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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The two groups hope the initiative can act as a pilot for the rest of London and the UK

London Midtown businesses launch new SDG partnership

A coalition of more than 400 businesses in London's Midtown has partnered with the UK Stakeholders for Sustainable Development (UKSSD), to accelerated business contributions towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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 report is the latest in a string of publications highlighting national and business-level challenges in aligning with the SDGs 

Report: EU set to miss all 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Almost every nation within the EU is failing to deliver the amount of progress needed for the bloc to meet any of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a "major" lack of progress recorded against SDG 13, Climate Action.
The media giant's content reaches more than 390 million people each month. Image: Conde Nast

Vogue publisher vows to phase-out plastics and align with Paris Agreement

Condé Nast, the publishing house behind titles such as Vogue, Glamour and GQ, has committed to removing non-recyclable plastics from its products and reducing emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.
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.
Eleanor has provided consultancy services for business clients across a range of sectors, including construction, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and transport

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Eleanor King, AECOM

This series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Eleanor King, sustainability consultant at AECOM.

Key hurdles cited were a lack of finance, lack of resources, and confusion over which issues to prioritise 

Businesses 'struggling to turn sustainability ambitions into action', surveys reveal

A survey of more than 9,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors has found that 96% want to improve their environmental and social practices - but that most are struggling to deliver this change due to a lack of funding or resources.
Pictured: Roydon Common Nature Reserve 

UK Government's spending on trees 'has plummeted by £20m since 2015'

The UK Government spent almost £20m less on tree planting in the financial year 2017-18 than it did in 2014-15, according to an analysis of official figures by Friends of the Earth (FotE).
The WBCSD will partner with a business school in Spain, ESADE, to deliver the LEAP programme

WBCSD launches mentorship programme to develop women leaders in sustainability

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has launched a new programme to help women reach senior positions in companies and lead on embedding sustainability across entire corporate strategies.
Interface has published a "lessons for the future" report to reflect on business commitments to sustainability 

Moonshots and loving carbon: Climate action requires step away from 'less bad' business models

Interface's regional sustainability manager Jon Khoo reflects on the success of the firm's Mission Zero sustainability strategy and why businesses need to set "moonshot goals", view the climate emergency through the lens of "climate optimism" and start "loving carbon".
Each of the companies assessed are exposed to one or more so-called 'Forest Risk Commodities’, including soy, timber, cattle and palm oil (pictured)

CDP: Consumer goods giants won't meet 2020 'net-zero' deforestation targets

Despite work by some leading consumer goods companies to eliminate deforestation from their supply chains, broad failures to deploy ambitious forest and land-use practices mean the sector will not meet its 2020 commitment to 'net-zero' deforestation.
Each of these success stories highlights how businesses and governments across the world are ramping up ambitions and actions across all areas of sustainable development

The Mirror's climate issue and Shanghai's 'city of trees': 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.
Tom recently celebrated one year at Sir Robert McAlpine, having previously worked across a broad range of built environment projects for Bouygues

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Tom King, Sir Robert McAlpine

This series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Tom King, sustainability manager at Sir Robert McAlpine.

The Benchmark has been published annually since 2016, assessing sectors considered to be the world's most at-risk for human rights failures in supply chains

Report: More than half of corporates not meeting 'basic requirements' on human rights

A study of 200 of the world's biggest apparel, food & drink, tech manufacture and material extraction firms have found that less than half are able to show they are meeting the UN's Guiding Principles on Human Rights.
The Sustainability Leaders Awards ceremony will take place on the evening of 5 February 2020 at the Park Plaza London Westminster

Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020: Shortlist of finalists revealed

It's been another record-breaking year of entries, our expert judges have had their say and it's now time to reveal the shortlist for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020! Drumroll please...
Each of these success stories exemplifies how businesses are ramping up ambitions and actions in all areas of sustainable development 

NYC's Tesla taxis and SDG storytelling: 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.
Phoebe has been with Virgin Media for more than two years and now leads its portfolio of social impact campaigns

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Phoebe Whittome, Virgin Media

This series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Phoebe Whittome, sustainability manager at Virgin Media.

