Green innovation

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Virgin has said it will explore the feasibility of sourcing enough of the low-carbon fuel to power more of its long-haul routes

Virgin Atlantic to showcase low-carbon 'recycled' jet fuel next month

Virgin Atlantic has announced that it will use an innovative low-carbon jet fuel made from recycled waste gases to power one of its London to Florida flights in October.

This week's best innovations could drive significant change across the transport, renewable power and recycling sectors

Golden solar 'sandwiches' and flying electric taxis: The best green innovations of the week

A number of eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations have emerged that could help businesses and nations accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy. Here, edie rounds-up six of the best.

Stena Line has pledged to use AI across its entire fleet by 2021

First AI-assisted passenger boat sets sail to boost fuel efficiency

Ferry giant Stena Line has unveiled what it claims is the world's first passenger boat that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to determine the most fuel-efficient route.

A number of eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations aimed at tackling waste challenges have emerged recently

Seaweed-based bottles and food-saving filters: The best green innovations for Zero Waste Week

To mark Zero Waste Week (3-7 September), edie has rounded up some of the ground-breaking innovations being explored by companies across the globe as the focus on waste among consumers, politicians and the business community reaches a fever pitch.

UKGBC believes that innovative approaches are needed to help reduce emissions, waste and energy use in the construction sector

UKGBC launches sustainable innovation guide for built environment

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has launched an innovation manual to help companies working in the built environment sector put sustainability at the heart of their operations.

The innovations were judged as the best solutions to some of the key sustainability challenges facing the aviation sector

Heathrow to act as test bed for green corridors and plastic-waste roads

Heathrow Airport is set to install innovative road surfacing made from recycled plastic waste alongside "green corridors", after announcing the winners of its inaugural Sustainable Innovation Prize.

Machine makers are leading the way to low-carbon

With regulators and markets increasingly demanding the decarbonisation of high-emitting sectors, we are on the verge of a low-carbon industrial revolution. However, to get over the line the products and services supplied to these sectors need to transform.

edie has once again pulled the best innovation stories of the week into this neat and tidy little green package

Edible straws and ultra-fast EV chargers: 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.

AB InBev will announce the winners of its accelerator scheme in September during UN Climate Week

AB InBev unveils innovation accelerator for green startups

The owner of alcoholic brands including Corona, Stella Artois and Budweiser is calling on startups to join new innovation programme aimed at solving more than 100 sustainability challenges by 2025.

As noted in the University’s latest sustainability update, carbon emissions have been reduced by 47% since 2010 - surpassing a 43% target almost two years early

Why the University of London is crowdsourcing a zero-carbon target

EXCLUSIVE: The University of London is working on a full environmental strategy that will enable the campus to reach zero carbon emissions by 2036. To get there, it has called on leading universities to deliver a range of ideas and technologies as part of a "crowdsourcing" event.

The launch comes after an Iceland survey revealed that the majority of customers now avoid food and drink products made with synthetic ingredients

Iceland launches plastic-free chewing gum in UK first

Frozen food giant Iceland has today (August 1) launched a range of plastic-free chewing gum, making it the first supermarket in the UK to offer a biodegradable alternative.

A range of zero-emission passenger cars, buses, ride-sharing

Toyota to operate autonomous, zero-emission vehicles at 2020 Olympic Games

Toyota will provide more than 3,000 passenger vehicles for use at the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo and will use the events to showcase its latest innovations in zero-emissions and autonomous vehicles.

The sachets were created in partnership with packaging development company Skipping Rocks Lab

Just Eat trials seaweed sachets as alternative to single-use plastics

Online food ordering firm Just Eat has commenced a trial of compostable sachets made from seaweed, as part of an effort to reduce the amount of plastic used by its UK restaurant partners.

