Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

DEFINITION: A concept which encourages a company to take responsibility for its impact on environmental and social wellbeing. CSR is a broad movement which encompasses a variety of issues such as human rights, corporate governance, responsible sourcing and environmental footprints.

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edie spoke to ITV's senior manager of Social Purpose Julia Giannini. Image: ITV

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.

The sustainability communications handbook: Engaging with different audiences

Communication is a vital component of any organisation’s strategy – and an aspect which businesses of all sizes and sectors will have to continually fine-tune as digitisation progresses. Similarly, sustainability is now widely considered to be a business-critical consideration and a must-have for staff, consumers and investors alike.
For the gold to be verified, miners have to pledge to use low-impact techniques and restore the local habitat when they are finished at their sites. Image: Apple

Apple to upscale sourcing of 'habitat-positive' gold

Apple has revealed that it sourced 1,000 ounces of gold from miners working to restore natural habitats this year, up from just 25 ounces last year.
Steve began his sustainability career at Hammerson and has now been with the BBC for almost four years

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Steve Burgess, BBC

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: Steve Burgess, sustainability manager at the BBC.

The biggest school climate strike to date, on March 15, garnered the support of 1.4 million students in 112 countries  

RIBA backs school climate strikes as Greta Thunberg sets sail across Atlantic

The President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Ben Derbyshire, has urged architects across the UK to stand in solidarity with students taking part in the SchoolStrike4Climate movement next month.
The edie podcast returns for episode 69. Images: Stuffstr (bottom) and Landor

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Ocean waste Volleyball and Coffee pod bike trips

The latest episode of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast sees the edie team look out how ghost fishing gear is making waves in the world of Volleyball, as well as how takeback schemes and recycled coffee pods are reinventing business models.
Pictured: Goldsmiths' new warden Professor Frances Corner (L) speaking to allotment coordinator and senior lecturer for fine arts Dr Ros Gray (R) 

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.
This weekly round-up explores how organisations across the world are ramping up efforts in all fields of sustainable development

BP's Chinese EV chargers and circular football pitches: 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.
(L-R) Presenter Chris Large, partner, Global Action Plan,Scottish Power’s Craig Bradley and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Employee Engagement & Behaviour Change - Scottish Power

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 Employee Engagement & Behaviour Change Award, Scottish Power.
(L-R) Presenter Chris Large, partner, Global Action Plan,Scottish Power’s Craig Bradley and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Employee Engagement & Behaviour Change - Scottish Power

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 Employee Engagement & Behaviour Change Award, Scottish Power.
Take a look through our full rankings below to see where your team stands on sustainability

Every Premier League team ranked (by sustainability)

As Premier League clubs scramble to secure deals before the end of Transfer Deadline Day, edie explores exactly what each of them are doing to champion sustainability.
Before moving to Wessex Water in 2017, Olivia worked for EcoSurety while studying part-time for her masters

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.

The report comes as climate demonstrations continue across the UK. Image: Extinction Rebellion

UK needs sustainability act to avert economic collapse, says IPPR

Britain needs an overarching new sustainability law to bolster natural life-support systems and prevent economic and social collapse, according to proposals from one of the country's most influential left-wing think tanks.

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.
Pictured: One of Molson Coors' 'showcase barley valleys'

Better Beer: Inside Molson Coors' $20m mission to climate-proof its supply chain

Over the past decade, Molson Coors has spent more than $20m on initiatives to bolster supply chain stability, with the ultimate aim of 'future-proofing' its key resource - barley. Here, edie explores how that funding has redefined best practice for the US-based brewing giant.
ITV had told edie that roadmaps for these targets will be published next year. Image: James West Flickr www.flickr.com/photos/jameswest/ 

ITV commits to 1.5C science-based target after reaching carbon-neutral status

Months after it became a carbon-neutral business, broadcaster ITV has unveiled a plethora of new sustainability pledges, including committing to a 1.5C science-based target, purchasing 100% renewables and removing all single-use plastics in operations, productions and the supply chain.
(L-R) Presenter Matthew Farrow, executive director,Environmental Industries Commission, Forster Communications’ Peter Gilheany and Amanda Powell- Smith and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Consultancy - Forster Communications

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 Consultancy of the Year Award, Forster Communications.
Rachel has worked at Selfridges' for more than five years, having gradually added more environmental and ethical responsibilities to her day-to-day duties

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Rachel Hammond, Selfridges

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: Rachel Hammond, Selfridges' product and sourcing manager, sustainability.