Palm oil is found in more than half of the products sold in UK supermarkets, from chocolate biscuits to hair conditioner 

CDP: 80% of companies set to miss 2020 palm oil deforestation goals

Of the 96 corporates currently reporting that they produce, source or use products that contain palm oil from Indonesia to CDP, just one-fifth are set to meet their 2020 deforestation targets surrounding the commodity.
MGM Resorts employs more than 80,000 staff across 30 hospitality and leisure brands. Image: MGM Resorts

MGM Resorts unveils SDG-aligned sustainability strategy

Hotelier MGM Resorts International has published a sweeping new sustainability strategy aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) framework, after joining the UN Global Compact.
Image: Ben Nuttall/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/101462707@N03/25454106673/

Google workers call on company to adopt aggressive climate plan

More than 1,000 Google workers have signed a public letter calling on their employer to commit to an aggressive "company-wide climate plan" including the cancellation of contracts with fossil fuel firms and the halting of donations to climate change deniers.
Sky launched Ocean Rescue in 2017 and has since engaged more than 33 million people with its #PassOnPlastic social media campaign. Image: Sky

Sky debuts plastic-free café as part of Ocean Rescue campaign

Media giant Sky has today (4 November) opened a plastic-free café at its headquarters in Brentford, as it strives to remove all single-use plastics from its products and operations by 2020.
Marcia joins edie's content editor for an in-depth discussion on all things sustainability

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: In the Green Room with RELX's Marcia Balisciano

The Green Room makes its long-awaited return to the edie podcast, as content editor Matt Mace discuss Sustainable Development Goals, the evolution of CSR and the notion of fear in the climate battle with RELX's director of corporate responsibility Márcia Balisciano (MBE).
Weihl outlines how businesses can act as net-zero activists 

Facebook's former sustainability chief: Business needs to get vocal to reach net-zero

EXCLUSIVE: Facebook's former sustainability director and Google's former clean energy czar Bill Weihl has called on businesses to "go beyond their own four walls" and lobby for policies that create net-zero national economies in a "just" manner.
More than 10,000 companies have pledged their support to the SDGs. Image: DuPont 

DuPont commits to carbon-neutral operations by 2050

Chemicals giant DuPont has unveiled a sweeping array of new sustainability targets, including a commitment to deliver carbon-neutral operations by mid-century.
Regenerative sourcing, in theory, sequesters more carbon than it emits, while also providing a boost for biodiversity. Image: Timberland

Timberland takes first steps towards 'regenerative' leather supply chain

Outdoor clothing brand Timberland has forged a partnership Other Half Processing - an organisation advocating for 'regenerative' animal supply chains - in a bid to bring products incorporating 'net-positive' leather to market during 2020.
Numerous CEOs appeared during the summit

Messages from the board: CEOs outline the skills needed by the leaders of tomorrow

At the One Young World Summit in London last week, chief executives and board members from global companies including Unilever, Virgin and BP took to the stage to send powerful messages for what the leaders of tomorrow need to embrace today to drive sustainable business.
Image: Dan Marsh/CC-BY-SA-2.0 

Prince Charles: Banks are crucial to 'cracking' the climate crisis

Prince Charles has urged financial institutions to develop a "real understanding" of the influence they have to bring about a net-zero, resource-efficient economy, arguing that the sector has been "closed-minded" and slow to react in the past.
Each of these success stories exemplifies how businesses are ramping up ambitions and actions in all areas of sustainable development 

Princes' plastic-free multipacks and shared electric vans: 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.
Ghost gear is estimated to account for 46-70% of global macroplastic pollution, by weight

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

A coalition of ten of the world's biggest seafood companies have joined a scheme connecting businesses, non-profits, scientists and public sector bodies in a bid to tackle the 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear abandoned in the world's oceans each year.
Defra’s chief digital and information officer Christopher Howes (left) with representatives from Unicef UK, UNEP, WWF and Axelos. Image: Sarah George

