Autonomous vehicle

DEFINITION: A vehicle that uses artificial intelligence, sensors and global positioning system to sense its environment and guide itself without human conduction. An autonomous vehicle is also known as a ‘driverless’ or ‘self-driving’ car.

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The report notes that technologies such as smart sensors and big data will enable EVs to integrate better with existing infrastructure and public transport, cutting traffic and improving air quality as a result

Policy gaps stifling profitability of digital revolution for clean transport

A new report from think tank The Green Alliance has warned that policy gaps and the uncertainty of Brexit is halting investment from manufacturers into the "new competitiveness frontier" of smart technology for electric vehicles (EVs), which risks pushing the UK's net-zero emissions goal out of reach.
(L-R) Presenter Chris Large, partner, Global Action Plan,Scottish Power’s Craig Bradley and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Employee Engagement & Behaviour Change - Scottish Power

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Employee Engagement & Behaviour Change Award, Scottish Power.
(L-R) Presenter Chris Large, partner, Global Action Plan,Scottish Power’s Craig Bradley and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Employee Engagement & Behaviour Change - Scottish Power

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Employee Engagement & Behaviour Change Award, Scottish Power.
Charlie founded EO Charging in 2015 and has grown the business from a small start-up to a firm present in more than 30 countries around the world.

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Charlie Jardine, EO Charging

This series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Charlie Jardine, founder and chief executive of EO charging.

Uber has set a time-bound target for electrification in London - but none of its other 700+ cities globally. Image: Source London

Is revoking Uber's London licence an environmentally sustainable choice?

Earlier today (25 November), Transport for London (TfL) confirmed that ride-hailing firm Uber will not be able to renew its licence in the capital. But will this move help or hinder the sustainable mobility transition?
The webinar is available to watch on-demand.

Top five tips to integrating electric vehicles into business fleets

Last week an electric vehicles webinar supported by Centrica Business Solutions looked at how businesses could scale up their low emissions transport programmes. Here, edie rounds-up five key takeaways presented by the expert speakers.
The webinar is now available to watch on-demand

Available to watch on demand: edie's webinar on electric vehicles

Speakers from UPS, Nottingham City Council and Centrica Business Solutions appeared on edie's webinar on Tuesday (22 October) to discuss game-changing developments to business efforts to increase the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs). It is now available to watch on-demand.
In total, Morrisons is aiming to host 100 of the chargers by the end of 2019. Image: GeniePoint

Morrisons launches first round of rapid EV chargers

Morrisons has installed 50 rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers across its supermarket customer car parks this week.
The UK's EV market grew by a record-breaking 19% in 2018, with one EV being registered every nine minutes

Government consults on green license plates for electric vehicles

The UK Government has launched a consultation on introducing green license plates for electric vehicles (EVs) to make them easily recognisable and gain access to benefits such as cheaper parking and access to bus lanes.
The 2040 date is currently not aligned with the recommendations of the Government's own climate advisory body

Conservatives hint at plans for earlier petrol and diesel car sale ban

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said he would like the Government to "thoroughly explore" the feasibility of bringing its current 2040 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars forward.
Uber recently launched new measures to help drivers switch to electric cars

Survey: Half of passengers use Uber over environmental concerns

Around half (47%) of UK adults who regularly use Uber have claimed they do so due to their concerns around environmental issues, it has been revealed, in the same week that the ride-hailing giant's London licence was extended.
Time will be allocated for climate discussions at the Labour Party annual conference today (22 September) and tomorrow. 

Labour to commit to big increase in charging points for electric cars

Labour will build a national network of charging points for electric vehicles at a cost of £3.6bn to kickstart its planned "green industrial revolution" if elected, the party will say today (23 September).
The webinar will take place on Tuesday 22 October at 11am and will be available to watch, on demand, afterwards.

edie's next webinar: Driving transport towards net-zero with EVs

The continuing challenge around the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and achieving a 'net zero' transport future forms the basis for edie's new free webinar, which will take place on 22 October.
EDF is the long-term supplier of the car manufacturer. Image: Nissan

Nissan and EDF partner to launch V2G EV charging offer for businesses

Nissan and EDF have signed an agreement to collaboratively develop and launch a "smart" electric vehicle (EV) charging package for businesses, including vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capacity.
The new target builds on those already set separately by individual bus firms. Image: Arriva 

