Water scarcity

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

 

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Defra proposes personal water 'budgets'

The Department for Food, the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) has proposed the introduction of a "personal water target" which would legally require individuals to keep their water consumption within a certain "budget".

Extreme water stress affects a quarter of the world's population, say experts

A quarter of the world's population across 17 countries are living in regions of extremely high water stress, a measure of the level of competition over water resources, a new report has revealed.

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Water Management - Adnams

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 Water Management Award, Adnams.

Nottingham City Council granted water self-supply licence

Nottingham City Council has been granted a licence to self-supply water from next month, in a bid to minimise costs and cut water wastage.

edie Explains: The circular economy

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

AB Sugar launches global innovation challenge to address water stewardship

Global sugar producer AB Sugar has partnered with WaterAid to launch a new initiative aimed at spurring innovation that can solve the challenge of water loss in agriculture.

UK water firms join global funding alliance helping sector to champion green innovation

UK-based water companies Severn Trent and United Utilities are among a group of 10 global water firms to have jointly launched a new innovation fund aimed at supporting green solutions to the sector's biggest sustainability challenges.

Why Heineken is championing water circularity as its contribution to the SDGs

EXCLUSIVE: Brewer Heineken has called for more collaborative and circular approaches to water use, after launching a new 2030 strategy aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation.

The SDGs In Action: How Diageo is achieving SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation

Welcome back to edie's new editorial series which breaks down exactly how businesses are turning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into action. Up next: global drinks firm Diageo outlines how it is improving its water efficiency to the benefit of the communities it operates within.

Thames Water launches cashback scheme to incentivise water savings

Thames Water has launched a new "cash boost" scheme to retailers that can deliver measurable water savings across London and the Thames Valley area.

Printed solar panels and carbon capture breakthroughs: The best green innovations of the week

Each week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations that could help businesses and nations deliver on resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions and combat climate change emerge. And each week edie rounds-up six of the best.

Heineken granted water self-supply licence for UK operations

Brewer Heineken has been granted a self-supply licence to deliver its own water and wastewater services for all of its UK operations, in a move it claims will bolster its water stewardship efforts.

AB InBev teams up with WWF to champion supply chain water stewardship

The world's largest brewer has launched new partnerships with WWF and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in a bid to accelerate water security initiatives in water-stressed areas around the world.

edie Explains: Combined heat & power (CHP)

Is combined heat & power (CHP) right for your business? What are the different CHP technology options, and how do you choose the right one? This updated edie explains business guide has the answers.

World Water Week: Seven ways businesses are progressing water stewardship

As research released for World Water Week (August 26 -31) reveals that the number of large companies pledging to measure, manage and report their water risks has doubled over the last three years, edie rounds up seven ways that the business community is progressing water stewardship efforts worldwide.

Science and context: Inside Diageo's refreshed Water Blueprint

With water and sanitation at the core of sustainable development, edie speaks with one of the world's largest drinks businesses to explore how it is accelerating progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.

edie Explains: Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs)

What are Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs) in the context of renewable energy? Which organisations are most suited to adopting CPPAs, and what are the business benefits of doing so?

Flexible Futures: The Smart Business Blueprint

This edie insight report maps out a blueprint for smart, sustainable business in 2020, helping energy and sustainability professionals get ahead of the curve to deliver a flexible energy future.

The climate turning point: 8 sustainable business gamechangers for 2020

With the UK having just declared a climate emergency and Government advisers calling on policymakers to set a net- zero carbon target by 2050, edie's latest report explores eight potentially game-changing innovations that will help businesses lead the charge towards the so-called 'climate turning point'.

In action: The environmental legacy of the Thames Tideway Tunnel

The Thames Tideway Tunnel is a new major piece of infrastructure for London, capturing an average of 39 million tonnes of untreated sewage which currently enters the tidal River Thames every year. If no action is taken, this is anticipated to reach 70 million tonnes by 2020.

