Chain of custody

DEFINITION: An unbroken and documented chain of ownership all the way from the supplier to the end user.

See also: Supply chain

 

Related items

Funding from the grant will also enable the farmers to conduct their own research into soil and water usage

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.
With rates of forest loss accelerating, the private sector is under increasing pressure to increase ambition and action on forest protection 

Consumer goods giants worth $1.8trn team up to tackle deforestation

Nestle, Mars and Unilever are among the 17 multinational consumer goods firms leading a new corporate coalition dedicated to tackling deforestation, forest degradation and land conversion in supply chains.
Princes' partnership with Provenance will also see QR codes added to selected seafood products

Princes turns to QR codes and blockchain for sustainability storytelling

Princes is printing QR codes on its Napolina brand tomato products which, when scanned, will provide consumers with information about supply chain sustainability.
Water scarcity now affects more than 40% of the global population

Microsoft to become water positive by 2030

Microsoft has built on its ambitious emissions reduction targets by committing to becoming a "water positive" business by 2030, pledging to replenish more water than it uses.
Some report suggest that business compliance with the Act still falls below 50%

Big businesses face mandatory digital modern slavery reporting

The UK Government has made the first major changes to the Modern Slavery Act since its introduction in 2015, extending requirements to public bodies including local authorities and tightening rules for big businesses.
For many businesses, supply chain emissions are far greater than those attributable to operations 

Ikea, Unilever and BT spearhead net-zero supply chain initiative

Ikea, Unilever, BT, Ericsson and Telia are among the founding corporate members of a new initiative designed to help multinational supply chains align with the Paris Agreement's 1.5C trajectory.
Walmart has also pledged to protect, manage or restore at least 50 million acres of land and one million square miles of ocean by 2030

Walmart targets zero emissions by 2040, won't rely on offsetting

US retail giant Walmart has committed to becoming a zero emissions business by 2040 by pledging to become carbon neutral across its global operations without relying on carbon offsets.
The targets have now been approved by the SBTi as consistent with levels required to meet the climate goals of the Paris Agreement

Tate & Lyle has carbon goals approve by Science Based Targets initiative

Food and drink ingredient supplier Tate & Lyle has had goals to reduce operational and value chain emissions approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
A more in-depth analysis of Nespresso's carbon footprint will also be conducted by teams in the UK & Ireland

Nespresso targets carbon neutrality by 2022

Nespresso has outlined plans to reduce supply chain emissions, invest in insetting at coffee farms and purchase carbon offsets to reach carbon neutrality by 2022.
Pictured: An ROC-certified, California-based apricot farm which supplies to Patagonia Provisions. Image: Keri Oberly for Patagonia

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.
AIM, the European Brands Association, has gathered more than 85 companies to join the HolyGrail 2.0 project 

HolyGrail 2.0: Major brands sign up to explore digital watermarks to improve packaging recycling

More than 80 major European brands, including P&G, PepsiCo and Mondi will collaborate to explore the feasibility of using "digital watermarks" to improve the sorting of recyclable packaging across the European Union (EU), as part of the HolyGrail 2.0 project spearheaded by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
By 2036, the circular economy could add £35bn to the UK economy

Report: Circular economy can halve emissions of UK infrastructure projects

Transitioning to a circular economy can assist in the net-zero transition, with a new report supported by AECOM stating that carbon reductions of up to 50% can be delivered and £35bn generated for the UK economy by using closed-loop materials throughout the design process of infrastructure projects.
Pictured: Lithium mine at Salinas Grandes salt desert, Jujuy province, Argentina

EU to launch raw materials industry alliance

The European Commission will announce the launch of a new industry alliance this week, with a view to building a complete EU supply chain for raw materials like lithium, which are seen as critical for the bloc's digital and green transitions.
The global cement industry is estimated to account for 6-7% of man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually

Manufacturers aim for carbon-neutral cement by 2050

A group of the world's leading producers of cement have issued a new industry commitment to deliver carbon-neutral concrete by 2050.
Supply chains are a major source of emissions for the fashion sector