The survey cohort included a mix of big-name corporates and independent SMEs 

Survey: Retailers believe transformational sustainability will take years to achieve

Two-thirds of UK retailers believe it will take three years or more to transform their business models, processes, operations and products for holistic sustainability, a new survey has found.
Take a look through all of the month's most-read news stories, and click the links below to read them for yourself

Johnson's green credentials and London Climate Action Week: Top 10 sustainability stories of July 2019

As July comes to a close, we take a look back at a month packed full of sustainability and energy news. This round up includes Boris Johnson's green credentials, what his cabinet reshuffle means for sustainable business, and Paul Polman's new venture.
Three-quarters of Unilever's 2018 turnover growth was accounted for by brands in its Sustainable Living portfolio

Unilever warns it will sell off brands that hurt the planet or society

Unilever has warned it will sell off brands that do not contribute positively to society, with British favourite Marmite and Magnum ice-cream among the big names thought to be vulnerable to a cull linked to the company's sustainable business agenda.
The EU’s lending arm financed oil, gas and coal projects in 2018 with more than €2.4bn

EIB plans to cut all funding for fossil fuel projects by 2020

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has vowed to end its multibillion-euro financing for fossil fuel projects by the end of next year in order to align its strategy with climate targets.
This weekly round-up explores how organisations across the world are ramping up efforts in all fields of sustainable development

Hallmark's recycled cards and Tate's climate emergency: 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.
This episode features interviews with Mondi and Kimberly-Clark

Sustainable Business Covered: Sustainability moonshots and Earth Overshoot Day

The Sustainable Business Covered podcast returns, and just in time to reflect on new Prime Minister Boris Johnson, ti discuss Earth Overshoot Day and interview packaging experts at Kimberly-Clark and Mondi on plastic phase-outs.
The roundtable was chaired by Business in the Community’s environmental director Gudrun Cartwright and included 16 other sustainability and climate leaders

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.
(L-R) WWF UK’s Dan Murray, Thai Union’s Tracy Cambridge, presenter Sally Uren OBE, chief executive, Forum for the Future, and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet edie's 2019 Sustainable Supply Chain champions: Thai Union and WWF

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 winners of our 2019 Sustainable Supply Chains Award, Thai Union and WWF.
The APPG is made up of MPs from all major political parties, including Conservative, Labour and SNP

H&M, Primark and Arcadia back new Parliamentary group on sustainable fashion

A coalition of big-name fashion retailers, as well as charities and academics, have voiced their support for a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) working to make the UK's fashion sector more sustainable.
The survey covered businesses of all sizes across all major sectors 

HSBC: Investment in sustainability becoming mainstream for UK businesses

Against a backdrop of new green legislation and increasing consumer demand for low-carbon, resource-efficient products and services, almost half of UK businesses are planning to up their sustainability-related investments over the next two years.
(L-R) Presenter Azhar Zaman, head of direct sales, CTRL Print, innocent team and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet edie's Sustainability Team of the Year 2019: Innocent Drinks

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: our Sustainability Team of 2019 from Innocent Drinks.
Pictured: Glastonbury in 2017, before its plastics 'ban'

Quiz: How much do you know about sustainable festivals?

With festival season now in full swing, many of us will be either heading off for a long weekend of music or watching big-name artists longingly on catch-up TV. But how much do you know about the environmental impacts of festivals?
The members of the 17-strong taskforce were unveiled on Thursday (18 July)

Government-led taskforce of business leaders to bolster supply chain sustainability

The UK Government has launched a new "taskforce" aimed at helping businesses decarbonise their supply chains and operate within the planetary boundaries in regard to natural resources.
Stuart oversees Clarks'compliance for SECR, CRC, ESOS and Producer Responsibility, as well as its alignment with the SDGs

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Stuart Gascoigne, Clarks

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: Stuart Gascoigne, global energy & waste manager at shoe giant Clarks.

