In what, according to the BBC, is one of the National Trust's biggest heat pump installations to date, Kingston Lacey has replaced its old oil fired system with a ground source heat pump supplied by over 6,000m of underground pipes.
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Properties of this nature of often cited as 'unsuitable' for conversion to clean energy provision, so its great to see this notion disproved here in the heart of Dorset.

The team at ZCD were thrilled to hear about the 'Learning Adventure' at Rushcombe First School in Corfe Mullen. Working with artist Sarah Butterworth and staff who developed the choreography and music, they staged an illuminated performance called "Mission Minibeast". The event celebrated how important insects ("Minibeasts") are to us all and the extent to which they are currently threatened. More photos from the performance and more about this great initiative can be found on the schools website here.

While widely expected, scientists have now confirmed that 2023 was the hottest year on record, 1.48C warmer than pre-industrial levels and just 0.02C short of the Paris Agreement objective. But a series of charts and quotes in today's BBC report indicate the scale of last year's increase is particularly worrying with a streak of 116 consecutive days of new records, "mind-blowing" low levels of Arctic sea-ice and record sea surface temperatures. It really is #TimeToAct.

Kingswood MP and former minister, Chris Skidmore, has quit as an MP citing the government's decision to issue new oil and gas licences and failure of leadership on climate. While the government tried to defend their position, campaigners continue to call out why licences are not compatible with net zero obligations and institutions such as the Royal United Services Institute are debunking the myths around this issue, the call to 'keep it in the ground' is growing.

After 2023 brought us more extreme weather and is set to be the second warmest ever in the UK, 2024 started with devastating flooding leaving many to deal with both emotional and financial trauma. 
​The links between climate change and extreme weather are clear and ever more urgent. As such, rather than wait for our Annual Reviews, we'll now be publishing news and stories throughout the year. Follow us here and on social media to stay in touch.