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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Future Homes Task Force to ensure housebuilding is aligned to UK's net-zero target

A new cross-sector Future Homes Task Force is set to establish a multi-million-pound Delivery Hub to assist the built environment sector in improving the environmental footprint of new housebuilding.

Sustainable MacFries Fund: McDonald's to invest in climate-friendly farming practices

McDonald's has launched a "Sustainable MacFries Fund" in partnership with McCain to improve the resilience of British potato farmers, while also collaborating with the Walmart Foundation, WWF and Cargill in the US to improve land use practices.

China's carbon-neutral target for 2060: What does it mean for global climate action?

The world's largest emitting country, China, has pledged to carbon neutrality by 2060, in a surprising yet welcome move that will boost global negotiations on climate action ahead of next year's COP26 summit.

Arup, Spirax-Sarco and Bolt outline ambitious climate targets

Engineering firms Arup and Spirax-Sarco Engineering have unveiled new net-zero carbon targets, with Arup targeting net-zero emissions by 2030 and Spirax-Sarco aiming for 2040, while mobility platform Bolt aims to become carbon negative by the end of the year.

Charities urge Boris Johnson to create 'new era for nature' post-Covid-19

The National Trust, WWF and RSBP are among the 27 major charities urging Boris Johnson to promise to set ambitious targets for the conservation and restoration of UK nature at the UN biodiversity summit in Kunming later this month.

UN: 'Business-as-usual' must be transformed to prevent collapse of nature

The UN has revealed that 14 of the 20 goals set in 2010 to halt the accelerating decline of nature have not been met and is urging governments, businesses and individuals to accelerate habitat and biodiversity restoration.

#SustyTalk: Velux's Ingrid Reumert on lifetime emissions and the ecological crisis

edie's SustyTalk series continues with Velux's VP for global communications, sustainability & public affairs Ingrid Reumert discussing how the window and blind manufacturer plans to account for its historic carbon emissions in order to become "lifetime carbon neutral".

Is Brexit at odds with the UK's net-zero emissions target?

The Government's Brexit negotiations could set the nation up to miss its net-zero commitments, with Boris Johnson's intention to renegade on parts of the Withdrawal Agreement sparking fresh concerns about law-bound efforts to combat the ecological and climate crises.

UK could save £1.6bn and 17,000 deaths by improving air quality, report finds

Improving air quality in England in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines could deliver a £1.6bn benefit while preventing 17,000 premature deaths each year that are linked to air pollution.

Scotland commits £1.6bn for national green recovery

The Scottish Government has outlined a new £1.6bn spending framework that will form part of an enhanced New Deal for the country that will improve biodiversity, slash emissions from heating and buildings and support 5,000 low-carbon jobs.

Businesses urged to harness 'nature-based solutions' to combat climate emergency

Businesses have been called upon to trial and pilot 'nature-based solutions' (NBS) in helping them reduce environmental impacts while helping the surrounding areas improve resiliency against a range of climate risks.

HSBC signs up for new $1bn natural capital investment fund

HSBC has partnered with Pollination to launch what it is describing as the first large-scale investment fund focused solely on nature conservation and restoration.

Environment Bill update: UK to introduce legally binding nature, water, air and waste targets from 2022

After enshrining its 2050 net-zero target in law last year, the UK Government is developing similar legally binding targets for biodiversity, air quality, water and waste.

Defra selects local authorities to spearhead innovative nature restoration projects

Local authorities in Cornwall, Buckinghamshire, Greater Manchester, Cumbria and Northumberland have been selected to trial place-based nature restoration strategies, which, if successful, could be replicated across the UK.

Vodafone and Defra launch IoT tree monitoring system to inform climate policy

Vodafone has enrolled in a new partnership with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to use Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor and research tree growth to assist in tackling the climate crisis.

Patagonia ups regenerative agriculture efforts

Outdoor clothing company Patagonia has launched new campaigns to highlight the benefits of regenerative organic agriculture in tackling the climate and ecological crises, having launched a new range of cotton T-shirts sourced from farms promoting sustainable agriculture methods.

