The 4 big ideas for net-zero carbon strategies

Experts across energy management came together at edie’s SPARK! 2.0 event to discuss the role that strategy could play in the delivery of net-zero carbon targets.

Five ideas to capitalise on your energy data

This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where roundtable participants shared experiences of energy data management tools and techniques, and explored some of the practical steps that can be taken to generate energy and cost savings through more effective monitoring and measuring approaches.

Industrial strategy fit for the future: perspectives on building a competitive UK economy

This publication brings together the views of respected thinkers from politics, business, trade unions and academia on the kind of economy the industrial strategy should be building and the role low carbon and resource efficiency can play.

Government urged to target one million heat pumps a year by 2035

The UK must invest in ground source heat pump infrastructure in the 2020s, just as previous generations ploughed money into the gas and water grid, in order to help kickstart the fledgling sector.

Shipping giants debut LNG and hydrogen vessels

Multinational fuel giant Tristar has added a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker to its international shipping fleet for the first time, in the same week that Kawasaki Heavy Industries debuted the world's first ship capable of transporting large volumes of liquid hydrogen.

Energy firms to pay £10.5m over August 2019's major blackout

RWE and Orsted have agreed to pay £9 million for failings leading up to last August's major power cut, while UK Power Networks (UKPN) will also pledge £1.5 million after reconnecting customers too early.

'Cleanest year on record': Zero-carbon electricity surpassed fossil fuel generation in 2019

During the course of 2019, 48.5% of electricity consumed in Britain was generated through zero-carbon methods such as wind, solar and nuclear - compared to 43% for fossil fuels.

UK's first grid-injected hydrogen trials begin in Staffordshire

A pilot project injecting zero-carbon hydrogen into an existing gas network is now fully operational, the consortium of organisations behind the initiative have announced.

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?

7 ideas for smart systems and flexibility

From battery storage and demand response to smart technologies and distributed generation, the roundtable discussion at SPARK! 2.0 assessed the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead on the road to achieving a flexible energy future for businesses.

8 steps for overcoming the behavioural change challenge

During the SPARK 2.0 event, energy and sustainability professionals discussed the barriers to behaviour change and how businesses could harness the wider awareness of the climate strikes to engage all staff members on the need to manage energy use.

Hydrogen: a critical piece of the net-zero jigsaw?

Earlier this year the UK Government committed to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 through the amended 2008 Climate Change Act (CCA). Professor Joe Howe, chair of the North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) and executive director of the Thornton Energy Institute, looks at how hydrogen is a vital part of the solution.

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.

Fossil fuel production on track for double the safe climate limit

The world's nations are on track to produce more than twice as much coal, oil and gas as can be burned in 2030 while restricting the rise in the global temperature to 1.5C, analysis shows.

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.

Treasury launches Net-Zero Review to measure costs of decarbonisation

The Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid has today (2 November) launched the Net-Zero Review, the first of its kind, which will assess how the UK can manage the transition to a low-carbon economy.

BP chief: Alternative to 'polluter pays' carbon tax can help meet net-zero

BP's chief executive Bob Dudley and group chief economist Spencer Dale believe that regional carbon prices that don't just tax the producers will enable the oil and gas giant to join the global transition to net-zero emissions, but neither were convinced of when that would happen.

Government urged to boost support for anaerobic digestion

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

Drax launches sustainable biomass strategy

Drax has outlined how it will use the latest science and best practice to ensure that biomass use is sustainably sourced and not linked to deforestation, with the UK Governments former chief scientific adviser Sir John Beddington confirmed as chair of a new Independent Advisory Board (IAB).

Landsec hits science-based targets 11 years early

Commercial real estate firm Landsec has met its verified science-based target 11 years ahead of schedule, with the company's latest quarterly energy data revealing that carbon intensity has fallen by 40%.

Shell commits £10m to offset emissions from customer fuel purchases in UK

Shell will spend £10m over the next year to offset the emissions from customers' fuel purchases at more than 1,000 service stations in the UK, following a successful trial in the Netherlands.

'Risking a carbon budget blowout': UK Government gives go-ahead to Drax gas plant

The UK Government is "risking a carbon budget blowout" by overruling a recommendation from its planning authority in order to give the green light to Drax's large-scale gas power plant, which had been refused on climate grounds.

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.

RWE to become carbon-neutral by 2040

German utilities giant RWE has unveiled a new strategy to transform itself into a carbon-neutral company by 2040 by funnelling billions into renewables projects, decommissioning existing coal-fired plants and backing carbon capture and storage technology.

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.

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Circular Economy Innovation - Yellow Octopus Fashion

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 Circular Economy Innovation Award, Yellow Octopus Fashion.

