Infrastructure
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No technical barriers for large-scale, low-cost UK CCS deployment, report finds
The UK has "more than enough" potential Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) sites to meet legally binding 2050 carbon targets in a cost-effective manner, which could save up to £2bn annually throughout the 2020s.
New data hub offers financial oasis against climate-related hazards
A new global data community aimed at expanding the climate risk adaption strategies for the insurance and investment markets has launched this week (5 June), to protect economic losses incurred through damages to infrastructure during natural disasters.
Northern Powergrid and Nissan join forces on energy network research
Northern Powergrid has signed a memorandum of understanding with Nissan to look at how electric vehicles (EVs) can support energy networks.
Insight and inspiration - a roundup of the latest edie interviews with the experts
EXCLUSIVE: From behaviour change to smart buildings, energy security to driving efficiency at scale, we round up the latest exclusive insight and interviews with sustainability business leaders.
Businesses warned of increasingly finite resources as global population passes 7.5 billion
The business community faces rising prices and "cutthroat" competition as the global population continues to surge, according to research which shows there are now 7.5 billion people in the world.
'Lego block' buildings: Adaptability essential for building stock to combat climate change
The impacts of climate change are exasperating the living conditions of humans, forcing them to be adaptable, a trait that should be mirrored in the global building stock.
Sustainability megatrends: Realising the business case for sustainable economic growth
edie's series of exclusive thought-leadership articles on the global impact of megatrends culminates with New Climate Economy's programme director Helen Mountford exploring how businesses and governments are developing more sustainable models of economic growth that are fit for the future.
AkzoNobel launches sustainable cities coalition to manage rapid urbanisation
Dutch paints manufacturer AkzoNobel has brought together an alliance of major businesses, NGOs and government representatives to focus on building sustainable cities and communities across the world.
Green Investment Bank sold to Macquarie in £2.3bn deal
The UK Government has completed the sale of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) to Australian investment bank Macquarie today (20 April) for a sum of £2.3bn.
Sustainability megatrends: Urbanisation, smart cities and the future of green business
edie's series of exclusive thought-leadership articles on the global impact of megatrends continues with PwC's director of cities and urbanisation, Dan Dowling, exploring how urbanisation and smart city growth can be a powerful force for sustainable development and shared prosperity, if it's managed correctly.
UK's planning system stifling circular economy progress, industry claims
An "outdated" culture within many of Britain's planning authorities is causing punitive delays to new waste management projects and the system must be improved in order to develop more sustainable business models shaped by the circular economy.
Riversimple success: Hydrogen carmaker exceeds £1m crowdfunding target
The world's only independent hydrogen fuel cell vehicle manufacturer, Welsh firm Riversimple, has exceeded its crowdfunding target of £1m which will enable the UK trial of innovative and affordable hydrogen cars.
Private sector funding for smart cities hindered by regulatory constraints, say experts
The private sector will have to mobilise "enormous" amounts of capital to help with the global smart cities transition, but nations must first address regulatory and institutional barriers to incentivise the movement.
Sustainability megatrends: The ever-changing landscape of population growth and social change
Next in edie's series of thought-leadership articles on the global impact of megatrends, Carillion's chief sustainability officer David Picton explores how businesses can adapt to the increasing challenges of demographic and social change at a time when populations are continuing to rise and people in all regions are living longer.
Uber expands London EV plans, despite 'woeful' charging infrastructure
EXCLUSIVE: Uber is taking steps to overcome the "economic disincentive" of using electric vehicles (EVs) in its fleet, by unveiling a new partnership with Nissan and beginning the construction of a network of chargers to combat London's "woefully inadequate" infrastructure.
Minister responds to fears over GIB restructuring
Business and energy minister Nick Hurd has written to the head of the Environmental Audit Committee to respond to concerns over the restructuring of the Green Investment Bank ahead of its sale.
National Grid exploring the potential of Artificial Intelligence to optimise renewables
The National Grid has confirmed that it is in the "earliest stages" of discussions exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which could potentially maximise the use of renewable energy by predicting peaks in demand across the UK.
New 'observatory' to uncover energy-efficiency improvements in Sheffield
The University of Sheffield will enlist sensors, thermal cameras, drones and balloons to scan the surrounding city for ways to monitor environmental impacts, improve energy savings and reduce heat loss.
Record-breaking offshore wind construction in 2016
Offshore windfarm construction in the UK hit a record level last year, according to new figures.
