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The risks and rewards of brokers
As the non-domestic retail water market opens on April 1, brokers are anticipating a boom in business. edie sister title Utility Week has provided an in-depth guide to the utility broker market as it stands, and considers how it is likely to change after market opening.
Climate activist turns down Siemens board role over Australian mine deal
German climate activist Luisa Neubauer has declined an offer from Siemens' chief executive Joe Kaeser to sit on a supervisory board off the firm's new energy business, following controversy over an Australian mining project.
8 steps for overcoming the behavioural change challenge
During the SPARK 2.0 event, energy and sustainability professionals discussed the barriers to behaviour change and how businesses could harness the wider awareness of the climate strikes to engage all staff members on the need to manage energy use.
America's Pledge and Europe's Green Deal: What happened on days 8 & 9 of COP25?
COP25 - the UN's annual two-week-long climate summit - has entered its second week in Madrid. Here, edie rounds up all the key news and views from the last few days of the event.
COP25: Drax to become carbon negative by 2030
UK energy company Drax will announce ambitions to become carbon negative by 2030 at the UN's COP25 climate summit in Madrid today (Tuesday, December 10).
UN: Carbon-intensive businesses will lose trillions as climate policies tighten
Large oil and gas, metals and mining and heavy industry firms are likely to lose almost half (43%) of their value in the next decade, as nations introduce more stringent climate policies.
Report: Coal 'becoming uninsurable' as cover withdrawal doubles
The number of insurance firms withdrawing cover for coal companies and assets has more than doubled between 2018 and 2019, a new report has revealed.
BNP Paribas vows to end coal financing by 2040
Corporate bank BNP Paribas has pledged to stop all funding for thermal coal globally by 2040, with an interim target of 2030 for EU Member States.
Fossil fuel production on track for double the safe climate limit
The world's nations are on track to produce more than twice as much coal, oil and gas as can be burned in 2030 while restricting the rise in the global temperature to 1.5C, analysis shows.
National Grid commits to net-zero emissions target for 2050
The National Grid has announced a commitment to reduce its direct greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050, the same timeframe as the UK Government's legislative target.
Just one in 10 of world's largest energy firms have net-zero targets, report finds
Just 10% of the world's largest 132 coal, electricity and oil and gas companies have set time-based commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero, with just three companies also pledging to reduce indirect emissions as well.
Beyond Carbon: The $500m plan to create a low-carbon US, with or without Trump
EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump may have officially kickstarted the process to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, but there is a movement of cities, states and businesses that is driving the nation towards 100% clean energy, with or without support from the federal government.
Energy giants call for post-Brexit carbon price certainty in 'Net-Zero Budget'
Energy giants Drax, Orsted and SSE have penned a joint letter to Chancellor Sajid Javid calling for the Government to outline post-Brexit carbon pricing mechanisms, warning that it is crucial to the resilience of business and acts as a key indicator for investors.
Oil and gas giants must cut production by a third to meet climate targets
The world's largest oil and gas companies must cut combined production by 35% by 2040 if nations are the meet the collective ambitions of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to below 2C, a new report from Carbon Tracker has found.
Study: EU coal power plants incurred €6.6 billion losses in 2019
Increasing environmental regulations and fierce competition from renewable energies are increasingly making coal-fired power operate at a loss. According to a British think tank, coal-fired power plants are losing billions of euros every year, but energy companies say this is nonsense.
Renewable energy to expand by 50% in next five years - report
Global supplies of renewable electricity are growing faster than expected and could expand by 50% in the next five years, powered by a resurgence in solar energy.
'Risking a carbon budget blowout': UK Government gives go-ahead to Drax gas plant
The UK Government is "risking a carbon budget blowout" by overruling a recommendation from its planning authority in order to give the green light to Drax's large-scale gas power plant, which had been refused on climate grounds.
Total signs cleantech deal to produce hydrogen at refineries
French energy giant Total has signed a cooperation agreement with the Sunfire cleantech company to integrate capture waste heat and CO2 at a German refinery to create synthetic methanol and hydrogen to be used to reduce energy and transport emissions.
RWE to become carbon-neutral by 2040
German utilities giant RWE has unveiled a new strategy to transform itself into a carbon-neutral company by 2040 by funnelling billions into renewables projects, decommissioning existing coal-fired plants and backing carbon capture and storage technology.
