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In action: edie publisher's AI-assisted IT software to reduce energy

In an effort to 'walk the walk' with sustainability' and reduce carbon emissions, edie's parent company Faversham House has trialled innovative computer software to measure, manage and ultimately reduce associated energy.

In action: EDF's renewable energy-based renovation of a listed building

Between 2012 and 2015, EDF Energy embarked on an ambitious project to bring a listed 12th Century building into the 21st Century by installing onsite renewable systems to generate low-carbon heat, cooling and electricity.

The decision was agreed following consultation with 600 people, including staff members, students and alumni

University of Manchester targets net-zero investment portfolio

The University of Manchester has announced a new commitment to end investments into fossil fuel projects and organisations by 2022, in line to creating a net-zero investment portfolio by 2038 at the latest.

The RHI was put in place by the Government as a means to convert 12% of UK homes to renewable heat by the end of 2020

Government planning to replace RHI with Clean Heat Grant

The UK Government has outlined its intentions to replace the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) with a new Clean Heat Grant that will aim to help households and businesses decarbonise through technology and push the nation towards its net-zero target for 2050.

More than 9,000 facilities across the UK benefit from participation in the scheme

Businesses called upon to consult on £300m energy-saving Climate Change Agreement

The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has launched a two-month consultation on an extension to the Climate Change Agreement (CCA), a legislative mechanism that enables businesses to save up to £300m annually on energy costs.

Can you eliminate plastic in the workplace?

Back in 2017, WWF-UK pledged to eliminate all unnecessary single-use plastic throughout the organisation. Environmental Manager Lauren Wiseman explains how this year, that target was achieved.

Asset managers, corporates and the public remain largely unaware of the climate risks of their investments

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.

Environment secretary George Eustice in the House of Commons presenting the Environment Bill at its second reading.

New powers added to Environment Bill at second reading

The UK Government has introduced three new additions to the Environment Bill as it entered into the second reading in the House of Commons, including on environmental protections in future legislation.

Why 2020 is the year of the collaborative circular economy

"The moment of crisis has come. We can no longer prevaricate." Naturalist and veteran broadcaster Sir David Attenborough pulled no punches in a recent BBC interview. If we are to keep global warming below 1.5C, greenhouse gas emissions must almost halve by 2030.

Khan's damning letter has been sent to the Secretaries for Housing and BEIS, as well as the London Minister and 10 Downing Street. Image: City Hall

Government's plans for low-carbon homes are 'a step backwards' on climate, London Mayor warns

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged Ministers to improve plans for decarbonising the UK's built environment sector, claiming that the capital and other cities are already going further and faster in the face of the climate emergency.

Boris Johnson and Mark Carney will be two of the key figures attending COP26 later this year - Foreign and Commonwealth Office / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)”

COP26: Boris Johnson to move diesel ban forward to 2035 and call for global net-zero transition

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will use the COP26 climate conference to call on other nations to follow the UK in setting a net-zero target and is also set to reveal plans to move the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars forward five years to 2035 as part of a "year of climate action".

Last month, Oxford City Council pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions within its own operations by the end of 2020

Oxford unveils proposals for city centre zero-emissions zone

Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council have published proposals on a zero-emission zone (ZEZ) for a city centre, which could be rolled out to a small part of the city by December this year.

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.

Business Energy Barometer: November-December 2019

edie's third Business Barometer for 2019 sets out the key challenges and opportunities for energy leaders and managers going into 2020 and the next decade of climate action.

The association says there is a ‘huge untapped potential’ for capturing and using methane

Government urged to boost support for anaerobic digestion

Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid has been urged to provide stop gap funding to support the rollout of biomethane plants when the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme expires in 2021.

The UK's EV market grew by a record-breaking 19% in 2018, with one EV being registered every nine minutes

Government consults on green license plates for electric vehicles

The UK Government has launched a consultation on introducing green license plates for electric vehicles (EVs) to make them easily recognisable and gain access to benefits such as cheaper parking and access to bus lanes.

