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Turning ambition into action: One month left to register for edie Live 2019
Collaborative workshops, a dedicated Plastics Hub and a Future Systems Hackathon are just some of the exciting new features that will be available at the UK's largest sustainability and energy exhibition, edie Live, returns to the NEC Birmingham next month.
West Sussex virtual power plant 'could save UK £32bn' if replicated nationally
The developers of a new virtual power plant (VPP) system set to come online across West Sussex in stages from autumn have claimed that the model could cut the UK's energy costs by 10% if it is rolled out nationally.
Extinction Rebellion: Role of business in society is being defined by climate change
As thousands of climate protestors continue to blockade key London landmarks as part of the Extinction Rebellion protests, businesses have been warned that action or inaction to combat climate change will define their role in future societies.
Evian unveils refillable device in bid to slash plastic waste
French bottled water company Evian is set to begin trials of a new refillable in-home water appliance next month, in a bid to gauge consumer appetite for lower-plastic alternatives to single-use bottles.
Shell commits $300m to conservation and carbon offset projects
Oil giant Shell has unveiled plans to invest $300m over the next three years on conservation and carbon offset projects in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint by up to 3%.
Bank of America commits $300bn to sustainable finance
Bank of America has issued its third commitment to sustainable finance, pledging to mobilise an additional $300bn (£230bn) in capital by 2030, with a previous commitment set to be achieved six years ahead of schedule.
Two-thirds of consumers support climate change labelling
A survey across seven countries has revealed the majority of people would like to see labelling related to the climate change impact of products they purchase.
Government urged to focus on lifecycle emissions as part of net-zero target
Any plans to enshrine a net-zero carbon target into UK law will need to examine the lifecycle emissions of new infrastructure, technology and products - a move the can spur rapid growth for new low-carbon market standards.
National Grid 'ready to handle' zero-carbon network by 2025
The operating firm for National Grid has claimed that Great Britain's electricity system can operate as a zero-carbon grid by 2025.
Europe risks 'second mover' status on battery tech, auditors warn
Europe could be left behind in the international battery-building race, the EU auditors have warned in a report and stressed that better storage is needed if the bloc is to hit its climate and energy targets.
Pernod Ricard targets SDGs and regenerative agriculture as part of 2030 goals
Beverage giant Pernod Ricard has today (3 April) launched a new sustainability roadmap aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that commits to ambitious new targets relating to regenerative agriculture and biodiversity, recyclable packaging and a science-based carbon target.
Sustainable strategies: Learning from the (many) mistakes of Brexit
The Brexit process has been marred by a plethora of mistakes meaning that 'Brexit Day' is just another day of endless negotiations. However, the Government's failures are an opportunity to learn, and there are some key lessons for sustainability professionals.
In charts: The UK's record-breaking year for low-carbon energy generation
With the latest Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) statistics revealing that 2018 was a record-breaking year for renewables and low-carbon generation, edie dives into the data to pull out the key achievements.
Drivers to be given cash for ditching cars under new Government-funded scheme
UK motorists are set to be paid thousands of pounds to give up their cars in favour of public transport and other low-carbon alternatives as part of a new Government-funded scheme.
Co-op launches new online delivery service with e-bikes
Zero emissions online delivery is being launched by Co-op through a partnership scheme with e-cargobikes.com.
Sustainable Business Covered podcast: ZEDpods, World Water Day and the 12 goals of Exeter
Episode 59 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast sees Matt, Sarah and newcomer James Evison deliver interviews discussing World Water Day, low-carbon buildings and a 12-step plan to improve health and sustainability in the city of Exeter.
Fresh £25m round of clean bus funding for local authorities
New funding from Government has been offered to 14 local authorities as part of the Clean Bus Technology Fund.
SSE launches new corporate strategy aligned to SDGs
UK energy firm SSE has unveiled a new sustainability strategy for 2030 aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that will deliver a 50% cut in carbon intensity, trebling its renewable electricity output and facilitating the uptake of 10 million electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK.
Energy Catapult launches SME support for low carbon heating and cooling
A new programme has been launched by the government's Energy Systems Catapult centre to assist small and medium sized businesses (SME) develop low carbon heating and cooling.
Oil giant Eni targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2030
Italian oil and gas group Eni has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions for its operations by 2030, despite announcing plans to increase oil and gas production by 3.5% annually up to 2022.
How to lead the way in low-carbon infrastructure development
If the economy is to grow, infrastructure improvement projects are a necessity. Yet, as the fight to slow the effects of climate change becomes more urgent, it is essential that the potential impact of these schemes is considered right from the start.
