Net-Zero News


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Net-Zero Business podcast: Exploring Turley's journey to carbon neutrality
The download explains everything you need to know about the growing importance of tackling Scope 3 emissions

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

edie has published a new explains guide, detailing everything businesses need to know to measure and act on scope 3 emissions.
Currently, around 95% of global hydrogen production comes from fossil fuel feedstocks

Government urged to ramp up hydrogen spending through national strategy

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) had called on the Government to implement a Hydrogen Strategy to assist in decarbonising carbon-intensive sectors, in the same week that the National Grid announced plans to build a new hydrogen testing facility.
The tool will help users turn their verbal commitments to a green recovery into tanglible, ambitious strategies

Analysts to help align economic recovery plans with net-zero

Many world leaders and businesses have given their verbal support for a 'green' economic recovery from Covid-19. Now, a group of analysts have begun work to develop data-driven digital tools which will help deliver on these commitments.

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 supply chain can account for more than 90% of a company's environmental footprint

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

Not too long ago, sustainable leadership was defined by those 'getting their own house in order' through emissions reductions, but as the pace required to reduce emissions grows, so too does the efforts from businesses to assist the supply chain in decarbonising. Here, edie looks at some of the transformational ways businesses are engaging with suppliers.
The handbook is free to download

edie launches new handbook on ESG excellence and best practice

edie has published a new handbook outlining the key considerations and best practice advice to collecting and compiling Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data that investors are increasingly looking for, in order to spur the green recovery.
When BP first set its net-zero target, it was criticised as 'not credible' for lacking detailed delivery plans

BP vows to cut fossil fuel production by 40% by 2030

BP has unveiled plans to transition away from being an oil company and to become an integrated energy company instead, headlined by a commitment to decrease fossil-based hydrocarbon production within a decade.
The company operates 16 major production facilities worldwide

Novo Nordisk reaches 100% renewable electricity, sets 2030 net-zero target

Global healthcare firm Novo Nordisk has achieved its ambition to use 100% renewable electricity to power its production facilities.
Spearheaded by Net-Zero Live, the month will include an array of net-zero-themed exclusive interviews, downloadable guides, reader blogs, webinars and podcasts

edie's Net-Zero Live 2020 goes virtual as part of bumper month of inspirational content

edie's annual exhibition, Net-Zero Live 2020, will take place virtually over three days in November, as part of a themed month of digital content dedicated to accelerating climate action and helping business build back better.

#SustyTalk: PMI's Huub Savelkouls on ESG in the new normal

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with Philip Morris International's (PMI) chief sustainability officer Huub Savelkouls, who discusses net-zero, integrated reporting and ESG.
Pictured: An artist's impression of the finished project. Image: Landsec

Landsec unveils plans for UK's first net-zero office in London

Property developer Landsec has revealed that it is progressing plans for what it hopes will be the UK's first net-zero commercial building - an office block in Southwark, south London.
Nest has more than nine million members

UK's largest pension scheme charts pathway to net-zero

The Government-backed National Employment Savings Trust (Nest) scheme is set to begin divesting from fossil fuel projects immediately, as part of a new roadmap designed to ensure its operations are aligned with the UK's net-zero target.
In a letter to Environment Secretary George Eustice, the Committee has outlined the importance of keeping to the level playing field in order to strengthen relations with the EU

Lack of trust could derail EU UK environment agreement

A group of MPs has urged the UK Government to overcome barriers to enshrining strong environmental legislation as part of trade agreements with the European Union (EU), warning that a lack of trust between the two parties could derail a common goal to combat the climate crisis.
The ESO said last year that the grid would be ready for net-zero by 2025

National Grid: UK's electricity system could go carbon-negative from 2033

The operating firm for National Grid is predicting that the UK's electricity grid could capture, offset or absorb more carbon than it emits by as early as 2033, if efforts to scale up renewable energy generation and carbon capture technologies are accelerated.
Iceland had been targeting a 30% cut to emissions between 2011 and 2020, but has delivered a 74% decrease. Image: Iceland/Webershandwick 

Iceland on track to become a net-zero business by 2042

Iceland Foods has revealed that it has reduced its operational emissions footprint by 74% since 2011, despite growing the business, putting it on track to reach net-zero by 2042.
Many cities and towns have set pre-2050 net-zero targets

Cadent and Electricity North West plot roadmap to net-zero Manchester by 2038

After the Greater Manchester Combined Authority pledged to reach net-zero by 2038 last year, the city-region's gas and electricity network operators have developed a delivery roadmap for its energy sector.
Other fashion brands targeting net-zero by 2050 include Zalando, Mango, Inditex, Kering and Nike

Hugo Boss to halve operational emissions within a decade

Hugo Boss has had its new emissions targets green-lit by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), including an ambition to reduce operational emissions by 51% by 2030.
The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) has verified the new targets

Capgemini targets net-zero operations and supply chain by 2030

IT services and consultancy firm Capgemini has pledged to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2025 and full net-zero alignment by 2030, after meeting one of its key emissions targets a decade ahead of schedule.
Microsoft has set aside $1bn to help develop carbon reduction and removal technologies across its supply chain

Microsoft targeting one million tonnes of carbon removal by October

Microsoft has unveiled plans to capture one million metric tonnes of carbon from the environment by the end of the fiscal year, as part of its commitment to become carbon-negative by 2030.
Heat accounts for one-third of the UK's annual greenhouse gas emissions

CBI: UK won't reach net-zero without 2025 ban on non-hydrogen-ready boilers

The CBI has warned that the UK is unlikely to meet its 2050 net-zero target without sweeping policy changes on heat, including the creation of a National Delivery Body and a requirement for all boilers to be hydrogen-ready by 2025.
With net-zero commitments from nations, cities and states now covering more than half of global GDP, the pressure is on businesses to lead the charge

Microsoft, Starbucks, Unilever amongst new corporate net-zero alliance

Nine major multinational corporates, led by Microsoft, have banded together to form a new initiative which will provide businesses with the roadmaps they need to achieve net-zero emissions by or before 2050.
Apple has committed to sharing its approach and progress towards carbon neutrality through a roadmap that will be shared with other companies

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

Apple has announced major plans to become net-zero emissions across its business, supply chains and products by 2030, pledging to reduce emissions by 75% and develop carbon removal solutions for the remaining 25%.

#SustyTalk: Goldsmiths' Stu Meades on a green Covid-19 recovery for UK universities

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with senior reporter Sarah George dialling Stu Meades of Greener Edge, the brains behind Goldsmiths, University of London's roadmap for reaching net-zero by 2025.
The updated deal raises spending on climate action from 25% to 30%

Coronavirus: EU's recovery deal lacking climate spending accountability, green groups warn

Following four nights of negotiations, the European Union (EU) has agreed its biggest joint borrowing plan ever recorded, pledging €750bn to a coronavirus recovery package, but green groups have expressed concerns that focus and accountability on green spending have "taken a battering".
Hull and the wider Humber region are seen as pivotal in the UK's transition to net-zero

University of Hull targets carbon neutrality by 2027

The University of Hull has pledged to achieve carbon-neutral operations within seven years, and will invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy generation technologies to meet this ambition.
The companies are now engaging with the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Competition & Markets Authority on a set of recommendations 

Bankers for Net-Zero: Banks sign up to steer UK green recovery

Barclays and Triodos are amongst the first five banks to sign up to a new commitment exploring how the banking sector can fund the net-zero transition to deliver a green recovery in the UK.
CWG's absolute annual emissions have been decreasing since 2016, despite expansions to its estate

Canary Wharf Group sets 1.5C-aligned science-based emissions targets

Canary Wharf Group (CWG) has pledged to reduce its direct emissions by 65% by 2030 and to develop a net-zero pathway before the end of 2020, after working with the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
Many Coalition members have already set net-zero targets, but the new partnership aims to accelerate progress further

We Mean Business Coalition urging members to target net-zero by 2040 under new Amazon partnership

More than 1,200 businesses will be encouraged to set and supported to deliver against net-zero targets deadlined no later than 2040, after We Mean Business Coalition partnered with Amazon.

#SustyTalk: Ed Cox of the West Midlands Combined Authority on the green recovery

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with an exclusive interview with the West Midlands Combined Authority's director of public service reform Ed Cox.
P&G is partnering with NGOs to restore, protect and improve habitats including the Atlantic Forest.  Image: WWF US/ Adriano Gambarini 

P&G targets carbon-neutral operations by 2030

Procter & Gamble (P&G) has pledged to ensure that its operational emissions are neutralised by 2030 - an aim is striving to achieve through investment in nature-based climate solutions.
The UK’s net-zero emissions target for 2050 will require every household to replace their heating system with lower carbon alternatives

Government urged to ratchet up spending into household energy efficiency

The UK Government has been urged to implement a Home Improvement Plan to facilitate more than £5bn in annual spending to improve the energy efficiency of the UK's housing stock to contribute to the net-zero target for 2050.
The hearing formed part of the Committee's inquiry into the green recovery. Image: Gov.uk

Alok Sharma: Energy White Paper and Heat Strategy coming this Autumn

Following months of delays and amid mounting pressure from businesses and climate advisors alike, the UK Government will publish the Energy White Paper, Heat Strategy and Buildings Strategy alongside the Autumn Statement, Alok Sharma has confirmed.
The net-zero target builds on a 26% reduction in carbon emissions and a 23% reduction in energy intensity recorded by M&G Real Estate since 2012

M&G Real Estate sets out net-zero commitment

M&G Real Estate has unveiled new carbon reduction targets, committing to reaching net-zero emissions across its operations by 2030 and its real estate portfolio by 2050, in line with the Government's net-zero target.
The study calls for investment to be unlocked to improve the energy efficiency of UK homes

Government urged to spend £5bn to unlock £100bn green recovery

A group of businesses, mayors and political leaders have called on the Conservative government to spend £5bn to deliver on its promised manifesto pledges in order to unlock £100bn in capital investment on energy efficiency and create more than 300,000 green jobs.
Image: EA

Environment Agency unveils five-year plan to bolster 2030 net-zero target

The Environment Agency (EA) has outlined its plans to boost climate resilience, improve natural resources and foster green growth through to 2025, after setting a 2030 net-zero target late last year.

#SustyTalk: Natura's Keyvan Macedo on brand purpose and net-zero

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with Natura's senior sustainability manager Keyvan Macedo outlining the company's recent net-zero commitments and the role of brand purpose in reaching that ambition.
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.
The guide is free to download

edie launches top tips guide for smart grids

edie has published a new top tips guide, outlining 10 clear and concise pieces of advice for businesses looking to explore smart grid technology.
Plan B argues the funding set aside for a green recovery is less than what has been issued to climate-wrecking projects and industries

Government threatened with legal action over coronavirus recovery package

The UK Government is facing another court challenge over climate-wrecking policy decisions, with UK-based Plan B threatening legal action over the recent coronavirus recovery package, calling it a "new deal for polluters".
Centrica recently announced a new commitment to becoming a net-zero organisation by 2050. Image: Centrica

British Gas orders 1,000 all-electric vans

British Gas has ordered 1,000 new all-electric vans from Vauxhall, in a move that will assist the gas company's parent firm Centrica on its commitment to have an entirely electric fleet by 2030.

Accelerating the smart grid transition: 10 top tips for business

Done right, the transition to smart, flexible energy systems can radically reduce carbon, increase business resilience, and open up exciting new revenue streams.

Sky Sports has meanwhile confirmed it is the first sports broadcaster to sign up to the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework

Sport broadcasters form new sustainability consortium

BBC, ITV, BT Sport and Sky Sports are some of the key broadcasters that have joined the BAFTA Sports Consortium, a new group set up to reduce the impact that sports broadcasting has on the environment.
Industry accounts for around 30% of global carbon emissions

UK among nations calling for low-carbon industrial transition to spur job growth

The UK has joined seven other nations in calling for industrial transitions to be delivered in a way that delivers new jobs and is in alignment with ongoing efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
Currently, climate action is consistent with limiting warming to 3.2°C by the end of the century

Translating targets into temperature: CDP launches new ratings system for climate crisis

CDP has today (7 July) launched a new set of ratings gauging the temperature pathway of investment portfolios, funds and stock indices in order to outline future climate-related risks to investors.
The IEA recently warned that the Covid-19 crisis could slow progress on low-carbon technology and widen progress gaps between sub-sectors

IEA: Most technologies needed to achieve net-zero aren't yet mature

Some 75% of the emissions reductions necessary to meet net-zero are dependent on technologies which have not yet reached commercial maturity, new analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA) has found.
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Net-Zero Business podcast: Exploring smart grids with E.ON and Nottingham City Council

In response to the accelerated pace at which corporates are examining and setting net-zero targets to help alleviate the climate crisis, edie has launched a new spin-off of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast. Up next, smart grid discussions with E.ON and Nottingham City Council.
Clockwise from bottom-left: CCC deputy chair Baronness Brown; chair Lord Deben and director of analysis Mike Thompson

CCC: UK's net-zero transition could be easier than first thought

The Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) chair, co-chair and chief analyst believe that the UK's transition to net-zero could be accelerated, rather than hampered, by the Covid-19 crisis.
(L-R) Steve Cann, Future Food Solutions; Andrew Walker, Yorkshire Water; Lee Pitcher, Yorkshire Water; James Hopwood, Birds Eye, and; Paul Rhodes, Future Food Solutions, 

Yorkshire Water and Birds Eye to support carbon-capturing 'pop up rainforest'

A new business collaboration in the Humber region looks set to create a "pop up rainforest" that will help farmers plant a diverse range of cover crops that will capture carbon, reduce flooding risk and improve soil health.
Grocery, food-to-go and fashion retailers are particularly well-represented in the cohort

20 UK retailers to jointly plot course to net-zero ahead of national deadline

Boots, Next and Marks & Spencer (M&S) are among the 20 major retailers who have this week pledged to jointly develop a net-zero roadmap for the retail sector, with a target more ambitious than the national 2050 requirement.
Equinor is aiming to deliver a final investment decision on the plant in 2023, with production set to commence in 2026

Equinor to deliver world's largest at-scale hydrogen from carbon capture plant in Hull

Equinor has unveiled plans to develop the world's largest plant capable of converting natural gas to hydrogen in combination with carbon capture and storage (CCUS), as part of the zero-carbon industrial hub located in the Humber region.
The company has also committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity 

Barratt Developments sets net-zero target for 2040

The UK's largest housebuilder, Barratt Developments, has built on recently announced science-based targets by committing to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Johnson will confirm that the National Infrastructure Strategy will be published this Autumn

Boris Johnson's New Deal for Britain yet to align with green recovery calls

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce a multi-billion-pound "New Deal for Britain" that prioritises jobs and infrastructure growth to respond to the economic crash caused by Covid-19, but following months of calls for a "green recovery," the environment is largely absent from the plan.
The plan's fundamentals will be revealed this week, with further detail to be provided by the Treasury in the coming weeks

Policy wishlist: What does the UK's green economy want from the coronavirus recovery package?

