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EDF takes over EV charging giant Pod Point
Energy giant EDF has acquired a majority stake in one of the UK's largest electric vehicle (EV) charging firms, Pod Point.
'A landmark moment': NHS to boost renewable energy sourcing
More than 11% of the NHS's estate will be switched to 100% renewable electricity this spring, under new energy deals signed by its Property Services arm.
Government opposes 'powerless' energy efficiency proposals
The government has rejected calls to beef up its target of getting all homes to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C standard by 2035 - while signalling that its own heat policy road map will be published "very soon".
Church of England commits to net-zero emissions by 2030
The Church of England will "urgently examine" what will be required to reach net-zero emissions, after a vote was passed to set the target for 2030, 15 years ahead of an initially recommended date.
EU starts to chart shipping's new green course
The shipping industry will soon have to pay for its environmental impact in the EU, as both the European Commission and Parliament are moving forward with plans to include vessels in the bloc's flagship carbon market. But there are choppy waters ahead.
BP sets 2050 net-zero carbon target
BP's new chief executive has set an ambition to shrink the oil giant's carbon footprint to net zero by 2050 and will cut the carbon intensity of the energy it sells by 50% over the same period.
Dissecting the challenge: How Sky is approaching its net-zero target
EXCLUSIVE: Sky is facing the daunting task of engaging with 11,000 companies and 24 million customers as part of its new commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. The group's head of responsible business Fiona Ball outlines how Sky is "dissecting" this target to manage the transformation.
Plan to expand Bristol airport rejected after climate protests
A scheme to expand Bristol airport has been rejected following protests that it would exacerbate the climate emergency, damage the health of local people, and harm flora and fauna.
Carbon trading clarity and citizens in the spotlight: What do businesses want from COP26?
With a successor to the COP26 presidency role yet to be announced, all eyes are on Westminster for news on its plans for organising the crucial summit. But - beyond a stable delivery team - what are UK business's big asks of the conference, both in terms of organisation and execution?
Sector coupling: Electrification of transport and buildings could slash emissions by 60%
Mass-Scale electrification of the transport, buildings and industrial sectors could enable Europe to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% over the next 30 years, according to a new report published today by research company BloombergNEF (BNEF).
Lack of vehicle supply stifling corporate uptake of EVs
Corporates are spurring demand for electric vehicles (EVs) across the globe, but concerns persist about a lack of vehicles supply, according to an annual update from the group behind the EV100 initiative.
Reports: Budget to include new energy efficiency and EV subsidies to spur net-zero progress
Chancellor Sajid Javid is mulling a string of new subsidies to reduce building and transport emissions from homeowners and public sector organisations for next month's Budget, it has been reported.
Equinor to dramatically increase wind investment under new climate strategy
Energy major Equinor has pledged to grow its renewable energy generation capacity tenfold over the next six years, in a major shake-up to its climate targets.
Ryanair: 'We're reviewing everything around environmental sustainability'
EXCLUSIVE: Amid increasing pressure from the general public, policymakers and investors, Ryanair's first director of sustainability has said the airline is reviewing its environmental targets and processes.
UK's low-carbon heat networks receive £40m Government boost
The Government has outlined how it will allocate £40m to bring seven new low-carbon heat networks online across London, Leeds, Liverpool and Bristol.
Bristol City Council declares 'ecological emergency', invests in battery storage
Bristol City Council has this week passed a motion to declare an 'ecological emergency' and approved plans to install a battery storage unit at City Hall.
Energy UK calls for tax-funded energy efficiency scheme
Trade body Energy UK has proposed that general taxation is used to fund a national energy efficiency programme.
UK's largest housebuilder sets 1.5C-aligned emissions targets
Barratt Development has committed to reducing direct and indirect carbon emissions in line with the Paris Agreement's more ambitious 1.5C trajectory.
Northern Powergrid and OVO Energy make fresh bids to spur EV uptake
Northern Powergrid has launched a new digital tool to help business customers install electric vehicle (EV) charging points, in the same week that OVO Energy partnered with Mitsubishi to offer free EV miles to individual customers.
edie's publisher Faversham House expands ClimateCare partnership to offset event travel emissions
edie's publishing company Faversham House has announced an expansion to its partnership with ClimateCare to offset all carbon emissions from speaker and delegate travel across all its events throughout 2020.