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Luke Landers, University Hospitals Birmingham

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: Luke Landers, energy and sustainability manager at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust.

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.

Oil and gas companies risking £1.8trn in stranded assets during low-carbon transition, report warns

Oil and gas companies have spent £40.5bn ($50bn) on investment projects that undermine the Paris Agreement, with a new report from think tank Carbon Tracker warning that major companies risk wasting £1.8trn ($2.2trn) on stranded assets by 2030.

Oil and gas industry's net-zero blueprint branded 'overt lobbying'

Green groups have criticised the UK's offshore oil and gas industry's blueprint to contribute to net-zero emissions by 2035, claiming that the accompanying evidence fails to "leave fossil fuels in the ground".

Government sets aside funds to explore low-carbon hydrogen

The government has awarded 20 projects a share of £7 million to explore innovative ways of making and using low-carbon hydrogen.

edie Leaders Clubs Membership Information

The edie Leaders Clubs are dedicated communities for more than 600 sustainability and energy leaders. They are exclusive, member-only programmes of free networking events, industry briefings and workshops which allow members to connect with one another, share ideas, gain valuable recognition and develop their careers.

UK supermarkets accused of over-producing low-quality meat

Anti-hunger charity Feedback is calling for big-name UK supermarkets such as Iceland, Lidl and Asda to offer "less and better" meat, in order to minimise their climate impacts.

UK Resources & Waste Strategy: A blueprint for business leadership

This edie insight guide provides sustainability and environmental professionals with a detailed breakdown of all of the key elements of the UK Government's Resources and Waste Strategy, and what they mean for business.

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.

Swedish lessons: Can data management enable the UK to deliver a net-zero economy?

The UK's net-zero climate target has been widely welcomed, but is currently lacking some actual points of delivery. Fortunately, Sweden's own net-zero target can teach politicians some interesting lessons, including how big data and digitisation can mobilise action plans.

edie's Plastics Thinkathon: Six moonshot business ideas that could eliminate single-use plastics

With businesses continuing to make plastic-reduction commitments in the face of ever-growing stakeholder pressure, edie recently hosted a 'Plastics Thinkathon' to spur collaborative action on achieving a single-use plastic-free future, today. Here, we round up the potentially transformational results.

UK's liquid gas sector targets 100% biofuel by 2040

The trade body representing the UK's liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry has unveiled a new vision of helping the sector transition to 100% biofuel by 2040.

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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.

Government funnels £26m into CCUS projects

The UK Government had confirmed that 10 companies have secured £26m in funding to facilitate the advancement and rollout of carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS).

In action: The Langham London hotel's aerobic digestion of food waste

In March 2018, the 5-star Langham London hotel embarked on a site-wide behavioural and infrastructural overhaul to divert food waste from landfill through an innovative recycling system introduced by Orca Enviro Systems.

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.

NOW AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND: edie's Scope 3 emissions webinar with Multiplex, CDP and Carbon Credentials

Sustainability and energy professionals looking to gain key insights on tackling Scope 3 emissions as part of the science-based targets process can tune into a free one-hour webinar featuring Multiplex Construction Europe, CDP and Carbon Credentials, on-demand.

BP shareholders demand climate action, but reject calls for hard targets

An overwhelming vote in favour of climate action at BP's annual meeting yesterday (21 May) shows how activist investors have started to move the oil and gas industry. But it also showed the limits to their appetite for change.

Insight, inspiration and innovation continue into final day of edie Live 2019

Members of the UK's sustainability and energy management communities have descended upon the NEC in their thousands, with sessions at full capacity throughout the first day of edie Live 2019 and the action now set continue into the second and final day (22 May).

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.

Mission Possible: The 2019 report

This exclusive edie report showcases world-leading and potentially game-changing examples of sustainability in action across the Mission Possible campaign's five pillars: Energy, Resources, Mobility, The Built Environment and Business Leadership.

In action: Anesco's subsidy-free solar farm supported by a storage floor price

Renewable energy firm Anesco is working with EDF Energy and it's tech partner, Upside Energy, to introduce an industry-first guaranteed floor price for revenue from the battery storage units operating at the first subsidy-free solar development in the UK.

Report: Oil and gas firms failing to disclose climate-related financial risks

The world's largest oil and gas firms must disclose more information on the financial risks that climate challenges will pose to their business, or face losing investment and stakeholder trust.

Britain notches up another coal-free record over Easter

Great Britain's power grid notched up another coal-free record over the Easter weekend, operating for nearly 92 consecutive hours without any domestic coal generation.

