Sign in

Matt Adam Williams

@mattadamw.bsky.social
72 followers 35 following 51 posts

Senior Advocate Natural Resources Defense Council. Consultant: campaigns & communications.

PostsRepliesMedia
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Analysis by @eciu.net and insight from farmers - this year's hot weather is posing a big risk to UK food production and security. www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2236...
express.co.uk
Farmers issue chilling warning over UK drought - ‘no food without water’
That’s a grim warning
000
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
The more wood Drax burns, the more electricity it produces, and the more subsidies it receives. This means that the *more* carbon dioxide Drax releases, the more low-carbon payments it receives. Data from @ember-energy.org and Drax.
000
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
In the last 7 days multiple Drax (biomass) unplanned outages due to "Boiler/Fuel Supply" - does anyone know what that means? It's been much more common in last few days than the usual reason which is "Planned Outage/Restriction"
010
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
1 May. I have not seen a swift in 2026. Please send prayers.
000
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
It has been an honour to spend the last week doing what I can to support Dr Krystal Martin and Katherine Egland to tell their stories about the impacts of biomass air pollution on communities in the US South. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/cam...
yorkshirepost.co.uk
Campaigners travel from US to protest ahead of Drax AGM
Katherine Egland and Dr Krystal Martin both reside in Gloster, Mississippi, where the energy firm produces its wood pellets.
000
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
Gareth Redmond-King @gredmondking.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
"The world's food system is fracturing under the weight of biodiversity loss, climate shocks, and escalating geopolitical conflicts ... These chronic pressures on the intricate global network pose a significant threat to the world economy, society, and even human survival."
independent.co.uk
World food system could collapse without urgent action, experts warn
One expert argued that humanity is currently driving a ‘mass extinction event’
142
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
Cut Carbon Not Forests @ccnfuk.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Today is Drax's AGM. Please help Shut Down Drax with @dogwoodalliance.org petition: bit.ly/4n3rnsa Here's the story of Dr Krystal Martin on the impact Drax is having on her community.
011
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
It's 29th April 2026. I still haven't seen a swift this year.
000
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
At this year's Drax AGM Dr Krystal Martin and Katherine Egland will aim to talk about the impacts of biomass on their communities. At last year's AGM the company tried to "silence their voices". This year Drax's Board + CEO will attend via video link. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
Drax abandons AGM after confrontation with green activists
Between 10 and 20 protesters are forcibly removed after challenging the board about use of woody biomass
011
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
Cut Carbon Not Forests @ccnfuk.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
This week we're joining up with Dr Krystal Martin (Greater Greener Gloster) and Katherine Egland to highlight the health impacts of UK biomass demand on US communities where wood pellets are made. #CutCarbonNotForests www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/cam...
yorkshirepost.co.uk
Campaigners travel from US to protest ahead of Drax AGM
Katherine Egland and Dr Krystal Martin both reside in Gloster, Mississippi, where the energy firm produces its wood pellets.
011
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
Jennifer Skene @jenskene.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Trump's push for carveouts and delays is an effort to hold the world back from the safe, sustainable supply chains we’ve now seen are possible. The EUDR has already helped open up that better future–we need the EU to stand strong. Thank you, @doggett.house.gov , for your leadership.
043
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
A great interview with my colleague Gabi Berthel of @nrdc.org about the "restructure" (hollowing out) of the US Forest Service. Listen from about 18 mins in on @wosupublicmedia.bsky.social www.wosu.org/show/all-sid...
wosu.org
US Forest Service restructuring and America’s public lands
On this hour of All Sides, we’re talking about the Trump administration's rearranging of the U.S. Forest Service, which critics are calling a “gutting,” and the impact it will have on America’s public...
000
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
Cut Carbon Not Forests @ccnfuk.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
New research in @nature.com concludes that burning trees and capturing the carbon doesn't give you any "negative emissions". Cutting down the forests actually means less CO2 absorbed. Confirms finding of previous NRDC study: www.nrdc.org/sites/defaul... www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Burning wood for power worse for climate than gas equivalent, report finds
Research casts doubt on plans by UK government to offer subsidies for carbon capture attached to the power source
0187
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
ECIU @eciu.net · 14/04/2026
Do your laundry at weekends to get free electricity, Britons told A new scheme will reward homes and businesses for using more power when there is an oversupply on the grid, helping balance the system as renewables grow. www.thetimes.com/business/en...