Mary Robinson: Business and governments must avoid net-zero 'hypocrisy'
EXCLUSIVE: The former president of Ireland Mary Robinson has claimed that net-zero commitments made by governments and corporates must lead to a "just transition" that also combats the "hypocrisy" of ignoring fossil fuel developments further afield.
'A critical decade': Sky commits to net-zero emissions by 2030
Broadcaster Sky has today (4 February) unveiled a new commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 through strategies to make its products more energy efficient, its film and TV more sustainable and by engaging consumers and the value chain to "go zero".
Asda pledges to halve emissions by 2025
Asda has committed to halving its Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (power-related) emissions by 2025, under new targets which it claims are aligned with a 1.5C trajectory.
Bafta delivers its first carbon-neutral ceremony
Bafta has invested in a string of initiatives to decarbonise and reduce the resource impact of its 2020 film awards ceremony, which took place in London this Sunday (2 January).
Ofgem sets out nine-point plan to prioritise climate crisis
Britain's energy regulator has said it will change how it governs the industry to help meet the government's climate targets, after coming under fire for failing to prioritise the climate emergency.
UK set to breach fifth carbon budget, despite setting net-zero goal
The UK is still set to miss its fifth carbon budget despite the creation of a legally-binding net-zero target for 2050 last year, new analysis has found.
EY targets carbon neutrality by end of 2020
Professional services giant EY has pledged to become a carbon-neutral business by the end of the year, through investments in decarbonising its operations and in carbon offsetting schemes.
Report: Stronger green policies for transport and homes would save NHS £3.7bn each year
By implementing stronger policies around walking, cycling, electric vehicles and energy efficiency in homes, the Government could save the NHS at least £3.7bn per year.
Electricity and gas networks 'failing to show true leadership on net-zero'
The RIIO2 challenge group has lamented a lack of "true leadership" among network operators on subject of decarbonisation, stating that none of the companies that submitted business plans to Ofgem in December have been "genuinely proactive".
Businesses team up to launch net-zero infrastructure taskforce
Industry bodies representing hundreds of firms across the engineering and environmental technologies sectors have partnered to analyse how the UK's infrastructure should be redesigned to meet net-zero by 2050.
National Grid: 400,000 energy jobs must be filled to hit net-zero
More than 117,000 roles will need to be filled in the energy sector by 2030, and a further 283,000 by 2050, if the UK is to meet its net-zero target.
Davos 2020: Calls to climate action and everything else you may have missed
Over the past few days, reports and announcements around sustainability have been launched at a pace, as more than 3,000 business leaders, policymakers and thought leaders and Bill Nye gathered in Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF). This round-up highlights the key green talking points that you need to know.
Big names including Amazon and Ikea spearhead new corporate EV alliance
A new alliance aimed at helping businesses to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is being spearheaded by some of the world's most recognisable corporates, including Amazon, Ikea and Siemens.
Worcester and London universities to trial sustainable diets behaviour change programme
Students at the University of Worcester, City and the University of London will take part in a new European trial designed to change behaviours and promote sustainable diets and climate-friendly meals.
UK's first 'smart' commercial hub signs 50-year clean energy innovation deal with E.ON
The developers of what purports to be the UK's first "smart" commercial campus have singed a 50-year deal with E.ON, that will see the utility giant develop, test and scale-up clean energy solutions in the west country.
Ambition Zero Carbon: AstraZeneca targets carbon-negativity by 2030
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has pledged to become carbon-negative across its entire value chain by 2030, with an interim ambition of reaching net-zero operational carbon emissions from operations by 2025.
'Transformation through transparency': How Microsoft will collaborate to meet its carbon-negative goals
EXCLUSIVE: As it strives to meet its boldest sustainability target to date - becoming "carbon-negative" by 2030 - Microsoft will need to forge innovative collaborations with businesses across and beyond its supply chain.
Government boosts funding for on-street EV charging
The government has doubled its funding for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers on residential streets to £10 million.
IEA: Oil and gas firms investing less than 1% of funds in low-carbon transition
Of the investments collectively made by the world's largest public, private and state-owned oil and gas giants in 2018, less than 1% went towards low-carbon activities such as building renewable energy infrastructure or installing carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) technologies.
Lloyds Banking Group to halve carbon emissions of investments by 2030
Lloyd's Banking Group has pledged to halve the carbon emissions generated by projects it finances by 2030, in support of the UK's 2050 net-zero target.