The money will fund a group of at up to 15 fellows to research potential SDG breakthroughs for three years

Unilever and Sainsbury's among funders for Prince of Wales SDG programme

More than a dozen big-name businesses, including Unilever, Asda and Sainsbury's, have teamed up to work on a Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) initiative to support progress towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Cargill hopes the winning innovations can be scaled up and commercialised to drive sector-wide change

Cargill launches innovation competition to cut shipping sector emissions

Food and agricultural company Cargill has called on businesses to innovate, develop and scale new technologies with the potential to reduce the shipping sector's gross CO2 emissions by 10%.

The innovation could help plant waste be re-purposed into resources for countless industries

Scientists create 'promiscuous' enzyme that turns plant waste into sustainable products

Scientists have created a new family of enzymes which break down plant waste into high-grade, high-value materials that can be converted into nylon, plastics and biofuels.

'Promiscuous' enzymes and fjord-cooled data centres: The best green innovations of the week

Pivot Power aims to have operational batteries at 10 of the 45 sites, which are all near towns and major roads, within the next 18 months

UK to host world's first battery and rapid EV charging network

The world's first 2GW network of grid-scale batteries and rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is set to be installed in the UK at a cost of £1.6bn, as the result of a partnership announced today by the National Grid and Pivot Power.

The 10 innovations explored in the report are being showcased in the dedicated Mission Possible Innovation Centre at edie Live 2018

Bright ideas: edie explores 10 of the best green innovations in latest insight report

From perovskite solar cells to waste-sucking rubbish bins, edie's latest report profiles 10 potentially game-changing green innovations, which will also be showcased in the Mission Possible Innovation Centre at edie Live next week (22-23 May)

The new method involves heating the brew to below boiling point and then blowing nitrogen or CO2 into the tank to create bubbles without changing the taste

World's largest brewer develops greener way to put bubbles in beer

The world's largest brewer is rolling out what it claims is a greener way to put bubbles in beer and reduce its CO2 emissions by 5%.

Built-in watering and Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring mean it is largely self-sustainable

The Crown Estate deploys London's first air purifying CityTree

An outdoor "living wall" with an air purifying capability of 275 natural tress that can reduce harmful pollutants by up to 30% had been launched by The Crown Estate near Piccadilly Circus.

The webinar, hosted in association with EnerNOC, will incorporate a live audience Q&A involving the three speakers

Taking place on Tuesday: Live energy innovation webinar

Energy experts from Aggregate Industries and Oxford University are among the confirmed speakers for a live, interactive webinar taking place on Tuesday 20 March which will focus on delivering the smart grid of the future, today.

The tyre concept also features a non-pneumatic construction that has been 3d-printed with rubber powder from recycled tyres

Moss-covered recycled tyre combats air pollution on the go

One of the world's largest tyre companies has unveiled a new prototype for a recycled tyre that uses moss to clean the air as it drives, while also generating electricity to power added sensors and processing units.

The report investigates what must happen next to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, resource-efficient business models within the public sector

Public-sector sustainability: edie launches latest sector insight report

The key drivers, challenges and opportunities facing sustainable business in the UK public sector are revealed in edie's latest sector insight report, published today (28 February).

Six finalists will be selected to give a 10-minute pitch to a judging panel consisting of Heathrow’s senior executives

Heathrow launches Sustainable Innovation Prize to assist expansion aims

UK businesses have been urged to support Heathrow Airport's expansion efforts by applying for a Sustainable Innovation Prize that addresses certain environmental challenges and uses the airport as a "live laboratory".

Taking the lead on energy: 10 business examples of low-carbon innovation

The global energy system is undergoing a radical transition. Renewable energy costs are tumbling and new approaches to energy management such as battery storage and demand response are offering new ways for organisations to operate more sustainably.

The Active Response project will mark the first time an electricity network can provide additional capacity, ahead of time, to areas that have extra demand to charge vehicles

Autonomous network project to facilitate UK electric vehicle demand

As a survey reveals that almost half of British companies are currently unwilling to invest in electric vehicles (EVs), UK Power Networks has unveiled a new initiative that could save parts of the UK £270m by 2030 by channeling spare capacity towards charging use.