UK bus industry targets petrol and diesel phase-out

Organisations representing more than 95% of the UK's bus industry have pledged to only invest in low-emission vehicles from 2025, over concerns surrounding climate change and air pollution.
It is the first such partnership between environmental NGO T&E and the auto manufacturers

EU auto industry forms unlikely alliance with NGO on electric cars

Long-time adversaries Transport & Environment and ACEA have signed a partnership to accelerate the roll-out of electric vehicle charging points, as the auto industry seeks to rebrand with a focus on digital and electric.
10 REEVs have entered UPS’s delivery fleet in Tamworth and an additional 5 in Southampton. Image: UPS

UPS unveils 400km range-extending electric vehicles

Logistics giant UPS has introduced a new collection of range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) to its fleets across Birmingham and Southampton.
Boots UK has a van fleet of around 900 vehicles that cover more than 9,500 routes a week

Boots purchases electric vans for prescription deliveries

Boots has announced it has purchased its first electric vans and will trial them in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire as part of its prescription delivery service.
Over the past few years, the growth in EV sales is widely believed to have outstripped the growth in charging infrastructure installations 

Government doubles funding for on-street EV charging

The Department for Transport (DfT) has today (12 August) announced that it will provide an extra £2.5m of funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure on residential streets, bringing its total investment since 2017 to £5m.
The scheme will cost £3m to deliver

Rapid EV charging rolled out across West Yorkshire

A network of 88 rapid charging points for electric vehicles is being installed across West Yorkshire as part of the local authority's drive to improve air quality in the region. 
The SMMT claims that there are currently 80 "alternatively fuelled" car lines on sale in the UK, including 21 fully electric models 

UK's EV registrations almost triple as diesel sales tumble

Almost three times as many electric cars were registered in the UK this July than in July 2018, research from one of the nation's largest automotive trade associations has concluded.
The firm's overarching and ongoing ambition is to “use as little fossil fuel as possible”. Image: Arriva

Arriva 'on-track' to meet ambitious decarbonisation goals

Public transport provider Arriva has revealed that it is "on-track" to achieve its decarbonisation ambitions across Europe, including a 2026 goal to reach zero emissions in Limburg, the Netherlands.
The report concludes that getting the same amount of mobility from gasoline as from new renewables in tandem with EVs over the next 25 years would cost 6.2 to seven times more

Report: Economics of petrol and diesel in 'irreversible decline'

Oil production costs must fall to $10-20 per barrel for petrol and diesel to compete effectively against renewable power in the transport sector, a new report has claimed.
London is one of 13 European cities which has already implemented restrictions on petrol and diesel vehicles

Bloomberg: Petrol and diesel bans reaching critical mass in European cities

Businesses with fleets across mainland Europe will have to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles within a decade or risk losing business in key cities, new research from Bloomberg has suggested.
The popularity of EVs is beginning to outstrip the UK’s charging infrastructure availability

UK Power Networks launches EV smart charging market trial

Electric vehicle (EV) owners across London and the South and East of England have been invited to take part in a trial to uncover the economic, environmental and social benefits of charging vehicles during off-peak hours.
Companies representing $900bn in annual turnover and accounting for 2.8 million employees are now covered by the EV100

UK Government announced as International Ambassador for EV100 initiative

The UK Government has been named as the first government to act as an ambassador for the Climate Group's EV100 initiative to spur electric vehicle (EV) uptake, on the same day that global pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca joined the initiative.
JLR's first electric vehicle, the iPace, wasn’t manufactured in the UK

JLR, VW & Ford accelerate electric vehicle development

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has secured a £500m loan guarantee from the Government at the same time Volkswagen (VW) and Ford announced a multi-billion deal on electric vehicle (EV) and autonomous vehicle infrastructure.
100 of the new charging points will be installed before Christmas

UK's rapid EV charging stock 'to double by 2024'

Electric vehicle (EV) charging network firm Engenie has unveiled fresh plans for expansion, which it claims will enable it to double the number of rapid chargers in the UK by 2024.
EVs could add up 30% to peak power demand by 2050, unless they are used to deliver flexibility

National Grid: Electric cars could form battery hubs to store renewable energy

A fleet of 35 million electric vehicles could help the UK reach its net-zero carbon target by forming large battery hubs to store renewable energy, according to the country's energy system operator.
Sales of pure EVs are up - but wide-scale adoption is slow and some plug-in vehicle registrations have declined in 2019.