Unilever enhances global water stewardship efforts

Unilever has joined two coalitions aimed at implementing projects in water-stressed countries to improve access to safe and clean water by 2030.

UN maps all land to help businesses halt habitat and biodiversity destruction

Scientists have mapped the entirety of the planet's terrestrial habitat, creating a resource that will help businesses and investors measure and minimize their impacts on natural resources and biodiversity.

Banking giants team up for Task Force for Nature-related Financial disclosures

AXA and BNP Paribas are among a group of 10 major banks backing a new initiative intended to help corporates measure, disclose and minimise their nature-related financial risks.

Defra unveils natural capital 'assessment' funding as post-Brexit green recovery shapes up

Environment Minister George Eustice has announced a new £5m Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment to protect the UK's environment as part of a new package of Environment Bill measures, on the same day that the Government unveiled a £16m sustainable farming package in South America.

P&G targets carbon-neutral operations by 2030

Procter & Gamble (P&G) has pledged to ensure that its operational emissions are neutralised by 2030 - an aim is striving to achieve through investment in nature-based climate solutions.

First zero-emission McDonald's restaurant unveiled at Disney, Florida

McDonald's has unveiled its first zero-emissions restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, with solar arrays, green walls and kinetic bikes all featuring to create enough renewable energy that the building will need each year.

Protect one-third of world's oceans and land to deliver $500bn economic boost, scientists urge

Protecting 30% of oceans and land globally would reap economic benefits five times greater than the initial costs of conservation and restoration, a major new scientific report has concluded.

Yorkshire Water and Birds Eye to support carbon-capturing 'pop up rainforest'

A new business collaboration in the Humber region looks set to create a "pop up rainforest" that will help farmers plant a diverse range of cover crops that will capture carbon, reduce flooding risk and improve soil health.

UN: Finance giants must urgently set biodiversity targets and aim for 'net-positive'

Despite the continued trends towards divestment from big emitters and investment in low-carbon technologies, the world's biggest finance firms are failing to address biodiversity loss caused by organisations within their portfolios.

Macquarie issues joint venture on 1GW solar and battery project pipeline

Macquarie's Green Investment Group (GIG) has announced a new UK joint venture with Enso Energy to create one of the largest solar and battery portfolios that will enhance the biodiversity on each project site.

L'Oréal targets carbon neutrality by 2025 under new sustainability strategy

Global cosmetic firm L'Oréal has unveiled a new sweeping set of sustainability targets, pledging to reach carbon neutrality by 2025, halve carbon emissions, use 100% renewables and ensure all plastic packaging comes from recycled or bio-based sources.

IPPR: UK 'acutely vulnerable' to environmental breakdown

UK policymakers have 'historically disregarded' the economic, social and environmental risks posed by the degradation of nature, meaning more ambition and action is now desperately needed to mitigate further damage and adapt to changes which are already baked-in.

25,000 jobs could be created through nature investment, charities tell Treasury

By providing funding for 330 "shovel-ready" nature restoration projects, the UK Government could create 10,000 jobs in the short-term and a further 15,000 in the long-term, while putting itself on track to meet key climate, biodiversity, tree planting and wellbeing targets.

#SustyTalk: Business for Nature's Eva Zabey on maintaining momentum to tackle the nature crisis

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with Business for Nature's executive director Eva Zabey discussing how companies can respond to the nature crisis during the pandemic and beyond.

Commit to nature restoration in your green Covid-19 recovery plans, businesses urged

Businesses including Danone and Unilever have pledged to work with governments to reverse nature loss as part of their Covid-19 recovery plans, following a call to action from NGOs and trade bodies.

Unilever launches €1bn climate and nature fund, targets net-zero emissions by 2039

Consumer goods giant Unilever has unveiled a new set of sustainability commitments, pledging to end its contribution to deforestation, promote regenerative agriculture, transition to biodegradable ingredients and reach net-zero emissions for products by 2039 - all supported by a new €1bn Climate and Nature fund.

