Pauline Claridge lives near a volcano, but this one doesn’t spew lava; it...

CNN Climate 2 months ago

Pauline Claridge lives near a volcano, but this one doesn’t spew lava; it churns out thick, noxious-smelling smoke and it’s made of trash. Arnolds Field landfill, just half a mile from Claridge’s home in Rainham, is an undulating swatch of scrubby land spanning roughly 40 acres. Locals know it as the “Rainham volcano” because every year, when the weather heats up, it bursts into flames, sending plumes of acrid smoke over nearby homes, parks and schools. Claridge, who has the chronic lung condition COPD, can tell when the landfill is on fire. “It’s just an awful, rancid smell,” she said. Her COPD was not caused by the fires but she believes it’s severely exacerbated by them. As soon as she and her husband Stan catch a whiff of the familiar, toxic-smelling scent, they rush to switch on fans and humidifiers and shut all their windows, even in the stifling heat of summer. It’s a pattern repeated throughout the warm months. The landfill is “a volcano, and you’re just waiting (thinking) when’s it going to go?” Claridge said. “It’s an unbearable way to live.” What’s unfolding in this corner of London is not unique. Humanity produces ever-increasing amounts of trash, only a sliver of which is recycled. The vast majority ends up in landfills often located in low-income communities lacking the power to push back against the noise, air pollution and choking smoke that often accompany them. In Rainham, a London suburb with significant pockets of deprivation, residents feel trapped in a cycle of inaction. The landowner didn’t respond to CNN requests for an interview, but has previously told media outlets that it would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars just to apply for planning permission, and he has been given no assurances it would be successful. Read about efforts to determine what lurks beneath the ground – and what can be done about it – at the link in @cnn’s bio. 📸: Toby Hancock/CNN | Graphics: Google Maps, London Borough of Havering Council, London Fire Brigade, Romford Recorder/Lou Robinson, CNN

layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 30 minutes ago



Renfrewshire is set to host a new £14 million affordable housing scheme by Sanctuary Scotland, signalling a notable move in sustainable construction. The 56-home development in Braehead, due to commence in March 2026, is expected to demonstrate best practice in sustainable building design and low carbon construction materials. Through early integration of whole life carbon assessment and embodied carbon evaluation, such housing projects are redefining how environmental sustainability in construction is measured. The emphasis on low carbon design and energy-efficient buildings highlights the growing need for lifecycle assessment methods to achieve net zero whole life carbon performance and reduce the carbon footprint of construction across all project stages.

The UK’s decision to place ESG ratings providers under the supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority represents a step-change in regulating sustainable finance within the built environment. This approach reinforces accountability and transparency, crucial for assessing embodied carbon in materials and the environmental impact of construction supply chains. Reliable ESG metrics inform whole life carbon calculations and life cycle cost analysis, both central to sustainable building practices and the transition toward carbon neutral construction. As scrutiny accelerates, building developers and material suppliers must strengthen environmental product declarations (EPDs) and adopt life cycle thinking in construction to ensure consistent, verifiable results.

Public pressure surrounding the environmental footprint of Britain’s expanding data centre sector reveals broader concerns about resource efficiency in construction. The rapid increase in energy and water demand underscores the urgency of integrating eco-design for buildings and green infrastructure into planning. Data centre developers are encouraged to prioritise low-impact construction methods and renewable building materials, supporting the movement toward net zero carbon buildings. These shifts demonstrate how decarbonising the built environment depends on both smart spatial planning and responsible material sourcing.

The government’s forthcoming mandate requiring UK businesses to install smart meters to access fixed-term energy deals introduces a data-driven catalyst for carbon footprint reduction. Access to real-time energy data empowers construction firms to assess building lifecycle performance and refine sustainable material specification. Such monitoring supports circular economy models through improved energy efficiency and low embodied carbon materials management, advancing both BREEAM and BREEAM v7 certification performance goals.

The European Commission’s confirmation that the EU Deforestation Regulation will take effect in 2025 reinforces an uncompromising message on sustainable procurement. For suppliers managing timber, soy, or other renewable building materials, compliance with circular economy in construction principles is paramount. Ensuring traceability within material flows aligns with sustainable urban development aspirations and strengthens long-term circular construction strategies. Leadership recognition through initiatives such as the edie 100 continues to highlight corporations that implement eco-friendly construction methods, sustainable architecture, and green building products designed for measurable environmental gains throughout the building lifecycle.

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