Lightbulb moment: UK streetlights get innovative green makeover
Streetlights connected to electricity networks in Kensington and Chelsea will now act as charge points for electric vehicles (EVs), while a Lanarkshire-based IT specialist has agreed to fund development of wind-harvesting lampposts in the UK.
Explanation demanded for GIB restructure
The chair of the Environmental Audit Committee has written to business and energy minister Nick Hurd to challenge government's plans to privatise the Green Investment Bank.
How innovation can provide a breath of fresh air for the UK's pollution woes
As part of edie's innovation month of editorial content, Matt Mace turns the spotlight to air quality, speaking with experts, innovators and incumbents about how innovation and new technology can alleviate spiralling pollution levels across the country.
Industrial Strategy green paper: A step in the right direction or too little, too late?
The Government has unveiled its much-anticipated Industrial Strategy, outlining plans to transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy. But does the green paper offer enough tangible evidence that we are on the best pathway to a low-carbon economy?
Government proposes Industrial Strategy to 'back Britain for the long-term'
Prime Minister Theresa May has vowed to "keep costs down for businesses" as she today (23 January) unveiled the Government's plans to deliver a wide-ranging Industrial Strategy, which will seek to to maximise the economic potential of a low-carbon transition.
Ford extends ride-sharing scheme as part of 'City of Tomorrow' vision
Motor giant Ford has outlined its vision for the 'City of Tomorrow', which utilises technologies such as drones and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance urban driving to lower air pollution, with the firm also extending its Chariot ride-sharing services to eight cities.
Renewables investment in UK will fall 95% over next three years - study
Investment in windfarms will fall off a "cliff edge" over the next three years and put the UK's greenhouse gas reduction targets at risk, according to a new analysis.
Milton Keynes announces £2.3m EV charging infrastructure expansion
One of the four UK cities set to act as a pioneer of green vehicle technology has agreed a new £2.3m contract to "significantly expand" the public charging network for electric vehicles (EVs) in the area.
Automotive giants team-up to create Europe's 'highest-powered' EV charging network
A host of the world's largest motor companies, including BMW, Volkswagen and Ford, have agreed to collaborate on the creation of Europe's highest-powered charging network to enable long-range travel for electric vehicles (EVs).
Government prepares for green transport revolution with EV and sustainable aviation frameworks
British transport is set for a significant low-carbon boost with several new Government consultations and funding schemed announced over the past few days in a bid to drive a green transport overhaul.
Work set to begin on pioneering green-gas-from-waste plant in Swindon
Work is set to begin on a pioneering gas from waste plant in Swindon following the completion of financing.
Scotland's EV charging point usage doubles in one year
Scotland's electric vehicle (EV) charging point usage in August 2016 was double that of last year's figures - as revealed by independent motoring charity the RAC foundation.
Sir David King: Businesses must ensure infrastructure investment is fit for purpose
EXCLUSIVE: The UK's Special Representative for Climate Change Sir David King has stressed the "critical" importance that the private sector matches the Government's climate obligations by investing in infrastructure "fit for purpose" in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Government can draw public towards electric cars, says Hyundai chief
EXCLUSIVE: Hyundai's UK chief executive Tony Whitehorn believes the Government can ignite a surge of public interest in electric and low-carbon vehicles by developing more infrastructure and implementing effective policy incentives that spark widespread behaviour change.
Consistent procurement critical to achieve circular construction, report claims
A collective, industry-led approach to procurement in the development of major infrastructure projects across the UK would help achieve a circular economy in the construction sector, a new report from a cross-sector group has found.
Government provides £35m funding boost for ultra-low emission vehicles
A £35m funding package to increase the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) has been announced by Transport Minister John Hayes.
REA calls for energy policy reform to unlock storage megashift
The UK has "multiple gigawatts" of energy storage capacity that is proposed or in the development pipeline, but this will fail to come to fruition without a joined-up and more supportive policy structure from Government, the Renewable Energy Association (REA) has claimed.
Laying the foundations for a more sustainable built environment
Kicking off edie's 'green buildings month' of editorial content, World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) chief executive Terri Wills argues it is time to change our perspectives on the buildings we use every day, and start seeing them as an integral part of the solution to global warming.
Tesla is building the world's largest energy storage system
Electric car and energy storage company Tesla has won the contract to design and build the largest lithium-ion battery in the world, as part of an energy storage upgrade for the US city of Los Angeles.
'Paradigm shift' to electric vehicles required to meet global climate targets
Zero-emission vehicles will need to hold a dominant automotive market share by 2035 for the Paris Agreement's global warming target of 1.5C to be truly achievable, research group Climate Action Tracker (CAT) has claimed.
