decarbonisation
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UK Government announced as International Ambassador for EV100 initiative
The UK Government has been named as the first government to act as an ambassador for the Climate Group's EV100 initiative to spur electric vehicle (EV) uptake, on the same day that global pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca joined the initiative.
UK launches Clean Maritime Strategy to spur net-zero ambitions
The UK Government has announced a new maritime strategy, calling for all new vessels to be designed with zero-emissions capable technologies by 2025.
Energy management design sprint (Part One): How to unlock innovation in your business
In the first of a special two-part feature, edie reveals the results of two full-day workshops which applied principles of 'design thinking' to the role of the energy manager. Here, we summarise our first workshop, which explored how this group can harness energy innovations.
Green economy wishlist: How to turn the net-zero pipedream into a low-carbon pipeline
With the latest Committee on Climate Change (CCC) progress report revealing that no UK sector has showcased "good progress" to managing climate risk, the green economy has unanimously called for a net-zero philosophy to steer the nation towards its climate targets.
Ed Miliband: Social justice 'crucial' in meeting net-zero
The UK will not meet its 2050 net-zero goal unless decarbonisation policies are "explicityl and intrinsically" linked to the creation of a more socially equal society, former Labour leader Ed Miliband has argued.
Questions raised about £1trn adaptation cost to net zero carbon economy
Questions have been raised about the £1trn cost estimate of establishing a net-zero carbon economy by the Common's Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee.
V2G 'could cut £270m a year off cost of running UK power system'
Plugging electric vehicles (EVs) into the grid could cut £270m a year off the cost of running the UK power system by 2030, a new report has claimed.
Report: Net-zero targets now cover one-sixth of global economy
Almost a sixth of the entire global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is now covered by net zero carbon emissions targets, according to a report.
Former National Grid boss Steve Holliday: We can't isolate oil & gas majors on path to net-zero
Former National Grid boss Steve Holliday urged greater business and policy action to involve oil and gas firms in the power sector's low-carbon transition, arguing that such businesses must be "central" to transformation.
Aerospace giants back technology to provide 'relentless' aviation decarbonisation
The chief technology officers of seven major aerospace manufacturers have released a joint statement outlining how the firms are committed to sharing best practice to decarbonise the sector as it approaches its "third era" of electrification and digitalisation.
UK sectors face system shocks during net-zero transition
The road to net-zero emissions in the UK will create system shocks and disruption that will hit organisations across the electricity, heat, transport and construction industries the hardest, according to new research published by the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC).
New business-led taskforce to help UK's private sector reach net-zero
Sky, UPS, Aston Martin and Drax are among the co-founders of a new business-led taskforce aimed at mobilising actors across the UK's private sector to decarbonise in line with the Government's new net-zero vision for 2050.
The UK Government's net-zero commitment: What happens next?
A statutory instrument to amend the Climate Change Act of 2008 to account for a net-zero target by 2050 will be laid in Parliament today (12 June), marking a first among the G7 nations. But what, exactly, happens next?
MPs examine how Treasury and finance sector can help decarbonise UK economy
MPs on the Treasury Committee have launched an inquiry scrutinising the climate impacts of the Treasury and the financial services sector, with the aim of determining how these actors can change their ways in order to spur decarbonisation progress ahead of the fourth and fifth carbon budgets.
Bioenergy a 'no regrets solution' to reaching net-zero, report says
Increasing the deployment of bioenergy renewable sources by more than 10% would enable the UK to affordably meet future carbon budgets while also overcoming an "impending nuclear gap", a new report from the Renewable Energy Association (REA) has found.
Working towards the SDGs through political and economic flux: Three recommendations for business
Our existing governance models are no longer fit for purpose, and are breaking. In their place, we are witnessing the unsettling rise of populist nationalism, a symptom of a fractured political settlement characterised by deep inequality, insecurity, and lack of proper representation.
Edinburgh commits to become 'net-zero' carbon city by 2030
Edinburgh City Council (ECC) has pledged to ensure that the city operates on a "net-zero" carbon basis by 2030 - 15 years before Scotland's national net-zero target for 2045.
Miliband, Lucas and Sandys launch cross-party coalition championing Green New Deal
Former Labour party leader Ed Miliband, the Green Party's Caroline Lucas and former Conservative MP Laura Sandys have today (30 April) launched a cross-party Environmental Justice Commission aimed at ushering in a UK Green New Deal.
Net-zero emissions and a Green New Deal for the UK: Key business questions, answered
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) is providing its highly anticipated advice on setting a net-zero emissions target to the Government during a time where calls for a Green New Deal continue to grow. Here, edie explores how the UK can set a new standard for climate change policy.
