Energy Efficiency
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UK businesses are wasting energy to the tune of £60m in unnecessary energy bills, according to a new Green Alliance report that is calling for better commercial energy management to help reach the UK's climate targets.
UK SMEs aiming to ramp up sustainability actions
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UK's first net-zero offices certified in Manchester and Liverpool
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How has pop culture responded to the climate emergency in 2019?
From Coldplay cancelling their tour until they can find a carbon-neutral option, to James Bond producers debuting the spy's first fully electric car, all the signs point to sustainability shaping pop culture. But how deep does this impact run, and what's in store for 2020?
5 ways to maximise the impact of your energy data
Experts across energy management came together at edie’s SPARK! 2.0 event to discuss the role that energy data could play in the delivery of targets and overall strategy.
7 ideas for smart systems and flexibility
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Europe's 'man on the moon moment': Green Deal to create world's first climate-neutral continent
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America's Pledge and Europe's Green Deal: What happened on days 8 & 9 of COP25?
COP25 - the UN's annual two-week-long climate summit - has entered its second week in Madrid. Here, edie rounds up all the key news and views from the last few days of the event.
Zalando commits to onsite solar and green building certification across fulfilment centres
Online fashion platform Zalando has committed to placing solar panels and low-carbon technology on all its new and existing fulfilment centres by 2023, as the company pushes ahead with its net-zero commitment.
To energy efficiency and far beyond
Businesses are under pressure to minimise business energy costs, cut carbon emissions and improve resilience, so it comes as no surprise that 90% of large company CEOs are engaging with energy efficiency.
IEA strengthens clean energy commitments after investor criticism
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has published its first communique in a decade, covering topics including the clean energy transition, after a meeting with world leaders at COP25 in Madrid.
New report reveals surge in employee engagement on energy issues
EXCLUSIVE: The UK's declaration of a climate emergency combined with the recent climate strikes and protests has fuelled a surge in awareness of energy issues among employees across the country, according to the latest Business Energy Barometer conducted by edie.
Europe's environment 'at a tipping point', EU agency says
Europe faces environmental challenges "of unprecedented scale and urgency," according to a comprehensive overview of air, land and water ecosystems published on Wednesday (4 December) by the European Environment Agency.
edie energy managers' survey reveals ESOS 'not worthwhile'
The latest Business Barometer of energy managers for the final quarter of 2019 has revealed the challenges and opportunities ahead of 2020, with many outlining ESOS as a key challenge.
'Prosperity for All': Wales unveils new short-term climate vision
The Welsh Government has published its much-anticipated climate roadmap for 2020-2025, which includes a commitment to plant 2,000 hectares of woodland annually.
Johnson frozen out of climate leaders debate as green groups call for net-zero pact between parties
With Prime Minister Boris Johnson quite literally frozen out of the leader's climate debate last night, more than 40 academics, policy specialists, trade bodies and businesses have called for a bipartisan net-zero pact between the UK political parties in order to ensure the nation meets its commitments.
Net-zero by 2025 'practically impossible' due to spiralling costs, report finds
Moving the UK's net-zero emission target forward 25 years is "practically impossible", according to new thinktank research which found that setting a net-zero target for 2025 would cost £200bn each year at a minimum - more than the NHS's annual budget.
General Election 2019 manifesto matrix: What have the parties said on net-zero and the environment?
Two weeks out from the General Election and on the day of the live televised climate debate between party leaders, edie has launched a policy manifesto matrix, outlining all the key commitments - and some notable omissions - that the Conservatives, Labour, Green Party and Liberal Democrats have issued.
Philip Morris: Offsetting isn't the 'credible' long-term solution to carbon-neutrality
EXCLUSIVE: As it strives to achieve carbon-neutrality across all factories by 2030, cigarette giant Phillip Morris International (PMI) will continue to "do the hard work first" and only use offsetting as the last piece of the puzzle, the firm's director of operational sustainability has said.
Five top tips for improving energy efficiency on the road to net-zero
During an interactive webinar hosted by edie on Wednesday (20 November), experts from Direct Line Group (DLG) and BiU provided expert advice on how businesses of all sizes and sectors can improve energy efficiency in line with net-zero targets. Here, edie rounds up the key takeaways.
