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The roundtable heard from experts representing organisations across the retail sector value chain

Servitisation and social media storytelling: How retailers are approaching sustainability in 2020

January is now probably just as synonymous with retail discounts as it is with New Year's resolutions. But following a year of unprecedented climate activism, how are retailers planning to increase sustainability action and embed a 'purpose-beyond-profits' approach in 2020?

It may feel like sustainability has dominated pop culture in 2019, but does progress exist beyond pockets of discussions? Image: BAFTA

How has pop culture responded to the climate emergency in 2019?

From Coldplay cancelling their tour until they can find a carbon-neutral option, to James Bond producers debuting the spy's first fully electric car, all the signs point to sustainability shaping pop culture. But how deep does this impact run, and what's in store for 2020?

Zalando avoided 40,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2018

Zalando commits to onsite solar and green building certification across fulfilment centres

Online fashion platform Zalando has committed to placing solar panels and low-carbon technology on all its new and existing fulfilment centres by 2023, as the company pushes ahead with its net-zero commitment.

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.

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.

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.

The new rail line and wood pellet loading bay with sawmill residues in view at Drax LaSalle BioEnergy. Image Drax

Drax launches sustainable biomass strategy

Drax has outlined how it will use the latest science and best practice to ensure that biomass use is sustainably sourced and not linked to deforestation, with the UK Governments former chief scientific adviser Sir John Beddington confirmed as chair of a new Independent Advisory Board (IAB).

Pictured: Fish caught in The Gambia, where much FMFO originates. Image: Peter van der Sluijs / CC-BY-SA-3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0

Report: 'Sustainable' seafood in UK supermarkets 'wiping out wild fish stocks'

Farmed seafood sold in British supermarkets is regularly being fed with feed produced using methods which are "stripping the oceans bare and damaging marine ecosystems", a new investigative report has claimed.

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.

Since 2005, RJC membership has grown from 14 to more than 1,100 organisations across the jewellery value chain

Responsible Jewellery Council joins UN Global Compact to act on SDGs

The Responsible Jewellery Council has forged a new partnership with the UN Global Compact which will see members such as Swarovski, Tiffany & Co and the De Beers Group, develop actions that align and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Iceland was criticised by Feedback for failing to stock any meat sourced through sustainable certification schemes

UK supermarkets accused of over-producing low-quality meat

Anti-hunger charity Feedback is calling for big-name UK supermarkets such as Iceland, Lidl and Asda to offer "less and better" meat, in order to minimise their climate impacts.

(L-R) Presenter Joanne Wade OBE, chief executive, ACE, compere Michaela Strachan and Ibstock Brick’s Michael McGowan

Meet the sustainability leader: Energy Efficiency - Ibstock Brick

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Energy Efficiency Award, Ibstock Brick.

The contractually obliged suppliers represent almost 21% of O2’s supply chain emissions

O2 recertified to highest Carbon Trust standard for supply chain emissions management

Telecoms giant O2 has been recertified to the highest possible level of supply chain management to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Thai Union relies on the oceans for its business and is recognised widely as a leader for its approach to sustainability

SDGs In Action: How Thai Union is achieving Goal 14 - Life Below Water

Welcome back to edie's new editorial series which breaks down exactly how businesses are turning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into action. Up next: seafood-based food producer Thai Union outlines how it is creating healthy oceans by changing seafood for good.

The BCI-certified cotton sourced by fashion brands in 2018 was equivalent to 1.5 billion pairs of jeans

Fashion industry sourced record amount of sustainable cotton in 2018

Fashion brands and retailers collectively sourced more than one million metric tonnes of sustainably certified cotton through the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) last year, breaking the industry standard operator's record.

The Rainforest Alliance is committed to supporting cocoa-growing communities increase farmer income while conserving the environment and wildlife

Tesco switches to sustainable cocoa for own-brand products in time for Easter

UK supermarket Tesco has announced that all cocoa for its own-brand chocolate is now sourced from farms that are Rainforest Alliance Certified.

Through the lens of SDG 15, Asia Pulp & Paper is committed to improving the livelihoods of the farmers and communities that it interacts with

SDGs In Action: How Asia Pulp & Paper is achieving Goal 15 - Life On Land

Welcome to edie's brand new editorial series which breaks down exactly how businesses are turning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into action. First up: paper manufacturer Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) reveals how it is driving out deforestation while improving the livelihoods of its workers in Indonesia.

