low-carbon from edie

Pictured: BHP's Escondida mining operations in Chile

BHP to switch from coal to renewables at two major mines

Mining and metals giant BHP has unveiled plans to switch to 100% renewable power at two of its largest copper facilities, as it strives to develop science-based emissions targets.

According to the ONS, China was accountable as the biggest source of imported emissions, representing 82 million tonnes in 2015

Territorial emissions: ONS data shows 35-year difference in UK peak emissions

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has found that the UK's emissions peaked in 2007, rather than 1972, if territorial emissions from imports abroad were taken into account.

Between 2018 and 2025, Volvo Cars will reduce its lifecycle carbon footprint by 40%

Volvo Cars to become carbon-neutral by 2040

Volvo Cars has announced plans to become a carbon-neutral company by 2040, with short-term targets in place to slash emissions by 40% and generate 50% of its global sales from electric vehicles (EVs).

Landsec needs to ensure that the reduction levels remain the same for the end of Q4

Landsec hits science-based targets 11 years early

Commercial real estate firm Landsec has met its verified science-based target 11 years ahead of schedule, with the company's latest quarterly energy data revealing that carbon intensity has fallen by 40%.

The publisher has not yet outlined how it will get to net-zero. Image: GMG

Hold the front page: The Guardian targets net-zero by 2030

Guardian Media Group - the publishing house behind titles including The Guardian and The Observer - has pledged to become a net-zero business by 2030.

The move from Google builds on its initial sustainability commitments on hardware, which were made earlier this year. Image: Alphabet

Google unveils $150m investment to power manufacturing with renewables

Google has committed to invest $150m (£118m) in helping its key manufacturers to source renewable power, and to help the regions in which they operate decarbonise their electricity grids.

Darroch was speaking at a WWF Where the World Turns event to discuss the role of business in combatting climate change

'We're up for it': Sky exploring its role in net-zero future

Sky's chief executive Jeremy Darroch has claimed that the company is "figuring out" how it can help push the UK to net-zero emissions before the 2050 deadline.

According to the World Health Organization, nine in 10 citizens around the world breathe dirty air, with seven people dying prematurely due to health problems linked to air pollution

London joins global cities on 'race to the top' for clean air

The mayors of 35 cities, including London, Los Angeles and Milan, have signed a new declaration to tackle the dangers of air pollution and the climate crisis by pledging to improve air quality through measures that go above and beyond existing national commitments.

PMI workers at a factory in Bologna. Image: PMI

Philip Morris to make all its factories carbon neutral by 2030

Cigarette giant Philip Morris International (PMI) has announced its intention to make all of its factories carbon neutral by 2030, after its Klaipeda factory in Lithuania reached the status.

Howard Boyd (left) gave a keynote speech on the state of climate risk reporting. Image: Sarah George

Environment Agency targets net-zero by 2030

England's Environment Agency (EA) has committed to reaching net-zero carbon in its operations and supply chain by 2030 - two decades ahead of the UK Government's national target.

Senior energy professionals from a range of sectors convened for the roundtable discussion

Flexible energy roundtable: Bridging the net-zero carbon policy gaps

Academic research often cites flexible energy technologies such as battery storage and electric vehicles (EVs) as key components of the low-carbon economies of the future. But with policies supporting the UK Government's 2050 net-zero goal still in their infancy, what must now be done to support their widespread adoption?

The blueprint is due for publication in 2020. Image: KLM

KLM partners with Microsoft to create sustainable aviation 'blueprint'

Dutch airline KLM and tech giant Microsoft have partnered to develop a 'blueprint' outlining how the aviation sector can decarbonise in line with the Paris Agreement.

Each of these success stories exemplifies how businesses are ramping up ambitions and actions in all areas of sustainable development

Mumbai Airport's plastics ban and TOMS's charity podcast: 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 2040 date is currently not aligned with the recommendations of the Government's own climate advisory body

Conservatives hint at plans for earlier petrol and diesel car sale ban

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said he would like the Government to "thoroughly explore" the feasibility of bringing its current 2040 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars forward.