Report: Global fashion sector will emit double its Paris Agreement limit by 2030

The global fashion sector is currently generating more emissions each year than the UK, Germany and France combined, and will fail to align with the Paris Agreement without transformational change over the next decade.
Pictured: A small cobalt mine in the DRC. Image: Fairphone

Businesses including Glencore launch joint bid to improve conditions in cobalt supply chains

A coalition of businesses including Signify, Glencore and Fairphone have launched a joint initiative to improve the economic, working and social conditions of those working in the cobalt supply chain.
The legislation would apply only to large businesses, with supermarkets, FMCG brands and fashion majors likely to be among the most affected 

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).
The technology could improve the traceability of the "first mile" of the supply chain.

Unilever trials geolocation tech to tackle deforestation in palm oil supply chains

Unilever is piloting new geolocation technology in a bid to ensure it meets its zero-deforestation targets, which cover supply chains including palm oil, soy and paper and board.

#SustyTalk: P&G's James McCall on nature-based climate solutions

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with Procter & Gamble's (P&G) senior director of global climate and supply chain sustainability James McCall, who provides exclusive insight into the firm's new emissions targets.
McCain is also supporting British potato growers from the impacts of Covid-19

McCain to invest £25m to support sustainable farming

The UK's largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, McCain, has today (12 August) launched a new £25m investment to support British potato farmers during the coronavirus pandemic by encouraging sustainable growing practices.
Diageo updated its goals in 2015, to align them with the SDGs. Image: Diageo

Diageo celebrates halving emissions since 2007

Beverage giant Diageo has exceeded a 2020 sustainability target of halving its direct operations since 2007, after investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
60% of the products listed on ASOS are from third-party brands

After ditching Boohoo, ASOS sets new sustainability and ethics requirements for brands

ASOS will require third-party fashion brands to comply with new ethical manufacturing and supply chain sustainability standards if they wish to be listed on its website, after it dropped Boohoo over allegations of human rights abuses at a supplier factory.
The download explains everything you need to know about the growing importance of tackling Scope 3 emissions

Get to grips with Scope 3 emissions using edie's new Explains guide for businesses

edie has published a new explains guide, detailing everything businesses need to know to measure and act on scope 3 emissions.
The company’s 17 production sites generate, on average 7g of carbon per dollar of sales. Image: HelloFresh

HelloFresh to offset entire carbon footprint

Meal kit provider HelloFresh has announced its intention to offset 100% of carbon emissions from internal operations and offices, corporate travel and deliveries.
The supply chain can account for more than 90% of a company's environmental footprint

Scope 3 and the supply chain: How businesses are taking sustainability leadership to a new frontier

Not too long ago, sustainable leadership was defined by those 'getting their own house in order' through emissions reductions, but as the pace required to reduce emissions grows, so too does the efforts from businesses to assist the supply chain in decarbonising. Here, edie looks at some of the transformational ways businesses are engaging with suppliers.
ITV has committed to Albert certification for programmes across all of its channels, and aims to achieve this by the end of 2021

ITV commits to 46% reduction in emissions through 1.5C science-based targets

Broadcaster ITV has outlined new targets to reduce emissions by more than 46%, reach 100% renewables and certify its studios and programmes to sustainability standards.

edie Explains: Scope 3 carbon emissions

What are Scope 3 emissions? How are they calculated? How can they be mitigated and reduced? And, what are the business benefits of doing so? This free edie Explains guide gives you everything you need to know.
Regenerative Organic farming builds healthy soil to trap in more carbon and the Certification also focuses on social prosperity for farmers

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.
Microsoft has set aside $1bn to help develop carbon reduction and removal technologies across its supply chain

Microsoft targeting one million tonnes of carbon removal by October

Microsoft has unveiled plans to capture one million metric tonnes of carbon from the environment by the end of the fiscal year, as part of its commitment to become carbon-negative by 2030.
Of the freshwater used by humanity each year, 70% is attributable to agriculture. Image: Cargill

