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Voluntary carbon markets are not working and risk delaying net zero carbon emissions targets.

That is the stark warning from the independent Climate Change Committee (CCC), which scrutinises government policy and progress toward decarbonisation.

In a new report the committee says “businesses are increasingly turning to voluntary carbon offsetting as they aim to reach Net Zero. But recent market growth is premature.

“Offsets can mask insufficient efforts from firms to cut their own emissions, they often deliver less than claimed, and they may push out other environmental objectives in the rush to capture carbon.”

COP27: Everything you need to know about the United Nations climate talks in Egypt

Carbon offsetting allows companies to compensate for their own pollution and boost climate credentials by purchasing credits from projects around the world that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions, typically involving things like tree planting or nature restoration projects.

But the quality of these credits can vary hugely and there are no agreed global standards.

More on Climate Change

Last month Sky News reported exclusively that nearly half of the carbon offsets held by energy company Centrica on behalf of its UK business and residential customers have such a poor reputation that the EU banned them from its own emissions trading system in 2013.

Centrica told Sky News: “These carbon offsets were initially brought to back a tariff which has not been sold since 2019.

“We subsequently made the decision not to use them again as they were not aligned with our high environmental standards.”

Experts said that the Centrica offsets issue was indicative of a much broader problem with voluntary carbon markets, which are essentially unregulated and growing at an extraordinary pace.

Some studies have projected that if demand keeps growing the global market could be worth up to $50bn by 2030.

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‘A government attack on nature’

The CCC report says that current shortcomings “could be overcome with stronger governance to ensure high-integrity carbon credits and clearer guidance for businesses to encourage them to cut their own emissions first and foremost, before turning to offsets.”

Chief executive of the Climate Change Committee Chris Stark said: “Businesses want to do the right thing and it’s heartening to see so many firms aiming for early Net Zero dates.

“But poor-quality offsets are crowding out high-integrity ones. Businesses face confusion over the right approach to take.

“There is a clear need for government to make standards stronger and point businesses towards an approach that prioritises real emissions reduction ahead of offsetting.

“Those businesses that choose to support the economy-wide transition to Net Zero should get the credit they deserve.”

Watch the Daily Climate Show at 3.30pm Monday to Friday, and The Climate Show with Tom Heap on Saturday and Sunday at 3.30pm and 7.30pm.

All on Sky News, on the Sky News website and app, on YouTube and Twitter.

The show investigates how global warming is changing our landscape and highlights solutions to the crisis.

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Mohammed Fahir Amaaz guilty of assaulting two female police officers at Manchester Airport

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Mohammed Fahir Amaaz guilty of assaulting two female police officers at Manchester Airport

A man has been found guilty of assaulting two female police officers at Manchester Airport last year.

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz punched PC Lydia Ward in the face, knocking her down and breaking her nose.

The 20-year-old was also convicted of assaulting PC Ellie Cook and the earlier assault of a member of the public at an airport Starbucks.

CCTV of the incident at Manchester Airport Pic: CPS
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Prosecutors said Amaaz threw 10 punches. Pic: CPS

The jury was unable to decide whether Amaaz and his brother, Muhammad Amaad, 26, also assaulted a male officer.

The incident happened at a car park pay area on 23 July 2024 after the brothers went to collect their mother from a flight.

Police were called after Amaaz went into Starbucks and headbutted Abdulkareem Ismaeil – who he claimed racially abused his mother on the plane.

The brothers resisted when officers tried to detain them and told the court they didn’t know they were being approached by police.

Prosecutors said Amaaz threw 10 punches, two elbow strikes and a kick, while Amaad aimed six blows at firearms officer PC Zachary Marsden.

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz. Pic: Greater Manchester Police
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Mohammed Fahir Amaaz. Pic: Greater Manchester Police

Amaaz told the trial he feared the “lunatic” male officer would “batter him to death” and Amaad said he believed he was under attack.

Footage of a kick and stamp by PC Marsden on Amaaz was widely shared on social media in the days after the incident.

The brothers – from Rochdale – denied all the charges and said they acted in self defence.

Their lawyers said police had used “unlawful force”, grabbing Amaaz from behind without identifying themselves.

But jurors at Liverpool Crown Court disagreed and found Amaaz guilty of actual bodily harm to PC Ward, as well assaulting PC Cook and Mr Ismaeil.

Read more from Sky News:
Thousands turn out to see Ozzy Osbourne’s hearse in Birmingham
Double Olympic champion dies in mountaineering accident

Human Rights lawyer Aamer Anwar (centre) arrives with Mohammed Fahir Amaaz (left) and Muhammed Amaad (right) at Liverpool Crown Court, where
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Amaaz (left) and Amaad (right) with their lawyer at a previous hearing. Pic: PA

Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC said the intention is to retry both defendants on the charge they assaulted PC Marsden.

The chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Stephen Watson, said he was pleased that Amaaz’s “appalling conduct” had been exposed.

Sir Stephen said 44 of his officers are assaulted every week.

“Our officers are decent people who routinely place themselves in harm’s way to protect the public. They deserve our respect and support,” he said.

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Ozzy Osbourne is given final tour of Birmingham – with thousands of fans flooding streets to pay their respects

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Ozzy Osbourne is given final tour of Birmingham - with thousands of fans flooding streets to pay their respects

Ozzy Osbourne has taken his final tour of Birmingham – with his family experiencing the love of thousands of fans who turned out to see the heavy metal star come home.

“We love you, Ozzy!” came the shouts from the crowd as his cortege stopped at Black Sabbath Bridge in the city, a site that has become a shrine to the performer since his death at 76 last week.

His family and loved ones, including his wife Sharon Osbourne and their children Jack, Kelly and Aimee, spent several minutes taking in all the flowers, messages and other tributes left in an outpouring of love from fans.

