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KP Snacks to scale regenerative farming, Morrisons turns to insect-based chicken feed
In two positive sustainability moves in the UK's farming sector, KP Snacks has outlined plans to scale regenerative potato farming and Morrisons will begin decreasing the use of soy - a commodity linked to deforestation - in chicken feed.
Nissan promises £13.2bn of investment in EV revolution this decade
Japanese carmaker Nissan has unveiled a new investment plan worth two trillion yen (£13.2bn), aimed at accelerating its electric vehicle (EV) transition through to 2030.
Black Friday: Seven brands promoting more sustainable alternatives to overconsumption
November 26 marks Black Friday - arguably the biggest shopping day of the year in the US and UK. But, amid growing recognition of the connections between overconsumption and the climate crisis, some brands are using the occasion to champion sustainability instead.
Elemis to launch refillable packaging formats
Skincare and beauty brand Elemis has joined a new collaborative initiative focused on reusable packaging, spearheaded by Scottish SME Beauty Kitchen and backed by firms including Asda and Unilever.
John Lewis Partnership launches £1m fund for circular economy innovations
Retail giant John Lewis Partnership has partnered with environmental charity Hubbub to launch a £1m fund for innovative projects that reduce waste.
Apple to support customers to repair their own phones and Mac computers
Apple is set to launch a new 'self-service' repair offering for iPhone and Mac users in 2022, whereby people will be provided with spare parts, tools and instructions to repair their own tech.
M&S trials clothing rental as ASOS launches open-source circular economy guide
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has launched its first clothing rental trial, on the same day that ASOS published a new interactive guide to help brands and designers reduce waste across the fashion value chain.
Tesla, Hertz, Uber and Royal Mail: Major EV schemes launched ahead of COP26
Several major electric vehicle (EV) announcements have been made on the eve of COP26, with Royal Mail opening and all-electric delivery office in Glasgow and thousands of EVs being ordered for major car rental and ride-hailing schemes.
Unilever-owned Knorr outlines plans to start 50 regenerative agriculture projects within five years
Unilever's largest food brand Knorr has revealed plans to initiate more than 50 regenerative agriculture projects by 2026, with schemes planned that cover 80% of its key ingredients.
Daimler and BP partner on UK hydrogen refuelling network
Mercedez-Benz's sister brand, Daimler Truck, has partnered with BP to develop a network of up to 25 hydrogen truck refuelling stations across the UK this decade.
Plant-based food and beverage firms team up in bid to accelerate diet shifts
Alpro, Oatly, ProVeg UK and Upfield have formed a new coalition for the UK's plant-based food and drinks sector, in a bid to engage other businesses, policymakers and individuals with the transition to more sustainable diets.
NatWest promises £100bn for climate and sustainability by 2025, with SME focus
Banking giant NatWest Group has pledged to provide £100bn of climate and sustainable funding and financing by the end of 2025, after surpassing its previous ambition in this field.
Make your business a force for good: Seven top tips for B Corp certification
More than 4,000 businesses have certified as a B Corp, with the mark widely recognized as the highest standards of purpose-led business and sustainability. Here, edie outlines seven top tips for joining the B Corp community.
What makes a sustainability leader? Meet circular economy innovation champions AeroFarms
With the entry deadline for edie's 2022 Sustainability Leaders Awards on Friday (8 October), this series showcases the achievements of previous winners. Up next: Winner of our 'Circular Economy Innovation' award, AeroFarms.
Rolls-Royce to sell only electric cars from 2030
Luxury automaker Rolls-Royce has announced that it will launch its first pure electric vehicle (EV) in 2023 and stop selling petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles from 2030.
Net-A-Porter launches fashion resale offering
Luxury fashion platform Net-A-Porter is launching what it claims is its most extensive resale scheme to date, after pledging to 'unlock recommerce' in an updated sustainability strategy.
Costa Coffee trials blockchain-enabled reusable cup loan scheme
On-the-go food and drink giant Costa Coffee is piloting a scheme whereby reusable cups are loaned to customers and monitored using a digital blockchain platform.
Ford confirms $11.4bn investment in electric vehicles
Automaker Ford has unveiled plans to develop two new electric vehicle (EV) battery factories and a "mega campus" for EV research and development, at a total cost of $11.4bn.
Fashion giants urged to decrease clothing production as part of their sustainability plans
The British Fashion Council (BFC) is urging big-name companies to go beyond setting headline sustainability targets to cut emissions and waste in-house, and reduce the number of garments they are producing.
