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Trade Bill: UK Government votes to allow food imports with lower environmental standards
The UK Government is being accused of backtracking on non-regression pledges around post-Brexit food standards, after MPs voted against amendments to the trade bill this week.
EU lawmakers raise concerns about UK 'regression' on pesticides
Lawmakers in the European Parliament have raised concerns about possible UK regression on pesticides and gene editing at a meeting on the new EU-UK trade agreement.
Banks urged to set time-bound targets to tackle deforestation
A new report has outlined how banks can take proactive steps to improve traceability and accountability of contributions to deforestation, as part of a first step to accelerating action towards a forest-restorative economy.
Report: More farmland must be converted to forests and meadows if UK is to reach net-zero
Land use in the UK must be dramatically transformed by the end of the decade if the UK is to meet its 2050 net-zero target, with space re-allocated from livestock to vegetables, meadows and hedges. This will result in all of us eating less meat and more plant-based foods.
Horizon scanning: Eight green innovations set to shake-up sustainability in 2021
Over the past 12 months, countless innovations which could help businesses and nations deliver a green recovery. Here, edie rounds up nine key products and concepts that could transform sustainability in 2021.
Starbucks outlines next steps on renewable energy and regenerative agriculture
Starbucks has outlined the first steps it will take to meet the 2030 sustainability targets it launched earlier this year, headlined by commitments to halve emissions, water use and waste sent to landfill.
Gap targets 100% sustainably sourced cotton by 2025
Fashion giant Gap Inc has pledged to only source cotton which is certified as sustainable within five years, through the US Cotton Trust Protocol.
Walkers turns to beer-based carbon capture for low-carbon potatoes
Crisp brand Walkers is scaling up efforts to repurpose potato peelings and captured carbon for use as fertiliser - a system which can reduce emissions associated with potato growing by 70%.
Nestle outlines roadmap to net-zero by 2050, backed with more than £2bn of investment
Nestle has committed to halve its absolute emissions by 2030 and bring them to net-zero by 2050, and outlined plans for new investments in renewable electricity, carbon offsetting and regenerative agriculture.
'Fraught with risk': Government's sustainable farming plan sparks concern amongst green groups
The UK Government has unveiled plans to deliver the most significant change to land management and farming practices in 50 years as a replacement to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, a move that has sparked widespread concern amongst green groups due to a lack of detail.
Unilever to halve food waste, sets €1bn sales target for plant-based food alternatives
Consumer goods giant Unilever has unveiled a new "future foods" strategy that will see the company commit to halving food waste, improving nutritional standards and set a €1bn sales target for plant-based meat and dairy alternatives.
Common Agricultural Policy to remain part of EU's biodiversity funding, despite criticism
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), voted on this week in the European Parliament and Council, will remain by far the biggest funding source for biodiversity protection schemes at EU level, despite claims that it has encouraged intensive and damaging farming.
Governments urged to reform food systems as part of Covid-19 green recovery efforts
World leaders "know" they must help reform food systems to protect the environment and improve public health and should use their Covid-19 recovery plans to raise ambitions and accelerate action in this area.
Agriculture Bill: Outrage as bid to protect environmental and food safety standards rejected
Groups and individuals across the green economy have expressed anger and disappointment after an amendment to the Agriculture Bill, designed to require imported food to meet domestic standards, was thrown out by the Government.
Tesco to increase sales of meat alternatives by 300% to reduce environmental impact of products
Tesco has become the first UK retailer to set public sales targets for plant-based meat alternatives, pledging to increase sales of those products by 300% by 2025 as part of an ongoing commitment to halve the environmental impact of the average shopping basket.
Mission Possible: Achieving a green recovery for manufacturing
edie's Mission Possible campaign has evolved to focus on the green recovery, with a new series of reports outlining the challenges that businesses in key sectors face in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, and the opportunities that the green recovery will bring. First up, manufacturing.
Nespresso targets carbon neutrality by 2022
Nespresso has outlined plans to reduce supply chain emissions, invest in insetting at coffee farms and purchase carbon offsets to reach carbon neutrality by 2022.
5 sustainability communications lessons from David Attenborough's Extinction: The Facts
David Attenborough's latest BBC documentary has been called both "heartwarming" and "gut-wrenching" since it aired on Sunday evening (13 September). But beyond the striking facts and shocking images, it provides viewers with several lessons on how to get environmental communications right, edie's senior reporter Sarah George explains.
