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What makes a sustainability leader? Meet the Business of the Year the Midcounties Co-operative
With the entry deadline for edie's 2022 Sustainability Leaders Awards less than a month away, this series showcases the achievements of previous winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: Winner of our Business of the Year award, the Midcounties Co-operative.
MPs call on Bank of England to improve green finance approaches
MPs across all political parties have jointly written to the Bank of England, warning that it is failing to appropriately support the green economy by not pivoting away from the fossil fuel industry.
5 ways the Hydrogen Strategy can help the UK's net-zero ambition
The UK Government has unveiled its long-awaited Hydrogen Strategy, outlining how a multi-billion-pound investment into the technology can reduce emissions and create jobs on the road to net-zero. Here, edie looks at five roles that hydrogen could play in delivering rapid decarbonisation.
'Key to triggering investment and buy-in': Green economy reacts to UK's Hydrogen Strategy
The much-anticipated Hydrogen Strategy has been published today (17 August) by the UK Government. Here, edie rounds up all the key reactions from across the green economy.
UK Government failing on green spending requirements to reach net-zero, WWF warns
The UK Government is not allocating the required spending to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, with new analysis warning that an existing policy gap could add billions of pounds to the total cost of decarbonisation.
How the world can reach net-zero emissions by 2050, according to BloombergNEF
BloombergNEF has published its latest New Energy Outlook report, examining three progress pathways to reach net-zero globally by 2050. Here, edie summaries what will need to change to deliver this low-carbon trajectory.
Transport Minister Rachel Maclean: UK can be a 'pacesetter' for green industrial revolution
EXCLUSIVE: Transport Minister Rachel Maclean believes that the newly released Transport Decarbonisation Plan can spur the next industrial revolution that ushers in unprecedented levels of innovation to help meet the national net-zero target.
At a glance: Everything you need to know about the UK’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan
The UK Government has unveiled its domestic plan designed to align the transport sector with the national net-zero target. Here, edie pulls out what this means for all modes of transport moving forward.
'Clarity and confidence for the road ahead': Green economy reacts to Transport Decarbonisation Plan
The UK Government's Transport Decarbonisation Plan is set for publication today (14 July), outlining plans to align all domestic travel and logistics with the national net-zero target. Here, we round up the reaction to this policy package from thought leaders and key organisations across the green economy.
New net-zero networks launched for lawyers and professional institutions
Lawyers for Net-Zero, a new non-profit working with in-house legal counsel teams, has officially launched, in the same week that the UK's biggest professional institutions are set to launch a new Charter for Climate Action.
Report: UK lagging behind other G7 nations on green finance and jobs
On a per-person basis, the UK is committing just 6% of the amount of funding to the green recovery from Covid-19 pledged by the US, and just 13% of that promised by Italy.
Lessons from Yozma for UK conservation
In February of 2021 Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta released the final report of a multi-year review of the economics of biodiversity. This report emphasised that biodiversity is an integral component of global economies and that the continued loss of biodiversity would have devastating impacts on human society.
Investors worth £10trn outline policy vision for sustainable finance in net-zero transition
UKSIF, which represents more than 260 members with more than £10trn of assets under management, has called on the Government to better support a 'just' transition to net-zero.
'A credible path to net-zero': Green groups react to UK's Sixth Carbon Budget
The Government will seek to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 as part of a new Sixth Carbon Budget, a decision that has been welcomed by green groups, although some are calling for more detailed action plans.
Green jobs primed to replace all jobs lost to Covid-19
New research has found that more than 800,000 job losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the UK could be replaced by new green jobs, provided government and private investment is mobilised to push towards the 2050 net-zero target.
UK hosting 30,000 fewer green jobs than in 2014, official figures show
New data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that the UK hosted 202,100 low-carbon and renewable energy jobs in 2019 - 30,000 fewer than in 2014.
'Another vital step to net-zero': Green economy reacts to the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy
The UK Government has unveiled a new Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy that will spur rapid decarbonisation across industry, the public sector, construction and manufacturing. But do green groups believe the strategy will put the nation on course for net-zero by 2050?
Green recovery could deliver 1.2 million construction and manufacturing jobs
More than one million green manufacturing and construction jobs could be created in the UK, if the Government introduced enabling policies, new data has found.
Sector by sector: What are the key ingredients to achieve a green recovery?
Over the past 12 months edie has collected data and spoken to leading sustainability and energy experts on how key UK sectors can achieve a green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Here, edie summarises some key themes found in our detailed sector insight reports.
Green growth or greenwashing? Business leaders react to Rishi Sunak's 2021 Budget
After Chancellor Rishi Sunak opened his red Budget box to provide more detail on green bonds and net-zero innovation finance, there has been a mixed reaction from green economy leaders - as edie summarises in this article.