UK's first sovereign green bond package raises £10bn
The UK Government has today (21 September) launched its first green gilt, with reports that investors have placed a record £90bn in orders for the bond.
DHL accelerates green fleet transition with electric van rollout
DHL Express has added 50 electric vans to its UK fleet and announced plans to introduce a further 50 by the end of the year.
Just Eat trials reusable takeaway packaging in bid to cut plastics use
Food delivery firm Just Eat has partnered with reusable packaging service CLUBZERO to trial the approach in London.
Hyundai promises a hydrogen version of all models by 2028, as Toyota ramps up EV investment
Hyundai has unveiled a new hydrogen strategy, including a commitment to apply hydrogen fuel cell systems to all models by 2028, in the same week that rival Toyota confirmed plans to spend more than $13.5bn on electric vehicle (EV) tech by 2030.
Airlines could account for 20% of global emissions by 2050, report finds
Unless the aviation sector accelerates efforts to decarbonise, its share of global annual emissions could grow from 3% at present to 20% by 2050, according to a new analysis from Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
'New territory for us': How BMW is embedding circular economy principles to accelerate the low-carbon transition
EXCLUSIVE: BMW's VP for sustainability and mobility Dr Thomas Becker has spoken exclusively to edie about its new climate and circular economy commitments, stating that the company "will not get on a Paris-compliant pathway" without recycling and reusing materials.
Big-name businesses boost nature targets at global conservation congress
A string of businesses are using the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Congress this week as a backdrop for updating biodiversity strategies, with new announcements from the likes of L'Occitane, Walmart, Pernod Ricard and Kering.
#SustyTalk: Danone's Yann-Gael Rio on scaling regenerative agriculture
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with an exclusive discussion with Danone's vice-president for agriculture procurement and sustainability, Yann-Gael Rio.
Report: UK could create 450,000 jobs through circular economy transition
With better Government support to scale up the repair, reuse, recycling and remanufacturing sectors, the UK could create almost half a million new jobs by 2035.
How can we accelerate the circular economy transition? Here are 5 top tips
With COP26 on the horizon and the economic recovery from Covid-19 continuing, much has been said in recent weeks about the climate and social benefits of the circular economy. But how can businesses and public sector organisations help accelerate the transition away from taking, making and disposing?
Selfridges unveils circular economy offerings for weddings as SEEN launches beauty packaging recycling
Retail giant Selfridges has launched a new service enabling wedding parties to rent outfits and accessories or to buy second-hand, in the same week that beauty agency SEEN Group is debuting a new recycling scheme for beauty product packaging.
Available to watch on-demand: edie's Earth Overshoot Day webinar
Readers interested in learning about the intersections between the green recovery, circular economy and net-zero transition are encouraged to retrospectively watch edie's Earth Overshoot Day webinar.
Asda expands plastic-free refill offering
Asda has more than doubled the number of product lines available in refillable formats at the first store to trial the offering, located in Middleton, Leeds.
Vauxhall to only sell pure electric cars and vans from 2028
British automotive brand Vauxhall Motors has confirmed that it will not sell any cars or vans with internal combustion engines (ICEs) from 2028 onwards, including hybrids.
Asda to add plastic-free refill stations to more UK stores
Following a successful trial in one store, Asda is adding refill stations for products including tea, cereal and pasta to four more UK locations by the end of 2021.
General Motors to funnel $35bn into EVs by 2025
General Motors (GM) is increasing its funding for electric vehicles (EVs) and automated vehicles (AVs) by 75% over the next five years.
Europe's biggest carmakers 'not on track' for EV transition
Toyota, Ford and BMW are among the eight major European automotive firms accused of being unprepared for the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in a new report from Transport & Environment.
Starbucks to launch reusable cup sharing programme in the UK this year
Starbucks has announced plans to launch a reusable cup 'sharing' initiative in all British, French and German stores in the coming months, ahead of a roll-out across Europe, the Middle East and Africa by 2025.
Unilever forges fungi partnership to scale up plant-based protein
As part of a plan to reach €1bn in sales target for plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, Unilever has partnered with a food-tech firm producing fungi-based mycoprotein.
Circular economy: Arc'teryx launches resale, care and repair services
Outdoor clothing and equipment brant Arc'teryx has launched a new programme enabling consumers to resell, repair, upcycle and extend the life of their products.
Made.com launches giving platform for used homewares in circular economy push
Online home and lifestyle retailer Made.com has launched a new service enabling customers to list used goods for resale or free donation, as part of its drive to become a "truly circular business'.