Half of UK businesses 'targeting carbon neutrality by 2030'

A survey of 502 UK businesses has found that almost half are aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2030, with 8% claiming they had already reached this milestone.

edie rounds up the key findings of three recent surveys on green behaviour change

In numbers: What's stopping people from switching to 'greener' habits?

The 20 September climate strikes were the largest to date, undeniably proving that public attitudes to sustainability are shifting substantially. But, as a number of new surveys has highlighted, barriers to some "green" behavioural changes remain.

The company will also commit €1.5bn annually in net capital expenditure on onshore and offshore wind technology and solar photovoltaic and storage solutions

RWE to become carbon-neutral by 2040

German utilities giant RWE has unveiled a new strategy to transform itself into a carbon-neutral company by 2040 by funnelling billions into renewables projects, decommissioning existing coal-fired plants and backing carbon capture and storage technology.

Pictured: The Cottam coal power station, which is set to cease generation next Monday (30 September). Image: EDF

Coal drops to record low generation share in UK

Coal power generated a record low of 0.6% of the UK's grid mix between April and June, the latest official Government statistics have revealed.

World Green Buildings Week is a time for reflection on progress to date, as well as planning for future action

World Green Building Week: Ten of Europe's most eye-catching sustainable buildings

To mark World Green Building Week, edie is showcasing ten European buildings with best-practice sustainability credentials.

In total, Kering's 2018 offsets will cover 2.4 million tonnes of CO2e

Refashioned approach: Kering goes carbon-neutral

The luxury fashion group behind brands such as Cartier, Balenciaga and Saint Laurent has confirmed plans to offset its entire 2018 greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint, including its supply chain emissions.

The report represents the work of 104 scientists and references nearly 7,000 publications

Sea-level rise to affect one billion people by 2050, landmark IPCC report reveals

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has today (25 September) published its highly anticipated landmark report detailing how climate change will affect the world's oceans and cryosphere, and the impacts this will have on human health, the economy and wildlife.

The UN claims this is the first time this many investors have made a net-zero pledge on the same day.

'Unprecedented': Investors responsible for $2.4trn commit to net-zero alignment

A group of finance giants, collectively responsible for investments worth $2.4trn, have committed to ensuring that their respective portfolios are carbon-neutral by 2050.

The motion was led by Lauren Townsend (pictured). Image: Twitter/Lauren Townsend

Labour commits to 2030 net-zero target as part of Green New Deal

Labour Party members have backed a pledge to reduce greenhouse emissions to net-zero by 2030 - two decades earlier that the government's current target.

Power and transport collectively generate 40% of all man-made carbon emissions globally, on an annual basis. Image: World Economic Forum

Report: Batteries could cut global transport and power emissions by 30%

A rapid acceleration of battery uptake among the global transport and power sectors could slash their collective annual emissions by 30% by 2030, a new report has concluded.

Worldwide, aviation is one of the fastest-growing sectors for greenhouse gas emissions, which increased by 76.1% between 1990 and 2012

CCC: Net-zero strategies for shipping and aviation 'must cap growth in demand'

If the UK is to meet its 2050 net-zero target, Ministers must develop sector-specific strategies with time-bound, numerical targets for decarbonising the international aviation and shipping (IAS).

More than a third of the companies analysed are not disclosing their carbon emissions. Stock image of factory in China

Most of world's biggest firms 'unlikely' to meet Paris climate targets

More than four-fifths of the world's largest companies are unlikely to meet the targets set out in the Paris climate agreement by 2050, according to fresh analysis of their climate disclosures.

Mars has invested almost $1bn in a string of measures aimed at transforming its approach to corporate sustainability

Mars launches new climate action initiative, commits to 1.5C science-based targets

Mars has committed to set science-based targets in line with the Paris Agreement's more ambitious 1.5C trajectory, as part of a new initiative aimed at driving climate action among its staff, suppliers and consumers.

The businesses now have 24 months to get their targets approved by the SBTi

87 major firms commit to setting 1.5C science-based targets

L'Oreal, Inter Ikea Group and Nestle are among a coalition of 87 corporates to have today (22 September) committed to set science-based emissions reductions targets in line with the Paris Agreement's more ambitious 1.5C trajectory.