UK businesses face increasing risk of drought, warns water sector
Companies are being called upon to ramp up water efficiency measures, share best practices and water consumption and open up new communication streams surrounding water conservation after a new report commissioned by water companies revealed the growing risk of drought facing the UK.
Britain is ready for the green bus transition, says Volvo Buses
The president of Volvo Buses believes an open standard that doesn't lock cities into contracts with individual suppliers could prove vital in accelerating the uptake of low-carbon buses across the country, and is calling on new stakeholders to engage in the conversation.
London's black cab drivers are ready to go green
London's taxi drivers are seemingly ready and willing to help tackle London's air quality crisis as a new survey reveals that 80% of them are interested in switching to new ultra-low emission vehicles for their work.
National Flood Resilience Review: Government recruits business leaders to design new defences
Defra is looking to take a cross-sector approach to protecting critical infrastructure through closer collaboration between water, telecoms and power companies, as the Government releases its much-anticipated National Flood Resilience Review.
Greg Clark: Britain's industrial strategy needs an upgrade fit for the future
Britain's industrial strategy will seek to provide easier routes to market for new business models and tap into the benefits of innovation and competition to allow for the creation of more sustainable products and services, Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark has said.
AECOM partners with University of Salford to fund sustainable infrastructure research
Environmental consultancy firm AECOM and the University of Salford have struck up a new partnership that aims to improve understanding of how major infrastructure programmes interact with the environment.
Electric cars could drive the future - but not without old-fashioned vehicles
Electric cars could take over most driving necessities tomorrow, according to a group of scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but they'll need the help of internal combustion engines to do it.
EV charging stations will overtake petrol stations by 2020
There will be more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations than petrol stations in the UK within four years, according to Japanese carmaker Nissan.
UK's smart city transition 'essential' to combating rising energy demand
A surge in urban expansion, economic growth and the integration of new technology will lead to UK cities embracing renewable energy sources as part of a transition to smart cities, in order to cope with growing energy demand.
PAS 2080: Construction industry welcomes new guidance on carbon reduction in infrastructure
UK construction firms have praised the release of a new common framework for reducing carbon emissions when delivering infrastructure projects, which could mark a "key step-change" in supply chain sustainability.
London sets the benchmark for mobilising climate finance
A new report has praised London for its ability to mobilise climate finance, and has called on global cites to turn to the private sector in order to invest the necessary $57trn in infrastructure to transition to a low-carbon economy.
Is Leeds ready to become the UK's 'Hydrogen city' hub?
A new report has proposed that the city of Leeds should convert its gas grid to an all-hydrogen version by 2030 in order to test the viability of using hydrogen to help meet national carbon reduction targets.
Scottish Government announces £20m investment for low-carbon infrastructure projects
A working coalition between the Scottish Government, public agencies and sector specialists has today (11 June) announced the launch of funding support aimed at the delivery of large scale transformational low-carbon infrastructure projects based in Scotland.
Felipe Calderón: Universal carbon pricing and green bonds needed to entice investors
Former President of Mexico and chair of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate Felipe Calderón has called for a universal carbon pricing mechanism to promote private investment in low-carbon technologies and "get the job done" following the Paris Agreement.
UKGBC to create sustainable exemplar for built environment through headquarters retrofit
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has unveiled the blueprints for the refurbishment of its London headquarters, which attempts to outline the feasibility of sustainable initiatives in the built environment.
REA to support ultra-low emission vehicles through new sector group
The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has unveiled a new sector group to represent members across the transport, energy and technology sectors as part of a wider effort to deliver a sustainable transition to low-emission vehicle uptake in the UK.
Is biofuel production the long-term answer to enhancing food security?
With the United Nations calling for countries to mobilise efforts to improve food and energy security, new research has suggested that an accelerated push to generate sustainably sourced biofuel could actually eradicate long-term hunger.
IEA: Cities must lead the global decarbonisation process
With two-thirds of the growth in global final energy demand expected to come from urban areas in emerging and developing economies by 2050, a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) has called on cities to play a "leading role" in the global low-carbon transition.
Energy generation in space will 'save' the world, says Jeff Bezos
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has outlined the future for his ongoing space exploration ambitions, which could see Earth "saved" by building around-the-clock solar factories in space that would replace energy-intensive manufacturing sectors.
Waste industry calls for 'urgent Government intervention' to drive UK circular economy
Whilst UK recycling rates continue to creep upwards, "urgent Government intervention" is needed to create a more resilient waste collection system that transforms the nation into a world-leader when it comes to waste and resource management.