Government injects £37m into innovative EV charging projects

Plans have been outlined by the government to invest £37m into twelve projects to drive forward growth in ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs).
The commitments collectively account for more than 21,000 vehicles. Image: SSE

SSE, Centrica, Mitie commit to total fleet electrification

'Big Six' energy firms SSE and Centrica, as well as facilities services giant Mitie, have today (8 July) unveiled fresh commitments to electrify the entirety of their respective fleets.
Concerns over charging infrastructure have repeatedly been cited as a barrier to EV uptake in the UK

UK 'lags behind' mainland Europe on EV infrastructure

The UK "lags behind" other European countries on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, research from consultancy firm Delta-EE has concluded.
To date, only one other automaker - Groupe Renault - has had its science-based targets approved by the SBTi

General Motors unveils science-based carbon reduction targets

General Motors (GM) has had its carbon reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), making it one a select few carmakers to have aligned with the Paris Agreement.
More commitments are expected across the course of the week

JD Sports joins RE100 as business pledges roll in for London Climate Action week

Four firms including JD Sport, The City of London Corporation, Apcoa Parking, and Intu, have joined The Climate Group's initiatives on renewable energy and electric transport - the RE100 and EV100.
The site will have dedicated zones for both private and fleet vehicles

Planning application sent for first electric forecourt in Braintree

Planning applications have been submitted to build an "electric forecourt" featuring rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers, battery storage and onsite renewables In Braintree, the first of more than 100 planned sites by green technology firm Gridserve.
One of Arriva's electric bus models 

Arriva inks telematics deal to slash bus emissions

European passenger transport company Arriva will install TomTom telematics systems in up to 15,000 buses, in a move that could reduce carbon emissions by 72,000 tonnes each year.
The benchmark measures progress against the Paris Agreement's 2C trajectory 

Car giants 'driving with the brakes on' towards climate goals, report warns

The world's 25 largest car manufacturers are collectively failing to act in line with the Paris Agreement in terms of both electrifying their portfolios and strengthening climate governance, new analysis from CDO and the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) has warned.
Demand for 90TWh of renewable electricity annually is enough to power 11 million US households

Businesses with science-based targets on course to slash emissions by one-third

Businesses that have committed to aligning their emissions reduction strategies with the aims of the Paris Agreement will spur more than $18bn in climate-mitigation investment and up to 90TWh of annual renewable electricity generation.
BNEF's analysis covers battery packs from the vehicle size (pictured) to utility-scale arrays. Image: Akio Kon/Bloomberg

BNEF: Battery prices have plummeted 87% since 2010

The global market for battery energy storage - from car-sized units to utility-scale arrays - has grown rapidly in 2019 amid falling costs, new research from Bloomberg NEF (BNEF) has found.
Progress was found to be slower in aviation than in shipping or carmaking.

Report: One in three transport companies aligning with Paris Agreement as investor pressure mounts

A survey of 57 of the world's largest transport companies, including airlines and carmakers, has found that more than one in three (35%) have set emissions targets in line with the Paris Agreement.
(L-R): Amelia Womack, Alan Simpson, Leslie Hook, Kwasi Kwarteng, Lord Fox and BT's head of environmental sustainability Gabrielle Giner

General election: How UK parties are addressing 9 key net-zero challenges

Ahead of Channel 4's leaders debate on climate change, representatives from the UK's four largest parties met in London to set out their plans for net-zero. Here, edie rounds up the key takeaways.

edie's General Election 2019 green policy manifesto matrix

edie has launched a policy manifesto matrix, outlining all the key commitments – and some notable omissions – that the Conservatives, Labour, Green Party and Liberal Democrats have issued.