After weeks of speculation, Boris Johnson is set to outline the fundamentals of the UK's Covid-19 recovery plan on Tuesday (30 June). Here, we round up nine of the specific measures which green economy experts are urging for inclusion.
The guide has been developed in partnership with E.ON

edie launches new explains guide for smart grid technology

Organisations looking to understand the benefits and opportunities of the smart grids revolution can access a free 'edie Explains' guide which breaks down everything you need to know about smart grids, energy flexibility and select technologies.
The inquiry will run for three months

MPs to probe whether Covid-19 recovery package is truly 'green'

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has launched a new inquiry into the environmental and social implications of the UK Government's Covid-19 recovery package, just one day before the plan's key aspects are due to be unveiled by Boris Johnson.
The UK's recovery package is due imminently, with Boris Johnson having repeatedly assured that its measures will create a greener economy

Deep retrofits, community energy and net-zero stress tests: Green Alliance publishes Covid-19 recovery recommendations

Green Alliance has issued a string of policy recommendations for creating a "green and resilient" Covid-19 recovery package, which, if enacted in full, could close the £14.1bn annual investment gap between current levels of finance and those needed to meet net-zero by 2050.

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.
Targets which permit increased production or allow Scope 3 emissions to grow are misleading, Carbon Tracker argues

Report: Most oil majors' net-zero strategies are greenwash, with US firms faring the worst

Despite a major trend towards strengthening climate commitments in recent months, oil and gas majors are broadly failing to take responsibility for their entire emissions footprint, with some on track to deliver just a 3% cut in absolute emissions by 2050.
Image: ArcelorMittal Europe

ArcelorMittal Europe and Atos launch net-zero carbon roadmaps

Europe's largest steelmaker has vowed to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and bring them to net-zero by 2050, in the same week that ICT services giant Atos set a 2035 net-zero deadline.
The CCC submitted its broader Covid-19 recovery principles to Parliament in May

CCC: Covid-19 recovery a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to spur net-zero transition

Producing a Covid-19 recovery plan which is fully aligned with the UK's 2050 net-zero climate target is "absolutely necessary and entirely possible" with strong coordination across Whitehall, Ministers have been told by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).
The call to action comes as the Trade Bill progresses through the House of Commons

Post-Brexit trade policy must encourage 'race to the top' on environmental standards, business giants urge

A coalition of business leaders is urging Ministers to ensure that post-Brexit Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) not only include non-regression clauses on environmental standards, but actively promote stronger requirements on a global scale.
Pictured: Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos at the launch of the Climate Pledge in 2019. Image: Amazon

Amazon to invest $2bn in low-carbon innovations

Amazon will invest at least $2bn (£1.6bn) in smaller firms creating technologies or services aimed at reducing carbon emissions to net-zero, the e-commerce giant announced on Tuesday (23 June).
British Land's portfolio is currently valued at around £14.8bn

British Land targets net-zero portfolio by 2030

Property development and investment giant British Land has unveiled a sweeping new sustainability strategy, headlined by a 2030 net-zero target for its office and retail estate.
As we move into the second half of June, just six months of the initial transition period remain

Is the UK on track for a green Brexit?

It's been a big week for Brexit news, with the UK kick-starting trade talks with Australia and progressing negotiations with the US and EU. But concerns that the promised 'green' Brexit will fail to materialise are mounting against a backdrop of no-deal warnings and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sky has repeatedly said that is views offsetting as part of a wider patchwork of solutions to decarbonisation, rather than a silver bullet

Director's (carbon) cut: Sky goes carbon-neutral across all original shows

Broadcaster Sky has achieved carbon-neutral certification across the entirety of its original programme portfolio, after offsetting all emissions generated by the 41 shows it produced in 2019.
The commitment covers The Body Shop, Avon, Aesop and Natura 

The Body Shop owner unveils 2030 net-zero commitment

Health and beauty giant Natura & Co - the parent firm of brands including The Body Shop and Avon - has unveiled a new package of sustainability commitments, headlined by a pledge to reach net-zero emissions within a decade.
Ministers are seeking to enable zero-carbon transatlantic passenger flights within a generation

Jet Zero Council: Government unveils new collaborative initiative to decarbonise aviation

The UK Government is developing a 'Jet Zero Council' - a coalition of Ministers, businesses, trade bodies and environmental groups who will collaboratively work to align the aviation sector with the 2050 net-zero target.
The new commitments will also focus on supply chain emissions and regenerative practices 

Unilever launches €1bn climate and nature fund, targets net-zero emissions by 2039

Consumer goods giant Unilever has unveiled a new set of sustainability commitments, pledging to end its contribution to deforestation, promote regenerative agriculture, transition to biodegradable ingredients and reach net-zero emissions for products by 2039 - all supported by a new €1bn Climate and Nature fund.
Solar panel installation, Tetra Pak site. Image: Tetra Pak

Tetra Pak targets net-zero value chain by 2050

Packaging firm Tetra Pak has today (11 June) committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its operations by 2030, with a longer-term target to achieve a net-zero emissions value chain by 2050.
Renewable energy generation will account for the largest proportion of the new roles, the report states

UK 'capable of creating 700,000 new green jobs by 2030'

With the correct support from central government and local authorities, the UK could create almost 700,000 new green jobs within a decade, and a further 488,000 through to 2050, new research has concluded.
The WMCA comprises 18 local authorities, covering Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and the surrounding areas

West Midlands approves green Covid-19 recovery plan to spur net-zero transition by 2041

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has approved plans for a "green" recovery from Covid-19's economic impacts on the region, in what is believed to be a UK first.
Food and drink manufacturing relies heavily on heat, a hard-to-abate sector

Food and drink industry 'unable to meet net-zero without policy support for renewables and hydrogen'

The UK's food and drink manufacturing sector will be able to slash emissions by almost two-thirds by 2050, against a 2012 baseline, but will require further action and ambition from the government if it is to go further and align with the national net-zero goal.
The Airport claims it has been working since the recent Heathrow court ruling to examine how the expansion can be deliver in line with the Paris Agreement

Luton Airport to become 'most sustainable airport' by 2040

London Luton Airport has revealed an intention to become the UK's "most sustainable airport" by 2040, claiming that a planned expansion can be delivered in line with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement.
In order to maintain B-Corp status, companies must submit new data every three years, regardless of their size or sector. Image: WeTransfer

WeTransfer achieves B-Corp certification, pledges carbon neutrality

Digital file transferring service WeTransfer has today (10 June) confirmed that it has achieved B-Corp certification, joining more than 3,000 other businesses including the likes of Ben & Jerry's, The Body Shop and Cook.
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 UK's domestic recovery plans will be laid out in full later this month - but what are key figures and organisations doing to ensure they account for environmental, as well as economic, issues? 

Race to Zero: What's set to be included in the UK's green Covid-19 recovery package?

The UK Government's landmark global campaign for mobilising net-zero support ahead of the postponed COP26 summit - 'Race to Zero' - was launched late last week. But what decarbonisation activities are the likes of Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Alok Sharma backing for inclusion in national recovery planning?
R&D spend to will be used to develop more efficient solutions to combatting climate change

Rolls-Royce commits to net-zero carbon operations by 2030

Manufacturing giant Rolls-Royce has announced an intention to become a net-zero carbon business by 2030, alongside a wider ambition to enable sectors it sells to in becoming net-zero by 2050.
Investors are becoming increasingly vocal on the need for a green recovery from the pandemic that does not lock in fossil fuels to the future economy

Investors worth €11trn call for European green recovery from Covid-19 pandemic

More than 100 investors have written to European business and finance leaders, calling on them to ensure the delivering of the bloc-wide Green Deal and deliver a green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
The businesses have committed to spurring the uptake of renewables and EVs while improving energy efficiency 

Businesses commit to renewables, electric vehicles and energy efficiency on World Environment Day

To mark World Environment Day (5 June), a host of major companies from across the globe have announced new commitments on climate action, by signing up to the Climate Group's leadership initiatives on renewables (RE100), electric vehicles (EV100) and smart energy use (EP100).
The built environment accounts for nearly 40% of global emissions

Number of organisations committed to net-zero buildings doubles in one year

The number of companies, cities, states and regions committed to delivering zero-carbon buildings has more than doubled in year, according to new findings from the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) that confirms that 95 signatories are working towards its Net-Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment.
New analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU)’s Net-Zero Tracker has found that 53% of global GDP is now covered by an intended or actual net-zero commitment

Race to Zero: COP26 campaign launched to push nations towards net-zero targets

To mark World Environment Day, the UK Government has launched its "Race to Zero" global campaign to mobilise support for the net-zero transition across businesses, cities and nations, with new data finding that 53% of global GDP is covered by a net-zero ambition in some form.
Two additional projects are expecting planning decisions in July

Government blocks Vattenfall's offshore windfarm expansion

The Government has refused to grant development consent for Vattenfall's 340MW windfarm extension off the coast of Kent, and has delayed two other planning decisions in the South East, in the same week that Total acquired a 51% stake in the £3bn Seagreen project in the Scottish North Sea.
BITC is calling for more investment into removing carbon from the atmosphere to account for current unavoidable emissions

UK businesses urged to 'redesign' relationship with nature

A new survey of UK businesses from Business in the Community (BITC) has found that less than one third have developed science-based, net-zero or carbon-restorative targets, with less than one in 10 listing the health of nature as a material issue for their business.
Heat accounts for more than a third of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions

Heat Networks Industry Council set up to spur zero-carbon networks and job growth

Organisations overseeing the UK's heat networks and industry have created a new Council that will oversee plans to drive up to £50bn in investment into the sector to create 35,000 new jobs and deliver zero-carbon heat networks.
The coronavirus pandemic has added additional strains on an already under-pressure sector

Coronavirus: Is this the beginning of the end for the 'self-sabotaging' meat sector?

The coronavirus could end up being the "straw that breaks the meat industry's back" with a new report warning that almost three-quarters of the world's largest meat, fish and dairy companies are at high risk from an array of criteria that could spark future pandemics.
WWF is calling on the Government to introduce a net-zero economic test that ensures that government spending and taxation is aligned towards the 2050 target

Green recovery: Net-zero transition can create £90bn annual benefits for the UK

The UK's net-zero transition can be the perfect remedy to the economic and health crises caused by the coronavirus, according to a new WWF-commissioned report that suggests that net-zero could deliver more than £90bn in annual benefits to the UK while growing the job market.
Zalando has committed to placing solar panels and low-carbon technology on all its new and existing fulfilment centres by 2023

Zalando unveils science-based targets, commits suppliers to set carbon goals

Online fashion retail platform Zalando has built on its commitment to carbon neutrality across its own operations by having targets to reduce operational carbon emissions by 80% and emissions from the production of private label products by 40% approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
BEIS wants to provide consistency for those accessing the market

UK proposes national Emissions Trading System to replace EU carbon market

The UK Government has published new proposals on its individual UK-wide Emissions Trading System (ETS) that would replace the EU's carbon trading variant.

In Action: How Centrica is leading the net-zero carbon transition

Energy services and solutions company Centrica recently announced a new commitment to become a “net-zero” organisation by 2050. This edie In Action case study charts the progress that the firm is now making towards its net- zero goal.
The Prime Minister last week reiterated a desire for the UK to deliver a "sustainable" recovery from the coronavirus pandemic

UK business giants call for national green recovery tied to net-zero

More than 200 UK businesses and investors, including Sky, Lloyds Bank and Asda, have called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to deliver a green recovery plan from the coronavirus pandemic that builds a stronger and more inclusive economy.
BT has also reached some key sustainability targets

BT launches innovation platform and UK electric fleet alliance

BT has today (1 June) launched two new platforms to help accelerate green innovation in the UK and drive the adoption of electric vehicle (EV) fleets, both of which the tech giant believes will contribute to a green post-Covid19 recovery for the UK.
Each of these success stories exemplifies how businesses are ramping up ambitions and actions in all areas of sustainable development 

Electric flights and Barilla's recyclable packaging: 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 decision was agreed following consultation with 600 people, including staff members, students and alumni

University of Manchester targets net-zero investment portfolio

The University of Manchester has announced a new commitment to end investments into fossil fuel projects and organisations by 2022, in line to creating a net-zero investment portfolio by 2038 at the latest.
EI is aiming to reach net-zero “well before” 2050

Energy Institute sets science-based targets to reach net-zero emissions

The Energy Institute (EI) has announced a new ambition to become a net-zero organisation, agreeing to science-based targets to reducing emissions by almost 68% by 2030.
Concerns had been raised as to placing the storage system onto farmland. Stock image

BEIS approves UK's largest solar farm

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has this week approved what is set to be the UK's largest solar farm, located in Kent.
The report warns that the UK’s “generally robust historic resilience” may be challenged by future pandemics or other hidden factors

National Infrastructure Commission calls for climate resiliency planning and stress tests

The UK Government has been urged to set "clear resilience standards" that enables energy and water networks, transport, essential services and all infrastructure sectors to stress test and plan against hidden climate challenges on the horizon.

#SustyTalk: WSP UK's David Symons on net-zero pledges and a just recovery

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with environmental services firm WSP's director of sustainability David Symons discussing sector-wide pledges to net-zero emissions and how to build back better from the coronavirus pandemic.
Zalando’s online platform caters to 28 million customers in 17 markets

Zalando and Sustainable Apparel Coalition issue sustainable metrics for brands and retailers

German online fashion retailer Zalando has confirmed it will be the first retailer signed up to the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) to use a new module that will make sustainability assessments mandatory for its private labels and partner brands sold on its platform.
McKinsey notes that allocating funding towards climate action will cut emissions, spur job growth and generate economic returns

'Use it or lose it': Pandemic recovery a decisive moment for climate action

A new report from global analyst firm McKinsey has found that recovery packages from the coronavirus pandemic will be decisive in putting the world on course to meeting the Paris Agreement, calling for low-carbon technologies and solutions to be prioritised.
Ofgem is due to make a decision on gas network investment in July.

