Energy Efficiency
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edie Explains: Energy resilience
Energy resilience is about ensuring a business has a reliable, regular supply of energy and contingency measures in place in the event of a power failure.
Power Forward: How the largest US companies are capturing business value while addressing climate change
The largest US companies are increasing their clean energy and energy efficiency efforts while improving their bottom lines.
10 ways to drive engagement with energy efficiency
edie brings you the second energy efficiency cheat sheet in association with E.ON, this time focusing on the top 10 ways to drive engagement and change behaviours around energy efficiency.
Gamification delivers more than 200,000 sustainable actions for UK universities
EXCLUSIVE: More than 200,000 positive actions have been recorded over the last academic year by the JUMP employee engagement project which encourages university staff to carry out behaviours that boost sustainability.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: Pets At Home's James Kokiet - Energy Manager 2018
Animal welfare is paramount at Pets At Home - it's one of the retailer's core business values. By aligning a major energy efficiency drive with these core values, the company's energy manager James Kokiet was able to secure the internal buy-in he needed to deliver the largest CAPEX project the retailer has ever completed.
Everything you need to know about the Europe-wide Halogen bulb ban
Earlier this month, the European Union (EU) voted to ban the sale of Halogen lightbulbs across the bloc. With the ban set to come into force 1 September, edie rounds up the key ramifications of the phase-out.
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.
ISO 50001 revised to reflect changing energy landscape
The ISO 50001 energy management standard has been revised for the first time since it was published to account for trends such as rising energy costs and climate change.
Google 'taking AI to the next level' to cut data centre energy use
Google is now allowing its artificial intelligence (AI) system - rather than its staff - to directly control its data centre cooling system as a way of lowering emissions and energy consumption.
Ball Corporation commits to science-based targets tackling supply chain emissions
Global packaging firm Ball Corporation has set new science-based targets within the company's direct operations and across its supply chain to reduce its emissions intensity by 58% by 2030.
Aldi on track to be carbon-neutral by 2019
Discount supermarket chain Aldi has today (August 9) announced it is on track to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations in the UK and Ireland by the end of next year, following a string of multi-million-pound investments in renewable energy arrays and energy efficiency measures.
Upgrade home electricity supply systems to unlock low-carbon technologies, says REA
The single "phase" electricity supply system, which has been the norm in UK homes since before the Second World War, should be scrapped for new homes, a report has urged.
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.
Chemicals giant to slash emissions following ISO 50001 certification
Chemical production and innovation giant Borealis has announced a new aim of reducing its carbon footprint by 360,000 tonnes of CO2e each year, after achieving the latest internationally recognised standard for energy management systems.
IEA warns of 'worrying trend' as global investment in renewables falls
The world's energy watchdog has sounded the alarm over a "worrying" pause in the shift to clean energy after global investment in renewables fell 7% to $318bn (£240bn) last year.
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.
Molson Coors gets stamp of approval for science-based target
Multinational brewer Molson Coors has had its target of halving greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its operations by 2025 approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
London Mayor launches £500m energy efficiency fund for businesses
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today (July 9) launched a £500m fund to help SMEs, universities and public-sector organisations across the capital install energy efficiency measures in their buildings as part of his bid for London to become a "zero-carbon" city by 2050.
Mayors urge EU to aim for net-zero emissions by 2050
The mayors of ten major European cities -including Paris, London, Milan and Barcelona - have issued a joint call for the EU to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement.
The Climate Group launches global initiative to fast-track corporate LED uptake
The organisation acting as a driving force in the corporate transition to renewables, electric vehicles and energy productivity has today (July 6) called on the private sector to slash energy demand from the built environment by switching to LED lighting.
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.
Report: UK set to 'dramatically' miss 2030 energy efficiency targets for homes
The UK will not meet its 2030 goals to boost energy efficiency in its housing stock until the end of the century, new research from think tank IPPR has concluded.
United Utilities to reap rewards from AI-assisted energy efficiency tech
Water company United Utilities is set to reduce its yearly electricity bills and energy intensity by 10% after installing an energy flexibility platform which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI).