Shell taken to court over climate impacts and alleged human rights 'violations'

Oil and gas giant Shell is facing legal actions over "slow" progress in reducing its emissions, improving its human rights protections and eliminating oil spills, with green campaign group Friends of the Earth's (FoTE) Netherlands arm claiming its current business model is "wrecking the climate".

Mission Possible: Achieving a sustainable future for hospitality and leisure

This brand-new sector insight report provides a comprehensive overview of the steps that organisations within Britain's hospitality and leisure sector can take to achieve a sustainable future, today.

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.

Report: UK oil and gas industry 'responsible for £44bn of damage each year'

The UK's oil and gas sector is causing £44bn worth of costs through environmental damage, negative social impacts and healthcare spending, a new Friends of the Earth (FotE) report has concluded.

Michael Bloomberg to launch decarbonisation tracker for utility firms

Businessman and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg has unveiled fresh plans to utilise his firm Bloomberg LP and its charitable arm, Bloomberg Philanthropies, to help the utility sector to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

First Utility rebrands as Shell Energy and switches 700,000 customers to renewable energy

A year after Shell acquired First Utility it has rebranded the supplier as Shell Energy Retail and has today (25 March) confirmed it has switched more than 700,000 homes in Britain to 100% renewable electricity.

Oil giant Eni targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2030

Italian oil and gas group Eni has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions for its operations by 2030, despite announcing plans to increase oil and gas production by 3.5% annually up to 2022.

Shell starts paying top execs in line with low-carbon progress

Royal Dutch Shell is to link the pay of its 150 most senior executives with its progress towards its carbon reduction aims with "immediate effect", following months of pressure from investors.

The SDGs In Action: How Diageo is achieving SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation

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: global drinks firm Diageo outlines how it is improving its water efficiency to the benefit of the communities it operates within.

Etsy to offset global shipping emissions

Online retailer Etsy has announced plans to offset 100% of its carbon emissions generated from shipping items, free of charge for its customers.

UK gas must be 'completely' decarbonised by 2050, says think-tank

Britain must get rid of fossil-based natural gas in the coming three decades if the country is to meet its long-term climate change objectives, according to a report published on Friday (15 February) by a think-tank close to the ruling Conservative party.

Living Lagom in London: Inside Ikea's new 'leading' sustainable store

edie reporter Sarah George takes a trip to Greenwich to learn how Ikea's new store - touted as its "most sustainable" UK location to date - evidences the company's shift towards circularity and 'climate-positivity'.

The circular economy: cracking the challenge

BP links employee bonuses with climate progress in Paris Agreement alignment drive

Following pressure from green investors, oil and gas giant BP has pledged to align its business with the aims of the Paris Agreement and has begun linking staff bonuses to its low-carbon progress.

Investors press fast food giants to 'urgently' improve supply chain sustainability

A coalition of investment firms with more than $6.5trn in assets under management have called on six of the world's largest fast food companies to take more ambitious action to tackle the climate and water risks within their supply chains, as a "matter of urgency".

Nuclear strategy in 'meltdown' after Wylfa suspension

The government's nuclear strategy is in "meltdown" following Hitachi's announcement that it is halting work on its plans for a new UK atomic power plant in north Wales, Alan Whitehead has said.

Shell set to double investment in green energy

Oil and gas giant Shell is exploring the feasibility of doubling its annual green energy investments to $4bn (£3.2bn), as it begins to transition away from fossil fuels and move into the low-carbon and renewables sectors.

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?

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

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

In action: EDF Energy's smart data focus to drive energy efficiency

In September 2017, EDF Energy installed its PowerNow live energy monitoring system at one of its own offices as a way of trialling its own solutions whilst improving the energy efficiency of the building. As revealed in this case study, the project has achieved excellent results all round.

10 ideas to make energy innovation work for your business

This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where roundtable participants discussed the role of innovation in achieving a sustainable future for business energy and debated which new technologies could hold the key to clean growth.

edie Explains: Energy storage

How does energy storage work? What are the business benefits of commercial battery systems? And how can they interact with other onsite energy technologies? This free edie Explains guide gives you everything you need to know.

Report: Oil and gas industry failing to invest in low-carbon projects

Global oil and gas firms have collectively invested just 1.3% of their combined capital expenditure (CAPEX) into low-carbon technologies and projects since the start of 2018, new research from CDP has concluded.

Drax facing legal action over plans for large-scale gas turbine project

Power company Drax is facing legal action over plans to open a four-turbine gas generation facility at its Selby power plant in Yorkshire, with environmental law firm ClientEarth claiming that the project breaches the Government's planning and climate change policies.

