renewables
Related content
National Infrastructure Strategy: Government to deliver 'revolution' tied to net-zero
The Government has launched its long-awaited National Infrastructure Strategy, detailing how transport, industry, energy and the built environment will be transformed to reach net-zero, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak using his spending review to confirm a £12bn commitment to the net-zero transition in 2021-2022.
Japan Tobacco International commits to net-zero by 2030
Japan Tobacco International (JTI UK) has committed to reaching net-zero emissions in the next decade by procuring 100% renewable energy, transitioning its UK fleet to electric vehicles (EV) and diverting waste from landfill.
Government targets 12GW of renewables in latest CfD auction
The Government is aiming to double the amount of renewable energy procured through its Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, with 12GW of wind and solar energy being targeted.
What makes a sustainability leader? Meet water management champions The Coca-Cola Foundation and WWF UK
With the 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards approaching, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2020 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Water Management Project of the Year award, The Coca-Cola Foundation and WWF UK.
Renewable Hydrogen Coalition: trade bodies team up to grow Europe's green hydrogen sector
Trade bodies including WindEurope and SolarPowerEurope have received backing from Bill-Gates-backed Breakthrough Energy to form a new coalition aimed at growing renewable hydrogen production and use across the continent.
UK climbs to fifth for global renewables market outlook
The UK has leapfrogged Germany to rise to fifth in the rankings for national attractiveness of renewable energy investment and deployment opportunities.
Report: Renewables and flexible energy could cut £660m off UK's net-zero transition
If the UK government were to back renewable generation and flexible energy technologies like battery storage instead of a new nuclear plant, some £660m could be saved through to 2030, a new analysis has concluded.
SDG Spotlight: How Businesses Can Achieve Goal 7; Clean and Affordable Energy
edie's latest SDG Spotlight report, produced in association with Bryt Energy, looks at how businesses and national policies can transform operations, services, supply chains and strategies to help deliver Goal 7: Clean and Affordable Energy.
'An ambitious plan for a green industrial revolution': Reaction to Boris Johnson's Ten Point net-zero plan
Green groups have welcomed a new Ten Point Llan from Prime Minister Boris Johnson to deliver a green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and build towards the net-zero emissions target, but the lack of a clear roadmap is dampening an otherwise monumental green policy moment.
Majority of local authorities have declared climate emergencies
Almost two years on from when the first council in the UK declared a climate emergency and responded with ambitious decarbonisation plans, a new mapping tool has unveiled that nearly three-quarters of local councils have made similar declarations, with more than half of those committing to reach net-zero.
Tesco to co-create three UK solar farms
Tesco has confirmed a new partnership with a renewable energy investor that will facilitate the creation of three solar farms in the UK that will generate clean power equivalent to powering 44,800 homes.
Rolls-Royce unveils plans to build 16 mini nuclear plants in the UK
Rolls-Royce is pushing for the UK government to provide a multi-billion-pound pot for its plans to build 16 small nuclear reactors across the country.
Renewables and restoration: Water sector outlines net-zero routemap for 2030
The UK's major water companies will unveil a Routemap detailing how solar installations, electric vehicles and biomethane production will enable the sector to reach net-zero emissions by 2030.
Bim Afolami MP's speech and energy efficiency post-Covid-19: What happened on Day Two of Net-Zero Live 2020?
Day Two of edie's virtual Net-Zero Live on Wednesday (11 November) saw hundreds of sustainability and energy experts gathering with the shared aim of accelerating ambition and action. Here, we round up the key takeaways.
Gas denied 'transition' fuel status in draft EU green finance rules
Power plants fuelled by natural gas will not be classed as "sustainable" or "transition" investments in Europe unless they meet emission limits which are so low that none are currently able to comply, according to draft EU rules seen by EURACTIV.
Renewables will overtake gas and coal globally in 2024, IEA predicts
The International Energy (IEA) has published a major analysis on the state of the global renewable energy sector, predicting that wind and solar capacity will double by 2025.
KPMG sets 2030 net-zero target
Professional services giant KPMG has committed to becoming a net-zero company and sourcing 100% renewable electricity globally by 2030.