Iceland boss Richard Walker: Collective business activism required to hold politicians to account
EXCLUSIVE: Iceland Foods' boss Richard Walker believes that 'collective business activism' is essential in driving policymakers to align with the sustainability movement, following a recent letter sent by food retailers to the Brazilian Government urging them to reconsider a new land bill that could increase deforestation.
Pandora to ditch mined diamonds over sustainability concerns
The world's largest jewellery brand, Pandora, has announced plans to stop sourcing mined diamonds and to switch to only lab-grown alternatives.
Ikea launches buy-back service in all UK stores
Following a string of Covid-19-related delays, Ikea has launched its long-awaited buy-back scheme for furniture across its UK stores.
Asda launches second-hand fashion offering in 50 UK stores
Following a successful trial in 2019, Asda is rolling out a second-hand fashion aisle to 50 of its UK stores, in a bid to encourage a more circular economy for clothing.
Regenerative and circular net-zero transition: Inside Mulberry's new sustainability strategy
In an exclusive interview with edie, Mulberry's chief executive Thierry Andretta explains how its new ambitions to reach net-zero by 2035 and champion transparency, regeneration and circularity will be delivered.
Regenerative agriculture and AI for solar: Google funnels €10m into projects tackling climate change
Google's charitable arm Google.org has outlined how it will allocate a €10m Impact Challenge on Climate funding, naming winners in fields including solar farm optimisation and regenerative farming.
Nike Refurbished: Shoe giant launches new service to help combat waste
Nike has launched a new service whereby shoes can be refurbished and resold, thereby extending their lifespan.
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.
Servitisation and the circular economy: How can businesses encourage shoppers to consume less?
Often, when businesses make resource efficiency commitments, they stop short of committing to shifting to business models that will see them selling fewer products. But why - and which businesses have overcome this challenge?
Building resilience post-Covid-19: Businesses urged to 'reinvent capitalism' and regenerate nature
If the climate crisis is to be averted and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals to be met, businesses must help to "reinvent capitalism" so the "true value" of nature and society are appreciated.
Why the circular economy is primed to improve social sustainability and value chain resiliency
EXCLUSIVE: The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the fragility of both society and the sprawling value chains that the economy relies on. Shifting nations to a circular economy could be key in delivering a green recovery that champions sustainable income and environmental stewardship.
Circular Economy Week: edie kicks off week of zero-waste themed content and events
Running from 22-26 March, edie's Circular Economy Week includes exclusive interviews, podcasts, reports, webinars and in-depth feature articles - all dedicated to embracing closed-loop models.
VW aims to double EV sales in 2021
Volkswagen (VW) has committed to selling more than 450,000 electric vehicles (EV) globally in 2021 - more than double the amount it sold in 2020 - as part of its Covid-19 recovery efforts.
Circular economy models reduce costs and boost sales for major fashion brands
Outerwear brand FW and fashion platform Farfetch have revealed the results of two-year pilots of circular economy models, pledging to expand them following positive financial results.
The 2021 Sustainable Business Leadership Report
edie's annual survey reveals what "business leadership" looks like for sustainability, CSR and energy professionals across the UK, following our first two reports in 2019 and 2020. With businesses responding to the pandemic in different ways, leadership is being redefined.
Daimler prices €1bn green bond to help finance EV transition
Mercedes-Benz's parent company Daimler has priced its second major green bond at €1.02bn, with funds set to be spent on delivering its climate and electric vehicle (EV) targets.
P&G launches refillable shampoo bottles in the UK
Procter & Gamble (P&G) has launched a refill format that uses 60% less plastic across several of its most popular shampoo brands in the UK.
Volvo Cars to go fully electric by 2030
Volvo has outlined plans to stop selling petrol, diesel and hybrid cars by the end of the decade.
Drax unveils plans to host UK's largest carbon capture project by 2027
Drax has begun the planning process for its proposals to scale up bioenergy with carbon capture (BECCS) arrays at its Yorkshire power plant.
Survey: Circular economy businesses outperform those that take, make and dispose
Companies using circular economy models like refill, resale and repair generate have seen sharper revenue upticks than their traditional competitors, new market research has found.
eBay: Shoppers increasingly looking for 'eco' and 'sustainable' homewares during lockdown
eBay has revealed that searches for 'eco furniture' and 'sustainable furniture' have more than doubled year-on-year, suggesting that shoppers are increasingly looking for pre-owned and refurbished products due to lockdown.
