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CLOSING THIS WEEK: Take edie's net-zero carbon business survey (10 minutes)
Energy, carbon and sustainability professionals across all industries are being asked to take our 10-minute "Business Barometer" survey which tracks the decarbonisation progress of businesses across the country. This survey closes on Friday 18 June, so don't miss your chance to participate.
UK's fastest-growing tech firms unveil net-zero framework for the sector
A new task force, set up to inform the government's green policymaking and garner support for climate action across the tech industry, has today (14 June) published a set of commitments designed to unify ambition and action in the sector.
Survey: 4 in 10 UK SMEs unsure how to prepare for net-zero
A survey of decision-makers at more than 1,000 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the UK has found that four in 10 are unsure of how the government's commitment to net-zero by 2050 will affect them.
G7: What was (and wasn't) agreed by world leaders to combat the climate crisis
From "green Marshall Plans" and net-zero energy sectors to a lack of clarity on green spending and transport decarbonisation, edie rounds up what was and wasn't agreed at the G7 Summit.
UPS aims to become carbon neutral by 2050
Logistics giant UPS has unveiled new environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets that will see the company strive to become carbon neutral across its global operations by 2050.
Royal Mail aims to grow EV fleet 10 times over, as DPD orders 750 electric vans
Royal Mail has announced plans to add an additional 3,000 low-emission delivery vans to its fleet, in the same week that DPD placed an order for 750 fully electric vans.
Green finance tools and net-zero sector coalitions: CEOs present climate initiatives to world leaders at G7
EY, HSBC and Heathrow Airport are among the 300 businesses presenting three new solutions to help the private sector play its role in tackling the climate crisis to G7 leaders on Friday (11 June).
The road to net-zero: Three top tips for decarbonising your business
COP26 is just a few months away. There is rightly more focus on understanding the practical role that businesses will play in the global fight against climate change as we head towards the UK's 2050 net-zero target.
Net-zero and COP26: Achieving Mission Possible
Six months out from the COP26 summit, edie hosted an exclusive virtual roundtable discussion with a select group of sustainability leaders, exploring how businesses can accelerate the net-zero carbon transition in the run-up to the crucial climate talks.
IEA: To reach net-zero, renewable energy investment in developing nations must increase sevenfold
Some $150bn was invested in clean energy in developing economies last year, according to new International Energy Agency (IEA) analysis. But the Agency believes this figure must hit $1trn by 2030 to deliver a net-zero world.
Climate change at the G7 Summit: Everything you need to know
World leaders are meeting in Cornwall this week (11-13 June) as part of the G7 Summit. The climate crisis is a key theme for policymakers going into the event, but how much prominence will it have as the world's largest economies attempt to respond to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic?
AB InBev cuts emissions through new lightweight beer bottle design
The world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), has unveiled new lightweight beer bottles that have a reduced carbon footprint of 17% compared to its other bottle types, with plans in place to roll them out across Europe.
ABP and National Trust sign up to net-zero investment initiative
Europe's largest pension fund, the Church of Sweden and the National Trust are among six new signatories to a global net-zero asset owner commitment to decarbonise financial portfolios in line with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement.
Work underway to create 'UK's biggest electric bus charging station' in Glasgow
Public transport operator First Bus has begun work to retrofit its Caledonia depot in Glasgow to host 162 electric vehicle (EV) charging points, claiming the project will be the largest of its kind in the UK once complete.
Norway's 'eco-school' and Spain's new green hydrogen plant: 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.
The Net-Zero Business podcast: Inside Childbase Partnership's 2030 roadmap
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 Childbase Partnership's health, safety and environment director, Mark Bird.
Unilever, Google and Amazon among new Business Alliance to Scale Climate Solutions
Major businesses including Salesforce, Amazon, Netflix, Unilever and Microsoft have formed a new alliance aimed at mobilising funding for scalable climate solutions.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan declares 'retrofit revolution' to slash building emissions
London will soon host a new £3.5m 'centre of excellence' to help social housing providers retrofit their homes, and City Hall has also entered a new partnership deal that could unlock £10bn of private finance to cut building emissions.
Banking giants team up to accelerate net-zero transition for steel industry
Six leading lenders to the steel industry - ING, Citi, Goldman Sachs, Societe Generale, Standard Chartered and UniCredit - have created a new working group focusing on decarbonisation.