E-sustainability Alliance: Defra launches new coalition championing green IT

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a new initiative bringing together businesses, NGOs and policymakers in a joint ambition to making the UK's information technology (IT) sector more sustainable.
Pictured: Representatives from the Fashion Pact's 56 member businesses and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Paris. Image: Kering

Dozens of fashion giants sign pact to eliminate emissions and single-use plastics

Mango, Farfetch and Decathlon are among a coalition of 24 big-name fashion brands to have signed Kering's Fashion Pact this week, committing them to net-zero emissions globally by mid-century.
Ashley's first role in the field was an energy internship at the UK Government's now-abolished Department of Energy and Climate Change

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Ashley O'Neill, Hilton

This series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Ashley O'Neill, senior energy and compliance manager at Hilton.

Senior sustainability and CSR professionals from a range of sectors convened for the roundtable discussion

Sustainability 2.0 roundtable: What's stopping businesses from investing in green innovations?

In an era of unparalleled technological advancements - and with the UK's net-zero target looming - businesses of all sizes can reap rewards from investing in scalable technologies with positive social and environmental impacts. So, what's stopping UK plc identifying and investing in green innovations?
95% of Lincoln & York's staff voted in favour of the new strategy. Image: Lincoln & York

Coffee roaster Lincoln & York unveils SDG-aligned CSR strategy after staff vote

British coffee brand Lincoln & York has unveiled a sweeping new CSR strategy which aims to "deliver on as many of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as possible", beginning with the elimination of all single-use plastics by 2024.
Each of these success stories exemplifies how businesses are ramping up ambitions and actions in all areas of sustainable development 

Clean air for schools and 'hot rocks' in Cornwall: 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.
Kathryn has been at Taylors of Harrogate since 2013, where she's gradually added more sustainability related responsibilities to her role

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Kathryn Patchett, Taylors of Harrogate

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: Kathryn Patchett, product sustainability specialist at Taylors of Harrogate.

The UK is currently due to leave the EU on 31 October, with or without a deal. 

Survey: Brexit uncertainty halting sustainability investment

Almost a third of businesses claim to have delayed green innovation projects in the last 12 months due to the political uncertainty over Brexit, research from Schneider Electric has revealed.
Pictured: Fish caught in The Gambia, where much FMFO originates. Image: Peter van der Sluijs / CC-BY-SA-3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0 

Report: 'Sustainable' seafood in UK supermarkets 'wiping out wild fish stocks'

Farmed seafood sold in British supermarkets is regularly being fed with feed produced using methods which are "stripping the oceans bare and damaging marine ecosystems", a new investigative report has claimed.
Each of these success stories exemplifies how businesses are ramping up ambitions and actions in all areas of sustainable development 

Climate art awards and low-carbon council housing: 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.
To communicate its investment, Tennent's will be lighting the famous “big red T” in the signage of its Wellpark site in green, and using the green logo on a line of limited-edition pint glasses. Image: Tennent's.

Tennent's unveils £14m plan to eradicate plastics and carbon

Scottish brewer Tennent's has pledged to eradicate single-use plastics from its packaging by 2021 and to become carbon-neutral by 2025 - commitments it is backing with a €16m investment package.
After beginning his sustainability career in a UK-focused role, Ross's responsibilities have become increasingly global over the past two years

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Ross Houghton, Atalian Servest

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: Ross Houghton, CSR manager at global facilities management (FM) firm Atalian Servest.

Respondents concluded that existing systems are "wasteful and degenerative by design" - and that businesses could re-shape them more deeply, broadly and rapidly than consumers. Image: Xynteo 

European CEOs: Changing consumer behaviours is the next sustainability frontier

The chief executive officers of some of Europe's largest corporates have concurred that although consumer awareness of sustainability issues is rising rapidly, the responsibility for changing behaviours ultimately lies with big businesses.
Carney (pictured) launched the TCFD in 2015 with Michael Bloomberg. Image: Bank of England

'Draw up climate rules or have them imposed', Bank of England tells corporates

The governor of the Bank of England has warned major corporations that they have two years to agree rules for reporting climate risks before global regulators devise their own and make them compulsory.
Shell's corporate membership deal will not be renewed upon its expiry in June 2020. Image: the National Theatre

