green economy

Related content

Backsliding on existing negotiations could see the UK weaken existing environmental policies

Is Brexit at odds with the UK's net-zero emissions target?

The Government's Brexit negotiations could set the nation up to miss its net-zero commitments, with Boris Johnson's intention to renegade on parts of the Withdrawal Agreement sparking fresh concerns about law-bound efforts to combat the ecological and climate crises.
Plan B’s director Tim Crosland argued that the decision remains a “fundamental breach of the social contract” and is working to file a claim with the courts

Treasury defends lack of 'green strings' tied to corporate Covid-19 relief packages

The Government has defended its decision to issue billion-pound bailouts for carbon-intensive companies and sectors, with the Treasury hitting back at accusations that the Paris Agreement and the climate crisis had been cast aside, but a court case still looms.
Plan B argues the funding set aside for a green recovery is less than what has been issued to climate-wrecking projects and industries

Government threatened with legal action over coronavirus recovery package

The UK Government is facing another court challenge over climate-wrecking policy decisions, with UK-based Plan B threatening legal action over the recent coronavirus recovery package, calling it a "new deal for polluters".
Johnson will confirm that the National Infrastructure Strategy will be published this Autumn

Boris Johnson's New Deal for Britain yet to align with green recovery calls

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce a multi-billion-pound "New Deal for Britain" that prioritises jobs and infrastructure growth to respond to the economic crash caused by Covid-19, but following months of calls for a "green recovery," the environment is largely absent from the plan.
The CCC's major recommendations cover the UK's most-emitting sectors, surface transport, heavy industry, the built environment, energy and agriculture

'We're still walking when we should run': Green economy leaders urge Ministers to implement latest CCC recommendations

Key organisations and individuals from across the UK's green economy have backed the Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) latest progress report to Parliament, urging Ministers to seize the "once-in-a-lifetime" chance to create a green Covid-19 recovery.
The specifics of the €750bn package are still being finalised

EU recovery fund leaves €1.6trn investment gap towards climate targets, experts say

Calculations by experts show that the EU's planned economic rescue package, worth €750bn, is nowhere near enough to achieve the bloc's climate targets. Even in the best-case scenario, only one-third of the costs would be covered.

'Happy Birthday, you haven’t aged a day’: One year on from the UK’s net-zero announcement

It's been one year since the UK's historic net-zero announcement, and the movement is being kept afloat by the corporate sector in a year the has seen policy blindsided by a global pandemic and slowed to a frustrating pace by Brexit.
Renewable energy generation will account for the largest proportion of the new roles, the report states

UK 'capable of creating 700,000 new green jobs by 2030'

With the correct support from central government and local authorities, the UK could create almost 700,000 new green jobs within a decade, and a further 488,000 through to 2050, new research has concluded.
Two-thirds of the UK’s 460,000 green jobs are located outside London and the South East

MPs call for Just Transition Fund to spur green recovery towards net-zero

A commission of cross-party MPs has added to the calls for the UK to prioritise and deliver a green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, claiming that £30bn should be spent on a climate-focused recovery that also establishes a £5bn national Just Transition Fund.
The call from the SBTi comes as politicians prepare to outline economy recovery packages to respond to the economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic

Business giants call for science-based green economic recovery

More than 150 business giants, including Carlsberg, H&M and Pernod Ricard, with a combined market capitalisation of more than $2.4trn, have signed a joint statement calling on all governments to align coronavirus economic responses to climate science.
The Commission is discussing an EU recovery fund, with MEPs meeting on Friday (15 May) to negotiate a new seven-year budgetary process

More than one million citizens back calls for EU green investments to spur Covid-19 recovery

More than 100 environmental NGOs and one million European citizens have joined the calls for the European Union (EU) to stimulate the economy through massive green investment efforts.