UK's gas networks call for £900m investment into zero-carbon infrastructure

Britain's five gas networks companies have today outlined plans to spend more than £900m on zero-carbon energy infrastructure and hydrogen deployment across the UK, subject to Government approval on funding.
Adidas has committed to a 30% reduction in its carbon footprint by 203

Adidas and Allbirds to develop sports shoes with 'lowest recorded' carbon footprint

Sporting giant Adidas has teamed up with shoe brand Allbirds to develop solutions that would create one of the lowest carbon footprints ever recorded for a sports shoe.
Glasgow was announced as the host city for COP26

Reports: COP26 to be delayed until November 2021

Reports have emerged that the UK Government has put forward the first two weeks of November 2021 as new proposed dates for the crucial COP26 climate conference, citing concerns over the state of international travel safety due to the coronavirus.
Two-thirds of the UK’s 460,000 green jobs are located outside London and the South East

MPs call for Just Transition Fund to spur green recovery towards net-zero

A commission of cross-party MPs has added to the calls for the UK to prioritise and deliver a green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, claiming that £30bn should be spent on a climate-focused recovery that also establishes a £5bn national Just Transition Fund.
The partners hope the project can be replicated internationally

Copenhagen Airport spearheads green hydrogen project for transport fuel

Renewable energy company Ørsted and Copenhagen Airport are amongst the consortium of businesses aiming to develop a hydrogen and sustainable transport fuel facility in the heart of the Danish capital.

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?
This guide explains how offsets can be utilised, what the key considerations are for businesses and how the process works

edie launches new business guide on carbon offsetting

edie has today (26 May) published a new explains guide, focusing on how businesses should approach the use of carbon offsetting to assist a carbon reduction strategy.
The health organisations are the latest to call for a green recovery

World health groups call for green coronavirus recovery

A coalition of global healthcare organisations, backed by more than 40 million healthcare professionals, have coordinated a written plea to governments to deliver health-based and climate-focused economic recoveries from the coronavirus pandemic.
Klyk has joined the O2 Direct Partner Network, where it will offer its closed-loop solution to O2 clients 

O2 targets e-waste with new Klyk partnership

O2 has agreed to a new partnership with technology refurbishment start-up Klyk to tackle the growing issue of electronic waste (e-waste) in the sector.
The developers claim that the farm would generate enough renewable electricity to power 91,000 homes and would reduce UK carbon emissions by 68,000 tonnes annually. Stock image

UK's largest solar farm expected to be approved

Development consent for what would be the UK's largest solar farm is expected to be confirmed by the Government this week, which could also see the world's largest energy storage system co-located at the site in the Kent countryside.
The fund is seeking additional private sector investment

Government launches £40m Clean Growth Fund to assist with net-zero vision

The UK Government has unveiled a £40m Clean Growth Fund to support start-up companies in the fields of low-carbon power, waste, transport and buildings, with hopes that funding could rise to £100m by 2021.
Plans are now in place to install CCS technologies at the VPI combined heat and power (CHP) plant

Zero-carbon Humber cluster to rollout carbon capture and hydrogen production

Plans to create the world's first zero-carbon industrial cluster in the Humber region reached another milestone this week, as Phillips 66 and Uniper signed an agreement to deploy a carbon capture and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen production facility.
The special two-part offers more than two hours of high-quality insight into the future of corporate leadership

Net-Zero Week Podcast (Two-part special): Green recoveries and net-zero strategy deep dives

For Net-Zero Week, the edie podcast is split into two parts, first to discuss green recoveries with Christiana Figueres, Jonathon Porritt and Paul Polman, before embarking on a deep dive of what makes a net-zero target with engineering firm Jacobs, online retailer Zalando and episode sponsors Centrica Business Solutions.
The UK could become a world leader for green hydrogen, as it could become cost competitive much faster, due to enabling policies and low-cost and highly abundant renewable

Report: Renewables to account for three-quarters of UK's power demand by 2050

The UK could source 76% of its power demand from renewables by 2050, according to a new report from RenewableUK which claims that the nation's net-zero target will spur rapid demand for green hydrogen while attracting more than £50bn to an already world-leading offshore wind sector.
edie's content director Luke Nicholls spoke with IMAGINE co-founder Paul Polman for a special episode of #SustyTalk on Thursday

Paul Polman: Why partnerships and purpose are critical to business survival

EXCLUSIVE: Businesses that are built on longer-term, multi-stakeholder models and have a strong purpose at their core will be much better placed to recover from the coronavirus crisis, Unilever's former chief executive Paul Polman has told edie.
edie's Mission Possible 2020 report explores how net-zero can be achieved across six industries: utilities, manufacturing, construction, retail, hospitality & leisure, and the Public Sector

Achieving a green recovery: edie launches flagship Mission Possible 2020 report

edie has this week published its flagship Mission Possible 2020 report which focuses on how businesses can lead a green recovery from Covid-19, featuring contributions from the likes of John Elkington and Christiana Figueres along with senior representatives from Carlsberg, WorldGBC and the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
Sessions across all three days are available to watch on-demand for those who have registered 

Available to watch on-demand: All Three days of of online Net-Zero Week events

Net-Zero Week was a themed week of editorial content and events dedicated to informing, inspiring and empowering sustainability and energy professionals on the road to a net-zero carbon future for their business, featuring three afternoons of online sessions which are available to watch on-demand.
The coalition of companies aims to begin construction in 2022, subject to additional funding, and the facility could be operational by 2025

Planning application for UK's first waste-to-jet fuel plant given green light

A planning application backed by Shell and British Airways to create the UK's first commercial-scale waste-to-jet fuel plant in North East Lincolnshire has been granted planning permission.
The scheme will include 8MW of heat pumps that will supply more than 80% of the required heat for the regeneration site

Vattenfall agrees to 8MW district heating scheme in Barnet

Vattenfall Heat UK will deliver an 8MW districting heating system to heat homes, schools and businesses in Barnet, with a view to removing all carbon-emitting sources from the system.
The sessions will be available to watch on-demand for those who have registered

Today at 1pm: Circular Economy online event featuring Hubbub, Amcor and Canary Wharf Group

Sustainability professionals and circular economy experts from a range of organisations and businesses across the value chain are set to appear on edie's Circular Economy online event, taking place on Thursday 21 May.
The Capacity Market will now be subjected to reporting and verification mechanisms that place a carbon emissions limit that will apply to all contracted technologies before July 2019

Government to introduce 'carbon threshold' for Capacity Market

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has outlined reforms to the Capacity Market auction system which will enable demand-side response technologies to bid for 15-year contracts while adding a carbon emissions limit to spur an increase of low-carbon assets offered contracts.
Conde Nast has also launched a new Sustainable Fashion Glossary, which will act as a new resource to help outline the fashion industry’s role in combatting the climate emergency

Conde Nast to become carbon-neutral by 2030

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

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.

Around 80% of the UK’s building stock for 2050 is already built

Government taskforce sets out tools to unlock £65bn investment into green housing

The UK Government's Green Finance Institute (GFI) has found that scaling up green retrofitting of the UK's existing housing stock would require investments of up to £65bn while supporting the economic recovery, as the Green Alliance calls for policy amendments to retrofitting in the UK.
All three sessions will be available to watch on-demand for those who have registered

Today at 1pm: edie's Net-Zero Carbon online event

Former UK Energy Minister Lord Greg Barker, sustainability professionals from UPS and Skanska and the chief executives of green trade associations have all been confirmed to appear on edie's Net-Zero Carbon online event today (20 May).
The empty streets of Paris as a result of the lockdown, which is only starting to be lifted in the country

Lockdown sees global emissions fall by 17%

New research has suggested that daily global carbon emissions recorded in April 2020 were 17% lower compared to the same month last year, largely due to the coronavirus pandemic and forced lockdowns and postponement in production.

#SustyTalk: Amcor's David Clark on strengthening the circular economy during lockdown

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with packaging firm Amcor's vice president for sustainability David Clark discussing the role of the circular economy as part of a green economic response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Just 6% had explored short, medium and long-term risks that could emerge as the world moves along the low-carbon transition

Business giants failing to disclose climate-related risks

Europe's largest businesses are failing to provide relevant climate-related data to investors, which could jeopardise the European Union's aims to deliver a "just" carbon-neutral transition by 2050.
30% of manufacturers had been focusing heavily on energy efficiency investments over the last year

Report: UK manufacturers boosting profits by focusing on energy efficiency

UK manufacturers that have taken steps to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise operations are reaping benefits, with 40% reporting increased profit margins and 30% experiencing increased competitiveness.
The call from the SBTi comes as politicians prepare to outline economy recovery packages to respond to the economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic

Business giants call for science-based green economic recovery

More than 150 business giants, including Carlsberg, H&M and Pernod Ricard, with a combined market capitalisation of more than $2.4trn, have signed a joint statement calling on all governments to align coronavirus economic responses to climate science.
The sessions will be available to watch on-demand for those who have registered

Today at 1pm: Register for the Business Leadership online event

Sustainability experts from L'Oreal, Microsoft, RBS and OVO Energy have all been confirmed for edie's Climate Action Business Leadership sessions, an afternoon of back-to-back online events focused on raising corporate sustainability actions.
edie's content director Luke Nicholls spoke with Forum for the Future's founder-director Jonathon Porritt over Microsoft Teams

Jonathon Porritt: Corporate advocacy must be cornerstone of coronavirus recovery

EXCLUSIVE: Business leaders must use the Covid-19 recovery process as an opportunity to promote the benefits of deep decarbonisation, and to rebuild an economy based on strong social and environmental values, Forum for the Future’s founder-director Jonathon Porritt has told edie.
Over the next 18 months, the working group will focus its efforts on identifying and exploring priorities for action to lay the foundations for net-zero in the UK

Carbon scorecards and working groups: Engineers gear up to support UK's net-zero ambition

The National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC) has outlined the steps that the engineering sector can take to assist with the UK-wide decarbonisation to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, while WSP has led an economy-wide call for strengthened net-zero policies.
The 15-minute video interview with Christiana Figueres was recorded to kick-start edie's Net-Zero Week of themed content and online events

Christiana Figueres: Businesses must put net-zero at heart of green recovery

EXCLUSIVE: Governments and businesses have an "enormous opportunity" to build decarbonisation principles into the Covid-19 recovery process, the former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres has told edie.
Each of these success stories exemplifies how businesses are ramping up ambitions and actions in all areas of sustainable development 

Oxford's zero-carbon homes and L'Oreal's eco-fund: 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 research found that 42 million tonnes of CO2 would be removed from the atmosphere by switching to EVs

Switching all UK cars to electric vehicles would slash emissions by 12%, researchers claim

Switching all cars on UK roads to available electric vehicles (EVs) like the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model 3 would cut the nation's emissions by almost 12%, new research from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has found.
The Commission is discussing an EU recovery fund, with MEPs meeting on Friday (15 May) to negotiate a new seven-year budgetary process

More than one million citizens back calls for EU green investments to spur Covid-19 recovery

More than 100 environmental NGOs and one million European citizens have joined the calls for the European Union (EU) to stimulate the economy through massive green investment efforts.
The report explores an array of low-carbon innovations, including battery storage, vehicle-to-grid (V2G), CHP systems and integration of renewables

edie launches free Decentralised Energy Toolkit for businesses

edie has today (13 May) launched a new toolkit, in association with UK Power Network Services, to outline and showcase how businesses large and small can explore distributed energy solutions to assist with decarbonisation strategies and give them more control over energy usage.
The report is free to download

Mission Possible: edie launches new sustainable business report for the retail sector

edie has published a new Mission Possible report today (12 May) outlining the key drives, challenges and opportunities facing sustainable businesses in the UK retail sector.
Mitie has already switched to 100% renewable energy across its business

Mitie signs up to RE100 following EP100 and EV100 commitments

Mitie has become the first facilities management firm to sign up to all three of the Climate Group's initiatives, after committing to source 100% renewables as part of the RE100 platform and having already signed up to the EV100 and EP100 initiatives.
EVBox will provide online training to Seven Trent’s installation partners on how to use the charge points

Severn Trent rolls out 350 electric vehicle charging point at UK facilities

The UK's second-biggest water company, Severn Trent, is installing more than 350 electric vehicle (EV) charge points across its sites, as part of its commitment to covert 100% of its transport fleet to electric by 2030.
The companies studied have all made recent commitments to combatting climate change, with some badging their new strategies as net-zero

Oil and gas giants overstating net-zero ambitions, study finds

Recent announcements from European oil and gas majors such as Total, Shell and BP to commit to net-zero aren't actually aligned to the required, science-based cuts to emissions to reach net-zero or the 1.5C target of the Paris Agreement, new research has found.
Centrica will also oversee a new sustainability programme focused on low-carbon technologies that will enable Lotus to mitigate the environmental impacts across its operations

Centrica and Lotus partner up on electric vehicle energy storage

Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, has announced a new strategic partnership with auto manufacturer Lotus to give electric vehicle (EV) owners more viability to store electricity and reduce household emissions.
edie has rounded up the key findings from the survey

In numbers: The public's understanding of net-zero and green policies

A government survey of more than 1,800 UK citizens has found that the public is largely unaware of net-zero movement and what that means for the UK, despite more than three-quarters of citizens being concerned about climate change.
During the last 10 years, the firm has reduced the absolute carbon emissions associated with its energy use by 63%

Law firm Slaughter and May's carbon goals approved by SBTi

Legal giant Slaughter and May has confirmed that a goal to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 has been approved by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) as aligned to the 1.5C ambition of the Paris Agreement.
Each of these success stories exemplifies how businesses are ramping up ambitions and actions in all areas of sustainable development 

Wooden turbines and Schneider Electric's net-zero homes: 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.
One key recommendation is the inclusion of “climate conditionalities” into stimulus packages that enable different-sized corporates to recovery through sustainable actions

Business leaders call for recovery packages to be tied to net-zero corporate targets

The chief executives from 40 global organisations including BP, Heathrow Airport, Shell and HSBC, have called on governments to focus economic recovery packages in ways that enable sectors and businesses to transition to low-carbon and resilient models of operation.
The hydrogen that is produced will need to be low-carbon, cost-effective and spur an economic recovery, the EAC notes.