National Theatre to end Shell membership deal amid climate protests

The National Theatre has announced plans to end its corporate membership deal with Shell last year, following climate protests calling on arts and culture bodies to cut ties with fossil fuel firms.
Each of these success stories exemplifies how businesses are ramping up ambitions and actions in all areas of sustainable development 

Mumbai Airport's plastics ban and TOMS's charity podcast: 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 deadline is today at 5pm

Last chance to enter: edie's Sustainability Leaders Award deadline today at 5pm

Sustainable businesses looking for the recognition they deserve have until 5pm today (FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER) to get their entries submitted to enter edie's 2020 Sustainability Leaders Awards.
Wadia (second from left) spoke alongside former US Energy Secretary Steven Chu (far left), the European Investment Bank's vice president Ambroise Fayolle and The Florence School of Regulation’s director Jean-Michel Glachant. Image: InnoEnergy

Ex-Nike sustainability lead: Business climate activism can sway policy

Amid the growing climate movement among citizens, brands can now use changing consumer demands as a foundation to shape green policy, Nike's former vice-president of sustainable business and innovation Cyrus Wadia has claimed.
Katie is one of a six-person sustainability team and spearheads innocent's human rights work and sustainability communications

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Katie Leggett, innocent Drinks

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: Katie Leggett, innocent Drinks' sustainability manager.
Robinson claimed that climate justice has grown from a "niche issue" in the 1990s to a "widely accepted" ideal

Mary Robinson: Businesses must make 'deep commitments' to climate justice

Former Irish President Mary Robinson has argued that the development of net-zero strategies centred around social justice and human rights will become the new marker of sustainable business leadership.
edie rounds up the key findings of three recent surveys on green behaviour change

In numbers: What's stopping people from switching to 'greener' habits?

The 20 September climate strikes were the largest to date, undeniably proving that public attitudes to sustainability are shifting substantially. But, as a number of new surveys has highlighted, barriers to some "green" behavioural changes remain.
"Greenwashing", a lack of information and a lack of products were cited as key barriers to SDG-aligned investing

Survey: Two-thirds of UK public want their investments aligned with the SDGs

A new Government-led study on financing the progress towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has found that more than two-thirds of UK investors want their portfolios to solely support projects driving progress against the 17-Goal agenda.
It is estimated that 2.3 million people are currently enrolled in higher education in the UK

Universities, colleges and students urged accelerate climate action

New guidance aimed at helping universities and colleges mitigate and adapt to climate change has been released, in the same week as the launch of a new educational charity aimed at engaging students with environmental issues.
Since the JUMP scheme was enrolled at NTU, more than 23,000 positive actions, relating to sustainability and wellbeing, have been taken and recorded

Nottingham Trent University extends JUMP behaviour change initiative to 30,000 students

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has expanded the JUMP behaviour scheme initiative for staff to its 30,000 students for the upcoming academic year, after more than 23,000 sustainable actions were recorded by staff during a pilot last year.
Which? argued that current Ofgem rules have allowed utilities to "greenwash". Image: Which? 

Which? accused of defamation over 'misleading' renewable guarantees claims

The co-founder of Pure Planet has accused consumer group Which? of defamation after it claimed some suppliers were at risk of misleading customers over renewable energy.
The entry deadline is now Friday 4 October, 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: Deadline extended to Friday 4 October

Businesses looking for the recognition they deserve have been given an extra week to get their entries submitted to enter edie's 2020 Sustainability Leaders Awards, which now closes on FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER.  
Take a look through all of the month's most-read news stories and click the links in the descriptions below to read them for yourself. Images: (Clockwise from top left) Patagonia, edie, UN Photo/Cia Pak, Sarah George

Climate strikes and UN Summits: The top 10 sustainability stories of September 2019

With Autumn now here, we take a look back at a September packed full of sustainability and energy news. This round-up includes all the highlights from the UN Climate Action Summit, net-zero announcements and climate strikes.
The pop up opened on Thursday (26 September) and will run for three weeks. Image: Patagonia