Budget 2021: Sunak confirms Net-Zero Innovation Fund, announces freeports to spur green investment
Rishi Sunak delivered his Budget for 2021 today (3 March), pledging to put green investment at the heart of the UK's economic recovery from Covid-19. But the Chancellor has come under fire for failing to mention a number of critical policy enablers for the UK's net-zero carbon transition.
Budget 2021: Businesses and charities make last-minute calls for green funding to Rishi Sunak
With the 2021 Budget being announced on Wednesday (3 March), Chancellor Rishi Sunak is facing mounting pressure over the Green Homes Grant, National Nature Service and other green policy decisions.
Will the 2021 Budget help the UK deliver a green recovery?
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will deliver his second Budget on 3 March. But, faced with the challenge of supporting the economy as the UK completes its lockdown exit roadmap, will the Budget deliver an appropriate response to the climate and nature emergencies?
The energy sector needs the right skills and people if we're to deliver on ambitious climate change plans
Sally-Anne Dudley, UK head of learning, and Dan Tingle, new talent and STEM Manager at National Grid discuss how UK organisations can facilitate the creation of new skilled workers that can step into green jobs created to deliver net-zero.
Sustainability Leaders Awards 2021: Winners revealed at glittering virtual ceremony
Willmott Dixon, the Midcounties Co-operative and Virgin Media were among the big winners of edie's 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards, announced at a fun-packed virtual awards ceremony on Wednesday afternoon (3 February).
WATCH: Dame Polly Courtice's inspiring Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech
Dame Polly Courtice delivered a galvanising call to action for future business leaders as part of her Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech at edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2021 Wednesday afternoon (3 February), claiming "this is the generation that still has time to change everything for the better".
Finance and policy: The external drivers forcing businesses to take climate action
Sustainability professionals have often found frustration when trying to embed CSR across an entire organisation, but the mainstreaming of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing looks set to create new momentum behind the green recovery.
As influential as the Stern Review: Green economy reacts to the Dasgupta biodiversity study
A new landmark review, commissioned by the Government, has suggested that services provided by nature should be assigned an economic value that is used to inform future policy decisions, a move that has been unanimously welcomed by green groups.
Why sustainability and profitability are not mutually exclusive
With consumers and organisations alike beginning to listen to the plea of scientists over the catastrophic impact of failing to act, the issue of climate change has been edging up the business agenda for some time now. While seemingly unrelated, the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has created a seismic jolt across businesses - underlining the need for a stable and sustainable future.
Sustainable Business Covered podcast: In the Green Room with EN+ Group's Lord Barker
To mark episode 94 of the edie podcast, content editor Matt Mace makes a long-overdue return to the Green Room, to discuss how Covid-19, climate policy and Brexit have impacted corporate sustainability with EN+ Group's non-executive chairman and former DECC minister Lord Barker.
Looking to 2050: How the Northern Powerhouse can drive the transition to net-zero
It's fair to say that 2020 has been a dispiriting start to the new decade. The chaos and uncertainty around the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as well as the cliff edge of a Brexit deadline, has made it a challenge to extract any positive messages from today's headlines.
An 'undisputed urgency to act': Green economy reacts to the Energy White Paper
The Government has unveiled the long-awaited Energy White Paper today (14 December), with green groups welcoming the focus it provides to both job growth and rapid decarbonisation in order to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Energy White Paper: Government confirms £6.7bn warm homes package and UK ETS
The UK Government has finally released its Energy White Paper, detailing steps to deliver "overwhelmingly decarbonised power in the 2030s", with a new £6.7bn support scheme to be set up to tackle fuel poverty and a UK variant of the Emissions Trading Scheme to be introduced.
A 'vital step': Green economy reacts to the UK's new climate commitment
Green groups and business leaders have welcomed Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement that the UK has created an updated domestic emissions target for 2030 as its contribution to the Paris Agreement, but with progress lacking against upcoming carbon budgets, many want to see more detailed action plans.
London can lead the UK's net-zero ambition as a world beating sustainable city
Boris Johnson's party conference address confirmed an already established belief that the green economy is no longer a fringe idea but is ripe for centre stage. The government is wholeheartedly committing to our net-zero targets - and is now detailing the tangible measures that can make this a reality.
Report: Green recovery would cut global emissions by 7% and create millions of jobs
If all major nations developed strong plans for a green recovery from Covid-19, global annual emissions would be 7% lower in 2030 than in 2019 and millions of new jobs would be created in sectors including energy, transport and materials.
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.
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.
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".
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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)]](https://e2k9ube.cloudimg.io/s/width/226/https://edienet.s3.amazonaws.com/news/images/full_38808.jpg?v2=24/07/2019 11:51:00)
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