Conservatives confirm plastic export ban and £9bn energy improvements in manifesto
The Conservatives have finally unveiled their party manifesto, which commits to ban plastic exports outside of developed countries, a multi-billion pound energy efficiency scheme for homes and a promise to "go carbon neutral by 2050 and Corbyn neutral by Christmas".
Time to walk the talk on net-zero
As part of edie's net-zero business guide, Centrica Business Solutions' director Ian Hopkins discusses how businesses can do things differently to deliver on net-zero strategies.
Available on demand: Energy efficiency 2.0 webinar for Net-Zero November
Shai Guness, compliance and CSR manager at Direct Line Group, spoke during an edie webinar, which will took place on Wednesday 20 November at 2pm (GMT) that outlined the role of energy efficiency in delivering net-zero.
Green Industrial Revolutions and Climate Emergency Bills: What's in Labour's manifesto?
The Labour party has today (21 November) launched its election manifesto, outlining how a Green New Deal, Green Industrial Revolution and a Climate Emergency Bill will put the UK on the cusp of a net-zero economy and drive economic growth through a green transition.
Gucci boss calls on business leaders to deliver net-zero supply chains
Gucci chief executive Marco Bizzarri has called on business leaders to sign up to a Carbon Neutral Challenge that sees businesses deliver greenhouse gas emissions reductions across their entire value chain in order to achieve net-zero emissions.
ENA calls for mandatory hydrogen boilers as CBI outlines new sustainability vision
Replacing existing gas boilers with hydrogen-ready devices should be mandatory when they reach the end of their life, the Energy Networks Association (ENA) has urged in its general election manifesto.
European Investment Bank to end financial support for fossil fuels by 2021
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has unveiled a new energy lending policy that will stop all financing for fossil fuel projects at the end of 2021 and unlock €1trn in sustainable development over the next decade.
National Grid commits to net-zero emissions target for 2050
The National Grid has announced a commitment to reduce its direct greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050, the same timeframe as the UK Government's legislative target.
Strengthen climate policies now or risk catastrophe, warns energy agency
The world's existing climate policies will not be enough to end the upward march of record energy emissions rising beyond 2040 without a "grand coalition" of governments and investors, according to the global energy watchdog.
From plastics to rewilding: How Eurostar is gaining a competitive edge in the era of eco-travel
EXCLUSIVE: With flight shaming placing the profitability of the aviation sector at risk, international high-speed rail service Eurostar believes a legacy of action on carbon, plastics and now rewilding will help build customer trust.
It’s time for the next big step towards net-zero
A definitive line has been drawn in the sand this year; we have, as a nation, committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, E.ON UK's chief executive Michael Lewis explains.
Available to watch on demand: edie's net-zero business webinar
edie's most recent webinar outlined how businesses can engage staff, consumers, stakeholders and suppliers to inspire a global movement towards net-zero emissions, featuring experts from the UK Green Building Council, ITV and International Airlines Group (IAG).
Net-Zero November: edie kicks off month of themed content and events with raft of new business pledges
The edie content team has officially kicked off Net-Zero November - a month of themed content and events to inform and empower sustainability and energy professionals on the road to a net-zero carbon, with Mission Possible pledges from Liberty Steel, Hammerson and HPE leading the way.
Net-Zero November: Read up on edie's insight guides and webinars on net-zero
As edie launches Net-Zero November, the content team is resurfacing a collection of exclusive insight reports, guides and webinars on the topic across industries such as utilities, manufacturing and the built environment that are free to download for readers.
Energy minister to consider departmental carbon budgets
The energy and clean growth minister has told MPs he will look into the idea that government departments should be setting their own carbon budgets.
Liberty House pledges carbon-neutral steel operations by 2030
Global metals and engineering group Liberty House has announced plans to roll all of its steel plants into a single company, largely in order to target carbon-neutral operations by 2030.
Net-Zero November: edie to launch themed month of content and events
The edie content team is gearing up for Net-Zero November – a month of themed content and events dedicated to informing, inspiring and empowering sustainability and energy professionals on the road to a net-zero carbon future for their business.
Glasgow signs up primary school as its first flexible energy asset
As part of its bid to become a carbon-neutral city by 2030, Glasgow City Council is set to use one of its primary schools as a flexible energy asset on the demand side response (DSR) market.