Business leaders call for EU net-zero target
The chief executives from more than 50 businesses, including Ikea, Unilever, Heathrow Airport and Interface have called on the European Union (EU) to create a long-term decarbonisation roadmap for a net-zero economy by 2050.
Decarbonisation by 2050 can be achieved at 'very low cost'
The UK can fully decarbonise by 2050 at a "very low cost", the first head of parliament's climate change watchdog has claimed.
Report: Clear CCUS policy needed for UK net-zero emissions goal
The UK Government should update its "vague terminology" on carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) deployment in the UK to create clear policy drivers that transform the technology into a primary tool to meet national and international climate change targets.
Business can’t wait for government intervention to tackle climate change
Extinction Rebellion are staging a 2-week global protest. Their aim? To disrupt major cities and call attention to the ongoing destruction of nature in an unfair society. They are arguing that only by overthrowing capitalism will we achieve a regenerative, zero-carbon economy.
Finnish businesses set up 'world's first' marketplace for carbon removal certificates
A group of Finnish businesses have partnered with global financial solutions firm South Pole and Swedish bank SEB to launch a new marketplace for science-based CO2 removal certificates, in a bid to scale methods that can capture and remove carbon globally.
Government urged to focus on lifecycle emissions as part of net-zero target
Any plans to enshrine a net-zero carbon target into UK law will need to examine the lifecycle emissions of new infrastructure, technology and products - a move the can spur rapid growth for new low-carbon market standards.
National Grid 'ready to handle' zero-carbon network by 2025
The operating firm for National Grid has claimed that Great Britain's electricity system can operate as a zero-carbon grid by 2025.
How are big oil and gas firms approaching the low-carbon transition?
Faced with increased stakeholder pressure, the world’s largest oil and gas firms are beginning to realise the need to radically decarbonise their businesses. Here, edie explores the differing levels of ambitions of these companies and whether they are spurring or hindering the low-carbon transition.
Electricity North West launches zero-carbon plan
Electricity North West has announced plans to decarbonise the entire region within the next 20 years.
Corporate giants target 60GW of US renewable energy
Google, Facebook and Walmart are amongst the businesses to commit to bringing more than 60GW of renewable energy online in the US through the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA).
Have politicians fired the starting gun for a Green New Deal in the UK?
A Private Members Bill in the House of Commons yesterday (26 March) could mark the day in history that serious discussion began on bringing a "Green New Deal" (GND) into UK legislation.
Cardiff University chosen for £5m climate change research centre
Cardiff University will act as the location for a new £5m research centre that will connect industries, governments and charities to tackle climate change.
Energy Catapult launches SME support for low carbon heating and cooling
A new programme has been launched by the government's Energy Systems Catapult centre to assist small and medium sized businesses (SME) develop low carbon heating and cooling.
IPPR warns of risks and opportunities to decarbonisation in north of England
Tens of thousands of jobs could be created in the north of England as a result of decarbonisation, but there are many risks to the transition, a new report has claimed.
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.
Big-name businesses call on EU to set 'net-zero' emissions target for 2050
Unilever, Tesco and Heathrow Airport are among a coalition of 16 big-name corporates calling on the European Union (EU) to set a legally binding net-zero carbon emissions target for 2050, which would see the bloc achieve carbon neutrality within the next three decades.
BP: Renewables will be the world's main source of power by 2040
Oil and gas giant BP has forecast that renewables are likely to account for around one-third of the world's energy production by 2040, with uptake growing faster than that of any other fuel to date.
Onshore limits on turbine size could make offshore wind cheaper
Offshore wind could become Britain's cheapest source of renewable power within a decade as planning constraints prevent the deployment of larger, more cost-efficient turbines onshore, new research has found.
The 10 Year Challenge: How the UK's low-carbon economy has changed
The 10-Year Challenge has swept across social media this month, providing celebrities with ample opportunity to show how little they've aged. However, the UK's low-carbon economy has changed drastically in this time, as edie explains.
Claire Perry: UK's business community must help create a 'just' low-carbon transition
As the UK strives to meet legally binding carbon targets, businesses must help policymakers create a low-carbon economy that does not exclude working-class people or rural regions, Energy Minister Claire Perry has claimed.
Policy shake-up set to fast-track energy storage and renewables projects
The UK Government has launched a consultation to determine how best it can alter planning policy frameworks to support developers and businesses seeking to build energy storage facilities in England.