Coal drops to record low generation share in UK
Coal power generated a record low of 0.6% of the UK's grid mix between April and June, the latest official Government statistics have revealed.
Banks representing one-third of global market to align with Paris climate targets
A coalition of 130 banks, representing one-third of the worldwide banking sector, have committed to aligning their actions with the aims of the Paris Agreement.
Global decarbonisation efforts 'stall', pushing climate goals out of reach
Global decarbonisation efforts will need to be seven times greater than current efforts, if the world is to stand a fair chance of limiting global warming to 1.5C, according to a new PwC report which found that the rate of global decarbonisation has slowed to its lowest level since 2011.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Luke Landers, University Hospitals Birmingham
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. Next up: Luke Landers, energy and sustainability manager at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust.
EU countries have 'no concrete plans' to phase out fossil fuel subsidies: report
Not a single EU member state has so far spelled out a comprehensive plan to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, despite a commitment taken at the G20 ten years ago to eliminate them, according to a fresh analysis of the bloc's 28 National Energy and Climate Plans.
Coal generation becoming a 'distant memory' as share of energy mix falls to 0.7%
The amount of energy generated from coal sources in the UK has fallen to a record-low output of 0.7% - a 63% decline on the same period the year prior - with low-carbon making up more than half of the UK's energy mix.
The Barker Plan: How a former UK Energy Minister used sustainability to transform a sanctioned Russian aluminium firm
EXCLUSIVE: Over the course of a year, Russian aluminium and hydropower firm EN+ Group has gone from being banned on the US market to launching a new sweeping sustainability strategy and having those sanctions lifted. Here, edie speaks to former UK Energy Minister Greg Barker, who has been the surprise driving force behind this transformation.
CCS, food waste and deposit return schemes: Recapping a week of major green policy announcements
As Boris Johnson settles into his first day as the UK Prime Minister, Defra, the Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have released a flurry of documents to strengthen approaches to environmental regulation, energy policy and packaging production.
National Grid ESO joins Powering Past Coal Alliance
The National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has announced it is joining an international group, called the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), which is working on the transition away from coal power.
Emergency response Q&A: How can business accelerate towards net-zero emissions?
The UK has declared a climate emergency and the Government has set a legally binding target for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This one-hour webinar takes the form of a live Q&A session with a range of climate policy and business energy experts to explore how businesses should respond to the situation.
G20 nations triple coal power subsidies despite climate crisis
G20 nations have almost tripled the subsidies they give to coal-fired power plants in recent years, despite the urgent need to cut the carbon emissions driving the climate crisis.
UK to use more electricity from renewables than coal for first time in 2019
2019 will be the year that the UK's electricity system distributes more power generated from zero-carbon sources than from coal-fired power stations for the first time, new data from National Grid has concluded.
UK to be left with five coal power stations after Fiddler's Ferry closure
The UK's race to increase renewable energy sources has intensified with the announcement of plans to close another coal-fired power station.
Energy industry's carbon emissions rise at fastest rate in nearly a decade
Carbon emissions from the global energy industry rose at the fastest rate in almost a decade in 2018 after surprise swings in global temperatures stoked extra demand for fossil fuels.
Michael Bloomberg announces $500m campaign to end US coal generation
Billionaire businessman and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg has announced a $500m investment aimed at fighting climate change by ending coal-fired electricity generation in the US.
UK celebrates first coal-free fortnight for electricity grid
The UK's electricity grid will have operated without coal-fired power for a fortnight at 3.12pm today (31 May), marking a first since pre-industrial times.
UK goes 11 days coal-free (and counting)
The UK has set another energy-related record in 2019, with the National Grid confirming on Tuesday (28 May), that the UK has gone 11 days without relying on coal for power generation.
Cambridge University agrees to explore fossil fuel divestment plan
The former archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has welcomed an "urgent change" by Cambridge University, after it agreed to provide fully costed plans setting out how it could divest multibillion-pound endowments from fossil fuel corporations.
UK completes first coal-free week since Industrial Revolution
The UK has just completed its first week without any domestic coal generation on the power grid since before the Industrial Revolution, marking a significant milestone in its low-carbon energy transition.
Britain notches up another coal-free record over Easter
Great Britain's power grid notched up another coal-free record over the Easter weekend, operating for nearly 92 consecutive hours without any domestic coal generation.