Palm oil: Certified but NOT sustainable

Last month, Jonathon Porritt stated in his edie blog that the intent of the Changing Markets Foundation was to 'undermine the creditability of certification schemes' without suggesting alternatives. As the Foundation's campaign's director, I was surprised by this accusation and feel compelled to provide my own response.

Certified & sustainable

One of Europe's most influential thought leaders on sustainable development, writer and broadcaster Jonathon Porritt, on the need to support certification programmes that deliver zero deforestation.

The RCP, which has seen membership reach 34,500 physicians in the UK, has also implemented new waste management processes to reduce its plastic waste and increase its recycling

Royal College of Physicians achieves Carbon Trust Standard certification

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has been recognised for recording a 30% reduction in its carbon footprint over a three-year period by becoming the first royal college to receive the Carbon Trust Standard certification.

The Co-op's chief commercial officer Michael Fletcher (first from left) made the comments during a Fairtrade conference in London

Co-op: Fair pay for supply chain workers 'could be the next plastics'

As more companies begin to emphasise the importance of human rights across global supply chains, the Co-op's chief commercial officer Michael Fletcher has noted that supply chain worker treatment could have a “David Attenborough moment” and become the next big sustainability issue for consumers.

The new target will see Interface developing factories and products that sequester more carbon than they emit

Interface unveils goal of becoming carbon negative by 2040

Modular flooring firm Interface has set a new target of becoming carbon negative by 2040, building on a 2020 ambition of having “no negative environmental impact”.

Revisions to the Standard have been made to reflect current industry trends

ISO 50001 revised to reflect changing energy landscape

The ISO 50001 energy management standard has been revised for the first time since it was published to account for trends such as rising energy costs and climate change.

The jeans, which took more than a year to develop, are made from organic cotton and coloured with dye derived from plant waste

Cradle to Cradle: C&A launches 'world's most circular' jeans

Fashion retailer C&A has this week launched the world's first Gold level Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certified jeans, and is now providing other clothing brands with the tools they need to produce equally sustainable denim garments.

Palm oil is a $50bn-a-year commodity, but traditional plantations have driven widespread destruction of tropical rainforests

Big-name investors make joint call for stronger palm oil certification standards

More than 90 institutional investors representing more than $6.7trn in assets under management have jointly urged the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to strengthen its draft certification standards before they are finalised in November.

Thai Union has said it would like to extend the partnership for a further four years to drive further action in the tuna sector

How collaborating with WWF helped Thai Union drive sustainability sector-wide

EXCLUSIVE: More corporations should consider partnering with public-sector organisations if they wish to go beyond improving their own sustainability strategies to drive industry-wide improvements, according to Thai Union’s award-winning global director of sustainable development, Darian McBain.

PepsiCo has announced it will not purchase palm oil from land that has been cleared since the end of 2015

PepsiCo on track for palm oil goals despite NGO concerns

PepsiCo has released an updated sourcing policy in a bid to source 100% certified sustainable palm oil by 2020, a move that the Rainforest Action Network has described as a "dodge and cover" action plan.

MSC and FOS certified more than nine million metric tonnes of fish in 2015

'Label shopping': Is the certification scheme model broken?

Voluntary certification schemes have fiercely denied claims from a new report that that are providing cover for companies that are "destroying the planet", raising questions of whether the abundance of certification offers is watering-down sustainability efforts.

Pieters call for collaboration is built on the efforts that Mondelez has put in place to attempt to boost the prosperity of its suppliers

Mondelez calls for 'brave' collaboration to bring cocoa supply chain out of poverty

EXCLUSIVE: The head of Mondelez's Cocoa Life sourcing programme has called on the cocoa industry to "be brave" when exploring new ways to enhance supply chain practices that ensure cocoa is sourced sustainably while bringing smallholder farmers out of poverty.

Strong collective performance across the UK supermarket industry is held back by Iceland, Morrisons and Marks and Spencer (M&S)

Aldi tops UK supermarkets for sustainable seafood products

Aldi has edged out Sainsbury's and Lidl in offering the largest amount of sustainable seafood to UK customers, according to new findings from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

Icebreaker is now using a “Baacode” that enables consumers to trace fibres in clothing all the way back to the farm

How Icebreaker's first transparency report aims to disrupt the outdoor apparel industry

A New Zealand-based outdoor apparel company's attempt to disrupt the industry by reducing plastic synthetics has been highlighted through its first Transparency report, which provides complete disclosure into supply chain contracts, living wage commitments and edible packaging innovations.