Energy regulations: Coming to a home near you
The launch of the new version 10 of the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP10) means that energy regulations are changing. But what does this mean for our buildings?
Survey: Just 10% of UK businesses have set carbon reduction targets
Employee appetite for tackling climate change is beginning to outstrip corporate action on carbon reduction, with nine in ten UK businesses yet to set specific emission reduction targets, a survey of 1,000 companies has found.
Shell to pay executives in line with decarbonisation achievements
Oil and gas giant Royal Dutch Shell has today (3 December) pledged to link progress made towards its carbon reduction aims to the amount of pay awarded to members of its executive board, in a move to engage senior stakeholders with sustainability.
Flexible energy: edie launches new business guides for onsite generation and energy storage
As the UK's energy system undergoes a fascinating transition towards decarbonisation and decentralisation, edie has published two new guides that help businesses seize the opportunities of onsite generation and battery storage technologies to achieve a sustainable future.
Report: G20 nations off track to meet Paris Agreement goals, despite clean energy promises
Of the energy provided to G20 nations during the past 10 years, 82% was generated using coal, oil or gas - despite the bloc's promises to transition to clean power.
Government launches £320m scheme to help decarbonise UK's heat networks
The Government has launched a £320m scheme to help accelerate the adoption of low-carbon heat technologies across the UK's public, private and domestic sectors, on the same week that further tweaks to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) were criticised.
Sir David King: Urgent focus needed on climate 'restoration'
The UK Government's former chief scientific advisor Sir David King has called for a $150 carbon price to be implemented globally and for the UK Government to focus on a net-zero emissions policy for 2045 to start to "repair and restore" the climate.
Report: UK leading G20 in low-carbon transition
The UK is leading the rest of the G20 nations in transitioning towards a low-carbon future by decoupling emissions from economic growth, although global decarbonisation rates aren't currently strong enough to meet the ambitions of the Paris Agreement.
Dude, where’s my EV?
Coinciding with government's Zero Emission Vehicles Summit, the Aldersgate Group published a briefing which sets out the major barriers to decarbonising UK road transport. Will Tricker, Policy Officer at the Group, considers what further support is needed from government to ensure UK businesses are best placed to accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs).
Companies call for net-zero emissions by 2050 to help transition to low-carbon economy
Ahead of the Global Climate Action Summit on 12-14 September, Cambridge-based Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders Group has called for a worldwide government-mandated net zero carbon emissions target by 2050 to help speed up the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Machine makers are leading the way to low-carbon
With regulators and markets increasingly demanding the decarbonisation of high-emitting sectors, we are on the verge of a low-carbon industrial revolution. However, to get over the line the products and services supplied to these sectors need to transform.
‘Heads above the parapet’: Corporates urged to raise ambitions on renewables
The Climate Group and CDP are urging corporates to go further than setting 100% renewable electricity commitments - and to bring deadlines for such targets forward - if they wish to drive the clean energy transition for the benefit of the business community.
Innovation required to spur cargo shipping sector towards 2050 emission reduction targets
Despite recent progress towards decarbonisation by the world's leading maritime shipping companies, the sector is in need of innovation to spur it towards the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) 2050 target of halving CO2 emissions from 2008 levels.
edie at 20: Despite the idiocy that is Brexit, we can do it
For edie's 20th anniversary, prominent environmental peer Lord Deben reflects on green policy, Brexit, carbon budgets and flat-earthers.
Scotland outpaces rest of UK in carbon reduction, halving emissions since 1990
Scotland has met its statutory annual climate change target for the third consecutive year, achieving a 49% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions against a 1990 baseline.
Government launches £102m fund for clean energy research
The UK Government has launched a £102.5m investment programme in a bid to tackle the challenges the UK faces as the renewables revolution continues, suggesting that the nation's energy sector could soon be poised to take clean power sources mainstream.
Drax launches Europe's first bioenergy carbon capture project
Energy group Drax has announced today (21 May) that it will lead the first bioenergy carbon capture and storage (BECCS) project in Europe during a trial of new technology at its north Yorkshire power station.
Tesco cuts carbon emissions 13% in a year
Tesco has revealed that it reduced its carbon emissions by 13% in 2017 against a 2016 baseline, as it strives towards a science-based target of becoming a carbon-neutral business by 2050.
International Maritime Organisation 'too slow' on emissions strategy
The International Maritime Organisation has moved too slowly on drafting its greenhouse gas strategy and reducing emissions from shipping, Transparency International has warned, urging the global shipping regulator to improve its governance, transparency and efficiency.