Report: Demand response will see EU meet 40% of its 2020 energy targets
Despite slow adoption rates of demand-response measures in several member states, the service is on track to enable the EU to achieve 40% of its 2020 energy and carbon reduction targets.
Aggregate Industries to reap rewards from AI-powered flexible energy platform
Heavy building materials firm Aggregate Industries is set to cut its annual electricity bills and energy intensity by 10% after installing an energy flexibility platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
The Body Shop exploring 'back-up plans' to help reach energy targets
EXCLUSIVE: The Body Shop has introduced a new energy saving guide and is considering a carbon offset scheme as a "back-up plan” to meet its 2020 sustainability targets, following slow progress on its renewable power, energy efficiency and packaging innovation aims.
Energy industry growing nervous over 'Brexit fog'
Uncertainty surrounding Brexit is a mounting concern for the energy industry, according to a new report by the Energy Institute.
Macquarie offers £500m of green loans
Macquarie is offering £500m of green financing to renewable energy, energy efficiency and other environmentally-friendly projects, as part of a new £2bn loan facility.
Dozens of top European banks to trial new green mortgages
European banking giants including BNP Paribas, ING Bank and AXA have joined forces to launch a new green mortgage scheme which focuses on helping consumers drive energy efficiency.
Powering performance roundtable: What the future holds for energy efficiency
Energy management experts from some of the world's biggest manufacturers 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 efficiency.
edie Explains: Electric vehicles
This brand new edie Explains guide breaks down everything there is to know about deploying electric vehicles (EVs) across your business fleet.
'Carbon bubble' could spark global financial crisis, study warns
Plunging prices for renewable energy and rapidly increasing investment in low-carbon technologies could leave fossil fuel companies with trillions in stranded assets and spark a global financial crisis, a new study has found.
Plastic innovation, storage networks and EV integration: Top 10 sustainability stories of May 2018
It was a month of long-term renewables targets, plastics innovation investment and fleet electrification exploration. Take a look back at May's biggest sustainability stories in this round-up.
Does Brexit offer the chance for UK to push climate action to new heights?
Despite mounting fears over the potential threats Brexit poses to the UK's green economy, industry leaders have claimed that leaving the EU could provide the nation with opportunities to innovate in order to remain a global leader in the sustainability sphere.
BT generates £5.3bn in revenue through carbon-combative products, again
BT's range of consumer operations and products which contribute to carbon savings were worth more than £5.3bn last year for the second year running, while the company also increased the amount of carbon it helped customers avoid by 1.3 million tonnes year-on-year.
The danger of being positive
Positive things are being reported in the world of sustainability but is this a "false dawn" and we may prematurely assume success is inevitable and thereby prevent it.
![Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the Euro and Social Dialogue, and Jyrki Katainen, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness. [Georges Boulougouris/European Commission]](https://e2k9ube.cloudimg.io/s/width/226/https://edienet.s3.amazonaws.com/news/images/full_36638.jpg?v2=25/05/2018 10:20:00)
EU tables ground-breaking 'low-carbon benchmark' for green finance
The European Commission presented on Thursday (24 May) a set of proposals aimed at boosting private investment in low-carbon technologies like renewable energies while increasing transparency in sustainable finance to avoid green-washing.
Decarbonising UK's heating system could cost £450 billion
The cumulative additional cost of decarbonising the UK's heating system by 2050 could be as high as £450 billion, research for the government's infrastructure advisory body has concluded.
Whitbread to expand onsite solar to 70 more Premier Inn hotels
The UK's largest hospitality company, Whitbread, will roll out its onsite solar array scheme to a further 70 of its Premier Inn locations this year to help it meet its "industry-leading" science-based target.
RHI fails to provide value for money, PAC concludes
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has failed to provide value for money for the £23 billion that it is set to cost taxpayers, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has concluded.
Investment drive sees Smurfit Kappa reach carbon goal three years early
EXCLUSIVE: Paper-based packaging company Smurfit Kappa has surpassed a target to reduce emissions by a quarter three years ahead of schedule, with the company's vice president of development outlining how investment cycles helped accelerate progress.