Coalition for Urban Transitions launched to accelerate global climate commitments
A new coalition consisting of 83 affiliated cities, a global economic commission and the Word Resources Institute (WRI) was launched on Thursday (5 May), with the aim of using metropolitan areas as an "evidence base" to highlight the sustainable climate solutions available to policy makers.
Policies 'getting in the way' of green building design, construction giant warns
EXCLUSIVE: The implementation of efficient and sustainable building practices is being hindered by Government and Mayoral politics which are attempting to "promise the Earth" rather than incentivising the built environment, infrastructure and construction firm AECOM has claimed.
Volvo's driverless cars are heading for London to reduce pollution
Swedish car manufacturer Volvo Cars has revealed it will be trialling an ambitious autonomous driving (AD) system in the UK next year, representing the "largest and most extensive AD testing programme on Britain's streets".
Scrapping Hinkley for renewable alternatives will save 'tens of billions'
Scrapping plans for new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point in Somerset and building huge amounts of renewable power instead would save the UK tens of billions of pounds, according to an analysis that compares likely future costs.
London a 'victim of its own success' as environmental performance wanes
The city of London is at risk of becoming a 'victim of its own success', with aging infrastructure and a lack of investment into renewables doing nothing to ease the burden of a rapidly growing population, a new report has found.
Treasury insists low investor confidence is due to volatile energy prices
Low investor confidence in the UK energy sector is more due to "staggering volatility" of energy prices than Government policy on low-carbon, the Treasury has said.
Hyundai races past records for hydrogen fuel range
Hyundai has broken two world records in an attempt to showcase the capabilities of its hydrogen fuel cell, in the same week that fellow South Korean carmaker KIA announced one of its electric vehicles will travel 2,500 miles across England and Ireland in a single journey.
UPS calls for 'level playing field' of low-emission fleets
EXCLUSIVE: Packaging and transportation giant UPS has called on the UK Government to create a 'level playing field' by allowing the transport sector to create a better support system for vehicle electrification and enable more investment into biofuels.
UK's fastest energy storage system connects to grid
Energy giant E.ON has teamed up with a group of universities to create and connect a giant battery-based energy storage research facility to the grid, in a move that has created one of the largest and fastest energy storage facilities in the UK.
Northern Powerhouse must lead clean energy revolution, Chancellor told
Chancellor George Osborne is being urged to fire up his ailing Northern Powerhouse agenda and transform the region into a global clean energy hub, ahead of the Budget next week.
Volvo joins carmakers' call to standardise electric car charging
A global standard for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is "sorely needed" as the last piece in the jigsaw to cement the rising popularity of EVs, Swedish car manufacturer Volvo has claimed.
Infrastructure Commission calls for raft of changes to UK energy policy
The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has called for a raft of regulatory changes to create a level playing field that would allow energy storage and demand flexibility to ensure security in the UK's future low-carbon energy system.
CBI: Infrastructure Commission needs 'strong teeth' to deliver low-carbon future
The long-term future of the UK is at risk of being "way-laid by politics" if the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) doesn't deliver a fully integrated, low-carbon future that mitigates the impact of climate change, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has warned.
Green and pleasant land: How the National Trust is making sustainability beautiful
In 1895, the National Trust was established to preserve Britain's heritage and open spaces. More than 120 years later, these areas need protecting from an even greater threat. The iron claws of urbanisation and the industrial revolution have slowly receded, replaced by the icy fangs of climate change.
Electric cars will represent 35% of all car sales by 2040
Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) look set to sky-rocket over the next 25 years with Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) predicting that, by 2040, they will represent 35% of all new car sales.
Auto industry pushes £500bn road maintenance plan as 'green' initiative
Europe's car industry has suggested that the continent's entire road network be resurfaced at a cost of hundreds of billions of euros as a "climate initiative" so that it does not need to make mandatory car emissions cuts by 2030.
Tesla and Google lead the way in electric vehicle infrastructure push
Global innovators Tesla and Google have announced plans to accelerate the growth of commercial electric vehicles (EVs) by launching new schemes aimed at increasing the infrastructure options available to consumers.
Ireland's national stadium goes 100% renewable for Six Nations
Aviva stadium, home of the Ireland rugby team will be fully powered by renewable energy for the upcoming 2016 Six Nations tournament, becoming the first stadium in the competition to be so.
