Skip to content

Sustainability

Illustration of buildings in Venice on a plinth being held above the water level on the branches of submerged trees (Credit: Emmanuel Lafont/BBC)

The ancient forest that supports Venice

Most modern structures are built to last 50 years or so, but ingenious ancient engineering has kept this watery city afloat for more than 1,600 years – using only wood.

People camping in tents in Greenland, with the ocean and hills in the background (Credit: Alamy)

Visiting Antarctica or the Arctic?

As polar tourism surges, experts warn of its environmental impact. From transport choices to local food, here's how to visit responsibly while protecting fragile ecosystems.

A selection of period products including menstrual cups, tampons and a pad alongside underwear (Credit: Getty Images)

What's the most sustainable period product?

There's a huge array of reusable options, from pads to pants to menstrual cups. Ana Santi explores which is the most sustainable and how safe they are.

Shot of the vegetable garden at Grow Wilder

Brownfield site to be turned into nature reserve

Plans for young people to turn a former brownfield site into a wildlife reserve are under way.

A marching band performs on the streets of New Orleans, with a crowd spectating and streamers in the trees above (Credit Abdul Aziz)

Rubbish and revelry: Can Mardi Gras go 'green'?

A successful Mardi Gras used to be measured by how much waste it produced. Now, the world's largest free festival is trying to clean up.

An exterior view of one of Bristol Waste's reuse shops.

Waste company reuse shop re-homes 250,000 items

Drax power station. The photo shows smoke billowing out of six stout chimneys. The sky is cloudy and smoky. There are trees and grass in the foreground.

Key power station didn't properly disclose burning forest wood

The Drax facility, which burns wood pellets, is required to report where it sources its wood from.

North Yorkshire

A curved wooden bench, partially painted in red, fits along a curved wall at the market.

Storm-felled trees turned into benches for market

The seating is being put in to encourage shoppers to stay in the area for longer.

Flock of geese flying in formation (Credit: Getty Images)

The aircraft that may fly like geese

Some species of birds like geese save energy by flying in close formation. Airliners could use a similar trick to burn less fuel.