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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.
edie Explains: Frequency response
How does frequency response work? What are the business benefits of adopting frequency response technology? And how will National Grid's planned overhaul of balancing services impact the frequency response market? This free edie Explains guide gives you everything you need to know.
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.
In practice: Oxford University Hospitals' money-saving CHP retrofit
Oxford University Hospitals benefited from a finance procurement system that partnered the Trust with companies that could replace aging heat and power infrastructure with a combined heat and power system that would generate massive economic savings.
Renewable energy in the supply chain
This new report focuses on the opportunity for companies to amplify their carbon reduction efforts by driving renewables through their supply chains. Given how easy it is to choose renewable electricity in the UK, businesses could be doing more to engage with their suppliers.
Centrica Business Solutions: Resilience
UK businesses without an energy resilience strategy are risking 17% of their revenue, equating to £2.8m each year in damages and lost opportunities. This is a key finding from Centrica Business Solutions’ research into the current state of energy resilience.
Sustainability Leaders Awards 2018: Meet the finalists
After a record-breaking number of entries, the judging panel has met, the decisions have been made and edie is proud to reveal the finalists for the 2018 Sustainability Leaders Awards.
edie Explains: The green office
The purpose of a green office programme is to enable a business to improve the efficiency of its everyday operations by taking practical steps to reduce office resource consumption and implement more sustainable practices that benefit both the organisation and its employees.
Election 2017 manifesto matrix: What the parties have said on energy and the environment
It's decision time. Tension is mounting among the green business community ahead of the UK election - but which party offers the most promising green policy approach? Here, edie has rounded up the most important inclusions (and exclusions) from each of the main parties' manifestos into a single, easy-to- read document.
Megatrends: Exploring the future of sustainable business
This exclusive edie report explores the business impact of five key megatrends that are shaping the world we live in: climate change; technology and innovation; population growth and social change; urbanisation and smart cities; and economic growth.
Top tips to achieve supply chain sustainability
You’re only as strong as your weakest link. For sustainability professionals, supply chains can be highly complex and full of links that must be closely managed and supported to help achieve overarching corporate social responsibility standards.
In practice: Costa's new low-carbon coffee roastery
What makes Costa Coffee’s new £38m roastery in Basildon "one of the most sustainable buildings in the world"? This free case study provides an overview of all the low-carbon and resource-efficient features of the retailer's flagship sustainability project.
edie Live exhibitor focus: Munters
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.
EPA head Scott Pruitt denies that carbon dioxide causes global warming
Scott Pruitt, Donald Trump's head of the US Environmental Protection Agency, has dismissed a basic scientific understanding of climate change by denying that carbon dioxide emissions are a primary cause of global warming.
Recycling rates in England drop for first time
Recycling rates in England have fallen for the first time ever, prompting calls for a tax on packaging and meaning EU targets are now almost certain to be missed.
10 top tips to move from compliance to competitive edge on energy management
The energy efficiency path can be a long and winding road for businesses, but cutting through it can prove invaluable for long-term success.
Is the cement industry undermining the Emissions Trading System?
Research by UK-based non-profit InfluenceMap has found that, despite the European cement industry seeming to embrace the Paris Agreement on climate change, many companies within the sector continue to oppose ambitious science-based climate policy.
Green groups call for 'bold' Government action to ignite UK's low-carbon transition
The UK Government can embed a "world class" low-carbon environment that could mobilise significant investment streams, but only if current policy gaps and mixed legislative signals are addressed with "bold" action.
COP22: Major firms lead low-carbon energy drive
The first week of COP22 in Marrakech rounded-off on energy day, with a range of companies demonstrating their commitment to a low-carbon future with pledges to source 100% renewable energy.
STA calls for 'modest government intervention' for solar
New research has shown that the current financing for large scale solar PV schemes in the UK is no longer economically viable.
Corbyn pledges to create £300m energy research agency: report
Jeremy Corbyn has pledged to create a new £300 million US-style energy research agency to help combat climate change, Labour List has reported.
'Damaged' solar sector hit by job losses and deployment slowdown
Solar deployment for 2016 is expected to shrink from the 1GW UK average of the last five years to less than 300MW, as firms within the industry reveal that employment levels have fallen by 32%.
Scotland's renewables sector threatened by political 'cloud of uncertainty'
Despite successfully expanding renewable energy capacity, Scotland's renewable energy sector is in a "state of flux", with policy amendments to the Renewables Obligation (RO), Feed in-tariffs (FiT) and Contract for Difference (CfD) auctions all contributing to an uncertain future.