With the average Londoner drinking 2.3 cups of coffee a day, more than 200,000 tonnes of waste is produced that would otherwise end up in landfill

London buses to be powered by waste coffee grounds

London buses will soon transport people around the capital using a fuel partly derived from waste coffee grounds, after Royal Dutch Shell and Bio-bean agreed a deal with Transport for London (TfL).

As part of the Government’s commitment to energy innovation, it unveiled an £84m fund for artificial intelligence and robotics

UK Government backs 'virtual power plant' platform and robotics research

Battery developers Moixa has secured government funding to expand its flexible energy platform that transforms third-party batteries and electric vehicles (EVs) into "virtual power plants", while the UK Government has also unveiled an £84m fund for robotics and energy innovation.

Smurfit Kappa is is well on-track to supersede its 2020 target to slash overall emissions by a quarter

Innovative trucks help Smurfit Kappa slash supply chain emissions

Global packaging firm Smurfit Kappa has pioneered innovative new trucks which are claimed to have slashed emissions by 20% and reduced the number of annual trips by almost one-third.

edie Explains: Energy resilience

Energy resilience is about ensuring a business has a reliable, regular supply of energy and contingency measures in place in the event of a power failure.

The strategy captures 50 new measures to drive economic growth across the core pillars of the UK economy

From CCS to zero waste: Clean Growth Strategy to slash emissions and boost economic growth

The Government has unveiled its highly-anticipated Clean Growth Strategy, detailing how multi-billion-pound investments into low-carbon innovations and household energy-efficiency will push the UK towards its future carbon budgets.

The acquisition will see the start-up deliver a tailored app for Renault ZOE users

Renault's new smartphone app enables EV owners to source renewables from the grid

French car manufacturer Renault will launch a smart phone app that enables electric vehicle (EV) owners to map charging times to benefit from renewable energy and lower electricity consumption prices.

The plan will leverage an €18bn research and development investment, which will be backed by other investments from the Renault-Nissan alliance

Renault commits to electric and autonomous vehicles to drive sales growth

French car manufacturer Renault will tap into the electric vehicle (EV) and autonomous driving (AD) markets to help deliver annual revenues of more than €70bn by 2022, as part of the company's Drive the Future strategy.

In total, 73% feel that the technology can increase customer satisfaction, while 65% believe it could reduce a “future customer churn”

Utilities sector reaping the benefits of Artificial Intelligence

A new report has found that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is boosting job creation and profits in the utilities sector, while separate research suggests that there is "huge potential" for businesses to offer automated, smart technology as a product or service.

The announcement represents a quick transition into the EV market for JLR

Jaguar Land Rover will only produce electric vehicles from 2020

In the same week that it accelerated a commitment to reuse aluminium from end-of-life vehicles in new products, UK automotive manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced that from 2020 all new vehicle models will be electric.

Consumers will be able to visit the Windmill Bar during Carlsberg’s anniversary week in Copenhagen

Carlsberg celebrates its anniversary week with innovative zero-carbon windmill bar

Just two months on from its decision to pursue zero-carbon breweries, Carlsberg has built a zero-carbon "Windmill Bar", which harnesses wind and an exercise bicycle to reduce emissions.

DHL is the largest electric fleet operator in Germany, with more than 3,000 older StreetScooter models and 10,500 pedelecs currently utilised

First of many: DHL and Ford unveil new electric delivery van model

Delivery firm Deutsche Post DHL Group has today (16 August) kickstarted a new collaborative partnership with Ford that will place around 150 electric delivery vans into German delivery services in 2017.

TfL claims that the London fund will support innovative new approaches, such as using lampposts as charging stations

London boroughs to add 1,500 electric vehicle charging points

The Greater London Authority (GLA) and Transport for London (TfL) have allocated £4.5m to 25 London boroughs to roll-out 1,500 new charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) across the capital.

A more sustainable energy system is being driven by the rapidly improving economics of renewable power, supported by cost-effective energy storage and the emergence of electric vehicles

Energy industry must embrace '3D transition' to sustainable future, say former Big Six bosses

Britain's 'Bix Six' utility companies must rapidly adapt and find a new role in an energy system which is undergoing the "3D transition" of decarbonisation, digitisation and decentralisation, a new report by industry experts has concluded.

