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'The future is frightening': Climate change linked to psychological distress in young people
A global study of more than 10,000 young people aged 16-25 has found that a perceived failure from governments and nations on climate action is leading to cases of distress and anxiety, with some feeling future generations have been "betrayed" by inaction.
Hundreds of health journals unite in call for urgent climate action
More than 220 medical, nursing and public health journals across the world have simultaneously published an editorial, calling for world leaders to take "emergency action" to limit climate change, restore biodiversity and protect health.
City of London Corporation issues contract to reduce energy costs by £500,000 annually
The City of London Corporation has awarded a contract to Vital Energi to carry out energy-related retrofits of iconic buildings such as the Barbican Centre and Guildhall School of Music and Drama that will save almost £500,000 each year.
London's University College Hospitals declare 'climate and health emergency', set net-zero target
The University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has outlined plans to reach net-zero operational carbon emissions by 2031, emphasising the impacts of the climate crisis on public health.
Half of NHS Trusts off-track on climate targets, new data reveals
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request for data on the low-carbon transition, responded to by more than 140 NHS Trusts across the UK, has revealed that half are set to miss their decarbonisation targets.
From Barclays to Unilever: 14 major firms commit to purpose-led businesses
More than a dozen large firms have pledged to put social sustainability higher on the boardroom agenda, by joining a scheme aimed to help businesses become more purpose-driven.
Jump: Sustainability engagement schemes prevent 4,200 tonnes of carbon emissions in 2020
One of the UK's biggest sustainability engagement schemes captured three million positive changes from employees and students during 2020, which collectively mitigated 4,200 tonnes of CO2e emissions.
Health of 12 million Brits at risk from climate crisis
More than 12 million people living in the UK are vulnerable to the physical, mental and health impacts of the climate crisis, a new report has warned.
NHS sets net-zero emissions target for 2040
Despite the ongoing challenges in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, NHS England has signalled its intention to reach net-zero emissions through a plethora of new initiatives that will see 40 net-zero hospitals created alongside a £50m LED lighting upgrade.
UK could save £1.6bn and 17,000 deaths by improving air quality, report finds
Improving air quality in England in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines could deliver a £1.6bn benefit while preventing 17,000 premature deaths each year that are linked to air pollution.
NHS 'not prepared' for net-zero transition or climate change health impacts, MPs warn
The Government must better support the NHS to go fossil-fuel-free and to adapt to the impacts of global warming and nature loss on public health, MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) are warning.
World's first plastic-free PPE equipment launched to combat coronavirus pandemic
The world's first plastic-free PPE protective equipment has been launched today by campaign group A Plastic Planet, in a bid to assist the fight against coronavirus without harming the natural environment.
Ten sustainability signals for the new normal
While the overriding requirements for sustainability do not change as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, new priorities have emerged with implications for both action and communications.
Panic and the pandemic: Managing wellbeing in the lockdown
The social element of sustainability has been a focus for me over the last few years as we have got to grips with our "purpose", our role in the communities we serve and how that role includes looking after our employee's mental wellbeing.
Businesses provide NHS workers with renewably powered smartphone chargers
A new initiative has been set up to provide more than 850 pre-charged power banks using 100% renewable energy to help NHS workers charge smartphones and stay connected during shifts on the Covid-19 frontline.
UK cities postpone clean air zone plans due to Covid-19 crisis
The introduction of pollution-busting clean air zones in cities has been postponed by the coronavirus crisis, as authorities combat the outbreak.
Minecraft's energy module and compostable coffee pods for the NHS: 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.
Barclays' net-zero target and a battery storage boon: 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.
Coronavirus and plastics: Are we headed back towards single-use?
As the global economy struggles with the pressures of Covid-19, some industry groups are using the need for more protective equipment as a means to lobby for the removal of charges and bans on single-use plastics. edie explores why that cannot be allowed to happen.
Calls for Government to secure biomass pipeline during coronavirus outbreak
Associations from the UK's biomass fuel supply chain have called for the UK Government to ensure the sector can continue to deliver low-carbon heating to households and business facilities that are still open and under increased pressure due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Cornwall becomes first NHS region to set 2030 net-zero target
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly's sustainability and transformation partnership (STP), which includes all key NHS provisions across the region, has set a 2030 net-zero target in what it claims is a UK first.
'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.
General Election result: Conservative landslide victory raises fresh concerns for green economy
The results are in and Boris Johnson's Conservative Party has won the 2019 General Election with an historic landslide majority, prompting fresh concerns about the strength of environmental regulations in the UK post-Brexit.
America's Pledge and Europe's Green Deal: What happened on days 8 & 9 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 last few days of the event.
Net-zero by 2025 'practically impossible' due to spiralling costs, report finds
Moving the UK's net-zero emission target forward 25 years is "practically impossible", according to new thinktank research which found that setting a net-zero target for 2025 would cost £200bn each year at a minimum - more than the NHS's annual budget.
Is embedding sustainability in higher education truly sustainable?
Focusing on reducing carbon footprint on your estate and research into future environmental challenges are very much a given now in higher education, argues Professor Jim Longhurst. But pushing the scope of the agenda to account for all students is an entirely different discussion.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Rhea Horlock, NHS Property Services
This series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Rhea Horlock, CSR manager at NHS Property services.
NHS vows to halve single-use plastic from catering
NHS England has pledged to halve the number of plastic items it uses in catering operations each year, in a move which will remove 100 million single-use plastic items from circulation annually.
Climate change threatening security of UK's food and medicine supply, MPs warn
The UK's failure to tackle climate challenges in food supply chains overseas is risking national food security and the NHS is "not sufficiently resourced" to deal with global warming, a new report from MPs has warned.
Public sector 'missing out on £5.6bn in energy efficiency'
More than £375m in cost savings can be made each year if the public sector upgrades its infrastructure to more green technology, a Centrica Business Solutions report has found.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Luke Landers, University Hospitals Birmingham
This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Luke Landers, energy and sustainability manager at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust.
Civic and business leaders publish 12-point plan for Scotland to address climate emergency
A group of civic and business leaders, including representatives from Scottish Land & Estates, Changeworks and Scottish Renewables, has called on the Scottish Government to champion healthy diets, fix land use and target low-carbon vehicles and buildings to address the climate emergency.
Manchester's NHS Foundation Trust launches gamification staff behaviour change scheme
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) has become the first NHS Trust to sign up to the JUMP employee engagement initiative, in a bid to encourage its 20,000+ employees to develop habits which improve the organisation's environmental impact while also boosting their own wellbeing.
Government pledges £56m for university research into climate change health impacts
The Department for Health and Social Care is set to funnel up to £56m into projects researching the public health impacts of climate change and other environmental crises by 2025.
Low-emission ambulances and LED lighting: The NHS Long Term Plan's key sustainability measures
As the UK Government unveils its highly-anticipated Long Term Plan for the NHS to improve the service over the coming decade, edie rounds up the key sustainability measures outlined in the document.