Five ideas to achieve your flexible energy future

This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where roundtable participants explored what lies ahead for electricity systems flexibility, and discussed the practical steps that can be taken to achieve flexible energy, today.

edie Explains: Energy-from-Waste

Is Energy-from-Waste (EfW) right for your business? What are the different EfW technology options, and how do you choose the right one? This edie explains business guide, produced in association with phs Group, has the answers.

Five ideas to capitalise on your energy data

This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where roundtable participants shared experiences of energy data management tools and techniques, and explored some of the practical steps that can be taken to generate energy and cost savings through more effective monitoring and measuring approaches.

In action: EDF Energy's smart data focus to drive energy efficiency

In September 2017, EDF Energy installed its PowerNow live energy monitoring system at one of its own offices as a way of trialling its own solutions whilst improving the energy efficiency of the building. As revealed in this case study, the project has achieved excellent results all round.

Michael Bloomberg to launch decarbonisation tracker for utility firms

Businessman and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg has unveiled fresh plans to utilise his firm Bloomberg LP and its charitable arm, Bloomberg Philanthropies, to help the utility sector to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

How to produce an engaging sustainability report: Seven steps to success

Sustainability reporting has evolved from a niche practice to a mainstream aspect of corporate governance. The modern sustainability report is a vital tool to ENGAGE with shareholders, employees, stakeholders and, increasingly, consumers.

Mission Possible: Achieving a sustainable future for CONSTRUCTION

This brand-new sector insight report provides a comprehensive overview of the steps that organisations within Britain's construction industry can take to achieve a sustainable future, today.

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Product Innovation - Nutreco and Skretting

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 Sustainability Product Innovation of the Year award, Nutreco and Skretting.

edie Explains: The green office

This free edie Explains guide, developed in partnership with Commercial Group, sets out the key considerations and practical tips for energy and sustainability professionals when it comes to rolling out a 'green office' programme to enhance operational sustainability.

Circular roundtable: How can businesses accelerate the resource revolution?

Sustainability and corporate responsibility managers from a range of businesses recently gathered in London for an exclusive roundtable hosted by edie and EDF Energy, to discuss how organisations are stepping up efforts to accelerate a circular economy.

In action: edie publisher's AI-assisted IT software to reduce energy

In an effort to 'walk the walk' with sustainability' and reduce carbon emissions, edie’s parent company Faversham House has trialled innovative computer software to measure, manage and ultimately reduce associated energy.

Sustainability Leaders Awards 2019: Meet the Winners

Welcome to the winners report for the 2019 Sustainability Leaders Awards. Organised by edie, these awards recognise excellence across the spectrum of sustainable business; from the best efficiency programmes through to product innovation, from stakeholder engagement and CSR initiatives to the people making it happen.

Sustainable Business Leadership Survey 2019 - The results...

This brand new annual survey reveals exactly what ‘business leadership’ now looks like from the perspective of sustainability, CSR and energy professionals across the UK.

Mission Possible: Achieving a sustainable future for the PUBLIC SECTOR

This brand-new sector insight report provides a comprehensive overview of the steps that organisations within Britain's public sector can take to achieve a sustainable future, today.

Investors press fast food giants to 'urgently' improve supply chain sustainability

A coalition of investment firms with more than $6.5trn in assets under management have called on six of the world's largest fast food companies to take more ambitious action to tackle the climate and water risks within their supply chains, as a "matter of urgency".

edie Explains: Demand response

Organisations with an interest in using demand response to manage energy use now have access to a new 'edie Explains' guide which breaks down all of the key information required to deploy the technology.