Interserve's head of sustainability and finance director Tim Haywood believes companies should look beyond the economic impacts of technology purchases to find solutions that offer wider benefits

Businesses must adapt sustainable finance models to prepare for innovation flood, says Interserve

Businesses must prepare for a "flood" of technological advances by adjusting the way they assess the non-financial impacts of low-carbon investments, according to construction firm Interserve's head of sustainability and group finance director Tim Haywood.

edie's Luke Nicholls (centre) discussed sustainable packaging with The Body Shop's Simon Locke (left) and Chris Davis (right) at the University of Brighton

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Designing for the future and adapting to global megatrends

The Body Shop heads back to its hometown of Brighton to host a sustainable design workshop, while the chief sustainability officer of United Technologies discusses how businesses are adapting to sustainability megatrends in this latest episode of the edie podcast.

The first batch of Tesla Model 3 electric cars are being delivered to employees at the firm's factory in Fremont, California

Model 3 launch: Everything you need to know about Tesla's mass-market electric car

As Tesla hands over the keys to the first customers of its new Model 3, edie rounds up the reported techs, specs and futuristic features of the electric car which looks set to revolutionise the global automotive industry.

The edie team looks forward to receiving your entries and welcoming you to the awards in January

edie's 2018 Sustainability Leaders Awards open for entries

Entries are now open for the 2018 Sustainability Leaders Awards, which recognise the incredible people, initiatives and products that are helping to deliver excellence within the green economy.

Interface's chief sustainability officer Erin Meezan (left) and environmentalist and author Paul Hawken (right) joined edie editor Luke Nicholls (centre) in London

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Rolling out the green carpet for Project Drawdown

edie visits the London showroom of carpet tile manufacturer Interface, where the firm's chief sustainability officer Erin Meezan is joined by environmentalist and author Paul Hawken to discuss the role of corporate sustainability in reversing global warming.

The investment will help further increase efficiency across the supply chain and support CCEP’s goal to reduce the carbon footprint of the drink in the consumer’s hand by one third by 2020

Coca-Cola European Partners cuts carbon with £39m automation investment

Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has announced a £39m automation investment which the bottling company claims will save 3,867 tonnes of CO2 a year.

The Energy Systems Catapult is receiving £9.8m for its smart systems and heat programme

BEIS to invest £35m in heat innovation projects

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is to invest £35m in two heat innovation projects centred around smart systems and hydrogen gas as alternatives to conventional gas-grid connected domestic heating.

We take a virtual-reality tour of the Amazon rainforest to discuss SC Johnson's plan to protect 10,000 acres of land through consumer engagement. Photo: Trond Larsen

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Under the canopy and what's all the hubbub?

The founder of behaviour change charity Hubbub discusses his mission to achieve a resource revolution, while US manufacturer SC Johnson takes us on a virtual reality tour of the Amazon rainforest as part of its latest CSR drive.

Proterra’s latest model, the Catalyst E2, can cover 350 miles on one charge

Al Gore and BMW back electric bus start-up

The corporate venture arm of BMW and the investment firm led by former US Vice President Al Gore have funnelled $55m towards Proterra, a company attempting to bring electric buses with a 350-mile range to the North American market.

The fund offers investment of £50-250,000 for “high-growth potential” sustainability businesses

Crowdfunding success for sustainability start-up fund

An investment fund for start-ups that support sustainability principles such as the circular economy has secured more than £1m after exceeding its original crowdfunding target by 22%.

PwC's central London office, which was recently refurbished to BREEAM 'outstanding' standards. Photo: PwC

In practice: PwC's new programme to drive responsible technology

With technological advances having an unprecedented impact on business operations, accountancy firm PwC has published a new responsible technology policy, setting out commitments and actions to ensure society can reap the benefits of the 'Fourth Industrial Revolution'.

