Green innovation
Related content
Autonomous farming and AI-enabled energy trackers: The best green innovations of July 2020
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 five of the best from July 2020.
Fresh government funding for animal feed made from captured CO2
The UK Government has unveiled a £24m funding pot for innovations aimed at transforming the food system, including a project using captured CO2 to manufacture animal feed, amid fresh warnings of agriculture's links to illegal deforestation.
Amazon starts sourcing bio-jet fuel in drive to slash air cargo emissions
Amazon's air cargo arm has signed a deal to source six million gallons of bio-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as the e-commerce giant works towards its 2040 net-zero target.
IEA: Most technologies needed to achieve net-zero aren't yet mature
Some 75% of the emissions reductions necessary to meet net-zero are dependent on technologies which have not yet reached commercial maturity, new analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA) has found.
One Young World: Business giants invest £500k in SDG-aligned innovations
AstraZeneca, Deloitte and BP are among a cohort big-name businesses to have jointly unveiled £500,000 of grant funding for young innovators working on projects driving progress towards the aims of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
'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.
John Lewis Partnership to build bio-methane refuelling station at UK HQ
Building on a pledge convert its 600-strong fleet of diesel delivery trucks to be powered by bio-methane by 2028, John Lewis Partnership is building a biomethane filling station at its Bracknell headquarters.
Adidas and Allbirds to develop sports shoes with 'lowest recorded' carbon footprint
Sporting giant Adidas has teamed up with shoe brand Allbirds to develop solutions that would create one of the lowest carbon footprints ever recorded for a sports shoe.
#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.
Coronavirus and globalisation: What next for supply chain sustainability?
Covid-19 has brought global economies to a standstill and knocked the confidence in global and connected trade. Would businesses benefit from pivoting to more localised value chains, or do global supply chains enable a global shift towards a climate-resilient future?
Carbon pricing, flexibility and scaling-up hydrogen: UK energy sector unveils net-zero innovation plans
The body representing the UK's electricity and gas transmission and distribution sector has set out its plans for reaching net-zero by 2050, concluding that this ambition will only be achieved if a "whole-systems" approach to transformation is adopted.
Lucozade Ribena Suntory gets go-ahead for edible seaweed sachets in gym vending machines
Following a successful pilot at races in 2018, Lucozade Ribena Suntory (LRS) is trialling drinks housed in plastic-free, edible seaweed-based sachets in vending machines in gyms.
Solar planes and IBM's seawater batteries: The best green innovations of February 2020
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 February 2020.
New CCUS project to turn biomass emissions into plastic products
Drax Group is set to pilot technology which will see carbon emissions captured from its biomass plant in Yorkshire and used to displace oil in the production of plastics.
UK's first 'smart' commercial hub signs 50-year clean energy innovation deal with E.ON
The developers of what purports to be the UK's first "smart" commercial campus have singed a 50-year deal with E.ON, that will see the utility giant develop, test and scale-up clean energy solutions in the west country.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation unveils 'landmark' digital tool to help businesses track circular economy progress
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has today (14 January) launched a new digital tool which enables businesses of all sizes and sectors to measure their contribution to the circular economy and identify ways in which to close the loop further.
Horizon scanning: Eight innovations set to shake-up sustainability in 2020
The past 12 months proved to be an exciting time for green innovation, with new products and systems emerging and scaling amid a backdrop of climate protests. Here, edie scans the horizon for innovations that could transform sustainability in 2020.
Veganuary: Fast food giants launch plant-based meals as red meat sales plummet
Food-to-go giants including Greggs, KFC and McDonald's have all launched new plant-based options to mark Veganuary, after supermarkets recorded a plunge in meat sales which looks set to continue into 2020.
Earthshot Prize: Royals aim to spur 'decade of action to repair planet'
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have partnered with Sir David Attenborough to launch the 'Earthshot Prize' - a new fund for individuals and organisations working to restore the environment.
Zero-carbon ships 'on the horizon' under fuel levy plan
Shipping companies would have to pay a small levy on every tonne of fuel they use under proposals aimed at developing zero-carbon vessels within 10 years, transforming the high-carbon global shipping business.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Charlie Jardine, EO Charging
This 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: Charlie Jardine, founder and chief executive of EO charging.
Iceland slashes plastics packaging across Christmas range by 97%
Iceland has claimed that its Christmas range of food and drinks for 2019, which includes 18 plastic-free lines, contains 97% less plastic than its 2017 range.
Government-backed trial of biomethane trucks slashes emissions for Asda
The coalition of businesses leading a UK-wide trial of biomethane fuels for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), including Asda and Kuehne + Nagel, has revealed that the scheme mitigated the emission of 1,400 tonnes of CO2e over a two-year period.
Heineken to eliminate shrinkwrap and plastic rings from multipacks sold in the UK
Heineken has today (7 November) announced plans to remove all plastic shrinkwrap and rings from multipacks of beer and cider sold in the UK by the end of 2021.
Stella McCartney's fur-free fur and flying taxis: The top 10 green innovations of October 2019
Each month, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations that could help businesses and nations deliver on resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions and combat climate change emerge. Here, edie rounds-up nine of the best.
Sustainability 2.0 roundtable: What's stopping businesses from investing in green innovations?
In an era of unparalleled technological advancements - and with the UK's net-zero target looming - businesses of all sizes can reap rewards from investing in scalable technologies with positive social and environmental impacts. So, what's stopping UK plc identifying and investing in green innovations?
Survey: Brexit uncertainty halting sustainability investment
Almost a third of businesses claim to have delayed green innovation projects in the last 12 months due to the political uncertainty over Brexit, research from Schneider Electric has revealed.
Finisterre to switch from plastic bags to 'water-soluble' biodegradable alternative
Outdoor clothing brand Finisterre is set to achieve its ambition of eliminating all plastics packaging which is neither reusable nor biodegradable, after investing in bags which naturally break down in soil and in water.
Zero-emission planes and boats that double as microgrids: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: Circular Economy Innovation - Yellow Octopus Fashion
With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Circular Economy Innovation Award, Yellow Octopus Fashion.
Asda pilots plastic-free innovation in fight against food waste
Asda is trialling an innovative new material which could help mitigate the need for plastic food packaging, without leading to an increase in food waste.
Shellfish 'plastics' and hydrogen-powered gin: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
Beyond Meat: Lewis Hamilton and KFC wade into alternative protein market
Fast-food chain KFC's trial of vegan nuggets sold out in just five hours, while British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has announced the launch of a plant-based burger chain across the globe.
SAP's app against poverty and self-charging EVs: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: Product Innovation - Nutreco and Skretting
With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Sustainability Product Innovation of the Year award, Nutreco and Skretting.
Edible drinks bottles backed by Government funding
Oohos, the edible, plastic-free packaging capsules trialled by companies such as Lucozade Ribena Suntory, have received more than £300,000 in Government funding that will help boost daily manufacturing outputs.
Unilever's vegan mayonnaise and 'smart' e-bikes: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
Biodegradable bottles and plastic-free microbeads: The 10 innovations backed by Sky Ocean Ventures
Sky's Ocean Ventures arm has selected 10 innovations - all designed to combat marine plastics pollution - to receive a share of a £6m impact investment fund.
Nestle's biodegradable breakthrough and water ATMs: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
Microplastic filters and Tesla's 'Megapacks': The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
The climate FaceApp alternative and Tesla's superchargers: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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 five of the best.
Napapijri showcases fully recyclable jacket made from discarded fishing nets
Fashion brand Napapijri has unveiled a fully recyclable jacket made from discarded fishing nets and fabric scraps from mills and carpets.
Lush debuts 'carbon-positive' packaging
Health and beauty retailer Lush has unveiled what it claims is the world's first 'carbon-positive' packaging.
Plastic-free fruit labels and electric 'hypercars': The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
Unilever: Innovation is the 'cornerstone' to plastics reduction
EXCLUSIVE: Product and systems innovations will be a "key cornerstone" in meeting Unilever's five-point plastics reduction strategy, which champions behaviour change and total phase-outs where possible alongside incremental reductions.
Unilever's refills and the 'world's first' 100% recycled hoodie: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
edie's Plastics Thinkathon: Six moonshot business ideas that could eliminate single-use plastics
With businesses continuing to make plastic-reduction commitments in the face of ever-growing stakeholder pressure, edie recently hosted a 'Plastics Thinkathon' to spur collaborative action on achieving a single-use plastic-free future, today. Here, we round up the potentially transformational results.
Energy management design sprint (Part One): How to unlock innovation in your business
In the first of a special two-part feature, edie reveals the results of two full-day workshops which applied principles of 'design thinking' to the role of the energy manager. Here, we summarise our first workshop, which explored how this group can harness energy innovations.
Sandvik: Employees are 'crucial' for embedding sustainability
EXCLUSIVE: As it develops a roadmap for its ambitious new 2030 targets on carbon and resources, engineering giant Sandvik's group head of sustainability believes that input from employees will be "crucial" for making the shifts needed to align with the Paris Agreement.
IHG taps into AI technology in bid to slash food waste by 30%
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is using artificial intelligence (AI) technology across its restaurant and bar operations in a bid to achieve a 30% reduction in food waste.
Bio-solar 'leaves' and electric ice cream vans: The best green innovations for Clean Air Day
To mark Clean Air Day (20 June), edie has rounded up some of the best innovations being explored by companies across the globe to help tackle the environmental and health impacts of air pollution.
Tarmac's recycled asphalt and Unilever's plastic-free boxes: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
Fish scale plastics and lifts which store energy: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
H&M's orange peel dresses and Waitrose's 'invisible' door: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
'Eco' blocks and 'super' crops: The best green innovations of the week
Eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations that could help businesses and nations accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy are emerging every week. Here, edie rounds-up six of the best.
LIVE Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Unlocking innovation in sustainability and energy
Day Two of edie Live saw the second LIVE broadcast of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast, this time focusing on unleashing the power of innovation with industry experts from Heathrow, AB Sugar, Yellow Octopus Fashion and Mitie Energy.
Circular economies and scenario analysis: How Rolls Royce is innovating for zero-carbon operations
EXCLUSIVE: As the UK Government mulls over whether to adopt a 2050 target for net-zero carbon emissions, engineering and aerospace giant Rolls Royce is going beyond the "low-hanging fruit" as it continues on its pathway to zero-carbon operations by 2030.
Hydrogen storage 'sponges' and 'infinitely' recyclable plastic: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
Bioreefs and plastic-free periods: Waitrose announces winners of £1m plastic challenge
A "bioreef" of mussels, an initiative that tackles ghost fishing gear and a behaviour change campaign that reduces plastic pollution from period products are among the winners of Waitrose & Partners' £1m plastic pollution innovation challenge.
Solar car with range of 'up to 800km' to launch next month
Dutch electric vehicle (EV) startup Lightyear has confirmed that it will unveil a prototype of the world's first long-range solar-powered passenger car next month, claiming that the vehicle will have a range of up to 800km (497 miles).
Innovation shift: Why radical change must focus on entire value chains
Current efforts to introduce new waves of innovation that address key climate issues need to be "scientific, scalable and systemic" with a focus on industry-wide collaboration, according to the chief executive of a corporate system's accelerator aiming to transform sustainability across 10 industry value chains.
Tesla's extended range EVs and off-grid treehouses: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
Closing at 5pm: Energy managers called upon to take edie's 'Business Barometer' survey
edie is calling on all UK-based energy managers and practitioners to take a new industry survey which will help to inform an exclusive 'Business Barometer' being developed to identify key energy trends and opportunities.
Algae carbon capture and lobster protein plastic: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
Algae-boosted solar panels and floating cities: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, 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.
UK water firms join global funding alliance helping sector to champion green innovation
UK-based water companies Severn Trent and United Utilities are among a group of 10 global water firms to have jointly launched a new innovation fund aimed at supporting green solutions to the sector's biggest sustainability challenges.
