Spotlight on renewables: How did the UK's energy mix change in 2020?

EU data released this week revealed that renewable generation overtook coal and gas in 2020. But what happened in the UK's renewable energy markets in 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic? Here, we round up the key facts and stats on capacity and output.

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2020: Amy Oroko, Matthew Algie

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. Up next: Matthew Algie's sustainability manager Amy Oroko.

Report: 10 million high-carbon jobs to be retrained or replaced as part of net-zero transition

Research from a new cross-party programme exploring the net-zero transition in the UK has warned that 10 million jobs will either need to be retrained or replaced if the nation is to meet its climate commitments.

New Years Honours 2021: The sustainability champions on the Queen's list

The outstanding achievements of dozens of people working across the UK's environmental sphere have been recognised by the Queen in this year's New Year's Honours list. Read on to find out more about the newly-awarded scientists, policy experts, green finance champions and conservationists.

UK's net-zero target should be 2045, 100 councils and mayors tell Boris Johnson

English and Scottish local authorities representing one-third of the population have committed to reaching net-zero community emissions by 2045 - and are urging the UK Government to follow suit.

Green recovery: UK urged to accelerate 'just' transition from North Sea oil and gas

With thousands of UK-based oil and gas workers on furlough and the sector's economic recovery likely to be slow, policymakers are facing calls to cap North Sea fossil fuel production and reskill communities for low-carbon industries.

North Sea energy sector requires 'urgent investment' to reach net-zero

Investment into net-zero technologies such as floating offshore wind and clean hydrogen could capture up to £125bn in annual benefits from the North Sea energy sector, but a new report has warned that jobs in the area could fall by at least 20% without incentivising policies.

Mission Possible: Achieving a green recovery for retail

edie's Mission Possible campaign has evolved to focus on the green recovery, with a new series of reports outlining the challenges that businesses in key sectors face in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, and the opportunities that the green recovery will bring. Up next, retail.

Jaguar's 'smart city' tests and Arsenal's climate commitment: The sustainability success stories of the week

As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie brings you this weekly round-up of five of the best sustainability success stories of the week from across the globe.

McDonald's plant-based burger and Scotland's green hydrogen: The sustainability success stories of the week

As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie brings you this weekly round-up of five of the best sustainability success stories of the week from across the globe.

University of Strathclyde students and staff complete 15,000 sustainable behaviour change activities

Students and staff at the University of Strathclyde have collectively completed more than 15,000 actions designed to reduce waste and emissions since 2019.

Unilever and UK Government back chemical plastic recycling innovation

A joint project hoping to scale-up chemical recycling for hard-to-recycle plastics waste, involving Unilever and synthetic fuel giant Neste, has received a £3.1m grant from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

World's first hydrogen-powered double-decker bus hits Scottish streets

Real-world trials of the world's first hydrogen-powered double-decker bus have officially begun in Aberdeen - five years after the city unveiled a hydrogen production and bus refuelling facility.

Scotland must go beyond power to meet net-zero by 2045, Committee on Climate Change warns

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has told the Scottish Government that it should apply learnings from the low-carbon transition in the nation's electricity sector to heat and transport, lest it risk missing its 2045 net-zero target.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: A Blueprint for Business Leadership

With less than 10 years to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), action is still not happening at the speed or scale required - despite a groundswell of ambition and action from organisations of all sectors and sizes. This report offers an end-to-end overview of exactly how businesses can advance global progress towards achieving all 17 of the Global Goals.

Scotland commits £1.6bn for national green recovery

The Scottish Government has outlined a new £1.6bn spending framework that will form part of an enhanced New Deal for the country that will improve biodiversity, slash emissions from heating and buildings and support 5,000 low-carbon jobs.

BEIS to review whether UK's oil and gas licencing regime is net-zero compatible

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will review whether its plans for the future oil and gas licencing regime are "aligned with tackling climate change" and compatible with the UK's 2050 net-zero target.