The proposals are set to come into force at the end of 2020

‘A significant improvement’: Government unveils Future Homes vision

Triple glazing, buildings fabrics that limit heat loss, low-carbon heating systems and onsite generation assets will likely be mandatory requirements for new homes, after the Government unveiled its vision for a Future Homes Standard (FHS).

The UK's national food policy frameworks have not undergone a major update for 75+ years

Defra takes first step towards sustainable food system transformation

The Department for Food, the Environment and Rurual Affairs (Defra) has opened the first public consultation on its upcoming National Food Strategy, which aims address issues of environmental sustainability and nutrition across the food value chain.

Henry initially began his career in hospitality management before joining BaxterStorey's four-strong sustainability team

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Henry Cawson, BaxterStorey

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: Henry Cawson, sustainability manager at BaxterStorey.

Business Energy Barometer: April-May 2019

edie's brand-new Business Energy Barometer report maps out the key energy drivers, challenges and opportunities facing UK businesses, based on an in-depth survey of energy managers across the country.

The ocean emergency has grown as a decline in biodiversity, warming and plastic pollution has impacted their health

'Spectacular failure': Green groups respond to government's Marine Strategy

Conservation and environmental lobby groups have heavily criticised the government's revised UK Marine Strategy, saying that politicians need to radically revise their plans to tackle the growing emergency.

The draft vision includes a requirement for all water companies to set sustainability targets reaching 15 or more years into the future

Water firms urged to collaboratively develop "net-positive" vision for the sector

UK water firms are being urged to co-develop and jointly adopt a new long-term sustainability strategy for the sector, set to have an overarching aim of the industry "having the most positive impact possible on society and the environment".

SDG Spotlight: How businesses can achieve Goal 13 - Climate Action

This brand-new edie report maps out exactly how the business community can collectively achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 - Climate Action - within the next decade.

Perry gave evidence to the BEIS Committee on Wednesday (24 April)

BEIS to launch energy efficiency consultation on commercial buildings 'as soon as possible'

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will launch a consultation on the emissions of commercial buildings "as soon as possible", describing the sector as a "huge untapped area" for improvements.

Accelerating the rEVolution: 7 business innovations in e-mobility

This insight report, produced in partnership with UK Power Networks Services, investigates some of the game-changing developments which are driving e- mobility and accelerating the sector forward into the next decade.

The Lords also said climate change should be included in the OEP’s remit

Lords raise concerns over environmental protections under "no deal" Brexit

A Lords committee has written to Environment Secretary Michael Gove to raise concerns about the protection of environmental standards after Brexit.

The Government estimates that an overhaul to the EPR system will raise between £800m and £1bn annually for recycling and disposal

Government unveils deposit return scheme blueprints as part of waste management revamp

The UK Government has launched a 12-week consultation to explore how a "world-leading" tax on plastic packaging, standardised waste collections across the country and varying deposit return schemes for single-use items could overhaul and modernise the national waste management system.

The government is exploring two variants of the deposit return system

All in or on-the-go?: Green economy reacts to Defra's deposit return scheme vision

The consultation on the UK's waste management process has sparked new debates on standardised waste collections and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime. But the green economy wants to go "all in" on deposit return systems.

HEINEKEN Case Study: Four Layers of Supplier Sustainability Performance Management

Founded in 1864 in Amsterdam by 22-year- old Gerard Adriaan Heineken, HEINEKEN has grown to become the #1 brewer in Europe and the #3 worldwide, operating more than 160 breweries in 70 countries. HEINEKEN has a well- balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets.

edie Explains: Artificial Intelligence for sustainable business

Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) right for your business? What are the technology options and how do you choose the right one? This edie explains business guide, produced in association with Ditto AI, has the answers.

Webinar: The sustainable business power hour: Preparing to lead in 2019

This live, interactive webinar will see a range of sustainability leadership experts offer advice, share real-experience cases studies and reveal the key trends to watch out for that will help sustainability professionals hit the ground running in 2019.

Some developers already follow a biodiversity net-gain approach voluntarily

Defra launches call for evidence on 'biodiversity net-gain' developments

The Government is consulting on whether property developers should be required to deliver a "biodiversity net-gain" when building new housing or commercial projects.