Amazon commits to net-zero by 2040 following staff protests

E-commerce giant Amazon has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2040, after its staff lobbied for the firm to take more bold action on climate change.

Wellington city and harbour from Mount Victoria

Net-zero cities can unlock $24tn opportunity, report finds

Investment into readily available technologies could reduce emissions from cities by 90% by 2050, while creating a global economic benefit worth almost $24trn (£19trn), a new report has claimed.

Weinberg believes the strategy sets a "clear direction of travel" for OVO's overarching mission to "power [the] world with positive energy". Image: Sarah George

Plan Zero: Inside OVO Energy's bold vision to 'fight the climate crisis'

EXCLUSIVE: OVO Energy has today (19 September) published its first sustainability strategy, including plans not only to reach net-zero in its own operations 20 years ahead of the Government's deadline, but to mobilise society in collective climate activism.

World's biggest mobile operators vow climate disclosure in first step towards net-zero

BT Group and Vodafone Group are among a coalition of 50+ mobile operators to have agreed to begin publicly disclosing their climate impacts.

Gucci’s carbon-neutral strategy stretches from its supply chain to its fashion shows. Image: Gucci/Kering

Gucci goes carbon neutral in attempt to tackle climate crisis

As the fashion industry continues to address its role in the climate crisis, Italy's most valuable luxury brand has said it has become an entirely carbon-neutral company.

Electricity supplied to the airport will be generated across Orsted's offshore wind portfolio. Image: Bristol Airport

Bristol Airport switches to 100% renewable electricity

Shortly after announcing plans to make its own operations carbon-neutral by 2025, Bristol Airport is switching to 100% renewable electricity.

23 businesses, 23 cities and six states around the world have now signed the WGBC commitment. Image: JLL

JLL targets 'net-zero' buildings by 2030

Property consultancy JLL has signed the World Green Building Council's (WGBC) net-zero carbon buildings commitment, committing it to bring operational carbon emissions to zero by 2030.

The NFU claims that net-zero can be met for the sector by 2040, even as it grows. Image: NFU

NFU: UK farming sector can reach net-zero by 2040, without ditching beef

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has unveiled a new vision to help the sector meet net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, ten years ahead of the Government's nationwide target.

Almost 600 companies have committed to climate action through the SBTi, but the majority of these targets are aligned to 2C. Image: EN+ Group

Aluminium giant EN+ Group to develop net-zero strategy

Aluminium and hydropower giant EN+ Group has committed to develop emissions targets in line with a 1.5C trajectory within 24 months.

The new target builds on those already set separately by individual bus firms. Image: Arriva

UK bus industry targets petrol and diesel phase-out

Organisations representing more than 95% of the UK's bus industry have pledged to only invest in low-emission vehicles from 2025, over concerns surrounding climate change and air pollution.

Pictured: Crossdykes Wind Farm, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Image: Peter Brett

Bloomberg: Global renewable energy boom driven by business community

Global investment in low-carbon energy is set to hit $2.6trn by the end of this year, with large corporates driving this trend, new analysis from Bloomberg has concluded.

The campaign covers three key sustainability issues: greenhouse gas emissions, supply chain transparency and the circular economy. Image: ACI

Consumer goods giants team up in bid to lower environmental impacts

Clorox, Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Henkel are among a group of consumer goods businesses selling cleaning products to have co-launched a campaign aimed at driving the sector towards "net-positive" environmental and social impact.

The cement industry accounts for 6% of global CO2 emissions

Cement giant Heidelberg throws weight behind CCS

Heidelberg Cement has signed a memorandum of understanding with multinational energy giant Equinor, in a bid to scale up its efforts in the field of carbon capture and storage (CCS).

(L-R) Presenter Sarah George, reporter, edie, Charlie Jardine and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Rising Star, Charlie Jardine

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Rising Sustainability Star award, Charlie Jardine.

Bioenergy currently accounts for 7.4% of the UK energy mix

REA: Bioenergy must double UK mix share to safeguard security

The Government must ensure that bioenergy generation doubles to 16% of the UK's energy mix by 2032, if energy security is to be safeguarded and climate targets to be met.