The thinktank is calling for new measures to reach net-zero at the current 2050 deadline without spiralling costs or harming UK competitiveness

Net-zero by 2025 'practically impossible' due to spiralling costs, report finds

Moving the UK's net-zero emission target forward 25 years is "practically impossible", according to new thinktank research which found that setting a net-zero target for 2025 would cost £200bn each year at a minimum - more than the NHS's annual budget.
The UK's EV market grew by a record-breaking 19% in 2018

Public EV charge points outnumber petrol stations in the UK

The number of public charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK has surpassed the number of petrol stations for the first time.
The City’s Energy, Transport and Green New Deal Lead Kye Dudd discusses how Bristol is transitioning to net-zero

Net-zero cities: Bristol's mission to be carbon-neutral by 2030

Launched as part of edie's Net-Zero November campaign, this new mini-series explores how local authorities are collaborating with businesses to actuate community-centred sustainability schemes on the road to net-zero emissions. We begin with a look at Bristol City Council's commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2030 - 20 years ahead of the Government's 2050 deadline.
Pictured: The two vehicles used to make the delivery, outside AB InBev's St Louis brewery

AB InBev completes its first zero-emission beer delivery

Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) has announced the completion of its first zero-emission beer delivery, 18 months after placing an order for 800 hydrogen-electric semi-trucks.
Key hurdles cited were a lack of finance, lack of resources, and confusion over which issues to prioritise 

Businesses 'struggling to turn sustainability ambitions into action', surveys reveal

A survey of more than 9,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors has found that 96% want to improve their environmental and social practices - but that most are struggling to deliver this change due to a lack of funding or resources.

Webinar: Energy Efficiency 2.0: Scaling up energy reduction strategies in a net-zero world

For some time, energy efficiency has been seen as one of the long term ‘quick wins’ of sustainability strategies and target meeting – but it is often overlooked for more technological solutions which can be expensive, resource intensive and difficult to put in place.

The HGVs taking part in the trial ranged from 12 to 44 tonnes. Image: Cenex

Government-backed trial of biomethane trucks slashes emissions for Asda

The coalition of businesses leading a UK-wide trial of biomethane fuels for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), including Asda and Kuehne + Nagel, has revealed that the scheme mitigated the emission of 1,400 tonnes of CO2e over a two-year period.
Tom recently celebrated one year at Sir Robert McAlpine, having previously worked across a broad range of built environment projects for Bouygues

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Tom King, Sir Robert McAlpine

This series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Tom King, sustainability manager at Sir Robert McAlpine.

Eurostar has pledged to plant a tree for every train service that it operates across its routes

From plastics to rewilding: How Eurostar is gaining a competitive edge in the era of eco-travel

EXCLUSIVE: With flight shaming placing the profitability of the aviation sector at risk, international high-speed rail service Eurostar believes a legacy of action on carbon, plastics and now rewilding will help build customer trust.
Details on how F1 plans to meet its 2030 target are detailed in its first sustainability strategy. Image: F1

Formula 1 targets net-zero by 2030

Formula 1 (F1) has today (12 November) set a 2030 net-zero target that covers the on-track activity of its cars and the series' wider operations.
Two million pure EVs were sold globally during 2018 - a figure BNEF sees skyrocketing to 56 million in 2040. Image: BNEF 

BNEF: EVs to dominate buses, 'encroach significantly' on cars and trucks, by 2040

Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) has released its annual forecast on the future of e-mobility, predicting that electric vehicles (EVs) will penetrate the global bus, van, truck and passenger car markets faster than it envisioned in previous years.
The average lithium-ion EV battery has a lifespan of 15-20 years. Image: Akio Kon/Bloomberg

EV batteries could be 'huge waste mountain of the future', researchers warn

The development and industrialisation of recycling technologies for end-of-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries is currently being outpaced by a boom of EV uptake, paving the way for a "huge waste management problem" in decades to come.
CNG Fuels supplies to high-profile companies, most notably the John Lewis Partnership

HGVs to be fuelled by 'carbon-negative' manure from 2021

Renewable fuel provider CNG Fuels has announced plans to become the UK's first supplier of carbon-neutral fuel for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), offering a range of hydrogen, battery-electric technologies and low-carbon biogas from manure.
Around 40% of UK properties do not have off-street parking, meaning they'll need on-street infrastructure to support home charging of an EV. Image: Virgin Media

Virgin Media owner unveils plans for 1,200 on-street EV chargers

Telecommunications giant Liberty Global, the owner of Virgin Media, has unveiled detailer around a new project aiming to "revolutionise" on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging in the UK.
This crop of innovations could drive significant sustainability progress within the energy, transport, recycling, construction and fashion sectors 