ESOS Phase 2: beyond compliance and added value

Many businesses were caught out by Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) in 2015 - either because the qualification criteria were obscure, or the communication from the Environment Agency (EA) didn't get through, or just because other priorities pushed ESOS to the bottom of the pile. Either way, ESOS Phase 1 was a bit of a scramble, and may not have been entirely valuable to your business (other than avoiding a fine!).

Duvoisin believes that sustainability can act as a differentiator in today’s market

Sustainability a competitive advantage for business, says Nespresso boss

EXCLUSIVE: Businesses aiming to become sustainability leaders cannot ignore approaches to communication in an age where consumers and stakeholders are actively engaged on corporate approaches to societal and environmental needs, the chief executive of Nespresso has claimed.

B Corps are on the move – why it’s time to join in

Ella's Kitchen certified as a B Corporation two years ago this February, only the second company ever to certify whilst being part of a PLC, after Ben & Jerry's with Unilever. However becoming a B Corp was always about something bigger than its impact on Ella's Kitchen.

ESOS – The Challenges Last Time

We are now in Phase 2 of ESOS and, although the deadline of 5th December 2019 may seem a long way off, you should now be thinking about the compliance process. But how can you learn from the challenges last time?

Energy management experts from manufacturing and retail firms across the country came together to discuss the potential solutions to some of the biggest challenges around energy resilience

Energy resilience roundtable: Paving the path to a clean energy future

Energy management experts from some of the world's biggest manufacturers and retailers recently came together for an exclusive roundtable hosted by edie and Centrica Business Solutions to explore some of the biggest challenges and opportunities when it comes to building energy resilience.

B Corp businesses grow 28 times faster than national average

New research has revealed that businesses within the purpose-driven B Corp movement are growing 28 times faster than the national economic growth of 0.5%.

Waitrose's ethical supplier scheme expands out of Africa for first time

Waitrose is expanding its ethical trading initiative beyond Africa for the first time, with pineapple growers in Costa Rica set to be backed by extra investment from the British retailer.

The 14-page edie explains guide helps environmental professionals understand exactly what they need to do before, during and after the ISO 14001 certification process

ISO 14001: edie launches updated practical guide to implementation

Organisations and professionals with an interest in the ISO 14001 environmental management system standard now have access to an updated, comprehensive 'edie explains' guide which breaks down all of the key information required to gain certification.

PTPN employees more than 121,000 people and generated 63% if its $2.5m global sales from palm oil production

Unilever to increase sustainable palm oil production in Indonesia

Global consumer goods firm Unilever has struck a deal with a government-owned palm oil plantation firm in Indonesia to create a support framework that enables local mills and smallholders to produce palm oil according to standards of no deforestation and no peatland deterioration.

The blackwater system will reduce the building’s water footprint by 76%

In practice: Salesforce's largest US blackwater recycling system

As part of a move to redefine its business purpose through staff well-being and sustainability, Salesforce has used its flagship San Francisco headquarters to champion water efficiency in an area notorious for severe droughts.

The three-year development represents a £90m investment from AccorHotels, and the building was delivered on time and to budget

In practice: AccorHotels' new project targeting BREEAM excellent certification

Ahead of edie's flagship Sustainability Leaders Awards in January, edie is taking a closer look at some of the projects initiatives that have been deemed worthy of a finalist position by our expert judges. Up next: AccorHotels' new London hotel.

Produced in association with NQA, the ISO 50001 guide helps sustainability professionals and energy managers understand how the Standard can support energy efficiency efforts

ISO 50001: edie launches new-look guide to implementation for energy managers

Organisations and energy managers with an interest in the ISO 50001 energy management standard now have access to an updated 'edie explains' guide which breaks down all of the key information required to gain certification.

Health and wellbeing: the next frontier for the built environment

Each year, millions of working days are lost because of work-related stress, depression or anxiety, highlighting the direct impact employees' health and happiness can have on business performance. Redesigning and reimagining the workplace to better support how work is done now and in the future could not only enhance employee wellbeing, but also improve performance and productivity.

100 Victoria Street achieved BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Silver certification

In practice: Landsec's BREEAM Outstanding headquarters designed to WELL standards

As more companies look to create the right work environments for staff wellbeing, Landsec created the UK's largest fully WELL Certified space for staff health, which also achieved a BREEAM Outstanding rating.