10 REEVs have entered UPS’s delivery fleet in Tamworth and an additional 5 in Southampton. Image: UPS

UPS unveils 400km range-extending electric vehicles

Logistics giant UPS has introduced a new collection of range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) to its fleets across Birmingham and Southampton.

Due to its fast-growing nature and carbon-sequestering qualities, WWF has dubbed seagrass " akey weapon in the battle against climate change". Image: WWF

Sky partners with WWF on UK's biggest seagrass restoration scheme

Sky's Ocean Rescue arm has partnered with WWF on a new project aimed at restoring carbon-sequestering seagrass habitats in west Wales.

The new feature will be rolled out across 30 countries in the coming weeks. Image: Google

Google unveils 'green' Maps feature to encourage low-carbon travel

Tech Google has added a new feature to its Maps service, enabling users to add last-mile ridesharing and biking options to journey plans.

The new policy package has been widely welcomed across the UK's green economy, including by the Committee on Climate Change

Scottish government unveils swathe of green initiatives

The Scottish government has pledged to ensure that, by 2024, all new homes must use renewable or low-carbon heat.

(L-R) Presenter Mike Pitts, interim challenge director, Innovate UK, Mitsubishi Electric’s Marc Overson and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Low-carbon Product Innovation, Mitsubishi Electric

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Low-carbon Product Innovation award, Mitsubishi Electric.

Since the London ULEZ launched in April, the number of non-compliant vehicles travelling through the capital daily has decreased by one-quarter. Image: City Hall

City-based Clean Air Zones 'would boost UK economy by £6.5bn'

By implementing designated Clean Air Zones in which polluting vehicles are fined to travel, UK cities could collectively reap economic benefits of £6.5bn.

The warning has been sent to every English council currently developing a new local plan

Dozens of councils set to miss legal climate obligations, ClientEarth warns

Environmental law firm ClientEarth has warned more than 100 local authorities that they will miss their legal climate targets without strengthening plans to decarbonise buildings and transport.

Both religious leaders used their speeches to declare a "climate emergency". Image: Zebra48bo/Wikimedia Commons Zebra48bo [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury urge 'drastic measures' on climate change

Both Pope Francis and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby have called for greater global action to tackle climate change, in speeches made to mark the UN Climate Summit and the Global Ethical Finance Summit respectively.

The charities argue that more funding is needed to decarbonise transport, the build environment and heavy industry in particular

UK funding to tackle climate crisis 'must double', Government warned

Britain's biggest environmental groups have warned the government that funding to tackle the climate emergency must be more than double next year to avoid an even greater cost from catastrophic ecological breakdown in the future.

(L-R) Presenter Vincent de Rul, energy solutions sales director, EDF Energy, Norwich City Council’s Kevin Maguire, compere Michaela Strachan and Norwich City Council’s Richard Willson

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Carbon Reduction - Norwich City Council

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Carbon Reduction award, Norwich City Council.

Collectively, BEIS staff took 66% more domestic business flights in the 2018-2019 financial year than the year prior

Number of flights taken by BEIS officials soars

The Whitehall officials responsible for tackling the climate crisis dramatically increased their domestic flights last year despite the huge carbon footprint associated with aviation.

(L-R) Skretting’s Trygve Berg Lea, presenter Laura Timlin,
director, Carbon Trust Business Services, Nutreco’s Jose Villalon and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Product Innovation - Nutreco and Skretting

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Sustainability Product Innovation of the Year award, Nutreco and Skretting.

Recent PwC research found that AI could help reduce global emissions by up to 4% by 2030

Energy leaders urge government to back international AI climate centre

Leading voices from across the energy sector have this week called for the government to support the creation of an International Centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy and Climate.

OVO Energy has a long history of minimising the carbon impact of its products through renewable energy procurement

OVO Energy moves to lower climate impact of its marketing

Independent energy provider OVO Energy has unveiled a string of new measures to reduce the resource and carbon impact of its marketing, including an offsetting scheme and a "no-flights" policy.