UK breaks coal-free power generation record by huge margin
Coal has historically been at the cornerstone of the UK's electricity mix, but the first three months of 2019 saw the electricity grid clock up 650 hours of coal-free generation - more than was achieved during the entirety of 2017.
In charts: The UK's record-breaking year for low-carbon energy generation
With the latest Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) statistics revealing that 2018 was a record-breaking year for renewables and low-carbon generation, edie dives into the data to pull out the key achievements.
First deep coal mine in 30 years given go-ahead in Cumbria
Cumbria County Council has granted planning approval for a new coal mine facility, Woodhouse Colliery in Whitehaven, the first of its kind in more than 30 years.
UK carbon emissions fall for record sixth year
CO2 emissions have fallen for a sixth consecutive year - the longest continuous decline since records began - according to new data provided by the Government.
Etsy to offset global shipping emissions
Online retailer Etsy has announced plans to offset 100% of its carbon emissions generated from shipping items, free of charge for its customers.
Global energy demand to decouple from economic growth by 2035, but not quick enough for a 2C world
Global energy demand will decouple from economic growth for the first time by 2035, due to zero-carbon energy sources accounting for more than half of the global power supply - a feat that still puts a 2C-pathway "out of reach".
Carbon Brief: UK's emissions could have doubled since 1990 without renewable energy
The UK's total carbon footprint has decreased by 38% since 1990 - but could have doubled if the renewable energy revolution had failed to gain traction, new analysis from Carbon Brief has concluded.
Germany agrees to end reliance on coal stations by 2038
Germany has agreed to end its reliance on polluting coal power stations by 2038, in a long-awaited decision that will have major ramifications for Europe's attempts to meet its Paris climate change targets.
Analysis warns of lack of progress on 2020 global emissions target
Removing coal from the global energy mix is taking too long, too many forests are still being destroyed, and fossil fuel subsidies are ongoing despite their distorting effect on the market, a new study has found.
Nuclear strategy in 'meltdown' after Wylfa suspension
The government's nuclear strategy is in "meltdown" following Hitachi's announcement that it is halting work on its plans for a new UK atomic power plant in north Wales, Alan Whitehead has said.
Renewables forecast to overtake fossil fuels in 2020
Renewables will overtake fossil fuels in 2020 to become the "dominant" source of power in Great Britain, EnAppsSys has predicted in a new report.
Minister urged to drop new coal-mining plans in Northumberland
A wild stretch of Northumberland beach has become the ultimate testing ground of the Government's much-vaunted commitment to phase out coal by 2025, according to campaigners.
EU forges deal on coal phase-out, with special Polish clause
European Union legislators reached agreement in the early hours of Wednesday (19 December) over a proposed reform of electricity market rules that includes a 2025 cut-off date for coal subsidies, and a special clause for Poland.
Wales pledges to phase-out fossil fuels in favour of renewables
The Welsh Government has committed to phase out the continued extraction and use of fossil fuels, including those obtained by fracking, as it strives to reduce national carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, against a 2011 baseline.
'We are last generation that can stop climate change' - UN summit
The UN climate change summit begins on Monday with a warning that today's generation is the last that can prevent catastrophic global warming, as well as the first to be suffering its impacts.
In action: EDF Energy's smart data focus to drive energy efficiency
In September 2017, EDF Energy installed its PowerNow live energy monitoring system at one of its own offices as a way of trialling its own solutions whilst improving the energy efficiency of the building. As revealed in this case study, the project has achieved excellent results all round.
Five ideas to capitalise on your energy data
This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where roundtable participants shared experiences of energy data management tools and techniques, and explored some of the practical steps that can be taken to generate energy and cost savings through more effective monitoring and measuring approaches.
Sustainable mobility: A blueprint for business leadership
This edie insight report explores five of the most important areas of focus for sustainability professionals - from electric vehicles (EVs) and greener fleets, to smarter business travel.
Big-name retailers collaborate to spur uptake of clean domestic fuels
Several big-name retail brands including B&Q, Asda and Wickes have this week unveiled fresh measures to help consumers make the switch to low-carbon, smoke-free and energy-efficient home fuels.
Fresh warnings over lack of climate action across finance sector
The reinsurance and pension fund sectors are failing to progress the finance sector towards key climate goals by continuing to invest in coal projects over low-carbon alternatives, two reports have claimed.