Cargill pledges to restore 600 billion litres of water by 2030

Food and agribusiness giant Cargill has pledged to dramatically improve water management practices across its operations and priority watersheds in its supply chain by - a move it claims will restore 600 billion litres of water within a decade.
Apple has committed to sharing its approach and progress towards carbon neutrality through a roadmap that will be shared with other companies

Apple targets net-zero emissions across operations, value chain and products

Apple has announced major plans to become net-zero emissions across its business, supply chains and products by 2030, pledging to reduce emissions by 75% and develop carbon removal solutions for the remaining 25%.
P&G is partnering with NGOs to restore, protect and improve habitats including the Atlantic Forest.  Image: WWF US/ Adriano Gambarini 

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.
Comparisons have repeatedly been drawn between Covid-19 and the climate crisis, with businesses observing issues such as air pollution and supply chain stewardship in a new light

Three-quarters of UK businesses 'reconsidering their environmental credentials due to Covid-19'

In a survey of 500 UK-based business decision-makers, almost three-quarters (72%) said that the pandemic has made them reconsider the environmental credentials of their organisation.
As a 'non-essential' industry, fashion is still feeling the fallout of the pandemic

Fast fashion giants face mounting pressure to protect supply chain workers through Covid-19

Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists are gathering on London's Oxford Street this week to urge fast fashion brands to financially support suppliers overseas throughout the pandemic, as media exposés drawing links between Leicester's Covid-19 spike and its garment manufacturing industry emerge.

#SustyTalk: PepsiCo's Chris Daly on climate action in the time of Covid-19

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with PepsiCo Europe's vice president for supply chain, Chris Daly, who provides insight as to how the food & beverage sector is managing the twin challenges of Covid-19 and climate action.
innocent's sustainability cheerleader Katie Leggett talks edie through the report

'Good all round': Exploring Innocent Drinks' first sustainability report

EXCLUSIVE: Innocent drinks has launched its first "good all round" report, the company's innovative take on the traditional sustainability report outlining progress against its carbon-neutral, circular economy and staff engagement ambitions.
LRS has already reduced emissions through investments in CHP, recycled materials and distribution centre consolidation

Lucozade Ribena Suntory targets net-zero value chain by 2050

Beverage giant Lucozade Ribena Suntory (LRS) has pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its entire multinational value chain by mid-century. 
Image: Stribrohorak, CC BY 3.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Doln%C3%AD_Dolce_K._Are%C3%A1l_Kimberly-Clark.jpg 

Kimberly-Clark vows to halve emissions by 2030

Kimberly-Clark has pledged to halve its direct, power-related and supply chain emissions by 2030, as part of a string of new climate targets approved by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
Deforestation will be mitigated through supply chain engagement, recycled material sourcing and investment in innovation

World Rainforest Day: Dozens of retailers commit to deforestation-free fashion supply chains

Ralph Lauren, Ted Baker, Sainsbury's and Asda are among a coalition of 45 major businesses jointly pledging to eliminate deforestation from their fashion supply chains, as part of a collaborative initiative coordinated by non-profit Canopy.
The new commitments will also focus on supply chain emissions and regenerative practices 

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.
No company assessed could prove that workers across the supply chain had the right to unionise

World's largest ICT companies failing to tackle human rights abuses in supply chains

In a new analysis of how the world's 49 largest ICT businesses are protecting against human rights abuses in their supply chains, the average score is just 30%.
The tool's purpose is to give brands and retailers deeper insight into environmental impacts at all tiers of their supply chains

Google partners with WWF on digital data platform for sustainable fashion sourcing

Google has joined forces with WWF to develop an environmental data platform for sourcing professionals in the fashion industry, providing them information on the pollution and emissions impact of their business decisions.
The coronavirus pandemic has added additional strains on an already under-pressure sector

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.
Beck's brewery, Bremen, Germany