Cargill, Maersk Tankers and Mitsui & Co team up on 'over-the-shelf' emissions technology for shipping
Food and agribusiness Cargill has launched a collaborative partnership with shipping firm Maersk Tankers and logistics firm Mitsui & Co to trial and develop fuel-saving technologies aimed at lowering emissions in the shipping sector.
Flexible energy roundtable: Bridging the net-zero carbon policy gaps
Academic research often cites flexible energy technologies such as battery storage and electric vehicles (EVs) as key components of the low-carbon economies of the future. But with policies supporting the UK Government's 2050 net-zero goal still in their infancy, what must now be done to support their widespread adoption?
Last chance to enter: edie's Sustainability Leaders Award deadline today at 5pm
Sustainable businesses looking for the recognition they deserve have until 5pm today (FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER) to get their entries submitted to enter edie's 2020 Sustainability Leaders Awards.
'Simple' energy efficiency measures could deliver £45m benefit for UK businesses
New data from EDF Energy has revealed that measures such as installing energy efficient lighting and better heating management could create more than £45m in energy cost savings across 4,150 analysed sites.
Total signs cleantech deal to produce hydrogen at refineries
French energy giant Total has signed a cooperation agreement with the Sunfire cleantech company to integrate capture waste heat and CO2 at a German refinery to create synthetic methanol and hydrogen to be used to reduce energy and transport emissions.
‘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).
Now on demand: edie's masterclass on Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting for business
edie's 45-minutes masterclass, now on demand, saw experts from Inspired Energy outline how businesses can get to grips with the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework.
Nottingham Trent University extends JUMP behaviour change initiative to 30,000 students
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has expanded the JUMP behaviour scheme initiative for staff to its 30,000 students for the upcoming academic year, after more than 23,000 sustainable actions were recorded by staff during a pilot last year.
EU Council maintains nuclear as eligible for 'green' finance
EU ministers have decided not to exclude nuclear projects from being eligible for sustainable finance grants, despite the demands of a group of member states and the European Parliament.
Boris Johnson unveils £1bn climate aid fund and forest restoration push
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a £1bn fund to aid developing nations in transitioning to a low-carbon economy and tackling climate change, alongside a fresh new push to halt deforestation.
Public sector 'missing out on £5.6bn in energy efficiency'
More than £375m in cost savings can be made each year if the public sector upgrades its infrastructure to more green technology, a Centrica Business Solutions report has found.
Unilever powered by 100% renewable electricity across five continents
Unilever has revealed that all its buildings across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America are now powered by 100% renewable electricity.
New initiative to help business minimise climate impacts of cooling
The Climate Group has launched a new initiative aimed at helping businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their cooling processes and to decarbonise their cooling systems.
Business Energy Barometer: August - September 2019
edie's second 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 in the past quarterly period.
Energy managers cynical about Government's net-zero targets, edie's new survey reveals
The second edie Business Barometer of energy managers, supported by Centrica Business Solutions, revealed a sector that was cynical of the Government's policy objectives - but are not concerned about Brexit.
Scottish government unveils swathe of green initiatives
The Scottish government has pledged to ensure that, by 2024, all new homes must use renewable or low-carbon heat.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: Carbon Reduction - Norwich City Council
With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Carbon Reduction award, Norwich City Council.
The 10 clean growth policy 'shortfalls' and how to address them, according to MPs
The Science and Technology Committee has published a new report warning that the UK isn't remotely close to reaching upcoming carbon budgets up to 2032, outlining 10 key policy areas that need to be addressed if the UK is to deliver on its net-zero ambitions.
Thyssenkrupp targets 'climate-neutrality' after setting new science-based targets
German industrial giant Thyssenkrupp has had its new emissions goals approved by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), shortly after pledging to become climate-neutral by 2050
Meet the sustainability leader: Energy Efficiency - Ibstock Brick
With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Energy Efficiency Award, Ibstock Brick.
Asda signs up its fridges to keep the UK warm this winter
Hundreds of Asda supermarket stores will help power the UK's electricity system this winter by using their fridges as a virtual battery pack for the energy grid.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Olivia Green, Wessex Water
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: Olivia Green, sustainability coordinator at Wessex Water.
