Net-zero laws and Hugh’s War on Plastics: Top 10 sustainability stories of June 2019

Click on each link to read the stories in full

June was a month where the UK Government redefined what climate leadership looked like, enshrining a net-zero emissions target into law. There are still doubts as to how the nation achieves the goal, but as this round-up proves it has acted as a springboard for companies to push their own carbon strategies to new heights.

The other key them of June 2019 was that of plastics. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s War on Waste series returned, placing the spotlight on plastics. As edie’s coverage has shown, there are some key learnings for sustainability professionals from the series.

As this round-up proves, businesses are bracing for the polar vortex and charging ahead with new ideas, frameworks and innovations. So, 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.

Sainsbury’s removes plastic bags from produce and bakery aisles

Sainsbury’s has pledged to remove all single-use plastic bags from its fruit, vegetable and produce lines by September, in what it claims will be a first for a UK supermarket.

Seven things sustainability professionals can learn from Hugh and Anita’s War on Plastic

The BBC’s docuseries exploring how the public, government officials and corporates are fuelling an unsustainable demand for plastics aired this month. Here, edie highlights seven key lessons that the series can teach sustainability professionals.

Burberry to reduce emissions by 95% through approved 1.5C science-based target

Luxury fashion giant Burberry has joined just a handful of companies in setting a science-based target aligned to the 1.5C trajectory of the Paris Agreement, after committing to reducing its operational emissions by 95% by 2022.

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 that has since been passed into law.

Available to watch on demand: edie’s climate emergency Q&A webinar

edie brought together energy and climate experts from Nottingham City Council, Skanska, Business in the Community (BITC) and Ørsted for a live Q&A-style webinar about the UK’s climate emergency and net-zero carbon targets.

SDG Spotlight: How businesses can achieve Goal 7 – Clean and affordable energy

This edie report, sponsored by Centrica Business Solutions, sets out exactly how the business community can collectively achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, within the next decade.

Going 100%: How landlords hold the key to corporate renewable energy targets

This brand-new edie report developed in partnership with Big Clean Switch and The Climate Group’s RE100 campaign sheds light on the relationship between landlords and tenants on the big issue of renewable energy.

Groceries ‘Unpacked’: Waitrose pilots packaging-free refill offering

Waitrose & Partners has started offering packaging-free refill options for hundreds of its own-brand lines, as part of a trial to gauge consumer appetite for container reuse and plastic-free sundries.

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

Marks and Spencer’s (M&S) director of sustainability Mike Barry has announced plans to step down from leading the company’s ‘Plan A’ strategy at the end of the month.

How ‘inclusive capitalism’ can create prosperity for people, planet and profits for Firmenich

In an exclusive interview, Firmenich’s chief executive Gilbert Ghostine outlines how an “inclusive capitalism” business model can deliver benefits for profits, the planet and people in a way that is causing others to “rally” behind the concept of sustainability.

Matt Mace