Climate crisis to cause mass population displacement and growth in refugees, report finds
The ecological and climate crises are on course to displace more than 1.2 billion people by 2050, as natural disasters, food shortages and water scarcity create mass disruptions to global migration trends.
Is Brexit at odds with the UK's net-zero emissions target?
The Government's Brexit negotiations could set the nation up to miss its net-zero commitments, with Boris Johnson's intention to renegade on parts of the Withdrawal Agreement sparking fresh concerns about law-bound efforts to combat the ecological and climate crises.
Patagonia: Regenerative agriculture is the next sustainability frontier for fashion and food
EXCLUSIVE: Patagonia's vice president for social & environmental responsibility has told of how she witnessed a "groundswell" in regenerative farming in recent months, of a scale that has been unprecedented during her 10+ years working across supply chains.
Climate change and agriculture driving record levels of deforestation, WWF report finds
Climate change and agriculture are fueling record levels of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, with fires in the area 33% higher over that last 12 months than the previous year.
HelloFresh to offset entire carbon footprint
Meal kit provider HelloFresh has announced its intention to offset 100% of carbon emissions from internal operations and offices, corporate travel and deliveries.
Patagonia ups regenerative agriculture efforts
Outdoor clothing company Patagonia has launched new campaigns to highlight the benefits of regenerative organic agriculture in tackling the climate and ecological crises, having launched a new range of cotton T-shirts sourced from farms promoting sustainable agriculture methods.
Unilever enhances global water stewardship efforts
Unilever has joined two coalitions aimed at implementing projects in water-stressed countries to improve access to safe and clean water by 2030.
Cargill pledges to restore 600 billion litres of water by 2030
Food and agribusiness giant Cargill has pledged to dramatically improve water management practices across its operations and priority watersheds in its supply chain by - a move it claims will restore 600 billion litres of water within a decade.
Defra unveils natural capital 'assessment' funding as post-Brexit green recovery shapes up
Environment Minister George Eustice has announced a new £5m Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment to protect the UK's environment as part of a new package of Environment Bill measures, on the same day that the Government unveiled a £16m sustainable farming package in South America.
Fresh government funding for animal feed made from captured CO2
The UK Government has unveiled a £24m funding pot for innovations aimed at transforming the food system, including a project using captured CO2 to manufacture animal feed, amid fresh warnings of agriculture's links to illegal deforestation.
'Good all round': Exploring Innocent Drinks' first sustainability report
EXCLUSIVE: Innocent drinks has launched its first "good all round" report, the company's innovative take on the traditional sustainability report outlining progress against its carbon-neutral, circular economy and staff engagement ambitions.
British meat giants adopt net-zero vision as investors warn of $11bn carbon tax bill for global meat sector
Businesses representing 80% of the UK's meat sector have vowed to slash emissions and waste on a "farm-to-fork" basis, as investors have made fresh pleas for the global meat industry to accelerate decarbonisation efforts.
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).
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.
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.
#SustyTalk: Tate & Lyle's Anna Pierce on value chain sustainability
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with food ingredients firm Tate & Lyle's director of sustainability Anna Pierce discussing the firm's new environmental targets and why an approach to value chain emissions is crucial in building back better.
#SustyTalk: Danone's Eric Soubeiran on Covid-19 and World Biodiversity Day
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with Danone's vice president for nature and water cycle Eric Soubeiran discussing regenerative agriculture and food practices and climate leadership to mark world biodiversity day.
Tate & Lyle to cut emissions by 30% by 2030
Food and drink ingredient supplier Tate & Lyle has published a new set of environmental targets, pledging to reduce operational emissions by 30% by 2030 and a 15% reduction in value chain emissions.
Mission Possible: The 2020 report
This exclusive edie report explores how a green recovery from Covid-19 can be achieved across six of the UK's biggest industries: Utilities, Manufacturing, Construction, Retail, Hospitality & Leisure, and the Public Sector.
MPs to vote virtually on Agriculture Bill
The House of Commons is set to undergo its first virtual voting procedure today (13 May), with MPs given one last opportunity to amend the Agriculture Bill which is designed to safeguard agricultural processes and the natural environment.
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.
Halt destruction of nature or suffer even worse pandemics, say world's top scientists
The coronavirus pandemic is likely to be followed by even more deadly and destructive disease outbreaks unless their root cause - the rampant destruction of the natural world - is rapidly halted, the world's leading biodiversity experts have warned.