Tetra Pak targets net-zero value chain by 2050

Packaging firm Tetra Pak has today (11 June) committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its operations by 2030, with a longer-term target to achieve a net-zero emissions value chain by 2050.

UK businesses urged to 'redesign' relationship with nature

A new survey of UK businesses from Business in the Community (BITC) has found that less than one third have developed science-based, net-zero or carbon-restorative targets, with less than one in 10 listing the health of nature as a material issue for their business.

Coronavirus: Is this the beginning of the end for the 'self-sabotaging' meat sector?

The coronavirus could end up being the "straw that breaks the meat industry's back" with a new report warning that almost three-quarters of the world's largest meat, fish and dairy companies are at high risk from an array of criteria that could spark future pandemics.

Defra backs natural capital investment projects

Four projects focused on protecting and restoring natural habitat across the UK are being backed by Government funding as part of a pilot scheme to funnel more private sector investment into the natural environment.

#SustyTalk: Danone's Eric Soubeiran on Covid-19 and World Biodiversity Day

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with Danone's vice president for nature and water cycle Eric Soubeiran discussing regenerative agriculture and food practices and climate leadership to mark world biodiversity day.

Reports: COP26 to be delayed until November 2021

Reports have emerged that the UK Government has put forward the first two weeks of November 2021 as new proposed dates for the crucial COP26 climate conference, citing concerns over the state of international travel safety due to the coronavirus.

Sir David Attenborough backs new conservation crisis fund

Sir David Attenborough has called on nations and citizens to refocus on nature in a way that "respects rather than exploits" as a response to Covid-19, as the non-profit organisation he represents unveils a new $1m 'conservation crisis' fund.

Christiana Figueres: Businesses must put net-zero at heart of green recovery

EXCLUSIVE: Governments and businesses have an "enormous opportunity" to build decarbonisation principles into the Covid-19 recovery process, the former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres has told edie.

Financiers join EU 'green recovery alliance'

More than 50 CEOs from the banking and insurance sector - including household names such as BNP Paribas, AXA, Allianz, and Santander - have joined the "green recovery alliance" in the European Parliament.

Halt destruction of nature or suffer even worse pandemics, say world's top scientists

The coronavirus pandemic is likely to be followed by even more deadly and destructive disease outbreaks unless their root cause - the rampant destruction of the natural world - is rapidly halted, the world's leading biodiversity experts have warned.

Planetary Computer: Microsoft launches data-driven platform to accelerate global biodiversity efforts

Microsoft has announced the creation of a "Planetary Computer" that will give charities, business and policymakers access to scientific data on how land use, reforestation and other wildlife initiatives can improve biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation, as the company pledges to protect more land than it uses by 2025.

How becoming biodiversity ambassadors can help businesses combat the climate crisis

EXCLUSIVE: Pernod Ricard's vice president of global sustainability Vanessa Wright discusses the company's approach to regenerative agriculture and biodiversity and why more people will be focusing on natural climate solutions moving forward.

MPs call for climate policy clarity on COP26 progress following postponement

The chair of the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has written to COP26 President Alok Sharma to seek an update on the "sad but unfortunate necessity" of postponing the climate summit, noting that climate change cannot afford to slip down the political agenda.

COP26 climate summit postponed due to coronavirus

The crucial summit to negotiate for higher ambitions on climate change scheduled for November in Glasgow has been postponed, with new dates for the meeting to be decided in the coming months. However, there are some positives to the delay.

Developers 'must go beyond biodiversity net-gain requirements': Report

Ecology consultancy EPR has unveiled a new support package for developers striving to meet the UK Government's housing targets while going beyond compliance with the new Environment Bill's biodiversity net-gain requirements.

Greenpeace proposes 70% meat consumption reduction by 2030

Three burgers a week: that's the maximum amount of meat Europeans should get used to eating, according to NGO Greenpeace, which has been looking at Europe's eating habits. EURACTIV France reports.