EP100: Energy-efficient businesses slash $55m off annual bills
A coalition of 18 large businesses have collectively shaved $55m (£45m) off their energy costs by implementing better efficiency measures, a new report from The Climate Group has concluded.
Cambridge becomes first university to set 1.5C science-based targets
The University of Cambridge has become the first higher education institution in the world to set science-based targets in line with the Paris Agreement's more ambitious 1.5C trajectory.
Energy management design sprint (Part Two): Using green ju-jitsu for behaviour change
How can you increase your sphere of influence and drive engagement on energy management and reduction; from the boardroom to the 'shop floor' and outwards to consumers? The question has been asked for decades, but in the second of our two-part special feature, we reveal some new answers...
Flexible Futures: The Smart Business Blueprint
This edie insight report maps out a blueprint for smart, sustainable business in 2020, helping energy and sustainability professionals get ahead of the curve to deliver a flexible energy future.
Ofgem and BEIS call on networks to realise £40bn flexible energy opportunity
Ofgem and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have penned a joint letter to the Energy Networks Association (ENA), calling on organisations to "evolve" to a more flexible system that could create a £40bn windfall for the UK economy.
How Burberry joined the business elite in setting a 1.5C science-based target
EXCLUSIVE: As Burberry became the latest corporate to set a science-based target aligned to the Paris Agreement's most ambitious pathway, the company's vice president of corporate responsibility outlined how the goal was set, and what happens next.
Meet edie's Energy Management Leader 2019: James Tiernan, Unite Students
With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: Unite Students' group energy & environment manager James Tiernan, our Energy Management Leader of 2019.
Global economic growth 'now directly linked to greater energy efficiency', report finds
The global energy efficiency of economic growth has improved by one-third since 1990, new research from professional services giant PwC has concluded.
Kingfisher products improved customer energy efficiency by one-third last year
Home improvement retailer Kingfisher helped customers save an estimated 43TWh of energy - more than the annual consumption of Hong Kong - through energy efficient products such as LEDs and insulation.
Best Buy to slash customer emissions by 20% as part of science-based targets
Electronics retailer Best Buy has unveiled science-based goals to decrease its own emissions by 75%, its customers' emissions by 20% and save $5bn on utility costs by 2030.
Waitrose posts impressive energy savings from innovative fridge tech
New in-store fridge technology has enabled Waitrose & Partners to reduce its energy use for refrigeration by more than 40%, the supermarket has claimed.
O2 recertified to highest Carbon Trust standard for supply chain emissions management
Telecoms giant O2 has been recertified to the highest possible level of supply chain management to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
SDG Spotlight: How businesses can achieve Goal 7 - Clean and affordable energy
This edie report, sponsored by Centrica Business Solutions, sets out exactly how the business community can collectively achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, within the next decade.
Talking electric vehicles with BT's Howard Lungley and UPS's Claire Thompson-Sage
edie's Mission Possible sofa chat show returns for 2019. In the final episode, edie discusses the barriers and opportunities of transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) with Howard Lungley, head of strategy, digital impact and sustainability at BT Group and Claire Thompson-Sage, sustainable development co-ordinator at UPS.
BT generates record £5.5bn through carbon-combative products and services
Telecommunications giant BT generated almost one-quarter (23.4%) of its total annual 2018 revenue through selling products and services which contribute to carbon savings at a consumer level, the business has revealed.
Bristol City Council turns to blockchain to incentivise behaviour change
Bristol City Council is seeking to spur progress towards an ambition to create a carbon-neutral city by 2030 by teaming with a Manchester-based energy technology firm to incentivise employees to act more sustainably through a blockchain-enabled platform.
H&M's orange peel dresses and Waitrose's 'invisible' door: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations are being developed to help businesses and nations turn their green ambitions into actions. Here, we round up six of the best.
Waitrose to launch 'invisible door' that could save retailers £1.5bn on energy bills
Waitrose & Partners will introduce an "invisible" door" to combat the amount of avoidable energy that is lost at entrance doors to retail stores, with research suggesting that a widescale rollout could help British retailers save £1.5bn annually on energy bills.
Coalition of cities target net-zero carbon buildings by 2050
A coalition of eight European cities, including Dublin and Leeds, have pledged to completely decarbonise their existing building stocks by 2050.
