Water scarcity

DEFINITION: A lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demands of water usage within a region.

 

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According to the survey, 10% of the public consider water consumption a key environmental consideration

'Great British Rain Paradox': Public unaware of UK's water scarcity

The risks of climate change and population growth on water scarcity in the UK remain hidden, with a new survey of 2,000 Brits revealing that water consumption is low down on the priority agenda for environmental concerns.
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.
If natural disasters occur at the same rate recorded over the last 30 years, 1.2 billion could be displaced globally by 2050

Climate crisis to cause mass population displacement and growth in refugees, report finds

The ecological and climate crises are on course to displace more than 1.2 billion people by 2050, as natural disasters, food shortages and water scarcity create mass disruptions to global migration trends.
Unilever will introduce water stewardship programmes for local communities, manufacturing operations and suppliers in 100 water-stressed locations by 2030

Unilever enhances global water stewardship efforts

Unilever has joined two coalitions aimed at implementing projects in water-stressed countries to improve access to safe and clean water by 2030.
Sainsbury's is widely regarded as a leader on water stewardship in the UK's retail sector, having been awarded the Carbon Trust’s Water Standard in 2017

Sainsbury's granted water self-supply licence

Sainsbury's has been awarded a self-supply licence for water and sewerage by regulator Ofwat, as it works to become 'water-neutral' by 2040.
Nearly half the global population are already living in potential water-scarce areas 

England at serious risk of water shortage by 2040, MPs warn

England is at "serious risk" of running out of water within 20 years because of policymakers', regulators' and the water sector's failure to tackle leakage and align with net-zero.
he 1,051 companies contacted account for $8trn in market capitalisation and are estimated to emit more than 4,800 megatonnes of carbon

Investors target Facebook, Nintendo and other business giants over climate disclosure

More than 1,000 multinational companies have been contacted by a group of more than 100 investors, calling for relevant data on environmental performance and stewardship to be disclosed to CDP.
The strategy is focused on water stewardship, zero-waste manufacturing and powering operations and facilities with renewables

Intel targets net-positive water use and world's 'most sustainable' PC

IT manufacturer Intel has unveiled new sustainability targets for 2030, committing to achieving net-positive water use, being powered by 100% renewables and launching the "most sustainable and energy-efficient PC in the world".
By 2045, there will be 7% less water available for abstraction across the UK, the report states

Parts of England could run short of water within 20 years, NAO warns

Unsustainable water abstraction processes and infrastructure, compounded by climate change and population growth, will result in parts of southern England running out of water within 20 years.
As of 2018, England's water consumption on a per capita basis was 143 litres daily 

UK water industry criticises 'unclear' Government approach to efficiency

The trade body representing the UK's water sector has criticised the Government's previous action and planned moves for water efficiency in homes and business, as water use is set to rise amid the Coronavirus outbreak.
Photo by Nora Lorek for National Geographic

P&G to donate 500,000 litres of clean water across the globe

Procter & Gamble (P&G) has launched a new campaign to donate up to half a million litres of clean water to in-need communities around the world, and is encouraging UK citizens to take part by watching and sharing a new docuseries.

edie Explains: Smart Grids

What is a smart grid and why is it important? What are the potential business benefits of the smart grid transition? And how mature is the smart grid concept in the UK? This free edie Explains guide gives you everything you need to know.

edie Explains: The Green recovery

What is the green recovery? Where does business sustainability fit into its wider context? What is happening at a policy level? And what does the future hold for green recovery efforts? This edie Explains guide answers all of these questions and more.

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This new and updated edie Explains guide breaks down everything there is to know about achieving a circular economy for your business.

Mission Possible: The 2020 report

This exclusive edie report explores how a green recovery from Covid-19 can be achieved across six of the UK's biggest industries: Utilities, Manufacturing, Construction, Retail, Hospitality & Leisure, and the Public Sector.

30 Under 30: The 2020 Playbook for Sustainability and Energy Professionals

Produced as part of edie's 30 Under 30 initiative, this Playbook offers practical advice on how sustainability and energy professionals can embody 'excellence' in 2020.

The Green Recovery Business Roadmap

Much has been said about the need to deliver a green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. But what new ways of working should businesses be exploring to assist with a just and low-carbon transition? This new report outlines EIGHT key considerations.

Mission Possible: Achieving a sustainable future for RETAIL

edie’s insight report series provides an in-depth exploration of the steps that sustainability and energy professionals within Britain's retail industry can take to achieve a sustainable future, today.

edie explains: Energy-from-Waste

This new edie explains guide looks at Energy-from-Waste (EfW) and the associated technologies and issues surrounding the topic.
Earlier this year, Nestlé committed £1.59bn to source food-grade recycled plastics to be used in its packaging

Nestlé signs up to European Plastics Pact to push for 100% recyclable or reusable packaging

Food and beverage giant Nestlé has announced that its European business is following in the footsteps of its UK operations by signing up to the European Plastics Pact to help achieve its goals of ensuring packaging is 100% reusable or recyclable by 2025.
Pictured: One of the Refill stations at London Euston. Image: Network Rail

Network Rail helps passengers to ditch three million plastic water bottles

By installing drinking fountains at its stations as part of the Refill campaign, Network Rail has helped to mitigate the use of three million single-use plastic water bottles over the past two years.

