Biodiversity

DEFINITION: The existence of a wide range of living organisms, such as animal and plants, in an environment. Biodiversity is important to the health of ecosystems as it provides food, materials and contributes to the economy.

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First launched 10 years ago in France, the Harmony scheme provides farmers with a financial incentive to conserve water, protect biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions

Mondelez to use 100% sustainably-sourced wheat in EU

Confectionary giant Mondelēz International has committed to making 100% of the biscuits it manufactures in the European Union with sustainably-sourced wheat, a 40% increase from the company's biscuit production last year.
The Aqualagon is heated to 30C all year round through geothermal energy

Sustainability 'imagineered': The Disney-led resort powered by geothermal energy

edie's senior reporter Matt Mace travels to the outskirts of Paris to uncover how Villages Nature Paris tapped into geothermal energy to deliver on a holistic 10-step sustainability framework.
The authors estimate land degradation costs more than 10% of annual global GDP in lost ecosystem services

Land degradation threatens human wellbeing, major report warns

Land degradation is undermining the wellbeing of two-fifths of humanity, raising the risks of migration and conflict, according to the most comprehensive global assessment of the problem to date.
The 25-year Environment Plan includes pledges to eliminate avoidable waste and introduce new safeguards for wildlife

25-year Environment Plan: UK unveils long-term strategy for 'greener future'

Theresa May has today outlined a vision for a "cleaner, greener Britain", unveiling the long-awaited 25-year Environment Plan which pledges to eliminate all "avoidable" plastic waste by the end of 2042.
The plans will offer additional funds to farmers who work together to make environmental improvements at “landscape scale”

Michael Gove: UK to reward farmers for environmental practices post-Brexit

Michael Gove will indicate that the UK will replace the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-Brexit with a system that gives subsidies to farmers who try to enhance the natural environment.
Redrow's Carey Fields development in Moulton near Northampton

Redrow targets biodiversity 'net gain' at new developments

UK housebuilder Redrow has announced that a "net gain" approach to biodiversity will be adopted across all new developments, following a trial period that successfully enhanced the ecological land value of certain projects.
Juniper said it was an “honour” to join WWF and help the organisation in its task to protect global biodiversity. Image: Eleanor Church

Tony Juniper takes on lead advocacy role at WWF

WWF has announced that prominent conservationist Tony Juniper has joined the green organisation as executive director for advocacy and campaigns.
The partnership will strengthen the links between farmers in more 60 countries supplying global markets that are part of the CFA and the global retailers enlisted in the TSC

Food and beverage giants agree to strengthen supply chain management

Companies such as Unilever, Mars and PepsiCo are part of a new collaborative partnership aiming to develop free science-based decision tools that improve farm-level sustainability reporting metrics and data collection.
The Great Northern Forest contains 20,000 plant and animal species. Photo: Jari Stahl/Greenpeace

Velvet owner accused of sourcing pulp from protected forest region

The owner of well-known UK-based toilet paper brands Velvet and Cushelle is facing accusations of sourcing pulp from protected areas of the Great Northern Forest in Sweden.
The Indian Elephant population has declined by 50% over the last 70 years, while numbers of Western Hoolock Gibbons have halved over the last 40 years

The Body Shop rolls out first Bio-Bridge project in India

From September to the end of October, every product purchase and transaction from customers visiting The Body Shop stores will help protect threatened elephants and gibbons in India, as part of the company's latest Bio-Bridges programme.
Previous Bio-Bridge projects have successfully attracted wildlife back to the area, such as the Muntjac deer in Malaysia

The Body Shop allocates £2m for 'World Bio-Bridges Mission'

As part of its latest efforts to "re-wild the world", The Body Shop has today (4 July) launched a new funding platform aiming to raise more than £2m to add ten more regenerative Bio-Bridges around the globe by 2020.

Mission Possible: Taking bold action to achieve a sustainable future

The mission, should we choose to accept it: achieving a low-carbon, resource-efficient industrial revolution. As we gear up for edie Live 2018 this webinar will hear from the leading businesses and experts that are scaling-up effort and innovation across all areas of sustainable development to make this Mission Possible.
3.6 million signatures support the Forever Against Animal Testing campaign, but The Body Shop wants to reach eight million signatures and to take the petition to the UN in 2018

Brands back MEP calls for global ban on animal testing in cosmetics

The announcement that European Parliament will discuss the options for a global ban on animal testing in cosmetics has been welcomed by a host brands, including The Body Shop, which want an international convention on the global ban to be created.

Renewable energy in the supply chain

This new report focuses on the opportunity for companies to amplify their carbon reduction efforts by driving renewables through their supply chains. Given how easy it is to choose renewable electricity in the UK, businesses could be doing more to engage with their suppliers.

Sector insight: The state of sustainability in retail

This edie insight report explores some of the key drivers, challenges and opportunities facing sustainable business within the UK retail sector.
The £50m Bermondsey Dive Under project required a collaborative approach between client, designers and contractors

In practice: Network Rail's Bermondsey Dive Under biodiversity project

Network Rail's infrastructure project received CEEQUAL Excellent Whole Team Award of 96.6%, having increased biodiversity in the area by 113%. The score is currently the highest that has been achieved by a completed project on the £7bn Thameslink expansion programme.

Sector insight: The state of sustainability 2018

This exclusive insight report explores the key drivers, challenges and opportunities facing sustainable business in the UK.

Energy management experts from manufacturing and retail firms across the country came together to discuss the potential solutions to some of the biggest challenges around energy resilience

Energy resilience roundtable: Paving the path to a clean energy future

Energy management experts from some of the world's biggest manufacturers and retailers recently came together for an exclusive roundtable hosted by edie and Centrica Business Solutions to explore some of the biggest challenges and opportunities when it comes to building energy resilience.