Shareholders pass vote for HSBC to phase-out global coal financing by 2040
Shareholders of HSBC have today passed a proposed management resolution that commits the bank to phase-out financing for the coal industry by 2040 worldwide, following successful campaigning from investors.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson urges UK SMEs to make net-zero commitments
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has issued a rallying call to the UK's small and medium-sized (SME) businesses to make small steps to reduce emissions and contribute to the UK's net-zero target for 2050.
Next G7 Summit in Cornwall to be certified as carbon neutral
The UK Government has confirmed that the next G7 Summit, due to take place in Cornwall next month, will comply with internationally recognised standards for carbon neutrality.
£2bn for net-zero: SSE outlines bumper low-carbon spending plans for this financial year
Utility major SSE has unveiled plans to invest £2bn in low-carbon projects and supporting infrastructure this financial year, after posting a rise in profits led by renewable energy.
World's hottest year on the horizon, new Met Office climate analysis warns
There is a 90% chance that one of the next five years will be the hottest on record, a new report from the Met Office and World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is warning.
Climate activists appointed to ExxonMobil board as Chevron shareholders back stronger emissions goals
Shareholder motions filed by climate activists have passed at US fossil fuel giants ExxonMobil and Chevron, with disgruntled investors clearly keen to see more ambitious emissions reduction targets.
Manufacturer McCormick's first net-zero building set for Peterborough
Multinational food ingredients manufacturer McCormick has confirmed that a new facility in Peterborough looks set to become its first net-zero carbon building.
Global hydrogen investment to grow 25-fold by 2040, Bloomberg predicts
Global annual investments in hydrogen totalled $1.5bn between 2018 and 2020, but the average could be $38bn by 2040, a new Bloomberg Intelligence report claims.
Zero-emission zones can help cities slash transport emissions by 70%, WEF claims
Zero-emission zones, in which polluting vehicles are banned or charged, can help cities cut road transport emissions by more than half, a new World Economic Forum (WEF) publication claims.
Kew Gardens eyes net-positive climate impact by 2030
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has published a 'Manifesto for Change' headlined by a commitment to reduce, sequester and offset more emissions than it generates.
WWF: UK banks and investors financing projects with double nation's climate impact
UK banks and asset managers collectively financed projects emitting 805 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2019 - around twice the UK's annual national carbon footprint.
UK's ultra-rapid EV charging stock to triple with new £300m funding package
The UK's energy networks have jointly pledged a further £300m in funding for low-carbon technologies across 200 projects, including almost 1,800 new ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
CBI: UK's green recovery could generate £700bn economic boost by 2030
The Confederation for British Industry (CBI) has launched a major new campaign uniting business in the push for a green recovery from Covid-19, claiming that this could bring £700bn of economic benefits for the UK this decade.
Cathay Pacific sets global net-zero target for 2050
Major international airline Cathay Pacific Group has set a 2050 net-zero target and unveiled a three-pronged delivery strategy, based on energy efficiency, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and offsetting.
Oxford, Kent and Arsenal: New EV charging hubs unveiled across the South East
Plans have been unveiled for Oxford to host what is described as Europe's most powerful electric vehicle (EV) charging hub. Meanwhile, Kent County Council and Arsenal FC are also celebrating charger installations.
Viridor targets net-negative emissions by 2045 through carbon capture technology
Waste management firm Viridor has committed to becoming a net-zero emissions business by 2040 and to then move further by reaching net-negative emissions five years later.
In action: Exploring Skanska's electric vehicle charging retrofit
edie has launched a new three-page download looking at how EDF-owned chargepoint provider Pod Point assisted Skanska on its mission to become carbon-neutral by 2045 by retrofitting a key office with chargpoints for EVs.
O2 outlines plans to slash data centre emissions
Telecommunications giant O2 is set to cut emissions from its data centres by more than half a million kilograms within a year, after investing in natural cooling technologies and energy efficiency.
Achieving Net-Zero Carbon Heating: Six Top Tips for Businesses
Produced in partnership with Centrica Business Solutions, this handy ‘top tips’ guide provides organisations across the private and public sector with six clear and concise pieces of advice on adopting low-carbon heating technologies and processes.
Google and Microsoft among businesses backing 24/7 clean energy tracking
More than 100 global companies, including PwC, Microsoft and Google, are taking part in a new worldwide initiative aimed at verifying clean energy sourcing on an hourly basis.
