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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Net-zero cities: Leeds's mission to be 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 exploring how Leeds plans to become a net-zero city by 2030.

Sector coupling: Electrification of transport and buildings could slash emissions by 60%

Mass-Scale electrification of the transport, buildings and industrial sectors could enable Europe to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% over the next 30 years, according to a new report published today by research company BloombergNEF (BNEF).

Government's plans for low-carbon homes are 'a step backwards' on climate, London Mayor warns

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged Ministers to improve plans for decarbonising the UK's built environment sector, claiming that the capital and other cities are already going further and faster in the face of the climate emergency.

Philip Morris to make all its factories carbon neutral by 2030

Cigarette giant Philip Morris International (PMI) has announced its intention to make all of its factories carbon neutral by 2030, after its Klaipeda factory in Lithuania reached the status.

Hackney Council powered by 100% renewable electricity

Hackney Council is now sourcing 100% of its electricity demand from renewables, with the council accelerating towards a goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2040.

'Normal was a crisis': Why the Green New Deal is the perfect response for the post-Covid-19 economy

As the economy and society continue to suffer from the impacts of the coronavirus, experts are already exploring how to stimulate a financial recovery. All roads could lead to a Green New Deal, but the green economy will need a clear and concise voice to push policy towards it.

Sign up to edie's next online masterclass on net-zero implementation

The latest webinar in edie's series of masters content for developing net-zero businesses focuses on decarbonisation implementation on Wednesday, 29 April.

Carbon tax rises 'could fund energy efficiency drive'

The government could siphon off a large chunk of the revenues from increased carbon prices to improve the energy efficiency of fuel poor households, according to a new report from the London School of Economics' Grantham Institute.

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.

Everything you need to know about the EU's new Circular Economy Action Plan and Industrial Strategy

The European Commission has today (11 March) unveiled its Circular Economy Action Plan, a sweeping set of commitments aimed at ensuring that circularity and resources efficiency acts as a "prerequisite for climate neutrality" in line with the European Green Deal and Industrial Strategy.

UK's net-zero target possible with 'unprecedented' low-carbon innovation

Reaching net-zero emissions in the UK by 2050 is possible but would require "unprecedented innovation across the economy" that could see electricity generation triple, hydrogen generation grow exponentially and land use to be radically overhauled across the country.

Comprehensive net-zero strategy could increase UK green jobs by 85%

The UK Government can deliver an 85% increase in renewable and clean technology jobs in a decade by implementing better taxation systems and outlining a roadmap for net-zero emissions, a new report from the REA has found.

Cadent Gas launches UK's first 'transition bond' to spur decarbonisation

The UK's largest gas distribution network, Cadent, has agreed to the UK's first 'transition bond' which has been issued to enable heavy-carbon emitters to access funds to decarbonise.

Corporate leaders want decarbonisation as central focus for Europe's Industrial Strategy

Business giants including Unilever, Interface, and Coca-Cola have called for the new European Industrial Strategy to focus heavily on decarbonisation in a way that sets out clear strategies for investment into low-carbon solutions and provides price incentives for new goods and services.

Government urged (again) to revamp low-carbon homes plan

The Government has yet again been urged to reconsider proposed approaches to energy efficiency in housebuilding, after a coalition of councils urged Ministers to remove restrictions that would inhibit higher standards being set.

E10 petrol, hydrogen and biomethane: Is the UK on the cusp of low-carbon heat and transport?

As the UK Government consults on a low-carbon fuel mix for petrol stations, two industry associations have called for refined government policy to enable the uptake of hydrogen and biomethane use to help decarbonise heat and transport.

O2 targets net-zero network and operations by 2025

Telecommunications giant O2 has pledged to achieve net-zero across its entire business and mobile network by 2025 - a move it claims will make it the UK's first net-zero mobile network provider.

Oil and gas giants sign up to Teesside net-zero carbon capture project

BP, Eni, Equinor, Shell and Total have all signed up to spearhead the development of the Net-Zero Teesside project that aims to develop the UK's first decarbonised industrial cluster through the use of carbon capture, utilisation and storage technology (CCUS).

Science-based pathway for net-zero emissions established for telecoms sector

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) and the GSMA have forged a new partnership to develop a sector-specific decarbonisation pathway that will outline how all companies in the mobile sector can set science-based targets.

Sir Robert McAlpine targets net-zero emissions by 2024

Building and civil engineering company Sir Robert McAlpine has announced a new public commitment to implement carbon reduction initiatives to reach net-zero emissions in the next five years.