PwC has established a series of commitments and actions that that will help showcase the positive role of technology, as well as mitigate potentially adverse social, ethical and environmental concerns

How digital technology can be a force for good in sustainability

Harnessing the digital technologies of the 'Fourth Industrial Revolution' will accelerate solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), PwC's head of corporate sustainability has claimed.

Since 1996, Interface has reduced its cradle-to-gate carbon emissions from products from an average of 20kg per square metre to around 7kg

Interface unveils 'carbon-negative' carpet tile prototype

Using innovative plant-derived materials, global flooring manufacturer Interface has unveiled a first-of-its-kind carpet tile with a negative carbon footprint.

BT's head of sustainable business policy Gabrielle Ginér met with edie's senior reporter Matt Mace at the telecoms company's London offices

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: In the green room with BT's Gabrielle Ginér

Welcome to the green room - edie's brand new interview hub for sustainability leaders, brought to you as part of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast. First to enter the green room is BT's head of sustainable business policy, Gabrielle Ginér.

Until now, landfill or burning were the only options for disposing of MDF, but MDF Recovery has developed a novel, proprietary process to recover wood fibre from the material

Test bed: Scaling up a world-first recycling solution for MDF

edie investigates the green business potential of breakthrough technologies and innovations in this new series of 'test bed' case studies. First up: a look at a world-first solution that creates a secondary material from recycled MDF boards, generating zero waste in the process.

edie editor Luke (right), senior reporter Matt (left) and reporter George (centre) recorded a special two-part episode of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast from the edie Live show floor

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: We're back! And we're LIVE from edie Live (Part 1)

The edie editorial trio of Luke, Matt and George have dusted off the podcast mic and returned for a special two-part episode of Sustainable Business Covered, bringing you an array of interviews with sustainability leaders from edie Live 2017.

As much as $80-120bn of plastic packaging material value is lost to the economy due to a linear, take-make-dispose value chain

Ellen MacArthur Foundation launches $2m innovation prize for ocean plastic solutions

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the Prince of Wales's International Sustainability Unit have today (18 May) launched a $2m innovation prize, calling on companies to create new ways of designing packaging that limits the amount of plastic polluting the oceans.

The megatrends featured within the report will be discussed in more detail at a free half-day conference taking place at edie Live on 24 May

Sustainability megatrends: edie explores the future of sustainable business

EXCLUSIVE: What will the world look like in five, 10, 50 or 500 years' time? That is the crucial question underpinning edie's latest in-depth report into five global megatrends that are shaping the future of corporate sustainability.

Waitrose rolls out Europe's first 500-mile biomethane trucks

As part of an ongoing transition towards alternatively- fuelled trucks and lower fleet emissions, Waitrose has spent the early months of 2017 trialling Europe’s first 500-mile biomethane trucks, with plans to scale-up the project over the coming years.

The Government has worked with businesses and academics to identify core industrial challenges that can be overcome through additional funding

EV batteries and robotics first in line for BEIS £1bn innovation fund

The UK Government has unveiled a £1bn investment fund for cutting-edge technologies such as self-driving vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI) and batteries for clean and flexible energy storage.

Astro Teller listed three innovations that he felt could lower emissions and drive a more convenient and resilient way of doing business

Three innovations that will accelerate climate action, according to Google's 'captain of moonshots'

The head of advanced technology firm 'X' - formerly called 'Google X' - has stressed that climate change is one of the biggest problems facing the planet, but one that offers businesses a key opportunity to scale-up clean technologies and green innovations to transition to a low-carbon economy.

edie has set up a quick, anonymous survey that allows you to put forward your views on the relationship between these five megatrends and sustainable business

Changing the world: How are these megatrends shaping the future of sustainable business?

Sustainability professionals are invited to take part in a short survey as part of edie's ongoing series of thought-leadership articles on sustainability megatrends, which will be compiled into an exclusive report and presented at the edie Live exhibition in May.