DSM emissions goals approved by Science Based Targets initiative
Science-based reduction targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been put in place by global nutrition, health and sustainable living firm Royal DSM.
Spring Statement: Chancellor unveils biodiversity plans and low-carbon homes requirements
BREAKING: Chancellor Philip Hammond has today (13 March) pledged to implement legislation requiring developers to deliver biodiversity net-gain through all projects in his 2019 Spring Statement, which also includes a review into the economic benefits of environmental conservation.
Public Health England: Cities should be 'redesigned' in fight against air pollution
Public Health England (PHE) has urged the UK Government to introduce more ambitious policies aimed at reducing air pollution and minimising its health impacts in cities, including a "redesign" of key urban areas and a ban on drivers idling outside school gates.
IPPR warns of risks and opportunities to decarbonisation in north of England
Tens of thousands of jobs could be created in the north of England as a result of decarbonisation, but there are many risks to the transition, a new report has claimed.
Built environment sector calls for biodiversity focus in upcoming Environment Bill
A group of UK built environment businesses have penned a letter to Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, calling on future legislation to boost economic growth through restorative planning that benefits the environment.
Dow's Project Butterfly and Ikea's EV charging push: The sustainability success stories of the week
As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie brings you this weekly round-up of five of the best sustainability success stories of the week from across the globe.
Women in sustainability: The agents of change are ready, its time businesses were too
Sustainability is changing how businesses view waste, staff, profits and communities, but its time for businesses that want to prosper to realise the opportunities that a new wave of women leaders can bring.
We need to put jobs and poverty at the centre of climate action
Discussions around climate change are in need of a new narrative that outlines the opportunities of a low-carbon transition, as renowned environmentalist Jeremy Leggett and Xynteo's Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Philip Smith explain.
Liftshare to deliver one billion saved car miles by 2020
Ride-sharing firm Liftshare is on course to save one billion miles of car transport on UK roads by March 2020, the firm claims.
BlackRock steps up ESG drive with six new low-carbon funds
The world's largest asset manager BlackRock has launched new exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that screen out exposure to "controversial" sectors, improve environmental social and governance (ESG) scores and offer a reduced carbon emissions intensity of 30%.
Co-creating energy solutions: edie to take 'Design Sprint' format for next Club event
Following in the footsteps of a series of sustainability ‘thinkathons’ at recent events, edie will be utilising a ‘Design Sprint’ process to solve business-critical energy challenges at a free event for senior energy managers next month.
Mission Possible: edie launches new construction sector report
The key drivers, challenges and opportunities facing sustainable business in the UK construction sector are revealed in edie's latest Mission Possible report, today (6 March).
How AB Sugar made sustainability its competitive edge
Faced with extreme climate-related challenges and increased calls for healthier diets, one of the world's leading sugar businesses has raised its sustainability ambitions to keep its competitive edge in a challenging economic environment.
UK homes jeopardising national climate targets, report warns
The UK will not hit its legally binding carbon reduction targets unless the Government acts now to address the "increasing uncomfortable and unsafe" national housing stock, according to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).
UKGBC, Willmott Dixon and Mace Group to feature in edie's sustainable built environment webinar
Sustainability experts from Willmott Dixon and Mace Group are set to take part in an one-hour webinar on Wednesday 6 March which will explore the various business drivers, challenges and opportunities facing low-carbon, resource-efficient construction.
Formula E announces battery recycling partnership
The ABB FIA Formula E Championship has announced a new partnership to recycle lithium-ion batteries that were used during the first two seasons of the electric racing series.
UK gas must be 'completely' decarbonised by 2050, says think-tank
Britain must get rid of fossil-based natural gas in the coming three decades if the country is to meet its long-term climate change objectives, according to a report published on Friday (15 February) by a think-tank close to the ruling Conservative party.
Global energy demand to decouple from economic growth by 2035, but not quick enough for a 2C world
Global energy demand will decouple from economic growth for the first time by 2035, due to zero-carbon energy sources accounting for more than half of the global power supply - a feat that still puts a 2C-pathway "out of reach".
Addressing the fierce urgency of now: The need to accelerate and celebrate carbon reduction
Reflecting on the presentation of the Carbon Reduction award at edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards last week, EDF Energy's director of energy energy solutions sales Vincent de Rul notes the need to share successes in relation to carbon efficiency.
Nottingham Trent University signs up to JUMP employee engagement initiative
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has become the 11th University to sign up to the JUMP employee engagement initiative, as it attempts to encourage its 4,000 staff members to develop habits that boost sustainability and wellbeing.