US Election 2020: What does Joe Biden's win mean for the global climate emergency?
US President-elect Joe Biden is outlining that first steps of his transition plan after beating Donald Trump in the US election. While the latter is yet to concede the results, leadership under the Democrats will deliver a very different outlook on global efforts to combat the climate crisis.
Taste the Sun: Sol beer brewed using 100% renewable electricity
Heineken's Sol brand is being brewed using 100% renewable energy, following the installation of more than 9,000 solar panels at a facility in the Netherlands.
Absolut Company to go fossil-fuel-free by 2025
The Absolut Company has announced that all production of its Vodka products will be fossil-fuel-free by 2025, as part of a wider ambition to become carbon-neutral by 2030 without relying on offset use.
BT powered by 100% renewable electricity globally
BT has confirmed that all of its offices and shops globally are powered by 100% renewable electricity, as the technology giant builds towards its net-zero target.
Emissions from energy sector likely to rebound from Covid-19, Capgemini warns
Emissions from the global energy sector will be 7-8% lower in 2020 than in 2019, but most nations are still failing to align their energy generation and consumption patterns with long-term climate targets, Capgemini is warning.
UK's largest battery comes online in South Yorkshire
Gresham House has announced that its 50MW, 75MWh battery storage array in Thurcroft, South Yorkshire, is now live.
The Estée Lauder Companies reaches net-zero operational emissions, 100% renewable electricity
The Estée Lauder Companies has announced that it is now operating as a net-zero carbon business and using renewable electricity to meet 100% of its demand globally.
UK's Covid-19 recovery package for energy 'not net-zero aligned', report finds
The UK Government has earmarked £3.8bn of stimulus funding for legacy fossil fuel and nuclear generation, compared to just £121m for renewables, a damning new report has claimed.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2020: Hannah Biggs, UCL
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. Up next: Hannah Biggs, sustainability projects lead at UCL.
Huge wind-powered boats and a boon for solar in the US: 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.
edie explains: Science-based targets
What makes emissions targets "science-based"? How can businesses go beyond 2C alignment and strive for 1.5C? And what role do these targets play in the net-zero movement? This free edie explains guide answers all of these questions and more.
UK Export Finance could support 42,000 green jobs by reallocating funds from oil and gas
The UK Government's direct lending facility could support more than 40,000 jobs in the renewables sector annually by 2035, if it were to assume liabilities for renewable exports like it currently does for oil and gas, new research has found.
What makes a sustainability leader? A look at award-winning consultancy, Given London
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 winners of our Consultancy of the Year, Given London.
World Energy Outlook: IEA forecasts boom for solar in wake of Covid-19
Even if nations do not bolster their climate targets, renewables will meet 80% of the global growth in electricity demand by 2030, with solar leading the way, according to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) new World Energy Outlook.
Low-carbon transition: Even best-prepared fossil fuel majors 'to see half of portfolios become uncompetitive'
While European oil and gas majors are diversifying their portfolios to include more renewables, setting stricter climate targets and adjusting their oil price predictions, at least half of their operations won't be competitive in a 1.6C world, a new report claims.
Vodafone saves £10m in energy costs over three-year period
Vodafone has worked with facilities management firm Mitie to reduce its UK carbon footprint by 25,000 tonnes over a three-year period, with improvements to building-based energy use saving the technology firm around £10m.
Report: One-third of energy majors have paused low-carbon investments amid Covid-19
A survey of 300 large energy and utilities companies has revealed that more than one-third (37%) are planning to slow or postpone investments in low-carbon infrastructure or offers because of Covid-19 - despite seeing clean power as a key driver of revenue.
'Build Back Greener': Boris Johnson vows that UK will host 40GW of offshore wind by 2030
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has plans for every home in the UK to be powered with electricity from offshore wind farms within the decade and has unveiled a £160m pot to support the sector.
Global energy storage capacity to grow by one-third every year to 2030, report
Following a 17% drop in deployments in 2020, the global energy storage sector is set to boom with capacity growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31% through to 2030.
Total to increase annual renewables investments to $3bn by 2030
French oil & gas major Total has pledged to increase its annual investments in renewables by 50% by 2030, against the $2bn allocated in 2019, as it strives to meet a 2050 net-zero target.