Government focuses on hydrogen in £90m industrial decarbonisation funding

The UK Government has announced £90m in funding to help cut emissions from industrial processes and the built environment, including the backing of two low-carbon hydrogen production plants.

Delta Air Lines commits $1bn to become carbon neutral

US-based Delta Air Lines has committed $1bn over the next decade to mitigate emissions from its business to become carbon neutral, with the company pledging to minimise its reliance on the carbon offset market.

'A landmark moment': NHS to boost renewable energy sourcing

More than 11% of the NHS's estate will be switched to 100% renewable electricity this spring, under new energy deals signed by its Property Services arm.

EU starts to chart shipping's new green course

The shipping industry will soon have to pay for its environmental impact in the EU, as both the European Commission and Parliament are moving forward with plans to include vessels in the bloc's flagship carbon market. But there are choppy waters ahead.

10 ways business leadership will evolve during a crucial decade for sustainability

Sustainability experts and thought leaders were in attendance at edie's Sustainability Leaders Forum to outline how the role of business in a society battling social and environmental crises like never before will change.

edie's publisher Faversham House expands ClimateCare partnership to offset event travel emissions

edie's publishing company Faversham House has announced an expansion to its partnership with ClimateCare to offset all carbon emissions from speaker and delegate travel across all its events throughout 2020.

edie's guides to net-zero carbon continues with the public sector

The fifth report in the series of edie guides on net-zero carbon has launched with a focus on the public sector.

Landsec hits science-based targets 11 years early

Commercial real estate firm Landsec has met its verified science-based target 11 years ahead of schedule, with the company's latest quarterly energy data revealing that carbon intensity has fallen by 40%.

Industrial Decarbonisation Champion to steer £20m innovation centre for net-zero transition

Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer has been appointed as an "Industrial Decarbonisation Champion" to oversee the development of a £20m research and innovation centre at Edinburgh's Heriot-Watt University that will drive the delivery of the UK's net-zero emissions target.

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.

Ambition Zero Carbon: AstraZeneca targets carbon-negativity by 2030

Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has pledged to become carbon-negative across its entire value chain by 2030, with an interim ambition of reaching net-zero operational carbon emissions from operations by 2025.

'Neutral is not enough': Microsoft pledges to become carbon-negative by 2030

Tech giant Microsoft has today (16 January) unveiled a bold new plan to reduce its carbon impact to below net-zero by 2030, with an additional goal of removing carbon from the atmosphere that the company has emitted since it was founded in 1975.

Electric buses to operate in Glasgow for first time in 60 years

Electric buses will run on a commercial route in Glasgow for the first time since the 1960s, after bus operator First Glasgow introduced two new vehicles to assist with the city's net-zero aspirations.

Mission Possible: Achieving a net-zero carbon future for manufacturing

As the movement towards net-zero carbon takes hold across the commercial sector, this fresh insight report looks at how manufacturing companies are driving forward their own goals.

20 New Year's resolutions for sustainability professionals in 2020 and beyond

A new decade is upon us, and as the window to reverse and alleviate the climate crisis shortens, new long-term targets can provide sustainability professionals with the motivation and drive to transform their organisations into forces of good.

Net-zero cities: Nottingham's mission to be carbon-neutral by 2028

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 Nottingham plans to become the UK's first carbon-neutral city by 2028.

edie's guides to net-zero carbon continues with construction sector

The fourth report in the series of edie guides on net-zero carbon has launched with a focus on the construction sector.

OVO Energy and Mitsubishi forge net-zero transport partnership

OVO Energy and Mitsubishi Motors have announced a new UK partnership to help accelerate the decarbonisation of the transport sector in order to assist with the legally enshrined net-zero target for 2050.

COP25: Drax to become carbon negative by 2030

UK energy company Drax will announce ambitions to become carbon negative by 2030 at the UN's COP25 climate summit in Madrid today (Tuesday, December 10).

Report: annual 10% decarbonisation rate needed to meet UK's net-zero target

The UK will have to deliver annual carbon intensity reductions of 10% to meet its net-zero legislation for 2050, up from less than 4% currently, according to a new study from professional services firm PwC.

ENA calls for mandatory hydrogen boilers as CBI outlines new sustainability vision

Replacing existing gas boilers with hydrogen-ready devices should be mandatory when they reach the end of their life, the Energy Networks Association (ENA) has urged in its general election manifesto.