Tata Steel unveils technology that could halve emissions from steel production
Tata Steel has unveiled new technology that is able to reduce the carbon emissions from iron and steel production by more than 50%.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: The Coal Authority - Recycling and Resources
With entries soon closing for edie's revamped 2019 Sustainability Leaders Awards, this new feature series will showcase the achievements of the 2018 winners, revealing their secrets to success. Up next: our 2018 Recycling and Resources winners, The Coal Authority.
Trump administration scraps Obama-era regulation on coal emissions
The Trump administration has put forward a greenhouse gas emissions plan that could boost output from coal-fired power plants rather than push them towards closure and result in as many as 1,400 premature deaths each year.
Report: EU carbon prices could hit €40 over next five years
European Union (EU) carbon prices could more than double to €40 per tonne between 2019 and 2023, spurring the transition away from coal power across the bloc.
The Climate Coach: Renewable Energy
I have a dream, of a society where children play safely outside in green, common areas, where there are no cars. People travel to work in electric powered trains, buses and through electric car share. They walk and cycle to school, to the local shop and to meet friends. A dream where renewable energy sources provide all the power we need - for heating, electricity and transport - in businesses as well as in homes.
Ireland becomes world's first country to divest from fossil fuels
The Republic of Ireland will become the world's first country to sell off its investments in fossil fuel companies, after a bill was passed with all-party support in the lower house of parliament.
edie at 20: Is sustainability finally coming home?
It's official - edie is now 20 years old. Our 20th anniversary as a sustainable business media brand offers a chance to celebrate and reflect upon the tremendous achievements of the green economy - but it is also a time for us to realise the immense opportunity that now lies ahead.
G7 countries pour $100bn a year into oil, gas and coal: study
Each year, at least $100bn goes to support the production and consumption of oil, gas and coal, according to a major new study published on Monday (4 June). That is despite a promise from all G7 and G20 members to stop subsidising fossil fuels by 2025.
Top pension funds and insurers failing to engage with climate risks
Some of the UK's biggest pension funds are failing to address climate-related impacts, while 25 of the world's largest insurance brokers continue to invest in coal or tar sands projects, two damning reports have claimed this week.
UK insurers lead the ranks for climate action
UK insurance companies Aviva and Legal & General have taken two of the top four spots in a ranking of global insurers on their climate strategies, but globally the sector is struggling to set climate targets in line with the Paris Agreement.
'From coal to clean' - UK does not need to turn to gas, says WWF
The UK has no need to build new large gas-fired power stations to replace the coal plants that the government has pledged to switch off by 2025, the World Wide Fund for Nature has argued.
Allianz pledges to stop insuring coal plants as pressure mounts on insurance industry
Financial services firm Allianz has set a target to eliminate its insurance coverage for coal, amid heightened pressure on the industry to end its support for the fossil fuel.
Sector insight: The state of sustainability in hospitality & leisure
This exclusive insight report explores the key drivers, challenges and opportunities facing sustainability in the UK's hospitality & leisure industry.
UK runs without coal power for three days in a row
The UK has been powered without coal for three days in a row, setting a new record and underlining the polluting fuel's rapid decline.
Open cast coal mine rejection faces High Court challenge
The government's rejection of plans for a new open cast coal mine faces a High Court challenge amidst accusations by the project's backers that the move will push up energy prices by increasing the UK's reliance on risky overseas supplies of the fuel.
The sustainability communications handbook
This handbook equips you with the knowledge and insight required to help your audience understand the true value of sustainability, from the boardroom, to your staff, consumers and investors.
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.
Why cities are switching to renewables
Over two years after national leaders committed in Paris to keep a global temperature rise to below 2C, municipal leaders at some of the world's largest cities are stepping up to the challenge and harnessing the power of renewable energy.
Sector insight: The state of sustainability in the public sector
This exclusive insight report explores the key drivers, challenges and opportunities facing sustainability in the UK's public sector.
Renewable output rises by more than a quarter in the UK
Renewable output rose by 27% over 2017 due to windier weather and new capacity coming online, according to the latest Electric Insights report from Imperial College London.
Balearics launch pioneering plan to phase out emissions
The Balearic islands' government has launched a pioneering plan to phase out greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, potentially setting itself on a collision course with the Spanish government.
OECD urges countries to tax dirty energy
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has encouraged governments to start taxing CO2 emissions more aggressively, in a new report which warns that current taxation levels are not enough to fight climate change effectively.