Built environment: Avison Young and St. Modwen set net-zero carbon targets

Real estate advisor Avison Young and housebuilder St. Modwen have become the latest companies in the built environment sector to pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

Businesses call on Prime Minister to accelerate climate action

Business giants including Unilever, Tesco, Sky and Coca-Cola have called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to develop a clear strategy that will set out a pathway to achieving the net-zero emissions target for 2050 that enables businesses to understand their role in delivering the national ambition.

From climate action to chlorinated chicken: How will a US-UK trade deal impact the environment?

After International Trade Secretary Liz Truss kick-started UK-US negotiations for post-Brexit trade deals, edie explores how a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US could impact progress towards the UK's net-zero target and affect other environmental standards.

Negotiations start on global 'Paris-style' deal to avert Earth's sixth mass extinction

National governments will meet in Rome this week to discuss and reflect on a 20-point UN draft proposal to halt irreversible ecological damage, which looks set to be formally adopted in October.

World leaders urged to 'step back from precipice' of ecological ruin

Humanity's ongoing destruction of nature threatens the survival of our species, a group of former foreign ministers has warned, calling on leaders to step back from "the precipice" of irreversible ecological ruin and protect nature.

Burberry introduces carbon 'insetting' fund

Luxury fashion firm Burberry will create a "regeneration fund" to support a new portfolio of "carbon insetting projects" that aim to deliver regenerative agriculture practices across its supply chain - a move that will see its Autumn/Winter 2020 runway show at London Fashion Week become carbon-neutral.

Can HS2 comply with the UK's net-zero target?

With Prime Minister Boris Johnson giving the green light to the £100bn HS2, edie examines whether the controversial high-speed rail project can align with the UK's net-zero emissions future.

Greenwashing 2.0? Defining what it means to be a 'net-zero' business

Net-zero emissions has been scientifically heralded as a necessity to reverse the worst impacts of climate change. But a flurry of recent business commitments to become 'carbon-negative' and 'resource-positive' raises a critical question: does achieving 'net-zero' actually constitute business leadership?

UK Government's 'gold standard' Environment Bill reintroduced

The UK Government's long-awaited Environment Bill has finally been reintroduced to Parliament, outlining powers to stop the exports of plastic waste to developing countries, and revamped governance systems on clean air and biodiversity and two-yearly reviews to update the Bill if required.

Sainsbury's commits £1bn to become net-zero by 2040

Supermarket retailer Sainsbury's has pledged to invest £1bn over the next 20 years in order to become a net-zero business across its own operations.

Net-zero cities: Oxford's mission to become carbon-neutral by 2030

edie's new mini-series exploring how local authorities are collaborating with businesses to actuate community-centred sustainability schemes on the road to net-zero emissions continues, this time with a look at how Oxford and its Citizens' Climate Assembly are aiming for net-zero by 2030.

Humans risk living in an empty world, warns UN biodiversity chief

Humanity will have given up on planet Earth if world leaders cannot reach an agreement this year to stop the mass extinction of wildlife and destruction of life-supporting ecosystems, the United Nation's new biodiversity chief has warned.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation boss: Natural Restoration 'hardest' part of circular economy shift

EXCLUSIVE: Against a backdrop of wildfires and growing climate activism, the chief executive of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has called on businesses to develop holistic action plans to combat the complex challenge of restoring natural systems.

UN draft plan sets 2030 target to avert Earth's sixth mass extinction

Almost a third of the world's oceans and land should be protected by the end of the decade to stop and reverse biodiversity decline that risks the survival of humanity, according to a draft Paris-style UN agreement on nature.

Reach 'peak meat' by 2030 to tackle climate crisis, say scientists

Livestock production needs to reach its peak within the next decade in order to tackle the climate emergency, scientists have warned.

Four green policy concerns Boris Johnson must address immediately

After achieving a Conservative Party majority in the 2019 General Election, Boris Johnson will now forge ahead with his Brexit plans. But, with climate and environmental standards featuring throughout the Party's manifesto, the returning Prime Minister will need to quickly address some key green policy concerns.

General Election: The key green policy considerations for climate-focused voters

As the public takes to the polls tomorrow to decide the next Government, edie lists all the potential impacts and ramifications of short-term and long-term green policy in the UK, helping those still undecided to cast crucial votes.