Environmental consultancies team up to launch sector-wide 'Pledge to Net-Zero'

Environmental consultancies WSP and AECOM have teamed up to launch a new pledge campaign, urging companies from across the environmental services sector to set science-based targets and report annually on decarbonisation progress.

National Grid commits to net-zero emissions target for 2050

The National Grid has announced a commitment to reduce its direct greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050, the same timeframe as the UK Government's legislative target.

Just one in 10 of world's largest energy firms have net-zero targets, report finds

Just 10% of the world's largest 132 coal, electricity and oil and gas companies have set time-based commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero, with just three companies also pledging to reduce indirect emissions as well.

Birmingham Airport sets net-zero carbon target for 2033

Birmingham Airport has set a commitment to become a net-zero carbon airport by 2033, noting that it has a "big opportunity" to reduce emissions via onsite renewable generation and would also minimise the use of carbon offsets.

REA's Nina Skorupska: Business holds 'untapped potential' to achieve net-zero

EXCLUSIVE: REA's chief executive Nina Skorupska has claimed at an edie event that declarations of a 'climate emergency' must be backed up by robust net-zero emissions and clean energy strategies from business, to avoid the term becoming "greenwash or rhetoric".

Beyond Carbon: The $500m plan to create a low-carbon US, with or without Trump

EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump may have officially kickstarted the process to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, but there is a movement of cities, states and businesses that is driving the nation towards 100% clean energy, with or without support from the federal government.

Oil and gas giants must cut production by a third to meet climate targets

The world's largest oil and gas companies must cut combined production by 35% by 2040 if nations are the meet the collective ambitions of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to below 2C, a new report from Carbon Tracker has found.

Zalando: Net-zero targets the first step to net-positive businesses

EXCLUSIVE: Zalando's director of corporate responsibility and sustainability Kate Heiny believes that operating at net-zero emissions both operationally and across the value chain can act as a catalyst for businesses to truly move beyond mitigation and "less bad" to help regenerate the planet.

UK Government launches business fund to deliver net-zero industrial clusters

The UK Government has opened two innovation funds aimed at helping businesses plan and deploy technology to help reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Territorial emissions: ONS data shows 35-year difference in UK peak emissions

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has found that the UK's emissions peaked in 2007, rather than 1972, if territorial emissions from imports abroad were taken into account.

Bentley achieves carbon-neutral certification at solar-powered Crewe plant

Bentley Motors' corporate headquarters and main manufacturing facility in Crewe has achieved carbon-neutral certification, with a solar-powered carport, green energy contracts and carbon offsets used to decarbonise the plant.

How closed-loop supply chains are spurring Apple's decarbonisation efforts

EXCLUSIVE: Apple's vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives Lisa Jackson believes that companies should look at the synergies between the circular economy and decarbonisation in order to create resilient supply chains.

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.

OVO offers £50m financial support package to customers impacted by coronavirus

The UK's largest independent energy supplier, OVO Energy, has unveiled a £50m "hardship" fund to assist customers that are struggling financially due to impacts of the coronavirus, as the wider energy industry works on a long-term plan to support customers during the period of disruption.

Keir Starmer: Exploring the green policy views of the new Labour leader

Months after the party's worst electoral performance in almost a century, the Labour party has elected Keir Starmer as its new leader, with the MP for Holborn and St Pancras ready to promote his vision of a socially just low-carbon transition.

Climate Week NYC given September go-ahead as 'virtual' event

The Climate Group group has today (6 April) confirmed that its major week-long event designed to ramp up corporate action on climate change will still take place during September, but will be coordinated through a virtual platform.

Company car tax rates for electric vehicles slashed to spur market uptake

New UK regulations that came into force this week will ensure that any businesses purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) will not pay any benefit-in-kind (BiK) tax, as the UK Government attempts to incentivise the market for EVs.

edie's guides to net-zero carbon continues with manufacturing sector

The second report in the series of edie guides on net-zero carbon has launched with a focus on the manufacturing sector.

Severn Trent to make entire transport fleet electric by 2030

The UK's second-biggest water company has joined the Climate Group's EV100 initiative, pledging to convert 100% of its transport fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030.

Polluters see coronavirus as chance to lobby against climate policies

Corporate lobbying groups have been accused of “taking advantage” of the chaos caused by the coronavirus outbreak, with oil and gas groups and automotive coalitions found to have been calling for relaxed or postponed environmental regulations as response mechanisms to the virus.

World's largest food supplier targets 25% emissions cut by 2035

The world's largest food and ingredient supplier, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), has set new emissions and energy targets which it claims are aligned with the Paris Agreement's 2C trajectory.