The family of Ozzy Osbourne (left to right) Jack Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne lay flowers.
Pic PA
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Jack, Sharon and Kelly Osbourne laid flowers. Pic: PA

Sharon was in tears as she took it all in. Supported by her children, she gave a peace sign to the crowd before returning to the procession vehicles.

Each family member carried a pink rose, wrapped in black paper, tied with a purple ribbon – the traditional Black Sabbath colours. The flowers bearing his name in the hearse were also purple.

Before reaching the city centre, the cortege had travelled past Ozzy’s childhood home in Aston. Just a few weeks ago, he was on stage at Villa Park performing his final gig alongside many of the musicians his music had inspired, from Metallica to Guns N’ Roses to Yungblud.

Heavy metal, reality TV and biting bats: Ozzy Osbourne obituary

A man passes by a mural of Ozzy Osbourne, the former Black Sabbath frontman, ahead of the funeral cortege, in Birmingham.
Pic Reuters
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Tributes to Ozzy can be seen all over Birmingham. Pic: Reuters

On a hugely emotional day, his presence could be felt throughout the city, with the star’s music playing in pubs and posters paying tribute: “Birmingham will always love you.”

For fans, this was a chance to say not just goodbye, but also thank you to a star who never forgot where he came from. His remarkable achievements from humble beginnings and continued love for his hometown, even when he lived thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, meant that for many, the loss feels incredibly personal.

People gather around tributes at the Black Sabbath Bridge.
Pic: Reuters
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The Black Sabbath Bridge has become a shrine in recent days. Pic: Reuters

‘The Prince of Laughter – not Darkness’

Graham Wright, a roadie who worked with Black Sabbath in the 1970s and beyond, up to the Back To The Beginning reunion gig at Villa Park, told Sky News he would remember Ozzy not by his traditional nickname, the Prince of Darkness – but as the Prince of Laughter instead.

“It was a shock he left us so soon after [the show],” he said. “The show was tough for him but he was determined to say goodbye to his fans, that was the main thing. It was important for all four of [Black Sabbath] to get back together and do a farewell.

“The tears will be flowing today to see the Ozz man – the Prince of Laughter, not Darkness. He really was. We’ll all miss him.”

A person gestures as the funeral cortege of Ozzy Osbourne.
Pic: Reuters
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Pic: Reuters

‘My mum used to say he was a lovely boy’

Chris Mason, general manager of The Brasshouse pub, which is next to Black Sabbath Bridge, said music by the band and Ozzy’s solo material had been played pretty much “on loop” since his death.

“I’m a metal fan and Ozzy being the godfather of the scene – if not for Ozzy and Black Sabbath, we wouldn’t have heavy metal,” he said. “This is what Birmingham is about, bringing people together, and Ozzy and Black Sabbath did that.

“He was Mr Birmingham and his family have brought him back.”

Mohabbat Ali, who used to live on the same street as Ozzy’s childhood home, said the property had become one of the focal points for tributes in the city.

Describing what it was like living near him, he said: “He played guitars, very loud at night sometimes, but my mum used to say he was a lovely boy.”

From an era of preening rock gods, Ozzy was the real deal


Katie Spencer

Katie Spencer

Arts and entertainment correspondent

The sea of black was always a given – but this wasn’t about respecting funeral traditions. Ozzy himself had previously said he wanted his send-off, when it came, to be a celebration and not a “mope-fest”.

This was his final tour in the city that meant so much to him.

For fans, he meant so much to them.

For his family, the emotion was raw.
Sharon, his soulmate, has spent her life and career organising his shows, and it was clear how hard this day was for her.

After they left, fans flooded the streets to lay flowers.

Not since David Bowie has an artist’s death prompted such an outpouring of emotion. From an era of preening rock gods, Ozzy was the real deal – one of the most notorious figures in rock, but a man who remained as Brummie as can be.

‘A true legend who never forgot his roots’

Birmingham’s lord mayor, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, also attended the procession and spoke of the city’s pride in Ozzy.

“What a great honour for us to have him here one last time,” he said. “The love for Ozzy – well, you can feel it in the air.”

The star put both Aston and Birmingham on the map, he said, and always took the time to get to know people.

Mr Iqbal said Ozzy sent him a letter after reading on the mayor’s website biography how he had struggled with dyslexia at school – something the star identified with.

“I’ve got the letter in a frame and it’s in my office… he was just a natural human being, down to earth. You wouldn’t have known he was a rock star – but he was a true legend, who never forgot his roots.”

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Second-largest population increase in England and Wales in over 75 years – mainly fuelled by migration

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Second-largest population increase in England and Wales in over 75 years - mainly fuelled by migration

The population of England and Wales has grown by more than 700,000 in the year to June 2024 – the second-largest increase in over 75 years.

The change was largely fuelled by international migration, with natural change – the difference between births and deaths – accounting for only a small proportion.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there were an estimated 61.8 million people in England and Wales in mid-2024, up from 61.1 million the year before.

It is the second-largest numerical jump since at least 1949, when comparable data began.

And it is behind only the rise of 821,210 that took place in the preceding 12 months from mid-2022 to mid-2023.

Nigel Henretty of the ONS said the population of the two countries has increased each year since mid-1982, but said the rate of population increases has been higher in recent years.

“Net international migration continues to be the main driver of this growth, continuing the long-term trend seen since the turn of the century,” he said.

Net international migration – the difference between people moving to the country and leaving – accounted for 690,147 of the estimated population increase of 706,881 people, or 98% of the total.

There were slightly more births than deaths in the most recent year, which added 29,982 to the population.

There was also a net decrease in internal migration – the number of people moving from England and Wales to elsewhere in the UK.

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