Multinationals get behind SDG food drive in UK

Fresh plans to drive forward progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the UK through a food programme have been supported by Nestle, Nando's, BaxterStorey, and other organisations.

1.9 billion people at risk from water shortages, study shows

A quarter of the world's population are at risk of water supply problems as mountain glaciers, snow-packs and alpine lakes are run down by global heating and rising demand, according to an international study.

Tesco commits £10m to combat deforestation from soy production in Brazil

Tesco has committed £10m over the next five years to fund a new initiative to transition to producing deforestation-free soy in the Cerrado region in Brazil.

Europe's environment 'at a tipping point', EU agency says

Europe faces environmental challenges "of unprecedented scale and urgency," according to a comprehensive overview of air, land and water ecosystems published on Wednesday (4 December) by the European Environment Agency.

Investors and businesses call for action to support deforestation-free soy in Brazil

A group of global investors and businesses, including Tesco, Mars and Sainsbury's, have signed a letter calling for the Brazilian Government and president Jair Bolsonaro to support a voluntary agreement that has limited deforestation from soy production in the country.

Flooding and coastal damages risking £12bn to UK economy

Rising sea levels, storms and flooding driven by climate change has placed more than £12bn of the UK's economy at risk, according to new findings from WWF which warns that almost 2.5 million homes in the UK will be at risk of flooding by 2050.

Gucci boss calls on business leaders to deliver net-zero supply chains

Gucci chief executive Marco Bizzarri has called on business leaders to sign up to a Carbon Neutral Challenge that sees businesses deliver greenhouse gas emissions reductions across their entire value chain in order to achieve net-zero emissions.

'To truly embed sustainability, businesses must redefine value itself'

EXCLUSIVE: As ever more companies strive for sustainability which stretches beyond the confines of a separate CSR department, they will need to explore ways to define success beyond monetary value.

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Rhea Horlock, NHS Property Services

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: Rhea Horlock, CSR manager at NHS Property services.

World's largest seafood firms pledge to tackle abandoned plastic fishing gear

A coalition of ten of the world's biggest seafood companies have joined a scheme connecting businesses, non-profits, scientists and public sector bodies in a bid to tackle the 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear abandoned in the world's oceans each year.

Optimistic but lacking action: Green groups offer mixed reaction to Environment Bill

The Environment Bill has been published today and the reaction is already in from the UK's green business community on the legislation and its impact on corporate sustainability. 

Deposit return schemes and biodiversity net-gain: Raft of new policies unveiled in Environment Bill

The UK Government has launched its new governance system on issues covering clean air, waste management and plastics pollution, natural capital approaches and water stewardship, in the form of the long-awaited Environment Bill. 

Green Party declares 'nature emergency'

The Green Party has built on its declaration of a 'climate emergency' by declaring a 'nature emergency' in response to biodiversity decline.

Zac Goldsmith to remain as Environment Minister

Zac Goldsmith will continue to serve as Minister for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs despite losing his seat as an MP in last week's general election.

EU ministers opt to continue overfishing, despite 2020 deadline

Europe's fish populations will continue to be over-exploited despite a longstanding 2020 deadline for setting fishing quotas at sustainable levels, after ministers from across the EU forced through higher limits than scientists advised.

Ofwat unveils £13bn climate package for UK water companies

Regulator Ofwat has unveiled its investment package for 2020-2025, including a £13bn package to help water firms with climate adaptation and mitigation.

Defra plans crackdown on deforestation in UK corporates' supply chains

Large companies in the UK could soon be mandated to prove that their supply chains are free from illegal deforestation or face hefty fines, under new due diligence legislation being developed by the Department for Food, the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra).

General Election 2019 manifesto matrix: What have the parties said on net-zero and the environment?

Two weeks out from the General Election and on the day of the live televised climate debate between party leaders, 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 collaborative push for net-zero emissions in the built environment

For Net-Zero November, edie sits down with a mainstay sustainability leader, a disruptive new firm and the organisation coordinating an entire sector to see how the built environment can collaboratively transition to a net-zero economy.

