On Saturday 2 April, CAT will host a spring open day for the local community — as well as interactive drop-in sessions to discuss the Centre’s future plans.
(more…)Category: Press Releases
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CAT Graduate School courses revalidated by University of East London
We are pleased to announce that three of CAT’s MSc programmes run through our Graduate School of the Environment have been recently revalidated following our 5-year course review with our validating partner, the University of East London.
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Centre for Alternative Technology takes multi-million-pound project into development phase
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) has appointed internationally-renowned architect firm, Haworth Tompkins, and planning and development specialists, Turley, under a consortium led by Faithful & Gould — to lead an ambitious masterplan which aims to create a world-class visitor experience at the Mid Wales eco centre.
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Change of hands for the Chair of CAT’s Board of Trustees
Mick Taylor will be stepping down as the Chair of our Board of Trustees at the end of March, with Sally Carr moving from Vice Chair as his replacement.
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Future plans for CAT discussed with Craig Williams MP
Member of Parliament for Montgomeryshire, Craig William today visited the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) to learn more about CAT’s future development plans and discuss the increasing demand for CAT’s environmental education and training provision. (more…)
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BBC Winterwatch comes to CAT
We are delighted to announce that the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) will be welcoming Iolo Williams and the BBC team back to our Mid Wales eco centre later this month for this year’s Winterwatch.
The BBC team will bring a much-needed dose of nature into our living rooms as they help us to celebrate the magic of the wildlife on our doorsteps for two weeks from Tuesday 19 January.
Following a fantastic fortnight of Autumnwatch last year, Iolo will be sharing the sights and sounds of a wild Welsh winter, with Chris Packham, Megan McCubbin and Gillian Burke broadcasting from elsewhere in the UK.
Introducing CAT to millions of people across the UK during Autumnwatch, Iolo said:
“Here at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Mid Wales, it’s all about forward thinking. This is a place with the future survival of our planet at its very core.”
Nestled in the foothills of Snowdonia, in the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere Reserve, CAT offers a space where people can connect with nature whilst working together on solutions to the climate and biodiversity emergency.
The CAT site is a living example of what can happen when people step in and give nature a helping hand.
What was once a barren slate quarry has been transformed over 50 years into a rich tapestry of habitats, providing a home for a wide range of species. Several types of bat, rare hazel dormice, hedgehogs, hawfinches, woodcock, willow tits, pine martens and many more species have found safe haven in CAT’s woodlands and wild spaces.
On arriving at CAT last year, Iolo said:
“There is such an abundance of wildlife in Mid Wales and it’s great to see it flourishing at a site that was once an industrial slate quarry.
“But even where wildlife is thriving, we know that the effects of climate change are already having an effect on biodiversity in the UK. We need to take action now, as a nation, or some of our wildlife could be lost forever.”
In the past year many of us have appreciated the natural world more than ever before, and programmes like Springwatch and Autumnwatch have really helped us to get to know the wildlife on our doorsteps.
Peter Tyldesley, Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) CEO said:
“We can’t wait to welcome Iolo and the team back to CAT to share the wonderful Mid Wales wildlife with viewers across the UK.
“Learning to appreciate our amazing natural world is often the first step towards protecting it; programmes like Winterwatch can really help spark that essential love of nature.
“Last year’s Autumnwatch gave us a fascinating insight into a wide range of species, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the changing seasons will bring to CAT and the Dyfi Valley.”
CAT is currently closed to visitors in line with Welsh Government COVID rules, but – thanks to Winterwatch – you can enjoy a virtual visit and experience the magic of Mid Wales wildlife from your living room.
Follow CAT for all the latest as we prepare to host #Winterwatch and keep an eye on our Winterwatch web pages – we’ll be sharing all the richness and solutions that nature has to offer.
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CAT to host Autumnwatch 2020
We are excited to announce that CAT has been chosen as one of the hosts of this year’s BBC Autumnwatch. Iolo Williams will join us for two weeks to bring the best of Mid Wales wildlife to living rooms right across the UK.