MPs to probe role of hydrogen in net-zero transition

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) is to seek advice on the role of low-carbon hydrogen production and utilisation in accordance with the UK's wider efforts to spur economic growth and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The business guide is free to download

edie launches updated net-zero business guide to account for Covid-19 and green policy delays

Organisations looking to understand the various issues surrounding the hot topic of net-zero and how the trend could be impacted by the coronavirus and delays to critical green legislation now have access to a crucial new edie Explains guide, which breaks down everything you need-to-know on the topic.

edie Explains: Net-zero carbon business

What is 'net-zero' in the context of business emissions? Which organisations are most suited to adopting net-zero carbon strategies? And, what is the impact of the coronavirus on the net-zero movement?

#SustyTalk: Bournemouth University's Neil Smith on sustainable behaviour change during lockdown

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with Bournemouth University's sustainability manager Neil Smith discussing how he has adapted a university-wide sustainable behaviour change scheme to account for home working and how the organisation is explaining its net-zero target.
Signatories of the alliance say they are committed to supporting post-pandemic “stimulus transformation plans” through climate action

Financiers join EU 'green recovery alliance'

More than 50 CEOs from the banking and insurance sector - including household names such as BNP Paribas, AXA, Allianz, and Santander - have joined the "green recovery alliance" in the European Parliament.
The CCC believes that the government can lead a shift to new social norms, including supporting home working and remote medical consultations as well as improved safety for cycling

CCC: Change tax systems to build green economic recovery post-coronavirus

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has advised Prime Minister Boris Johnson, COP26 President Alok Sharma and national first ministers across the UK, calling for climate action to be placed at the heart of an economic rebuild following the coronavirus pandemic.

Total commits to net-zero emissions by 2050 following investor pressure

Global energy company Total is the latest in the sector to commit to net-zero emissions, setting a target for 2050 or sooner after extensive engagement with a climate action investor coalition.
To date, 8.2MW of solar PV has been installed across 43 Scottish Water sites, capable of generating 6.5GWh of renewable electricity annually

Scottish Water switches on latest solar array at Dunfermline wastewater facility

A wastewater treatment facility in Dunfermline is the latest Scottish Water facility to be fitted with onsite solar technology, as the water company progresses towards its net-zero carbon target for 2040.
The study found that green projects create more jobs, deliver higher short-term returns per pound spent by the government, and lead to increased long-term cost savings

Green stimulus can repair global economy and climate, study says

Green economy recovery packages for the coronavirus crisis will repair the global economy and put the world on track to tackle climate breakdown, but time is running out to implement the changes needed, new analysis has shown.
Each of these success stories exemplifies how businesses are ramping up ambitions and actions in all areas of sustainable development 

World GBC's 'Paris proof' buildings and Abu Dhabi's low-cost solar: 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 masterclass is still available to watch on-demand

Five steps to building a resilient carbon strategy in a post-pandemic world

During edie's recent online masterclass, sustainability and energy specialists from Centrica and its Business Solutions arm discussed steps to building corporate carbon strategies while exploring how attitudes towards decarbonisation will change as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
From Engagement Week and Net-Zero Week, to the Mission Possible 2020 report and more #SustyTalks – edie will bring you a jam-packed programme of exclusive online content in May

Engagement, Net-Zero & Mission Possible: edie gears up for bumper month of online content and events

With the UK lockdown continuing into May, edie is keeping up the positive sustainability and climate action with a host of exclusive interviews and reports, two themed weeks of free online events, and the launch of the flagship Mission Possible 2020 report.
The decision was agreed by numerous stakeholders, including the Student Union and the OUem

Oxford University to divest from fossil fuels and align to net-zero strategies

Oxford University has announced that is divesting its remaining investments away from fossil fuel companies and how its fund management service can engage with organisations that showcase net-zero business plans.

#SustyTalk: Jacobs's Zoe Haseman on net-zero strategies during the coronavirus lockdown

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with sustainability engineering firm Jacobs's vice president for global sustainability Zoe Haseman, discussing the rollout of a new net-zero climate action plan and how the lockdown won't slow down corporate decarbonisation planning.
The report states that the global transition would impact every economy, while severely changing business models and societal habits

McKinsey: Reaching 1.5C a ‘daunting’ and unparalleled transition for all sectors

The global transition to limiting global temperature increases to 1.5C by 2050 has been labelled as a "daunting task", that would require unprecedented levels of decarbonisation for key sectors, with the world currently on course to exceed its carbon budget by 2031.
The NGOs expressed concern that no insurer has a commitment to only support projects which are consistent with the needs of a 1.5C transition

NGOs call on investors to respond to coronavirus pandemic through net-zero transition packages

A collection of NGOs have written to some of the world's largest insurers, calling on them to address economic responses to the coronavirus outbreak in ways that are aligned with the urgent need to combat the climate crisis and steer the global economy towards a net-zero future.
The 11th Petersberg Climate Dialogue reiterated the need for climate action during the pandemic

Messages of hope: How world leaders are rallying for a green Covid-19 recovery

The two-day Petersberg Climate Dialogue finished yesterday evening, with ministerial leaders from the UK, Germany, the EU and the UN all delivering rallying cries for nations to focus on climate mitigation as part of any efforts to stimulate the economic downturned caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
The RHI was put in place by the Government as a means to convert 12% of UK homes to renewable heat by the end of 2020

Government planning to replace RHI with Clean Heat Grant

The UK Government has outlined its intentions to replace the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) with a new Clean Heat Grant that will aim to help households and businesses decarbonise through technology and push the nation towards its net-zero target for 2050.
The company has developed a Life Cycle Assessment tool with third-party experts to evaluate the carbon impact of every process across the value chain

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

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

Yorkshire Tea achieves carbon-neutral certification for operations and products

Yorkshire Tea has announced that all its products are carbon neutral from field to shelf, following a five-year programme to reduce emissions across its supply chain and operations.
The four weeks of April has seen coal account for less than 1% of electricity generation

UK sets new record for coal-free generation

The UK has this morning broken its existing record for coal-free power generation, surpassing 18 consecutive days and counting.
The report notes that the UK offshore wind sector could have significant future employment potential and could act as an alternative for offshore oil and gas workers

EU's climate strategy can spur 'just' and resilient labour market

On the eve of the release of the EU's recovery strategy, a group of business leaders have called for the bloc's climate-neutral target to be coupled with a "just transition" that could deliver job growth against future climate, demographic and technological megatrends.
The Petersberg Climate Dialogue takes place over two days. Photo: BMU/Christoph Wehrer 2020.

Petersberg Climate Dialogue: Alok Sharma rallies for global net-zero transition policies

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and COP26 President, Alok Sharma, spoke at the 11th Petersberg Climate Dialogue to call on nations to "set clear targets and policies" that are aligned to a rapid net-zero transition and will stimulate green economic growth.
edie’s content editor Matt Mace interviews Buro Happold’s director of sustainability, Duncan Price 

The Net-Zero Business Podcast: How will the coronavirus impact Buro Happold's 2021 goal?

In response to the accelerated pace at which corporates are examining and setting net-zero targets to help alleviate the climate crisis, edie has launched a new spin-off of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast. Up next, an exclusive interview with engineering firm Buro Happold.
Jacobs' climate action plan has outlined steps to set science-based targets

Jacobs and CMS UK unveil net-zero targets

Engineering firm Jacobs has unveiled a new climate action plan that commits the company to reach net-zero emissions across operations and business travel by the end of the year, while UK law firm CMS has set a net-zero target for 2025, backed by science-based targets.
Oxford City Council has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions within its own operations by the end of 2020

Oxford City Council adds electric vehicles to fleet as part of net-zero journey

Oxford City Council has had its first batch of electric vehicles (EVs) issued as both the council and the city gear up to deliver an "energy superhub" as part of a net-zero emissions trajectory.
Trains at the Evian facility

Evian achieves carbon neutral certification globally

Danone-owned bottled water brand Evian has confirmed it has achieved carbon neutral certification across all the countries where the brand operates, following efforts to improve the efficiency of facilities and logistics and reducing lifecycle emissions of its bottles.
According to the Guardian, Shell has a carbon footprint of more than 31 billion tonnes since 1965

Royal Dutch Shell commits to net-zero emissions by 2050

One of the world's largest emitters, Royal Dutch Shell, is set to announce plans to become a net-zero emissions business by 2050 at the latest at its Responsible Investment Annual Briefing today (16 April).
Consumption-based emissions have only reduced by 15% since 1990

Almost half of UK's carbon emissions not accounted for under net-zero target, report warns

The UK's net-zero target is failing to account for emissions from overseas manufacturing of products imported into the country, a figure which a new report from WWF claims accounts for 46% of the UK's annual carbon footprint.
According to the Climate Group, businesses signed up to its EP100 initiative have collectively shaved $55m (£45m) off their energy costs

Mitie to double energy productivity through EP100 initiative

British facilities management (FM) firm Mitie has built on its net-zero emissions target set for 2025 by joining the Climate Group's EP100 initiative to double its energy productivity.
The researchers do note that smaller-scale technologies won’t reach net-zero emissions by mid-Century in isolation and may have to be combined with larger-scale solutions

Prioritise Small-scale technology to deliver affordable net-zero transition, researchers claim

A new study has warned of focusing on "politically seductive" large-scale solutions such as nuclear and carbon capture and storage (CCS), noting that more granular solutions like energy storage, solar and heat pumps can be mass deployed at an affordable cost to enable a quicker net-zero transition.
Pictured: Tree Saplings planted under an offset scheme. Image: Philip Halling/ cc-by-sa/2.0 / geograph.org.uk/p/4122268

UK Government urged to launch 'office for carbon removal' in crackdown on offsetting greenwash

The UK Government should open a national 'office for carbon removal' in order to verify that carbon offsets purchased by businesses in the drive for compliance with its net-zero target have a tangible climate impact.
Equinor has said it will need to become a "broad energy company" to meet its targets. Image: Equinor

Equinor leaves US oil and gas industry body due to 'lack of position' on climate policy

Norwegian oil and gas giant Equinor has announced that it is leaving a US oil and gas industry association due to a "misalignment" with the company's new climate commitments and is set to influence other associations to deliver strong climate targets.
The move comes after months of mounting pressure from investors and climate activists. Image: Barclays

Barclays sets 2050 net-zero climate policy, covering operations and investments

British banking giant Barclays has pledged to become a net-zero business by 2050, under new a new climate policy which covers both direct operations and finance allocated externally.
edie’s senior reporter Sarah George interviews Mitie's director of sustainability, social value and fleet Simon King

The Net-Zero Business Podcast: A deeper dive into Mitie's 2025 net-zero strategy

In response to the accelerated pace at which corporates are examining and setting net-zero targets to help alleviate the climate crisis, edie has launched a new spin-off of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast. First up on the Net-Zero Business podcast is an exclusive interview with facilities management giant Mitie.
The report adds that Scope 3 emissions account for 90% of BAT’s total carbon footprint

British American Tobacco targets carbon neutrality by 2030

British American Tobacco (BAT) has announced a new ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and eliminating unnecessary single-use plastics by 2025, having slashed emissions by almost 50% since 2000.
The webinar provided practical insights and fresh guidance on delivering deep decarbonisation and accelerating climate action

Nine top tips for developing and delivering a net-zero strategy

While the coronavirus outbreak is undeniably top-of-mind at present, mid-to-long-term planning for decarbonisation remains crucial in light of the global climate crisis - and, on a national basis, the UK Government's 2050 net-zero target. Here, edie rounds up nine top tips for organisations looking to develop and deliver net-zero strategies during this crucial decade.
The EU's Green Deal sets a 2050 net-zero target for the bloc - but an interim aim for 2030 is yet to be finalised.

EU exploring cost-benefit of 55% emissions cut by 2030

In the middle of the Covid 19 outbreak, the European Commission published last week what would have otherwise been a high-profile initiative: the launch of a cost-benefit analysis of increasing the EU's climate ambition for 2030 in view of reaching net-zero emissions by mid-century.
The North West cluster could deliver 33,000 jobs. Image:Manchester Metropolitan University

Upskilling roadmap set up to decarbonise North West industrial cluster

An energy and hydrogen cluster set to be developed in the North West has pledged to create a roadmap to combat existing skills gaps for the low-carbon transition, as part of wider government plans to fully decarbonise industrial clusters in the UK.
Images: Samsonite/Neste

Samsonite, Neste, make fresh carbon-neutral commitments

Luggage giant Samsonite has pledged to become a carbon-neutral company by 2025, in the same week that innovative fuel producer Neste unveiled a plan to achieve carbon-neutral production by 2035.
The Council continued its leadership in the city’s carbon reduction efforts by launching a new strategy to reduce its own emissions by 55% by 2025

Net-zero cities: Leeds's mission to be carbon neutral by 2030

edie's new mini-series exploring how local authorities are collaborating with businesses to actuate community-centred sustainability schemes on the road to net-zero emissions continues, this time exploring how Leeds plans to become a net-zero city by 2030.
The Budget sets the building block for natural and technological climate solutions, but the hard yards are ahead to reach net-zero

Does the Budget put the UK on course for net-zero emissions?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak's first Budget was brimming with green funding for natural climate solutions and carbon capture and storage (CCS), but key spending reviews and strategies on the horizon will clarify whether these will act as the launchpad for a net-zero carbon economy.
The move to 10-11 November means that Net-Zero Live will now take place during the first week of the COP26 climate talks which are being hosted in Glasgow

edie's Net-Zero Live 2020 suspended to 10-11 November 2020

edie's publisher Faversham House has announced that Net-Zero Live 2020 - originally due to take place at Birmingham's NEC on 19-20 May 2020 - has been suspended and moved to the new date of 10 -11 November 2020.
The commitment builds on Cornwall Council's plan to reach net-zero operational emissions within a decade. Image: Royal Cornwall NHS Hospital

Cornwall becomes first NHS region to set 2030 net-zero target

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly's sustainability and transformation partnership (STP), which includes all key NHS provisions across the region, has set a 2030 net-zero target in what it claims is a UK first.
Next week’s Budget will likely provide an indication of areas of focus for the NIS

National Infrastructure Strategy delay could spark net-zero planning focus

Reports have emerged that the Government's long-awaited 30-year National Infrastructure Strategy (NIS) is to be delayed again, citing beliefs that the £100bn strategy could be revamped to account for the UK's net-zero emissions target.
The technology has delivered annual carbon savings of 8,783 tonnes of CO2e for Sainsbury’s

'Formula One Fridges' delivering carbon savings for Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's has announced that its new Battersea Park Station has been fitted with its 400,000th Aerofoil technology solution that helps improve the energy usage of fridges, as it builds on its net-zero emissions target for 2040.
Manchester set a 2038 net-zero target in 2018

Manchester City Council spells out five-year action plan to halve emissions

Manchester City Council hopes to approve a new action plan that would commit to halving the council's carbon footprint by 2025, in assistance with the city's wider ambition to reach net-zero emissions by 2038.
O2 has already reduced operational emissions by more than 80% since 2010 and claims the new targets will help it "move further and faster"

O2 targets net-zero network and operations by 2025

Telecommunications giant O2 has pledged to achieve net-zero across its entire business and mobile network by 2025 - a move it claims will make it the UK's first net-zero mobile network provider.
Truss's objectives paper explicitly mentions the environment 180 times - but is it ambitious enough to meet the twin challenges of the climate and nature emergencies?

