their relationship has been on a positive trajectory. In light of this, a recent House of Lords committee report made recommendations about further opportunities for UK-EU cooperation on foreign policy, defence and security, energy security, climate change and mobility of people.
In Focus

Climate change-induced migration: UK collaboration with international partners

Thursday, 07 September, 2023

Climate change is likely to increase migration flows over the coming decades. Increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events are expected to increase “forcible displacements”, and the “slow-onset” impacts of climate change are expected to make the hardest hit regions uninhabitable. The UK is involved with several international forums which aim to discuss and cooperate on these issues.

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