Guardian.co.uk appoints editor for environment site

While at the New Scientist, he won the online editor of the year at the British Society of Magazine Editors and the Periodical Publishers Association's online magazine of the year twice.

Emily Bell, director of digital content at Guardian News & Media, said: "Damian's combination of specialist knowledge and thorough understanding of web journalism will further strengthen guardian.co.uk's award-winning websites."

Carrington, who takes over from acting editor Jessica Aldred, said his task was to develop the Guardian's environment website into the top source of green news, comment and advice in the world.

He said: "The challenge is great, but so is the talent at The Guardian, both in its journalism and its website development."

The site builds on the Guardian's record in environmental journalism -- it was the first newspaper to create a regular environment section and the first to introduce ethical living pages.

Last month, the environment website attracted more than 1m unique users. It was launched edited by Alison Benjamin on secondment from Society Guardian.

Ian Katz, the Guardian's executive editor in charge of environmental coverage, said: "Damian is one of the most experienced and imaginative online journalists in the country and is the perfect person to take our green web offering to a new level.