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SSE to combine projects to create 4.1GW offshore wind farm in Scotland
SSE Renewables has announced plans to merge two proposed offshore windfarms in a move that would create enough clean power to provide for all of Scotland's households twice over.
Humber region to benefit from £260m offshore wind investment
More than £260m has been granted in Government funding to develop next generation wind turbines in the Humber region, in a move that will support the UK's net-zero vision while creating and safeguarding more than 1,000 green jobs.
Pension schemes urged to set net-zero targets ahead of COP26
More than 80 defined benefit (DB) pension schemes have been urged to align with the Paris Agreement by aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest while also ensuring a rapid exit from coal investments.
Circular economy attracting $1.3trn in annual investments, but dwarfed by linear spending models
Governments, investors and corporates collectively funnel more than $1.3trn annually into circular economy initiatives, but this is just a fraction of the money that is currently spent on linear methods of consumption and resource use.
Net-zero investment portfolios promised by 14 major UK pension funds
The chairs of corporate pension funds including Tesco, Unilever, BT and Pennon are among the signatories of a new commitment to halve portfolio emissions by 2030 and bring them to net-zero by 2050.
BlackRock secures $250m for climate projects in developing countries
The world's largest investor BlackRock has secured more than $250m from global investors and governments to support clean energy uptake and climate infrastructure across countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Investors call on banking giants to step up on climate and biodiversity commitments
More than 100 investors, including the likes of Aviva and M&G Investments, representing $4.2trn in assets under management have written to some of the world's biggest banks, calling on them to strengthen climate and biodiversity targets this year.
Every Action Counts: New business alliance to encourage one billion consumers to support sustainability causes
A new alliance of banking firms, consumer goods giants and digital platforms, including Mastercard and BBVA, has launched to encourage individuals around the world to deliver positive actions that improve biodiversity and sustainable behaviours.
World Bank increases climate finance for developing nations
The World Bank Group has issued a new spending plan through to 2025 that will ensure that an average of 35% of total spending is focused on climate adaptation and decarbonisation in developing countries.
UK's National Infrastructure Bank launches, with tackling climate change as key objective
The UK's National Infrastructure Bank (NIB) is launching in Leeds today (17 June), with Chancellor Rishi Sunak promising that it will funnel billions of pounds into the UK's net-zero transition.
UK Government commits to 'nature-positive' future following landmark biodiversity review
Following the publication of the landmark Dasgupta Review, which argued the case for biodiversity considerations to be embedded in all economic decisions by the government, a new commitment for all large infrastructure projects to be 'nature positive' has been made.
Can the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures solve the global ecological crisis?
The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) officially launched on Friday (4 June) with an overarching aim to align corporate reporting and financial spending to alleviate nature-related risks. Here, edie explores whether the new initiative can generate enough momentum to deliver tangible change.
Mondi inks €750m adjustable loan based on SDG performance
Packaging giant Mondi has signed a new €750m revolving multicurrency credit facility agreement (RCF) that will be adjusted based on the company's performance against its sustainability strategy that is aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Shareholders pass vote for HSBC to phase-out global coal financing by 2040
Shareholders of HSBC have today passed a proposed management resolution that commits the bank to phase-out financing for the coal industry by 2040 worldwide, following successful campaigning from investors.
Next G7 Summit in Cornwall to be certified as carbon neutral
The UK Government has confirmed that the next G7 Summit, due to take place in Cornwall next month, will comply with internationally recognised standards for carbon neutrality.
Green Finance Institute chair Sir Roger Gifford passes away
Green Finance Institute chair and senior banker for Skandinaviska Ennskilda Banken (SEB), Sir Roger Gifford, has passed away aged 65.
Survey: Sustainability prioritised by less than one-third of UK bank boardrooms
In a survey of 300 executives at some of Europe's biggest banks, less than one-third of UK respondents said their business is framing sustainability and a board-level priority.
MSCI commits to net-zero emissions before 2040
American finance firm MSCI has announced its intention to reach net-zero emissions before 2040, pledging to revamp its current decarbonisation goals and align with the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
JP Morgan Chase pledges $2.5trn to climate and sustainability this decade
US-based finance giant JP Morgan Chase has unveiled plans to provide more than $2.5trn of finance to sustainable development projects by the end of 2030.