Stella McCartney's fur-free fur and flying taxis: The top 10 green innovations of October 2019

Each month, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations that could help businesses and nations deliver on resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions and combat climate change emerge. Here, edie rounds-up nine of the best.
Lidl is already operating rapid EV chargers at 20 of its Irish stores (pictured). Image: Lidl Ireland

Supermarket sweep: Tesco inks onsite solar deal as Lidl eyes rapid EV charging points

On the same day that Lidl has pledged to install rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers at all new stores, Tesco has unveiled plans for a UK-wide renewable energy programme.
Each of these success stories exemplifies how businesses are ramping up ambitions and actions in all areas of sustainable development 

Princes' plastic-free multipacks and shared electric vans: The sustainability success stories of the week

As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie brings you this weekly round-up of five of the best sustainability success stories of the week from across the globe.
Honda says movement towards electrification has "gathered pace significantly"

Honda pledges to electrify European portfolio by 2022

Carmaker Honda has committed to removing vehicles which rely solely on internal combustion engines from its European portfolio by 2022, three years ahead of the target's initial deadline.
The report calls for more powers for local authorities on green buildings and the use of council and business rates to meet clean growth objectives

Report: Local areas to miss net-zero goals without Government support

Government needs to incentivise and support local funding and devolved powers in order to move the UK's local areas to a net-zero carbon economy, a new report has claimed.
Polluting vehicles account for around half of London’s harmful NOx air emissions, with air pollution costing the capital up to £3.7bn annually

Air pollution reduced by a third in London's ULEZ

As new data reveals that air pollution is increasing the number of people suffering from severe health conditions, London City Hall has revealed that the introduction of Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has slashed pollution levels by a third and carbon emissions by 13%.
Between 2018 and 2025, Volvo Cars will reduce its lifecycle carbon footprint by 40%

Volvo Cars to become carbon-neutral by 2040

Volvo Cars has announced plans to become a carbon-neutral company by 2040, with short-term targets in place to slash emissions by 40% and generate 50% of its global sales from electric vehicles (EVs).
As three of the UK's most-emitting sectors, new measures for transport, the built environment and power were mentioned repeatedly in the response paper. 

Government unveils new net-zero support for buildings and 'every single mode of transport'

The UK Government has published its highly-anticipated response to the Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) advice on meeting net-zero carbon by 2050, including new measures to decarbonise business buildings and transport, and to support the uptake of energy storage at scale.

Webinar: SDG Power Hour: Aligning your sustainability strategy with the Global Goals

This webinar, brought to you in association with Centrica Business Solutions, will showcase specific examples of how businesses have aligned ambitions and launched new projects tailored towards achieving some or all of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For cities, food is one of the largest sources of greenhouse related to consumption

Fourteen mayors sign declaration to promote sustainable food policies in their cities

Fourteen cities announced on Thursday (10 October) that they would pay particular attention to the sustainable and healthy food supply in their cities in the future. This way, they aim to save 60% of the carbon emissions in the food sector.
BA will offset emissions from domestic flights within the UK from 2020

British Airways sets net-zero commitment, plans to offset domestic flight emissions

International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways (BA), has become the first airline group to commit to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as BA also announces plans to offset all domestic passenger flight emissions next year.
Senior energy professionals from a range of sectors convened for the roundtable discussion

Flexible energy roundtable: Bridging the net-zero carbon policy gaps

Academic research often cites flexible energy technologies such as battery storage and electric vehicles (EVs) as key components of the low-carbon economies of the future. But with policies supporting the UK Government's 2050 net-zero goal still in their infancy, what must now be done to support their widespread adoption?
Los Angeles is one of the cities to have reached peak emissions

C40: 30 cities have reached peak emissions

Thirty of the world's largest cities, including London, New York and Copenhagen, have now reached a peak in their greenhouse gas emissions, according to new analysis which has examined the climate actions of cities aiming to curb emissions by 2020.