The Innovation Lab officially launched in December with a workshop aimed at identifying “breakthrough challenges” that would form the basis for nine-months of workshops and programmes

Carillion joins UK Green Building Council Innovation Lab

UK construction giant Carillion has become the latest partner of the UK Green Building Council's (UK-GBC) Innovation Lab, which aims to solve systemic challenges in the built environment through collaborative and sustainable innovation.

Reebok is already planning on composting the footwear once its older to help grow the next range of shoes

Reebok to 'grow' bio-based footwear

Fitness giant Reebok has announced a new product development initiative which will lead to the launch of footwear made from "things that grow" later this year.

Four of the innovations have been fast-tracked and are already testing on Cummins sites, and the remainder will be embedded within the next quarter

Cummins embeds new innovations to reduce key environmental footprints

Heat capturing equipment, food composting and algae tiles have been named amongst the innovations that could deliver costs savings of more than £640,000 while reducing key climate impacts for engine manufacturers Cummins.

Kering’s involvement with the launch follows its recent announcement of a three-pillar sustainability strategy

Kering named as founding partner for fashion innovation accelerator

Global luxury fashion group Kering has been announced as the first founding partner of a new innovation accelerator geared at invigorating sustainability within the fashion and apparel industries.

Silver lining: Businesses are switching back-end systems such as CRM, data and email servers to the cloud, which is leading to significant emissions reductions

Sustainability megatrends: The unstoppable force of technology and innovation

Continuing edie's series of thought-leadership articles on the global impact of megatrends, techUK's head of environment and compliance Susanne Baker discusses the importance of harnessing green innovations and technological breakthroughs to deliver a cleaner and more efficient world.

From autinomous drones to virtual reality experiences, the sheer pace and acceleration of technological advances is having a huge impact on sustainable business

Sustainability megatrends: technological innovations for the earth

Continuing edie's series of thought-leadership articles on the global impact of megatrends, PwC's sustainability and climate Change partner Celine Herweijer explores how green innovations and technological breakthroughs are driving the fourth Industrial Revolution.

Although the discussions are still in the early stages, DeepMind believes that predictive machine learning could boost the use of renewables by more accurately predicting demand and supply

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.

The Halo capsules can discarded in home food bins when used, with each capsule biodegrading completely within three months. Photo Halo Coffee

Could this compostable coffee capsule solve the great circular economy challenge?

As the coffee cup recycling debate continues to grab national headlines, a new eco-innovation has launched which could set a new standard for another key circular economy conundrum: non-biodegradable coffee capsules.

Ford envisions a time where autonomous vans can transport deliveries on the ground, before drones pick up the packages for the “final leg” of the journey

Drones and autonomous vehicles: Can Ford’s delivery vision take flight?

As online shopping becomes the norm, retailers are casting eyes to the emissions of the fleets that transport goods around the country, but could electric and autonomous driving and drones act as a viable method to transport deliveries? Ford seems to think so.

Registration is now open for the UK's leading event for sustainability, energy and resource efficiency professionals

edie Live 2017: Speakers and sessions revealed

The show content for edie Live 2017 has been confirmed with more than 100 expert speakers appearing across four seminar theatres for the two-day exhibition in May.

Megatrends: The game-changers that are shaping the future of sustainable business

What will the world look like in five, 10, 50, or 500 years' time? It's a question that ultimately underpins the raison d'etre of corporate sustainability. But a definitive answer can be incredibly difficult, and in some instances impossible, to be sure of.

Trials for the charging lamps are underway, while wind-harvesting technology has been backed by a new partnership

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.

In future, other Ikea products such as the REINSVOLL wardrobe doors, set to launch in August 2017, will feature the recyclable foil

Ikea launches kitchen range made from recycled plastic bottles

The world's biggest furniture retailer Ikea has launched a new range of kitchen fronts made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles and reclaimed wood, eliminating the need for virgin oil-based plastics in the range.

Covestro develops insulation foam capable of saving around 70 times more energy across the lifetime of the product

Closed-loop carbon: Where does CO2 fit within a low-carbon economy?