The publication of the study comes in the same week that Extinction Rebellion has kick-started its summer wave of protests 

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.
The majority of high-street clothes are currently made from textile blends, which are hard to recycle and commonly contain fossil-fuel-derived content

Zara pledges 100% 'sustainable' fabrics by 2025

Fashion chain Zara is set to switch all collections to 100% "sustainable" fabrics by the start of 2025.
Maya Bay in Thailand (pictured) attracted 5,000 tourists a day before the government closed the area over environmental concerns

Environmental damage of tourism comes under MPs' spotlight

Holidaymakers' responsibility for foul beaches, overcrowding, traffic, aeroplane emissions and other environmental impacts will come under parliamentary scrutiny.
Gloucestershire University (pictured) received the highest overall score, 80.6%, across the league table's 11 criteria 

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.
For Burberry, 1.5C was the intended target from the outset

How Burberry joined the business elite in setting a 1.5C science-based target

EXCLUSIVE: As Burberry became the latest corporate to set a science-based target aligned to the Paris Agreement's most ambitious pathway, the company's vice president of corporate responsibility outlined how the goal was set, and what happens next.
CDP has warned that investors will increasingly begin asking for forestry information, leaving companies with weak disclosure records in this space at a disadvantage 

CDP: Food and retail giants failing to disclose forest impacts

CDP has criticised a string of big-name brands including Ikea, Sports Direct and Domino's Pizza for failing to provide data on their forest impacts.
This round-up details how businesses and local authorities are ramping up ambitions and actions across all areas of sustainable development

Toyota's solar Prius and bee-friendly bus stops: 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.
An average of 39,000 people visit the Wimbledon Grounds each day throughout the event 

How sustainable is Wimbledon 2019?

With the summer's biggest tennis event set to draw to a close on Sunday (14 July), edie explores whether the Wimbledon organisers have aced their sustainability efforts in the face of the 'Climate Emergency'.
(L-R) Presenter Liz Goodwin OBE, Director of food loss & waste, World Resources Institute, Janice Lao and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet edie's Sustainability Leader 2019: Janice Lao, The Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels

With entries now open for edie'sSustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series will showcase the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveal their secrets to success. First up: Janice Lao, director of CR at The Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels and our Sustainability Leader of the Year.
Joshua has been with Multiplex for around four years and has been tasked with delivering the sustainability requirements of large developments across London

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Joshua Davies, Multiplex

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: Joshua Davies, sustainability manager at construction giant Multiplex.

100 board-level employees at the UK's largest companies were surveyed by IPSOS Mori, on behalf of the Carbon Trust

Survey: Two-thirds of UK businesses will include climate risks in this year's financial reports

Two-thirds of the UK's largest 100 companies are planning to incorporate climate risks in their annual financial or combined report this year as client, investor and customer demand for transparency on sustainability issues grow.
The EU has committed to support the SDGs, but its Council claims more could be done on a national level to accelerate progress

EU Council calls on Member States to embed SDGs in national strategies

The Council of the European Union (EU) is urging the bloc and its member states to place the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework at the heart of their national and international environmental and economic strategies.
The entry deadline is Friday 27 September 2019, with the Awards then taking place on the night of 5 February 2020 at the Park Plaza London, Westminster. 

edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020 open for entries

Entries for edie's 2020 Sustainability Leaders Awards are now officially open, with some exciting new categories added to the scheme which recognises excellence across the spectrum of sustainable business.   
The natural capital costs associated with the crystal was found to be markedly lower than diamond, gold and silver

Swarovski turns to natural capital accounting to measure environmental impact

Jewellery giant Swarovski has calculated the monetary value of the natural resources used to produce its namesake crystals, in a move towards its overarching aim to supply "the world's most transparent crystal".
More than 9,000 companies and investors with more than $4trn in assets have pledged their support to the SDGs

