Carbon negative

DEFINITION: The reduction of an entity’s carbon footprint to less than neutral, so that the entity has a net effect of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere rather than adding it.

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edie's next masterclass: Understanding Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting (SECR) for business

edie's next 45-minutes masterclass, taking place on Wednesday 25 September at 2 pm BST, will see experts from Inspired Energy outline how businesses can get to grips with the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework.

UK supermarkets accused of over-producing low-quality meat

Anti-hunger charity Feedback is calling for big-name UK supermarkets such as Iceland, Lidl and Asda to offer "less and better" meat, in order to minimise their climate impacts.

Swedish lessons: Can data management enable the UK to deliver a net-zero economy?

The UK's net-zero climate target has been widely welcomed, but is currently lacking some actual points of delivery. Fortunately, Sweden's own net-zero target can teach politicians some interesting lessons, including how big data and digitisation can mobilise action plans.

Earth Overshoot Day: What is the business case for one-planet compatibility?

Monday 29 July will mark Earth Overshoot Day - the day that humanity uses up all of the planet's natural resources for the year and the earliest it has ever occurred. In response, a new whitepaper explores how business can champion energy efficiency and the circular economy to become one-planet compatible.

Coors' plastic-free packaging and solar-powered trains: 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.

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.

UK launches Clean Maritime Strategy to spur net-zero ambitions

The UK Government has announced a new maritime strategy, calling for all new vessels to be designed with zero-emissions capable technologies by 2025.

Green economy wishlist: How to turn the net-zero pipedream into a low-carbon pipeline

With the latest Committee on Climate Change (CCC) progress report revealing that no UK sector has showcased "good progress" to managing climate risk, the green economy has unanimously called for a net-zero philosophy to steer the nation towards its climate targets.

Energy Catapult launches SME support for low carbon heating and cooling

A new programme has been launched by the government's Energy Systems Catapult centre to assist small and medium sized businesses (SME) develop low carbon heating and cooling.

Former National Grid boss Steve Holliday: We can't isolate oil & gas majors on path to net-zero

Former National Grid boss Steve Holliday urged greater business and policy action to involve oil and gas firms in the power sector's low-carbon transition, arguing that such businesses must be "central" to transformation.

UK sectors face system shocks during net-zero transition

The road to net-zero emissions in the UK will create system shocks and disruption that will hit organisations across the electricity, heat, transport and construction industries the hardest, according to new research published by the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC).

Aerospace giants back technology to provide 'relentless' aviation decarbonisation

The chief technology officers of seven major aerospace manufacturers have released a joint statement outlining how the firms are committed to sharing best practice to decarbonise the sector as it approaches its "third era" of electrification and digitalisation.

New business-led taskforce to help UK's private sector reach net-zero

Sky, UPS, Aston Martin and Drax are among the co-founders of a new business-led taskforce aimed at mobilising actors across the UK's private sector to decarbonise in line with the Government's new net-zero vision for 2050.

The UK Government's net-zero commitment: What happens next?

A statutory instrument to amend the Climate Change Act of 2008 to account for a net-zero target by 2050 will be laid in Parliament today (12 June), marking a first among the G7 nations. But what, exactly, happens next?

MPs examine how Treasury and finance sector can help decarbonise UK economy

MPs on the Treasury Committee have launched an inquiry scrutinising the climate impacts of the Treasury and the financial services sector, with the aim of determining how these actors can change their ways in order to spur decarbonisation progress ahead of the fourth and fifth carbon budgets.

Edinburgh commits to become 'net-zero' carbon city by 2030

Edinburgh City Council (ECC) has pledged to ensure that the city operates on a "net-zero" carbon basis by 2030 - 15 years before Scotland's national net-zero target for 2045.

Decarbonisation by 2050 can be achieved at 'very low cost'

The UK can fully decarbonise by 2050 at a "very low cost", the first head of parliament's climate change watchdog has claimed.

Moat Homes launches 'Energiesprong' retrofit pilot to create zero carbon houses

A five-home pilot project has launched in Essex to create zero-carbon retrofit homes in the UK, fitting the buildings with solar photovoltaics (PV) and battery storage systems.

Report: Clear CCUS policy needed for UK net-zero emissions goal

The UK Government should update its "vague terminology" on carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) deployment in the UK to create clear policy drivers that transform the technology into a primary tool to meet national and international climate change targets.

Finnish businesses set up 'world's first' marketplace for carbon removal certificates

A group of Finnish businesses have partnered with global financial solutions firm South Pole and Swedish bank SEB to launch a new marketplace for science-based CO2 removal certificates, in a bid to scale methods that can capture and remove carbon globally.