From climate action to chlorinated chicken: How will a US-UK trade deal impact the environment?

After International Trade Secretary Liz Truss kick-started UK-US negotiations for post-Brexit trade deals, edie explores how a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US could impact progress towards the UK's net-zero target and affect other environmental standards.
The project could become operational during the mid-2020s

Oil and gas giants sign up to Teesside net-zero carbon capture project

BP, Eni, Equinor, Shell and Total have all signed up to spearhead the development of the Net-Zero Teesside project that aims to develop the UK's first decarbonised industrial cluster through the use of carbon capture, utilisation and storage technology (CCUS).
Take a look through all of the month's most-read stories and click the links in the descriptions below to read them for yourself

Heathrow court case and Mary Robinson's net-zero speech: The top 10 sustainability stories of February 2020

With spring now on the horizon, we take a look back at a February packed full of sustainability and energy news. This round-up includes all the highlights from edie's Sustainability Leaders Forum and recaps a bumper month for green policy.
The initiative forms part of the GSMA’s climate action roadmap for the industry, which has already seen operators disclose impacts via CDP

Science-based pathway for net-zero emissions established for telecoms sector

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) and the GSMA have forged a new partnership to develop a sector-specific decarbonisation pathway that will outline how all companies in the mobile sector can set science-based targets.
Under the commitment, all new sites will need to be carbon-neutral from the outset, including the Koodaideri iron ore mine in East Pilbara, Australia (pictured). Image: Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto sets 2050 net-zero goal - but excludes Scope 3 emissions

Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has set a commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its global operations by 2050, backed with a $1bn investment pot.
Green corporate investments made in 2019 will mitigate 2.4 gigatons of emissions over their lifetime - but a rapid upscaling is needed to meet net-zero by mid-century

CDP: Europe's biggest corporates must double green investments to reach net-zero

Some 880 of Europe's largest businesses collectively invested €124bn (£103.8bn) in low-carbon initiatives in 2019 - but this equates to just 12% of their capital expenditure, when 25% will be needed to meet the EU's 2050 net-zero target.
edie’s senior reporter Sarah George interviews the National Trust’s head of environmental practices Lizzy Carlyle 

The Net-Zero Business Podcast: Examining the National Trust’s 2030 net-zero strategy

In response to the accelerated pace at which corporates are examining and setting net-zero targets to help alleviate the climate crisis, edie has launched a new spin-off of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast. First up on the Net-Zero Business podcast is an exclusive interview with the National Trust.
The global cement industry is estimated to account for 6-7% of man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually and is widely considered hard-to-abate. Image: Cemex

Cemex targets net-zero concrete by 2050

Multinational cement and building materials giant Cemex has pledged to reach net-zero across its operations and products by 2050, as part of a new climate action strategy.
The majority (90%) of Mitie's carbon footprint can be attributed to transport 

Facilities management giant Mitie sets 2025 net-zero carbon target

British facilities management (FM) firm Mitie has set a net-zero carbon target for 2025, which it claims is the most ambitious in the national FM sector.
The strategy also commits to a year-on-year reduction of construction waste

Sir Robert McAlpine targets net-zero emissions by 2024

Building and civil engineering company Sir Robert McAlpine has announced a new public commitment to implement carbon reduction initiatives to reach net-zero emissions in the next five years.
Net-Zero Live will take place on 10-11 November at the NEC Birmingham

Accelerating climate action: edie evolves flagship energy and sustainability event into Net-Zero Live 2020

The UK’s largest energy and sustainability event has been transformed into Net-Zero Live, a free-to-attend experience which will unite businesses, policymakers, investors, NGOs, product and solutions providers around a common purpose: to spark new ideas and actions on the path to a net-zero carbon future.
The commitment covers emissions related to preparations for, and the operations of, the tournament. Image: FIFA/ Al Sadd SC

FIFA vows to deliver carbon-neutral 2022 World Cup

FIFA and the State of Qatar have jointly launched a sustainability strategy for the 2022 World Cup, headlined by a commitment to deliver carbon-neutrality across the event's operations.
Just nine months ago, analysis by the ECIU found that 16% of GDP was covered by net-zero carbon emission ambitions

Report: 49% of world's GDP covered by net-zero targets

Just under half of the world's annual GDP is now covered by nations, regions and cities that are legislating for a net-zero emissions target, a new study has revealed.
Burberry has set a targeted 30% absolute reduction in scope 3 emissions by 2030. Image: Mparweo/Wikipedia

Burberry introduces carbon 'insetting' fund

Luxury fashion firm Burberry will create a "regeneration fund" to support a new portfolio of "carbon insetting projects" that aim to deliver regenerative agriculture practices across its supply chain - a move that will see its Autumn/Winter 2020 runway show at London Fashion Week become carbon-neutral.
Steel is widely regarded as a hard-to-abate sector, with the production of every tonne of material emitting 1.8 tonnes of CO2. Image: Leeds University 

UK universities receive £1.26m boost for low-carbon steel roadmap

Scientists at the Universities of Sheffield and Leeds have been awarded £1.26m to accelerate their work developing low-carbon solutions for the steel sector.
Since 2005, Delta has reduced its absolute GHG footprint by 11% from 46 million metric tonnes to 41 million metric tonnes. Image Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines commits $1bn to become carbon neutral

US-based Delta Air Lines has committed $1bn over the next decade to mitigate emissions from its business to become carbon neutral, with the company pledging to minimise its reliance on the carbon offset market.
Sharma has a busy 10 months ahead. Image: Gov.uk

Alok Sharma: What we know about the COP26 President's views on climate change

In an unexpected announcement, Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom has been replaced by International Development Secretary Alok Sharma, who has also been named as COP26 President. Here, edie examines Sharma's track record on climate legislation to date.
The Working Group, National Church Institutions and every cathedral body and Diocesan Synod will provide progress reports and updates towards the net-zero ambition every three years

Church of England commits to net-zero emissions by 2030

The Church of England will "urgently examine" what will be required to reach net-zero emissions, after a vote was passed to set the target for 2030, 15 years ahead of an initially recommended date.
Other oil and gas majors with net-zero targets include Eni and Equinor

BP sets 2050 net-zero carbon target

BP's new chief executive has set an ambition to shrink the oil giant's carbon footprint to net zero by 2050 and will cut the carbon intensity of the energy it sells by 50% over the same period.
Sky will target a 50% absolute reduction in emissions by 2030

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

EXCLUSIVE: Sky is facing the daunting task of engaging with 11,000 companies and 24 million customers as part of its new commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. The group's head of responsible business Fiona Ball outlines how Sky is "dissecting" this target to manage the transformation.
Pictured L-R: ClimateCare CEO Vaughan Lindsay; IFC director Ousseynou Nakoulima; Interface's Erin Meezan; Vattenfall's Annika Ramskold and Futerra's Solitaire Townsend discussing how businesses can respond to the climate emergency. 

Seven top tips for kick-starting your organisation's net-zero transition

Last year, dozens of 'climate emergency' declarations were made by governments, local authorities, political parties and businesses. But how can sustainability, CSR and energy professionals help their organisations respond to these declarations with ambitious, impactful and long-lasting actions?
Robinson said that nations couldn't look to make themselves net-zero while continuing to fund polluting projects in developing countries

Mary Robinson: Business and governments must avoid net-zero 'hypocrisy'

EXCLUSIVE: The former president of Ireland Mary Robinson has claimed that net-zero commitments made by governments and corporates must lead to a "just transition" that also combats the "hypocrisy" of ignoring fossil fuel developments further afield.
A “Sustainable Aviation Fuels Road-Map” has also been released today, noting that alternative and sustainable fuels could account for one third of the UK’s demand for aviation fuel by 2050

UK aviation launches net-zero commitment for 2050, but won't cap growth

Key members of the UK aviation industry, including Boeing, Virgin Atlantic and London City Airport are among a coalition that has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the sector by 2050, to assist with the UK's overall net-zero strategy.
The plan includes fresh funding, a new regulatory approach, and promises to change processes for collaboration with policymakers and industry. Pictured: The Walney Wind Farms

Ofgem sets out nine-point plan to prioritise climate crisis

Britain's energy regulator has said it will change how it governs the industry to help meet the government's climate targets, after coming under fire for failing to prioritise the climate emergency.
The analysis forecasts inadequate emissions reductions across sectors including energy, transport and the built environment. Image: The coal-fired Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station. Roger Kidd, CC BY 2.0

UK set to breach fifth carbon budget, despite setting net-zero goal

The UK is still set to miss its fifth carbon budget despite the creation of a legally-binding net-zero target for 2050 last year, new analysis has found.
The report highlights the potential environmental impact of scaling up biomass supply chains

Report: UK Government's net-zero plans 'over-reliant' on biomass and carbon capture

The UK Government is over-prioritising carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) and biomass in its net-zero plans and failing to account for the impact these technologies could have on land use.
The company's carbon-neutral strategy revolves around energy efficiency, renewables and offsetting. Image: EY 

EY targets carbon neutrality by end of 2020

Professional services giant EY has pledged to become a carbon-neutral business by the end of the year, through investments in decarbonising its operations and in carbon offsetting schemes.
National Grid is targeting net-zero by 2050, with its ESO claiming it will be ready to handle zero-carbon power by 2025 

Electricity and gas networks 'failing to show true leadership on net-zero'

The RIIO2 challenge group has lamented a lack of "true leadership" among network operators on subject of decarbonisation, stating that none of the companies that submitted business plans to Ofgem in December have been "genuinely proactive".

Mission Possible: Achieving a net-zero future for the public sector

edie's fifth guide in our series of net-zero reports across various industries looks at how the public sector are driving towards net-zero across their own operations and local communities.

The taskforce will publish its first two analyses to coincide with COP26

Businesses team up to launch net-zero infrastructure taskforce

Industry bodies representing hundreds of firms across the engineering and environmental technologies sectors have partnered to analyse how the UK's infrastructure should be redesigned to meet net-zero by 2050.
Sainsbury’s will work with suppliers to help them set individual net-zero commitments

Sainsbury's commits £1bn to become net-zero by 2040

Supermarket retailer Sainsbury's has pledged to invest £1bn over the next 20 years in order to become a net-zero business across its own operations.
140,000 existing 'green-collar' roles will need filling, while a further 260,000 must be created, the analysis concludes 

National Grid: 400,000 energy jobs must be filled to hit net-zero

More than 117,000 roles will need to be filled in the energy sector by 2030, and a further 283,000 by 2050, if the UK is to meet its net-zero target.
The local authority has also confirmed plans to bolster its existing £84m climate-related funding pot with an additional £1m of operational funding and £18m of capital investment

Net-zero cities: Oxford's mission to become carbon-neutral by 2030

edie's new mini-series exploring how local authorities are collaborating with businesses to actuate community-centred sustainability schemes on the road to net-zero emissions continues, this time with a look at how Oxford and its Citizens' Climate Assembly are aiming for net-zero by 2030.
Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer. Image Heriot-Watt University

Industrial Decarbonisation Champion to steer £20m innovation centre for net-zero transition

Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer has been appointed as an "Industrial Decarbonisation Champion" to oversee the development of a £20m research and innovation centre at Edinburgh's Heriot-Watt University that will drive the delivery of the UK's net-zero emissions target.
More than 3,000 business leaders, policymakers, thought leaders and celebrities are due to gather in Switzerland for the Forum this week

World Economic Forum calls on business chiefs to set net-zero targets

All business leaders and companies attending the World Economic Forum in Davos this week have been asked to make public commitments to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier.
All UK businesses will be required to reach net-zero by 2050, with the survey exploring how they plan to make this transition 

Survey: Lack of know-how hampering net-zero progress from businesses

Ever more UK businesses are targeting net-zero by, or ahead of, the Government's 2050 deadline. But half of businesses with net-zero targets are struggling to plan to deliver against them, a new survey has found.
Microsoft will launch a $1bn climate innovation fund, using its own capital, to help develop carbon reduction and removal technologies

'Neutral is not enough': Microsoft pledges to become carbon-negative by 2030

Tech giant Microsoft has today (16 January) unveiled a bold new plan to reduce its carbon impact to below net-zero by 2030, with an additional goal of removing carbon from the atmosphere that the company has emitted since it was founded in 1975.
The plan builds on the firm's existing pledge to reach net-zero carbon by 2021 

Forster Communications targets 'climate-positivity' by 2023

Social change PR agency Forster Communications has pledged to become 'climate-positive' by 2023, reversing and mitigating more negative environmental impacts than it generates through its direct and indirect actions.
Pictured: The National Trust’s director-general Hilary McGrady unveiling the new strategy at the Barbican Centre in London

National Trust to plant 20 million trees in bid to become net-zero by 2030

The National Trust has unveiled a plan to become net-zero carbon by 2030, which features one of the UK's biggest forest expansion projects.
Pictured: Liverpool Waters’ Princes Dock. Image: Peel L&P

UK's first net-zero offices certified in Manchester and Liverpool

A portfolio of 11 office properties across Liverpool and Greater Manchester have been verified as net-zero carbon against the UK Green Building Council's (UKGBC) standard, in what the developer has described as a national first.