EXCLUSIVE: Businesses need to stop "demonising" carbon and should instead treat it as a valuable raw material that can enhance product specifications and cut key environmental footprints if treated correctly, a sustainability expert has said.

The Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Episode 19 - Inside The Body Shop's innovation lab

Rounding off a packed month of innovation-themed content, edie takes the Sustainable Business Covered podcast to Croydon to bring you an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of The Body Shop's new innovation laboratory.

Riversimple's founder Hugo Spowers (right) explains his hydrogen vehicle blueprints to BNEF's Michael Wilshire, CCC chair Lord Deben and motoring broadcaster Amanda Stretton

Vehicle manufacturers lack incentive to promote efficiency, says Riversimple

The decarbonisation of the transport sector hinges on the ability to "make efficiency profitable" rather than overcoming technological barriers, the founder of Welsh hydrogen car manufacturer Riversimple has claimed.

Cat Hirst (centre) believes innovation can offer more than simply providing technical solutions for business

UK-GBC: Innovation will enable sustainability leadership in construction

EXCLUSIVE: Fresh from the launch of its inaugural Innovation Lab workshop, the UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) has claimed that fostering innovation can restore confidence and strengthen leadership in the built environment during a time of "increased difficulty and uncertainty".

For Schwarzenegger, the performance capabilities, which includes a driving range of 300km, are “a dream come true”

Arnold Schwarzenegger spotlights fully-electric Mercedes G-Wagon

Renowned actor and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger will test drive a prototype of a fully-electrified, off-road Mercedes G 350d as part of a development agreement with Austrian battery specialist Kreisel Electric.

The UK Government has vowed to build an Industrial Strategy that addresses long-term challenges to the UK 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.

Britain alone disposes of around 350,000 tonnes of medium-density fibreboard every year

Could this MDF recycling innovation solve a circular economy conundrum for retailers?

A breakthrough technology that recycles medium-density fibreboard (MDF) can deliver a commercially-viable process to recover wood fibre from the material, according to the solution's creator.

Fuel-cell vehicles can run up to five times longer than the all-EV counterparts, but the technlogy has struggled to leave an impression among consumers due to cost factors

Fuel for thought: Will 2017 be the year of the zero-emission fuel-cell vehicle?

Low-carbon energy and sustainable transport are becoming evermore intertwined as new green technologies emerge and become more affordable to the masses. But as the sectors move ahead with innovative battery and electrification plans, they could be missing out on a growing fuel cell market, writes Matt Mace.

Jeremy Rowsell hopes that his inaugural On Wings of Waste flight will change the mindset of airlines and aviators across the world

On Wings of Waste: Plane fuelled by plastic waste completes trailblazing flight

British-born pilot and environmentalist Jeremy Rowsell has made history this week by flying a light aircraft across Australia using a conventional fuel blended with fuel derived from plastic waste.

Mass production of the product has been slated for 2021 and Samsung SDI claimed that with a 20-minute charge, the battery cell can perform at 80% capacity with a 500km drive range

Samsung's rapid charge EV battery aims to remedy 'range anxiety'

Korean technology company Samsung's lithium ion and renewables division wants to bring fast charging battery cell technology into mass production for electric vehicles (EVs), with the company offering 600km driving ranges and 20-minute charge times.

The energy footprint of the IT sector is estimated to consume around 7% of the global electricity

Apple named world's greenest tech firm in latest Greenpeace report

Apple has been named the world's greenest major tech company for the third consecutive year in a new report released today (10 January) by Greenpeace.

Ford is examining how EVs, autonomous driving, ride sharing and IoT connected vehicles can interact with urban infrastructure to ease congestion and improve air quality in cities

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.

Upside Energy’s ground-breaking virtual energy store was crowned the winner of edie's Innovation Zone Competition at the 2016 edie Live exhibition in Birmingham

Artificial Intelligence to drive new UK demand response initiative

Innovative energy start-up Upside Energy has joined forces with a leading specialist university in a demand response project that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to reduce the UK's reliance on reserve capacity provided by traditional power stations.