Thyssenkrupp is one of just four German firms to achieve SBTi approval

Thyssenkrupp targets 'climate-neutrality' after setting new science-based targets

German industrial giant Thyssenkrupp has had its new emissions goals approved by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), shortly after pledging to become climate-neutral by 2050

This week's innovations could drive significant change in the transport, fashion and food sectors

Unilever's vegan mayonnaise and 'smart' e-bikes: The best green innovations of the week

Every week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations are being developed to help businesses and nations turn their green ambitions into actions. Here, we round up six of the best.

Molson Coors is the world's third-largest brewer and owns brands such as Carling, Cobra and Blue Moon. Image: Molson Coors

Molson Coors unveils 1.5C science-based targets, new sustainable packaging goals

Molson Coors has today (12 August) published its new sustainability report, revealing that its new emissions targets have been approved in line with a 1.5C trajectory by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

Lewis is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgable figures in the energy investment space

Mark Lewis: Businesses 'underestimating' speed of low-carbon transition

EXCLUSIVE: Businesses seeking to future-proof themselves against the physical and societal impacts of climate change must set aside resources for scenario analysis - and treat the results of this process as real, rather than "hypothetical".

Gap Inc now holds three PPAs - one for onsite solar generation, and two for offsite wind generation

Gap targets 100% renewable energy by 2030

Fashion giant Gap Inc has made a new commitment to meet 100% of the energy consumption of its owned and operated facilities globally with renewable energy by 2030.

The biggest growth market for corporate PPAs in H1 of 2019 was the US. Image: US Air Force

Renewable energy sourcing by US-based corporates set for record high in 2019

US-based corporates have collectively signed contracts for 5.95 GW of renewable energy so far in 2019, compared to 6.2GW during the whole of 2018, new analysis has found.

Pictured: Goldsmiths' new warden Professor Frances Corner (L) speaking to allotment coordinator and senior lecturer for fine arts Dr Ros Gray (R). Image: Goldsmiths, University of London

Goldsmiths bans beef burgers as it declares 'Climate Emergency'

Goldsmiths, University of London, has become the latest UK university to officially declare a 'Climate Emergency', unveiling a string of new sustainability measures to be taken for the new academic year.

Over the past few years, the growth in EV sales is widely believed to have outstripped the growth in charging infrastructure installations

Government doubles funding for on-street EV charging

The Department for Transport (DfT) has today (12 August) announced that it will provide an extra £2.5m of funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure on residential streets, bringing its total investment since 2017 to £5m.

82% of Ørsted's power generation was classed as 'clean' in H1 of 2019, up from 71% in H1 of 2018. Image: Orsted

Ørsted unveils ambitious new targets on supply chain emissions, fleet electrification

Danish energy giant Ørsted has unveiled new ambitions to reduce emissions from its ground transport fleet and supply chain, after drastically reducing emissions from power generations.

Rapid EV charging rolled out across West Yorkshire

A network of 88 rapid charging points for electric vehicles is being installed across West Yorkshire as part of the local authority's drive to improve air quality in the region.

The firm's overarching and ongoing ambition is to “use as little fossil fuel as possible”. Image: Arriva

Arriva 'on-track' to meet ambitious decarbonisation goals

Public transport provider Arriva has revealed that it is "on-track" to achieve its decarbonisation ambitions across Europe, including a 2026 goal to reach zero emissions in Limburg, the Netherlands.

The SMMT claims that there are currently 80 "alternatively fuelled" car lines on sale in the UK, including 21 fully electric models

UK's EV registrations almost triple as diesel sales tumble

Almost three times as many electric cars were registered in the UK this July than in July 2018, research from one of the nation's largest automotive trade associations has concluded.

The commitment covers all shipments to and from customers, for whole devices as well as replacement parts and accessories. Image: Alphabet Inc.

Google targets carbon-neutral hardware deliveries

Tech giant Google has unveiled a new string of sustainability pledges for its hardware, including a commitment to make all customer shipments carbon-neutral by 2020.

The report concludes that getting the same amount of mobility from gasoline as from new renewables in tandem with EVs over the next 25 years would cost 6.2 to seven times more

Report: Economics of petrol and diesel in 'irreversible decline'

Oil production costs must fall to $10-20 per barrel for petrol and diesel to compete effectively against renewable power in the transport sector, a new report has claimed.