Sustainable Business Covered 'Vodcast': LIVE from the Sustainability Leaders Forum (Part Two)
In the second part of a special 'vodcast' edie's content editor, Matt Mace interviews delegates and speakers from day two of the Sustainability Leaders Forum (SLF), including representatives from E.ON, Siemens and the Woodland Trust to discuss what the new era of leadership will look like.
AB InBev trials LNG-fuelled deliveries for UK brewery
The world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), is set to trial deliveries in the UK using liquefied natural gas (LNG) to reduce harmful emissions.
Swansea tidal lagoon plan revived - without government funding
The backers of a pioneering project to harness energy from the tides off the Welsh coast have rebooted the scheme and believe they can build it without the help of government.
UK's low-carbon economy surpasses £44bn
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown that the UK's low-carbon economy has reached record heights, with the sector growing by almost 7% in 2017 to £44.5bn.
Bristol to connect first private housing development to low-carbon heat network
Bristol City Council has unveiled ambitious plans to connect its first evert commercial housing development site to an existing heat network, in a move that will enable developers to use low-carbon heat sources for building while generating income for the council.
Investors press fast food giants to 'urgently' improve supply chain sustainability
A coalition of investment firms with more than $6.5trn in assets under management have called on six of the world's largest fast food companies to take more ambitious action to tackle the climate and water risks within their supply chains, as a "matter of urgency".
The 10 Year Challenge: How the UK's low-carbon economy has changed
The 10-Year Challenge has swept across social media this month, providing celebrities with ample opportunity to show how little they've aged. However, the UK's low-carbon economy has changed drastically in this time, as edie explains.
Nottingham unveils bid to become the UK's first carbon-neutral city
Nottingham City Council has committed to becoming a 'net-zero carbon' city by 2028, after hitting its 2020 emission reductions goals two years early.
Refinitiv pledges to become a net-zero-carbon business in 2020
Finance giant Refinitiv has committed to becoming carbon-neutral by the end of 2020, as part of a new range of sweeping environmental and social sustainability pledges.
Firmenich's rise and the UK's fall: 5 key trends in CDP's 2019 A-list
CDP has named 140 corporates as leaders in the fight against climate change, water scarcity and deforestation in its new A List rankings for 2019. Here, edie rounds up the key sustainability trends which have shaken up the scores this year.
High-profile businesses ramp up pressure on Scotland to make carbon-neutral pledge
The likes of Coca-Cola, Tesco and Sky have today (14 January) called on the Scottish Parliament to "seize the chance to renew their position as climate leader" by achieving carbon-neutrality by 2050.
Shell teams up with Anesco for UK battery storage project
Oil and gas giant Shell has partnered with UK renewables firm Anesco to deliver a new 1.25MW battery storage project in Norfolk.
Scotland receives green light for large-scale water source heat pump project
Scotland is set to welcome its first large-scale water source heat pump scheme, that will take heat from the river Clyde to provide heat and hot water for a nearby district heating network.
In 2019, businesses will need to embrace sustainability, or risk being left behind
What would you do if you only had 12 years to stop catastrophic climate change? At COP 24 in Poland earlier this year, 200 nations formed plans to collectively tackle this issue, and their message is clear: as nations, we will go beyond our commitments and ambitions from the 2015 Paris Agreement to further reduce emissions and tackle one of the world's greatest challenges.
London Mayor unveils van scrappage scheme for small businesses
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has today (18 December) unveiled plans for a new £23m van scrappage scheme, aimed at helping small business owners switch from old diesel vehicles to low-carbon alternatives.
Government to fund network of 'smart' domestic EV chargers
The UK Government has this week launched a new mandate requiring all domestic electric vehicle (EV) chargers supported by its EV Homecharge Scheme to include "smart" technologies such as remote charging and demand-response capabilities.
Nations agree on Paris Agreement rulebook, fail on climate ambition
Three years and three days after the Paris Agreement was adopted, the 197 signatory countries gathered in Katowice, Poland, agreed Saturday (15 December) on a rulebook for its implementation but failed to raise their ambition to keep global warming "well below 2°C".
Daimler and Hyundai bolster low-carbon vehicle investments
Car giant Daimler has confirmed it will purchase more than £18bn worth of electric vehicle (EV) battery cells by 2030, in the same week that Hyundai pledged to spend £5.3bn on developing hydrogen-powered systems for cars, drones and ships.
Large-scale solar costs expected to fall below £40/MWh by 2030
The cost of large-scale solar generation is expected to fall below £40/MWh by 2030, according to the latest assessment by the Solar Trade Association (STA).