Bank of America commits $1trn to global sustainability initiatives
The Bank of America has increased an existing $300bn sustainable business initiatives fund to attempt to mobilise $1trn by 2030 for initiatives that will support the net-zero transition.
G7 ponders increasing climate finance in build-up to COP26
Chancellor Rishi Sunak met with G7 finance ministers and central bank governors to discuss the role of finance in supporting the net-zero transition and implored developed nations to raise efforts to generate $100bn in annual revenue to support developing nations combat the climate crisis.
Government ponders mandatory TCFD requirements for businesses in 2022
The Government is considering creating a legal requirement for private UK companies to outline and disclose climate-related risks to their business in line with Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations, with a mandate potentially coming into force next year.
HSBC to vote on phase-out of fossil fuel funding
HSBC will propose a new commitment to completely phase-out financing of coal-fired power and thermal coal mines by 2040 globally, following negotiations with a group of investors with $2.4tn in assets under management.
Big Issue launches climate solutions fund as CaixaBank issues €1bn SDG green bond
The Big Issue Group (TBIG) has partnered with Aberdeen Standard Investments to create a new climate solutions investment fund, while Spanish retail bank CaixaBank has issued a €1bn green bond in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
EIB spent €890m on fossil gas since phase out pledge, activists say
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has invested €890m in gas projects since it pledged to phase out investments into fossil fuels by 2022, contradicting the bank's "gas is over" narrative, activists say.
Budget 2021: Businesses and charities make last-minute calls for green funding to Rishi Sunak
With the 2021 Budget being announced on Wednesday (3 March), Chancellor Rishi Sunak is facing mounting pressure over the Green Homes Grant, National Nature Service and other green policy decisions.
Banking giants unite with Prince of Wales on financial net-zero taskforce
The Prince of Wales' Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) has announced that executives from the likes of Bank of America, BNP Paribas, NatWest and Lloyds have joined on as members of a new Financial Services Task Force aiming to create a net-zero investor sector.
Goldman Sachs issues first sustainability bond, priced at $800m
US-based finance giant Goldman Sachs has issued its inaugural sustainability bond, priced at $800m, as it strives to mobilise $750bn in green finance by 2030.
Bank of America targets net-zero financed emissions and supply chains by 2050
After being accused by investors and green groups of continuing to finance high-carbon projects, Bank of America has pledged to reach net-zero emissions across the projects it finances and its supply chain by 2050.
Green groups call for assurances over National Infrastructure Bank
A host of green groups have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, urging for the implementation of a UK National Infrastructure Bank (NIB) to de-risk private investment into low-carbon solutions.
Smart Pension commits to net-zero emissions ahead of Government deadline
Workplace pension provider Smart Pension has joined an initiative led by Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis that will see the company commit to net-zero emissions "well ahead" of the Government's 2050 deadline.
Global carbon market grew 20% in 2020
The valuation of the global carbon market grew 20% in 2020, totalling almost €230bn and the fourth consecutive year of record growth, new research has found.
Robert Downey Jr launches ESG venture capital funds
Renowned actor and producer Robert Downey Jr. has launched a new Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) venture capital investment fund aiming to support sustainability products and services, clean energy and resource efficiency.
Bank of England's high-carbon financing a 'moral hazard', MPs warn
The Bank of England risks creating 'moral hazard' by continuing to finance high-carbon projects and companies and providing no-strings-attached financing to carbon intensives companies, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has warned.
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.
Investors file climate resolution at HSBC
Investors with a combined $2.4trn in assets under management have filed a resolution at HSBC, calling on the bank to publish a strategy that outlines efforts to reduce exposure to fossil fuel assets.
Science-based targets and renewable energy investments: Credit Suisse and Nest unveil first steps towards net-zero
Swiss investment bank Credit Suisse has unveiled a string of new climate measures, in the same week that the UK's largest pension scheme, Nest, outlined steps to help it meet its net-zero goal.
Green Finance Institute: UK's new National Investment Bank must go beyond energy
The UK's new National Investment Bank (NIB) must have strong net-zero criteria and support the low-carbon transition in the transport, built environment and nature sector as well as energy, the Green Finance Institute (GFI) is urging.