The company noted that it will explore additional certification as it moves towards it 2022 goal

Target shoots for 100% sustainable cotton by 2022

Clothing giant Target has set a new goal to source 100% sustainable cotton by 2022 for its owned and exclusive national brands across apparel, home and essential products.

How to expand your business sustainably: it all starts with your supply chain

The 2016 CEO Study published by Accenture and the United Nations Global Compact boldly claims that a "staggering 97% of CEO's interviewed believe that sustainability is important to the future success of their business". Despite being reminiscent of the 97% of scientists that agree on climate change, clearly, we are at a point in time where the question around business expansion is not can, but rather how, does a business grow sustainably and where should it focus its efforts?

Tetra Pak believes it can contribute to nine of the SDGs, and is using the goals to build up progress and momentum towards its science-based targets

From climate science to global goals: How Tetra Pak is realigning its sustainability strategy

As Tetra Pak's latest sustainability report reveals that the company looks set to outperform its original goals, the firm's vice president of environment Mario Abreu explains how the food packaging company is preparing to shoot for approved science-based targets.

The new label will insure the renewable electricity is sourced from power generators and devices under a strict age limit

New energy certification label launched to unlock finance for renewable generation capacity

Businesses can now rest assured that the renewable electricity they are sourcing will assist the transition away from aging fossil infrastructure, through the launch of a new energy label certification that will finance the expansion of new generation capacity and devices.

The On The Hook campaign group has also raised concerns about MSC “developing commercial partnerships” with global retailers

Top retailers demanded to stop selling 'unsustainable tuna'

Major retailers Tesco, Asda and Morrisons have been accused of "misleading consumers" by selling "unsustainable tuna" sourced from two Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries.

Skipjack tuna from the western Pacific is common on supermarket shelves, but a new coalition argues its certification as sustainable is illusory

Consumers 'betrayed' over sustainability of world's biggest tuna fishery

Consumers of tuna from the world's biggest fishery are are being "betrayed" over its sustainability, according to a coalition of scientists, retailers, politicians and campaigners, including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

Green & Black's new edition bars will be sourced using Mondelez International's Cocoa Life initiative

Green & Black's removes Fairtrade from new UK chocolate range

Mondelez International is expanding the new branding initiative of its sustainable sourcing commitment, after it was revealed that a new edition of a Green & Black's bar would go on sale without any Fairtrade branding.

The new £10 note will be issued on 14 September 2017, and has been described by Carney as “safer, stronger and cleaner”

New £5 and £10 banknotes have smaller lifetime carbon impact

New £5 and £10 notes unveiled by the Bank of England earlier this month have carbon footprints 16% and 8% lower than previous paper versions, new analysis from the Carbon Trust has revealed.

All projects certified under the Gold Standard for the Global Goals will have to contribute to at least three SDGs, with the Climate Action goal being a mandatory requirement

New standard launched to certify business commitments to SDGs

A new standard was launched on Monday (10 July) to quantify, certify and maximise the business contributions to the development of climate change mitigation and other key targets listed by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Waitrose has said that its customers are

Waitrose commits to 100% Fairtrade tea amid Sainsbury's alternative scheme controversy

British supermarket chain Waitrose has strengthened its commitment to source Fairtrade tea, as fellow retailer Sainsbury's continues to face criticism for launching its own 'Fairly Traded' sustainability standard.

The certification can reduce overhead costs, bringing more retrofit projects to the market

'Investor-ready' green certification project rolled-out for district energy and street lighting

A green certification project aimed at standardising how building projects are measured and developed to accelerate investment opportunities has received backing from the Horizon 2020 programme to expand across Europe.

The UK is the biggest importer of wood pellets in the European Union (EU), shipping in more than seven million tonnes from the US and Canada in 2015

UK's biomass ambition: Low-cost solution or forest full of loopholes?

A new report has outlined that using waste and biomass for gasification can help the UK meet its 2050 carbon targets at a lower cost to the economy, on the same day that research condemned a biomass standard used by Drax, E.ON and DONG as a "forest of loopholes".

ESOS Phase 2: How to get maximum value from the compliance process

It's official: the compliance period for Phase 2 of the UK Government's Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is underway and qualifying organisations are now able to begin the compliance process.

The Environment Agency is encouraging businesses to begin carrying out energy audits before the ESOS Phase 2 compliance deadline of 5 December 2019

ESOS: Government begins issuing non-compliance fines as Phase 2 begins

With the second phase of the UK Government's Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) now underway, the Environment Agency has revealed that hundreds of organisations will be hit with large fines for failing to comply with Phase 1 of the mandatory scheme.