UK's net-zero bill could be £16.7bn lower with flexible energy, new report reveals
The annual cost of the UK's net-zero transition could be billions of pounds cheaper if policymakers and the public and private sectors collaborate to scale up battery storage, hydrogen and other flexible energy innovations.
Global transport emissions to skyrocket 16% based on current policies
Global traffic emissions look set to rise by 16% by 2050 based on current policies, as demand for transport activity doubles, according to a new report that is calling for ambitious climate policies to reduce emissions from the sector.
Costa Coffee to install EV chargers at hundreds of UK drive-thrus
Costa Coffee has announced plans to install rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers at up to 200 of its UK drive-thru locations.
Nando's on track to reach carbon neutrality this year
As restaurants in England begin to welcome customers indoors for the first time in 2021, Nando's has announced that it is on track to become a carbon-neutral business by November.
'Care for creation': Fossil fuel divestment promised by dozens of major faith institutions
The Church in Wales, Diocese of Bristol and Diocese of Oxford are among a group of 36 faith institutions to have jointly committed to divesting from fossil fuels, stating that they have a moral imperative to help combat the climate crisis.
edie kicks off new COP26 Primer report series with Clean Energy focus
As part of the brand-new Countdown to COP26 Festival of digital content and events, edie has this week launched a series of "Primer Reports" which provide need-to-know insights into the key themes of this year's crucial climate talks. First up: Clean Energy.
Net-zero villages and Royal Mail delivery drones: 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.
BP shareholders reject tougher climate targets
More than one-fifth of BP shareholders supported a resolution from climate activists calling on the energy giant to set tougher emission reduction targets for its net-zero transition, but ultimately the filing was rejected.
Nuclear industry warns that planned closures could derail global net-zero transition
Key groups representing the global nuclear industry have penned an open letter to world leaders warning that the proposed retirement of existing nuclear plants could derail the net-zero transition, calling for the technology to have the same access to climate finance as renewables.
#SustyTalk: Countdown to COP26 with The Climate Group's Sandra Roling
With COP26 less than six months away, edie has launched a new series of videos with high-level speakers, designed to inspire and empower your preparations for the conference. Up next, The Climate Group's head of EV100 Sandra Roling.
Royal Mail to add 29 biogas HGVs to delivery fleet
Royal Mail is adding 29 biogas-powered trucks to its fleet in a bid to reduce emissions while saving costs on fuel, while it has been confirmed that the world's largest biofuel station is set to open in Bristol this year.
BT cuts emissions by 14% over 12-month period
Over the last 12 months, BT Group has reduced the carbon intensity of its operations by 14%, putting the company on course to reach net-zero emissions by 2045, while broadcaster Sky has had carbon reduction targets for its net-zero ambition approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Lidl unveils carbon-neutral cheddar cheese
In what it claims is a first in the UK's supermarket sector, Lidl GB has announced plans to begin selling cheddar certified as carbon neutral this year.
Adidas and Allbirds unveil running shoes with 'lowest recorded' carbon footprint
The average running shoe has a carbon footprint of 13.6kg of CO2e. Following months of collaboration, Adidas and Allbirds have unveiled a prototype pair with a footprint of less than 3kg.
UK Power Networks sets science-based emissions targets on journey to net-zero
In what it claims is a first among UK distribution network operators, UK Power Networks has had its emissions goals green-lit by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
Amazon launches inaugural sustainability bond, priced at $1bn
E-commerce giant Amazon has issued a $1bn sustainability-focussed bond, with funds raised set to assist the delivery of the firm's low-carbon and social sustainability targets.
Road to net-zero: UK business giants team up to accelerate investment in low-carbon transport
Uber and Lloyds Banking Group are among the founding members of a new business coalition working to unlock investment into low-carbon road transport systems.
UK's retail giants 'have halved emissions since 2005'
An analysis of the climate footprint of dozens of the UK's best-known retailers has revealed that the sector's carbon emissions are down 49% on 2005 levels.
edie Explains: Flexible Energy Systems
What is a flexible energy system? And how can flexible energy systems be used to accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon business? This edie Explains guide answers all of these questions and more.
Unilever's net-zero transition plan backed by more than 99% of shareholders
More than 99% of Unilever's shareholders have voted in favour of its plans to become a net-zero business by 2039, the FMCG giant has said.
Barclays shareholders reject resolution on fossil fuel phase-out
Despite continued campaigning from non-profits, activists and investors, Barclays' shareholders have rejected a proposal that would require the bank to reduce fossil fuel finance on climate grounds.