Lloyds launches £2bn Clean Growth Finance scheme
Lloyds Banking Group has announced it will be providing a further £2bn of funding for sustainable investments, increasing its total UK green finance commitments to £3bn.
English Heritage to deploy green energy champions across estate
Charity English Heritage is set to appoint 20 green energy champions among its staff in a bid to improve energy efficiency and monitor energy consumption across its estate of more than 400 historic sites.
![Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, presents the EU’s post-2020 long-term budget proposals [© European Union, 2018 / Source: EC - Audiovisual Service]](https://e2k9ube.cloudimg.io/s/width/226/https://edienet.s3.amazonaws.com/news/images/full_36518.jpg?v2=03/05/2018 08:59:00)
EU proposes 25% 'climate quota' in new long-term budget
The clean energy transition and other initiatives to decarbonise Europe's economy will represent 25% of EU spending under a seven-year EU budget plan put forward by the European Commission on Wednesday (2 May).
Clean Energy for All: Seven reasons why the world is falling short on SDG 7
As a new report warns that the global economy is not on track to deliver on the clean energy targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), edie rounds up some of the headline trends that are shaping the transition to renewable energy and offer a glimmer of hope that targets can still be reached.
Blockchain platform to assist £19m virtual energy marketplace in Cornwall
Energy solutions firm Centrica has launched new trials to examine how blockchain technology can assist with multi-party peer-to-peer energy trading for 200 businesses and residential participants in Cornwall.
WEBINAR: How to uncover savings and improve your operational performance through energy insight
Our expert panel will discuss how to use advanced energy insights to help you to uncover savings and improve your operational performance.
Whitbread sets science-based target to halve emissions intensity
The UK's largest hospitality company Whitbread, has pledged to halve emissions in the next seven years as part of an "industry-leading" science-based target.
Accelerating the shift: 10 industry game-changers for low-carbon vehicles
This insight report, produced in partnership with UK Power Networks Services, investigates some of the game-changing developments which are driving green mobility.
What does it take to change behaviours? edie webinar taking place on TUESDAY
edie's next one-hour webinar session will take place on Tuesday 17 April 2018, with experts from Tesco, the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and EDF Energy set to provide their top tips on driving staff engagement on energy and sustainability.
Barclays offers green homes mortgage on select new builds
Barclays has launched a Green Home Mortgage scheme, offering homebuyers preferential interest rates and savings of more than £1,300 on energy-efficient new build houses.
Cross-sector electric vehicle project targets energy-neutral office buildings
Companies from the energy, transport and technology sectors have joined forces to explore how electric vehicles (EVs) can facilitate energy storage solutions that link up to onsite renewable installations and building energy management systems (BEMS) on office buildings.
ESOS Phase 2: beyond compliance and added value
Many businesses were caught out by Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) in 2015 - either because the qualification criteria were obscure, or the communication from the Environment Agency (EA) didn't get through, or just because other priorities pushed ESOS to the bottom of the pile. Either way, ESOS Phase 1 was a bit of a scramble, and may not have been entirely valuable to your business (other than avoiding a fine!).
NatWest delivers £3.5bn low-carbon lending in three years
Banking giant NatWest has pledged to deliver of £10bn lending to UK renewable energy and energy efficiency projects by 2020, having provided £3.5bn over the past three years.
ESOS – The Challenges Last Time
We are now in Phase 2 of ESOS and, although the deadline of 5th December 2019 may seem a long way off, you should now be thinking about the compliance process. But how can you learn from the challenges last time?
Energy innovation: Delivering the smart grid of the future, today
The mission is clear: we must accelerate the shift to zero-carbon energy systems in order to slash emissions and mitigate global warming. But this mission IS possible: renewable energy costs are tumbling and new approaches to energy management such as battery storage and demand response are offering new ways for organisations to operate more sustainably.
Taking place on Tuesday: Live energy innovation webinar
Energy experts from Aggregate Industries and Oxford University are among the confirmed speakers for a live, interactive webinar taking place on Tuesday 20 March which will focus on delivering the smart grid of the future, today.