AB InBev launches sustainable supplier platform

The world's largest brewer, AB InBev has unveiled a new supplier forum to assist with environmental stewardship across the value chain, giving suppliers the option to receive educational materials to help reduce emissions and lower water usage.
BT has also reached some key sustainability targets

BT launches innovation platform and UK electric fleet alliance

BT has today (1 June) launched two new platforms to help accelerate green innovation in the UK and drive the adoption of electric vehicle (EV) fleets, both of which the tech giant believes will contribute to a green post-Covid19 recovery for the UK.
Klyk has joined the O2 Direct Partner Network, where it will offer its closed-loop solution to O2 clients 

O2 targets e-waste with new Klyk partnership

O2 has agreed to a new partnership with technology refurbishment start-up Klyk to tackle the growing issue of electronic waste (e-waste) in the sector.
The pricing of an $800m revolving credit facility, which was extended last month, has been linked to its waste, water and carbon targets

Tate & Lyle to cut emissions by 30% by 2030

Food and drink ingredient supplier Tate & Lyle has published a new set of environmental targets, pledging to reduce operational emissions by 30% by 2030 and a 15% reduction in value chain emissions.
Iceland is launching a national rollout of a successful trial that gave store colleagues the option to take surplus food home from stores at the end of the day. Image: Iceland/Webershandwick 

Iceland cuts food waste by 23%, aims for 50% reduction by 2030

Retailer Iceland has revealed it has reduced food waste by almost a quarter in the past two years, having reduced wastage by around 2,500 tonnes through redistribution schemes as the company targets a 50% reduction by 2030.
CDP has found that the average company’s supply chain emissions are estimated to be around five-and-a-half times greater than those generated by their direct operations

Number of companies requesting supplier environment data jumps by a quarter

The number of companies calling on their supplier to disclose environmental data to CDP has increased by 24% in a year, with more than 150 organisations now taking proactive steps to gain more understanding of the environmental impacts of their supply chains.
Conde Nast has also launched a new Sustainable Fashion Glossary, which will act as a new resource to help outline the fashion industry’s role in combatting the climate emergency

Conde Nast to become carbon-neutral by 2030

Global fashion media company Conde Nast, which owns brands including Vogue and GQ, has committed to becoming a carbon-neutral company by 2030 while committing to educate its audience on the climate emergency.

The decentralised energy toolkit for business

This free Decentralised Energy Toolkit breaks down how organisations can utilise distributed energy solutions to take control of their energy use and realise various competitive and environmental benefits – from increased energy resilience and better efficiency to reduced emissions, lower costs and new revenue streams.

#SustyTalk: AB InBev's Ezgi Barcenas on sustainability innovation during lockdown

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with brewer AB InBev's global vice president for sustainability Ezgi Barcenas discussing how the supply chain engagement will change as a result of the coronavirus and how innovation can help unlock a new green economy.
The podcast features three exclusive interviews

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Engagement, communicating and sustainability reporting

Episode 85 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast takes place during a week of action around sustainability engagement. As such, edie speaks to experts from Nespresso, Thai Union and Mondi on how to engage with supply chains and excel at sustainability reporting.
Lewis was speaking to edie as part of our ENGAGE week of content

Why science, society and sustainability will matter more for business post-pandemic

Ball Corporation's President for Beverage Packaging Europe, Middle East & Africa, Ron Lewis outlines his thoughts on why sustainability will continue to be an important boardroom topic post-pandemic, and why a focus on society and the environment will be a focus moving forward.
Greene King was the first pub to launch a partnership with the food redistribution app Too Good To Go 

Greene King reaches zero-waste-to-landfill status

Greene King has become the first UK pub chain to achieve the Carbon Trust’s Zero Waste to Landfill Standard, after diverting all waste streams away from landfill across its 1,700 managed pubs.
The company has developed a Life Cycle Assessment tool with third-party experts to evaluate the carbon impact of every process across the value chain

Allbirds running shoe made from renewable materials to feature 'carbon count' label