2,500 scientists urge EU to reform environmentally 'damaging' agriculture policy

More than 2,500 European scientists have joined forces and reached out to the EU parliament in a letter urging it to "act on the science and undertake a far-reaching reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) without delay".

Barclays' 'blue' finance and Tottenham's 'green' football kits: 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.

Environment Bill passes second reading against widespread criticism from MPs

The UK Government's Environment Bill has passed its second reading in the House of Commons and will now move to committee stage, following a vigorous debate between MPs on the legislation.

WEF: Invest in nature-led Covid-19 recovery to reap $10trn economic opportunity

By embedding 'net-positive' nature requirements into their Covid-19 recovery strategies, governments and businesses could collectively realise a $10trn (£7.9trn) economic opportunity and create 395 million new jobs within a decade.

Environment Agency unveils five-year plan to bolster 2030 net-zero target

The Environment Agency (EA) has outlined its plans to boost climate resilience, improve natural resources and foster green growth through to 2025, after setting a 2030 net-zero target late last year.

Choice and information: UK citizens' assembly outlines policy and lifestyle overhauls for net-zero transition

The first UK-wide citizens' assembly on climate change, Climate Assembly UK, has issued a list of recommendations as to how travel, diets, power generation and building use can be revamped to help society transition to net-emissions by 2050.

NHS 'not prepared' for net-zero transition or climate change health impacts, MPs warn

The Government must better support the NHS to go fossil-fuel-free and to adapt to the impacts of global warming and nature loss on public health, MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) are warning.

Patagonia: Regenerative agriculture is the next sustainability frontier for fashion and food

EXCLUSIVE: Patagonia's vice president for social & environmental responsibility has told of how she witnessed a "groundswell" in regenerative farming in recent months, of a scale that has been unprecedented during her 10+ years working across supply chains.

Pernod Ricard moves single-use plastics phase-out forward to 2021

Beverage giant Pernod Ricard has moved a target to end the use of single-use plastic point-of-sale (POS) items forward four years, pledging to reach the ambition by 2021.

L'Oréal launches €150m social and environmental fund to support coronavirus response

Global cosmetic firm L'Oréal has noted the need to focus on regenerating the environment while also supporting those impacted by the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus, and has responded by launching a €50m social fund to support vulnerable women and a €100m environment fund.

Messages of hope: How world leaders are rallying for a green Covid-19 recovery

The two-day Petersberg Climate Dialogue finished yesterday evening, with ministerial leaders from the UK, Germany, the EU and the UN all delivering rallying cries for nations to focus on climate mitigation as part of any efforts to stimulate the economic downturned caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus and globalisation: What next for supply chain sustainability?

Covid-19 has brought global economies to a standstill and knocked the confidence in global and connected trade. Would businesses benefit from pivoting to more localised value chains, or do global supply chains enable a global shift towards a climate-resilient future?

Coronavirus: Business leaders join European Green Recovery alliance

Business members of the European Corporate Leaders Group (CLG Europe) have joined the European Parliament, policymakers and NGOs in forming an alliance for a "green recovery" of the European economy that assists with the ongoing fight against the climate crisis.

A 'sensible step' and 'opportunity to rebuild': Green economy reacts to COP26 postponement

Green groups have expressed disappointment but understanding that the COP26 climate summit scheduled for Glasgow in November has been postponed until 2021, with many citing the opportunity for countries to accelerate climate action in the meantime.

Business giants including Tesco urge ministers to end supply chain deforestation by 2030

Tesco, McDonald's and WWF are among the businesses and NGOs urging the UK Government to set a legally binding 2030 target to end deforestation in agriculture and forest product supply chains.

Coronavirus and plastics: Are we headed back towards single-use?

As the global economy struggles with the pressures of Covid-19, some industry groups are using the need for more protective equipment as a means to lobby for the removal of charges and bans on single-use plastics. edie explores why that cannot be allowed to happen.