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Green Party MP Caroline Lucas discusses zero carbon solutions at CAT
Caroline Lucas MP visited CAT this week to discuss climate solutions and find out more about our research into how the UK can reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
On the visit, the Green Party MP met with the team from CAT’s new Zero Carbon Britain Hub to discuss ways that we can reduce energy use, switch to 100% renewables, and transform land use.
Speaking during the visit, Ms Lucas said:
“One of the most inspiring things about Zero Carbon Britain is the way everything it proposes is perfectly possible right now. It doesn’t rely on technologies we haven’t yet even thought of and haven’t developed, that we don’t have at scale.
“What Zero Carbon Britain does is to look at what we know now, and how we can use what we know, to ensure that we do reach that zero carbon target as soon as possible, and I think that the detail and the analysis that CAT brings to that job is second to none.”
CAT’s latest report Zero Carbon Britain: Rising to the Climate Emergency outlines a scenario in which the UK has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero, a target that is now enshrined in UK law.
CAT’s research shows how this could be done using existing technology, without relying on unproven carbon capture systems. The changes needed can bring many additional benefits, including improved public health, enhanced wellbeing, and a reduction in fuel poverty.
Paul Allen shares findings from CAT’s latest report, Zero Carbon Britain: Rising to the Climate Emergency The new Zero Carbon Britain Hub and Innovation Lab at CAT will help communities, local authorities and policymakers to create Zero Carbon Action Plans, and to provide support for the development of innovative solutions.
CAT Head of Development Eileen Kinsman said:
“This year CAT is greatly expanding our work with policymakers and local authorities, and our new Zero Carbon Britain Hub will be working with politicians from all the main parties to help them to build zero carbon action plans at local, regional and national levels.
“We welcomed the opportunity to share our work with Caroline Lucas MP, and to discuss the policies that could help the UK to tackle the climate emergency.”
Caroline Lucas and colleagues with CAT’s Zero Carbon Britain team Find out more about CAT’s Zero Carbon Britain research.
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Jeremy Corbyn visits CAT to talk zero carbon solutions
Jeremy Corbyn MP visited CAT last week, along with Christina Rees MP, Eluned Morgan AM and Joyce Watson AM, to discuss practical, proven solutions to the climate emergency.
During the visit we gave an overview of our environmental research and education work, including a tour of the centre to see solutions in action.
CAT’s Paul Allen presents our Zero Carbon Britain research to Jeremy Corbyn CAT Chair of Trustees Michael Taylor said: “Climate action requires ambitious targets and a clear plan for how to get to net zero as quickly as possible. We welcome the chance to discuss our research and education work with politicians from all the main parties, and we were pleased to have the chance to brief Mr Corbyn in person.”
Gardener Petra Weinmann gives Jeremy a taste of some of CAT’s home grown veg. Later this year, CAT will launch a new Zero Carbon Britain Hub and Innovation Lab, which will support policymakers, political parties, industry leaders and community groups in turning climate emergency declarations into Zero Carbon Action Plans, helping to accelerate the transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Eileen Kinsman, CAT Head of Development said: “Over the past six months, we have seen a surge in requests for CAT’s expertise in helping train and advise communities and organisations in planning for zero carbon. We shared with Mr Corbyn our ambitious plans for expanding this work and for scaling up our education and training programmes to provide people with the skills, knowledge and networks to make a real difference in tackling the climate emergency.”
Eileen Kinsman presents plans for the Zero Carbon Hub and Innovation Lab. 
Jeremy got hands-on experience of low impact building, practicing rammed earth techniques with our school holiday activities leader, Holly Owen and visiting families. CAT is a registered educational charity and is politically neutral.
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Zero Carbon Ireland – CAT gives evidence to Irish Parliament
On Tuesday 10th July, CAT’s Paul Allen was in Ireland giving evidence to the Irish Assembly Dáil Éireann on ways of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions.