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Companies with science-based targets planning $25.9bn climate mitigation investments
Major companies to have aligned their emissions reductions targets with climate science are collectively planning to invest more than $25.9bn in climate mitigation through to 2030, according to new analysis covering firms including Tesco and Mastercard.

Circular economy can slash global emissions by 39%, says major new report
A major new report, released to coincide with the original dates for the World Economic Forum's event in Davos, has found that 39% of global annual emissions could be mitigated by changing the ways in which we use natural raw materials.

Legal & General plots course to net-zero real estate across £21bn UK portfolio
Legal & General's Real Assets arm has outlined plans to reach net-zero across its UK real estate portfolio by 2050, including new investments in onsite renewable energy and carbon offsetting.

In numbers: How prepared are UK businesses for the net-zero transition?
The UK Government's 2050 net-zero target is legally binding, meaning that businesses of all sizes and sectors must accelerate decarbonisation efforts. But two new major surveys have highlighted major challenges for the private sector. Here, edie rounds up the key findings.

Boeing planning to debut 100% biofuel planes by 2030
Boeing Co has unveiled plans to deliver commercial aircraft capable of using 100% biofuel by 2030. Using existing technologies under current regulations, it can only use biofuel blends of up to 50%.

Bank of England's high-carbon financing a 'moral hazard', MPs warn
The Bank of England risks creating 'moral hazard' by continuing to finance high-carbon projects and companies and providing no-strings-attached financing to carbon intensives companies, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has warned.

Ikea's forest protection and Dove's refillable deodorant: 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.

Oxford approves UK's first local air quality targets
Oxford City Council has approved local air pollution targets through to 2025 that are stricter than the national legal target.

Electric vehicles and heat pumps set for exponential growth on road to net-zero
More than 4.5 million electric vehicles (EVs) could be on UK roads, almost 250,000 households could feature solar technology and between 450,000 to more than one million domestic electric heat pumps could be installed by 2030 in order to reach net-zero, new research has found.

#SustyTalk: UPS's Claire Thompson-Sage on low-carbon logistics
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with an exclusive discussion with UPS's sustainable development co-ordinator, Claire Thompson-Sage.

Tesco's first sustainability-linked bond more than six times oversubscribed
Tesco attracted more than Є5bn of investor demand for its first sustainability-linked bond (SLB), priced at Є750m, according to official advisor BNP Paribas.

Major gas grid companies team up to outline hydrogen deployment plans
Britain's five major gas grid companies have launched a major collaborative plan to create the UK's first hydrogen town by 2030 as well as creating a network of hydrogen refuelling stations for transport and helping to decarbonise industrial clusters.

'A game-changing opportunity to fight climate change': WEF pushes businesses on supply chain decarbonisation
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is urging businesses to do more to tackle their supply chain emissions, which often represent the bulk of their total climate footprint, and has published new advice on how to do so.

Heinz removes plastics from canned product packaging
Heinz is replacing plastic shrink-wrap packaging across its multipack canned products for sustainably certified paperboard, a move which will reduce the company's plastics footprint by 550 tonnes.

Now available on demand: edie's free webinar exploring onsite net-zero technologies
edie's latest webinar is now available to watch on-demand. Tune in to hear experts providing best-practice advice on investing in and integrating net-zero technologies to help assist with decarbonisation targets.

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2020: Chris Landsburgh, Wills Bros Ltd
This new 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. Up next: Wills Bros Ltd's environmental and sustainability manager Chris Landsburgh.

#SustyTalk: BNP Paribas' Mark Lewis on market shifts for the net-zero transition
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with an exclusive talk with BNP Paribas Asset Management's chief sustainability strategist Mark Lewis.

EN+ Group commits to net-zero by 2050
Aluminium and hydropower giant EN+ Group has announced its intention to become a net-zero business by 2050, with a target also in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030.

IEA: Oil and gas sector must 'lock in' methane emissions reductions seen amid Covid-19 lockdowns
Methane emissions from the global oil and gas industry fell 10% year-on-year in 2020, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has revealed. But the body believes this is mostly because of lockdown restrictions, rather than heightened environmental ambitions.

Orchard Street targets net-zero across £4bn portfolio of buildings
Commercial property investment manager Orchard Street, which manages retail units, offices and industrial facilities worth more than £4bn, has outlined plans to reach net-zero ahead of the UK government's 2050 deadline.

What makes a sustainability leader? Meet battery innovators Powervault
With less than a month until the 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards, this feature series showcases the achievements of the 2020 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winners of the Product Innovation of the Year, PowerVault.

Net-Zero Business podcast: Inside the University of Exeter's climate emergency plans
In response to the accelerated pace at which businesses are examining and setting net-zero targets to help alleviate the climate crisis, edie has launched a new spin-off of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast. Up next, we speak to the University of Exeter's Head of Environment and Climate Emergency, Dr Emma Page.

Five ways to ignite behavior change on energy use
This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where expert energy professionals from a range of sectors shared experiences driving engagement to change behaviours around energy use.

UK water sector joins UN's 'Race to Zero' ahead of COP26
Water UK, the trade body representing all major companies in the sector, has been named as an official partner for the UNFCCC's Race to Zero Campaign, which was set up to inspire a holistic and ambitious approach to the global net-zero transition.

Financial firm Aegon commits to net-zero emissions by 2050
Financial services firm Aegon has become the latest corporate to commit to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, targeting the decarbonisation of its pension fund ranges and main operations.

BBC to outline net-zero target for 2030
The BBC's director-general Tim Davie has outlined ambitions to staff for the broadcaster to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, with further details expected later in the year.

PepsiCo targets net-zero by 2040
PepsiCo has committed to reducing emissions across its value chain by 40% by 2030 before reaching net-zero by 2040, as part of new climate plans it claims are Paris-Agreement-aligned.

Envision Virgin Racing confirmed as COP26 partner for 'together for our planet' campaign
Motorsport team Envision Virgin Racing has been named as the latest company to be announced as a key partner for the COP26 climate summit, joining the "Together for Our Planet campaign" to encourage global climate action and raise awareness of the electric vehicle (EV) transition.

Mace achieves net-zero operations and developments
Major construction and consultancy firm Mace has announced that it is now a net-zero business, after investing in measures to reduce emissions and setting up an offsetting scheme.

Report: Major asset managers still voting against tougher climate measures
In the same week that BlackRock was widely criticised for continuing to hold $85bn in coal, an analysis of the world's 30 largest fund managers has found that the global sector is failing to translate high-level climate commitments into investment decisions and support for shareholder resolutions.

In action: the world's first fully commercial carbon capture and utilisation plant
Carbon Clean – in partnership with Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (TFL) – has been operating the world’s first low-cost, industrial-scale carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) plant in India since October 2016. Take a look inside the project with this new download.

Six ideas to achieve your flexible energy future on the road to net-zero
This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where expert energy professionals from a range of sectors discussed the role that smart and flexible energy technologies and systems will play in the net-zero transition.

TSB and Aviva Investors plot pathway to net-zero carbon
Major retail bank TSB has unveiled its plans to reach net-zero by 2030, after cutting operational emissions by 66% during 2020. At the same time, Aviva Investors has revealed its plans to decarbonise its real assets portfolio.

In numbers: How Covid-19 has impacted renewable energy workers
A survey of 16,000 energy professionals across 166 countries has provided a global snapshot of the ways in which the pandemic has affected salaries, industry growth and career plans. Here, edie rounds up the key takeaways.

Five ways to maximise the impact of your energy data
This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where expert energy professionals from a range of sectors discussed the role that energy data can play in the delivery of net-zero targets.

Bruichladdich distillery explores hydrogen heating
Bruichladdich Distillery is exploring how hydrogen combustion technology can reduce reliance on fuel oil to meet the island-based facility's heating demand.

Six top tips for accelerating your electric fleet transition
This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where expert energy professionals from a range of sectors shared experiences integrating electric vehicles (EV) into their organisations' fleets.

Investors file climate resolution at HSBC
Investors with a combined $2.4trn in assets under management have filed a resolution at HSBC, calling on the bank to publish a strategy that outlines efforts to reduce exposure to fossil fuel assets.

Geothermal electricity from Cornwall and TerraCycle tackles medicine packaging: 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.

Report: Can the built environment achieve a green recovery?
edie has today (8 January) launched a free report detailing the appetite within the built environment sector to collaborate to overcome the challenges presented by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and to "build back better" by championing the green recovery.

Vehicle-to-Grid rollout could deliver £880m in annual savings
Innovative Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) projects, whereby electric vehicles (EVs) act as a form of distributed energy storage, could deliver cost savings of up to £880m annually while reducing emissions from power networks, according to new research.

Cumbria coal mine: Government won't block UK's first deep coal mine in three decades
Despite pressure from green groups, the UK Government has said it will not intervene in Cumbria County Council's decision to approve a deep coal mine in Whitehaven - the first facility of its kind to gain planning approval in 30 years.