National Infrastructure Strategy: Government to deliver 'revolution' tied to net-zero
The Government has launched its long-awaited National Infrastructure Strategy, detailing how transport, industry, energy and the built environment will be transformed to reach net-zero, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak using his spending review to confirm a £12bn commitment to the net-zero transition in 2021-2022.
Government set to unveil national infrastructure bank tied to net-zero
The Government is expected to unveil the long-awaited National Infrastructure Strategy (NIS) this week alongside the Spending Review, with a National Infrastructure Bank set to be created to replace the UK's involvement with the European Investment Bank and funnel capital towards net-zero projects.
Disclose climate risks or face divestment, investors warn Europe's largest companies
A coalition of investors representing more than $9trn of assets has asked some of Europe's largest and highest-emitting companies, like Shell and Maersk, to prove they are aligning with the Paris Agreement and to improve climate risk disclosure.
European Investment Bank unveils £1trn green investment plan through 2030
EU member states have approved the European Investment Bank's (EIB) plans to spend €1trn on the green economy within a decade and to ban funding for fossil fuel projects and airport expansions.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2020: Hollie Clark, Aldi UK
This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Up next: Hollie Clark, Aldi UK's corporate responsibility manager.
Carbon offsetting: How are businesses avoiding greenwashing on the road to net-zero?
With the net-zero movement gathering pace, ever more businesses are turning to carbon offsetting to tackle hard-to-abate emissions. But is this a credible choice, or simply a clever greenwashing tactic?
Banks and agribusiness linked to biodiversity loss
Some of the world's largest banks have been linked to industries that are causing mass deforestation and biodiversity loss, with some in the finance sector providing loans and underwriting worth more than $2.6trn to climate-wrecking initiatives.
London can lead the UK's net-zero ambition as a world beating sustainable city
Boris Johnson's party conference address confirmed an already established belief that the green economy is no longer a fringe idea but is ripe for centre stage. The government is wholeheartedly committing to our net-zero targets - and is now detailing the tangible measures that can make this a reality.
Just 3 in 10 UK banks have a net-zero target, PwC claims
A survey of 17 of the UK's largest banks has found that just five of them have net-zero targets or science-based emissions targets, meaning they risk breaching their legal requirements on climate change.
Survey: One in five British investors turning to impact investment amid Covid-19
More than one-fifth (22%) of UK-based investors are planning to invest in dedicated ethical funds in the near future, with the proportion rising to more than one-third (35%) among those aged 35 and under.
HSBC sets net-zero target, plans $750bn of low-carbon investment by 2030
HSBC has committed to reaching net-zero financed emissions by 2050 and outlined plans to finance at least $750bn of low-carbon activities within a decade.
Available to watch on demand: edie's green recovery webinar sessions
Expert speakers gave insight and advice during a free set of green recovery-themed webinars and masterclasses that took place on Wednesday 23 September. You can watch the sessions, featuring the Aldersgate Group, BT, Bank of England, Ella's Kitchen, UKGBC on demand.
Morgan Stanley commits to net-zero financed emissions by 2050
Global banking firm Morgan Stanley has unveiled a new commitment to reach net-zero financed emissions by 2050, while new research reveals that while almost half of the FTSE 100 companies have net-zero commitments in place, they don't yet have detailed strategies to reach these goals.
#SustyTalk: Lloyds Banking Group's James Wilde on financing the green recovery
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with Lloyds Banking Group's head of sustainability James Wilde taking part in a virtual discussion on financing the green recovery, as well as providing an update on the bank's efforts to halve its emissions.
Inclusive recovery: Can a post-pandemic economy shift society and sectors to greener pastures?
The world is still reeling from the continued impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, but the financial decisions that are made now will determine whether all sectors and parts of society are brought along the green recovery.
Banking and finance giants issue support for circular economy investment
More than 30 chief executives from some of the world's largest banks and asset managers, including BlackRock, Barclays, Lloyds, ING and the European Investment Bank, have backed new research from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) highlighting how green finance can spur the circular economy.
UK needs 'significant' overhaul of infrastructure investment to reach net-zero, report claims
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has claimed that the UK Government needs to "undertake a significant programme of infrastructure investment" to enable regulators and private investment to create funding for critical net-zero infrastructure.