Paul Polman co-founds Imagine venture to drive corporate action towards SDGs

Ex-Unilever chief executive Paul Polman has launched a new global initiative aimed at combatting poverty and climate change as part of efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Hundreds of climate-related events took place across London 

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: The London Climate Action Week relay

Episode 67 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast sees the edie team travel to numerous events during London Climate Action Week, securing exclusive interviews with the Green Finance Institute, Microsoft, the Green Alliance and more.
Jess has been at Little Freddie for just over a year and has previously worked in the food supply chain, environmental consultancy and environmental justice spaces

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Jess Ainley, Little Freddie

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: Jess Ainley, environmental & sustainability manager at organic baby food firm Little Freddie.

The latest report states that three kilometres of the 25km tunnel have been constructed

Tideway's super sewer project is slashing transport emissions and combatting plastic pollution

The annual report for the Tideway super sewer project has revealed that more than 110,000 heavy goods vehicle journeys have been avoided and that more than 33,000 plastic bottles have been collected from the Thames river.
Wedberg wants Sandvik employees to collectively submit 100,000 ideas for green innovations by 2030 

Sandvik: Employees are 'crucial' for embedding sustainability

EXCLUSIVE: As it develops a roadmap for its ambitious new 2030 targets on carbon and resources, engineering giant Sandvik's group head of sustainability believes that input from employees will be "crucial" for making the shifts needed to align with the Paris Agreement.
Best Buy will place a greater focus on the energy efficiency of its products through the ENERGY STAR programme. Image: Best Buy

Best Buy to slash customer emissions by 20% as part of science-based targets

Electronics retailer Best Buy has unveiled science-based goals to decrease its own emissions by 75%, its customers' emissions by 20% and save $5bn on utility costs by 2030.
This weekly round-up details how businesses are ramping up their ambitions and actions across all areas of sustainable development 

Calls for clean power and cheese-waste-powered heat: 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.
The trade organisations behind the recommendations collectively represent the majority of the four million people employed in the UK’s food and drink industry

Food and drink giants press for long-term policies on decarbonisation and circularity

A collection of more than 30 organisations across the UK's food and drink supply chain have urged Ministers to bolster policies around long-term decarbonisation, climate resilience and resource efficiency for the sector.
HP announced a plethora of new goals in the 2018 report. Image: HP

HP unveils revised science-based targets, 100% renewables aim and 35% sustainable revenue growth

Revamped science-based targets, a 35% year-on-year growth in revenue through sustainable impact and commitments to source more recycled plastic content and 100% renewables have all been outlined in HP's latest sustainability report.
The EAC's recommendations were developed during a six-month inquiry that heard from businesses, green groups and academics 

Government rejects mandatory environmental targets for big-name fashion brands

Recommendations for mandatory carbon, waste and water targets to be applied to all large fashion businesses in the UK have been thrown out by the Government, despite continued calls to action from MPs.
Henry initially began his career in hospitality management before joining BaxterStorey's four-strong sustainability team

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Henry Cawson, BaxterStorey

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: Henry Cawson, sustainability manager at BaxterStorey.

The demand for disclosure has been sent to 707 firms, including Chevron, Volvo, BP and Amazon

Investors grill business giants over non-disclosure of environmental impacts

A coalition of big-name businesses including BP, Amazon and Exxon Mobil are being targeted by a coalition of investors demanding that they disclose more information on their environmental impacts.
Switzerland topped the league table for sustainable business. Pictured: Schweizer Zucker's Aarberg sugar factory 

KPMG: European firms leading global drive for sustainable business

European business majors have been ranked among the most ambitious when it comes to tackling climate challenges - and the most prepared for adapting to the risks global warming poses - in a new report by KPMG.
This weekly round-up details how businesses are ramping up their ambitions and actions across all areas of sustainable development 

Starbucks' wind deal and Unilever's recycled plastics: 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.
Benedict Orchard (centre-right) and Richard Carter (centre left) collecting the Water Management Award at edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2019