Equinor: Statoil to change name in recognition of energy transition
Norwegian energy giant Statoil is proposing a name change to stakeholders, in recognition of the company's diverse energy strategy that aims to increase investments into renewables and new energy solutions.
Report: Political clarity key to unlocking 'enormous' UK green investment opportunities
The UK can "reap enormous opportunities" by strengthening private financial investment into green infrastructure and projects, with a new Aldersgate Group report noting the "urgent" need for political clarity to unlock more revenue streams.
In Practice: The UK's Northern hydrogen heating grid trial
In a UK first, a pioneering new green gas trial is being demonstrated at Keele University that aims to inject zero-carbon hydrogen into the natural gas network.
Report: Global emissions to plateau in 2030, but Paris goals out of reach
New insight from business advisors McKinsey Energy Insights has suggested that "major shifts" in the energy landscape driven by renewables and electric vehicles (EVs) will see global emissions plateau in 2030, but progress is nowhere near close to the 2 degrees Paris Agreement target.
Report calls for UK Government to devolve carbon budgets to regional levels
The UK Government has been urged to devolve national carbon budgets down to regional levels in order to create socioeconomic benefits that can be captured by promoting low-carbon job growth across specific areas of the UK, a new report has suggested.
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.
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.
Microsoft shoots for Paris Agreement with 75% emissions reduction goal
Microsoft has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030, in a move that will align the technology company's decarbonisation strategy with the 2C pathway target of the Paris Agreement.
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.
Pan-industry alliance set to champion smart energy era
As a new report names Bristol and London the leaders of the smart city transition, leading UK energy organisations such as the National Grid and the Renewable Energy Association (REA) have launched a pan-industry campaign to create a smart energy pathway for technology and services.
Report calls for bonfire of energy policy 'obsessions'
A new report co-authored by Laura Sandys has called for a bonfire of the traditional "obsessions" of energy policy makers and regulators in order to enable a radically new regulatory model for the future.
Will the UK reach its carbon budget targets with the Clean Growth Strategy?
The Government's long-awaited Clean Growth Strategy details more than 50 initiatives to decarbonise the UK economy in line with the fourth and fifth carbon budgets, but does the ambition have enough quantifiable targets in place to deliver?
Reaction round-up: What does the green economy make of the Clean Growth Strategy?
The Government has pledged numerous multi-billion-pound investments to drive down carbon emissions across the economy as part of the Clean Growth Strategy, but does it "breathe new life" into the low-carbon sector or do the details "fall short"?
Claire Perry: Clean Growth Strategy will set 'decarbonisation pathway' across UK economy
The Government's long-anticipated Clean Growth Strategy launches tomorrow (12 October), and the Minister of State for Climate Change Claire Perry has vowed to "march on a decarbonisation pathway" across the entire UK economy to meet national carbon commitments.
National Grid measures real-time system inertia for the first time
For the first time ever, the National Grid has successfully measured and monitored continuous grid stability across an entire network, in a move that could reduce end-customer costs and carbon emissions in the UK.
Productive workplaces: what we need from the Clean Growth Strategy
On 25th September, BEIS Climate Change Minister Claire Perry set out her reflections on Climate Week. She noted that we are decarbonising faster than any other G20 nation, and highlighted the opportunity for UK businesses offered by further progress in this economic transformation.
Global warming unstoppable without geo-engineering, says study
The international community has already missed its chance to limit global warming to between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius, according to a new study by Switzerland-based researchers. But a solution to the problem could lie in geo-engineering technologies.
Cost of Energy Review: will it deliver lower bills?
Earlier this month, BEIS announced details of its 'independent review to ensure energy is affordable for households and businesses'. Here are my initial thoughts on whether or not it will deliver lowest cost, sustainable energy services for consumers.
How a data centre from 2010 is helping Capgemini towards its 2020 sustainability goals
Seven years on from the opening of one of the most sustainable data centres in the world, IT consulting firm Capgemini is still using the key learnings from the low-carbon project to "accelerate" beyond its carbon reduction goals.
Energy industry must embrace '3D transition' to sustainable future, say former Big Six bosses
Britain's 'Bix Six' utility companies must rapidly adapt and find a new role in an energy system which is undergoing the "3D transition" of decarbonisation, digitisation and decentralisation, a new report by industry experts has concluded.
Will climate change litigation force companies to start acting like grown-ups?
My interest in climate change and concern for the future state of our planet goes back to 2006. Over the last decade, my concern has intensified, especially now I have two young daughters to worry about. As a parent, I want to teach my children to be considerate, and to think about the impact their behaviour has on others and the environment.