Brewdog achieves 'carbon negativity', offsetting more emissions than it generates

Brewdog has announced that it is now offsetting more emissions than it generates across Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (power-related) and upstream Scope 3 (indirect) sources.

edie Explains: Scope 3 carbon emissions

What are Scope 3 emissions? How are they calculated? How can they be mitigated and reduced? And, what are the business benefits of doing so? This free edie Explains guide gives you everything you need to know.

The ESG Handbook 2020: Spurring the green recovery

Green finance and ESG investing were reaching a tipping point, then the coronavirus pandemic swept across the world. The virus hasn’t so much as tipped the scales towards ESG investing but rather poured most of the world’s financial system towards it.

'Green Swan' observatories and Europe's biggest electric plane: The best green innovations of the month

Every month, 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 from June 2020.

Government blocks Vattenfall's offshore windfarm expansion

The Government has refused to grant development consent for Vattenfall's 340MW windfarm extension off the coast of Kent, and has delayed two other planning decisions in the South East, in the same week that Total acquired a 51% stake in the £3bn Seagreen project in the Scottish North Sea.

UK windfarms to spur green job growth

The firms behind the world's biggest offshore wind farm Dogger Bank have outlined plans to create 200 new jobs at the Port of Tyne, while Scottish Power plans to use its wind farms as part of an energy cluster scheme that will support 600 jobs in Scotland.

Local energy trading market launched on Orkney islands

A trial focused on delivering real-time trading between renewable generation and local grid flexibility on the Orkney islands has been successful, with project lead Electron noting that more than 1,300 trades have been completed as part of a demonstration projected.

'Normal was a crisis': Why the Green New Deal is the perfect response for the post-Covid-19 economy

As the economy and society continue to suffer from the impacts of the coronavirus, experts are already exploring how to stimulate a financial recovery. All roads could lead to a Green New Deal, but the green economy will need a clear and concise voice to push policy towards it.

Wales unveils plans to ban single-use plastics from 2021

The Welsh Government will bring "restrictions" around certain single-use plastic items, including straws and cotton buds, into effect in the first half of 2021.

Pathways to net-zero: decarbonising your business in the 2020s

This 90-minute special webinar equips energy and sustainability professionals with practical insights and fresh guidance to deliver deep decarbonisation and accelerate climate action.

30 Under 30: Class of 2019 report

Back in 2018, edie put out a call for ambitious young sustainability and energy professionals to join 30 Under 30 - a new, nomination- based community in which they could share ideas and further their careers. This report showcases the achievements of the inaugural 30, the Class of 2019.

RBS's climate goals and Aldi's plastic bag crackdown: The sustainability success stories of the week

As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie brings you this weekly round-up of five of the best sustainability success stories of the week from across the globe.

Automated EVs and SC Johnson's sports stadium plastic: The sustainability success stories of the week

As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie brings you this weekly round-up of five of the best sustainability success stories of the week from across the globe.

Scotland Budget outlines multi-million-pound pots for net-zero heat and agriculture

The Scottish Government has this week published its draft 2020-21 Budget, which sets aside millions of pounds for ocean conservation and decarbonising sectors such as heat and agriculture.

Lloyds Banking Group commits to net-zero fleets and 100% renewable electricity

Lloyds Banking Group has today (6 February) joined all three of The Climate Group's business sustainability initiatives, committing to source 100% renewable electricity, reach net-zero fleets and improve energy productivity.

In action: EDF battery storage optimisation with a financial services company

A financial services company worked with EDF and its partner, Upside Energy, to support an energy storage fund by realising financial returns from its assets. In turn, the Fund achieved this financial goal by focusing on specific source of revenue generation.

National Grid: 400,000 energy jobs must be filled to hit net-zero

More than 117,000 roles will need to be filled in the energy sector by 2030, and a further 283,000 by 2050, if the UK is to meet its net-zero target.

Glasgow to phase-out single-use plastics within two years

Glasgow City Council has approved new measured to reduce plastic use across the local area, headlined by a commitment to phase-out single-use items by 2022.