Business guide to Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)

Almost a year since it was introduced, this business guide to Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR), provides energy and sustainability professionals with everything they need to know about the legislation and how to comply.

Five key takeaways from edie's net-zero energy masterclass

Last week, edie undertook a masterclass with Smartest Energy on evolving your energy strategy for net-zero, which included a case study with property giant JLL.

Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020: Meet the Winners

Find out the full detailed profiles of our winners at the 2020 Sustainability Leaders Awards in our special report following our glittering ceremony on 5 February.

Sustainable Business Leadership Survey 2020 - The results...

This second annual survey reveals what "business leadership" looks like for sustainability, CSR and energy professionals across the UK, following our inaugural report in 2019.

The Sustainability Reporting and Communications Handbook 2020

Updated in September 2020, the Sustainability Reporting and Communications Handbook provides expert advice on engaging key stakeholders with your sustainability strategy; along with fresh insights to shape, deliver and share a compelling sustainability report.

45-minute masterclass: Onsite energy storage and renewables

How, exactly, does energy storage work? What are the business benefits of deploying commercial battery systems? And how can they interact with other onsite technologies such as renewable energy systems to create a ‘decentralised’ business?

5 ways to maximise the impact of your energy data

Experts across energy management came together at edie’s SPARK! 2.0 event to discuss the role that energy data could play in the delivery of targets and overall strategy.

7 tips for accelerating transition to electric fleets

Experts across energy management came together at edie’s SPARK! 2.0 event to discuss how organisations could accelerate their transition away from ICE vehicles to all-electric fleets.

8 steps for overcoming the behavioural change challenge

During the SPARK 2.0 event, energy and sustainability professionals discussed the barriers to behaviour change and how businesses could harness the wider awareness of the climate strikes to engage all staff members on the need to manage energy use.

Climate-related financial disclosure: Business best practice in 2020

This one-hour webinar, hosted in association with edie’s upcoming Sustainability Leaders Forum 2020, will explore how businesses are using the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFDs) to align with investor needs and enhance their sustainability strategies.

Business Energy Barometer: November-December 2019

edie's third Business Barometer for 2019 sets out the key challenges and opportunities for energy leaders and managers going into 2020 and the next decade of climate action.

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting: edie's state of the nation report

Following the introduction of Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR), this new report looks at how energy and sustainability managers are getting to grips with the new compliance issue - and what the future looks like for reporting.
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.

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.

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

As the movement towards net-zero carbon takes hold across the commercial sector, this fresh insight report looks at how manufacturing companies are driving forward their own goals.
The Environment Bill will be reintroduced to Parliament shortly after the summer recess finishes

Environment Bill update: UK to introduce legally binding nature, water, air and waste targets from 2022

After enshrining its 2050 net-zero target in law last year, the UK Government is developing similar legally binding targets for biodiversity, air quality, water and waste.
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.

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.

The ESG Handbook 2020: Spurring the green recovery

Green finance and ESG investing were reaching a tipping point, then the coronavirus pandemic swept across the world. The virus hasn’t so much as tipped the scales towards ESG investing but rather poured most of the world’s financial system towards it.
The podcast brings three exclusive interviews with sustainability experts

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Carbon labelling, office space and new normal leadership

Episode 89 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast delivers three exclusive interviews with sustainability leads at tech manufacturer Logitech, flexible office provider Workspace and an in-depth chat with global white goods firm Arcelik's chief executive Hakan Bulgurlu.
Boris Johnson has vowed to 'build, build, build' - but what must happen now to ensure that government and the construction sector are 'building back better'?

Building back better: What role should construction and retrofit sectors play in the UK's green recovery?

EXCLUSIVE: The Treasury this month launched a £3bn package to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings while boosting employment post-pandemic. But what needs to happen now to ensure that the schemes it funds align with net-zero, and what about new buildings?

45-Minute Masterclass: Accelerating the smart grid transition for your business

With distributed energy assets fast becoming a mainstream part of the UK power network, this live online masterclass will equip businesses with the insights and inspiration they need to decentralise, decarbonise and democratise their energy through smart grid technologies and systems.
The roundtable heard from experts representing organisations across the retail sector value chain

Servitisation and social media storytelling: How retailers are approaching sustainability in 2020

January is now probably just as synonymous with retail discounts as it is with New Year's resolutions. But following a year of unprecedented climate activism, how are retailers planning to increase sustainability action and embed a 'purpose-beyond-profits' approach in 2020?

edie Explains: Carbon offsetting

What is carbon offsetting in the terms of a businesses’ carbon emissions strategy? How does the carbon offset process and its market work? And, at what point should a business turn to carbon offsetting?

Business Energy Barometer: April - May 2020

edie's Business Barometer for 2020 sets out the key challenges and opportunities for energy leaders and managers going into a decade of climate action.