Food retailers urged to disclose emissions from food loss and waste
A new report from thinktank Planet Tracker has called upon food retailers to start tracking and disclosing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with food wasted between farm and fork.
Child labour on the rise in cocoa supply chains
Cases of child labour occurring in the cocoa supply chain are rumoured to have increased by 2% to more than two million children, according to a draft US Government report, while big businesses in the sector have been ranked on approaches to supply chain engagement.
How becoming biodiversity ambassadors can help businesses combat the climate crisis
EXCLUSIVE: Pernod Ricard's vice president of global sustainability Vanessa Wright discusses the company's approach to regenerative agriculture and biodiversity and why more people will be focusing on natural climate solutions moving forward.
World's largest food supplier targets 25% emissions cut by 2035
The world's largest food and ingredient supplier, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), has set new emissions and energy targets which it claims are aligned with the Paris Agreement's 2C trajectory.
'Normal was a crisis': Why the Green New Deal is the perfect response for the post-Covid-19 economy
As the economy and society continue to suffer from the impacts of the coronavirus, experts are already exploring how to stimulate a financial recovery. All roads could lead to a Green New Deal, but the green economy will need a clear and concise voice to push policy towards it.
Chanel sets 1.5C science-based targets, pledges 100% renewable energy
Luxury fashion and fragrance giant Chanel has committed to halve its carbon emissions by 2030, under a new 1.5C-aligned set of sustainability targets.
WRAP issues new guidance to target 3.6m tonnes of food wasted at farm level
WRAP has issued new guidance to help farmers and growers reduce the 3.6 million tonnes of food wasted on farms each year.
Greenpeace proposes 70% meat consumption reduction by 2030
Three burgers a week: that's the maximum amount of meat Europeans should get used to eating, according to NGO Greenpeace, which has been looking at Europe's eating habits. EURACTIV France reports.
Are businesses ignoring climate resilience on the net-zero journey?
From the flooding caused by Storm Dennis in the UK to the wildfires that have plagued Australia, the damage caused by climate change is becoming more tangible and frightfully frequent. But is the business response of pledging to deliver net-zero emissions enough?
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.
From fruit farmer to Environment Secretary: George Eustice to spearhead Defra
George Eustice has become the seventh Environment Secretary since 2010, after replacing Theresa Villiers who was sacked as part of Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle today (13 February).
Cabinet reshuffle: All the key personnel changes that will impact the green economy
BREAKING: Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers has been sacked and replaced by George Eustice, while Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom has been replaced by International Development Secretary Alok Sharma, who has also been named as COP26 President.
Nature loss to rock global economy by £8trn by 2050
The UK is set to take an annual economic hit of at least £16bn through the destruction of natural ecosystems, with global costs set to spiral to almost £8trn by 2050, a new WWF report has warned.
Scotland Budget outlines multi-million-pound pots for net-zero heat and agriculture
The Scottish Government has this week published its draft 2020-21 Budget, which sets aside millions of pounds for ocean conservation and decarbonising sectors such as heat and agriculture.
EU lawmakers voice support for meat tax to cover environmental costs of livestock
A new report commissioned by the Dutch True Animal Protein Price Coalition (TAPP) suggests that retail price of meat does not reflect the environmental costs associated with its production, and calls for a "sustainability charge" on meat.
Creating a sustainable food system depends on a shared mentality as well as collaboration
Like most industries, food and drink is grappling with how to create a sustainable and, where possible, circular system. At the heart of that challenge is dealing with the huge and extremely complex global food system, which encompasses the way we grow, make and consume food.
All change for forestry and food systems: CCC calls for 'major' land-use shift to meet net-zero
The way in which land is used in the UK accounted for 12% of national emissions in 2017, meaning that agri-food systems will need to be "rapidly" changed to ensure that the Government's legally binding net-zero target is met.
SDG500: Investors commit $500m to help developing nations achieve SDGs
A new coalition has been launched to mobilise a $500m (£380m) investment platform to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by targeting businesses operating in developing countries.
Agriculture Bill introduced, outlining sweeping post-Brexit environmental measures
The Department for Food, the Environment and Rural Affairs' (Defra) Agriculture Bill has been introduced today (16 January), confirming the Government's plans for rewarding farmers that make environmental improvements and safeguarding green standards post-Brexit.
Villiers: Agriculture Bill will entail 'radical' shake-up of environmental standards
Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers has confirmed that an "updated" version of the Agriculture Bill will be introduced to Parliament this month, claiming that it will entail "radical" environmental overhauls for the sector.