Views wanted from edie readers on Streamlined Energy and Carbon reporting

edie wants to hear from energy and sustainability professionals about how they are getting to grips with Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR).
The IFS said taxes on driving would still be necessary even after the replacement of fossil-fuel-powered cars

Electric cars: call for tax on road usage to cover lost fuel revenue

Britain should move to a system of road pricing to combat congestion and compensate for the £28bn loss of revenue from fuel duty as the country makes the transition to electric vehicles, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has said.
Total will be able to reduce the overall cost of the integration process. Image: Total

Total signs cleantech deal to produce hydrogen at refineries

French energy giant Total has signed a cooperation agreement with the Sunfire cleantech company to integrate capture waste heat and CO2 at a German refinery to create synthetic methanol and hydrogen to be used to reduce energy and transport emissions.
While all eyes were on Johnson's Brexit plans, he used his speech to deliver his strongest commitment to net-zero since becoming PM

'We can beat the sceptics': Boris Johnson bolsters net-zero commitment in Tory conference speech

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has used his platform at the Conservative Party conference to argue that the UK is primed to lead the global transition to net-zero emissions by mid-century.
Clients to use the service will be supplied with 100% renewable electricity to power the EVs. Pictured: Drax Retail’s chief executive Jonathan Kini

Drax enters EV market with launch of service for business fleets

Power generation giant Drax has launched a new service offering businesses support to make the switch to electric vehicle (EV) fleets, marking its first move into the e-mobility sector.
Power and transport collectively generate 40% of all man-made carbon emissions globally, on an annual basis. Image: World Economic Forum

Report: Batteries could cut global transport and power emissions by 30%

A rapid acceleration of battery uptake among the global transport and power sectors could slash their collective annual emissions by 30% by 2030, a new report has concluded.
Electricity supplied to the airport will be generated across Orsted's offshore wind portfolio. Image: Bristol Airport

Bristol Airport switches to 100% renewable electricity

Shortly after announcing plans to make its own operations carbon-neutral by 2025, Bristol Airport is switching to 100% renewable electricity.
(L-R) Presenter Rob Holdway, director, Giraffe Innovation, Yellow Octopus Fashion’s Jack Ostrowski and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Circular Economy Innovation - Yellow Octopus Fashion

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Circular Economy Innovation Award, Yellow Octopus Fashion.

Business Energy Barometer: August - September 2019

edie's second Business Energy Barometer report maps out the key energy drivers, challenges and opportunities facing UK businesses, based on an in-depth survey of energy managers across the country in the past quarterly period.
(L-R) Presenter Sarah George, reporter, edie, Charlie Jardine and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Rising Star, Charlie Jardine

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Rising Sustainability Star award, Charlie Jardine.

Pictured: The Faraday Institution's HQ in Harwell, Oxfordshire

UK-based battery innovations bag £55m in Government funding

The Faraday Institution has confirmed plans to split a £55m funding pot between five UK-based research and development projects surrounding battery energy storage for electric vehicles.
The project is being backed by Innovate UK, which supported the 18-month upcycling process

Veolia upcycles two end-of-life diesel vehicles with electric engines

Resource management firm Veolia is set to trial two electric Refuse Collection Vehicles (eRCV) in Westminster, after 'upcycling' old diesel vehicles that were approaching the end of their life.
The new feature will be rolled out across 30 countries in the coming weeks. Image: Google

Google unveils 'green' Maps feature to encourage low-carbon travel

Tech Google has added a new feature to its Maps service, enabling users to add last-mile ridesharing and biking options to journey plans.
Since the London ULEZ launched in April, the number of non-compliant vehicles travelling through the capital daily has decreased by one-quarter. Image: City Hall 

City-based Clean Air Zones 'would boost UK economy by £6.5bn'

By implementing designated Clean Air Zones in which polluting vehicles are fined to travel, UK cities could collectively reap economic benefits of £6.5bn.
This weekly round-up details how businesses across the world are ramping up ambitions and actions across all areas of sustainable development 

E.ON's green bonds and Dundee's solar car park: The sustainability success stories of the week

As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie brings you this weekly round-up of five of the best sustainability success stories of the week from across the globe.
The charities argue that more funding is needed to decarbonise transport, the build environment and heavy industry in particular

UK funding to tackle climate crisis 'must double', Government warned

Britain's biggest environmental groups have warned the government that funding to tackle the climate emergency must be more than double next year to avoid an even greater cost from catastrophic ecological breakdown in the future.
The warning has been sent to every English council currently developing a new local plan

Dozens of councils set to miss legal climate obligations, ClientEarth warns

Environmental law firm ClientEarth has warned more than 100 local authorities that they will miss their legal climate targets without strengthening plans to decarbonise buildings and transport.
The research programme will last for two years. Image: Widerøe

Rolls-Royce teams with Norway's largest regional airline on zero-emission aircraft scheme

Rolls-Royce is partnering with the largest regional airline in Scandinavia on a joint research programme aimed at unlocking and developing technology to enable zero-emission aviation.
Olivia started at Fashion Lab before joining Whitbread

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Olivia Murphy, Whitbread

This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Olivia Murphy, sustainability manager at hospitality giant Whitbread.