UK EV registrations up 185% in 2020, despite impact of Covid-19
Despite new car registrations falling to their lowest in nearly 30 years in 2020, the proportion of the market accounted for by electric vehicles (EVs) grew significantly, according to new figures from the automotive industry's trade body.

Lenovo to deliver global rollout of customer offset scheme
Computer manufacturer Lenovo has unveiled plans to rollout a carbon offsetting scheme for customer purchases across the globe, following a trial run in the Nordics that saw 26,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide offset.

North of England homes to pilot hydrogen heating
More than 650 households and commercial properties in a village near Gateshead will trial the use of blended green hydrogen to be used for heating.

CDL secures $740m green loan for property portfolio
Real estate company City Developments Limited (CDL) has confirmed a new green revolving credit facility totalling $470m that will be used to refinance it's the Republic Plaza commercial property and future low-carbon projects.

A net-zero New Year? The 7 green policies UK businesses are still waiting for
December saw a flurry of green policy announcements, from the Energy White Paper to the decision to end finance to fossil fuels overseas. But several key policy gaps remain on the road to net-zero as we enter a new year - and will need to be closed ahead of COP26.

Five EU countries object to bloc's latest hydrogen 'manifesto'
Austria, Denmark, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain have issued a joint letter calling on the EU to clearly prioritise renewable energies under an EU-led project aiming to accelerate hydrogen deployment, research and infrastructure.

Ministers urged to cut VAT on batteries for homes after Brexit
The UK should reverse the increase on home energy storage systems implemented by the EU last year after Brexit, trade bodies representing the energy industry have told ministers.

Zero Carbon Forum: UK's biggest restaurants team up to plot pathway to net-zero
Nando's, Burger King, KFC and Pizza Express are among the first business members of a new hospitality industry coalition that is plotting a pathway to net-zero for the sector.

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2020: Sam McCarthy, Nando's
This new 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. Up next: Nando UK&I's sustainability manager Sam McCarthy.

UK's oil and gas sector outlines net-zero vision, but remains reluctant to downsize
The watchdog for the UK's oil and gas industry has published a strategy designed to align businesses with the 2050 net-zero target, but green groups want more done to cap production and increase investment in renewables.

Lloyds of London finally agrees to divest from coal
Insurance giant Lloyds of London has promised to end investment in coal, oil sands and fossil fuel exploration in the Arctic, following years a pressure from climate campaigners.

Net-zero impact on UK economy to be 'relatively small', Treasury finds
The HM Treasury has published a final report in the build-up to a Net-Zero Spending Review, claiming that the transition to meeting the UK's long-term climate goals could deliver "slightly positive or slightly negative" economic growth for the UK, depending on how decisive policy action is.

ExxonMobil's new climate targets slammed by investors and green groups
US-based oil major ExxonMobil has outlined new emissions reduction targets through to 2025, but green groups have called them "woefully inadequate" and investors are pushing for a restructure to its board of directors.

Telefónica, Nestlé and Ragn-Sells commit to net-zero supply chains
Technology giant Telefónica, food manufacturer Nestlé and waste management firm Ragn-Sells are the latest businesses to sign up to a collaborative movement to reduce value chain emissions in line with the 1.5C ambition of the Paris Agreement.

Five things you need to know about the Energy White Paper
After months of delays, the UK Government finally unveiled its Energy White Paper on Monday (14 December) detailing how an overhaul to transport, energy and infrastructure will deliver an "overwhelmingly decarbonised power in the 2030s" on the road to net-zero by 2050.

Hydrogen, nuclear and wind: UK's energy network operators chart course to net-zero
Energy Networks Association - the industry body representing all major energy network operators in the UK - has published a routemap outlining how they will align with net-zero and support the transition to green electricity, heat, transport and industry.

WHSmith targets net-zero emissions by 2025
Retailer WHSmith has unveiled a new five-year sustainability plan to reduce its operational emissions to zero by 2025, with the company set to engage with suppliers to help them become net-zero.

Just Eat, Co-Op and Bensons for Beds launch new EV schemes in time for festive deliveries
Retail giants Co-Op and Bensons for Beds, as well as takeaway delivery platform Just Eat, have launched new electric bikes and vans in time for Christmas.

Think Zero: Grosvenor plots pathway to net-zero by 2030
Property developer Grosvenor Britain & Ireland has outlined plans to become a net-zero business by 2030 and earmarked £90m to retrofit and 'future-proof' its portfolio of buildings across London.