Major shake-up for Adnams' award-winning sustainability team

EXCLUSIVE: Suffolk-based Brewer Adnams has lost its two-strong sustainability team, with environmental sustainability manager Benedict Orchard set to depart the company this summer, shortly after the firm's head of finance and sustainability Richard Carter moved on to take up lecturing.
The move builds on Costa's Food Surplus Policy, which enables store managers to make donations directly to local charities on demand 

Costa joins Government-led pledge to halve food waste by 2030

Coffee chain Costa has become the latest company to sign the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs' (Defra) 'Step up to the Plate' pledge, which commits signatories to halving their food waste output by 2030.
Unilever's update on the Sustainable Living brands portfolio is its first since Paul Polman stepped down as chief executive

Sustainable Living Brands delivered record 75% of Unilever's 2018 turnover growth

Unilever has posted another strong set of annual results for its 'Sustainable Living' brands portfolio, which accounted for a record three-quarters of the company's turnover growth last year.
(L-R): Defra's chief scientific advisor Ian Boyd, the University of East Anglia’s professor of environmental sciences Corinne Le Quere and the Met Office Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research’s head of climate impacts professor Richard Betts

Queen's Birthday Honours: The sustainability champions who made the 2019 list

The Queen's 2019 Birthday Honours list has recognised the outstanding achievements of a number of senior figures across the UK's sustainability and energy sectors.
PayPal ran its first Missions Sustainability Challenge last year 

How employee engagement is helping PayPal make environmental sustainability 'business-as-usual'

EXCLUSIVE: By gamifying actions such as saving energy and using low-carbon modes of transport, PayPal has been able to "leverage" staff creativity and team spirit to reduce its environmental impact, the firm's global lead for environmental sustainability has claimed.
This weekly round-up explores how businesses across the world are ramping up their ambitions and actions across all areas of sustainable development

Ikea's recycled rugs and AB InBev's solar deal: 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.
The majority of survey respondents (65%) believed that corporates already had to include sustainability impacts in profit calculations

Survey: Consumers want corporates to include sustainability in profit calculations

Around four in ten members of the UK public believe that corporations should include social and environmental impacts in their profit calculations, a new survey has found.
Harry has been at Capgemini for five years - the past two of which he has spent helping steer its sustainability approach

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Harry Ashman, Capgemini

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: Harry Ashman, sustainability manager at consultancy Capgemini.

For some, the SDGs have proved to be “better measures of success” than financial returns alone

The Global Goals: Can the 'long-term North Star' guide businesses to value creation?

At edie Live, experts from the private and public sectors discussed business progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here, edie explores whether there's still time left for sustainability and energy professionals to harness the Global Goals to truly transform business, for good.

Talking SDG engagement with Ben Kellard, Peter Andrews and Tor Harris

edie's Mission Possible sofa chat show returns for 2019. In this episode, edie discusses the Sustainable Development Goals with leading experts from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Waitrose.
Barry has just 27 days left in his current role before he takes a break. Image: World Economic Forum (WEF)

M&S's Mike Barry to step down as director of sustainable business

Marks and Spencer's (M&S) director of sustainability Mike Barry has announced plans to step down from leading the company's 'Plan A' strategy at the end of the month.
This weekly round-up explores how businesses across the world are ramping up efforts across all areas of sustainable development

Carbon pricing calls and rubbish-fired plastics plants: 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.
Take a look through all of the month's most-read news stories, and click the links below to read them for yourself

Climate action, net-zero advice and edie Live: Top 10 sustainability stories of May 2019

As May draws to a close, we take a look back at May's biggest sustainability and energy stories. The round-up includes Theresa May's resignation, Unilever's black plastic strategy and all the key takeaways from edie Live 2019.

Talking ethical and sustainable fashion with Sarah Ditty and Neliana Fuenmayor

edie's Mission Possible sofa chat show returns for 2019. In this episode, edie discusses how transparency can help create a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry with Fashion Revolution's policy director Sarah Ditty and A Transparent Company's founder Neliana Fuenmayor.