B Corp Allbirds has debuted a new running shoe made from renewable and natural materials and is the first product from the company to feature a physical "carbon count" label, detailing the lifecycle emissions of the product to consumers.
Yorkshire Tea worked with TIST (The International Small Group and Tree Planting Programme) to encourage smallholder tea farmers to plant fruit and nut trees around tea gardens

Yorkshire Tea achieves carbon-neutral certification for operations and products

Yorkshire Tea has announced that all its products are carbon neutral from field to shelf, following a five-year programme to reduce emissions across its supply chain and operations.
Jacobs' climate action plan has outlined steps to set science-based targets

Jacobs and CMS UK unveil net-zero targets

Engineering firm Jacobs has unveiled a new climate action plan that commits the company to reach net-zero emissions across operations and business travel by the end of the year, while UK law firm CMS has set a net-zero target for 2025, backed by science-based targets.
To date, 861 companies have committed to science-based targets to reduce emissions

Refinitiv, JLL and Ball unveil 1.5C science-based carbon commitments

Refinitiv has committed to setting science-based targets to reduce emissions in alignment with the Paris Agreement, while manufacturer Ball and real estate firm JLL have confirmed that their targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The coronavirus has exposed a lack of focus on supply chain sustainability

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?
The natural pulp is produced at biorefineries that utilise recovery mechanisms to reuse energy.

John Lewis unveils sustainable womenswear collection

John Lewis & Partners has teamed up with luxury sustainable womenswear brand Mother of Pearl to launch a new sustainable clothing collection made from organic cotton and certified renewable wood fibre sources.
From digging through the data to help you communicate to exploring long-term resiliency, there are lots of important tasks for sustainability professionals during lockdown

Six key areas of focus for sustainability professionals during lockdown

It's been almost a month since the UK Government introduced lockdown measures in response to Covid-19 and has since announced a further three-week extension to social distancing. As such, edie offers some best-practice advice for sustainability professionals to keep focusing on the climate battle during the pandemic.
The webinar is available to watch on-demand for those who register

Available to watch on-demand: Climate-resilient supply chains webinar featuring BT and HPE

edie's latest webinar, focused on how businesses can build sustainable, climate-resilient supply chains featuring expert insight from sustainability professionals from BT, HPE, Project X Global and UL. It is now available to watch on-demand.
The Planetary Computer will combine satellite imagery with an AI platform to provide data on global ecosystems and to deliver predictive models and estimates of global carbon stocks

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.
In 2010 companies such as Mars, Hershey, Nestle and Cargill pledged to reduce the worst forms of child labour in their West African supply chains by 70% by 2020

Child labour on the rise in cocoa supply chains

Cases of child labour occurring in the cocoa supply chain are rumoured to have increased by 2% to more than two million children, according to a draft US Government report, while big businesses in the sector have been ranked on approaches to supply chain engagement.
The company is also part of a coalition of environmental consultancies that have set up a new net-zero pledge campaign

AECOM shoots for 20% reduction in emissions through approved science-based targets

Engineering and construction firm AECOM has revealed that targets to reduce operational emissions by 20% and value chain emissions by 10% by 2025 have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as aligned to the requirements of the Paris Agreement.
Haverkamp claims that firms which do not see supply chains as value chains are worst-placed in both the short and long-term 

WBA: Companies with embedded sustainability best-placed to weather coronavirus storm

EXCLUSIVE: Reports of business failures to safeguard employee livelihoods or the environment amid the coronavirus pandemic are emerging at a near-hourly basis - and those best-placed to avoid the impending storm from consumers and investors are those that have already taken ambitious action.
Between 1990 and 2016, the world lost 502,000 square miles of forest, according to the World Bank—an area larger than South Africa

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.
The overall Cocoa Life sourcing programme aims to eventually reach more than 200,000 farmers across six countries and benefit more than a million people by 2022

Mondelēz increases transparency drive to combat supply chain deforestation

Mondelēz International, which owns brands including Cadbury and Dairy Milk, has increased a transparency drive on farms in the world's largest two cocoa-producing countries that are registered under the firm's ethical and sustainable sourcing programme.
2016 figures estimate there are 13,000 victims of modern slavery in the UK