School strikes, science-based targets and climate emergency declarations: Recapping the sustainability stories of 2019

With just one week left until Christmas, edie recaps what has been a mammoth year for sustainability stories - from the UK's net-zero target to the growing business movement towards 1.5C.
The council’s declaration noted that “taking immediate action will help to protect Nottingham people from the consequences of irreversible climate change

Net-zero cities: Nottingham's mission to be carbon-neutral by 2028

edie's new mini-series exploring how local authorities are collaborating with businesses to actuate community-centred sustainability schemes on the road to net-zero emissions continues, this time with a look at how Nottingham plans to become the UK's first carbon-neutral city by 2028.
Key green economy figures are urging Johnson's government to implement ambitious short, mid and long-term environmental legislation 

'Promises are not enough': Green economy reacts to Boris Johnson's historic election win

After the Conservative Party secured a landslide victory in the UK's general election, members of the nation's green economy are calling on Boris Johnson to turn the green ideations in his party's manifesto into action.
Pictured: Representatives from B Corp members at COP25. Image: Dr Ann Smith

Beyond Paris: 500 companies target net-zero by 2030

More than 500 businesses certified as B-Corps have committed to becoming net-zero by 2030 - 20 years ahead of the IPCC's deadline for limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5C.
Just six months ago, analysis by the ECIU found that 16% of GDP was covered by net-zero carbon emission ambitions

Almost half of global GDP covered by net-zero targets and commitments

Around 40% of the world's annual GDP now derives from nations and regions that are discussing or have set legislative net-zero emissions targets, to be achieved by 2050 at the latest.
The energy company’s EV Everywhere platform enables drives to choose from a free charger or a two-year fixed energy plan to procure 100% green energy

OVO Energy and Mitsubishi forge net-zero transport partnership

OVO Energy and Mitsubishi Motors have announced a new UK partnership to help accelerate the decarbonisation of the transport sector in order to assist with the legally enshrined net-zero target for 2050.
The letter acknowledges the urgency of the climate crisis, and calls on the EU to decarbonise its economy by 2050 at the latest

'Set legally binding net-zero target now', investors urge EU leaders

A coalition of more than 40 investors collectively representing upwards of €6trn of assets under management has written to all EU heads of state, urging them to set legislation in line with net-zero by 2050 or sooner.

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.

The 4 big ideas for net-zero carbon strategies

Experts across energy management came together at edie’s SPARK! 2.0 event to discuss the role that strategy could play in the delivery of net-zero carbon targets.
Pictured: A Portugese offshore wind project jointly financed by Repsol, the EIB and EDP Renewables

Repsol targets net-zero by 2050

Spanish oil and gas giant Repsol has committed to becoming a net-zero emission business by 2050, across its own operations and its indirect impacts.
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

Election debates and net-zero campaigns: The top 10 sustainability stories of November 2019

With COP25 and Christmas now on the horizon, we take a look back at a November packed full of sustainability and energy news. This round-up includes all the highlights from edie's Net Zero November campaign and the build-up to the UK general election.
Childbase Partnership runs 43 day nurseries throughout the South of England, providing for nearly 6,000 children aged between six weeks to five years

Childbase Partnership sets net-zero emissions target for 2030

UK childcare and education provider Childbase Partnership has announced a radical new commitment to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint across its nurseries and head office by 2030.
(L-R): Amelia Womack, Alan Simpson, Leslie Hook, Kwasi Kwarteng, Lord Fox and BT's head of environmental sustainability Gabrielle Giner

General election: How UK parties are addressing 9 key net-zero challenges

Ahead of Channel 4's leaders debate on climate change, representatives from the UK's four largest parties met in London to set out their plans for net-zero. Here, edie rounds up the key takeaways.

edie's General Election 2019 green policy manifesto matrix

edie has launched a policy manifesto matrix, outlining all the key commitments – and some notable omissions – that the Conservatives, Labour, Green Party and Liberal Democrats have issued.

The thinktank is calling for new measures to reach net-zero at the current 2050 deadline without spiralling costs or harming UK competitiveness

Net-zero by 2025 'practically impossible' due to spiralling costs, report finds

Moving the UK's net-zero emission target forward 25 years is "practically impossible", according to new thinktank research which found that setting a net-zero target for 2025 would cost £200bn each year at a minimum - more than the NHS's annual budget.
PMI first announced its factory decarbonisation target this summer, and is due to have a second location certified as carbon-neutral by 2020

Philip Morris: Offsetting isn't the 'credible' long-term solution to carbon-neutrality

EXCLUSIVE: As it strives to achieve carbon-neutrality across all factories by 2030, cigarette giant Phillip Morris International (PMI) will continue to "do the hard work first" and only use offsetting as the last piece of the puzzle, the firm's director of operational sustainability has said.
The interactive webinar featured presentations and a live Q&A with three expert speakers

Five top tips for improving energy efficiency on the road to net-zero

During an interactive webinar hosted by edie on Wednesday (20 November), experts from Direct Line Group (DLG) and BiU provided expert advice on how businesses of all sizes and sectors can improve energy efficiency in line with net-zero targets. Here, edie rounds up the key takeaways.
The City’s Energy, Transport and Green New Deal Lead Kye Dudd discusses how Bristol is transitioning to net-zero

Net-zero cities: Bristol's mission to be carbon-neutral by 2030

Launched as part of edie's Net-Zero November campaign, this new mini-series explores how local authorities are collaborating with businesses to actuate community-centred sustainability schemes on the road to net-zero emissions. We begin with a look at Bristol City Council's commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2030 - 20 years ahead of the Government's 2050 deadline.
edie is inviting businesses to make new business commitments

Roadshows, pledges and innovations: edie's Net-Zero November enters final week

edie's month of net-zero content moves into its final week, meaning businesses have more time to upload new pledges and gain insight and inspiration from the themed content being published this week.
The webinar will be available to watch on demand afterwards for those who registered

Available on demand: Energy efficiency 2.0 webinar for Net-Zero November

Shai Guness, compliance and CSR manager at Direct Line Group, spoke during an edie webinar, which will took place on Wednesday 20 November at 2pm (GMT) that outlined the role of energy efficiency in delivering net-zero.
The challenge calls for businesses to invest in “nature-based solutions” such as enhancing biodiversity and reforestation to act as carbon sinks

Gucci boss calls on business leaders to deliver net-zero supply chains

Gucci chief executive Marco Bizzarri has called on business leaders to sign up to a Carbon Neutral Challenge that sees businesses deliver greenhouse gas emissions reductions across their entire value chain in order to achieve net-zero emissions.
The latest episode features five exclusive interviews

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: The Net-Zero November business relay

Episode 75 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast lands during edie's Net-Zero November and delivers five exclusive interviews with energy and sustainability experts from the likes of National Trust, Costa and Yorkshire Water to discuss how businesses can transition to net-zero emissions.
EasyJet will also look to champion carbon capture technologies and sustainable aviation fuels in order to decarbonise its flights and operations. Image: EasyJet

EasyJet to offset all flight emissions, pushes for electric aircraft vision

EasyJet has become the first airline to operate net-zero flights, after agreeing to offset all emissions from fuel starting today (19 November) and will continue to work on rolling out electric aircraft in the future.
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".
The Pledge aims to unite the entirety of the sector in line with the UK's national net-zero target. Image: WSP

Environmental consultancies team up to launch sector-wide 'Pledge to Net-Zero'

Environmental consultancies WSP and AECOM have teamed up to launch a new pledge campaign, urging companies from across the environmental services sector to set science-based targets and report annually on decarbonisation progress.
National Grid has also pledged to spur the reduction of emissions that are outside of its direct control

National Grid commits to net-zero emissions target for 2050

The National Grid has announced a commitment to reduce its direct greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050, the same timeframe as the UK Government's legislative target.
The new policy will cut €2bn (£1.7bn) of yearly investments to fossil fuel projects

European Investment Bank to end financial support for fossil fuels by 2021

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has unveiled a new energy lending policy that will stop all financing for fossil fuel projects at the end of 2021 and unlock €1trn in sustainable development over the next decade.
Northcote will be speaking at edie's Sustainability Leaders Forum in February 2020

John Lewis & Partners: Net-zero a commercial opportunity for business

EXCLUSIVE: John Lewis & Partners' decision to set a net-zero target before the UK Government enshrined its 2050 target into law evidences the fact that sustainability and profitability now go hand-in-hand, the retailer's director of corporate responsibility has claimed.
The 2050 climate objective will be “the big highlight” of the Green Deal

Circular economy 'number one priority' of European Green Deal and net-zero ambitions

The circular economy, including new waste and recycling laws, will represent "half" of the EU's effort to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and will be erected as "the number one priority" of the upcoming European Green Deal, officials have said.
Pictured: Tree Saplings planted under an offset scheme. Image: Philip Halling/ cc-by-sa/2.0 / geograph.org.uk/p/4122268

Greenwash or necessity: What role does carbon offsetting play in reaching net-zero?

Several NGOs offering carbon offsetting have reported a fourfold increase in investment over the past two years - but with concerns around greenwashing persisting, where should businesses be positioning offsetting in their net-zero strategies?
Pictured (L-R): Jonathan Murray, LowCVP; Nick Turton, The Energy Institute; Susanne Baker, TechUK; Caroline Bragg, the ADE; Nina Skorupska, The REA; and Luke Nicholls, edie (chairing). 

First steps: What must businesses focus on now to deliver a net-zero UK by 2050?

According to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the UK's delivery against its 2050 net-zero target will require "rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society" - but where, exactly, should the business response start?
Details on how F1 plans to meet its 2030 target are detailed in its first sustainability strategy. Image: F1

Formula 1 targets net-zero by 2030

Formula 1 (F1) has today (12 November) set a 2030 net-zero target that covers the on-track activity of its cars and the series' wider operations.
Nine of the companies have set a 2050 deadline to achieve net-zero, while four set a date of 2025 or 2030

Just one in 10 of world's largest energy firms have net-zero targets, report finds

Just 10% of the world's largest 132 coal, electricity and oil and gas companies have set time-based commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero, with just three companies also pledging to reduce indirect emissions as well.
Qantas’ offsetting approach is currently the largest in the aviation industry, accounting for around 10% of customer flights. Image: Qantas

Qantas to double flight offsets as part of net-zero 2050 commitment

Australian airline group Qantas will invest $50m in sustainable fuel over the next decade and offset growth in emissions from international and domestic flights in order to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Midlands airport is one of the first to commit to net-zero

Birmingham Airport sets net-zero carbon target for 2033

Birmingham Airport has set a commitment to become a net-zero carbon airport by 2033, noting that it has a "big opportunity" to reduce emissions via onsite renewable generation and would also minimise the use of carbon offsets.
A PV array at Landsec's Ludgate building

Landsec aiming to become net-zero business by 2030, sets 1.5C science-based target

Commercial real estate firm Landsec has launched an updated sustainability strategy for its carbon emissions, aiming to become a net-zero business by 2030 and reduce its absolute carbon emissions by 70% as part of a 1.5C science-based target.
A target of 2030 or sooner was supported by a majority of people in every age group

General Election: Majority of UK public calls for net-zero target to be pushed forward

More than half of UK citizens believe the Government should push the target to reach net-zero ambitions by 2050 forward by at least 20 years, with climate policy set to be a key battleground for the upcoming general election.
the WorldGBC, Landsec and Workspace are forming different but collective paths to net-zero

The collaborative push for net-zero emissions in the built environment

For Net-Zero November, edie sits down with a mainstay sustainability leader, a disruptive new firm and the organisation coordinating an entire sector to see how the built environment can collaboratively transition to a net-zero economy.

REA's Nina Skorupska: Business holds 'untapped potential' to achieve net-zero

EXCLUSIVE: REA's chief executive Nina Skorupska has claimed at an edie event that declarations of a 'climate emergency' must be backed up by robust net-zero emissions and clean energy strategies from business, to avoid the term becoming "greenwash or rhetoric".
The webinar will be available on-demand afterwards for those who've registered

Available to watch on demand: edie's net-zero business webinar

edie's most recent webinar outlined how businesses can engage staff, consumers, stakeholders and suppliers to inspire a global movement towards net-zero emissions, featuring experts from the UK Green Building Council, ITV and International Airlines Group (IAG).
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.
Williams believes the will of citizens is there to deliver a low-carbon economy in the US

Beyond Carbon: The $500m plan to create a low-carbon US, with or without Trump

EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump may have officially kickstarted the process to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, but there is a movement of cities, states and businesses that is driving the nation towards 100% clean energy, with or without support from the federal government.
Clarke was quizzed on net-zero timeframes, technology solutions and Brexit

Treasury's net-zero minister: Climate action will be a 'signature theme' of next government

Speaking exclusively to edie following the launch of its Net-Zero Review, HM Treasury minister Simon Clarke outlines the Government's plans to deliver on the legislation to reduce the UK's emissions to net-zero by 2050.
The EAC's call to action comes shortly before the dissolution of parliament, which will halt its inquiry into the creation of a net-zero Government

Government should lead by example and target net-zero pre-2050, MPs urge

MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) have urged the Government to "put its own house in order" and set internal net-zero targets far more ambitious than the national 2050 deadline.
The guides are free to download for those who have registered 

Net-Zero November: Read up on edie's insight guides and webinars on net-zero

As edie launches Net-Zero November, the content team is resurfacing a collection of exclusive insight reports, guides and webinars on the topic across industries such as utilities, manufacturing and the built environment that are free to download for readers.
edie will bring you exclusive interviews, webinars and reports throughout the month

Net-Zero November: edie kicks off month of themed content and events with raft of new business pledges

The edie content team has officially kicked off Net-Zero November - a month of themed content and events to inform and empower sustainability and energy professionals on the road to a net-zero carbon, with Mission Possible pledges from Liberty Steel, Hammerson and HPE leading the way.
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.
Grangemouth (pictured) is one of the key industrial clusters the Government is seeking to decarbonise