Cambridge University to divest £3.5bn fund from fossil fuels as part of net-zero ambition
The University of Cambridge will divest its £3.5bn endowment fund from fossil fuels by 2030, as part of a wider plan to reduce the University's emissions to net-zero by 2038.
Half a million renewable energy jobs were created in 2019, IRENA reveals
Some 498,000 full-time equivalent roles were created in the global renewable energy sector during 2019, new analysis from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has revealed - with particular growth recorded in the biofuels industry.
World's first commercial-grade hydrogen plane takes flight in UK, as government urged to grow 'green' hydrogen sector
The first flight of a hydrogen-powered, commercial-grade aircraft has been successfully completed in Bedford, while UK ministers face fresh calls to help scale up the domestic market for hydrogen produced using renewables.
PepsiCo targets 100% renewable electricity globally
PepsiCo has confirmed it has joined the Climate Group's RE100 initiative, pledging to source 100% renewable electricity across its operations by 2030, a move that could reduce the manufacturing giant's carbon footprint by 2.5 million tonnes.
'We can do it!': EU chief announces 55% emissions reduction target for 2030
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has confirmed plans to target a 55% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 as part of a broader European Green Deal programme aimed at reaching "climate neutrality" by mid-century.
Just 0.5% of global GDP needed to reach net-zero by 2050, report finds
By scaling up energy efficiency efforts and deploying renewable energy generation capacity far more rapidly, the world could "technically and economically" transition to net-zero by 2050 for the cost of less than 1% of global GDP annually through to mid-century.
ITV commits to net-zero emissions by 2030
ITV has built on a recent science-based targets announcement by committing to reaching net-zero emissions across the business by 2030.
BP: The world may have already passed peak oil
BP has become the first oil major to predict that global oil demand may not rebound to pre-Covid-19 levels if national governments collectively align their recovery strategies with net-zero.
Google offsets lifetime carbon emissions
Google has "eliminated" its entire carbon legacy, offsetting all operational emissions generated before it achieved carbon neutrality in 2007.
Retailers sign up to co-locate on UK's first electric forecourt
A host of retailers including WHSmith, Costa Coffee, Booths and Gourmade have enrolled into a new partnership with the UK's first electric forecourt, which is due to open near Braintree, Essex, this November.
Renewable and technology associations team up to drive corporate demand for clean energy
UK trade associations, techUK, the Solar Trade Association (STA) and RenewableUK are forming a new partnership to encourage companies to purchase more renewable energy in a bid to spur the net-zero transition.
UK slipping behind on build rate required for net-zero target
The UK is achieving less than half of the required build rate to deliver energy systems that will reach net-zero emissions by 2050, according to a new whitepaper from engineering consultancy Atkins.
Football broadcast on Sky Sports to be certified to highest sustainability standards
Sky Sports has confirmed that all Premier League and English Football League matches broadcast across its sports channels will be certified to sustainable production levels.
Mercedes-Benz targets zero-carbon emissions by 2040, provides 1,800 EVs to Amazon
Mercedes-Benz has joined Amazon's Climate Pledge, setting an aim to become a zero-carbon business by 2040, on the same day the company confirmed it would provide more than 1,800 electric vehicles (EVs) to the e-commerce giant's Delivery Service Partners.
UK Government halves offshore wind cost forecasts
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has slashed its forecasts for offshore wind energy costs through to 2030 by more than half, in the first update to predictions since 2016.
Amazon finances 115MW wind farm to power Irish data centres
Amazon has committed to source 100% of the power generated by a new 115MW onshore wind farm in County Galway, Ireland, as it strives to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
Warrington Borough Council launches resident-funded green bond in bid to reach net-zero
Warrington Borough Council has launched a green bond that will see residents invest in the region's renewable energy and energy storage sectors, as it works to deliver a carbon-neutral town by 2030.
Energy retailer IGS commits to net-zero by 2040
One of the US's largest energy retailers, IGS, has announced a new commitment to reach net-zero emissions for its operations and the services it provides to its domestic and business customers by 2040, pledging to provide 100% renewable electricity and carbon-neutral gas.