More than half of jobs in UK solar industry lost in wake of subsidy cuts
The solar power industry says it has seen the loss of more than half its 35,000 jobs due to recent changes in government energy policy, just at a time when solar power has eclipsed coal as a major generator of Britain's electricity.
The Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Episode 04 - Plan A progress and carbon-neutral beer
Listen to exclusive interviews with M&S's director of sustainable business Mike Barry, the new director of the Corporate Leaders Group Jill Duggan, and Heineken's director of global sustainable development Michael Dickstein in this fourth episode of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast.
Solar industry fights RHI subsidy cut
The solar industry has called on ministers to abandon plans to cut support for new solar thermal projects from the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme - a move proposed in a government consultation that closes today.
Zero carbon emissions target to be enshrined in UK law
The UK will enshrine in law a long-term goal of reducing its carbon emissions to zero, as called for in last year's historic Paris climate deal.
MPs warn of 'dented' investor confidence over UK energy policy
The Government is risking higher energy prices and stalling new investment through 'sudden and numerous' energy policy changes that are denting investor confidence in the UK energy market, MPs have warned today (2 March).
Energy firms slash green gas prices
Green energy providers Ecotricity and Good Energy have cut their gas bills by 7% and 7.2% respectively in the wake of falling wholesale prices.
Top 10 skills that every sustainability professionals needs
From being a good storyteller to 'wearing different hats', the modern day sustainability professional needs a huge array of skills to be able to work towards a long-term vision and inspire change within - and outside of - their organisation.
Defra halves local authority funding to tackle air pollution crisis
The amount of money given to local authorities in England to allow them to combat rising air pollution issues has been halved, the Government has confirmed.
Sustainability stats: This week in numbers
While New Year's resolutions to give up alcohol or head to the gym are strained or even broken, this week saw the continued commitment to building a sustainable future - even if some sectors are struggling to shed those stubborn carbon footprints.
Solar installations surge to beat subsidy cut-off date
Domestic and commercial solar installations in the final quarter of 2015 shot up by approximately 63% year-on-year, as developers scrambled to get projects up and running before subsidy cuts took effect.
RE100 companies halfway to 100% renewable target
The 53 companies that have signed up to the RE100 pledge to source 100% renewable energy are on average, halfway to their goals, a new report by The Climate Group and CDP shows.
Solar still a good option despite subsidy cut and VAT hike, says industry
Solar panels still make financial sense for consumers despite a double whammy of subsidy cuts and a rise in VAT rates, the industry has said.
UK Government misses own green targets
The Government has failed to meet its own targets for cutting the environmental impact of the state's operations, according to a report quietly published last month.
Ed Miliband aims for cross-party coalition on climate change
Ed Miliband has vowed to build a "high-ambition coalition" of UK businesses, trade unions and civic society to challenge the government's "backward" environmental policies.
Feed-in Tariff consultation: Cuts lighter than feared
The Government has announced its final decision on new rates for the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) for 2016 and beyond, including a 64% cut to the domestic solar tariff.
Major energy U-turn needed to meet Paris targets, government warned
The government has been warned that a major U-turn in energy policy is required if it is to avoid charges of blatant hypocrisy following the commitments it made in the Paris climate deal this weekend.
DECC axes £1bn carbon capture fund
The Department of Energy & Climate Change has axed a £1bn fund to commercialise carbon capture & storage (CCS) in the UK.
7 questions George Osborne didn't answer in his Spending Review
Chancellor George Osborne spoke for an hour and the Government released a 154-page document detailing the changes made to Britain's economic plan today, but when it comes to green policy, there STILL seems to be more questions than answers.
Autumn Statement and Spending Review 2015: Green budgets cut, RHI reform
"Going green should not cost the earth" proclaimed George Osborne in his Autumn Statement as the Chancellor confirmed plans to reform the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and slash budgets for DECC and DEFRA.
MPs call for diesel cars scrappage scheme to tackle air pollution
The government should consider a scrappage scheme for diesel cars to get polluting vehicles off the streets of England's cities, where they contribute to tens of thousands of premature deaths every year, according to an influential committee of MPs.
UK closes in on 100% sustainable palm oil
Up to 93% of pure palm oil imported into the UK could come from sustainable sources, according to new Government figures, putting the UK close to a target of 100% by the end of 2015.
Amber Rudd to 'reset' Britain's energy policy with coal phase-out
Energy Secretary Amber Rudd has announced plans to "reset" Britain's energy policy by prioritising the closure of all traditional coal-fired plants by 2025 as Britain commits to building new infrastructure "fit for the 21st century".