Latest Government figures spark fears that UK's green economy is 'stagnating'
The latest Government figures reveal that turnover in the UK's low-carbon economy was £46.7bn in 2018, up from £40.5bn in 2015. But the 2018 figure is still equivalent to just 1% of national non-financial turnover, experts have warned.
Survey: Lack of know-how hampering net-zero progress from businesses
Ever more UK businesses are targeting net-zero by, or ahead of, the Government's 2050 deadline. But half of businesses with net-zero targets are struggling to plan to deliver against them, a new survey has found.
'Neutral is not enough': Microsoft pledges to become carbon-negative by 2030
Tech giant Microsoft has today (16 January) unveiled a bold new plan to reduce its carbon impact to below net-zero by 2030, with an additional goal of removing carbon from the atmosphere that the company has emitted since it was founded in 1975.
Visa and PepsiCo celebrate 100% renewable electricity milestones
Visa has met its target to use 100% renewable electricity across its global operations, in the same week that PepsiCo announced that 100% of the electricity used across its US operations will be renewable by the end of 2020.
Forster Communications targets 'climate-positivity' by 2023
Social change PR agency Forster Communications has pledged to become 'climate-positive' by 2023, reversing and mitigating more negative environmental impacts than it generates through its direct and indirect actions.
Wates Group targets zero waste and carbon by 2025
Private-owned construction firm Wates Group has committed to new goals that target zero waste from all onsite operations and zero carbon emissions from operations and vehicle fleets by 2025.
Quorn rolls out carbon footprint labelling
Quorn Foods is introducing labels detailing the carbon footprint of its products to some of its most popular lines, as consumer interest in the climate impact of groceries rises.
National Trust to plant 20 million trees in bid to become net-zero by 2030
The National Trust has unveiled a plan to become net-zero carbon by 2030, which features one of the UK's biggest forest expansion projects.
'Near zero' by 2050: Equinor outlines new long-term emissions targets
Norwegian oil and gas giant Equinor has pledged to bringing the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of its onshore plants and offshore fields to "near zero" by 2050.
British Airways begins offsetting domestic flight emissions in first step towards net-zero
British Airways has begun offsetting all emissions generated through domestic flights within the UK, at no additional cost to passengers.
UK's first net-zero offices certified in Manchester and Liverpool
A portfolio of 11 office properties across Liverpool and Greater Manchester have been verified as net-zero carbon against the UK Green Building Council's (UKGBC) standard, in what the developer has described as a national first.
Royal Dutch Shell may fail to reach green energy targets
Royal Dutch Shell is at risk of falling short on plans to invest up to $6bn (£4.6bn) in green energy projects between 2016 and the end of 2020, with its slow progress likely to raise concern that oil companies are not moving fast enough to help tackle the climate crisis.
Shipping giants debut LNG and hydrogen vessels
Multinational fuel giant Tristar has added a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker to its international shipping fleet for the first time, in the same week that Kawasaki Heavy Industries debuted the world's first ship capable of transporting large volumes of liquid hydrogen.
UK's first grid-injected hydrogen trials begin in Staffordshire
A pilot project injecting zero-carbon hydrogen into an existing gas network is now fully operational, the consortium of organisations behind the initiative have announced.
New Years Honours 2020: The sustainability champions on the Queen's list
The 2020 New Year Honours list has recognised the outstanding achievements of more than 90 figures across the UK's environmental sphere, including green business figures, policy experts and scientists working to combat climate change and marine pollution.
Shipping fuel regulation to cut sulphur levels comes into force
Sulphur will be cut drastically from global shipping transport fuels in 2020, in a move that should reduce some forms of air pollution, and may help towards tackling the climate emergency - but which could also lead to a rise in the price of flights.
Five top takeaways from edie's energy storage masterclass
On Tuesday (17 December), edie hosted a masterclass with EDF Energy on energy storage and onsite renewable generation. Here, we round up the key insights and information on this crucial issue for sustainability and energy managers.
Pernod Ricard joins RE100
The world's second largest wine and spirits group, Pernod Ricard, has joined The Climate Group's RE100 with aims to scale up its climate action in the next five years.
Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot merger aims to lead 'new era of sustainable mobility'
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Groupe PSA, the parent companies of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot, have claimed their merger will place the newly created entity at "the forefront of a new era of sustainable mobility".
ArcelorMittal Europe outlines plans for 30% carbon reduction by 2030
Steel and mining giant ArcelorMittal Europe has announced plans for a CO2 roadmap to reduce its total emissions by 30% by 2030.