182,000 cocoa, coffee and tea farmers are certified under both standards, and a single standard will allow farmers and businesses to invest in sustainable practices more easily

Rainforest Alliance and UTZ to 'redefine sustainability standards' with merger

EXCLUSIVE: Businesses look set to benefit from a streamlined certification process within agriculture supply chains, after the Rainforest Alliance announced an intention "redefine the certification landscape" by merging with fellow sustainability certifiers UTZ.

Sainsbury's prompts backlash from Fairtrade after developing its own 'Fairly Traded' eco-label

Sainsbury's has clashed with The Fairtrade Foundation after the supermarket group launched its own sustainability standard which effectively negates the need for external ethical certification labels on its products.

Celebrating a decade of excellence in sustainability

Over the last decade, the way businesses run and operate has changed dramatically when it comes to sustainability. The rise of data has enabled companies to measure their operations and impact across their supply chains. This has led to one of the biggest changes in sustainability as businesses are able to track progress and have a more measureable and positive impact.

The work also shows that, even if diesel cars did meet emissions limits, there would still be 70,000 early deaths per year

38,000 people a year die early because of diesel emissions testing failures

The global human health impact of the diesel emissions scandal has been revealed by new research showing a minimum of 38,000 people a year die early due to the failure of diesel vehicles to meet official limits in real driving conditions.

The advice clinics are just one of the ways we've packed edie Live full of business-critical content and connections this year - for more information visit exhibition.edie.net

Meet the experts for free one-to-one advice

Let our experts steer you along the route to achieving best practice in sustainability, help you grasp complex issues, absorb new trends, deep dive into strategy and tackle challenges with confidence. And all in a one-to-one tailored consultation.

University library in Bucharest, Europe. BREEAM still has an 80% market share on the continent

LEED and BREEAM can generate 'stories of leadership' for businesses, says USGBC

EXCLUSIVE: The ongoing expansion of LEED certification opportunities in Europe can enable businesses to become leaders in the built environment, by obtaining duel, third-party certifications that highlight the business case for green buildings.

edie Live exhibitor focus: Planet Mark

Ahead of edie Live at the NEC on 23-24 May, we get up close and personal with some of our exhibitors to find out what visitors can expect to see from them at the show, what's new and how they can help in the drive towards sustainability targets.

The MSC will include new priority species such as squid, octopus, crab and seaweed

Marine Stewardship Council unveils new sustainable seafood targets to mark 20th anniversary

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has celebrated its 20th anniversary by unveiling new targets to increase the amount of sustainable seafood caught across the world.

Compost, degrade, recycle: the truth about plastic bags

There is obviously a lot of confusion around the materials plastic shopping bags are made from and the compostability, biodegradability and recyclability of them.

The announcement means there are now more than 2,000 restaurant locations across the UK serving MSC-certified traceable and sustainable seafood

Premier Inn pledges to deliver three million sustainable fish and chip meals

Premier Inn has become the world's largest Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified national hotel chain, meaning an extra three million sustainable portions of fish and chips will be served across the UK each year.

The standard acts as the world’s first independent certification for organisations that are measuring and managing supply chain emissions

O2 becomes first company to receive highest Carbon Trust Standard for supply chains

As the United Nations launches a framework to help businesses assess sustainability impacts, digital communications provider O2 has been named as the first organisation in the world to receive the highest Carbon Trust Standard for supply chains.

Greenhouse PR has embarked on campaigns such as launching Europe’s first renewable biomethane fuel for HGV’s and establishing smart battery technology to enhance the UK grid

Greenhouse PR certified as sustainable business

Greenhouse PR has become one of the first sustainability-focused UK consultancies to gain certification as a B Corporation thanks to a distinguished social and environmental performance.

Credible sustainability standards can help businesses in sectors like cotton production and make a tangible contribution to the SDGs, WWF says

WWF: Third-party sustainability standards can advance SDG progress for business

Businesses can contribute strongly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and unlock new market opportunities by using credible voluntary sustainability standards, a new report from WWF has claimed.

Retail ready packaging from Smurfit Kappa, which has strict sourcing policies for its virgin and recovered fibres

Smurfit Kappa hits certification goal for sustainably-sourced packaging

Global paper-based packaging firm Smurfit Kappa has completed its goal of ensuring that 90% of all packaging sold to consumers is Chain of Custody certified, demonstrating full-transparency and a willingness to source from verified certification systems.