Action Works: Patagonia opens pop-up activist café in London

Outdoor clothing company Patagonia has opened a pop-up café in central London, which will play host to climate activist training courses.
Images (clockwise): UN Global Compact, UN Photo/Cia Pak, Mars, UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Everything you may have missed: The sustainability success stories of the UN Climate Summit

As the week of the UN's Climate Action Summit in New York draws to a close, edie highlights the numerous new green commitments, events and announcements made by businesses.
Pictured: Logging operations in Pomio, New Britain, Papa New Guinea, to make way for agri-food. Image: Fabio Erdos / Panos 

UK banks 'pouring billions into fossil fuels and deforestation', despite green pledges

UK banks have allocated almost £150bn of funding for fossil fuel projects since the start of 2016 and continue to collectively hold 146 investment pots in firms driving significant levels of rainforest deforestation.
Matt has been overseeing circular economy initiatives at Dixons Carphone for three years

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Matt Manning, Dixons Carphone

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: Matt Manning, compliance & recycling operations manager at Dixons Carphone.
Research suggests that the SDGs may not be achieved until 2073

Business Avengers: Corporate giants assemble to deliver SDGs

A new "Business Avengers" coalition of 17 global corporates - including Unilever, Nike and Google - worth more than $500bn in revenue has been launched to make 2020 a year of activism to highlight how businesses can amplify actions to help hit the targets of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Hladin Wolfe suggested that siloed departments couldn't bring around the required change for sustainable business. Image: Patagonia 

Patagonia Action Works: 'Time up' for CSR departments in the climate activism era

EXCLUSIVE: As outdoor company Patagonia issued the next programme in its 45-year history of activism, the company's director of environmental initiatives has claimed that isolated departments overseeing sustainability have no function as more people demand action on the climate emergency.
The funding will be allocated over a five-year period, starting this November. Image: HP

HP to fund restoration of 200,000 acres of forest

HP is set to invest $11m in forest restoration, protection and management schemes over the next five years, as part of its overarching ambition to ensure that every page printed using an HP printer will be "forest positive".
Mars has invested almost $1bn in a string of measures aimed at transforming its approach to corporate sustainability

Mars launches new climate action initiative, commits to 1.5C science-based targets

Mars has committed to set science-based targets in line with the Paris Agreement's more ambitious 1.5C trajectory, as part of a new initiative aimed at driving climate action among its staff, suppliers and consumers.
This weekly round-up details how businesses across the world are ramping up ambitions and actions across all areas of sustainable development 

FT's climate campaign and urban rooftop farming: 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 Ishan Perera, director IT, Ravana Garden, Heathrow team and compere Michaela Stracha

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Business of the Year - Heathrow Airport

With entries for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020 closing on Friday 27 September, this feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Last but by no means least: The winner of our Business of the Year award, Heathrow Airport.
The 15-page guide can now be downloaded for free 

edie launches new guide to sustainable supply chains

Those wishing to help make their organisation's supply chains more sustainable now have access to a new edie guide on the topic, launched in association with pallet manufacturer PALLITE.
Climate resolutions have become increasingly common at stakeholder votes, as investor and public pressure for businesses to act on climate change grows. Image: PXHere 

Wall Street investment giants 'voting against key climate resolutions'

Some of Wall Street's largest asset management companies are failing to live up to commitments to use their voting power to fight the climate crisis, according to a new report.
Ankita has been heading up Harrods' CR work for almost two years

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Ankita Patel, Harrods

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: Ankita Patel, corporate responsibility manager at Harrods.
The refill station will open to the general public on Saturday (21 September). Image: OneGreenBean/The Body Shop

The Body Shop: Demands for plastic-free shopping have 'come full circle since the 1990s'

EXCLUSIVE: The Body Shop's decision to begin offering plastic-free refills at its refurbished Bond Street store was largely driven by changing demands from its shoppers and staff, the brand's managing director has told edie.
Image: SodaStream 