City of London Corporation outlines plans for capital's first zero-emission street
Plans to launch the first zero-emission street have been put forward by the City of London Corporation in a bid to improve air quality.
Zero-carbon ships 'on the horizon' under fuel levy plan
Shipping companies would have to pay a small levy on every tonne of fuel they use under proposals aimed at developing zero-carbon vessels within 10 years, transforming the high-carbon global shipping business.
EU 'confident' €100bn green transition fund will come to fruition
A draft €100bn "Just Transition Mechanism" outlined by the European Commission as part of its Green Deal last week will eventually see the light in January, EU officials have said. The amount of "fresh money" under the new fund is, however, expected to be limited.
Oxford City Council targets net-zero by end of 2020
Oxford City Council has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions within its own operations by the end of 2020, after residents on the local authority's Citizens' Assembly on Climate Change requested such a move.
Net-zero in the public sector: What might it mean for business?
As the dust settles following the General Election, it is time to return to the imperative of swift action to set the course for net-zero and the vital role of the public sector in achieving it.
Shell links $10bn credit facility to low-carbon progress
Royal Dutch Shell is linking the interest and fees paid on its new $10bn (£7.5bn) revolving credit facility to progress against its carbon targets.
UK towns and cities to benefit from Google's climate management tech
Google will enable more than 100 global areas across to access a digital tool which helps towns and cities to measure and reduce their carbon footprint, including major UK cities.
London businesses turn to cargo bikes to slash Christmas logistics emissions
During the Christmas period, workplace deliveries of personal online shopping rose by nearly two-thirds (62.5%) with 77% concerned about environmental impact, according to Transport for London (TFL).
Beyond Paris: 500 companies target net-zero by 2030
More than 500 businesses certified as B-Corps have committed to becoming net-zero by 2030 - 20 years ahead of the IPCC's deadline for limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5C.
Greta passes the mic and 1.5C targets surge: What happened during the first week of COP25?
COP25 - the UN's annual two-week-long climate summit - has entered its second week in Madrid. Here, edie rounds up all the key news and views from the first week of the event.
Car giants 'driving with the brakes on' towards climate goals, report warns
The world's 25 largest car manufacturers are collectively failing to act in line with the Paris Agreement in terms of both electrifying their portfolios and strengthening climate governance, new analysis from CDO and the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) has warned.
Lord Deben chides politicians for failing to act on decarbonisation of heat
The major Westminster parties are showing insufficient urgency about efforts to decarbonise heat, the chair of the government's climate change watchdog has warned.
VF Corporation sets 1.5C science-based targets
VF Corporation - the fashion giant behind brands including Vans, The North Face and Timberland - has set new science-based emissions targets in line with the Paris Agreement's 1.5C trajectory.
The sustainability of Peak: Top tips for reducing your emissions this Christmas
It comes as no surprise that the Peak season is an all-consuming time of year for businesses - and I don't just mean Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The "peak" shopping period, which runs from October to January every year, is one of the busiest times of year for retailers and logistics providers alike.
Report: One in three transport companies aligning with Paris Agreement as investor pressure mounts
A survey of 57 of the world's largest transport companies, including airlines and carmakers, has found that more than one in three (35%) have set emissions targets in line with the Paris Agreement.
Kingspan and Cargill unveil Paris-aligned climate strategies
Construction materials giant Kingspan and agri-food multinational Cargill have both unveiled new science-based emissions targets at the UN's COP25 summit in Madrid.
Repsol targets net-zero by 2050
Spanish oil and gas giant Repsol has committed to becoming a net-zero emission business by 2050, across its own operations and its indirect impacts.
Huge surge in number of companies targeting 100% renewables by 2030
The Climate Group has received more than double the number of corporate signatories first expected to its RE100 scheme, with the average target date for 100% renewables now standing at 2028.
Philip Morris: Offsetting isn't the 'credible' long-term solution to carbon-neutrality
EXCLUSIVE: As it strives to achieve carbon-neutrality across all factories by 2030, cigarette giant Phillip Morris International (PMI) will continue to "do the hard work first" and only use offsetting as the last piece of the puzzle, the firm's director of operational sustainability has said.
Europe's climate-related investments lagging, EIB warns
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has used its latest annual investment report to warn that financing for green projects across the EU is "lagging" behind levels recorded in markets such as China and the US.
Report: World's largest asset managers failing to champion global climate goals
Some of the world's biggest asset management firms, including the likes of BlackRock, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, are collectively failing to drive alignment with the Paris Agreement in their business models and policy lobbying.