#SustyTalk: AB InBev's Ezgi Barcenas on sustainability innovation during lockdown

edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with brewer AB InBev's global vice president for sustainability Ezgi Barcenas discussing how the supply chain engagement will change as a result of the coronavirus and how innovation can help unlock a new green economy.
The study found that green projects create more jobs, deliver higher short-term returns per pound spent by the government, and lead to increased long-term cost savings

Green stimulus can repair global economy and climate, study says

Green economy recovery packages for the coronavirus crisis will repair the global economy and put the world on track to tackle climate breakdown, but time is running out to implement the changes needed, new analysis has shown.
His remit as Shadow Secretary will focus on a number of key legislative strategies that the green economy is eagerly awaiting. Image: Green Alliance

Ed Miliband named as BEIS Shadow Secretary

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband has made a return to front-bench politics after being named by the party's new leader Keir Starmer as the Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), giving him a key role in lobbying for green policy.
It is yet to be confirmed when the conference will take place in 2021

A 'sensible step' and 'opportunity to rebuild': Green economy reacts to COP26 postponement

Green groups have expressed disappointment but understanding that the COP26 climate summit scheduled for Glasgow in November has been postponed until 2021, with many citing the opportunity for countries to accelerate climate action in the meantime.
Implementations of Green New Deals are faltering due to economic pressures, but the movement could be the just transition society needs

'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.
According to Biffa, improving recycling efforts could unlock up to £1.25bn in green economy infrastructure. Image: Biffa

Biffa to halve emissions and quadruple plastics recycling under new strategy

Waste management firm Biffa has announced a new sustainability strategy that will aim to quadruple the group's plastics recycling capacity and halve its emissions by 2030.
The Budget sets the building block for natural and technological climate solutions, but the hard yards are ahead to reach net-zero

Does the Budget put the UK on course for net-zero emissions?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak's first Budget was brimming with green funding for natural climate solutions and carbon capture and storage (CCS), but key spending reviews and strategies on the horizon will clarify whether these will act as the launchpad for a net-zero carbon economy.
The Budget outlined numerous focus areas for the Government's net-zero approach 

Clean transport, CCS and biodiversity championed in Budget 2020

BREAKING: Chancellor Rishi Sunak has today (11 March) unveiled a multi-billion-pound package to push the UK towards the net-zero emissions target in his first Budget - but has faced criticism for failing to end fuel duty freezes or cut roads spending.
The strategy seeks to develop “open-source, business-relevant reference scenarios” for regulators, financial firms and businesses to test climate resilience investment

'Investing for net-zero must go mainstream': COP26 finance strategy unveiled

The UK has published its COP26 strategy to help private finance support a global economic transition to net-zero emissions, with a heavy focus on exploring mandatory reporting requirements for climate-related data.
Johnson’s preference to fill the Treasury with his own advisors suggests that he seeks more control over the spending decisions.

Cabinet reshuffle: Is the promised 'green budget' in doubt?

Earlier this week Chancellor Sajid Javid was said to be reviewing a string of new subsidies to assist with the UK's net-zero transition. With Javid today (13 February) resigning from the position, doubts have been caused as to whether the UK Government can prioritise the green economy in the March Budget.
Robinson said that nations couldn't look to make themselves net-zero while continuing to fund polluting projects in developing countries

Mary Robinson: Business and governments must avoid net-zero 'hypocrisy'

EXCLUSIVE: The former president of Ireland Mary Robinson has claimed that net-zero commitments made by governments and corporates must lead to a "just transition" that also combats the "hypocrisy" of ignoring fossil fuel developments further afield.
Trade deals are the biggest stumbling block for new green policies

Brexit day: What (if anything) changes for the green economy?

At 11pm tonight (31 January) the UK will formally leave the European Union (EU), and while Big Ben won't be bonging and passports won't turn blue until Summer, the landmark day will usher in a period of intense trading negotiations that could impact green policy in the UK.
 edie rounds up the commentary on key areas of the Environment Bill

'A much-need overhaul': Green groups react to revamped Environment Bill

Green groups have welcomed the reintroduction of the Government's 'gold standard' Environment Bill today (30 January), noting that it could be "truly transformative" if it is able to set out legal guarantees on the delivery of a raft of new policy commitments.

Chancellor vows to prioritise the environment as Budget date set

Chancellor Sajid Javid has confirmed that the UK's next Budget will be held on 11 March, promising fresh spending across the nation's green economy.
Returning Prime Minister Brosi Johnson will now turn his attention to 'getting Brexit done', despite also having a raft of green policy issues to deal with. Image: Chatham House (Flickr) https://www.flickr.com/photos/chathamhouse/30562517863

General Election result: Conservative landslide victory raises fresh concerns for green economy

The results are in and Boris Johnson's Conservative Party has won the 2019 General Election with an historic landslide majority, prompting fresh concerns about the strength of environmental regulations in the UK post-Brexit.
All parties are committed to net-zero, but the pathways to get there differ wildly 

General Election: The key green policy considerations for climate-focused voters

As the public takes to the polls tomorrow to decide the next Government, edie lists all the potential impacts and ramifications of short-term and long-term green policy in the UK, helping those still undecided to cast crucial votes.
The pledges are ramping up ahead of the 12 December General Election

General Election: Can UK policy deliver a climate emergency response?