In action: Tower Hamlets Council's low-carbon district heating system

A 25-year Joint Venture between Tower Hamlets Council and EDF Energy led to the creation of a low-carbon district heating system that has generated carbon savings, reduced energy costs and conserved a Heritage building at the heart of the refurbishment.

edie Explains: Artificial Intelligence for sustainable business

Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) right for your business? What are the technology options and how do you choose the right one? This edie explains business guide, produced in association with Ditto AI, has the answers.

edie Explains: Low-carbon heating and cooling

Is low-carbon heating and cooling right for your business? What are the technology options and how do you choose the right one? This edie explains business guide, produced in association with EDF Energy, has the answers.

World's biggest palm oil firm unveils new measures to end supply chain deforestation

Palm oil sourcing giant Wilmar International has unveiled plans to use satellite tracking and other digital technologies in a bid to eliminate deforestation risks from its supply chains.

A city reinvented: How Barcelona is leading the smart city revolution

edie's insight editor George Ogleby travels to Barcelona to uncover how a technological revolution has enabled the city to unlock the benefits of a smart-city transition for its citizens.

Five ideas to accelerate your electric fleet transition

This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where roundtable participants shared experiences of electrification of business fleets, and discussed the steps that can be taken to accelerate adoption and maximise the benefits of the electric vehicle (EV) transition.

The Green Brexit Matrix: What do the different outcomes mean for environmental policy?

With Boris Johnson entering number 10 as the new Prime Minister, the likelihood of a no deal Brexit has increased. This download, originally published in April, explores the potential exit scenarios and the impacts they will have on UK sustainability, energy and environment policy.

UK Resources & Waste Strategy: A blueprint for business leadership

This edie insight guide provides sustainability and environmental professionals with a detailed breakdown of all of the key elements of the UK Government's Resources and Waste Strategy, and what they mean for business.

Is the fashion industry about to have its 'plastics moment'?

With MPs urging clothing brands to disclose impacts, consumers increasingly protesting "fast fashion" and documentaries on the true cost of cheap garments emerging at a pace, edie explores whether the fashion industry is set to have its "plastics moment".

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.

Canary Wharf becomes world's first plastic-free commercial centre

London's Canary Wharf has today (5 June) become the first commercial centre in the world to be awarded Plastic Free Community status by marine charity Surfers Against Sewage, one year after its managing body Canary Wharf Group launched its flagship plastic reduction scheme.

10 ideas to drive forward your energy behaviour change strategy

This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where roundable participants shared experiences of staff engagement and behaviour change initiatives and techniques, while also exploring practical steps that businesses can implement to overcome barriers and foster the desired behaviours amongst staff.

edie Explains: Energy storage

How does energy storage work? What are the business benefits of commercial battery systems? And how can they interact with other onsite energy technologies? This free edie Explains guide gives you everything you need to know.

Microsoft VP: IoT can prepare cities for natural disasters

In a month when raging fires have caused unprecedented destruction across California, Microsoft's corporate VP has stressed the importance of using data across Internet of Things (IoT) platforms as a way of making cities better equipped to face natural disasters.

Sustainability Leaders Awards 2019: Meet the finalists

After a record-breaking year of entries, the judges have convened, decisions have been made and edie is proud to unveil the well-deserved finalists for the 2019 Sustainability Leaders Awards. This report outlines the who's who of sustainability excellence.

M7 Real Estate to roll out rapid EV charging network across UK retail portfolio

Property management and investment giant M7 Real Estate has revealed plans to install a network of rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers across its UK estate, in a move that is expected to prevent the 2.9 tonnes of nitrogen oxide (NOx) being emitted by 2033.

Three years on: How the Modern Slavery Act has reshaped best practice for sustainable business

The Modern Slavery Act (MSA) served to highlight issues of human rights abuses and human trafficking when it was written into UK law three years ago. But with half of UK businesses still pre-compliance with the Act, edie explores the impact it has had on sustainable business practices to date.

9 ways AI is enhancing sustainability for business

With Google announcing a new £19m fund for businesses using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address environmental and social issues, edie looks at nine projects that have already delivered notable benefits for business.

Sustainable mobility: A blueprint for business leadership

This edie insight report explores five of the most important areas of focus for sustainability professionals – from electric vehicles (EVs) and greener fleets, to smarter business travel.

