SCI's Daily Digest: your one-stop shop for all of the day's news in science based industry
Today's Daily Digest leads with the UK Spring Budget 2023, which the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt will present to parliament this afternoon.
Spring Budget
Twenty-year government incentives promoting carbon capture use and storage (CCUS) will reportedly headline benefits to the energy sector in Jeremy Hunt’s Budget this afternoon. But Hunt will not provide any extra funding for CCUS before the next election, expected by the end of next year.
Hunt will also announce a competition for the construction of Britain’s first small modular nuclear reactors, which the government said is likely to see Britain’s Rolls-Royce compete with rivals such as GE.
Furthermore, Hunt will announce 12 new investment zones to 'supercharge' hi-tech growth. Backed by £80m of investment over five years in each of the new high-growth zones, the scheme is designed to accelerate research and development in the UK's ‘most budding industries’, focusing on technology, creative industries, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and the green sector.
A report on what the Budget means for science and industry will be published later today.
Health
Moving on to health news, a new UN report sheds light on food security and nutrition in Europe and Central Asia, with an emphasis on more affordable and sustainable diets. It also explores policy frameworks that make healthy diets more accessible and agrifood systems more environmentally sustainable.
Environment
In environmental news, the Biden-Harris Administration is proposing the first-ever national drinking water standard in the US for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as part of President Biden's plan to combat PFAS pollution.
Innovation
This week, four of South Africa's most promising clean energy start-ups are pitching their products to investors from the City of London. BSF Breeding, Everlectric, Hohm Energy and Wetility are showcasing their innovative low-carbon energy solutions in London alongside other projects from Colombia, Mexico, Pakistan and Turkey.
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