National Grid 'ready to handle' zero-carbon network by 2025

The operating firm for National Grid has claimed that Great Britain's electricity system can operate as a zero-carbon grid by 2025.

Two-thirds of consumers support climate change labelling

A survey across seven countries has revealed the majority of people would like to see labelling related to the climate change impact of products they purchase.

Government urged to focus on lifecycle emissions as part of net-zero target

Any plans to enshrine a net-zero carbon target into UK law will need to examine the lifecycle emissions of new infrastructure, technology and products - a move the can spur rapid growth for new low-carbon market standards.

How are big oil and gas firms approaching the low-carbon transition?

Faced with increased stakeholder pressure, the world’s largest oil and gas firms are beginning to realise the need to radically decarbonise their businesses. Here, edie explores the differing levels of ambitions of these companies and whether they are spurring or hindering the low-carbon transition.

Electricity North West launches zero-carbon plan

Electricity North West has announced plans to decarbonise the entire region within the next 20 years.

SSE launches new corporate strategy aligned to SDGs

UK energy firm SSE has unveiled a new sustainability strategy for 2030 aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that will deliver a 50% cut in carbon intensity, trebling its renewable electricity output and facilitating the uptake of 10 million electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK.

Oil giant Eni targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2030

Italian oil and gas group Eni has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions for its operations by 2030, despite announcing plans to increase oil and gas production by 3.5% annually up to 2022.

DSM emissions goals approved by Science Based Targets initiative

Science-based reduction targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been put in place by global nutrition, health and sustainable living firm Royal DSM.

VW pledges to achieve climate neutrality, starting with EV acceleration

German carmaker Volkswagen (VW) has committed to launch at least 70 electric vehicle (EV) models by 2028, as part of its newly-unveiled ambition to become 'climate-neutral' by 2050.

Spring Statement: Chancellor unveils biodiversity plans and low-carbon homes requirements

BREAKING: Chancellor Philip Hammond has today (13 March) pledged to implement legislation requiring developers to deliver biodiversity net-gain through all projects in his 2019 Spring Statement, which also includes a review into the economic benefits of environmental conservation.

IPPR warns of risks and opportunities to decarbonisation in north of England

Tens of thousands of jobs could be created in the north of England as a result of decarbonisation, but there are many risks to the transition, a new report has claimed.

UK carbon emissions fall for record sixth year

CO2 emissions have fallen for a sixth consecutive year - the longest continuous decline since records began - according to new data provided by the Government.

Multiplex Europe has emissions reduction goal approved by SBTi

Construction firm Multiplex Europe has had an ambition to reduce direct emissions by 30% by 2030 approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Majority of European firms have no CO2 reduction targets

Most European companies have no target for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions even though 80% see climate change as a business risk, a survey has found.

Big-name businesses call on EU to set 'net-zero' emissions target for 2050

Unilever, Tesco and Heathrow Airport are among a coalition of 16 big-name corporates calling on the European Union (EU) to set a legally binding net-zero carbon emissions target for 2050, which would see the bloc achieve carbon neutrality within the next three decades.

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.

Energy leaders urge government to back international AI climate centre

Leading voices from across the energy sector have this week called for the government to support the creation of an International Centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy and Climate.

The Barker Plan: How a former UK Energy Minister used sustainability to transform a sanctioned Russian aluminium firm

EXCLUSIVE: Over the course of a year, Russian aluminium and hydropower firm EN+ Group has gone from being banned on the US market to launching a new sweeping sustainability strategy and having those sanctions lifted. Here, edie speaks to former UK Energy Minister Greg Barker, who has been the surprise driving force behind this transformation.

Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020: Meet the judges

With the 2020 Sustainability Leaders Awards now open for entries, edie takes a closer look at the esteemed panel of judges who will be presiding over this year's entries.

Number of flights taken by BEIS officials soars

The Whitehall officials responsible for tackling the climate crisis dramatically increased their domestic flights last year despite the huge carbon footprint associated with aviation.

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Product Innovation - Nutreco and Skretting

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 Sustainability Product Innovation of the Year award, Nutreco and Skretting.

OVO Energy moves to lower climate impact of its marketing

Independent energy provider OVO Energy has unveiled a string of new measures to reduce the resource and carbon impact of its marketing, including an offsetting scheme and a "no-flights" policy.

BP: Renewables will be the world's main source of power by 2040

Oil and gas giant BP has forecast that renewables are likely to account for around one-third of the world's energy production by 2040, with uptake growing faster than that of any other fuel to date.

Thyssenkrupp targets 'climate-neutrality' after setting new science-based targets

German industrial giant Thyssenkrupp has had its new emissions goals approved by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), shortly after pledging to become climate-neutral by 2050

Unilever's vegan mayonnaise and 'smart' e-bikes: 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.