As the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party launch election manifestos pledging to respond to the climate emergency by 2030, leading UK green group the Aldersgate Group has called for existing policy frameworks to be revamped to help reach the net-zero target for 2050.
Here, we recap a week of major green policy announcements. 

From carbon chancellors to CCS: What green election pledges have major parties made this week?

It's been a busy week for green election pledges, with the Conservatives, Green Party, Labour and Liberal Democrats all outlining multi-billion-pound spending plans for climate adaptation and mitigation. Here, edie rounds up the announcements of the past seven days.

REA's Nina Skorupska: Business holds 'untapped potential' to achieve net-zero

EXCLUSIVE: REA's chief executive Nina Skorupska has claimed at an edie event that declarations of a 'climate emergency' must be backed up by robust net-zero emissions and clean energy strategies from business, to avoid the term becoming "greenwash or rhetoric".
Williams believes the will of citizens is there to deliver a low-carbon economy in the US

Beyond Carbon: The $500m plan to create a low-carbon US, with or without Trump

EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump may have officially kickstarted the process to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, but there is a movement of cities, states and businesses that is driving the nation towards 100% clean energy, with or without support from the federal government.
The Global Green New Deal was launched at the C40 Cities summit in Copenhagen

Bloomberg and mayors call for Global Green New Deal to 'marry economy and ecology'

The Mayors of cities including Los Angeles, Copenhagen and Paris have issued a rallying call for the adoption of a Global Green New Deal that recognises the threat of the climate emergency and strives to transition to a low-carbon future through a fair and just transition.
Iceland was criticised by Feedback for failing to stock any meat sourced through sustainable certification schemes

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.
With Barker leading the way, the EN+ Group has embarked on a new era of sustainability

The Barker Plan: How a former UK Energy Minister used sustainability to transform a sanctioned Russian aluminium firm

EXCLUSIVE: Over the course of a year, Russian aluminium and hydropower firm EN+ Group has gone from being banned on the US market to launching a new sweeping sustainability strategy and having those sanctions lifted. Here, edie speaks to former UK Energy Minister Greg Barker, who has been the surprise driving force behind this transformation.
These six challenges should be the key focus for the new Prime Minister. Number 10 [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

Six huge challenges Boris Johnson must tackle, according to the green economy

With Boris Johnson winning the race to become the new Prime Minister, edie has reached out to the green economy experts to create a six-pillar wishlist that could drive the UK's climate aspiration to unprecedented heights.
From transport to the built environment, its clear that policy efforts to date have made the net-zero target nothing more than "warm words" 

Green economy wishlist: How to turn the net-zero pipedream into a low-carbon pipeline

With the latest Committee on Climate Change (CCC) progress report revealing that no UK sector has showcased "good progress" to managing climate risk, the green economy has unanimously called for a net-zero philosophy to steer the nation towards its climate targets.
The strategy includes expectations for publicly listed companies and asset owners to disclose climate risk and impact data by 2022

UK unveils Green Finance Strategy to drive progress towards net-zero goal

The UK Government has unveiled its highly anticipated Green Finance Strategy, outlining how the finance sector and better climate disclosure from corporates can drive progress towards wider action on climate change and the push towards net-zero emissions.
The climate emergency was declared just hours before the Committee on Climate Change called on the Government to set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 'net-zero' levels by 2050

UK Parliament becomes first in the world to pass motion declaring a 'climate emergency'

In a hugely symbolic move, the House of Commons had declared a climate emergency, admitting the need for a cross-party approach that would enable the UK to set a world-leading standard on climate action.
The third episode in this six-part series explores how Brexit will affect the policy and business spheres' approach to renewables

The Big Brexit Questions podcast: What next for the UK's renewable energy sector?