M7 Real Estate to roll out rapid EV charging network across UK retail portfolio

Property management and investment giant M7 Real Estate has revealed plans to install a network of rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers across its UK estate, in a move that is expected to prevent the 2.9 tonnes of nitrogen oxide (NOx) being emitted by 2033.

Sustainable mobility: A blueprint for business leadership

This edie insight report explores five of the most important areas of focus for sustainability professionals - from electric vehicles (EVs) and greener fleets, to smarter business travel.

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.

CCC: Government's Road to Zero strategy not ambitious enough

The UK Government's official climate change watchdog has warned ministers that the new Road to Zero strategy will not be sufficient to meet national and international climate targets.

The Industrial Strategy roundtable: What impact is it having on manufacturing sustainability?

Sustainability and energy managers from a range of businesses recently gathered in London for an exclusive roundtable hosted by edie and Centrica Business Solutions to discuss the impact the Government's Industrial Strategy is having on manufacturing sustainability.

Interface unveils goal of becoming carbon negative by 2040

Modular flooring firm Interface has set a new target of becoming carbon negative by 2040, building on a 2020 ambition of having “no negative environmental impact”.

Asda installs Formula One technology to drive refrigeration energy savings

Supermarket Asda will install technology inspired by Formula One racing across stores, in a move that could reduce refrigeration energy consumption by 17% while lowering carbon emissions.

Increase profit and energy resilience with CHP

Wednesday 19th September at 2:00pm - Spend more than £25k per year on energy and want to significantly lower your CO2 emissions? Join us as we discuss how the industrial sector can save significant amounts in energy costs, through the installation of a combined heat and power (CHP) plant.

The Climate Coach: Transport

It will take you twenty minutes to get there - depending on traffic. Not an unusual statement wherever you live. People design cities and communities and yet often it is people that seem to be least considered as most of the space for movement is taken up by cars, vans and lorries. Pedestrians are pushed to the side and cyclists must brave traffic with a risk for their lives.

edie Explains: Combined heat & power (CHP)

Is combined heat & power (CHP) right for your business? What are the different CHP technology options, and how do you choose the right one? This updated edie explains business guide has the answers.

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).

Manufacturing the future: We must chase the positive and reverse climate change

Interface's vice-president and chief sustainability officer Erin Meezan recently provided the foreword to edie's brand-new sector insight report, which provides an end-to-end overview of the steps that organisations within Britain's manufacturing industry can take to achieve a sustainable future, today.

Report: EU carbon prices could hit €40 over next five years

European Union (EU) carbon prices could more than double to €40 per tonne between 2019 and 2023, spurring the transition away from coal power across the bloc.

Government rejects calls to extend smart meter rollout

The Government has spoken out against pushing back the rollout for smart meters by three years, following calls from Citizens Advice.

The SDG roundtable: Getting engaged with the Global Goals - Part One

Sustainability and corporate responsibility managers from a range of businesses recently gathered in London for an exclusive roundtable hosted by edie and DNV GL to discuss how the private sector is stepping up efforts to drive engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: A Blueprint for Business Leadership

This brand new edie insight report provides clear, practical steps that can be taken by sustainability and CSR professionals to embed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within their organisation's business strategy.

The renewables roundtable: Unlocking the next phase of the clean energy revolution

How can businesses reap the rewards of renewable energy against an ever-changing backdrop? To answer this crucial question, a group of energy and sustainability managers recently convened for an exclusive roundtable discussion in London, hosted by edie and SmartestEnergy.

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Wessex Water Services - Water Management 2018

With entries now open 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 Water Management winners, Wessex Water Services.

Meet the Sustainability Leader: O2 & NSPCC - CSR, Charity and Community Initiative 2018

With entries now open 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 CSR, Charity and Community Initiative winners, O2 & NSPCC.

Stepping up the global energy transformation: Why Mars Australia commits to 100% renewable electricity

Major brands like ours have an opportunity to lead in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future. A new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows that businesses are stepping up their use, procurement and investment in renewable electricity. While this is good news, only 17% of us have a specific target for renewable electricity and a mere 134 have committed to 100% renewable electricity use.

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.

'High risk' meat and fish sector failing to combat climate-related business risks

More than half of global meat and fish suppliers have been labelled as "high risk", with new research warning that the sector is failing to manage sustainability issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and antibiotics stewardship.

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.

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.

Green Alliance: Government's 2042 plastic waste ban 'hopeless'

EXCLUSIVE: The Government should seek to bring forward its 2042 deadline to ban all avoidable plastic waste by "at least" 10 years, according to environmental group the Green Alliance.