UK emissions still down 14% despite lockdown easing, Carbon Trust analysis finds
The UK's greenhouse gas emissions footprint is down 14% year-on-year per capita basis, new analysis of consumer spending data by the Carbon Trust has concluded.
Treasury defends lack of 'green strings' tied to corporate Covid-19 relief packages
The Government has defended its decision to issue billion-pound bailouts for carbon-intensive companies and sectors, with the Treasury hitting back at accusations that the Paris Agreement and the climate crisis had been cast aside, but a court case still looms.
Bridging the gap between sustainability and finance
The role of an environmental professional on big infrastructure projects has changed dramatically during my career. Now we are approaching a period where sustainability and finance professionals engage on the crucial decisions that will shape the green future.
Private equity investors launch Paris-aligned climate disclosure framework
A group of private equity investors have launched an international network committing to engage with corporates in reducing carbon emissions in line with the needs of the Paris Agreement.
Credit Suisse cuts fossil fuel lending as part of £250bn green finance promise
Swiss investment bank Credit Suisse has unveiled plans to provide more than £250bn in financing geared towards green bonds and the low-carbon economy over the next decade, as well as pledging to limit financing to the oil and gas sector.
Citi targets $250bn environmental financing by 2025, as Moody's unveils science-based targets
Multinational banking giant Citi has pledged to funnel $250bn (£192.5bn) into low-carbon solutions by the end of 2025, in the same week that Moody's unveiled new Paris-Agreement-aligned climate targets.
NatWest to disclose the climate impacts of projects it finances
NatWest Group has pledged to halve the climate-related impacts of its financing by 2030, after becoming the first major UK bank to join the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF).
Morgan Stanley to disclose climate impact of investments
Morgan Stanley has become the first US-based global bank to commit to measuring and disclosing the environmental impact of its investment portfolio and loan offerings and will join a global partnership to drive climate action across the global accounting sector.
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".
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.
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.
Pension funds covering £3trn pressured on fossil fuel investments and net-zero alignment
Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis has launched a new campaign pressuring UK pension funds to halve the emissions of their portfolios by 2030 and bring them to net-zero by 2050.
Macquarie issues joint venture on 1GW solar and battery project pipeline
Macquarie's Green Investment Group (GIG) has announced a new UK joint venture with Enso Energy to create one of the largest solar and battery portfolios that will enhance the biodiversity on each project site.
Report: Global carbon budget will be exhausted in 15 years without fossil fuel finance overhaul
Without drastic action from banks, policymakers and regulators, the world risks becoming stuck in a "climate finance doom loop", whereby financial systems support the organisations contributing most to environmental changes which undermine their very security.
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.
Fossil fuel profits set to collapse by two-thirds
The global market value of fossil fuels is set to collapse by almost two-thirds, creating heightened economic risk for companies, financial markets and countries failing to embrace new low-carbon technology.
HSBC raises £386m fund for climate mitigation in developing countries
HSBC, in partnership with the World Banks's sister organisation the IFC, has raised £386m ($474m) to support investments into climate mitigation across developing countries and markets.
BNP Paribas accelerates coal phase-out as BlackRock predicts clean energy future
Corporate bank BNP Paribas is speeding up its phase-out of support for coal projects, while BlackRock has claimed that renewables are still the course of action for the global energy mix. However, other investors that have made low-carbon commitments have been accused of supporting a tar sands oil project in Canada.
Unilever's Alan Jope on repairing capitalism, Covid-19 and Sustainable Living Plans
Providing an update to Unilever's flagship Sustainable Living Plan as it enters its 10th and final year, chief executive Alan Jope reflects on the need to double down to protect the planet and society during the pandemic by "driving a new model of capitalism".
Barclays and HSBC blasted over £158bn fossil fuel financing
Banking giants Barclays and HSBC have been accused of financing a combined £158bn into the fossil fuel sector since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, despite both organisations pledging to ramp up sustainable investment portfolios.
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.
MP's pension fund still investing in fossil fuels
MPs have yet again called for the trustees of the Parliamentary Pension Fund to divest from fossil fuel companies Royal Dutch Shell and BP, having finally integrated investment into renewables into the fund.