Single-use plastics: The 2020 roadmap for sustainable business

It’s been one of the biggest sustainable business issues of the past decade: tackling the scourge of single-use plastics. In 2018-19, the so-called “Attenborough effect” gave this issue the mainstream attention it deserved, and thousands of businesses duly began to ramp up their efforts to eliminate single- use plastics from their operations and the supply chain.

Electric buses to operate in Glasgow for first time in 60 years

Electric buses will run on a commercial route in Glasgow for the first time since the 1960s, after bus operator First Glasgow introduced two new vehicles to assist with the city's net-zero aspirations.

edie explains: Hazardous Waste

What is 'hazardous waste'? How does it impact businesses and how is it handled and managed, and what are the key business considerations?

WWF: Scottish farmers can align with net-zero without ditching beef

Scotland's agriculture sector could slash emissions by more than one-third by 2045, if measures to boost carbon sequestration, improve animal health and reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) impact of fertiliser are implemented.

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?

CCC: Scotland must 'immediately' increase net-zero action in preparation for COP26

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has issued its annual progress report to the Scottish Parliament, urging Ministers to "begin work immediately" on implementing short-term net-zero legislation.

Climate-related financial disclosure: Business best practice in 2020

This one-hour webinar, hosted in association with edie’s upcoming Sustainability Leaders Forum 2020, will explore how businesses are using the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFDs) to align with investor needs and enhance their sustainability strategies.

Food giants team up to fund Edinburgh's first on-street recycling infrastructure

On-street recycling infrastructure for food and drinks packaging has been installed in Edinburgh for the first time, as part of a campaign run by charity Hubbub and backed by businesses including McDonald's, Costa Coffee and Nestle.

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: A circular economy technology tour with HPE

For episode 73 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast, edie reporter Sarah George takes a tour of Hewlett Packard Enterprises' (HPE) Technology Renewal Centre in Scotland - a facility helping to tackle e-waste by refurbishing and recycling retired business tech.

Scotland Climate Bill: MSPs unanimously back 2045 net-zero target

Scottish MSPs have voted 113 to 0 to back the introduction of a new Climate Bill, committing the nation to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.

International allies give go-ahead for UK to host COP26

The UK last night (10 September) formally received the backing of all countries responsible for agreeing on the host of the COP26 climate conference.

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.

Scotland's first subsidy-free onshore windfarm to be operational by 2020

A 46MW onshore windfarm in Dumfries and Galloway, in south-west Scotland, has joined the race to become the first in the country to become operational without the support of Government subsidies.

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Olivia Murphy, Whitbread

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 Murphy, sustainability manager at hospitality giant Whitbread.

Civic and business leaders publish 12-point plan for Scotland to address climate emergency

A group of civic and business leaders, including representatives from Scottish Land & Estates, Changeworks and Scottish Renewables, has called on the Scottish Government to champion healthy diets, fix land use and target low-carbon vehicles and buildings to address the climate emergency.

Scottish school climate strikers limited to one day off for protests annually

The City of Edinburgh Council has brought in new measures to prevent schoolchildren from taking more than one day out of lessons per academic year for climate strikes.

The Green Brexit Matrix: What do the different outcomes mean for environmental policy?

With Boris Johnson entering number 10 as the new Prime Minister, the likelihood of a no deal Brexit has increased. This download, originally published in April, explores the potential exit scenarios and the impacts they will have on UK sustainability, energy and environment policy.

Meet edie's 2019 Sustainable Supply Chain champions: Thai Union and WWF

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 winners of our 2019 Sustainable Supply Chains Award, Thai Union and WWF.

Scotland and Wales place hopes in battery power

Scotland and Wales plan to embrace battery power in order to solve their respective clean energy and employment challenges. Scotland will link a 50MW "super battery" to a wind farm, while Wales wants to invest in battery production.

edie Explains: ISO 50001

This updated ISO 50001 guide, produced in association with edie's supporting partner Centrica Business Solutions, 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.

'Radical action by 2030' needed to tackle Scotland's climate challenges

The head of Scotland's nature conservation agency has warned the country faces an "apocalyse" of flooded towns, dead forests and polluted rivers unless urgent action is taken to cut CO2 emissions.