8 global sustainability trends to watch out for in 2018
Over the past 12 months, challenges around addressing sustainability issues have featured consistently in global headlines. Despite mixed political messages about our transition to a low-carbon future, the private sector has continued to drive sustainability up the business agenda; from Science Based Targets (SBTs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to increased investor scrutiny over non-financial reporting.
Ørsted chief calls for 'high pace' climate and SDG action
Danish energy giant Ørsted's chief executive has highlighted the severe threats of climate change and the unique opportunities of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the company's latest sustainability report, which outlined the company's transition away from fossil fuels.
Capacity Market Auction: 'Bizarre' Government policies blocking renewables funding
The provisional results of the latest Capacity Market Auction were released by National Trust today (2 February), leading to the closure on a coal-fired power plant and concerns from the renewables sector that clean technologies are being blocked from finance.
Lloyd's of London to divest from coal over climate change
Lloyd's of London, the world's oldest insurance market, has become the latest financial firm to announce that it plans to stop investing in coal companies.
Welsh coal mine set for geothermal transformation following £9.4m fund
A council in Wales has been awarded £6.5m in European Union (EU) funds to explore how water from an underground mine can be used as a geothermal energy source to heat nearby homes.
Clean Growth Strategy 'not enough' to meet UK's carbon targets, climate advisers warn
Urgent action is needed to flesh out current plans in the Clean Growth Strategy in order to meet the UK's fourth and fifth carbon budgets, the Government's climate change watchdog has cautioned.
UK government spells out plan to shut down coal plants
One of the UK's eight remaining coal power stations is expected to cease generating electricity this year, the government has said as it laid out new rules that will force all the plants to close by 2025.
2017 green policy review: A year of progress and pleasant surprises
What a difference a year makes. Let us briefly cast our minds back to the halcyon days of January 2017 - who would have thought that a widely-ridiculed Jeremy Corbyn would soon become favourite to be the next PM; that a divorced mixed-raced American actress would be about to enter the Royal Family, or that a vastly experienced England cricket team would succumb to a humiliating Ashes defeat Down Under before the Boxing Day test?
Trump will drop climate change from US National Security Strategy
The Trump administration will drop climate change from a list of global threats in a new National Security Strategy the president is due to unveil on Monday.
Central Heating - is the future smart?
Is it time to smarten up the humble central heating in our homes and use the technology available to reduce the energy we need to stay warm?
World Bank, major businesses and nations unite against coal funding
The One Planet Summit in Paris has signalled the beginning of the end for the coal industry, after the World Bank, numerous financial institutions and a group of nations and major businesses all pledged to phase out fossil fuel funding and use.
The key business takeaways from COP23
So, COP 23 has come and gone, with little attention in the media. Expectations were for a technically focused meeting, working through some of the detail needed to bring the Paris agreement to life. Does this mean that there was little in it of business interest? Far from it, there were some important outcomes that provide real opportunities for business leadership. Here are my key takeaways.
'Political watershed' as 19 countries pledge to phase out coal
A new alliance of 19 nations committed to quickly phasing out coal has been launched at the UN climate summit in Bonn, Germany. It was greeted as a "political watershed", signalling the end of the dirtiest fossil fuel that currently provides 40% of global electricity.
US isolated as Syria signs the Paris Agreement
The US, the world's second largest emitter, is "out in the cold" as the only nation outside of the Paris Agreement on climate change, after Syria became the latest and last signatory to the global accord.
US withdraws from anti-corruption fossil fuel transparency initiative
The US has taken further steps to strengthen fossil fuel businesses, by withdrawing from an international initiative that monitors transparency and corruption in the revenues from mineral extraction and the oil and gas sector.
G20 falls behind on national decarbonisation pledges
The UK is "strongly outperforming" the rest of G20 in decoupling emissions from economic growth, but businesses and governments have been warned that the goals of the Paris Agreement won't be achieved with current decarbonisation ambitions.
The Problem with Solar (and other Renewables)
Night is the Achilles Heel of solar and this leads onto other interesting problems with other domestic renewable options
UK energy firms call on chancellor to boost carbon tax
Two of Britain's biggest energy companies have called on Philip Hammond to strengthen a carbon tax that has driven a dramatic collapse in coal power generation, arguing it is essential for the shift to cleaner energy.
DEMAND SIDE RESPONSE MASTERCLASS
Join us for an interactive masterclass that will break down the various ways businesses currently understand and engage in demand side response programmes, and the easy steps to develop and improve.