UK Government launches business fund to deliver net-zero industrial clusters

The UK Government has opened two innovation funds aimed at helping businesses plan and deploy technology to help reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Pictured: A floating solar array on Thames Water's Queen Elizabeth II reservoir in Walton on Thames. Image: Thames Water

Thames Water switches to 100% renewable electricity in bid to meet net-zero by 2030

Thames Water has revealed that it is now using 100% renewable electricity across its operations, in a mix which is partly self-generated and partly sourced through power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Zalando will rollout a range of energy efficiency and green transport measures. Image: Zalando

Online retailer Zalando commits to net-zero emissions and plastic-free packaging

Online fashion platform Zalando has confirmed it will operate as a net-zero carbon emissions business from today (30 October), as well as committing to eliminating single-use plastics from its packaging by 2023.
The report calls on Ofgem and Government to do more to bring about support for flexible energy technologies such as battery storage

REA: Ofgem failing to realise crucial role of flexibility in reaching net-zero

With the UK's energy system becoming increasingly "democratised" and businesses and individuals generating and selling, as well as buying, energy, regulator Ofgem is not taking sufficient measures to bring about a flexible energy future.
BP's chief executive Bob Dudley and group chief economist Spencer Dale on stage at the One Young World summit

BP chief: Alternative to 'polluter pays' carbon tax can help meet net-zero

BP's chief executive Bob Dudley and group chief economist Spencer Dale believe that regional carbon prices that don't just tax the producers will enable the oil and gas giant to join the global transition to net-zero emissions, but neither were convinced of when that would happen.
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?
The month-long programme of content has been inspired by Net-Zero Live, edie’s flagship event of 2020 which takes place on 19-20 May at the NEC Birmingham

Net-Zero November: edie to launch themed month of content and events

The edie content team is gearing up for Net-Zero November – a month of themed content and events dedicated to informing, inspiring and empowering sustainability and energy professionals on the road to a net-zero carbon future for their business.
The UK has already met its first and second carbon budgets and is on track to meet the third - but off-course to meet the fourth ad fifth. Pictured: The SSE Ferrybridge coal power station

CCC sets sixth carbon budget date, urges Treasury to ramp up net-zero plans

The Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) chairman Lord Deben has confirmed that the body will publish its recommendations for the UK's sixth carbon budget in September 2020.
The publisher has not yet outlined how it will get to net-zero. Image: GMG

Hold the front page: The Guardian targets net-zero by 2030

Guardian Media Group - the publishing house behind titles including The Guardian and The Observer - has pledged to become a net-zero business by 2030.
As three of the UK's most-emitting sectors, new measures for transport, the built environment and power were mentioned repeatedly in the response paper. 

Government unveils new net-zero support for buildings and 'every single mode of transport'

The UK Government has published its highly-anticipated response to the Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) advice on meeting net-zero carbon by 2050, including new measures to decarbonise business buildings and transport, and to support the uptake of energy storage at scale.
Darroch was speaking at a WWF Where the World Turns event to discuss the role of business in combatting climate change

'We're up for it': Sky exploring its role in net-zero future

Sky's chief executive Jeremy Darroch has claimed that the company is "figuring out" how it can help push the UK to net-zero emissions before the 2050 deadline.
Bentley Motors installed a solar carport at the site, consisting of 10,000 solar modules. The array has a 2.7MW capacity covering 1,378 parking spaces

Bentley achieves carbon-neutral certification at solar-powered Crewe plant

Bentley Motors' corporate headquarters and main manufacturing facility in Crewe has achieved carbon-neutral certification, with a solar-powered carport, green energy contracts and carbon offsets used to decarbonise the plant.
BA will offset emissions from domestic flights within the UK from 2020

British Airways sets net-zero commitment, plans to offset domestic flight emissions

International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways (BA), has become the first airline group to commit to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as BA also announces plans to offset all domestic passenger flight emissions next year.
Howard Boyd (left) gave a keynote speech on the state of climate risk reporting. Image: Sarah George

Environment Agency targets net-zero by 2030

England's Environment Agency (EA) has committed to reaching net-zero carbon in its operations and supply chain by 2030 - two decades ahead of the UK Government's national target.
Globally, around 800 firms have publicly given their support to the TCFD recommendations - but this doesn't necessarily result in full disclosure

Aldersgate Group: UK must make TCFD reporting mandatory to reach net-zero

The UK will not meet its 2050 net-zero goal unless corporates and investors are legally mandated to report on their climate risks and the actions they are taking to mitigate them, the Aldersgate Group has warned.
Pictured: The Walney Extension offshore windfarm off the coast of Blackpool. Image: Orsted.

Labour commits to 37 new wind farms in green industrial revolution election push

Jeremy Corbyn has unveiled plans to create another 70,000 jobs in offshore windfarms part-owned by the public, as his party gears up for an election manifesto focusing on a green industrial revolution.
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.
While all eyes were on Johnson's Brexit plans, he used his speech to deliver his strongest commitment to net-zero since becoming PM  Image: Foreign and Commonwealth Office / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)”

'We can beat the sceptics': Boris Johnson bolsters net-zero commitment in Tory conference speech

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has used his platform at the Conservative Party conference to argue that the UK is primed to lead the global transition to net-zero emissions by mid-century.
The 2040 date is currently not aligned with the recommendations of the Government's own climate advisory body

Conservatives hint at plans for earlier petrol and diesel car sale ban

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said he would like the Government to "thoroughly explore" the feasibility of bringing its current 2040 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars forward.
Image: EcoAct 

Half of UK businesses 'targeting carbon neutrality by 2030'

A survey of 502 UK businesses has found that almost half are aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2030, with 8% claiming they had already reached this milestone.

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.
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 company will also commit €1.5bn annually in net capital expenditure on onshore and offshore wind technology and solar photovoltaic and storage solutions

RWE to become carbon-neutral by 2040

German utilities giant RWE has unveiled a new strategy to transform itself into a carbon-neutral company by 2040 by funnelling billions into renewables projects, decommissioning existing coal-fired plants and backing carbon capture and storage technology.
In total, Kering's 2018 offsets will cover 2.4 million tonnes of CO2e

Refashioned approach: Kering goes carbon-neutral

The luxury fashion group behind brands such as Cartier, Balenciaga and Saint Laurent has confirmed plans to offset its entire 2018 greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint, including its supply chain emissions.
The new Bill aligns with the CCC's advice for the UK to meet net-zero by mid-century

Scotland Climate Bill: MSPs unanimously back 2045 net-zero target

Scottish MSPs have voted 113 to 0 to back the introduction of a new Climate Bill, committing the nation to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.
The report suggests that adopting a circular economy framework across certain production areas would achieve emissions reductions totalling 9.3bn tonnes

Net-zero not possible without circular economy, Ellen MacArthur Foundation finds

Focusing on decarbonising the energy sector alone will not put the world within touching distance of a net-zero carbon economy, according to a new report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation which claims that the transition to a circular economy is also vital.
Around 27% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions were attributable to the supply of energy in 2018, with almost all of this being CO2

edie explores what net-zero carbon looks like for UK utilities in new sector insight report series

Following the UK's world-leading commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, edie has launched a brand-new series of insight reports which investigate how particular industries can achieve rapid decarbonisation, starting with the utilities sector.
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.

Mission Possible: Achieving net-zero carbon in Utilities

Following the UK's world-leading commitment to reach net- zero emissions by 2050, this insight report investigates how the utilities sector can radically reduce carbon whilst enabling and empowering its customers to do the same.
John Holland-Kaye joined more than 60 Heads of State at the UN Summit on Climate Action this week

Heathrow CEO: Aviation sector must set net-zero plan 'as soon as possible'

EXCLUSIVE: Heathrow Airport's chief executive John Holland-Kaye has joined the growing calls for the aviation sector to implement a net-zero strategy, claiming that "imposing punitive costs" will not deter people from flying less.
The UN claims this is the first time this many investors have made a net-zero pledge on the same day.

'Unprecedented': Investors responsible for $2.4trn commit to net-zero alignment

A group of finance giants, collectively responsible for investments worth $2.4trn, have committed to ensuring that their respective portfolios are carbon-neutral by 2050.
The motion was led by Lauren Townsend (pictured). Image: Twitter/Lauren Townsend

Labour commits to 2030 net-zero target as part of Green New Deal

Labour Party members have backed a pledge to reduce greenhouse emissions to net-zero by 2030 - two decades earlier that the government's current target.
Worldwide, aviation is one of the fastest-growing sectors for greenhouse gas emissions, which increased by 76.1% between 1990 and 2012

CCC: Net-zero strategies for shipping and aviation 'must cap growth in demand'

If the UK is to meet its 2050 net-zero target, Ministers must develop sector-specific strategies with time-bound, numerical targets for decarbonising the international aviation and shipping (IAS).
Pictured: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos

Amazon commits to net-zero by 2040 following staff protests

E-commerce giant Amazon has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2040, after its staff lobbied for the firm to take more bold action on climate change.
Wellington city and harbour from Mount Victoria

Net-zero cities can unlock $24tn opportunity, report finds

Investment into readily available technologies could reduce emissions from cities by 90% by 2050, while creating a global economic benefit worth almost $24trn (£19trn), a new report has claimed.
Weinberg believes the strategy sets a "clear direction of travel" for OVO's overarching mission to "power [the] world with positive energy". Image: Sarah George 

Plan Zero: Inside OVO Energy's bold vision to 'fight the climate crisis'

EXCLUSIVE: OVO Energy has today (19 September) published its first sustainability strategy, including plans not only to reach net-zero in its own operations 20 years ahead of the Government's deadline, but to mobilise society in collective climate activism.
Image: MaxPixel 

World's biggest mobile operators vow climate disclosure in first step towards net-zero

BT Group and Vodafone Group are among a coalition of 50+ mobile operators to have agreed to begin publicly disclosing their climate impacts.
23 businesses, 23 cities and six states around the world have now signed the WGBC commitment. Image: JLL

JLL targets 'net-zero' buildings by 2030

Property consultancy JLL has signed the World Green Building Council's (WGBC) net-zero carbon buildings commitment, committing it to bring operational carbon emissions to zero by 2030.
The NFU claims that net-zero can be met for the sector by 2040, even as it grows. Image: NFU

NFU: UK farming sector can reach net-zero by 2040, without ditching beef

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has unveiled a new vision to help the sector meet net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, ten years ahead of the Government's nationwide target.
Almost 600 companies have committed to climate action through the SBTi, but the majority of these targets are aligned to 2C. Image: EN+ Group

Aluminium giant EN+ Group to develop net-zero strategy

Aluminium and hydropower giant EN+ Group has committed to develop emissions targets in line with a 1.5C trajectory within 24 months.
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.

Business Energy Barometer: August - September 2019

edie's second 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 in the past quarterly period.
Clockwise: Schneider Electric’s senior vice-president for sustainability Gilles Vermot Desroches, DSM’s vice-president for sustainability Jeff Turner, Salesforce’s vice-president for sustainability Patrick Flynn and We Mean Business chief executive Nigel Topping

Meeting net-zero requires 'rapidly escalating' carbon pricing, corporate leaders urge

Senior sustainability representatives at major corporates have called on national governments to implement "meaningful and rapidly-escalating" carbon pricing, in order to support businesses on the road to net-zero.
The charities argue that more funding is needed to decarbonise transport, the build environment and heavy industry in particular

UK funding to tackle climate crisis 'must double', Government warned

Britain's biggest environmental groups have warned the government that funding to tackle the climate emergency must be more than double next year to avoid an even greater cost from catastrophic ecological breakdown in the future.
The UK achieved record levels of installations for onshore wind capacity in 2017 - but key industry players believe that current national policies could stifle this growth going forward

Utility giants urge stronger onshore wind policy support on road to net-zero

Scottish Power and SSE are among the big-name utility companies to have signed a letter urging the UK Government to implement greater policy support for onshore wind in light of its new net-zero target.

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.
The Aldersgate Group has been engaging with Government over net-zero for more than a year

Business leaders put pressure on Boris Johnson over next net-zero steps

Members of the Aldersgate Group have today (1 August) jointly sent a green policy manifesto to new Prime Minister Boris Johnson, outlining the next steps they'd like him to take on bolstering the UK's 2050 net-zero target.
Reeves (L) has made a number of recommendations and asked several scathing questions to Leadsom (R). Images: UK Parliament/ Conservative Party

Reeves grills Leadsom on net-zero preparations

Rachel Reeves MP, chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee, has grilled BEIS's new Secretary Andrea Leadsom over her sector-specific plans for helping the UK to reach net-zero by 2050.
Johnson was criticised for only mentioning battery technology in his speech outside No. 10

Boris Johnson insists climate change at the 'absolute core' of Government

Boris Johnson pledged to place tackling climate change at the "absolute core" of the Government's actions during his first appearance in the House of Commons as Prime Minister.
Image: Campaign Against Climate Change

Survey: Most Brits more concerned about climate change than Brexit

More than seven in ten UK residents believe that tackling climate change is a more pressing issue for the nation than delivering Brexit, a new survey has found.
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.
Transport has been widely highlighted as a key focus area for action on the net-zero transition

Government unveils £80m pot to decarbonise aviation and road transport

In a bid to spur the development of new low-carbon transport technologies and systems on the path to net-zero by 2050, the UK has launched a new £80m funding pot for electric car and plane projects.
Under its existing remit, Ofgem is required to keep the government’s climate policies in mind but its primary obligation is to protect the interests of energy consumers. Pictured: Walney Wind Farm

Energy regulator 'out of touch over climate crisis', say businesses

The UK energy regulator is under fire for failing to prioritise the climate emergency as it draws up plans for Britain's energy system.
Manchester City Council set its net-zero target in December 2018, following a feasibility study by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research

Manchester declares 'Climate Emergency' as Leeds bolsters net-zero preparations

Manchester City Council has become the latest local authority to formally declare a 'Climate Emergency', placing it among a coalition of more than 100 others across the UK and Ireland.
The UK's heat networks currently serve about 500,000 customers, but this could rise to five million by mid-century 

Citizens Advice: Government lacking 'credible' plan to decarbonise heat

The Government's failure to implement a "credible" framework for the decarbonisation of heat for commercial and domestic use could undermine public confidence in the net-zero transition, Citizens Advice has warned.