Molson Coors unveils 1.5C science-based targets, new sustainable packaging goals

Molson Coors has today (12 August) published its new sustainability report, revealing that its new emissions targets have been approved in line with a 1.5C trajectory by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

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".

Gap targets 100% renewable energy by 2030

Fashion giant Gap Inc has made a new commitment to meet 100% of the energy consumption of its owned and operated facilities globally with renewable energy by 2030.

Renewable energy sourcing by US-based corporates set for record high in 2019

US-based corporates have collectively signed contracts for 5.95 GW of renewable energy so far in 2019, compared to 6.2GW during the whole of 2018, new analysis has found.

Goldsmiths bans beef burgers as it declares 'Climate Emergency'

Goldsmiths, University of London, has become the latest UK university to officially declare a 'Climate Emergency', unveiling a string of new sustainability measures to be taken for the new academic year.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Olivia Green, Wessex Water

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 Green, sustainability coordinator at Wessex Water.

Google targets carbon-neutral hardware deliveries

Tech giant Google has unveiled a new string of sustainability pledges for its hardware, including a commitment to make all customer shipments carbon-neutral by 2020.

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.

Audi's supply chain shake-up and Wales' coal plant closure: 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.

In numbers: What behaviours will Brits happily change to champion sustainability?

A new survey of more than 2,000 adults in the UK has shed new light on the actions they are - and aren't - willing to take to help reduce their environmental footprints. Here, edie rounds up the key findings.

Report: UK retailers surpassing carbon reduction commitments early

A group of more than 25 of the UK's largest retailers have collectively reduced their absolute carbon footprint by more than one-third (36%) since 2005, a new study has found.

More than TV: Can ITV place climate change at the core of its business purpose?

EXCLUSIVE: Following 18 months of radical internal transformation, edie asks how media company ITV is ready to revitalise years of strong CSR work to make environmental stewardship, health and wellbeing and societal change the core purpose of its business model.

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.

EP100: Energy-efficient businesses slash $55m off annual bills

A coalition of 18 large businesses have collectively shaved $55m (£45m) off their energy costs by implementing better efficiency measures, a new report from The Climate Group has concluded.

From climate change to urbanisation: BlackRock's five megatrends that will disrupt society

A new report from BlackRock has found that climate change, resource scarcity and growing consumerism will create disruptive structural shifts across industries as a "confluence of global megatrends" begin to clash.

Climate change to shock steel sector profitability, report warns

The global steel sector is facing a vicious cocktail of climate impacts that could see water scarcity, global warming and an increased carbon price place more than 10% of the sector's economic value at risk, according to a new report from CDP.

Cambridge becomes first university to set 1.5C science-based targets

The University of Cambridge has become the first higher education institution in the world to set  science-based targets in line with the Paris Agreement's more ambitious 1.5C trajectory.

Boris Johnson insists climate change at the 'absolute core' of Government

Boris Johnson pledged to place tackling climate change at the "absolute core" of the Government's actions during his first appearance in the House of Commons as Prime Minister.

Virgin Media targets 100% renewable electricity by 2020

Virgin Media has pledged to source only renewable electricity for the entirety of its operations by 2020, after joining The Climate Group's RE100 initiative.

Hard-to-abate no more? BHP, Cargill set new visions for decarbonisation

Mining and metals giant BHP and agri-food multinational Cargill have unveiled ambitious new decarbonisation targets, in a sign that hard-to-abate sectors are beginning to bolster their climate ambitions.

Earth Overshoot Day: Planet's yearly resource 'budget' already spent

Humanity has today (29 July) used up its annual allowance of natural resources for 2019, sparking calls for businesses and citizens to re-examine approaches to consumption and consumerism.

edie launches business guide to Corporate Power Purchase Agreements

Organisations looking to understand the benefits of Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs) for renewable energy now have access to a free 'edie Explains' guide which breaks down everything you need to know about them.

AB InBev trials LNG-fuelled deliveries for UK brewery

The world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), is set to trial deliveries in the UK using liquefied natural gas (LNG) to reduce harmful emissions.

Clark: UK may need 40GW of new baseload generation by 2050

Whether from nuclear plants or power stations equipped with carbon capture and storage (CCS), the UK will need up to 40GW of new low-carbon baseload generation to meet the net-zero emissions target, Greg Clark has warned.

Drax halves carbon emissions

Power giant Drax has cut its absolute carbon emissions for the first half of 2019 by 52%, compared to the same period last year.

Climate leadership roundtable: Are we on the right track for a net-zero economy?

The UK Government's recent move to legislate for net-zero emissions by 2050 has been widely welcomed across the green economy - but how should businesses respond? edie recently convened a group of sustainability leaders from an array of industry sectors to discuss exactly that.