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.
The path to public-sector sustainability is paved with good intentions
As part of edie's latest sector insight report, the Carbon Trust's managing director for programmes and cities Richard Rugg charts the progress being made across the sector towards a sustainable future.
European Union unveils green investment action plan
The European Commission unveiled on Thursday (8 March) its highly expected action plan on sustainable finance, aiming to clarify what can be labelled as "green" investment and potentially lowering capital requirements on asset holders.
Mondi Group sets science-based targets through WWF's Climate Savers
Global packaging firm Mondi Group has set new science-based targets to reduce carbon emissions across the company's operations and indirect activities, after signing up to the WWF's Climate Savers initiative for low-carbon business aspirations.
Apple moves towards greener supply chain with zero-waste and clean energy milestones
Apple has made progress in its ongoing effort towards a greener supply chain, with big achievements over the past year in key areas such as waste and low-carbon energy procurement.
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.
'Much work needed' to make digital economy environmentally sustainable
A cross-party group of MPs has raised doubts over whether the growing energy demand from digital technology and the proliferation of internet-connected gadgets can continue to be offset by energy efficiency improvements.
Behaviour change – the key to energy efficiency
This blog will discuss behavioural change and what can be done that will have a real impact on the triple bottom line - engaged staff, reduced costs and less impact on the environment.
In Practice: The UK's first Energiesprong homes
A pioneering new pilot project in Nottingham aims to make select households ultra-low carbon and fit for the future by renovating them using the 'Energiesprong' techniques used in the Netherlands.
One-fifth of commercial energy efficiency standards drop ahead of MEES deadline
Energy efficiency standards have fallen in almost one-fifth of commercial properties ahead of major new legislation arriving in April.
Report: Green businesses double performance of fossil fuel peers
Clean energy investments have almost doubled the performance of fossil fuel energy stocks over the past year and a half, new figures have revealed.
Report: Majority of UK SMEs struggling to embed sustainability
Almost three-quarters of UK SMEs are struggling to embed sustainability practices, citing costs issues and unfavourable government policies as major stumbling blocks, according to a new report.
edie Explains: ISO 14001
This updated edie Explains guide, produced in association with NQA, provides an in-depth summary of the ISO 14001 Standard which is used to establish and maintain a continuous level of environmental performance improvements.
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.
How business can play a part in the new Northern Forest
The Government has announced £5.7 million to kick start the planting of 50 million trees across the North of England through an ambitious new plan by the Woodland Trust and Community Forests. The project is set to deliver huge benefits, and businesses and large organisations will have a vital role to play.
Scottish SMEs offered 'cashback' loan for energy-efficiency projects
Small businesses in Scotland have been encouraged to take advantage of a new "cashback" scheme that could enable them to cut annual energy usage by a quarter and save up to £10,000 in the process.
London Mayor's £34m low-carbon programme targets energy-efficient workplaces
Sadiq Khan has pledged new funding for fuel-poor homes alongside a £10bn commercial boiler scrappage scheme in a suite of new measures aimed at delivering cleaner, affordable energy across the capital.
Energy storage research gets £42m Government funding
Developing a new generation of lighter and safer electric vehicle (EV) batteries is one of the first four projects be awarded funding from the Government backed Faraday Institution.
Budweiser launches renewables label to celebrate 100% clean energy commitment
Global brewers Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is placing a renewable electricity label on any Budweiser beer that has been brewed using 100% renewable electricity, as part of a communications push to educate consumers on the firm's sustainability strategy.
Introducing the Climate Coaching Blog Series
Climate change is the most pressing and critical challenge humanity has faced in its history. We don't have the time to rely on regulators to pass appropriate climate mitigation and adaption legislation. Climate action from across all industry sectors, whatever the size of organisation is essential, required and indeed increasingly demanded by customers and consumers. To address this, I am writing a sequence of blogs called the Climate Coaching Series, here on edie.net, where I will be exploring climate action and answering the questions of what organisations can do to benefit people, profit and planet.
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.
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.