022
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
Cut Carbon Not Forests @ccnfuk.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
A key "solution" to climate change isn't happening - and that's a good thing. Piece in @newscientist.com. #CutCarbonNotForests www.newscientist.com/article/2522...
newscientist.com
A key solution to climate change isn't happening – and that's good
Removing CO2 from the atmosphere by capturing the carbon from burning biomass is supposed to save the planet, but it looks like the flagship project will never happen
011
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
ECIU @eciu.net · 10/04/2026
🇬🇧 Britain's electricity is its 'most British' in over 20 years 🇬🇧 Our analysis shows 53% of energy in 2025 was generated in UK www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech...
dailymail.co.uk
Britain's electricity is its 'most British' in over 20 YEARS
Experts from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) have analysed the sources of energy to supply Britain's electricity last year.
0123
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
Unearthed @unearthednews.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
🐄 ➡️ ✈️ How green is 'green' jet fuel? We found a loophole that allows beef fat linked to Amazon deforestation to enter the green fuel supply chain unearthed.greenpeace.org/2026/04/10/u...
1168
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
Carbon Brief @carbonbrief.org · 08/04/2026
🌽 New Cropped just dropped 🌽 Cropped: Iran war drives up food prices | Two nature talks conclude | Return of UK’s tallest bird ✍️ @daisydunne.carbonbrief.org @yaninequiroz.bsky.social Read here ➡️ buff.ly/3FCPQbb Subscribe to our newsletters ➡️ buff.ly/k84LIFK
192
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
A new Politico article sensationally says that Drax has left the UK’s climate plan. Is this true? Short answer: no Long answer on my LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/posts/mattad...
linkedin.com
A new Politico article sensationally says that Drax has left the UK’s climate plan. Is this true? Drax burns millions of tonnes of wood - mostly from forests - every year. It says this is… | Matt Wil...
A new Politico article sensationally says that Drax has left the UK’s climate plan. Is this true? Drax burns millions of tonnes of wood - mostly from forests - every year. It says this is zero-carbon...
000
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
Cut Carbon Not Forests @ccnfuk.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
A number of scientists have written to the world's leading scientific body on climate change. They're warning that the way emissions are counted from burning trees for electricity is majorly flawed. It's harming the climate and forests. scienceonbiomass.org #CutCarbonNotForests
scienceonbiomass.org
Biomass Website
042
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
ECIU @eciu.net · 06/04/2026
With oil prices now consistently exceeding $100 a barrel, new @ECIU_UK analysis suggests that at this price UK farmers could pay an additional £337m a year to run their tractors, combine harvesters and other machinery, if prices were to remain elevated. eciu.net/media/press...
022
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Ongoing fantastic work by @eciu.net showing how climate change is impacting rising food prices 🌽 in Britain 🇬🇧 Foods hit by extreme weather are seeing prices rising 4️⃣ X faster than other foods. mcusercontent.com/8ed7ad7972fa...
010
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
Cut Carbon Not Forests @ccnfuk.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
A Drax Manager question why the company was ruling out sourcing from primary and old growth forests in Canada. www.ft.com/content/6913... #CutCarbonNotForests
011
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Around 8 years ago I started listening to @richroll.bsky.social podcast and it turned my life around. I went from vegetarian to plant-based. I started running - half a mile to begin with. Yesterday I did something I never dreamed I could. I ran a trail marathon on my local hills.
060
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
Hey @lidlgb.bsky.social - I had an absolutely awful customer service experience - one of the worst I've ever had - when something went wrong using an EV charger in a car park at one of your stores. Can you help?
000
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
How can I reach you?
000
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Hi Nick - I read the Grand Designs article with interest, as I'm purchasing a Shropshire Hills longhouse and would like to replace Rayburn with heat pump, so would be grateful to chat 'offline' further.