From Audi to Volkswagen: How are big carmakers approaching the EV transition?
After Ford and Jaguar announced plans to go fully electric this week, edie looks at the commitments the world's biggest carmakers have made to electrify their vehicle portfolios.
Ford vows to only sell electric vehicles in Europe from 2030
Just days after Jaguar confirmed plans to only offer electric cars from 2025, Ford has committed to stop selling petrol and diesel models in Europe by the end of the decade.
Coventry unveils plans to host battery Gigafactory by 2025
Coventry City Council has partnered with a local airport to develop plans for a major battery Gigafactory that would help to scale up the local electric vehicle (EV) and energy sectors.
Jaguar to switch to fully electric vehicle portfolio by 2025
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will stop producing petrol and diesel vehicles under its Jaguar brand by 2025 and switch to electric-only models, as part of a sweeping new business strategy.
Leeds and London to host new green finance research hubs
A new government-backed body dedicated to green finance research is set to launch in April, with physical "hubs" in Leeds and London.
HP unveils sustainability 'changemaker' and 'catalyst' schemes
Tech giant HP has launched a new scheme offering industry partners the resources and traning they need to accelerate sustainability progress, in the same week that Octopus Energy unveiled what it claims is the world's first energy technology research organisation.
Sustainability Leaders Forum: Five top tips for turning climate ambition into action
With the dust settling on three days of thought-provoking conversations at edie's Sustainability Leaders Forum (SLF), edie rounds up how businesses can make 2021 a super year for climate action, which turns ambition into action for corporate sustainability.
#SustyTalk: Enterprise's Iain Macbeth on fleet electrification in the time of Covid-19
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with an exclusive discussion with Enterprise-Rent-A-Car's director of electric vehicle (EV) strategy, Iain Macbeth.
Biodiversity loss: Agriculture 'threatening 86% of at-risk species', says major UN-backed report
Global food systems are the world's biggest driver of nature loss and urgent systemic change to address this will result in an uptick of plant-based diets, according to a major new report.
Finance and policy: The external drivers forcing businesses to take climate action
Sustainability professionals have often found frustration when trying to embed CSR across an entire organisation, but the mainstreaming of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing looks set to create new momentum behind the green recovery.
Beyond net-zero targets: What role can businesses play in solving the climate emergency?
Recent months have seen the numbers of businesses committed to net-zero climate targets expanding exponentially. But beyond these long-term, high-level ambitions, how can firms of all sizes and sectors deliver change on the ground?
Robert Downey Jr launches ESG venture capital funds
Renowned actor and producer Robert Downey Jr. has launched a new Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) venture capital investment fund aiming to support sustainability products and services, clean energy and resource efficiency.
Waitrose Unpacked: Supermarket unveils next steps for plastic-busting refill scheme
After trials of packaging-free, refillable products proved popular with shoppers and reduced the supermarket's plastic footprint, Waitrose & Partners is planning to make the format easier to use - and to roll it out to more stores in future.
Exeter to play host to UK's first national circular economy 'hub'
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is investing £3.5m to create a new circular economy hub at the University of Exeter, which will be used to coordinate research and development across the country.
Hard coding sustainability action into governance structures
We are surrounded by enormous challenges but the mood has changed and 2021 comes with an expectation of progress. Amanda Powell-Smith of Forster Communications and Klara Kozlov of CAF discuss why sustainability leaders need to look at whether their organisation has the right governance structures in place to enable brave intentions to become reality.
Veganuary: Asda unveils plant-based 'butcher' as campaign gets record 440,000 sign-ups
The Veganuary campaign has received a record 440,000 sign-ups to its 31-day challenge - and, keen to grab a piece of the plant-based action, the UK's biggest supermarkets and food-to-go chains are debuting new products.
Survey: Three-quarters of UK businesses turning to sustainability to bounce back from Covid-19
A survey of 1,000 UK businesses has found that more than three-quarters are planning to increase their sustainability focus in 2021, as part of their plans to financially recover from Covid-19.
Lessons from Project X: Redefining risk and fear in times of environmental crisis
People have often asked me - why Project X? Why now? The answer is simple: We simply cannot sit around and see business destroying our environment much faster than it can be regenerated.
M&S expands plastic-free refill offering as UK lockdown lifts
Marks and Spencer (M&S) has launched its packaging-free refill offering for dried, ambient and frozen foods in a third store due to growing customer demand.