Shipping, aviation and carmakers failing to align with Paris Agreement
The majority of the worlds largest automotive, shipping and aviation companies are failing to deliver emissions reduction plans in line with a pathway to keep global warming to 2°C - let alone 1.5C - new research has found.

Three recommendations for beginning your carbon reduction journey
When building a carbon reduction strategy, it's critical to find the ideal balance between commercial success and environmental responsibility. Focus exclusively on profit without considering your environmental impact, and it's likely you'll be punished by customers, shareholders and employees. Go too far in the other direction, and you may be left without a viable business model. Balance is key.

UK's net-zero target should be 2045, 100 councils and mayors tell Boris Johnson
English and Scottish local authorities representing one-third of the population have committed to reaching net-zero community emissions by 2045 - and are urging the UK Government to follow suit.

13 big businesses including Unilever and Microsoft join Amazon's Climate Pledge
More than a dozen large businesses including Unilever, Microsoft and Coca-Cola European Partners have signed up to Amazon's Climate Pledge, which requires signatories to reach net-zero by 2040 or sooner.

Canary Wharf Group targets net-zero by 2030
London-based property giant Canary Wharf Group (CWG) has outlined plans for reaching net-zero by 2030, including new commitments on electric vehicles and heat.

Heat Strategy: Government urged to spend £65bn on energy-efficient homes by 2035
Representatives from more than 200 businesses, housing associations, local authorities and trade bodies are urging Ministers to ensure that the upcoming Heat and Buildings Strategy mobilises enough finance to address "major" barriers to decarbonisation.

UN: Green Covid-19 recovery will put world on track to meet Paris Agreement
While Covid-19 lockdown restrictions have resulted in falling carbon emissions, they will rebound and the world will warm by more than 3C this century without a coordinated and ambitious global green recovery approach.

'A game-changer': UK's green economy leaders react to the Sixth Carbon Budget
Green groups and trade bodies have broadly welcomed the Climate Change Committee's Sixth Carbon Budget, headlined by a recommendation to cut annual emissions by 78% by 2035. But they want to see the Government act rapidly and boldly to prove it can deliver.

Natural History Museum targets carbon neutrality by 2035
London's Natural History Museum has outlined new climate targets, stating that there is "not any time to waste" in the transition to net-zero.

Walkers turns to beer-based carbon capture for low-carbon potatoes
Crisp brand Walkers is scaling up efforts to repurpose potato peelings and captured carbon for use as fertiliser - a system which can reduce emissions associated with potato growing by 70%.

Glencore sets 2050 net-zero target, but won't divest from coal
Swiss multinational mining and materials giant Glencore has set new climate targets headlined by a 2050 net-zero vision, covering all scopes.

Coca-Cola's largest European bottler targets net-zero by 2040
Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has committed to reducing net emissions across its value chain by 30% by 2030, before bringing them to net-zero by 2040.

Accelerating climate action: edie publishes Net-Zero November round-up report
For those who missed edie's special themed month of content - Net-Zero November, headlined by Net-Zero Live - edie has published a report recapping all the key announcements and talking points.

Legal & General to halve emissions of £81bn pension portfolio by 2030
Legal & General's Retirement arm has pledged to halve the carbon emission intensity of its annuity book, which totals almost £81bn, within a decade.

Local authorities 'need more government support to deliver net-zero visions'
Three-quarters of local councils in England have declared climate emergencies - but funding shortages and issues with the skills pipeline could hinder their net-zero progress, according to new analysis from Green Alliance.

The Net-Zero November 2020 summary report
Brought to you by the award-winning edie content team, Net- Zero November is our themed month of editorial content and events dedicated to informing, inspiring and empowering sustainability and energy professionals on the road to a net-zero carbon future. This free new report summarises the key takeaways.

KFC to install electric vehicle chargers at hundreds of UK restaurants
KFC has announced plans to install rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers at up to 450 of its restaurants in the UK and Ireland.

Transport giants including Uber sign on to Amazon's 2040 net-zero vision
Transport businesses including Uber and JetBlue have signed Amazon's Climate Pledge, which is headlined by a commitment to reach net-zero emissions across all scopes by 2040.

Nestle outlines roadmap to net-zero by 2050, backed with more than £2bn of investment
Nestle has committed to halve its absolute emissions by 2030 and bring them to net-zero by 2050, and outlined plans for new investments in renewable electricity, carbon offsetting and regenerative agriculture.

Report: Global CCS capacity surged in 2020, despite Covid-19
The total global capacity of carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities operating and under development has seen a 33% year-on-year increase in 2020.