UK Government publishes statement to tackle modern slavery across its supply chain

The UK has become the first country to publish a statement outlining how the Government will tackle modern slavery across its supply chain and spending measures.
The council, hosted by the REA, has called for full reassurance that UK production, imports and transportation remain open

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.
The Investor Alliance for Human Rights has penned a letter to the 95 companies calling for the businesses to take decisive action before the next assessment of the benchmark

Investors write to businesses calling for action on human rights

Hundreds of investors have written to global companies deemed to be performing poorly on human rights indicators, calling for immediate action to improve standards across operations and value chains.

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.

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.
O2 has been certified to the highest possible level of supply chain management to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by Carbon Trust

O2 gives suppliers offer to purchase renewables at reduced rates

Telecommunications giant O2 will extend a reduced rate that is using to purchase renewable energy to power its operations to suppliers in a bid progress against its recently announced net-zero emissions target.
Globally, the built environment accounts for around 40% of emissions

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.
Lidl GB has pledged that all own-brand plastics packaging will include a minimum of 50% recycled content by 2025

Lidl to use 'ocean-bound' plastics in seafood packaging

Lidl will begin incorporating "ocean-bound" plastics in packaging used to house 13 of its seafood lines next month, in what it claims is a first for a UK supermarket.
The global palm oil industry generates more than $50bn annually, but traditional plantations have driven widespread destruction of tropical rainforests

Kellogg's revamps deforestation and palm oil policies after environmental protests

Kellogg's has pledged to source 100% physically deforestation-free certified palm oil by 2025, following campaigns by green groups and schoolchildren.
The strategy also commits to a year-on-year reduction of construction waste

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.
The trials will explore how easy it is for baristas and customers to use the collection and drop off systems and how well the recovery of items is delivered

McDonald's and Starbucks back 'smart' reusable cup trials in California

The cities of San Francisco and Palo Alto are set to trial "smart" reusable cup systems developed with support from McDonald's and Starbucks, in a bid to reduce the amount of single-use coffee cups that are being sent to landfill.
Burberry has set a targeted 30% absolute reduction in scope 3 emissions by 2030. 

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.
Sky will target a 50% absolute reduction in emissions by 2030

Dissecting the challenge: How Sky is approaching its net-zero target

EXCLUSIVE: Sky is facing the daunting task of engaging with 11,000 companies and 24 million customers as part of its new commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. The group's head of responsible business Fiona Ball outlines how Sky is "dissecting" this target to manage the transformation.
Companies assessed have sizeable links to the world's six most at-risk supply chains, in regards to deforestation. 

Report: Half of world's largest businesses haven't pledged to end supply chain deforestation

Of the 350 corporates and 150 investor bodies with the world's highest involvement in supply chains with high deforestation risks, around half have not publicly committed to eliminate deforestation from their value chains.
Sky has recorded a 55% reduction in carbon intensity and a 39% reduction in business travel emissions

'A critical decade': Sky commits to net-zero emissions by 2030

Broadcaster Sky has today (4 February) unveiled a new commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 through strategies to make its products more energy efficient, its film and TV more sustainable and by engaging consumers and the value chain to "go zero".
The sessions are available to watch on-demand

From measurement to action: Five best-practice lessons on going plastic-free

Having taken place on 16 January, edie's Plastic-Free Power Hour webinar included a collection of best-practice examples of sector-leading organisations taking control of their plastics-use - and delivering real organisational change. Here, we reflect on the key takeaways from the session.
Water and emissions targets were found to be particularly lacking, while efforts on climate disclosures remained low. Image: Ceres-FAIRR 

Fast food firms failing to face up to climate challenges, investment giants warn

Some of the world's biggest fast food brands including Domino's, Chipotle and Burger King are failing to take "real" action on environmental issues including climate change and water.
The Partnership has also warned that organisations and investment managers that fail to demonstrate reduced exposure to climate risks could be voted against 