Burger King's meat-free Whopper and bendy electric buses: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations are being developed to help businesses and nations turn energy and sustainability ambitions into actions. Here, we round up six of the best.
Virtual power plants and 'super hubs': Four smart UK energy systems projects launched by Claire Perry
Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry has today (3 April) launched four smart energy systems demonstrator projects across the UK, in a bid to help towns and cities become "hubs" to spur the low-carbon transition across the electricity, heat, cooling and transport sectors.
Rolls-Royce and ABB partner to develop microgrid solution for business
Rolls-Royce's Power Systems arm has secured a partnership with robotics and technology firm ABB, which will see the companies collaboratively developing a new microgrid solution for commercial and industrial applications.
Cheese waste vodka and EV battery recycling: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations are being developed to help businesses and nations turn energy and sustainability ambitions into actions. Here, we round up six of the best.
NASA-certified showers and AI-enabled bins: The best green innovations of the week
Each week, many eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations emerge that could help businesses and nations accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy. And each week, edie rounds-up six of the best.
Ikea's solar blockchain and autonomous electric trucks: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations are being developed to help businesses and nations turn energy and sustainability ambitions into actions. Here, we round up six of the best.
Ikea creates blockchain solution to "democratise" renewable energy
Plans have been created by furniture giant Ikea's innovation lab Space 10 to develop a blockchain-powered solar microgrid.
Squid protein plastics and carbon capture breakthroughs: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations are being developed to help businesses and nations turn energy and sustainability ambitions into actions Here, we round-up six of the best from the past seven days.
SC Johnson launches industry-first 100% ocean plastic bottle
Home cleaning product manufacturer SC Johnson has developed the industry's first plastic bottle made entirely from recycled ocean plastic for its Windex cleaning brand.
Closed-loop solution for black plastics receives £800,000 Government backing
A project aimed at creating a solution for hard-to-recycle black plastic that places recycled content into food-grade packaging has been awarded £800,000 under the UK Government's Innovate UK grant scheme, in order to bring the technology to market.
edie's Plastics Thinkathon results (Part Two): Solving the behaviour change challenge
With businesses continuing to develop plastic-reduction strategies in the face of ever-growing stakeholder pressure, edie recently hosted the world's first 'Plastics Thinkathon' to co-create scalable solutions to the issue. In the final part of this feature, Sarah George reveals the results to tackling behaviour change.
Ikea's air-purifying curtains and solar space stations: The best green innovations of the week
Each week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations that could help businesses and nations deliver on resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions and combat climate change emerge. And each week edie rounds-up six of the best.
Waitrose installs Formula One technology to boost energy savings from fridges
Supermarket Waitrose & Partners is set to install innovative technology inspired by Formula One race cars across its stores, in a move it claims will reduce the energy consumption of its refrigerators by up to 25%.
edie's Plastics Thinkathon results (Part One): The Lazy Lunch and shampoo bars
With businesses continuing to make plastic-reduction pledges in the face of ever-growing stakeholder pressure, edie recently hosted the world's first 'Plastics Thinkathon' to co-create scalable solutions to the issue. In this two-part feature, Sarah George reveals the potentially game-changing results.
Pollutant-trapping pavements and electric rickshaws: The best green innovations to tackle air quality
To coincide with the UK's Clean Air Summit, edie has rounded up some of the ground-breaking innovations being explored by companies across the globe as we look to tackle the dangers of air pollution.
Sky and National Geographic launch Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge
Broadcaster Sky has launched a one-year competition alongside National Geographic to uncover and support new solutions that can help tackle single-use plastics through a $1.5m (£1.1m) investment fund.
Printed solar panels and carbon capture breakthroughs: The best green innovations of the week
Each week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations that could help businesses and nations deliver on resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions and combat climate change emerge. And each week edie rounds-up six of the best.