Report: Europe recorded record solar output amid Covid-19 lockdowns
Solar output in Europe hit a record high of 47.6TWh in the second quarter of 2020, new analysis from EnAppSys has shown.
Energy recovery facility to heat homes in Cardiff via district heating network
A district-heating network connected to an energy recovery facility in Cardiff had secured £15m in Government funding to start its first phase of works, with the project potentially saving more than 5,000 tonnes of carbon annually.
BNEF: Covid-19 causing drop in US corporate clean energy purchases
The amount of generation backed by US-based corporates signing power purchase agreements (PPAs) was almost one-third lower in the first half of 2020 than in the first half of 2019, new analysis from Bloomberg NEF has revealed.
Heatwaves bring Britain's coal-free run to an end
Britain's run of more than 55 days without relying on coal for power came to an end this morning, with the National Grid firing up a coal-fired plant in Nottinghamshire to combat low energy output during the current heatwave.
Facebook backs major renewables projects in Ireland and the US as it closes in on 100% target
Facebook has made a string of new wind and solar purchases across the US and in County Tipperary, Ireland, as it strives to meet 100% of its electricity consumption with renewables by the end of 2020.
National Infrastructure Commission: Renewables could meet two-thirds of UK's energy demand by 2030
The National Infrastructure Commission has stated that up to 65% of the UK's energy demand could be met by renewable generation within a decade - increasing the proportion from 50% in previous forecasts to account for falling costs.
Diageo celebrates halving emissions since 2007
Beverage giant Diageo has exceeded a 2020 sustainability target of halving its direct operations since 2007, after investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Green recovery: Geothermal lithium recovery plant in Cornwall secures Government funding
The UK Government has awarded a share of its Getting Building Funds - designed to support infrastructure in the wake of lockdown - to a project developing a geothermal recovery plant that will extract lithium for use in the electric vehicle (EV) sector.
Gridserve buys UK's first subsidy-free solar farm to power EV forecourts
Gridserve has purchased the UK's first subsidy-free solar farm from developer Anesco as it works to bring more than 100 "electric forecourts" online across the nation.
Greenest team on the greenest grid: Can carbon-neutral racing energise the climate debate?
EXCLUSIVE: With Formula E team Envision Virgin Racing confirming that it has achieved carbon-neutral status, the company's managing director Sylvain Filippi believes the sport can use its platform to showcase "exciting" low-carbon solutions to inspire a broad audience.
#SustyTalk: ITV's Julia Giannini on science-based targets, supply chains and disclosure
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with content editor Matt Mace discussing ITV's new science-based carbon targets with the company's senior manager of Social Purpose Julia Giannini.
Dropbox targets carbon neutrality and 100% renewable electricity within a decade
File hosting firm Dropbox has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality for direct, power-related and business-travel-related emissions by 2030, as part of a sweeping new sustainability strategy.
ITV commits to 46% reduction in emissions through 1.5C science-based targets
Broadcaster ITV has outlined new targets to reduce emissions by more than 46%, reach 100% renewables and certify its studios and programmes to sustainability standards.
Novo Nordisk reaches 100% renewable electricity, sets 2030 net-zero target
Global healthcare firm Novo Nordisk has achieved its ambition to use 100% renewable electricity to power its production facilities.
UK broke renewable energy generation record in 2019, latest BEIS figures show
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published its latest annual energy statistics, revealing that a record 37.1% of the electricity generated in the UK in 2019 was renewable.
Apple targets net-zero emissions across operations, value chain and products
Apple has announced major plans to become net-zero emissions across its business, supply chains and products by 2030, pledging to reduce emissions by 75% and develop carbon removal solutions for the remaining 25%.
City Hall eyes options for powering London's tube network with 100% renewable energy by 2030
Transport for London (TfL) has launched a market test for tube networks to be supplied with renewable electricity directly from generators, as part of Mayor Sadiq Khan's commitment to deliver a zero-carbon rail network by 2030.
Vodafone on track for 100% renewable electricity in Europe in 2021
Vodafone has vowed to power its European network - spanning 11 national markets - with 100% renewable electricity by the end of July 2021.