Is revoking Uber's London licence an environmentally sustainable choice?
Earlier today (25 November), Transport for London (TfL) confirmed that ride-hailing firm Uber will not be able to renew its licence in the capital. But will this move help or hinder the sustainable mobility transition?
AB InBev completes its first zero-emission beer delivery
Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) has announced the completion of its first zero-emission beer delivery, 18 months after placing an order for 800 hydrogen-electric semi-trucks.
Vogue publisher vows to phase-out plastics and align with Paris Agreement
Condé Nast, the publishing house behind titles such as Vogue, Glamour and GQ, has committed to removing non-recyclable plastics from its products and reducing emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.
Fossil fuel production on track for double the safe climate limit
The world's nations are on track to produce more than twice as much coal, oil and gas as can be burned in 2030 while restricting the rise in the global temperature to 1.5C, analysis shows.
From case-study to company-wide vision: How Absolut is expanding its carbon neutrality ambitions
EXCLUSIVE: Back in 2013, The Absolut Company achieved carbon-neutral certification for its distillery in the Swedish village of Ahus. With its sights now set on company-wide carbon neutrality by 2030, how will the company turn this case study into an overarching vision?
Environmental consultancies team up to launch sector-wide 'Pledge to Net-Zero'
Environmental consultancies WSP and AECOM have teamed up to launch a new pledge campaign, urging companies from across the environmental services sector to set science-based targets and report annually on decarbonisation progress.
Government-backed trial of biomethane trucks slashes emissions for Asda
The coalition of businesses leading a UK-wide trial of biomethane fuels for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), including Asda and Kuehne + Nagel, has revealed that the scheme mitigated the emission of 1,400 tonnes of CO2e over a two-year period.
REA: Policy gaps mean Britain is failing to finance 'crucial' shift to flexible power system
Britain is failing to attract and facilitate investment in the transition to a flexible electricity system - a transition described as "crucial" to the delivery of the UK's 2050 net-zero target.
Greenwash or necessity: What role does carbon offsetting play in reaching net-zero?
Several NGOs offering carbon offsetting have reported a fourfold increase in investment over the past two years - but with concerns around greenwashing persisting, where should businesses be positioning offsetting in their net-zero strategies?
First steps: What must businesses focus on now to deliver a net-zero UK by 2050?
According to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the UK's delivery against its 2050 net-zero target will require "rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society" - but where, exactly, should the business response start?
Formula 1 targets net-zero by 2030
Formula 1 (F1) has today (12 November) set a 2030 net-zero target that covers the on-track activity of its cars and the series' wider operations.
Tim Yeo: We have to take cost risks on low-carbon projects
The urgency of the climate crisis means that the world cannot wait for a decade or more to find out whether emerging technologies - such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) - will work, the former chair of Parliament's energy and climate change committee has warned.
Just one in 10 of world's largest energy firms have net-zero targets, report finds
Just 10% of the world's largest 132 coal, electricity and oil and gas companies have set time-based commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero, with just three companies also pledging to reduce indirect emissions as well.
Qantas to double flight offsets as part of net-zero 2050 commitment
Australian airline group Qantas will invest $50m in sustainable fuel over the next decade and offset growth in emissions from international and domestic flights in order to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Homes and businesses deliver flexible green energy to Cornwall's Local Energy Market
A fully automated Local Energy Market (LEM) in Cornwall has, for the first time, seen the local Distribution System Operator (DSO) and the National Grid ESO procure flexible green energy from businesses and households simultaneously.
Birmingham Airport sets net-zero carbon target for 2033
Birmingham Airport has set a commitment to become a net-zero carbon airport by 2033, noting that it has a "big opportunity" to reduce emissions via onsite renewable generation and would also minimise the use of carbon offsets.
Plans for zero-carbon industrial hub fleshed out in new roadmap
Drax, Equinor and National Grid have published a new roadmap fleshing out their plans to create the world's first zero-carbon industrial hub in the Humber region by 2040.
CBI: Stronger energy, transport and heat policies needed to make 2020s 'a decade of climate action'
The CBI's director-general Carolyn Fairbairn has made a rousing call to action ahead of December's general election, urging the next Government to kick-start a "decade of climate action".
Government should lead by example and target net-zero pre-2050, MPs urge
MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) have urged the Government to "put its own house in order" and set internal net-zero targets far more ambitious than the national 2050 deadline.