WWF: Scottish farmers can align with net-zero without ditching beef
Scotland's agriculture sector could slash emissions by more than one-third by 2045, if measures to boost carbon sequestration, improve animal health and reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) impact of fertiliser are implemented.
Veganuary: Fast food giants launch plant-based meals as red meat sales plummet
Food-to-go giants including Greggs, KFC and McDonald's have all launched new plant-based options to mark Veganuary, after supermarkets recorded a plunge in meat sales which looks set to continue into 2020.
Convert half of UK farmland to nature, urges top scientist
Half of the nation's farmland needs to be transformed into woodlands and natural habitat to fight the climate crisis and restore wildlife, according to a former chief scientific adviser to the UK government.
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.
Reach 'peak meat' by 2030 to tackle climate crisis, say scientists
Livestock production needs to reach its peak within the next decade in order to tackle the climate emergency, scientists have warned.
Four green policy concerns Boris Johnson must address immediately
After achieving a Conservative Party majority in the 2019 General Election, Boris Johnson will now forge ahead with his Brexit plans. But, with climate and environmental standards featuring throughout the Party's manifesto, the returning Prime Minister will need to quickly address some key green policy concerns.
Tesco to help customers visualise the environmental impact of their shopping
As part of its collaboration with WWF, Tesco has produced a new metric which enables customers to track the environmental impact of some of its most popular products.
CDP: Consumer goods giants won't meet 2020 'net-zero' deforestation targets
Despite work by some leading consumer goods companies to eliminate deforestation from their supply chains, broad failures to deploy ambitious forest and land-use practices mean the sector will not meet its 2020 commitment to 'net-zero' deforestation.
2,500 scientists urge EU to reform environmentally 'damaging' agriculture policy
More than 2,500 European scientists have joined forces and reached out to the EU parliament in a letter urging it to "act on the science and undertake a far-reaching reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) without delay".
Deposit return schemes and biodiversity net-gain: Raft of new policies unveiled in Environment Bill
The UK Government has launched its new governance system on issues covering clean air, waste management and plastics pollution, natural capital approaches and water stewardship, in the form of the long-awaited Environment Bill.
Fourteen mayors sign declaration to promote sustainable food policies in their cities
Fourteen cities announced on Thursday (10 October) that they would pay particular attention to the sustainable and healthy food supply in their cities in the future. This way, they aim to save 60% of the carbon emissions in the food sector.
Capgemini turns to AI to fix food supply chain sustainability
Business consulting giant Capgemini has launched a project which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to support farmers in improving environmental practices on their land.
Post-Brexit threats to green policy intensifying, think tank warns
UK think tank Greener UK has warned that threats to environmental regulations related to climate change, waste, air quality and natural resources are escalating due to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.
Report: Deforestation booming due to weak policy and corporate inaction
A lack of policy support or ambitious action from corporates involved in agriculture has led to an area of tree cover the size of the UK being lost globally each year between 2014 and 2018, a new report has concluded.
M&S showcases vertical farming at London store
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has installed vertical farming technology at one of its busiest London stores, in a bid to engage shoppers with the ways in which farmers are innovating in light of climate challenges.
Benefits to farmers of global heating outweighed by losses, says report
Any advantages to European agriculture from a warming world will be outweighed by the losses from extreme events and environmental stress, leading to a probable large economic loss for farming in the next 30 years, research on the impacts of the climate crisis has found.
Report: Food giants 'sourcing from suppliers flouting climate commitments'
Companies supplying meat and dairy to some of the world's biggest food firms, including Nestle, McDonalds and Walmart, are failing to act in line with their key clients' environmental ambitions.
Report: Move water to top of political agenda to deliver environmental and social wins
With more than half of the world's populations set to live in water-scarce regions by 2050, a new report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has called on policymakers to place water stewardship at the heart of regional and bilateral policy decisions to create various economic, environmental and societal benefits.
IPCC: Shift in land use crucial to avert climate emergency
The systemic ways in which global businesses are using land is a "major contributor" to climate change and must be radically transformed if the aims of the Paris Agreement to be met.
Better Beer: Inside Molson Coors' $20m mission to climate-proof its supply chain
Over the past decade, Molson Coors has spent more than $20m on initiatives to bolster supply chain stability, with the ultimate aim of 'future-proofing' its key resource - barley. Here, edie explores how that funding has redefined best practice for the US-based brewing giant.
edie Explains: Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs)
What are Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs) in the context of renewable energy? Which organisations are most suited to adopting CPPAs, and what are the business benefits of doing so?