Businesses gear up for day of global climate strikes

Shoe brand Allbirds, tea firm Pukka Herbs and PepsiCo subsidiary SodaStream have joined the coalition of businesses throwing their weight behind the worldwide day of climate strikes on Friday (20 September).
The world's 500 million smallholder farmers are estimated to produce 80% of the food and beverages consumed in developing nations. Image: Unilever

Blockchain-enabled supply chain sustainability scheme hailed 'successful' by business giants

A blockchain-based experiment aimed at improving social and environmental practices in tea supply chains has proven successful, according to businesses having taken part, including Unilever and Sainsbury's.
The ODP, which is hosting the map, provides a global platform for the voluntary disclosure of seafood sourcing. Image: Tiia Monto

Asda unveils digital seafood supply chain map

Asda has unveiled a digital map which gives consumers access to information regarding all supply chain of the seafood used in its own-brand products.
Around 3.6m hectares of tropical forest are estimated to have been cleared in 2018 – equivalent to the size of Belgium

Report: Deforestation booming due to weak policy and corporate inaction

A lack of policy support or ambitious action from corporates involved in agriculture has led to an area of tree cover the size of the UK being lost globally each year between 2014 and 2018, a new report has concluded.
This weekly round-up details how businesses across the world are ramping up ambitions and actions across all areas of sustainable development 

TIME's climate issue and a Tesla double-whammy: 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.
Unilever estimates that more than one million people are supported financially by its tea supply chains. Image: Unilever

Unilever turns to interactive mapping to boost tea supply chain transparency

Unilever has publicly published a full list of its global tea suppliers for the first time, along with a new interactive map to help customers understand its supply chain processes.
Around 1.4 million people took part in March's global strike, with calls to action now directed at businesses as well as policymakers. Image: Greenpeace

TUC and Amnesty International come out in support of student climate strikes

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has urged members to support student climate strikers on 20 September as Amnesty International called on head teachers worldwide to back their global protests.
Luke began working in healthcare nine months ago, bringing his experience in sustainable transport, retail and education to the NHS

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Luke Landers, University Hospitals Birmingham

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: Luke Landers, energy and sustainability manager at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust.
Timberland has been mapping its tree planting since 2001, but is now upping its investments in regenerative practices - and increasing communications around these efforts 

Nature Needs Heroes: How Timberland is developing 'net-positive' fashion supply chains

EXCLUSIVE: Against a backdrop of fires in the Amazon, Timberland's sustainability director Colleen Vien has told edie that fashion brands are not only beginning to face up to their historic role in environmental degradation - but to begin working towards a "net-positive" vision.
The findings act as a snapshot of the public's plastic-related wants and needs 

In numbers: The UK public's attitudes to plastics recycling

Two new surveys have this week revealed the public's attitudes towards plastic recycling, covering an array of issues from foreign exports to shopping habits. Here, edie rounds up the key findings.
The campaign covers three key sustainability issues: greenhouse gas emissions, supply chain transparency and the circular economy. Image: ACI

Consumer goods giants team up in bid to lower environmental impacts

Clorox, Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Henkel are among a group of consumer goods businesses selling cleaning products to have co-launched a campaign aimed at driving the sector towards "net-positive" environmental and social impact.
Pictured: Inside one of Amazon's US fulfilment centres. Image: Amazon US

Amazon staff plan mass walkout over slow climate action

More than 900 Amazon employees have said they will walk out later this month in support of the School Strikes for Climate movement.
(L-R) Presenter Trewin Restorick, chief executive, Hubbub, MerchantCantos’ Ian Roe and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Reporting and Communications - PepsiCo and MerchantCantos

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 Reporting and Communications award - PepsiCo and MerchantCantos.
Londoners and those aged 65 and over were particularly loath to change behaviours

UK public unlikely to change habits despite concerns about environment

People are reportedly reluctant to adopt environmentally friendly lifestyle changes despite claiming to care more about damage to the natural environment than ever before.
This weekly round-up details how businesses across the world are ramping up ambitions and actions across all areas of sustainable development 

Will Smith's anti-deforestation shoes and floating solar islands: 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.
H&M Group owns eight brands - including the world's second-largest fashion retailer H&M. Image: Nissy-KITAQ 