To meet our net-zero targets, we must make lasting and significant changes to our business
Last week's announcement from the Prime Minister marked a critical moment in the UK's journey towards achieving the country's net-zero target. Sky's chief executive outlines what this means for the business.
Half of Ikea meals to be plant-based by 2025
Retail giant Ikea has pledged to ensure that 50% of the main meals offered in its restaurants, and 80% of the pre-packaged foods it sells, are plant-based by 2025.
Garnier launches shampoo bars with reduced environmental impact
L'Oreal brand Garnier is launching a new range of shampoo bars, packaged in 100% recyclable materials, that offer a 25% reduction in environmental impact compared to liquid shampoos.
Unilever to halve food waste, sets €1bn sales target for plant-based food alternatives
Consumer goods giant Unilever has unveiled a new "future foods" strategy that will see the company commit to halving food waste, improving nutritional standards and set a €1bn sales target for plant-based meat and dairy alternatives.
#SustyTalk: Counting down to COP26 with Chapter Zero, the Green Alliance and Fundación Avin
for Net-Zero November, edie hosts a special #SustyTalk video panel discussion on preparations for COP26 with the Green Alliance's Shaun Spiers, Chapter Zero's Susan Hooper and Fundación Avin and the UNFCCC's advisory panel's Ramiro Fernandez.
Iberostar targets carbon neutrality by 2030, eyes nature-based insetting
Spanish hotel giant Iberostar has outlined plans to become carbon neutral within a decade, underpinned by commitments to sequester carbon at its seafront locations.
Can business models act as carbon sinks to reach net-zero?
To kickstart edie's Net-Zero November, carpet manufacturer Interface's head of sustainability Jon Khoo reflects on the company's own ambitious Climate Take Back strategy, as well as discussing how business mindsets and models can "act like carbon sinks" to transform corporates into zero-impact organisations.
Action on plastics: Has Covid-19 stopped the refill revolution?
Many retailers and brands backtracked on plastic-free refill pledges in a bid to stop Covid-19 from spreading earlier this year. But are we really headed back towards single-use in the long term, or will there be a different "new normal" for packaging?
Burger King teams up with TerraCycle for reusable packaging pilot
Burger King will bring reusable coffee cups, soft drinks cups and burger boxes to restaurants in the US and Japan early next year as part of a partnership with TerraCycle.
P&G to launch refillable shampoo bottles in 2021
Procter & Gamble (P&G) will launch a refill format which uses 60%less plastic across several of its most popular shampoo lines in Europe next year.
Asda opens 'sustainability store' with refill stations and plastic-free groceries
Asda has installed refill stations, reverse vending machines and a vintage clothing aisle to one of its busiest stores, to gauge consumer attitudes and logistical considerations to more sustainable offerings.
What makes a sustainability leader? Meet award-winning brewer Toast Ale
With the 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards entry deadline approaching, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2020 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our SME of the Year, Toast Ale.
Ikea unveils national buy-back scheme for used furniture in drive to become 'fully circular'
Ikea will start buying back customers' used furniture at stores across the UK and Ireland next month, in an effort to discourage "excessive consumption" and become a "fully circular" business by 2030.
edie launches new explains guide to creating a circular economy for electronics
Organisations looking to understand the benefits and opportunities of reusing and recycling used electronics can now access a free 'edie Explains' guide breaking down everything they need to know about preventing e-waste.
Credit Suisse raises $212m for 'world's first' ocean health impact fund
Swiss investment bank Credit Suisse has partnered with Rockefeller Asset Management to launch an impact fund that will finance projects improving ocean health, raising $212m pre-launch.
Tesco to increase sales of meat alternatives by 300% to reduce environmental impact of products
Tesco has become the first UK retailer to set public sales targets for plant-based meat alternatives, pledging to increase sales of those products by 300% by 2025 as part of an ongoing commitment to halve the environmental impact of the average shopping basket.
How partnerships can fast-track action against the SDGs
Mondi's group head of sustainable development Gladys Naylor outlines why partnerships are key to fast-tracking progress against the Sustainable Development Goals.
Why business must take the lead in our green economy
Ella's Kitchen's chief executive Mark Cuddigan outlines why returning to a sense of normality does not mean reverting back to business as usual, with his latest blog outlining the importance of corporate's spurring the green recovery.
L'Oréal launches bottles made from 100% recycled plastic and rolls out Maybelline recycling scheme
L'Oreal has confirmed that bottles of Paris Elvive will be made from 100% recycled plastic, on the same day that its Maybelline brand launched a UK recycling programme in partnership with TerraCycle.