VW’s electric microbuses and Ikea’s furniture servitisation drive: 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.

MPs propose compulsory metering powers for water firms

Water companies should be given powers to introduce compulsory metering but subject to tougher targets to cut leaks, MPs have recommended.

UK Government to invest £26m in tackling modern slavery in Asia

The Government has announced that it will invest £26m into a string of initiatives aimed at combatting modern slavery and child labour across six Asian countries.

Business Energy Barometer: April-May 2019

edie's brand-new Business Energy Barometer report maps out the key energy drivers, challenges and opportunities facing UK businesses, based on an in-depth survey of energy managers across the country.

Insight, inspiration and innovation continue into final day of edie Live 2019

Members of the UK's sustainability and energy management communities have descended upon the NEC in their thousands, with sessions at full capacity throughout the first day of edie Live 2019 and the action now set continue into the second and final day (22 May).

Mission Possible: The 2019 report

This exclusive edie report showcases world-leading and potentially game-changing examples of sustainability in action across the Mission Possible campaign's five pillars: Energy, Resources, Mobility, The Built Environment and Business Leadership.

Itsu and Cook join water bottle refill scheme

Sushi chain Itsu and gourmet food retailer Cook have become the latest firms to join City to Sea's Refill campaign, aimed at reducing the public's reliance on single-use plastic water bottles.

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.

SDG Spotlight: How businesses can achieve Goal 13 – Climate Action

This brand-new edie report maps out exactly how the business community can collectively achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 – Climate Action – within the next decade.

Businesses team up for water behaviour change campaign

A coalition of more than 40 water companies, green groups and charities have today (30 July) launched a new behaviour change campaign aimed at helping businesses and individuals to use less water.

Unilever reveals mixed progress towards Sustainable Living Plan goals

Unilever has posted strong progress towards its manufacturing waste, low-carbon energy and water abstraction goals, while also revealing that is it off-track to meet its sustainability commitments regarding the consumer-level water and waste footprint of its products.

Webinar: Ambition into action: Scaling-up your energy and resources strategy

This one-hour webinar will hear from the leading businesses and experts that are reaching the ‘climate turning point’ by scaling-up efforts to drastically reduce energy and resource use through net-zero targets and strategies.

Meet the Sustainability Leader: TerraCycle, P&G and SUEZ - Sustainable Supply Chains

With entries closing this week for edie's revamped 2019 Sustainability Leaders Awards, this new feature series will showcase the achievements of the 2018 winners, revealing their secrets to success. Up next: our 2018 Sustainable Supply Chains winners, TerraCycle, P&G and SUEZ.

Evian unveils refillable device in bid to slash plastic waste

French bottled water company Evian is set to begin trials of a new refillable in-home water appliance next month, in a bid to gauge consumer appetite for lower-plastic alternatives to single-use bottles.

Co-op to halve emissions by 2025

The Co-op has announced new goals to reduce its direct emissions by 50% and product-related emissions by 11%, after reaching a previous carbon goal three years ahead of schedule.

Accelerating the rEVolution: 7 business innovations in e-mobility

This insight report, produced in partnership with UK Power Networks Services, investigates some of the game-changing developments which are driving e- mobility and accelerating the sector forward into the next decade.

edie launches business guide to Corporate Power Purchase Agreements

Organisations looking to understand the benefits of Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs) for renewable energy now have access to a free 'edie Explains' guide which breaks down everything you need to know about them.

Mission Possible: Achieving a sustainable future for hospitality and leisure

This brand-new sector insight report provides a comprehensive overview of the steps that organisations within Britain's hospitality and leisure sector can take to achieve a sustainable future, today.

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.

edie Explains: Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)

What is the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework? What do businesses need to know about this new piece of legislation? And what compliance issues will arise from the new framework? This free edie Explains guide gives you everything you need to know.