Talking sustainability leadership with Gudrun Cartwright, Steve Kenzie and Rosanna Cole

edie's Mission Possible sofa chat show returns for 2019. In this episode, edie discusses what it means to be a sustainability leader with Business in the Community's environment director Gudrun Cartwright, N Global Compact's UK network director Steve Kenzie and supply chain expert Rosanna Cole.
The most recent COP Conference (pictured) took place in Katowice, Poland 

Utility leaders support UK bid to host UN climate conference

Leaders in the energy and water sectors have pledged their support for the UK's bid to host the 2020 UN Conference of the Parties climate conference (COP26).
Cemex is one of the world's largest building materials firms, employing more than 50,000 people across 50 countries and recording annual sales of around $16bn (£12.7bn)

Cemex commits to align strategy with the SDGs

Multinational cement and building materials giant Cemex has pledged to align its business and sustainability strategies with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, after identifying key focus areas through mapping exercises.
The issuance is the first in a series of planned green re-financing initiatives for Co-op Group

Co-op issues £300m bond supporting Fairtrade movement

Retailer Co-op's parent organisation Co-op Group has raised a £300m green bond which will be used to support the Fairtrade movement's bid for more sustainable farming supply chains.
The global palm oil industry generates more than $50bn annually, but traditional plantations have driven widespread destruction of tropical rainforests

Estée Lauder targets sustainable palm oil supply chain through farmer empowerment

US-based cosmetics giant Estée Lauder has launched its first sustainability programme for palm oil supply chains, which will see the company work with Indonesian farmers to champion better social conditions and environmental conservation.
This roundup charts how businesses across the world are ramping up efforts across all areas of sustainable development

Coca-Cola's rooftop solar and Urban Outfitters' rental boxes: The sustainability success stories of the week

Published every week, the new series charts how businesses and sustainability professionals are working to achieve their 'Mission Possible' across the campaign's five key pillars - energy, resources, infrastructure, mobility and business leadership.
April saw the term ‘Climate Change’ gain the highest number of Google searches since the December 2009 Copenhagen Climate Conference

UK public want chief execs to lead on climate action, survey finds

Almost two-thirds (60%) of the UK public believe that the chief executives of corporations should be leading the national fight against climate change, a new survey has found.
The Sustainable Business Covered podcast episode returns to edie Live 2019 in the form of an on-stage panel discussion

LIVE Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Leadership in the post-CSR era

The Sustainable Business Covered podcast returns, this time we're broadcasting LIVE from a panel discussion at the UK's largest sustainability and energy exhibition, edie Live. In this episode, four industry experts discuss how sustainability leadership is undergoing a transformation.
The edie team updated this live blog throughout the duration of the two-day show

As it happened: edie Live 2019 (Day One and Day Two)

Relive the biggest sustainability and energy event of the year - edie Live 2019 - with our blog, which captured all the key talking points, quotes and discussions from expert speakers as they happened. 
The panel discussion was the first taking place at the Sustainability Keynote Theatre this year

13 top tips for strengthening sustainability leadership in the face of 'Climate Emergency'

EXCLUSIVE: During Day One of edie Live 2019, a panel of expert speakers gave their top tips for businesses looking to "ride this green wave" and become more resilient climate leaders during an era of unprecedented public awareness.
There's still time to register for a free, two-day pass to the show

edie Live 2019: Green ambitions to be turned into ACTION as show doors open

Thousands of energy, CSR sustainability professionals are descending upon the NEC Birmingham today (21 May) as edie Live 2019 officially opens its doors - and there's still time to register for a free two-day pass to the conference.
<p>This weekly round-up explores how businesses across the world are ramping up efforts across all areas of sustainable development</p>

Teemill's closed-loop T-shirts and carbon-neutral cement: 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.
<p>£1.4bn of the financing for Tideway's £4.3bn 'super sewer' project is accounted for by green bonds</p>

How SDG alignment helped Tideway engage key investors

EXCLUSIVE: Several companies to have aligned their strategies with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have claimed that doing so has improved communications and created a more joined-up approach - but for Tideway, a further benefit has been gaining investor buy-in.
<p>Wall's has already reached 40,000 people across 76 Madagascan villages through its programmes for vanilla farmers</p>