Business Energy Barometer: April-May 2019

edie's brand-new 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.

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.

Scottish Power pledges to make Glasgow UK's first 'net-zero' city

Scottish Power has pledged to turn Glasgow into the UK's first zero-carbon city with a mass rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging points.

Scottish Government unveils 20p deposit return scheme for plastic bottles

The Scottish Government has revealed the results of its consultation on implementing a national deposit return scheme for drinks packaging, confirming that it will introduce a 20p deposit fee for all PET and glass bottles as well as aluminium and steel cans.

Scottish Government commits to net-zero emissions by 2045

The Scottish Government has today (2 May) announced plans to amend its Climate Change Bill and commit to a legally binding target of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest – leading the rest of the UK.

Extreme weather events cost Scottish farmers £161m in 2018, WWF finds

Extreme weather events such as heatwaves and the so-called 'Beast from the East' contributed to £161m in losses for farmers across Scotland during the 2017-18 financial year, new research from WWF Scotland has found.

Pentrehafod Comprehensive School project

In 2016 Morgan Sindall were appointed principle contractor on the Pentrehafod Comprehensive School project, which completed in November 2018.

Accelerating the rEVolution: 7 business innovations in e-mobility

This insight report, produced in partnership with UK Power Networks Services, investigates some of the game-changing developments which are driving e- mobility and accelerating the sector forward into the next decade.

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.

In charts: The UK's record-breaking year for low-carbon energy generation

With the latest Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) statistics revealing that 2018 was a record-breaking year for renewables and low-carbon generation, edie dives into the data to pull out the key achievements.

Lidl set for national roll out of 'Too Good to Waste' fruit and veg boxes

Supermarket chain Lidl UK has confirmed that it will roll out its 'Too Good to Waste' produce boxes across all stores, after a trial across 122 locations last year proved successful.

Aldi removes plastic packaging from fresh vegetable lines

Aldi has removed the flexible plastic wrapping from five of its fresh vegetable lines in its Scottish stores, in a bid to explore consumer attitudes to loose produce.

'The £1bn challenge': Natural capital investment project launched in Scotland

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Scottish Wildlife Trust have teamed up to launch a new project aiming to attract £1bn of investment in protecting the nation's natural capital.

Circular roundtable: How can businesses accelerate the resource revolution?

Sustainability and corporate responsibility managers from a range of businesses recently gathered in London for an exclusive roundtable hosted by edie and EDF Energy, to discuss how organisations are stepping up efforts to accelerate a circular economy.

UK wind energy generation smashes record again

Wind energy in the UK set another record last week, with new figures revealing that more than 15GW of renewable energy was generated by wind technologies on Friday (8 February).

Build a better future: the built environment and the Sustainable Development Goals

Scotland's first coffee cup recycling scheme launched in Glasgow

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has launched what it claims is the nation's first coffee cup recycling initiative in Glasgow, where 95 million disposable cups are used annually.

High-profile businesses ramp up pressure on Scotland to make carbon-neutral pledge

The likes of Coca-Cola, Tesco and Sky have today (14 January) called on the Scottish Parliament to "seize the chance to renew their position as climate leader" by achieving carbon-neutrality by 2050.

UK's first floating tidal stream turbine to be built in Scotland

The UK's first floating tidal stream turbine is set to be deployed off the coast of Scotland in 2020, after £7m of funding to build the device was secured earlier this month.

Scottish industry's greenhouse gas emissions lowest since records began

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by Scotland's industrial sector fell to an unprecedented low in 2017, the latest official figures have confirmed.

Scotland receives green light for large-scale water source heat pump project

Scotland is set to welcome its first large-scale water source heat pump scheme, that will take heat from the river Clyde to provide heat and hot water for a nearby district heating network.

Wind power breaks 100% threshold for Scotland's electricity demand

Wind farms in Scotland generated enough power to account for more than 100% of the country's electricity demand last month, according to new figures from WeatherEnergy.