Five ideas to accelerate your electric fleet transition

This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where roundtable participants shared experiences of electrification of business fleets, and discussed the steps that can be taken to accelerate adoption and maximise the benefits of the electric vehicle (EV) transition.

Webinar: 30-minute masterclass: How to engage with stakeholders on sustainability

This 30-minute masterclass, hosted in partnership with Cranfield University, will explore some of the skills needed to understand and engage with a range of stakeholders to optimise approaches to sustainability and unlock new business opportunities.

In a consultation published in July, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy proposed to completely close scheme to new applicants in March 2019, with no replacement

BEIS signals policy shift on export tariff

Energy and clean growth minister Claire Perry has signalled a shift in policy when it comes to the closure of the Feed-in Tariff.

The consultation aligns with the 25 Year Environment Plan's ambition to eliminate avoidable plastic waste

Government proposes UK-wide ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds for next year

The UK Government has today (22 October) confirmed that it will introduce a string of policies aimed at banning the sale and distribution of plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds by 2020.

Webinar: Green buildings: Making net-zero the new normal

Taking place during World Green Building Week, this live edie webinar will hear from the organisations that are retrofitting, renovating and building from the ground up to deliver low-carbon, energy-efficient buildings.

Since the 5p charge was introduced in 2015, the average consumer now buys 121 fewer bags each year

UK plastic bag charge set to double to 10p

The Government has confirmed that it will launch a consultation on whether the nation's current charge for single-use plastic carrier bags should be doubled to 10p and rolled out to every shop in the country.

(L-R): Presenter EDF’s Phil Valarino; Brau Union’s Dr
Gabriela Maria Straka; and compere Rufus Hound

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Brau Union Österreich AG - Energy Management

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 Energy Management winners, Brau Union Österreich AG.

Mission Possible: Achieving a sustainable future for MANUFACTURING

This brand-new sector insight report provides an end-to-end overview of the steps that organisations within Britain's manufacturing industry can take to achieve a sustainable future, today.

Cuts to the FiT scheme back in 2015 created a 75% fall in installations

Sadiq Khan calls for rethink on solar subsidies closure

London mayor Sadiq Khan was written to the Government expressing his concerns that a decision to let financial solar incentives expire next year could create a "cliff edge" for the wider solar market.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond confirmed in a statement that Ministers would discuss the “most promising” policies mooted in the consultation

‘Unprecedented’ public support for tax reforms to tackle plastic waste

An unprecedented number of respondents to a UK Government consultation examining plastic waste have called for the implementation of increased rates of tax on virgin plastics, coupled with tax breaks for manufacturers using post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.

Green fleets: Harnessing the electric vehicle revolution

This one-hour webinar will explore how businesses across the country are embracing the unstoppable rise of electric vehicles to reduce emissions, incentivise employees and cut costs.

Mission Possible Workshops report: 8 key sustainable business challenges, and how to solve them

This edie insight report, produced in association with E.ON, showcases the outputs of eight interlinked workshop discussions which saw groups of sustainability and energy professionals solve key challenges that they face on their respective missions to achieve a sustainable future.

Energy Leaders Club

The edie Energy Leaders Club is an exclusive, member-only programme of free, informal networking sessions, events and workshops for in-house energy managers and practitioners. The Club creates the space for new conversations and collaborations, allowing members to share best-practice, build knowledge and support one another on the road to reduced emissions

Sustainability and energy experts from a range of firms came together to discuss the potential solutions to some of the biggest challenges in the EV transition

Electrifying your fleet roundtable: Turning challenges into opportunities

Sustainability and energy management experts from some of the world's biggest businesses recently gathered in Oxford for an exclusive roundtable hosted by edie and UK Power Networks Services, to explore how challenges can be turned into opportunities when it comes to fleet electrification.

Mission Possible: The 2018 report

Welcome to the future of sustainable business. edie's Mission Possible 2018 report has landed, exploring the key commercial drivers, challenges and opportunities on the road to a low-carbon, resource-efficient planet.