Carmakers accused of trying to use coronavirus crisis to avert EU emissions crackdown

The motor industry has been accused by campaigners of trying to use the coronavirus crisis to avert stricter environmental regulation, after correspondence showed carmakers had lobbied the EU to defer impending laws.

Prioritise Small-scale technology to deliver affordable net-zero transition, researchers claim

A new study has warned of focusing on "politically seductive" large-scale solutions such as nuclear and carbon capture and storage (CCS), noting that more granular solutions like energy storage, solar and heat pumps can be mass deployed at an affordable cost to enable a quicker net-zero transition.

Ricoh sets 1.5C science-based target as part of zero-emissions ambition

Japanese electronics firm Ricoh has confirmed that it has had a new target to reduce emissions by 63% by 2030 approved by Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) as aligned to the 1.5C ambition of the Paris Agreement.

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.

Barclays sets 2050 net-zero climate policy, covering operations and investments

British banking giant Barclays has pledged to become a net-zero business by 2050, under new a new climate policy which covers both direct operations and finance allocated externally.

Two weeks left to register: edie's climate-resilient supply chains webinar

edie's latest webinar, taking place on Thursday 16 April, will focus on how businesses can build sustainable, climate-resilient supply chains through engagement methods, carbon reporting and regenerative practices.

Study: Climate-wrecking products 'should come with smoking-style warnings'

Cigarette packets with grisly warnings of the consequences of smoking are intended to deter smokers. Now a group of public health experts says similar warnings should appear on high-carbon products, from airline tickets and energy bills to petrol pumps, to show consumers the health impacts of the climate crisis.

Now on demand: edie's masterclass on Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting for business

edie's 45-minutes masterclass, now on demand, saw experts from Inspired Energy outline how businesses can get to grips with the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework.

British American Tobacco targets carbon neutrality by 2030

British American Tobacco (BAT) has announced a new ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and eliminating unnecessary single-use plastics by 2025, having slashed emissions by almost 50% since 2000.

The Net-Zero Business Podcast: A deeper dive into Mitie's 2025 net-zero strategy

In response to the accelerated pace at which corporates are examining and setting net-zero targets to help alleviate the climate crisis, edie has launched a new spin-off of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast. First up on the Net-Zero Business podcast is an exclusive interview with facilities management giant Mitie.

London tops green finance rankings, for now

London has again topped a ranking list of major cities for the quality of its green finance offerings and services, but looks set to slide down the table over the coming months.

Coronavirus: London pauses ULEZ as Birmingham asks to postpone Clean Air Zone launch

In the same week that Transport for London (TfL) suspended charges for the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), Birmingham City Council has asked the UK Government for permission to postpone the launch of its Clean Air Zone.

Calls for Government to secure biomass pipeline during coronavirus outbreak

Associations from the UK's biomass fuel supply chain have called for the UK Government to ensure the sector can continue to deliver low-carbon heating to households and business facilities that are still open and under increased pressure due to the coronavirus outbreak.

UK's domestic emissions fall 3.6% as renewables take record generation share

The UK's domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions underwent a 3.6% year-on-year fall in 2019 - during which time renewable energy rose to a record 36.9% share of electricity generation.

SMEs and households to benefit from energy efficiency clean technology trials

The UK Government has backed a new digital energy efficiency platform for SMEs to receive automated advice to save energy, in the same week that a smart homes project that uses AI technology on hot water systems to generate storage capacity and manage grid demand commenced.

Nine top tips for developing and delivering a net-zero strategy

While the coronavirus outbreak is undeniably top-of-mind at present, mid-to-long-term planning for decarbonisation remains crucial in light of the global climate crisis - and, on a national basis, the UK Government's 2050 net-zero target. Here, edie rounds up nine top tips for organisations looking to develop and deliver net-zero strategies during this crucial decade.

Oxford's Zero Emission Zone launch postponed over coronavirus disruption

Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council are delaying the launch of the city-centre Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ), originally slated for December 2020, in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

EU exploring cost-benefit of 55% emissions cut by 2030

In the middle of the Covid 19 outbreak, the European Commission published last week what would have otherwise been a high-profile initiative: the launch of a cost-benefit analysis of increasing the EU's climate ambition for 2030 in view of reaching net-zero emissions by mid-century.