Eggshell energy storage and lab-grown leather: The best green innovations of the week
Each week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations that could help businesses and nations deliver on resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions and combat climate change emerge. Here, edie rounds-up six of the best.
Selfridges launches insect-based food range as demand for sustainable protein grows
Department store Selfridges has unveiled plans to stock a range of insect-based snacks, in a bid to showcase the environmental and nutritional benefits of alternative proteins to UK customers.
Waitrose to invest £1m in innovative projects tackling plastic waste
Retailer Waitrose & Partners has today (28 January) launched a new £1m grant scheme which will funnel investment into projects and products aimed at tackling the global plastic pollution problem.
Insect-based pet food and blockchain apps: The best green innovations of the week
Each week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations that could help businesses and nations deliver on resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions and combat climate change emerge. Here, edie rounds-up six of the best.
Thinkathons and Hackathons: How new ways of thinking could solve the plastics problem
With awareness of plastic pollution at an all-time high, the onus is now on corporates to harness young and creative minds in innovative ways to solve the issue. Could 'Hackathons' and 'Thinkathons' hold the key?
Highland Spring rolls out UK's first 100% recycled water bottle
Scottish water brand Highland Spring has confirmed that it will make the UK's first water bottle made with 100% recycled plastic a permanent part of its range, following a successful trial.
Bubble barriers and 'naked' shampoo: Six of the best innovations for tackling plastics pollution
Following the launch of our Mission Possible Plastics Hub this week, edie has rounded up some of the ground-breaking innovations which could help businesses and nations ramp up their efforts to tackle the perils of plastic pollution, once and for all.
edie opens applications for 'Plastics Thinkathon' at Sustainability Leaders Forum
Sustainability, energy and resource efficiency professionals are being called upon to help businesses collectively solve the problem of plastics pollution by taking part in a unique 'Plastics Thinkathon' on the sidelines of edie's Sustainability Leaders Forum in London next month.
Hydrogen bikes and electric 'delivery dogs': The best green innovations of CES 2019
From big-name corporates to tiny startups, this week saw more than 4,500 firms showcase their newest tech-based innovations to a crowd of thousands at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Here, edie rounds some of the displays that could have the biggest sustainability impacts.
Mars upscales trials of innovative device which 'rebuilds' coral reefs
Mars has unveiled plans to scale up trials of an innovative technology which 'rebuilds' coral reefs, after partnering with Australia's James Cook University to launch a string of tropical habitat restoration programmes.
VW unveils mobile charging station using second-life EV batteries
Volkswagen (VW) has unveiled a glimpse of what it claims is the "first power bank for the e-car", a mobile rapid charger consisting of second life electric vehicle (EV) batteries that can charge up to four vehicles simultaneously.
Horizon scanning: Nine innovations set to shake-up sustainability in 2019
Over the past 12 months, countless innovations which could help businesses and nations deliver on resource and carbon commitments have emerged. Here, edie rounds up nine key products and concepts that could transform sustainability in 2019.
The best green innovations of 2018: VOTE for your favourite
From flying taxis and hydrogen-powered HGVs, to seaweed sachets and plastic-eating enzymes, edie rounds up 10 of 2018's biggest green innovations - but which was your favourite?
Sugarcane shoes and silicon energy storage: The best green innovations of the week
A number of eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations have emerged that could help businesses and nations deliver on resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions and combat climate change. Here, edie rounds-up six of the best.
Carbon-negative fuel and coconut-based clothing: The best green innovations of the week
A number of eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations have emerged that could help businesses and nations deliver on resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions and combat climate change. Here, edie rounds-up six of the best.
3M commits to design all new products with 'built-in' sustainability value
Multinational consumer goods, healthcare and industry firm 3M has today (6 December) unveiled a new requirement for all products it releases from January 2019 to be designed with "sustainability value" built in.
World's first carbon-negative fuel set to be unveiled at COP24 Summit
A Swedish startup is set to unveil what it claims is the world's first carbon-negative fuel at the COP24 climate summit in Poland, in a bid to help nations decarbonise the hard-to-abate transport and heat sectors.