Theresa May outlines plan to ban plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds

Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that a consultation will take place later this year to prepare England for a national ban on plastic straws, drink stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds.

Chancellor Hammond has set aside £20m for an innovation fund that will help businesses and universities discover new solutions to tackle plastic waste

Spring Statement: Chancellor unveils consultation on plastic tax

Phillip Hammond has launched a public consultation on a tax system for single-use plastics, vowing to tackle the “threat to our oceans" in his inaugural Spring Statement.

The Government last month unveiled its 25-Year Environment Plan, which pledges to eliminate all

MPs query Government's delay on plastics tax consultation

MPs have questioned the whereabouts of a consultation on single-use plastics first proposed by the Chancellor in last year's Autumn Budget.

The UK ships more than 2.7 million tonnes of plastic waste to China, and 3.7 million tonnes of paper waste every year

Could China's import ban create a step change for UK recycling?

China's ban on the import of plastic and mixed paper waste raised fears that the UK would be plagued by mountains of waste, but amidst the hysteria the industry has been given the ideal platform to overhaul current recycling standards.

2017: A turning point for energy efficiency in the UK?

2017 started badly for the energy efficiency sector: no policy news and yet another shuffle in the Ministerial team. The Government's plan to deliver the 5th Carbon budget was long overdue, the energy efficiency policy landscape was full of holes, and the market was flat.

The consultation paper proposes scrapping the “no cost to landlord” rule

Landlords to contribute to energy efficiency

The government is proposing to force private landlords to contribute towards measures to improve their properties' energy efficiency.

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?

The hot topic: Where does heating fit into a low-carbon electricity network?

The decarbonisation of the UK's electricity network is set to have significant implications for how low carbon heat is delivered to the buildings of the future. These changes will likely influence new policy from the Greater London Authority, as well as national guidance, regulations and calculation methodologies. The way that London responds to delivering low carbon heat needs to evolve over the coming months and years.

Moving the sustainability agenda forward: 5 key steps for business

In January, I will be sharing the stage with a number of other sustainability professionals at edie's 2018 Sustainability Leaders Forum. The event comes at a pivotal time for our business as, this month, together with The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC), we launched our first ever joint Sustainability Action Plan for Western Europe; This Is Forward.

BEIS framework consultation: Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting

Last month, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) opened a consultation on their new proposed framework for energy and carbon reporting. This process has the potential to bring environmental data smoothly into the mainstream, but could also just create further tangles in the knot that is the current energy reporting landscape.

The consultation will call on organisations to provide evidence of whether devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland want to embark on individual approaches

Defra to launch consultation on independent body for environmental standards

Environment Secretary Michael Gove has confirmed that an independent body to hold the Government to account over environmental standards after the UK has left the European Union will be established following a consultation early next year.

Farewell OPRA and hello system change pain

The UK's Operational Risk Appraisal OPRA permitting scheme is a world leading scheme, it's a stand out model, it does it all and does it well. So, the Environment Agency's decision to replace it with an outdated model with little consultation should be a concern.

Evidence submitted will be examined by the Government’s working group which includes corporate giants such as Coca-Cola and Tesco. Image: Flickr/PolicyExchange

Michael Gove seeks evidence on plastic bottle deposit scheme

Defra Secretary Michael Gove has confirmed he will work with businesses to see how a drinks container deposit return scheme could work in England.

Towards a sustainable economy

CISL and its recently formed Rewiring the Economy Inquiry Group published its latest report ‘Towards a sustainable economy', to identify new business approaches that can drive progress towards the SDGs.

If half of all food and dry recyclables were recycled, Wales would reach a 2025 recycling target of 70% for all waste nine years early

Welsh Government unveils plans to halve food waste

The Welsh Government intends to launch a consultation to discuss a non-statutory national target to halve food waste by 2025, just one week before annual waste statistics are set to be released.

The consultation will explore how the UK can create a smart electricity grid that enables new markets and opportunities for distributed energy technologies

Britain gears up for smart energy transition with new consultation

The Energy Networks Association (ENA) is seeking views on how best to create new markets to enable distributed energy resources - including solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles - to provide services to the power grid.