Webinar: The sustainable business power hour: Preparing to lead in 2019

This live, interactive webinar will see a range of sustainability leadership experts offer advice, share real-experience cases studies and reveal the key trends to watch out for that will help sustainability professionals hit the ground running in 2019.

edie Explains: Energy-from-Waste

Is Energy-from-Waste (EfW) right for your business? What are the different EfW technology options, and how do you choose the right one? This edie explains business guide, produced in association with phs Group, has the answers.

Scottish Courts to trial gamification in staff behaviour change scheme

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has partnered with facilities management provider Atalian Servest to trial a six-month behaviour change pilot aimed at reducing environmental impacts and boosting employee wellbeing.

Webinar: Sustainable manufacturing: Learning from the leaders

Following the publication of two edie insight reports which investigated the future of sustainable manufacturing, this one-hour webinar brings together industry leaders and experts to discuss the various challenges and opportunities facing low-carbon, resource-efficient manufacturing.

edie Explains: Onsite generation

Is onsite energy generation right for your business? What are the technology options and how do you choose the right one? This edie explains business guide, produced in association with Centrica Business Solutions, has the answers.

Wind power delivered 98% of Scotland's electricity demand in October

Wind turbines across Scotland generated enough power to account for 98% of the country's electricity demand last month.

Floating wind capacity could reach 20GW by 2050

Floating offshore windfarms could provide up to 20GW of generation capacity by the middle of the century, a study commissioned by the Crown Estate Scotland has found.

Scottish Government seeking advice on net-zero carbon target

Scotland's climate change minister Roseanna Cunningham has confirmed that the Scottish Government will set a net-zero emissions goal if the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) can set out a "pathway" for the nation to achieve carbon neutrality.

Glasgow unveils ambition to become Scotland's first 'circular city'

Glasgow City Council has this week outlined a plan to become Scotland's first "circular city", by reducing its domestic and commercial waste footprint and implementing measures to encourage reuse and recycling.

Scotland's cities can unlock £1bn circular economy boon, says report

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged Scotland's largest cities to transform waste processes and operations to capture a £1bn economic growth opportunity highlighted by a new Zero Waste Scotland report, released today (31 October).

9 ways AI is enhancing sustainability for business

With Google announcing a new £19m fund for businesses using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address environmental and social issues, edie looks at nine projects that have already delivered notable benefits for business.

Scottish Government launches 'cashback' scheme to help SMEs bolster energy efficiency

The Scottish Government has partnered with Zero Waste Scotland to launch a "cashback" scheme which offers interest-free loans to small businesses that install energy efficiency measures.

Scottish Power shifts to 100% wind generation after £700m Drax sale

Scottish Power has ditched fossil fuels for electricity generation and switched to 100% wind power, by selling off its last remaining gas power stations to Drax for more than £700m.

Scotland continues to beat rest of UK in reducing emissions

Scotland is outperforming the rest of the UK on reducing greenhouse gas emissions but needs fresh measures to meet its own recently introduced targets, according to parliament's climate change watchdog.

Scotland flicks switch on country's largest battery

Scotland's first utility-scale battery facility has opened this week, a move which experts hope will help pave the way for an energy storage boom in the UK.

Scottish clean energy projects to get increased investment

Clean energy has been promised a share of an extra £1.5 billion per annum pledged by Nicola Sturgeon for infrastructure in Scotland.

University of Strathclyde widens sustainability behaviour change programme

The University of Strathclyde is rolling out an organisation-wide behaviour change project to boost sustainable habits among staff, after a five-month pilot saw the institution reduce its carbon emissions by 15,000kg.

UK's largest recycling centre opens in Scotland

The UK's largest recycling centre has officially opened in Livingston, Scotland, on the same day that waste experts called on the UK Government to scrap weight-based recycling targets post-Brexit.

Orkney tidal turbine generates record level of power

A Scottish tidal turbine has generated more power over the past year than the entire wave and tidal energy sectors in Scotland in the 12 years prior to its launch in 2016.

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.

Planning permission given for Scotland's largest solar project

The Scottish government has granted planning permission for the country's largest solar PV project.