Survey: UK businesses set to invest almost £16bn in EVs this year
UK businesses are planning to spend £15.8bn on electric vehicles (EVs) between April 2021 and March 2022, a 50% increase in spending from the previous year.
The Body Shop owner raises $1bn for first sustainability bond
Natura & Co, the parent company of the Body Shop and Avon, has issued what it claims is Latin America's largest sustainability bond to date, priced at $1bn.
Co-op targets carbon neutrality across own-brand food and drink by 2025
In what it claims is a first for a UK supermarket, the Co-op has pledged to ensure that all own-brand food and drink products are carbon neutral by 2025.
Tesco links supplier financial support to environmental goals
Tesco is offering preferential financing rates for suppliers that address their environmental impacts, under a new voluntary programme supported by Anthesis, KPMG and Santander.
Now available on-demand: edie's online masterclass on low-carbon heat
edie's free online masterclass exploring how businesses can decarbonise heating on the road to net-zero is now available to watch on-demand.
'One Decade to Act': Multiplex Europe plots course to net-zero
Major construction contractor Multiplex Europe has outlined a string of 2030 climate targets on the road to net-zero by 2050, including measures to cut on-site emissions and embodied carbon.
Electrified heat and hydrogen: Renewable energy deployment 'must grow fivefold by 2030'
To ensure that the global energy mix transitions in line with net-zero, wind and solar will need to be deployed at least five times faster than current rates by 2030 and hydrogen investment must scale dramatically.
CDP: Three-quarters of finance giants not disclosing climate impacts of portfolios
The average finance firm’s financed emissions will be 700 times higher than those of their direct operations- but just one in four companies are measuring and disclosing them.
AECOM to become a net-zero business by 2030
Consultancy AECOM has committed to delivering net-zero operations this year and a net-zero value chain by 2030, as part of a sweeping new ESG strategy.
VistaJet targets carbon neutrality by 2025 as British Airways owner ups sustainable aviation fuel
Private flight firm VistaJet has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2025, by reducing emissions and then offsetting, in the same week that International Airlines Group (IAG) set new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) targets.
Climate risk and security risk: UK-backed natural gas project on hold after Islamic State attacks
Developer Total has withdrawn all staff from a gas project in Mozambique, backed by £1bn of UK Government funding, following violence from militant attackers.
Penguin Random House targets climate-neutral value chain by 2030
Publishing giant Penguin Random House is aiming to deliver a carbon-neutral global value chain by 2030, as part of an updated sustainability policy.
BlackRock launches temperature-aligned investments funds
The world's largest investor BlackRock has unveiled two new temperature-based exchange funds aimed at helping investors align portfolios with the pathways of the Paris Agreement.
Global energy emissions set to rebound as Covid-19 lockdowns lift, IEA warns
Global energy demand is rebounding rapidly from the Covid-19-related slump, with fossil fuels set to play a major role in meeting this demand, the International Energy Agency (IEA) is warning.
Arla completes 'big data' Scope 3 emissions footprint on road to net-zero
Dairy major Arla Foods has completed what it claims is one of the biggest analyses of data on Scope 3 (indirect) carbon emissions in the sector, as it strives to deliver net-zero carbon by 2050.
Textiles 2030: Fashion giants pledge to halve climate impacts
A string of big-name fashion brands including Primark, JD Sports and ASOS have joined a new WRAP initiative mandating them to halve emissions by 2030, with a longer-term view to reaching net-zero.
Ikea Foundation to spend €1bn on climate programs within five years
Retail giant Ikea's charitable arm has outlined plans to spend an additional €1bn on initiatives supporting the low-carbon transition within five years.
From Burger King to Whitbread: Business giants mark Earth Day with new climate targets
Several well-known brands, including Burger King, Ribena, Lucozade and Visa, have marked Earth Day 2021 by announcing new climate targets such as net-zero ambitions.
Treasury could mandate UK financial firms to add climate labels to products
HM Treasury has today (22 April) published the results of its two-year review on how the financial system must change to support the net-zero transition, recommending changes to tackle greenwash, empower consumers and properly prepare government departments for future costs.
Boeing, Netflix and Microsoft among founders of new business alliance on sustainable aviation fuels
A new alliance to help scale sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) by increasing and unifying corporate demand has been backed by a string of big-name businesses, including Boeing, Deloitte, Microsoft and JP Morgan Chase.