Audi's supply chain shake-up and Wales' coal plant closure: 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.

In numbers: What behaviours will Brits happily change to champion sustainability?

A new survey of more than 2,000 adults in the UK has shed new light on the actions they are - and aren't - willing to take to help reduce their environmental footprints. Here, edie rounds up the key findings.

Companies taking part in 'Better Retail, Better World' include John Lewis & Partners, M&S, Fenwick and Kingfisher - the owner of B&Q and Screwfix

Report: UK retailers surpassing carbon reduction commitments early

A group of more than 25 of the UK's largest retailers have collectively reduced their absolute carbon footprint by more than one-third (36%) since 2005, a new study has found.

London is one of 13 European cities which has already implemented restrictions on petrol and diesel vehicles

Bloomberg: Petrol and diesel bans reaching critical mass in European cities

Businesses with fleets across mainland Europe will have to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles within a decade or risk losing business in key cities, new research from Bloomberg has suggested.

Yanbu Cement (pictured) is among the group of 18 companies

EP100: Energy-efficient businesses slash $55m off annual bills

A coalition of 18 large businesses have collectively shaved $55m (£45m) off their energy costs by implementing better efficiency measures, a new report from The Climate Group has concluded.

Virgin Media is known for using fun imagery and interactive features to make its sustainability reports more engaging

Virgin Media targets 100% renewable electricity by 2020

Virgin Media has pledged to source only renewable electricity for the entirety of its operations by 2020, after joining The Climate Group's RE100 initiative.

BHP operates across three of the world's most carbon-intense sectors: Minerals, mining and petroleum

Hard-to-abate no more? BHP, Cargill set new visions for decarbonisation

Mining and metals giant BHP and agri-food multinational Cargill have unveiled ambitious new decarbonisation targets, in a sign that hard-to-abate sectors are beginning to bolster their climate ambitions.

The commitments cover the University's entire estate of 20+ facilities across the Cambridge city-region

Cambridge becomes first university to set 1.5C science-based targets

The University of Cambridge has become the first higher education institution in the world to set science-based targets in line with the Paris Agreement's more ambitious 1.5C trajectory.

Johnson was criticised for only mentioning battery technology in his speech outside No. 10

Boris Johnson insists climate change at the 'absolute core' of Government

Boris Johnson pledged to place tackling climate change at the "absolute core" of the Government's actions during his first appearance in the House of Commons as Prime Minister.

Pictured: EDF's Hinkley Point C nuclear power station

Clark: UK may need 40GW of new baseload generation by 2050

Whether from nuclear plants or power stations equipped with carbon capture and storage (CCS), the UK will need up to 40GW of new low-carbon baseload generation to meet the net-zero emissions target, Greg Clark has warned.

Drax Power Station, near Selby, North Yorkshire, has converted three of its six units to burn wood pellets

Drax halves carbon emissions

Power giant Drax has cut its absolute carbon emissions for the first half of 2019 by 52%, compared to the same period last year.

The roundtable was chaired by Business in the Community’s environmental director Gudrun Cartwright and included 16 other sustainability and climate leaders

Climate leadership roundtable: Are we on the right track for a net-zero economy?

The UK Government's recent move to legislate for net-zero emissions by 2050 has been widely welcomed across the green economy - but how should businesses respond? edie recently convened a group of sustainability leaders from an array of industry sectors to discuss exactly that.

From 1 September 2019, all new cars sold in the UK will have to meet “real driving emissions” standards that put stringent limits on the amount of nitrogen oxides that can be emitted

Nissan refuses government request on Qashqai emissions

Nissan's decision to ignore a government request for emissions modifications to thousands of polluting cars has been branded a scandal by environmental campaigners.

The first 6,000 pots arrived at Lush's UK headquarters this week

Lush debuts 'carbon-positive' packaging

Health and beauty retailer Lush has unveiled what it claims is the world's first 'carbon-positive' packaging.

Under its existing remit, Ofgem is required to keep the government’s climate policies in mind but its primary obligation is to protect the interests of energy consumers. Pictured: Walney Wind Farm

Energy regulator 'out of touch over climate crisis', say businesses

The UK energy regulator is under fire for failing to prioritise the climate emergency as it draws up plans for Britain's energy system.