Green Finance Institute: UK's new National Investment Bank must go beyond energy
The UK's new National Investment Bank (NIB) must have strong net-zero criteria and support the low-carbon transition in the transport, built environment and nature sector as well as energy, the Green Finance Institute (GFI) is urging.

The Climate Group unites business giants in push for net-zero steel
Multiplex Construction Europe and Grosvenor Britain & Ireland are among the members of a new business-led initiative designed to drive the net-zero transition in the global steel sector.

Former COP26 chair Claire O'Neill: UK falling behind on international climate engagement
Former Energy Minister Claire O'Neill (nee Perry) has told MPs she is concerned that the UK Government is failing to engage policymakers from other nations on climate action ahead of COP26, risking an unjust global low-carbon transition.

Electric vehicle revolution: Government creates Zero-Emission Vehicle Transition Council
The UK Government has set up a new coalition of international ministers and car sector representatives, to support the global transition and its own ban on new petrol and diesel car sales from 2030.

UK's largest battery storage project receives planning consent in Essex
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has granted planning consent for one of the world's largest battery storage projects to be delivered on the banks of the Thames in Essex.

'Fraught with risk': Government's sustainable farming plan sparks concern amongst green groups
The UK Government has unveiled plans to deliver the most significant change to land management and farming practices in 50 years as a replacement to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, a move that has sparked widespread concern amongst green groups due to a lack of detail.

Renewable or 'low-carbon'? EU countries face off over hydrogen
EU member states are fighting over which type of hydrogen to support, with two opposing camps facing off: those backing green hydrogen produced exclusively from renewable electricity, and those in favour of a broader "low-carbon" definition, which also includes nuclear power and decarbonised gases.

Net-Zero Navigators Podcast: Meet Iberostar's Dr Megan Morikawa
To mark Net-Zero November, edie is publishing a mini series of podcasts interviewing the trendsetters and trailblazers in the net-zero movement. Up next: Iberostar's head of sustainability Dr Megan Morikawa.

MPs set out vision for net-zero Northern Powerhouse
Conservative MPs representing the North of England believe that the Government's Ten Point Plan and the net-zero target can contribute to a levelling up agenda that would create thousands of green jobs in the North.

Mission Possible: Achieving a green recovery for retail
edie's Mission Possible campaign has evolved to focus on the green recovery, with a new series of reports outlining the challenges that businesses in key sectors face in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, and the opportunities that the green recovery will bring. Up next, retail.

Sustainable Business Covered podcast: A Net-Zero November special
Episode 93 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast rounds up all of the key goings-on from Net-Zero November - edie's themed month of content on accelerating the low-carbon transition.

Capgemini: Half of big businesses are using AI to cut their climate impacts
Almost half of the world's biggest industrial, energy, FMCG, retail and manufacturing companies are using artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce their emissions, with the average business forecasting a 16% related emissions reduction by 2025.

Government set to unveil national infrastructure bank tied to net-zero
The Government is expected to unveil the long-awaited National Infrastructure Strategy (NIS) this week alongside the Spending Review, with a National Infrastructure Bank set to be created to replace the UK's involvement with the European Investment Bank and funnel capital towards net-zero projects.

Report: Carmakers including Tesla and Honda 'driving in the slow lane' towards climate goals
Two-thirds of the world's largest carmakers have not set electric vehicle (EV) and emissions targets in line with the Paris Agreement's less ambitious trajectory - and the auto sector is failing to deliver on human rights commitments, as well.

Report: Renewables and flexible energy could cut £660m off UK's net-zero transition
If the UK government were to back renewable generation and flexible energy technologies like battery storage instead of a new nuclear plant, some £660m could be saved through to 2030, a new analysis has concluded.

Net-Zero Navigators podcast: Meet Dentsu International's chief sustainability officer Anna Lungley
To mark Net-Zero November, edie is publishing a mini series of podcasts interviewing the trendsetters and trailblazers in the net-zero movement. Up next: Dentsu International's CSO Anna Lungley.

SSE unveils 'just transition' strategy to benefit communities during net-zero transition
Energy giant SSE has issued a public "Just Transition" plan, which lays out steps to protect workers and communities as the business and the UK moves towards net-zero emissions.

Is Boris Johnson's Ten Point Plan enough to reach net-zero?
Businesses, green groups and entire sectors welcomed the far-reaching announcement from the UK Government to issue a Ten Point Plan that would put the nation on the road to net-zero, but already analysis suggests that more is required to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

What makes a sustainability leader? Meet low-carbon fleet champions DPD
With the 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards approaching, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2020 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our transport/fleet management initiative of the year, DPD.