Mark Carney to chair 'Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net-Zero' ahead of COP26
A new initiative from the US and UK Governments, designed to unite the global financial sector on the net-zero transition, has launched, confirming Mark Carney as chair.
HP targets net-zero value chain by 2040
HP has confirmed it will transform parts of its business from a transactional model to a services-based proposition, as part of a sweeping new climate strategy that will see the business's value chain reach net-zero by 2040 and embrace closed-loop materials.
Climate Pledge: Amazon's net-zero initiative passes 100 corporate signatories
Colgate-Palmolive, PepsiCo and Sainsbury's are among the 52 businesses joining The Climate Pledge, co-organised by Amazon and Global Optimism, today (21 April).
Sixth Carbon Budget: UK to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has agreed to legislate a new target to reduce national emissions by 78% by 2035, including emissions from international shipping and aviation, following the Climate Change Committee's advice on the Sixth Carbon Budget.
Green jobs primed to replace all jobs lost to Covid-19
New research has found that more than 800,000 job losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the UK could be replaced by new green jobs, provided government and private investment is mobilised to push towards the 2050 net-zero target.
Fujitsu sets 1.5C science-based climate targets
Japanese multinational IT firm Fujitsu has unveiled new climate targets, verified in line with the Paris Agreement's more ambitious 1.5C trajectory.
Ditch fossil fuel finance, $11trn investor coalition tells big banks
A coalition of 35 major investors with $11trn of assets under management collectively are calling on banks to "enhance" their climate targets, backing up long-term visions with action in the short-term.
Net-Zero Business podcast: Inside the UK's low-carbon heat transition
In response to the accelerated pace at which corporates are examining and setting net-zero targets to help alleviate the climate crisis, edie's monthly Net-Zero Business podcast was created. Up next, we talk low-carbon heat with Centrica Business Solutions and the Heat Pump Federation.
Amazon installs more than 800 EV chargers at UK sites
Amazon has confirmed that more than 800 electric vehicle (EV) charging points have been installed across its UK sites with "hundreds more" scheduled, as part of an ongoing partnership with Suffolk-based EO Charging.
UK's solar sector 'rebounding from pandemic and subsidy closures'
175MW of solar generation capacity was installed across the UK between January and March, according to new figures, compared to just 60MW in the same quarter of 2020.
Patagonia launches campaign urging Brits to support community renewable energy
After successful campaigns on renewable, community-owned energy projects in the US and EU, Patagonia has begun supporting UK residents to follow suit.
Heineken targets carbon-neutral value chain by 2040
Global brewer Heineken has unveiled a new corporate strategy to become carbon-neutral across its operations by 2030 and then across its entire value chain by 2040.
Healthcare sector plots first global roadmap to net-zero
In what has been described as a world first, the healthcare sector has developed a global framework for reaching net-zero by 2050 at the latest.
New coalition to help UK SMEs align with net-zero amid Covid-19 recovery
After research revealing that most UK SMEs face challenges relating to jargon and finance in the low-carbon transition, a new initiative has been launched to offer support.
CISL calls for standardised climate disclosure framework for investors
While most investors are measuring and disclosing their climate performance, it is hard to compare progress between companies because there is not a universal framework. This makes it more challenging for investors to be held to account or to accelerate progress.
Report: Net-zero targets from corporates becoming more 'genuine'
An analysis of the climate commitments of 401 companies has found that the uptake of "genuine" net-zero targets - those regarded as ambitious and not greenwashing - has more than doubled in the past year.
Additional $600m for low-carbon solutions as BlackRock forms new investment partnership
The world's largest investor, BlackRock, has forged a new partnership with Singapore-based Temasek to scale up investment in low-carbon technologies.
Most UK business travellers to fly less after lockdown, survey reveals
A survey of more than 1,400 frequent business travellers in Europe has found that UK-based professionals, in particular, are planning to fly less once Covid-19 restrictions lift.
Michelin to expand hydrogen focus on road to net-zero
Tyre giant Michelin has unveiled a new strategic vision that will see it scaling up its smart technology and hydrogen fuel cell businesses while halving emissions from operations and transport by 2030.
Kingspan targets net-zero carbon manufacturing by 2030
Building materials and design giant Kingspan has pledged to reach net-zero emissions from its estate of more than 160 manufacturing sites this decade.