H&M Group pauses Brazilian leather sourcing as forest fires continue

H&M Group has today (6 September) announced that it will suspend the purchase of all leather originating in Brazil, amid a huge increase in the number of forest fires in Amazonia.
The episode features three exclusive interviews, all exploring the alternative protein market. Images: BOL Foods and Soylent

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Peas Please and planet-saving diets

The latest episode of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast sees edie's content editor Matt Mace explore the rising popularity of veganism to help save the planet, featuring exclusive interviews with PwC, BOL Foods and Soylent.
After beginning her sustainability career in the food-to-go sector, Iona stepped into the world of Motorsports last year

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Iona Neilson, Formula E

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: Iona Neilson, sustainability executive at Formula E.
Due to its fast-growing nature and carbon-sequestering qualities, WWF has dubbed seagrass " akey weapon in the battle against climate change". Image: WWF

Sky partners with WWF on UK's biggest seagrass restoration scheme

Sky's Ocean Rescue arm has partnered with WWF on a new project aimed at restoring carbon-sequestering seagrass habitats in west Wales.
77% of the firms surveyed for the Index do not measure their GHG emissions. Image: PETA 

Report: Food giants 'sourcing from suppliers flouting climate commitments'

Companies supplying meat and dairy to some of the world's biggest food firms, including Nestle, McDonalds and Walmart, are failing to act in line with their key clients' environmental ambitions.
Friends of the Earth's chief executive Craig Bennett (pictured) is heading up the joint campaign

Microsoft launches climate-focused communications campaign

Microsoft, through its MSN arm, has launched a new campaign aimed at uniting members of the public in tackling climate change through behaviour change and activism.
Take a look through all of the month's most-read news stories, and click the links below to read them for yourself

Business climate strikes and a new Premier League season: Top 10 sustainability stories of August 2019

As a new September arrives, we take a look back at an August packed full of sustainability and energy news. This round-up includes business support for climate strikes, 'planet-saving' beer and your chance to win a Sustainability Leaders Award.
This weekly round-up details how businesses across the world are ramping up ambitions and actions across all areas of sustainable development 

E.ON's green bonds and Dundee's solar car park: 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) Landsec team, presenter Paul Toyne, sustainability development expert and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Landsec, The Built Environment

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 Mission Possible: The Built Environment award, Landsec.
More male and female farmers will be added to the India and Pakistan programmes

Primark to enrol 160,000 farmers under its sustainable cotton initiative

Retailer Primark has expanded its Sustainable Cotton Programme into China, assisting with overall plans to train more than 160,000 independent cotton farmers in sustainable farming methods across key sourcing countries by 2022.
Olivia started at Fashion Lab before joining Whitbread

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Olivia Murphy, Whitbread

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 Murphy, sustainability manager at hospitality giant Whitbread.

Abuses uncovered by the WRC go against both Levi's workplace code of conduct and worker rights laws in South Africa. Image: Levi Strauss

Levi Strauss takes fresh steps to eliminate gender-based violence, water misuse, in supply chains

Fashion giant Levi Strauss Co. has launched two new supply chain initiatives - one focused on protecting female supply chain workers, and the other centred around water stewardship - after an investigation uncovered systemic gender-based harassment at supplier facilities.
Meeting the aims of the Pact will require signatories to consider changing their business models and supply chain approaches. Image: Kering

Fashion giants vow to end contributions to global warming and ocean plastic pollution

A coalition of 32 big-name fashion firms including H&M Group, Inditex and Nike have signed a new industry commitment targeting zero climate change impact by mid-century.
Kathryn works as a one-woman team and is Arcus FM's first environment and sustainability manager

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Kathryn Ebrey, Arcus FM

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: Kathryn Ebrey, environment and sustainability manager at Arcus FM.

The rebrand marks the first time Toast Ale has used bright colours – and its first foray into canned beverages

'Planet-saving' beer: Inside Toast Ale's climate-focused rebrand

EXCLUSIVE: Yorkshire-based brewer Toast Ale's decision to rebrand was the "natural choice" amid rapidly growing public awareness around climate change, the firm's sustainability director has revealed.