Nissan refuses government request on Qashqai emissions

Nissan's decision to ignore a government request for emissions modifications to thousands of polluting cars has been branded a scandal by environmental campaigners.

BEIS and Defra's new look: What we know about Leadsom and Villiers' views on the environment

And breathe. In what has been the biggest political reshuffle since the 1960s, Andrea Leadsom has been appointed Business Secretary at BEIS, while Theresa Villiers has become Defra's new Environment Secretary. So, how well do the pair match up with their respective briefs?

Food giants capturing opportunities from meat-free products to drive sustainability efforts

Food manufacturers and retailers such as Tesco, Unilever and Nestlé are "seizing the opportunity" of a thriving plant-based market to assist with the low-carbon transition, with a new report noting that the alternative protein market is expected to be valued at $100bn in the next 15 years.

Lush debuts 'carbon-positive' packaging

Health and beauty retailer Lush has unveiled what it claims is the world's first 'carbon-positive' packaging.

Energy regulator 'out of touch over climate crisis', say businesses

The UK energy regulator is under fire for failing to prioritise the climate emergency as it draws up plans for Britain's energy system.

Business giants commit to delivering net-zero strategies

More than 20 companies, including Telefonica, Vodafone and Unilever, with a total market capitalisation of more than $1.2trn have committed to setting science-based targets aligned to 1.5C reductions and net-zero emissions for 2050.

Survey: Business failing to keep pace with public pressure for climate action

The UK public does not believe that big businesses are acting rapidly enough to mitigate or help society adapt to the 'Climate Emergency', a new survey has concluded.

Flexible Futures: edie launches smart business blueprint for energy

With a radical shift currently occurring in the energy sector, edie has launched its Flexible Futures report into the key issues for energy and sustainability professionals, preparing businesses for the technological revolution.

How ethical and sustainable are UK universities?

Gloucestershire, Manchester Metropolitan and Nottingham Trent are among the highest-scoring universities in a new league table which ranks higher education establishments on their ethical and environmental ambitions and actions.

Survey: Just 10% of UK businesses have set carbon reduction targets

Employee appetite for tackling climate change is beginning to outstrip corporate action on carbon reduction, with nine in ten UK businesses yet to set specific emission reduction targets, a survey of 1,000 companies has found.

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.

National Grid ESO joins Powering Past Coal Alliance

The National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has announced it is joining an international group, called the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), which is working on the transition away from coal power.

British Airways and Shell back plans for UK sustainable jet fuel plant

British Airways and Shell have provided funding totalling £2.8m to support the development of a UK-based facility that could produce 20 million gallons of sustainable jet fuel annually.

Ofgem and BEIS call on networks to realise £40bn flexible energy opportunity

Ofgem and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have penned a joint letter to the Energy Networks Association (ENA), calling on organisations to "evolve" to a more flexible system that could create a £40bn windfall for the UK economy.

Mitchells & Butlers to host rapid EV charging network

Pub and restaurant chain Mitchells & Butlers is set to install up to 200 rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers across its UK estate, as part of a partnership with BP's Chargemaster arm.

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.

Citizens Advice: Government lacking 'credible' plan to decarbonise heat

The Government's failure to implement a "credible" framework for the decarbonisation of heat for commercial and domestic use could undermine public confidence in the net-zero transition, Citizens Advice has warned.

Manchester declares 'Climate Emergency' as Leeds bolsters net-zero preparations

Manchester City Council has become the latest local authority to formally declare a 'Climate Emergency', placing it among a coalition of more than 100 others across the UK and Ireland.

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.

Global economic growth 'now directly linked to greater energy efficiency', report finds

The global energy efficiency of economic growth has improved by one-third since 1990, new research from professional services giant PwC has concluded.

Report: Just one-eighth of corporates aligning with Paris Agreement

An analysis of 274 corporates across the world's most carbon-intense sectors has found that just one in eight are reducing their emissions in line with the Paris Agreement's less ambitious trajectory of 2C.

Report: Nations must engage with private sector to achieve Paris Agreement

A new whitepaper from GRI and CDP has outlined the importance of increasing private sector engagement in meeting national climate change commitments made under the Paris Agreement.

Ovo Energy boss kick-starts campaign for general carbon charge

Ovo Energy's chief executive and founder Stephen Fitzpatrick has launched a new campaign aimed at bolstering the UK's emissions policies on the road to net-zero.

Energy management design sprint (Part One): How to unlock innovation in your business

In the first of a special two-part feature, edie reveals the results of two full-day workshops which applied principles of 'design thinking' to the role of the energy manager. Here, we summarise our first workshop, which explored how this group can harness energy innovations.