BT and E.ON among new EV100 members
The likes of BT and E.ON have signed up to The Climate Group's EV100 programme which aims to make electric transport "the new normal" by 2030.
Available on demand: edie's 'Preparing to lead' sustainable business power hour webinar
Sustainability professionals seeking advice and insight on how to hit the ground running in 2019 to transform their approach to CSR and increase actions and ambitions can now watch a free edie webinar, featuring speakers from Ball Corporation, Canary Wharf Group and PwC.
10 years on from the Climate Change Act, how far have we come?
The first line of the Climate Change Act passed in 2008 reads "it is the duty of the Secretary of State to ensure that the net UK carbon account for the year 2050 is at least 80% lower than the baseline".
HSBC: Businesses turning the screw on supply chain sustainability
A third of global businesses are looking to improve the sustainability of their supply chains over the next three years, according to an extensive new survey from HSBC.
Palm oil bans, sustainable fashion and edie's 30 Under 30: The top sustainability stories of November 2018
As November comes to a close and we begin to think about putting up our Christmas trees and wrapping our presents, edie rounds up some of the best-read sustainability stories and standout pieces of content from the past 30 days - from Iceland's now-infamous popular palm oil advert to the launch of our exclusive new networking group for young sustainability professionals.
Potato-based 'wood' and contactless coffee cups: 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.
Canary Wharf Group, Ball and PwC complete speaker line up for edie's sustainability leadership webinar
Sustainability experts from manufacturing firm Ball Beverage Packaging Europe, property giant Canary Wharf Group and professional services firm PwC will appear on a free sustainability leadership webinar, taking place next week.
How does the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures impact the SDGs?
The Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures, or TCFD, is all about climate change. Or is it? Carolina Karlstrom, independent action researcher and sustainability expert, takes a closer look at the financial disclosure initiative and identifies how its impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is wider than you might think.
UN: World must triple efforts or face catastrophic climate change
Countries are failing to take the action needed to stave off the worst effects of climate change, a UN report has found, and the commitments made in the 2015 Paris agreement will not be met unless governments introduce additional measures as a matter of urgency.
Drax seeks 'negative emissions' with biomass and CCS trial
Drax has kicked off a six-month pilot scheme to trial carbon capture and storage (CCS) on one of the now four biomass units at its power station in Yorkshire.
Interface, Unilever and Coca-Cola among business leaders calling for UK net-zero emissions target
The chief executives of major UK-based companies including Interface, Coca-Cola European Partners and Unilever have called for Prime Minister Theresa May to set legally binding targets that ensure the UK reaches net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.
Climate-heating greenhouse gases at record levels, says UN
The main greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change have all reached record levels, the UN's meteorology experts have reported.
Volume-based renewable auctions needed to meet emissions targets
Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions must be reformed to fill a looming hole in the UK's carbon budgets, Cornwall Insight has argued in a new report.
UK energy revolution risks creating a 'two-tier' economy
The UK's transition to a low-carbon economy is masking stark regional divides, according to new research, with regions such as the North of England and East Midlands being left behind.
The challenges have been set, now business must rise to them
In the food business, Mission Possible should really be 'Mission Necessary'. We'll have to feed nearly 10 billion people by 2050. And we'll have to do so without destroying the natural resources on which food production depends.
District heat networks could reduce cost of UK's low-carbon transition by £3bn
The installation of district heat networks could reduce the capital cost of the UK's heat networks by up to 40%, new research from the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has concluded.
World has no capacity to absorb new fossil fuel plants, warns IEA
The world has so many existing fossil fuel projects that it cannot afford to build any more polluting infrastructure without busting international climate change goals, the global energy watchdog has warned.
Drax facing legal action over plans for large-scale gas turbine project
Power company Drax is facing legal action over plans to open a four-turbine gas generation facility at its Selby power plant in Yorkshire, with environmental law firm ClientEarth claiming that the project breaches the Government's planning and climate change policies.
Report: Oil and gas industry failing to invest in low-carbon projects
Global oil and gas firms have collectively invested just 1.3% of their combined capital expenditure (CAPEX) into low-carbon technologies and projects since the start of 2018, new research from CDP has concluded.
Nikola Motor showcases autonomous hydrogen-powered lorry for European market
Low-emission truck manufacturer, and ongoing rival to Tesla, Nikola Motor Company has unveiled a new autonomous, hydrogen-powered lorry that is set to roll out across Europe by 2023.