Triodos Bank joins Tesco in funding Pod Point's EV charging rollout
Ethical finance firm Triodos Bank has joined Tesco and Volkswagen in providing funding to Pod Point to accelerate access to electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the UK, including 600 supermarket locations.
Corporates and asset managers scrutinised as climate disclosure requirements take shape
As the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) lines up new corporate disclosure measures, the Treasury Committee and NGO ShareAction have launched separate examinations of the performance of asset managers against key Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics.
Cadent Gas launches UK's first 'transition bond' to spur decarbonisation
The UK's largest gas distribution network, Cadent, has agreed to the UK's first 'transition bond' which has been issued to enable heavy-carbon emitters to access funds to decarbonise.
'Investing for net-zero must go mainstream': COP26 finance strategy unveiled
The UK has published its COP26 strategy to help private finance support a global economic transition to net-zero emissions, with a heavy focus on exploring mandatory reporting requirements for climate-related data.
Bank of England under pressure over board member's oil links
Environmental groups have called into question the Bank of England's commitment to tackling the climate emergency while it retains one of Britain's most senior oil company executives on its governing board.
G20 sounds alarm over climate emergency despite US objections
The G20 group of the world's wealthiest nations have agreed for the first time to collectively sound the alarm over the threat to the financial system posed by the climate emergency.
RBS's climate goals and Aldi's plastic bag crackdown: 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.
RBS to rebrand, plans for 'climate-positive' operations by 2025
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has unveiled plans to go beyond net-zero emissions for its operations by 2025 and to at least halve the climate impact of its financial decisions and activities by 2030, as part of the organisation's rebrand to the NatWest Group.
'Climate risk is financial risk': TCFD surpasses 1,000 global supporters
The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) has revealed that more than 1,000 organisations are supporting its recommendations, including corporates with a combined market cap of $12trn and investors with $138.8trn of assets under management collectively.
Reports: BlackRock and Barclays to act on climate investment calls
As reports emerge that Barclays is set to agree on shareholder calls to phase-out fossil fuel investments, BlackRock has already made strides on its stance to remove fossil fuel firms from its portfolio.
Lloyds Banking Group commits to net-zero fleets and 100% renewable electricity
Lloyds Banking Group has today (6 February) joined all three of The Climate Group's business sustainability initiatives, committing to source 100% renewable electricity, reach net-zero fleets and improve energy productivity.
Comic Relief among charities pledging to end fossil fuel investments
Comic Relief, Power to Change, and Guy's and St Thomas' Charity are the latest organisations that have committed to end all fossil fuel investment and adopt a new ethical approach to investing, after joining the Funder Commitment on Climate Change.
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.
Chief executives see reputational boosts in combatting climate change
Three-quarters of UK business chief executives believe that responding to the climate emergency through new business pledges and initiatives will provide a reputational advantage, with climate change climbing up the corporate agenda according to a new annual survey from PwC.
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.
Mark Carney announced as Boris Johnson's finance advisor for COP26
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed the departing Governor for the Bank of England Mark Carney as his Finance Advisor for the COP26 climate summit, taking place in Glasgow at the end of the year.
Will 2020 be the year of mandatory climate disclosure?
Leading experts believe that it is "highly likely" that disclosing climate-related data to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD's) will become mandatory and have called on business professionals to start collecting and mapping data now.
EIB unveils plans to boost hydrogen investment
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has partnered with a coalition of C-suite executives from the transport, heavy industry and energy sectors in a bid to accelerate financing for hydrogen solutions.
UN appoints Mark Carney to help finance climate action goals
Mark Carney has been appointed as UN special envoy for climate action and finance as he prepares to step down as governor of the Bank of England in January.
UK urged to commit £20bn as 'fair share' of climate adaptation investment
UK thinktank IPPR has called for the UK to provide £20bn to a UN climate fund to account for the nation's "fair share" of ecological degradation and climate change speed-up.
In numbers: What do consumers want from sustainable businesses in 2020?
While many businesses are taking action to reduce emissions and waste, consumers now want them to go further and prioritise people and planet over growth, a new international survey has revealed.
Europe's climate-related investments lagging, EIB warns
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has used its latest annual investment report to warn that financing for green projects across the EU is "lagging" behind levels recorded in markets such as China and the US.