Brunel Pension Partnership launches new finance strategy to align with net-zero future

The group overseeing £30bn worth of investments for 10 local government pension scheme funds has pledged to align its management practices with the Paris Agreement.
Trials of the bags collected a range of debris, from plastic bags to discarded plastic fishing gear, known as ghost gear 

Fishing for Plastic: Asda helps seafood suppliers collect ocean plastic pollution

Asda has unveiled plans to equip all of its seafood suppliers' boats with equipment that will enable workers to collect plastic pollution while bringing in the catch.
Unlike previous ambitions, Microsoft's new target covers Scope 3 emissions. Pictured: Microsoft's flagship UK store on Oxford Street, London. 

'Transformation through transparency': How Microsoft will collaborate to meet its carbon-negative goals

EXCLUSIVE: As it strives to meet its boldest sustainability target to date - becoming "carbon-negative" by 2030 - Microsoft will need to forge innovative collaborations with businesses across and beyond its supply chain.
The tree-planting campaign will be launched in partner cities around the world, including London, New York, Stockholm, Helsinki, Ankara and Barcelona

Priceless Planet: Investor coalition pledges to plant 100 million trees

A group of global investors, including Mastercard, Citibank and Santander UK, have launched a new coalition focused on making investments that preserve and restore the environment, starting with a pledge to plant 100 million trees in the next five years.
Palm oil is found in the majority of supermarket goods, but has been cited as a key driver of deforestation in Asia 

Biggest food brands 'failing goals to banish palm oil deforestation'

Some of the world's biggest brands are failing in their commitments to banish deforestation from their supply chains through their use of palm oil, despite making public claims to environmental sustainability, according to two reports.
Microsoft will launch a $1bn climate innovation fund, using its own capital, to help develop carbon reduction and removal technologies

'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.
The two organisations have called on businesses to turn to staff engagement programmes and pilots of new innovations and setups to change behaviours

Report: One in five UK businesses not motivated by environmental impact of plastics

Keep Britain Tidy and Brita UK have called on UK businesses to explore behaviour change and staff engagement initiatives to accelerate action on single-use plastics, after their survey found that 20% of businesses are 'not at all' motivated by the environmental impacts of the plastics they use.
The Business Leadership Inspiration Sessions are being held during edie's Mission Possible Plastics Week 2020 (13-18 January)

Single-use plastics: Two weeks left to register for free online event

Registration is now open for an afternoon of live, interactive webinar presentations and discussions from companies such as Eurostar, Nestlé and Sky on Thursday 16 January - all dedicated to helping businesses collaborate, innovate and actuate to eliminate single-use plastics.

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.

CDP: Corporates could save a gigaton of emissions by championing renewables in supply chains

If key suppliers to the world's largest corporations used 20% more renewable energy than they do at present, one billion metric tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions would be mitigated.

M&S launches digital viscose map to boost fashion supply chain transparency

Retail giant Marks & Spencer (M&S) has launched a digital map highlighting all textile suppliers through which it sources man-man cellulosic fibres (MMCF) including viscose.
Ikea is aiming to generate more renewable power than it consumes in operations by 2020, and to cover all of its supply chains by 2030. Image: Inter Ikea Group

Ikea to invest £171m in nature and clean power under 'climate positive' pledge

Ikea has today (27 November) unveiled a new €200m (£171m) investment package aimed at helping the retailer deliver on its commitment to become 'climate-positive' by 2030.
The report claims companies to have used CV factories are allowing their manufacturers to deliver viscose-based products with little information on their origin or environmental impact

Fashion retailers delivering mixed progress on 'damaging' viscose supply chains

High-street retailers New Look and Morrisons have joined the likes of Inditex, ASOS, H&M and Tesco in signing up to a new sustainability roadmap to ensure they are sourcing sustainable viscose that doesn't contribute to environmental pollution, but luxury fashion brands have been named as laggards.
The challenge calls for businesses to invest in “nature-based solutions” such as enhancing biodiversity and reforestation to act as carbon sinks

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.