With MPs extending the deadline to organise a departure from the European Union, edie's new podcast mini-series explores the impact of Brexit on key areas of the UK's green economy. Up next: Renewable energy.
Hammond announced the UK Spring Statement last month. Image Flickr EU2017EE 

Philip Hammond joins finance coalition to spur climate action

Chancellor Philip Hammond has called on global financial leaders to place climate adaptation and mitigation at the heart of future economic policies and planning, after joining a new global coalition to drive action on climate change.
The free-to-download Brexit Matrix provides a much-needed overview of how the UK's different exit scenarios would impact green policy

edie's 'Brexit Matrix' maps out green policy impact of EU departure

With the ongoing Brexit negotiations continuing to cause confusion and uncertainty, edie has pieced together a new 'Matrix' which clearly explains the impacts that the UK's various exit scenarios would have on environmental policy.

Sustainable strategies: Learning from the (many) mistakes of Brexit

The Brexit process has been marred by a plethora of mistakes meaning that 'Brexit Day' is just another day of endless negotiations. However, the Government's failures are an opportunity to learn, and there are some key lessons for sustainability professionals.
Biodiversity was the big talking point from the Spring Statement

Fiddling the margins or a powerful signal? The green economy reacts to the Spring Statement

Chancellor Philip Hammond has today (13 March) unveiled new measures to champion biodiversity and drive resilience in the UK's housing stock as part of his Spring Statement, but reactions suggest the Government is still moving too slowly.
A full three-year spending review is scheduled for later this year to outline what funds will be available for each government department from 2020

Spring Statement: Chancellor unveils biodiversity plans and low-carbon homes requirements

BREAKING: Chancellor Philip Hammond has today (13 March) pledged to implement legislation requiring developers to deliver biodiversity net-gain through all projects in his 2019 Spring Statement, which also includes a review into the economic benefits of environmental conservation.

We need to put jobs and poverty at the centre of climate action

Discussions around climate change are in need of a new narrative that outlines the opportunities of a low-carbon transition, as renowned environmentalist Jeremy Leggett and Xynteo's Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Philip Smith explain.
The government is exploring two variants of the deposit return system

All in or on-the-go?: Green economy reacts to Defra's deposit return scheme vision

The consultation on the UK's waste management process has sparked new debates on standardised waste collections and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime. But the green economy wants to go "all in" on deposit return systems.
The survey states that the number of employees working within the LCRE economy in the UK grew from 208,300 in 2016 to 209,500 full-time equivalents in 2017

UK's low-carbon economy surpasses £44bn

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown that the UK's low-carbon economy has reached record heights, with the sector growing by almost 7% in 2017 to £44.5bn.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has been replaced by Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

The 10 Year Challenge: How the UK's low-carbon economy has changed

The 10-Year Challenge has swept across social media this month, providing celebrities with ample opportunity to show how little they've aged. However, the UK's low-carbon economy has changed drastically in this time, as edie explains.

New Year Honours 2019: Sustainability champions make Queen's list

The 2019 New Year Honours list has recognised the outstanding achievements of a number of senior figures across the UK's green economy.
Wilmar International supplies palm oil to several blue-chip companies, including Unilever, Proctor & Gamble and Mondelez International

World's biggest palm oil firm unveils new measures to end supply chain deforestation

Palm oil sourcing giant Wilmar International has unveiled plans to use satellite tracking and other digital technologies in a bid to eliminate deforestation risks from its supply chains.
edie brings you the latest green business reaction after Chancellor Philip Hammond unveiled the Autumn Budget for 2018. Image Flickr EU2017EE

Autumn Budget 2018: Live green economy reaction

After Chancellor Philip Hammond opened his red budget box to detail a tax on plastics and a carbon price freeze, edie rounds up what key green economy leaders are making of the new financial measures for low-carbon innovations and resource efficiency.
Abundance has more than 5,000 customers and has raised £77m to help finance 34 projects tailored towards low-carbon innovation and social action

Abundance Investment targets new shareholders to accelerate green project financing

Peer-to-peer finance platform Abundance Investment looks set to accelerate demand for environmental and social projects across the UK, by increasing its number of small shareholders 10-fold.

Report: 46,000 new green jobs could be created in North of England by 2030

Around 46,000 new green economy jobs could be created in the North of England by 2030, a new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has concluded.
Are you an edie-super-fan, or could your knowledge of the green economy use a little brushing up? Take our quiz to find out...

edie at 20 QUIZ: How much do you know about the low-carbon transition?