New Wall's tool lets consumers track positive vanilla supply chain impacts

Unilever-owned ice cream brand Wall's will launch a new digital tool enabling consumers to track how their purchases are empowering people in the communities which form its vanilla supply chains in Africa.
<p>Tesco became the first UK supermarket to disclose its food waste data in 2013</p>

Tesco slashes food waste by 17% in one year

Supermarket giant Tesco has published its annual food waste figures, revealing that it wasted 17% less food by weight during 2018-19 than during the previous 12-month period.
<p>230 of The Body Shop's UK stores are covered by the scheme</p>

The Body Shop launches in-store take-back scheme for plastic packaging

Health and beauty retailer The Body Shop has launched a multinational take-back scheme for its plastic packaging, after consumers voiced concerns that not all of the brand's packaging is accepted by local authorities under kerbside recycling schemes.
<p>At least 2 billion people around the world do not have their rubbish collected</p>

Report: Mismanaged waste 'kills up to a million people a year globally'

Mismanaged waste is causing hundreds of thousands of people to die each year in the developing world from easily preventable causes, and plastic waste is adding a new and dangerous dimension to the problem, a report has found.
This weekly round-up explores how businesses across the world are ramping up efforts across all areas of sustainable development

Henkel's black plastic solution and Amsterdam's diesel ban: 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.
The webinar showcased specific examples of how businesses have aligned their green ambitions with the Global Goals

Seven top tips for aligning your business strategy with the SDGs

During a "power hour" webinar hosted by edie on Wednesday (8 May), experts from Hilton, Thai Union, Asia Pulp & Paper and Centrica Business Solutions advised on aligning business strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here, edie rounds up the key takeaways.
The top-ranked companies are M&S, Tesco, British American Tobacco and Morrison’s

M&S, Tesco, rank among top UK businesses for modern slavery compliance

Supermarket giants Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Tesco have been named among the corporates leading the FTSE 100's drive for better compliance with the Modern Slavery Act (MSA), in a new ranking of the nation's largest publicly listed organisations.
The scheme will be rolled out to all staff across the Trust's nine hospitals

Manchester's NHS Foundation Trust launches gamification staff behaviour change scheme

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) has become the first NHS Trust to sign up to the JUMP employee engagement initiative, in a bid to encourage its 20,000+ employees to develop habits which improve the organisation's environmental impact while also boosting their own wellbeing.
Staff and students at Cambridge University have long been lobbying for its management to divest from companies in the fossil fuel industry

Cambridge University agrees to explore fossil fuel divestment plan

The former archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has welcomed an "urgent change" by Cambridge University, after it agreed to provide fully costed plans setting out how it could divest multibillion-pound endowments from fossil fuel corporations.
TCFD uses scenario analysis to map company performance against various global warming trajectories

Can TCFD recommendations communicate a business response to the 'climate emergency'?

Against a backdrop of Extinction Rebellion protests and declarations of a "climate emergency", businesses will need to articulate their role in combatting climate change. Could the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures' (TCFD) recommendations create the ideal framework to do so?
As SMEs and luxury brands bolstered their sustainability efforts during 2018, high street giants failed to follow suit, the report claims

Report: Fashion sector stalling on sustainability progress, with high street giants holding industry back

The global fashion industry's overall efforts to operate more sustainability have slowed by one-third on a year-on-year basis, with actions failing to decouple emissions from the sector's rapid growth in a way that would align with the Paris Agreement's aims.
Selfridges is famed for its Foodhalls and claims it is the first department store to remove palm oil from this department

Selfridges completes palm oil phase-out nine months ahead of schedule

Department store Selfridges has announced that it has achieved a goal of removing palm oil from 100% of its own-brand grocery products nine months ahead of schedule.

This weekly round-up explores how businesses across the world are ramping up efforts across all areas of sustainable development

Etihad's plastic-free flight and Uber's public transport push: 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.