Report: World falling short on SDGs' clean energy agenda
Despite "notable" global progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, Clean Energy for All, in recent years, policies, investment and physical infrastructure are still not sufficient to deliver on its 2030 targets.
Onsite solutions and behaviour nudges: How to take an energy strategy to the next level
There are no shortcuts to success and you need to be opportunistic in your sustainability opportunities, according to a panel of energy leaders at edie Live.
How can businesses harness climate warnings to drive meaningful behaviour change?
EXCLUSIVE: Amid a backdrop of school strikes, Extinction Rebellion protests, net-zero targets and Green New Deals, climate change awareness is increasing rapidly among all stakeholder groups. But how can business harness this collective emotional investment to change employee and customer behaviours?
No 'low hanging fruit' left for energy innovation, M&S says
There is no longer any 'low hanging fruit' and innovation is going to be required to help with sustainability challenges in the future, according to Marks & Spencer's research and development manager Oliver Knowles.
Energy managers reveal biggest challenges and priorities in edie's new 'Business Barometer' report
EXCLUSIVE: The biggest challenge facing energy managers right now is behaviour change, whilst energy efficiency technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) hold the biggest opportunity for businesses looking to drive down emissions – according to new survey results published today (22 May) by edie.
Paul Polman: Courage and collaboration will help business accomplish Mission Possible
EXCLUSIVE: This year's Mission Possible: 2019 report has just landed, and edie is offering a sneak preview by way of the rousing report foreword penned by revered sustainability leader and ex-Unilever chief executive Paul Polman, in full.
Circular economies and scenario analysis: How Rolls Royce is innovating for zero-carbon operations
EXCLUSIVE: As the UK Government mulls over whether to adopt a 2050 target for net-zero carbon emissions, engineering and aerospace giant Rolls Royce is going beyond the "low-hanging fruit" as it continues on its pathway to zero-carbon operations by 2030.
Top 10 'must-attend' sessions at edie Live 2019
With a week to go until the show doors open, the edie editorial team picks 10 standout case studies set to take the stage at the UK's largest sustainability and energy exhibition, edie Live, as it returns to the NEC Birmingham on 21-22 May.
Bosch targets carbon neutrality by 2020
Engineering and electronics giant Bosch has committed to achieve carbon neutrality across its direct global operations by 2020 - a move it claims will mitigate the emission of 3.3 million tonnes of CO2 within the next 12 months.
SRA and Ecotricity launch green energy toolkit for hospitality sector
A new guide has been launched by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) and Ecotricity to assist hospitality businesses with creating a renewable energy policy.
Framework launched to deliver net-zero built environment
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has launched a new framework today (30 April) outlining how developers, designers, owners, occupiers and policymakers can define and deliver a net-zero built environment.
Moat Homes launches 'Energiesprong' retrofit pilot to create zero carbon houses
A five-home pilot project has launched in Essex to create zero-carbon retrofit homes in the UK, fitting the buildings with solar photovoltaics (PV) and battery storage systems.
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.
Landsec and RBS become first companies to join RE100, EV100 and EP100
Property developer Landsec and the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) have become the first two firms in the world to have joined all three of The Climate Group's sustainable business programmes - RE100, EV100 and EP100.
SDGs In Action: How Tetra Pak is achieving Goal 13 - Climate Action
Welcome back to edie's new editorial series which breaks down exactly how businesses are turning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into action. Up next: multinational food packaging firm Tetra Pak unveils how it is protecting futures by championing actions to mitigate climate change.
Tesco: Behaviour change will 'always have a place' in energy efficiency
As the fruits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution continue to re-shape how business operates, many companies are now turning to digital technologies for all of their energy reduction schemes. But for Tesco, behaviour change will always be a "key" piece of the energy management puzzle.
JLL 'on track' for 100% renewables target by 2020
Real estate giant JLL's electricity mix consists of 90% renewables, putting the firm on track to power its direct UK operations solely with renewable sources by 2020.
Ikea's new Greenwich store receives highest BREEAM sustainability rating
Home improvement retailer Ikea's Greenwich store has achieved sustainable construction certification BREEAM's 'Outstanding' status, just over two months after it opened.