WATCH: BEIS director outlines vision for a zero-carbon built environment
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy's (BEIS) Director of energy efficiency Ben Golding has outlined the "win-wins" that can be generated by businesses and public sector organisation by mobilising action towards a zero-carbon built environment by 2050.
UK renewable energy capacity surpasses fossil fuels for first time
The capacity of renewable energy has overtaken that of fossil fuels in the UK for the first time, in a milestone that experts said would have been unthinkable a few years ago.
Global economic growth threatening climate change progress, report warns
The expansion in the global economy is undermining the world's efforts to achieve the objectives set out in the Paris Agreement, a new report from global consultancy Capgemini has warned.
Researchers: CCS key for zero-emission cement
The construction sector can cut polluting emissions up to 80% by applying efficiency measures along the whole value chain, according to new research. If combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, emissions could even be brought down to zero by 2050, they argue.
EDF Energy to install 1,500 V2G chargers across UK
EDF Energy will deploy up to 1,500 Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) chargers across the UK which will help businesses generate revenue from electric vehicles (EVs) through energy storage and flexibility.
Top European firms warned over lobbying against stronger climate policy
A group of investors worth $2trn has urged 55 major European businesses to review their relationships with organisations with lobbying practices "inconsistent" with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
From Green GB Week to baffling Budgets: There's still much to be done on sustainability
A lot can change in a fortnight. The UK's first Green GB Week highlighted the benefits of clean growth on an unprecedented level. But after this year's budget proved to be a mixed bag for the green economy, inspiration needs to convert into ongoing action if we are to bring about meaningful change.
Scottish Government launches 'cashback' scheme to help SMEs bolster energy efficiency
The Scottish Government has partnered with Zero Waste Scotland to launch a "cashback" scheme which offers interest-free loans to small businesses that install energy efficiency measures.
Thinking of going circular? Start with your energy
Businesses are increasingly looking to move away from linear to circular models in their operations and supply chain as we strive to reach our Paris 2050 goals, but where does energy fit in this picture and how can it help businesses be sustainably profitable and profit sustainably?
Abundance Investment targets new shareholders to accelerate green project financing
Peer-to-peer finance platform Abundance Investment looks set to accelerate demand for environmental and social projects across the UK, by increasing its number of small shareholders 10-fold.
EDF announces low-carbon vehicle partnership with Nissan
Big six company EDF Energy has announced a partnership with Nissan to support the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and energy generation and storage solutions.
Green GB Week: a UK policy wishlist to drive clean growth action
With the Government launching the nation's first-ever Green GB Week last week, dozens of sustainability experts met throughout the week to discuss the nation's clean growth agenda. Here, edie rounds up ten of their top green policy recommendations for the Government to place the UK on the road to a low-carbon economy.
A blueprint for business leadership: edie launches sustainable mobility report
edie has today (22 October) launched a brand-new insight report which explores how UK businesses can take the lead on accelerating the transition to more sustainable forms of mobility.
Sustainability Leaders Awards 2019: Shortlist revealed...
After a record-breaking year of entries, the judges have convened, decisions have been made and edie is proud to unveil the well-deserved finalists for the 2019 Sustainability Leaders Awards. Drum roll, please...
Universities pledge to slash emissions in bid to lead UK's low-carbon transition
The Vice Chancellors of five UK universities have signed the Government's Emissions Reduction Pledge in a bid to help accelerate the nation's transition towards a net-zero carbon economy.
Zipcar's new London EV fleet clocks up 20,000 trips in three months
Car-sharing firm Zipcar has revealed that its customers have made more than 20,000 trips in its new London-based fleet of electric vehicles (EVs), three months after the fleet was launched.
PwC pledges to offset air travel emissions and source 100% renewable electricity
Professional services giant PwC has this week pledged to source 100% renewable electricity for its global operations and to offset all emissions accounted for by flights taken by employees for business purposes.
Global investors call on pension funds to address climate-related risks
A group of 161 investment firms with more than €21trn in collective assets under management have called on pension fund managers to factor climate-related risks into their planning processes.
John Lewis and Waitrose pledge to power entire delivery fleet with bio-methane by 2028
EXCLUSIVE: The John Lewis Partnership, which operates the John Lewis and Waitrose retailers, will convert its 500-strong fleet of diesel delivery trucks to be powered by bio-methane by 2028, as part of a new commitment published on edie's Mission Possible Pledge Wall today (16 October).
Energy storage needs £6bn UK investment by 2030 to keep pace with renewables, research finds
More than £6bn will need to be invested in the UK's energy storage market by 2030 if the nation is to decarbonise at the rate necessary to meet legally-binding carbon targets.
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