UK and India strike £3.2bn clean energy and climate change deal
The Prime Ministers of the UK and India met in London yesterday (12 November) to agree on a new climate deal between the two countries that will establish a £10m joint research collaboration into new low-carbon technologies.
Carbon reduction incentives could ease 'complex' policy landscape, says DECC
UK businesses are operating within a "complex" energy policy environment and need to engage with Government over the potential introduction of new financial incentives to stimulate carbon reductions, a DECC official has claimed.
World Bank: Climate change could plunge 100 million people into poverty
Climate change risks could force more than 100 million people into poverty by 2030, a new study from the World Bank has found.
EV's 'too expensive' to tackle air pollution alone, says EIC
Electric cars could be up to five times more expensive than other methods of tackling air pollution on our roads, a new report from the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC) has found.
G20 could deliver 40% of 2C target with better energy standards, report claims
Raising and normalising energy efficiency standards across the G20 group of rich countries could deliver 40% of the emissions cuts needed to limit global warming to two degrees, a major new report has found.
China and France say Paris climate pact should have five-year reviews
French president François Hollande claimed China and France had taken a "historic" step towards tackling climate change on Monday after the two countries agreed any deal reached in Paris next month should include checks on whether signatories are keeping their commitments to reduce emissions.
Government to cut tax relief for community green energy schemes
The government plans to cut tax reliefs for community energy schemes to build new renewable power capacity such as solar and wind in a move that will deal a further blow to the UK's embattled renewables sector, green campaigners have warned.
FiT cuts would 'cripple' 70% of solar industry, survey finds
A new survey launched on the back of the Government's controversial feed-in tariff (FiT) consultation has found that 70% of solar installers are concerned that the anticipated cuts to subsidies could 'cripple' their financial stability.
Manchester set for Europe's largest floating solar project
Installation has started today (26 October) on Europe's largest floating solar power system which will generate 2.7GWh of renewable, zero carbon energy each year on a reservoir near Manchester.
£1 solar rescue plan gets cross-party backing
A plan to 'save the solar industry' by adding £1 on to consumer bills has received support from a cross-party coalition of 30 MPs.
1.85 million Brits financing 'positive investment' market
A record 1.85 million people across the UK have invested a total of £3.6bn in ways that to create positive social and environmental impact, according to a market update from investment platform Ethex.
Report: Rich countries failing to accept 'fair share' of climate action
The climate pledges made by rich countries are less than their 'fair share', according to new report released today (19 October).
Revealed: Many more solar firms face closure if government cuts go ahead
Hundreds more jobs will be lost at solar power companies if planned changes to government policy come into force in the new year, 25 small businesses have told the Guardian.
National Grid: Interconnectors vital to UK energy stability
Interconnectors will play an increasingly important role for the National Grid as it strives to 'keep the lights on' this winter, according to the company's new Winter Outlook report.
America's largest solar desalination project seeks $10m crowdfunding
A California company is trying to crowdfund $10m to part-fund the building of the US' largest solar desalination project.
Britain's blackout warnings 'do not reflect reality'
Headlines warning that the lights will go out thanks to power station closures and the increasing use of renewable energy are 'largely unfounded', a new report from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) has claimed.
Wind energy generates £1.25bn for UK economy, provides 30,000 jobs
Wind energy drove £1.25bn of investment into Britain's economy last year, with the industry now employing 30,500 people, according to a new report from RenewableUK.
Tories to slash solar subsidy budget by 98%
The Government's proposed cuts to the Feed-in Tariff subsidy scheme could leave the solar industry with just £7m of funding over the next three years - a 98% cut, according to new analysis.
Heineken UK cuts emissions but water efficiency flatlines
Brewing giant Heineken UK has released its 2014 Sustainability Report, revealing small reductions in emissions from production and distribution, but no change in water efficiency.
Labour conference: Every community should own a clean energy power station
Labour's new Shadow Energy Secretary Lisa Nandy has pledged to 'democratise' the energy system by boosting community-owned renewables across the country.
Scotland to retain 'grandfathering' subsidy guarantee for solar
The Scottish Government has acted swiftly to ensure that solar investors receive 'clarity and certainty' by denouncing UK Government proposals to end 'grandfathering' subsidy guarantees.
Construction begins on Britain's first 'split-ownership' solar farm
The first UK solar farm to be part-owned by both community and commercial groups is now being built at Braydon Manor Farm near Swindon.
Power to the people: Big businesses back calls for feed-in-tariff rethink
Ikea, Panasonic and DuPont are among a wave of businesses have thrown their weight behind calls for the UK Government to reconsider the "extreme" and "damaging" proposals to cut the Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) scheme.