Achieving Mission Possible: edie Live returns for 2018 with renewed purpose
edie Live 2018 returns to the NEC Birmingham on 22-23 May as a show with a difference. This year, the event will be tailor-made to help sustainability, energy and resource professionals achieve a sustainable future, today. This is Mission Possible.
Green bonds market reached record heights in 2017
The green bonds market grew by a staggering 78% between 2016 and 2017, with national and institutional investors funnelling more than $150bn into low-carbon projects.
Boots reaches carbon goal three years early
Following the implementation of behavior change and energy monitoring programmes, Boots UK has surpassed a 30% carbon reduction target three years ahead of schedule.
Landlords to contribute to energy efficiency
The government is proposing to force private landlords to contribute towards measures to improve their properties' energy efficiency.
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?
M&S and Landsec exploring energy storage to increase resilience
Energy managers from British retailer M&S and property developer Landsec revealed they are exploring the potential of battery storage technologies on their estates during a recent edie webinar about energy resilience.
Citu aims to 'disrupt' construction industry with low-carbon housing scheme
Urban developer Citu has unveiled the first glimpses of a timber-framed housing system that is up to ten times more energy efficient than standard UK homes, with production practices also able to reduce the carbon footprint of construction by 24,000 tonnes annually.
Building for 2050: Can the Government's low-carbon housing venture deliver homes fit for the future?
With the UK housebuilding sector under the spotlight at both at a national level and in the sustainability agenda, edie caught up with Aecom's regional director to discuss how the firm's latest research project aims to help developers deliver lost-cost, low-carbon housing across the country.
edie explains: ISO 50001
This ISO 50001 guide, produced in association with edie's supporting partner NQA, provides an in-depth summary of the ISO 50001 Standard which can be used by an organisation to establish and maintain a continuous level of energy performance improvements.
ISO 50001: edie launches new-look guide to implementation for energy managers
Organisations and energy managers with an interest in the ISO 50001 energy management standard now have access to an updated 'edie explains' guide which breaks down all of the key information required to gain certification.
ACE to be merged into ADE
The Association for the Conservation of Energy (ACE) is to be merged into the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE).
MEPs vote for stronger EU efficiency and renewable energy targets
MEPs voted on Tuesday (28 November) in favour of increasing efficiency and renewable energy targets, in a decisive morning for EU energy and climate policy that provoked both jubilation and disappointment.
Xerox aiming for verified science-based target for 2018
EXCLUSIVE: Printing services company Xerox intends to have a verified science-based target in place when it launches new sustainability goals in 2018, as part of a commitment to the Paris Agreement that has been years in the making.
In practice: Guadalajara's 12,000 LED street light retrofit from Philips
Philips Lighting has this week completed a LED retrofit across the Spanish City of Guadalajara that will help the city council realise huge energy efficiency and carbon savings.
BNEF: Energy storage market to double six times by 2030
The global energy storage market looks to mirror the rapid growth the solar industry experienced between 2000 and 2015, with a new Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) report predicting that the energy storage market will double six times by 2030.
Could looming new energy efficiency standards spark a green rental market?
The impending creation of a new energy efficiency regulation for UK properties could trigger the emergence of a green rental market, a leading credit rating agency has claimed.
The Kigali Amendment: Time for retailers to create the business case for a HFC phase-out
The UK ratified the Kigali amendment on harmful hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) greenhouse gases last week, but building the business case to switch to costly alternatives requires a delicate approach.
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.
World Energy Outlook: Seven key trends shaping the low-carbon economy
A rising electrification of energy, rapid deployment of renewable energy sources, and a steady decline of the coal industry are all predicted as major shifts in the global energy scene over the next 25 years in the International Energy Association's (IEA) annual flagship publication.
Housebuilders 'cheating the public' over energy efficiency standards, claims Lord Deben
Some of the biggest UK private housebuilding firms have faced criticism from the Chairman of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) for delivering new homes that allegedly fail to meet energy efficiency standards.
Fossil fuel burning set to hit record high in 2017, scientists warn
The burning of fossil fuels around the world is set to hit a record high in 2017, climate scientists have warned, following three years of flat growth that raised hopes that a peak in global emissions had been reached.
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