US clears Exxon and Chevron to dismiss shareholder climate reporting requests

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved requests from both Exxon and Chevron to reject shareholder proposals that have called on the oil and gas giants to report on how the companies are addressing climate change by aligning to the Paris Agreement.

edie explores what net-zero carbon looks like for UK utilities in new sector insight report series

Following the UK's world-leading commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, edie has launched a brand-new series of insight reports which investigate how particular industries can achieve rapid decarbonisation, starting with the utilities sector.

Link airline coronavirus rescue package to climate targets, campaigners urge

Campaigning groups have called for any Government bailout of airline companies due to the impact of the coronavirus to include conditional links for worker rights, fair taxing systems and transparent action plans on climate change.

UK's carbon footprint 21% below peak levels, latest Government figures show

The UK's total carbon footprint - a term used to cover consumption-related emissions wherever in the world they occur - fell by 21% between 2007 and 2017, new Government data has revealed.

EP100: Thai Union pledges to double energy productivity

Food production giant Thai Union has pledged to double energy productivity across the business, under The Climate Group's EP100 initiative.

UPM signs for €750m sustainability-linked loan

Finnish forest industry giant UPM has signed for a €750m (£693m) revolving credit facility, with a margin tied to its ability to meet long-term climate and biodiversity targets.

Heavy-emitting firms 'off-track' to deliver low-carbon world

More than 80% of the highest-emitting listed companies are failing to deliver emissions reductions aligned to the Paris Agreement's 2C global warming limit, with many companies also failing to account for climate mitigation and risk strategies.

Upskilling roadmap set up to decarbonise North West industrial cluster

An energy and hydrogen cluster set to be developed in the North West has pledged to create a roadmap to combat existing skills gaps for the low-carbon transition, as part of wider government plans to fully decarbonise industrial clusters in the UK.

Samsonite, Neste, make fresh carbon-neutral commitments

Luggage giant Samsonite has pledged to become a carbon-neutral company by 2025, in the same week that innovative fuel producer Neste unveiled a plan to achieve carbon-neutral production by 2035.

Chanel sets 1.5C science-based targets, pledges 100% renewable energy

Luxury fashion and fragrance giant Chanel has committed to halve its carbon emissions by 2030, under a new 1.5C-aligned set of sustainability targets.

Coronavirus vs. climate change and COP26: What happens next?

The coronavirus pandemic has brought the global economy to a standstill, with some now doubting whether the crucial climate talks scheduled for COP26 will be able to go ahead. So, asks Matt Mace, what impact would delaying the summit have on international efforts to combat the climate crisis?

Total launches France's largest energy storage project as new global battery company emerges

French energy firm Total has confirmed it will be developing France's largest energy storage system, while UK-based redT energy has announced plans to merge with a US battery company to drive global demand for heavy-duty battery technology.

JLL: Green offices more likely to bring in rent premium, less likely to sit empty

Property giant JLL has unveiled new research charting the financial benefits of investment in sustainable office buildings, including rent premium, future risk mitigation and higher tenancy rates.

TODAY AT 1PM: Join edie's webinar on achieving net-zero

Readers have only a few hours left to register for edie's net-zero webinar, which will outline some of the key elements in the field of setting goals for net-zero carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.

Houses and businesses connect to low-carbon heating network in Leeds

Households and businesses in Leeds are set to benefit from reduced energy bills and carbon emissions after being connected to a £36m district heating network that connects to the city's Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility (RERF).

UK Export Finance accused of climate 'hypocrisy' over funding

Updated: In the same week that the UK Export Finance’s (UKEF) direct lending facility has allocated more than £2bn for clean growth projects a global NGO has accused the government body of “rank hypocrisy” for breaching OECD guidelines by supporting overseas fossil fuel projects.

UN tightens carbon offsetting rules for aviation sector

The UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will introduce stricter rules on carbon offsetting for airlines next year, in a bid to reduce greenwashing and ensure robust carbon accounting.

Triodos Bank joins Tesco in funding Pod Point's EV charging rollout

Ethical finance firm Triodos Bank has joined Tesco and Volkswagen in providing funding to Pod Point to accelerate access to electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the UK, including 600 supermarket locations.

'A mixed picture': Key green economy figures react to the Budget's environmental provisions

After Chancellor Rishi Sunak opened his red budget box to reveal fresh funding for natural climate solutions and carbon capture and storage (CCS), edie rounds up what key green economy leaders make of the new financial measures for the net-zero transition.

Cornwall becomes first NHS region to set 2030 net-zero target

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly's sustainability and transformation partnership (STP), which includes all key NHS provisions across the region, has set a 2030 net-zero target in what it claims is a UK first.