DECC rejects 4 Wales wind farms
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has rejected four planned onshore wind farms in mid-Wales with a potential capacity of more than 350 MW.
Current Paris climate pledges 'won't limit global warming to 2C'
Pledges made by countries ahead of the Paris UN Conference in December are not sufficient to limit global warming to 2°C, according to analysis published today (19 August) by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change.
Scotland now home to 660,000 solar panels
New figures have revealed the massive amount of small-scale renewable projects deployed in Scotland, but industry figures warned that further development could be crippled by recent subsidy cuts.
Why do so many people work so hard just to build up the funds to quit?
For the seventh part of our series with Ashridge Business School, Chris Nichols delves into 'Reinventing Work'; asking why people stay in jobs that make them unhappy, and explaining how the Ashridge MSc in Sustainability & Responsibility can help.
Molson Coors saves 500 million litres in water reduction drive
Global beer producer Molson Coors is on track towards its 2020 energy targets with reductions in carbon emissions, water use and waste-to-landfill, according to its latest sustainability report released today (17 August).
Solar industry looks to Chinese imports to ease subsidy squeeze
The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has called for the EU to drop import tariffs on Chinese solar modules, claiming the cheaper equipment could help the industry overcome subsidy cuts.
Diageo saves almost 3 billion litres of water
Diageo has improved its water efficiency by more than 10% in the past year, according to the drinks giant's latest sustainability report.
Community energy will take brunt of subsidy cuts, warn Scotland and Wales
Community energy schemes will be hit hardest by Amber Rudd's recent energy subsidy shake-up, ministers from Scotland and Wales have warned.
Labour frontrunner launches ambitious environmental manifesto
Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn has announced a far-reaching green vision for his environmental policy in an announcement today (7 August).
WRAP funding slashed despite five-fold return on investment
Recent Government spending cuts led to a 38% drop in income for the Waste & Resources Action Plan (WRAP) in 2014/15, despite the organisation delivering a five-fold return on its funding.
Obama launches Clean Power Plan to slash power plant emissions
President Obama is set to launch the final version of America's Clean Power Plan today (3 August) to tackle carbon emissions from power plants.
Farming biogas leads 40% increase in sector electricity generation
Growth in the UK anaerobic digestion (AD) sector has seen electricity generation from bioenergy surge by 40% from 2013-14, according to figures from the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA).
GALLERY: Top 10 sustainability stories in July 2015
The story of July has been cuts and lots off them.
Lord Bourne: Green policy shake-up necessary to curb energy bills
EXCLUSIVE: After a flurry of shock green policy announcements, the Under Secretary of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) says such drastic changes were needed to drive down consumer bills.
UK doubles large-scale solar capacity with world set for new installation record
The UK has doubled its installed utility-scale solar capacity in 2015, taking it to more than 4GW, according to new figures released today (14 July).
Report: Kill short-lived pollutants to curb climate change
Global governments must work together to cut short-lived climate pollutants as well as tackling long-lived CO2 emissions, according to a report published in the journal Nature Climate Change published today (13 July).
Economy needs 'stable policies' to secure low-carbon future, says Aldersgate report
A new report from the Aldersgate Group has brought together voices from the economy, academia and civil society to spell out key priorities for meeting carbon targets.
DECC budget cuts threaten ability to 'keep the lights on'
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) could face staff budgets cuts of up to 90% under Conservative austerity measures, threatening the department's ability to deliver on its key energy and climate policies.
Adidas showcases shoe made from ocean plastics
Clothing manufacturer Adidas has celebrated its partnership with Parley for the Oceans by creating a prototype shoe made from recycled ocean waste and deep-sea gillnets.
Waitrose dairy farm unveils rooftop solar array
A Waitrose dairy farm in Hampshire is now generating its own renewable energy after installing a 186 KWp solar array on the roof of a milk parlour.
Johnson & Johnson cuts emissions as water becomes main sustainability challenge
Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson reduced its carbon emissions in 2014, but the firm is close to missing its 2015 water consumption target.
Ford's 10-speed gearbox could cut fuel consumption by 5%
The Ford Motor Company has claimed that the nine and 10-speed gearboxes it is developing could cut fuel consumption by up to 5%.
UK renewable energy industry warns of legal action over subsidies
The UK renewable energy industry has warned the government's new climate secretary that she will face a legal challenge if she oversees the "wilful destruction" of the industry by retrospectively curtailing subsidies.
Stern warning: Emissions pledges too weak to stop global warming
The pledges made by major international emitters ahead of the Paris UN conference are not strong enough to limit global warming to 2C, according to team of researchers led by Nicholas Stern.
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