CES highlighted innovative concepts that can combat rising air pollution, increased levels of food waste and spiralling emissions

Air filtering scarfs and AI cars: The best green innovations of CES 2017

As the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas closes its doors for the year, edie rounds-up the green innovations that could thrive in a low-carbon economy.

The initial workshop highlighted the key challenges that the industry will face in regards to climate resilience, resource efficiency and technological advancements

UK Green Building Council aims to foster collaboration through new Innovation Lab

The UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) has introduced a "radical new approach" to inspiring innovation in the built environment, after launching its first Innovation Lab that will offer workshops and collaborative opportunities to develop new solutions in the construction industry.

This should be a year to remember for the green economy, for all the right reasons

Happy New Year: Seventeen big reasons for the green economy to be excited about 2017

From new sustainability standards and ambitious green policy strategies through to major renewable energy projects and autonomous vehicle trials, we look ahead to some of the most promising trends and developments set to boost the green economy in 2017.

With 2016 winding down to a close, edie has pulled-out some of the standout innovations that we have featured in the past

Car-eating buses and volcanic carbon capture: the best green innovations of 2016

As the sun sets on a tumultuous 2016, edie looks back through the archives to pick out some of the low-carbon, resource efficient technologies and innovations that could deliver substantial climate action in 2017.

We take a look at the 16 sustainability stories that have shaped the past 12 months for the green economy

16 from 2016: the crucial sustainability stories of the year

With the year drawing gradually to a close, edie examines the major highlights that defined the global environmental and sustainability agenda in the past 12 months.

The World Bank officially launched the partnership during COP22 in Marrakech, but this is the first time the Carbon Trust has issued a statement on its involvement

Carbon Trust joins World Bank project to boost clean innovation in emerging countries

Consultancy firm the Carbon Trust has teamed up with the World Bank in support of its new Climate Business Innovation Network (CBIN) to help commercialise clean technologies across developing countries.

The £40m grant for cleantech innovation is part of the BEIS’s Energy Innovation Programme

BEIS re-appoint CLT to help commercialise cleantech

Low-carbon consultancy specialist Carbon Limiting Technologies (CLT) has been re-appointed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to help deliver funding to support new energy innovations.

The new hub (pictured) will help with assurances that 100% of its natural ingredients are traceable and sustainably sourced

The Body Shop accelerates CSR commitments through East Croydon innovation hub

EXCLUSIVE: The Body Shop has officially unveiled a £1m innovation hub in East Croydon that it claims will enhance the company's ability to reduce the environmental impact of its product category footprints and develop an innovation pipeline to deliver pioneering cosmetics produced from biodiversity hotspots.

From Tesla's giant battery in California to Nissan's innovative vehicle-to-grid system, 2016 has been a huge year for energy storage

Energy storage megashift: 10 of the best battery projects across the globe

As 2016 draws to a close, edie reflects upon a year that saw energy storage evolve from a relatively abstract low-carbon concept into a crucial catalyst in the global transition to clean energy.

KPS claims that its kite power technology can transform the global offshore wind market due to the cheap manufacturing costs, which can reduce capex by as much as 50%

Energy giants throw financial weight behind Britain's kite energy aspirations

Three major energy firms, including E.ON and Shell, have secured a £5m investment into an innovative British company that aims to deploy the country's first high-altitude wind facility.

Monday’s announcement marks the first significant investment fund announced by Gates and his Breakthrough Energy Coalition, which was launched in November 2015

Bill Gates and investors inject $1bn into Breakthrough Energy fund

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has rallied together a team of executives from some of the world's biggest companies in order to pledge a $1bn fund to accelerate the uptake of clean energy technologies.

Are car sharing clubs the future of low-carbon transport in the UK? And which green innovations will take off in 2017?

The Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Episode 16 - Sharing cars and driving green innovation

The countdown to Christmas has begun, and this week edie brings you a cracker of a podcast episode, featuring exclusive interviews with car sharing service Zipcar, advisory firm the Carbon Trust and green innovation group Climate-KIC.