Science based targets: a journey of discovery
Setting targets for action on climate change has been both best practice and a dark art for some years. Businesses, with light pressure from NGOs and investors, have acknowledged for some time that targets need to be stretching and industry needs to take a leading role, but the question has remained - how do we know if, collectively, we are trying hard enough?
Hydrogen gas grid for Leeds moves a step closer
Plans to convert the gas grid in Leeds to run entirely on hydrogen have moved a step closer to becoming reality after Northern Gas Networks opened an office in the city dedicated to the endeavor.
Christiana Figueres: Peak emissions by 2020 'crazy but achievable'
Former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres remains "stubbornly optimistic" that market trends are already in place to hit ambitious three-year targets as part of her Mission 2020 campaign, but only if the "climate conversation" is extended to a wider range of stakeholders and investors.
Energy transition of 'exceptional scope' can unlock $10trn annually
Global energy-related carbon emissions can be reduced by 70% by 2050, generating $10trn a year in benefits, if countries ramp-up national commitments to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement, a new report has found.
Unilever achieves carbon-neutrality at 5 UK sites following green gas deal
Just over a year on from announcing its pioneering pledge to become a carbon-positive business by 2030, Unilever has signed a contract to use biomethane to power five of its sites across the UK and Ireland.
Nick Hurd: Brexit offers the flexibility to strengthen Britain's decarbonisation commitments
Climate Change Minister Nick Hurd has insisted that Brexit will give the UK the opportunity to look at the low-carbon transition through a "prism of national interests" that could lead to significant economic growth, but only if the Government can overcome multiple "difficult challenges".
Drax receives green light to complete biomass conversion project
UK power station operator Drax has been approved subsidies to run the third of its six coal-fired units on wood pellet fuel, but green campaigners question whether the state aid could have been better employed to help drive the UK towards a low-carbon economy.
From disruptors to Hinkley: 7 things we've learnt about Greg Clark's industrial strategy
As Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark fielded questions from the Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee, edie round-ups seven key talking points that look set to form integral roles in the highly-anticipated industrial strategy.
Science-based targets top choice for sustainability leaders, edie survey reveals
The adoption of science-based targets to drive climate action is continuing to move rapidly up the corporate agenda, with more than half of sustainability leaders either beginning to apply or fully embedding the methodology within their organisation.
Energy efficiency: 'Champions and dunces' exist in every industry
The world's largest listed companies could save 1.4 billion tonnes of CO2 - the equivalent of Japan's annual carbon emissions - by closing the gap between the worst and best-performing businesses on energy efficiency, a major new report has revealed.
'Long, loud and legal' policies crucial to supporting low-carbon transition, says Ikea chief
The growing megatrends surrounding demographical evolution, decarbonisation and digitalisation will increase the need for the private sector to inform policymakers of the types of legislation that are needed to support low-carbon growth, Ikea's chief sustainability officer Steve Howard has claimed.
Treasury failing to take long-term environmental costs into account, MPs say
The Treasury has been lambasted by MPs for failing to adequately factor in long-term sustainability risks into its decisions, with the carbon capture and storage (CCS) and zero-carbon homes policies specifically cited as detrimental to both the economy and investor confidence.
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.
The battle against climate change is becoming a social movement, says Climate-KIC
The 200 years that it took to industrialise the world and seep damaging carbon into the atmosphere can be mitigated within the next three decades, but only if funds are made available to kick-start a rapid decarbonisation process that revolves around social awareness.
UK tops G20 on carbon reduction levels
Britain remains a "world-leader" on climate action, with new figures from the professional services firm PwC ranking the country the highest of the G20 group of nations when it comes to annual average reductions in carbon intensity over the past 15 years.
'Project blackout fear': Green economy scolds think tank research into Britain's energy mix
A new report questioning the economic value of renewable energy and phase out of coal-fired power plants has faced retaliation from green organisations for undermining the role of renewable generation in the UK's future energy mix.
'Paradigm shift' to electric vehicles required to meet global climate targets
Zero-emission vehicles will need to hold a dominant automotive market share by 2035 for the Paris Agreement's global warming target of 1.5C to be truly achievable, research group Climate Action Tracker (CAT) has claimed.
National Grid brings 'exciting new chapter' for energy storage with auction launch
National Grid has awarded seven firms including Vattenfall, Low Carbon and EDF Energy Renewables four-year contracts to provide balancing services to the network in the UK's first 200MW Enhanced Frequency Response (EFR) auction.
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