From climate change to urbanisation: BlackRock's five megatrends that will disrupt society
A new report from BlackRock has found that climate change, resource scarcity and growing consumerism will create disruptive structural shifts across industries as a "confluence of global megatrends" begin to clash.
George Eustice re-appointed to Defra by Boris Johnson
George Eustice MP has been given back his former role as Agriculture Minister by new Prime Minister Boris Johnson, after leaving the post in February.
Energy management design sprint (Part One): How to unlock innovation in your business
In the first of a special two-part feature, edie reveals the results of two full-day workshops which applied principles of 'design thinking' to the role of the energy manager. Here, we summarise our first workshop, which explored how this group can harness energy innovations.
The Global Goals: Can the 'long-term North Star' guide businesses to value creation?
At edie Live, experts from the private and public sectors discussed business progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here, edie explores whether there's still time left for sustainability and energy professionals to harness the Global Goals to truly transform business, for good.
Pukka Herbs posts impressive carbon cuts after setting 1.5C science-based targets
Organic herbal tea producer Pukka Herbs has recorded a 58% year-on-year reduction in its Scope 1 (direct) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, after setting approved science-based carbon targets in line with a 1.5C trajectory.
Rewild a quarter of UK to fight climate crisis, campaigners urge
A quarter of the UK's land could be restored to nature, making a significant contribution towards cutting the nation's carbon emissions to zero, under a new rewilding proposal.
Google and Stella McCartney to launch cloud-based analytics tool for fashion supply chains
Google has partnered with fashion brand Stella McCartney on the first phase of a new machine learning data analytics tool to improve the transparency of the supply chains for the fashion industry.
Bioreefs and plastic-free periods: Waitrose announces winners of £1m plastic challenge
A "bioreef" of mussels, an initiative that tackles ghost fishing gear and a behaviour change campaign that reduces plastic pollution from period products are among the winners of Waitrose & Partners' £1m plastic pollution innovation challenge.
What will increased migration and the climate crisis mean for business?
The world is getting warmer due to man-made greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, extreme weather events are becoming increasingly commonplace, reliable rains are failing and sea levels are rising.And things are only set to worsen as temperatures rise.
AB Sugar launches global innovation challenge to address water stewardship
Global sugar producer AB Sugar has partnered with WaterAid to launch a new initiative aimed at spurring innovation that can solve the challenge of water loss in agriculture.
The climate turning point: 8 sustainable business gamechangers for 2020
With the UK having just declared a climate emergency and Government advisers calling on policymakers to set a net- zero carbon target by 2050, edie's latest report explores eight potentially game-changing innovations that will help businesses lead the charge towards the so-called 'climate turning point'.
Three-course meal: How addressing food waste can deliver a triple win for sustainable business
Following the revelation that food banks around the world helped mitigate more than 10.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions while reducing food costs, edie explores whether the conversation on food waste needs to change to capture heightened calls for action on climate change.
Extreme weather events cost Scottish farmers £161m in 2018, WWF finds
Extreme weather events such as heatwaves and the so-called 'Beast from the East' contributed to £161m in losses for farmers across Scotland during the 2017-18 financial year, new research from WWF Scotland has found.
Why General Mills want supply chains to become regenerative stewards of the environment
Faced with a growing global population and strains on depleted natural resources, US food producer General Mills plans to equip its supply chain farmers with the knowledge and tools to move from practices that mitigate environmental degradation to regenerative approaches.
World Water Day 2019: The supply chain has a huge role to play
Today marks the United Nation's (UN) World Water Day, an opportunity to pause and reflect on the important role each of us can play in protecting our global water supply - for ourselves and future generations.
How to produce an engaging sustainability report: Seven steps to success
Sustainability reporting has evolved from a niche practice to a mainstream aspect of corporate governance. The modern sustainability report is a vital tool to ENGAGE with shareholders, employees, stakeholders and, increasingly, consumers.
Emma Howard Boyd reappointed as Environment Agency chair
Emma Howard Boyd has been reappointed as the chair of the Environment Agency (EA) by Secretary of State Michael Gove, with her second term set to run until September 2022.
Primark launches jeans made with 100% sustainably sourced cotton
Fashion retailer Primark has launched its first range of jeans made with 100% sustainably certified cotton, after expanding its sustainable cotton farming and sourcing scheme.