Ovo Energy boss kick-starts campaign for general carbon charge

Ovo Energy's chief executive and founder Stephen Fitzpatrick has launched a new campaign aimed at bolstering the UK's emissions policies on the road to net-zero.
The CCC has highlighted particular challenges in the agriculture, built environment and conservation spaces 

CCC: Policy gaps leaving business unable to manage climate risks

None of the UK's largest 33 sectors have made good progress in improving the way they manage climate risk over the past 12 months, largely due to poor policy support.
The UK Government estimates that around 400,000 people are currently employed in "green-collar" jobs

Government commission necessary for 'just' transition to net-zero, trade unions argue

A coalition of trade unions have urged the UK Government to create a cross-party commission focused on ensuring that the transition to net-zero by 2050 is socially and economically "just".
The EAC is due to assess the government's own internal ambitions to be net-zero across all departments

Environmental Audit Committee to quiz government on net-zero targets

A fresh inquiry into the government's net-zero carbon emissions targets will be undertaken by the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC).
Miliband has been publicly advocating for net-zero since 2015

Ed Miliband: Social justice 'crucial' in meeting net-zero

The UK will not meet its 2050 net-zero goal unless decarbonisation policies are "explicityl and intrinsically" linked to the creation of a more socially equal society, former Labour leader Ed Miliband has argued.

London Mayor calls for Green New Deal for the UK

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged the UK Government to implement a US-style Green New Deal - a move he claims will help move climate-related policy discussions past talk and towards action.
The BEIS committee in the Commons is questioning the Chancellor on the net zero carbon economy costs as part of its investigation into the Clean Growth Strategy

Questions raised about £1trn adaptation cost to net zero carbon economy

Questions have been raised about the £1trn cost estimate of establishing a net-zero carbon economy by the Common's Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee.
Energy and Clean Growth Minister Chris Skidmore passing the bill into law

It's official: UK sets net-zero target into law

The UK has made history by officially enshrining a net-zero emissions target for 2050 into UK law, after MPs unanimously supported the decision.
The new ECIU analysis shows that at least 34 companies with annual income above $1bn have set net-zero emissions targets

Report: Net-zero targets now cover one-sixth of global economy

Almost a sixth of the entire global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is now covered by net zero carbon emissions targets, according to a report.

Former National Grid boss Steve Holliday: We can't isolate oil & gas majors on path to net-zero

Former National Grid boss Steve Holliday urged greater business and policy action to involve oil and gas firms in the power sector's low-carbon transition, arguing that such businesses must be "central" to transformation.
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.
The European Commission will advise member states on how best to alter their decarbonisations frameworks for the next decade at a meeting tomorrow (18 June)

18 EU countries now support 2050 carbon neutrality goal

Germany, Greece, Italy and Slovakia have added their names to a growing list of EU countries supporting a carbon neutrality objective for 2050, increasing the chances that a deal will be struck at an EU summit later this week, according to documents seen by EURACTIV.
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has also argued that the UK's homes could jeopardise progress towards its legally binding emissions targets 

UK-wide homes retrofit project needed to hit 2050 net-zero goal

The task of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050 presents a "vital role" for engineers, including the potential for a massive retrofitting programme across the UK's housing stock, a trade body has claimed.
Image credits: Canary Wharf Group and Eden Project Communities

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Net-zero announcements and plastic-free communities

Episode 65 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast sees edie's content editor Matt Mace and reporter Sarah George discuss net-zero legislation before introducing three exclusive interviews focused on resource efficiency with Canary Wharf Group, the Eden Project and the London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB).
The Taskforce is being headed by the chief executive of Drax Group's B2B energy supply business. Pictured: Drax's North Yorkshire power station 

New business-led taskforce to help UK's private sector reach net-zero

Sky, UPS, Aston Martin and Drax are among the co-founders of a new business-led taskforce aimed at mobilising actors across the UK's private sector to decarbonise in line with the Government's new net-zero vision for 2050.
The announcement follows months of climate protests by students and groups such as Extinction Rebellion - but what happens next? 

The UK Government's net-zero commitment: What happens next?

A statutory instrument to amend the Climate Change Act of 2008 to account for a net-zero target by 2050 will be laid in Parliament today (12 June), marking a first among the G7 nations. But what, exactly, happens next?
The changes to the Climate Change Act will be laid in Parliament today 

'Hugely important for business': Green economy reacts to UK's net-zero target for 2050

Green leaders have come out in force to praise Prime Minister Theresa May's decision to amend the Climate Change Act of 2008 to account for a net-zero target by 2050 - and urged Ministers to detail how they plan to reach this long-term goal as soon as possible.
The Climate Change Act will now be amended to account for net-zero emissions by 2050

Prime Minister agrees legally binding net-zero emissions target for 2050

In one of her last acts as Prime Minister, Theresa May has confirmed that Parliament will implement the recommendations of the Committee on Climate Change, creating a legally binding net-zero carbon target for 2050.
Pictured: The Welsh Assembly building in Cardiff Bay.

Wales accepts CCC's 95% emissions reduction target

Plans for a 95% emissions reduction for Wales, proposed by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) as part of its recommendations on creating a net-zero economy in the UK by 2050, have been accepted by the Welsh Government.
The CCC's advice on legislating for net-zero by 2050, requested by the Government after the IPCC report last autumn, was published on 2 May

Parliament to debate bill committing UK to net-zero by 2050

A bill which would commit the UK Government to reducing national carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050 will be put to Parliament next Tuesday (11 June), the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee has confirmed today (7 June)
Humber produces more carbon emissions than any other industrial hub in the UK 

Government urged to set 2040 net-zero target for Humber

The Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has unveiled a new ambition to reduce the region's carbon emissions to net-zero by 2040 - 10 years ahead of the Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) recommended 2050 deadline for the UK.
BT’s efforts to reduce emissions and combat climate change span more than 20 years

BT generates record £5.5bn through carbon-combative products and services

Telecommunications giant BT generated almost one-quarter (23.4%) of its total annual 2018 revenue through selling products and services which contribute to carbon savings at a consumer level, the business has revealed.
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.
The Government received its requested advice on legislating for net-zero carbon at the start of May, but is yet to make a formal decision on enshrining it in national law 

UK business giants put fresh pressure on government over net-zero

BT, Coca-Cola European Partners and Sainsbury's are among a coalition of 128 UK-based businesses, industry networks and investors to have written to Ministers demanding that a net-zero target for 2050 is legislated "immediately".
Dublin (pictured) is among the eight cities taking part 

Coalition of cities target net-zero carbon buildings by 2050

A coalition of eight European cities, including Dublin and Leeds, have pledged to completely decarbonise their existing building stocks by 2050.
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 UK Government is currently deciding whether to legislate for a net-zero economy by 2050

Report: Electricity generation carbon prices to treble by 2050

Carbon prices for electricity generation should more than treble by 2050 and VAT rates on domestic energy use hiked to help drive emissions off the grid, according to a new report.
<p>German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Environment Minister Svenja Schulzeat the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin. Image: EPA-EFE/Michele Tantussi / POOL [Michele Tantussi/ epa]</p>

Merkel sends first strong message for climate neutrality by 2050

Chancellor Angela Merkel has indicated for the first time that Germany may join a European alliance to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. At a recent EU summit, Germany was unwilling to join a similar initiative by nine EU member states.
<p>Scotland is aiming to reach net-zero by 2045, but Glasgow has unveiled plans to get there sooner</p>

Scottish Power pledges to make Glasgow UK's first 'net-zero' city

Scottish Power has pledged to turn Glasgow into the UK's first zero-carbon city with a mass rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging points.
<p>Skanska UK's most famous projects include the Gherkin (pictured), Crossrail and the Scalpel</p>

Skanska UK pledges to become a carbon-neutral business by 2045

Construction and property development giant Skanska has committed to reduce the carbon emissions of its UK business to zero by 2045, without purchasing carbon credits for offsetting.
Heathrow first unveiled its plans for carbon-neutral expansion in 2017

Heathrow 'on-track' for carbon-neutral expansion

Heathrow Airport has claimed that it is "on-track" to meet its flagship ambition of becoming a "carbon-neutral" facility by 2020 and achieving net-zero carbon status for its planned expansion, after increasing its investments in renewable power and beginning peatland restoration last year.
The current 2030 goal is a 40% emissions reduction, but some EU nations have called for a longer-term net-zero target to be legislated for 2050. Image: euranet_plus Flickr

Juncker insists 2030 climate target is EU's top priority, not 2050 'net-zero' plan

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has said that the EU should "concentrate on immediate and urgent" climate policies for 2030 rather than a proposed 2050 target defended by eight EU countries to reach net-zero emissions.
The Government's existing green targets were set in 2016 and will expire in 2020

MPs to scrutinise the UK Government's internal sustainability progress

As Ministers consider legislating for the adoption of a net-zero carbon target for 2050, a group of MPs are set to investigate the UK Government's internal sustainability targets and progress.
The evidence session was the first to discuss the CCC's net-zero advice, with Energy Minister Claire Perry set to take part in a future meeting

CCC boss: Net-zero before 2050 would be 'very risky' for UK economy

The Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) chief executive Chris Stark has defended the body's decision not to advise the Government on pathways which could create a net-zero carbon economy before 2050, arguing that doing so would be "very risky" from a social and economic perspective.
Policies on afforestation, low-carbon heat and electric transport will all need to be changed to achieve net-zero by 2050

Policy gaps: What's standing between the UK and a net-zero carbon economy?

This week, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) published its highly anticipated recommendations detailing how the UK economy could reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest. But what policies will need to be changed to ensure that we get there?
Scotland has called on the UK Government to follow its lead in agreeing to a net-zero target

Scottish Government commits to net-zero emissions by 2045

The Scottish Government has today (2 May) announced plans to amend its Climate Change Bill and commit to a legally binding target of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest – leading the rest of the UK.

The Committee says achieving a net-zero carbon economy by 2050 will require a “whole-government” approach to fighting climate change

Net-zero emissions by 2050: CCC publishes long-awaited recommendations for UK Government

The UK must "set and vigorously pursue" a bold new climate change target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 'net-zero' levels by 2050 – replacing the current target of an 80% reduction against 1990 levels – according to a major new report from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).

Organisations were unanimously in favour of the recommendations outlined in the report

'Government must act now': Green economy reacts to the CCC's net-zero report

Green leaders have come out in force to praise the Committee on Climate Change's report - and requested immediate action from the government on the issues raised from its findings.
The climate emergency was declared just hours before the Committee on Climate Change called on the Government to set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 'net-zero' levels by 2050

UK Parliament becomes first in the world to pass motion declaring a 'climate emergency'

In a hugely symbolic move, the House of Commons had declared a climate emergency, admitting the need for a cross-party approach that would enable the UK to set a world-leading standard on climate action.
Further plans to tackle climate change are expected to be set out by the Labour party Image: Chatham House

Extinction Rebellion: Michael Gove admits need for urgent action

Planting more trees, restoring peatlands to health and using new technology to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere should all be pursued as a matter of urgency, the environment secretary, Michael Gove, has told climate change campaigners.
The report was launched against a backdrop of calls for a net-zero target to be enshrined into UK law

Framework launched to deliver net-zero built environment

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has launched a new framework today (30 April) outlining how developers, designers, owners, occupiers and policymakers can define and deliver a net-zero built environment.
The climate strikes have created a unique backdrop for Government to raise ambitions

Net-zero emissions and a Green New Deal for the UK: Key business questions, answered

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) is providing its highly anticipated advice on setting a net-zero emissions target to the Government during a time where calls for a Green New Deal continue to grow. Here, edie explores how the UK can set a new standard for climate change policy.

Verizon targets carbon neutrality by 2035

US-based telecommunications and technology giant Verizon has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality across its Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (electricity and heat) footprints by 2035.
Heavy industries like cement, steel and chemicals are heavy users of fossil fuels, accounting for about 14% of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions

Zero-emission EU industry 'within reach' but costly, study finds

Bringing down emissions from heavy industry to net-zero by 2050 is possible but will require costly new production processes and a 25-60% increase in near-term capital investments to reach €40-50 billion per year, according to new research published on Thursday (25 April).
The collaborative scheme targets a carbon-neutral region by 2038

Electricity North West launches zero-carbon plan

Electricity North West has announced plans to decarbonise the entire region within the next 20 years.

Amazon targets carbon-neutral shipments by 2030

Online retailer Amazon has set an ongoing target of achieving carbon neutrality for all its global shipments, starting with a 2030 ambition of making half of its shipments 'net-zero'.
The call to action will be made to the EU Competitiveness Council in Brussels

Big-name businesses call on EU to set 'net-zero' emissions target for 2050

Unilever, Tesco and Heathrow Airport are among a coalition of 16 big-name corporates calling on the European Union (EU) to set a legally binding net-zero carbon emissions target for 2050, which would see the bloc achieve carbon neutrality within the next three decades.
The offsetting scheme will also cover the 65 stores Aldi UK & Ireland plans to open this year

Aldi achieves carbon neutrality for UK and Ireland operations

Supermarket chain Aldi UK and Ireland has achieved its 2019 target of becoming a 'net-zero' business, after investing in a carbon offsetting programme last year.
Nottingham City Council will expand its domestic solar and sustainable transport schemes under its bid to achieve carbon neutrality

Nottingham unveils bid to become the UK's first carbon-neutral city

Nottingham City Council has committed to becoming a 'net-zero carbon' city by 2028, after hitting its 2020 emission reductions goals two years early.
European Parliament in Brussels

New EU plan comes out fighting for 'climate neutrality' by 2050

The European Commission has unveiled its much-anticipated plan for a "climate-neutral Europe" on Wednesday (28 November), in an effort to show EU countries how to stick to the goals of the Paris Agreement and endorse a shared long-term strategy.
ETC co-chair Adair Turner dubbed the report

Report: Net-zero transport and heavy industry sectors 'possible by 2060'

It will be "technically and financially" possible for the global transport and heavy industry sectors to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060, new research from the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC) has concluded.
The technology company has reduced emissions by more than 80% since 1996

BT pledges to become a net-zero-carbon business by 2045

As the UK Government announces plans to discuss a potential net-zero emissions strategy, technology giant BT has pledged to become a net-zero-carbon business by 2045.