To mark edie's 20th anniversary as a sustainable business media brand, we're putting readers to the test with a 20-question trivia quiz about the ways in which the green economy has transformed since 1998.

What's the business case for climate science?

Let's be honest, the transition to a low carbon economy is going to require some difficult and far-reaching change from most companies and sectors. But emerging leadership from the corporate world is showing that remodelling business strategies around climate science is already driving innovation, growth and other business benefits.

edie at 20: Is sustainability finally coming home?

It's official - edie is now 20 years old. Our 20th anniversary as a sustainable business media brand offers a chance to celebrate and reflect upon the tremendous achievements of the green economy - but it is also a time for us to realise the immense opportunity that now lies ahead.
Greenpeace warned that the strategy outlined a

Road to Zero: Green economy reacts as Government unveils EV strategy

While the Government's much-awaited Road to Zero strategy has been hailed by some members of the green economy as a "positive first step" towards the 2040 phase-out of diesel and petrol vehicles, critics have voiced disappointment that it did not commit to bringing the ban forward.
Cheshire claimed that sustainability issues would be dealt with as nationally and globally “important” post-Brexit

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.
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]

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.
The LDC group voiced frustrations over having to adapt to a changing climate, all while striving to lift their people out of poverty

Developing nations call for 'urgent' action to develop Paris Agreement rulebook

A network of some of the least developed countries in the world has called on developed economies to turn "concepts into action" by accelerating the implementation of a 'rule book' for the Paris Agreement through increased climate finance.
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]

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).

World Water Day - How we can ensure resilience of our water supplies

Peter Simpson, CEO, Anglian Water, discusses the action we can take together on World Water Day to ensure the resilience of our water supplies
This episode features interviews with Kaitlin Crouch from ING, Bill Eyres from O2, Alexandra Stubbings from Talik & Co and the Forum’s chair Simon Cohen

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Day Two at the Sustainability Leaders Forum

Following on from yesterday's podcast covering day one of the Sustainability Leaders Forum, edie's senior reporter Matt Mace brings listeners a range of interviews from the likes of O2 and ING.
This should be a year to remember for the green economy, for all the right reasons

Five reasons to be cheerful about the green economy in 2018

From heightened corporate investment in clean energy sources, to an accelerated shift towards resource efficiency and new environmental legislation, we look at some of the major reasons to be optimistic about the outlook of the green economy in 2018.

New Year Honours 2018: Sustainability champions make Queen's list

The 2018 New Year Honours list has recognised the outstanding achievements of a number of senior figures across the UK's green economy.

Now for clean growth – let’s hope it’s real this time

If, like me, you're downloading a burgeoning number of Government reports committing us to clean growth, low carbon infrastructures and greater disclosure on climate risk, you'll either be feeling 'at last, the tide has turned'; or suspending your lingering cynicism about commitments to the green economy. Is it all real this time?
Last month, the UK cemented its position in the top 10 rankings of the world's most attractive countries for renewable energy investment

Can government and investors make post-Brexit UK a green finance leader?

The recent Clean Growth Strategy has created a multi-billion-pound framework for low-carbon growth, but the UK Government is still keen to strengthen relationships with investors to tackle the "hard and challenging" times ahead.
Experts of the green economy sweep through the 165-page document to outline their thoughts

Reaction round-up: What does the green economy make of the Clean Growth Strategy?

The Government has pledged numerous multi-billion-pound investments to drive down carbon emissions across the economy as part of the Clean Growth Strategy, but does it "breathe new life" into the low-carbon sector or do the details "fall short"?

Suggested keywords


climate change  
recycling  
waste  
roads  
biodiversity  
transport  
economy  
NGOs  
business  
government  
European Union  
local authorities  
funding  
UK  
Legal  
policy  
emissions  
plastics recycling  
interview  
leaders  
analysis  
storage  
supply chain  
Plastics  
carbon capture  
Biodiversity  
Glasgow  
green economy  
Boris Johnson  
President  
Data  
Infrastructure  
committee on climate change  
plan b  
The Paris Agreement  
carlsberg  
Green Policy  
waste management  
Brexit  
beis  
industrial strategy  
net-zero  
cop26  
coronavirus  
sustytalk  
green recovery