In December 2018, the UK Government unveiled its highly anticipated Sector Deal for the aerospace industry,

From flying taxis to freight drones: Government funnels £300m into future of aviation

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled a new £300m investment to develop low-carbon transport, with technologies such as flying urban taxis, electric planes and freight drones expected to be supported.
(L-R) Tideway team, Philip Sellwood, chief executive, Energy Saving Trust (middle back) and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Tideway, Mobility

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Mission Possible: Mobility award, Tideway.
edie summarises the 10 key shortfalls and recommendations for UK clean growth

The 10 clean growth policy 'shortfalls' and how to address them, according to MPs

The Science and Technology Committee has published a new report warning that the UK isn't remotely close to reaching upcoming carbon budgets up to 2032, outlining 10 key policy areas that need to be addressed if the UK is to deliver on its net-zero ambitions.
Engenie currently hosts 16 EV chargers at Marston's pubs and is targeting 400 by the end of 2020. Image: Engenie

Marston's to power rapid EV chargers with 100% renewable electricity

Pub chain and brewer Marston's has inked a deal which will see it power the 400 electric vehicle (EV) chargers it is installing across its UK estate with 100% renewable energy.
This week's innovations could drive significant change in the transport, construction and food sectors 

SAP's app against poverty and self-charging EVs: The best green innovations of the week

Every week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations are being developed to help businesses and nations turn their green ambitions into actions. Here, we round up six of the best.
Milk & More has installed dedicated EV charging points at 25 of its distribution centres to support the electrification of its fleet

Milk & More to add 160 pure-electric vans to its UK delivery fleet

Food and drink delivery firm Milk & More is set to add a further 160 fully electric vans to its UK fleet by the end of May, bringing its total electric van stock to more than 500 vehicles.
In total, 25 organisations have now joined the Commitment, and are set to collectively electrify more than 65,000 vans within a decade

Nine fleet operators join Clean Van Commitment as ULEZ launches in London

Siemens, Mitie and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) are among a group of nine business fleets organisations to have joined the Clean Van Commitment this week, in light of the launch of London's Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
The ULEZ replaces the T-Charge and operates alongside the Congestion Charge

Everything you need to know about London's ULEZ

The world's first Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has been introduced across central London today (8 April), in a bid to reduce air pollution levels and carbon emissions from transport across the capital. Here, edie rounds up what, precisely, the Zone entails, and the impact it will have on business.
(L-R) Presenter Beth Knight, corporate responsibility director, EY, JPA Furniture’s Fiona Edwards and Chris Holder and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the sustainability leader: Social Sustainability & Community Development - JPA Furniture

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Social Sustainability & Community Development Award, JPA Furniture.
Lewis is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgable figures in the energy investment space

Mark Lewis: Businesses 'underestimating' speed of low-carbon transition

EXCLUSIVE: Businesses seeking to future-proof themselves against the physical and societal impacts of climate change must set aside resources for scenario analysis - and treat the results of this process as real, rather than "hypothetical".
 The freeze on fuel duty has saved motorists about £6bn since 2010, but is estimated to have increased traffic by 4%

Raise car fuel prices to fight air pollution, says right-wing thinktank

Vehicle fuel taxes should rise to combat the air pollution crisis in the UK, with an extra charge on diesel, according to the conservative thinktank Bright Blue.
82% of Ørsted's power generation was classed as 'clean' in H1 of 2019, up from 71% in H1 of 2018. Image: Orsted

Ørsted unveils ambitious new targets on supply chain emissions, fleet electrification

Danish energy giant Ørsted has unveiled new ambitions to reduce emissions from its ground transport fleet and supply chain, after drastically reducing emissions from power generations.