Circular dreams: Tetra Pak's quest for a resource revolution
With recent reports revealing the enormity of the plastic waste challenge, the need for business-led action has never been clearer. Here, edie reporter Matt Mace pays a visit to Tetra Pak's headquarters in Sweden, where the packaging company is embarking on an ambitious mission to drive a global circular economy.
Paris goals will cost $12 trillion, says Bloomberg
More than $12trn will need to be invested in new renewable power generation over the next 25 years to achieve the climate goals laid out in the Paris agreement, according to a new report from research group Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) and sustainability non-profit Ceres.
Anglian Water eyes low-carbon concrete as building block of sustainable transition
Anglian Water has become the first water company to trial a new environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional concrete.
Business leaders call for fresh green infrastructure insight
Green Alliance and National Grid are among a clutch of business and environmental groups that have launched a national consultation asking for insights on the UK's future infrastructure needs and how they could be met.
National Infrastructure Commission sees energy storage as 'key part' of UK energy future
The head of the newly-established National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has revealed he considers energy storage a key part of Britain's future energy network.
Are Uber and Lyft helping or hurting the environment?
Are on-demand ride services like Uber and Lyft good or bad for the environment? It's an increasingly urgent question as the services proliferate, but the answer is currently unclear .
RE100 companies halfway to 100% renewable target
The 53 companies that have signed up to the RE100 pledge to source 100% renewable energy are on average, halfway to their goals, a new report by The Climate Group and CDP shows.
UK's largest energy storage project hums into life
Global power company AES has announced completion of the UK's largest battery energy storage array.
UK low-emission vehicles secure largest-ever market share
Sales of alternatively-fuelled vehicles (AFVs) rose more than 40% in the UK last year, gaining a largest ever market share of 2.8%.
Scotland urged to exploit 'virtual power plants' through demand response
Green groups, opposition parties and renewable energy industry bodies have unanimously called on the Scottish Government to embrace 'demand response' energy efficiency measures in favour of building more costly and dirty fossil fuel power stations.
16 New Year's resolutions for the green economy in 2016 - Part one
If we can carry the positive momentum of Paris into the New Year and achieve just a few of the resolutions set out in this list, then 2016 could be the green economy's best year yet.
Government offers financial aid for flood-hit areas
Communities Secretary Greg Clark has announced that financial assistance will be made available to areas of the UK affected by flooding in the wake of Storm Desmond.
GIB backs £10bn green projects in three years
In the last three years, the UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) has committed £2.3 billion to 58 green infrastructure projects with a total value of £10.1 billion, making it the most active investor in the UK's renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.
Packing power: The growth and opportunities of energy storage
The recent surge of new energy storage solutions shows no sign of abating with Tesla's Powerwall coming soon in the UK. But what are the potential implications for sustainability professionals?
Britain must prioritise and invest in natural capital, says Aldersgate Group
A major new report released today (17 November) calls on the UK Government to support businesses investing in natural capital by improving policy integration to reduce costs and promote growth.
The future is here: mass-market hydrogen cars take to Britain's roads
The first mass production hydrogen cars, billed for more than a decade as a clean alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles but only glimpsed as concepts at automotive trade shows, have arrived on British roads.
Scotland set for world's largest floating offshore wind farm
The Scottish Government has granted consent for the world's largest floating offshore wind farm to be developed off the coast of Peterhead.
Britain's forests, soil and rivers worth £1.6tn, says environment secretary
Britain's forests, soil and rivers are worth at least £1.6tn and should be quantified in the same way as the country's man-made infrastructure, environment secretary Liz Truss has said
€2m project to boost recovery of raw materials from e-waste
A new EU-funded project aims to explore the commercial opportunities for harvesting critical raw materials and precious metals from unwanted electronic products.
UK firms ignoring £7bn of natural capital benefits
Businesses and landowners could be missing out on a £7bn windfall by ignoring the natural capital potential of their land, according to new analysis by infrastructure services firm Aecom.
Airlines call on governments to 'complement' climate action
Twenty-eight chief executives and aviation association leaders have penned an open letter to global governments urging them to commit to a joint approach to help deliver emissions reductions across the sector.
Unilever unveils innovation competition winners
The development of modular water sanitation infrastructure; an iron-deficiency educational programme and a water-saving shower have been announced as the three winning ideas from Unilever's global innovation crowdsourcing campaign.
Hydrogen coalition launches EU-wide EV project
Hydrogen mobility innovators from across Europe have formed a new coalition to deploy 200 fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV); 125 extended-range electric vans and 29 Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRS) in 10 EU countries.
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