110
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
Cut Carbon Not Forests @ccnfuk.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
In a new series we're exploring different renewable energy sources. First up is clean, green, totally 100% sustainable (don't worry, we asked Drax) BIOENERGY. For those who don't know, that's... *checks notes* burning trees in power stations. 🌳🔥 #CutCarbonNotForests
143
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
Adrian Ramsay @adrianramsay.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Watch Adrian on BBC. "The opportunity for the Green Party to have a huge impact on British politics is like it has never been before."
1011527
Reposted by Matt Adam Williams
ECIU @eciu.net · 13/05/2025
Do you want to help inform how the UK understands and debates carbon dioxide removal in the context of the net zero transition, including the role that land use and nature can play? We are now #hiring a Senior Analyst - Carbon and Land eciu.net/about/vacan...
eciu.net
Senior Analyst - Carbon and Land
Do you want to help inform how the UK understands and debates carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in the context of the net zero transition, including the role that land use and nature can play?
045
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
GW Egret north over Barbourne, Worcester, 11am. #worcsbirds
070
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
It's a bit of a no-brainer that spending billions on bioenergy is a bad energy investment that increases bills, and that the "halves subsidies" claim depends on a lot of things, mainly which year you're comparing it to and what happens to the price of electricity from 2027-31.
020
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
AND those homes would then save £42 each per year, or £66 million in total, on gas bills by being better insulated, and would reduce their use of gas, saving energy as well.
110
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
And what else could this pay for? Well in the medium scenario, £323m per year, or £1.2bn over four years, could insulate 1.5 million of the coldest, draughtiest homes in the country.
100
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
The new subsidies go from 2027-2031. So over 4 years total subsidies could come to: £73m £1.2bn £2.5bn
100
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
The reason this all matters is spending billions on burning trees in power stations is a bad idea for the climate, for energy bills, for forests etc.
100
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
All of these subsidies are currently funded by adding levies to our energy bills.
100
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Halved depends on which year you're comparing to - the Minister didn't say. £323m per year would be roughly a halving of 2024's subsidies. But if electricity prices went any lower, and subsidies any higher, then it would be more than half of recent levels.
100
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
So in some cases yes they would be lower. Would they be "halved"?? Maybe. It depends on the electricity price staying high and susbsidies staying low. But this Government's goal is to lower electricity prices...
100
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Well... it depends. Subsidies are paid relative to the electricity price. If: Electricity price HIGH (£150/MWh) Drax subsidies = £18m per year Electricity price MEDIUM (£100/MWh) Drax subsidies = £323m per year Electricity price LOW (£50/MWh) Drax subsidies = £628m per year
100
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
But with the new cap on Drax's electricity output - limiting it to running 27% of the year - will the total amount of subsidies be lower?
100
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
The new price the Government has offered - £112/MWh in 2012 prices - is £153/MWh in today's prices. That's more than wind and solar are being paid and *MORE* per unit of electricity than Drax is being paid now.
110
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
If the electricity price on the market is less than this, the Government tops up the payment. So the lower the price Drax gets for selling its electricity, the higher its subsidies.
100
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Now the Government has decided to extend these subsidies after 2027. The subsidies will be paid relative to the price of electricity. Drax will be guaranteed £112 (in 2012 prices) per Megawatt hour of electricity.
100
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
These subsidies are a combination of CfDs (Contracts for Difference) and Renewables Obligation Certificates. They were due to stop in 2027.
100
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
In 2024 Drax got around £700m in subsidies In 2023 it was around £530m In 2022 it was around £800m
100
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
"This new deal halves the subsidies for Drax" questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-sta...
100
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
The Government recently claimed that it had *HALVED* subsidies for large biomass generators. 🧵 on how accurate that claim is.
120
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
An end to imports of wood pellets that are destroying the world's forests? Desirable? - yes. Realistic? - unclear: the UK would have to massively ramp up (more than double) growing energy crops. Experts I've spoken to say this is not achievable at this scale by 2050.
011
Matt Adam Williams @mattadamw.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
The CCC has made one other recommendation that is buried in Tab 7.7.3 of the data tables. Biomass imports should be reduced to almost zero by 2050. The UK should only use biomass it produces itself.
100