The publication of the study comes in the same week that Extinction Rebellion has kick-started its summer wave of protests

Survey: Business failing to keep pace with public pressure for climate action

The UK public does not believe that big businesses are acting rapidly enough to mitigate or help society adapt to the 'Climate Emergency', a new survey has concluded.

Gloucestershire University (pictured) received the highest overall score, 80.6%, across the league table's 11 criteria

How ethical and sustainable are UK universities?

Gloucestershire, Manchester Metropolitan and Nottingham Trent are among the highest-scoring universities in a new league table which ranks higher education establishments on their ethical and environmental ambitions and actions.

In April, the ESO also vowed to take the necessary actions to allow the power grid to run on entirely zero-carbon electricity by 2025

National Grid ESO joins Powering Past Coal Alliance

The National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has announced it is joining an international group, called the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), which is working on the transition away from coal power.

The first 50 chargers are due to be installed within the next three months

Mitchells & Butlers to host rapid EV charging network

Pub and restaurant chain Mitchells & Butlers is set to install up to 200 rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers across its UK estate, as part of a partnership with BP's Chargemaster arm.

Manchester City Council set its net-zero target in December 2018, following a feasibility study by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research

Manchester declares 'Climate Emergency' as Leeds bolsters net-zero preparations

Manchester City Council has become the latest local authority to formally declare a 'Climate Emergency', placing it among a coalition of more than 100 others across the UK and Ireland.

The UK's heat networks currently serve about 500,000 customers, but this could rise to five million by mid-century

Citizens Advice: Government lacking 'credible' plan to decarbonise heat

The Government's failure to implement a "credible" framework for the decarbonisation of heat for commercial and domestic use could undermine public confidence in the net-zero transition, Citizens Advice has warned.

The greatest improvement in reducing the energy consumption of economic growth was recorded in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Pictured: Kazakhstan's largest solar farm

Global economic growth 'now directly linked to greater energy efficiency', report finds

The global energy efficiency of economic growth has improved by one-third since 1990, new research from professional services giant PwC has concluded.

100 of the new charging points will be installed before Christmas

UK's rapid EV charging stock 'to double by 2024'

Electric vehicle (EV) charging network firm Engenie has unveiled fresh plans for expansion, which it claims will enable it to double the number of rapid chargers in the UK by 2024.

Ovo Energy boss kick-starts campaign for general carbon charge

Ovo Energy's chief executive and founder Stephen Fitzpatrick has launched a new campaign aimed at bolstering the UK's emissions policies on the road to net-zero.

The corporates studied hail from 14 of the world's most carbon-intensive sectors, including oil and gas extraction and distribution

Report: Just one-eighth of corporates aligning with Paris Agreement

An analysis of 274 corporates across the world's most carbon-intense sectors has found that just one in eight are reducing their emissions in line with the Paris Agreement's less ambitious trajectory of 2C.

Sales of pure EVs are up - but wide-scale adoption is slow and some plug-in vehicle registrations have declined in 2019.

Government injects £37m into innovative EV charging projects

Plans have been outlined by the government to invest £37m into twelve projects to drive forward growth in ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs).

The UK Government estimates that around 400,000 people are currently employed in "green-collar" jobs

Government commission necessary for 'just' transition to net-zero, trade unions argue

A coalition of trade unions have urged the UK Government to create a cross-party commission focused on ensuring that the transition to net-zero by 2050 is socially and economically "just".

The commitments collectively account for more than 21,000 vehicles. Image: SSE

SSE, Centrica, Mitie commit to total fleet electrification

'Big Six' energy firms SSE and Centrica, as well as facilities services giant Mitie, have today (8 July) unveiled fresh commitments to electrify the entirety of their respective fleets.

Carbon prices in the EU currently stand at about €27 per tonne. Image: Greenpeace EU

Official EU petition calls for minimum carbon price

The European Commission has registered an official petition that calls on the EU executive to set up a minimum carbon price, "discourage the consumption of fossil fuels" and keep global warming to below 1.5C.

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