Onshore wind and solar 'could boost UK economy by £29bn'
BEIS and the Treasury are being urged to remove barriers to onshore renewable energy projects as part of their Covid-19 recovery planning, in a new report claiming that 'shovel-ready' renewables could provide a £28.9bn boost to the UK economy.
West Berkshire Council launches 'UK's first' resident-funded green bond
West Berkshire Council has launched a green bond that will see residents invest in the region's renewable energy sector, in what it claims is a UK first.
Energy storage planning regulations eased in bid to spur net-zero transition
The UK Government has moved to relax planning rules for large-scale energy storage arrays, in the hopes of speeding up the energy sector's net-zero transition and boosting investment in the sector post-lockdown.
Government urged to spend £5bn to unlock £100bn green recovery
A group of businesses, mayors and political leaders have called on the Conservative government to spend £5bn to deliver on its promised manifesto pledges in order to unlock £100bn in capital investment on energy efficiency and create more than 300,000 green jobs.
First zero-emission McDonald's restaurant unveiled at Disney, Florida
McDonald's has unveiled its first zero-emissions restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, with solar arrays, green walls and kinetic bikes all featuring to create enough renewable energy that the building will need each year.
WBA: Less than 10% of electric utilities are taking Paris-Agreement-aligned climate action
Analysis of the decarbonisation ambitions and actions of 50 of the world's largest electric utilities companies has revealed that less than one in ten have fully aligned their business models with the Paris Agreement, despite the fact that the sector must 'enable' the global low-carbon transition.
Tesla Megapacks to provide grid flexibility in Dorset
A new energy storage project located in Poole will feature six Tesla Megapack batteries that will store and transfer green energy to and from the National Grid.
Barratt Developments sets net-zero target for 2040
The UK's largest housebuilder, Barratt Developments, has built on recently announced science-based targets by committing to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Macquarie issues joint venture on 1GW solar and battery project pipeline
Macquarie's Green Investment Group (GIG) has announced a new UK joint venture with Enso Energy to create one of the largest solar and battery portfolios that will enhance the biodiversity on each project site.
Renewables accounted for record 47% of UK generation in first quarter of 2020
Renewable energy accounted for almost half of the UK's electricity generation between January and March 2020, it has been revealed.
45-Minute Masterclass: Accelerating the smart grid transition for your business
With distributed energy assets fast becoming a mainstream part of the UK power network, this live online masterclass will equip businesses with the insights and inspiration they need to decentralise, decarbonise and democratise their energy through smart grid technologies and systems.
Report: Most oil majors' net-zero strategies are greenwash, with US firms faring the worst
Despite a major trend towards strengthening climate commitments in recent months, oil and gas majors are broadly failing to take responsibility for their entire emissions footprint, with some on track to deliver just a 3% cut in absolute emissions by 2050.
IEA unveils major new green Covid-19 recovery roadmap
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has set out a string of policy recommendations green Covid-19 recovery packages, which, if followed in full, could slash annual energy-related emissions by billions of tonnes, while creating jobs, improving air pollution and boosting GDP.
SSE outlines £7bn green recovery package, sets science-based climate targets
Energy major SSE will spend more than £7bn on clean energy initiatives over the next five years, in a bid to spur a green UK recovery from Covid-19 and to meet its new, stronger climate targets.
BP forecasts $17.5bn assets hit, accelerates strategy restructure to prioritise renewables
BP is preparing to reduce the value of its assets by between $13bn (£10.4bn) and $17.5bn (£14bn) over the next three months and says the impacts of the Covid-19 will spur its transition to low-carbon energy.
Wales to play host to Gigafactory and marine energy hub
The green light has been given to a new £60m marine energy project in Pembrokeshire, in the same week that battery giant Britishvolt has unveiled plans to build a new Gigafactory in Wales.
Corporate clean energy sourcing must form part of green Covid-19 recovery, dozens of businesses tell policymakers
Mars, Nestle, and IKEA owner Ingka Group are among a coalition of more than 50 major businesses calling on EU leaders to build the business sourcing of renewables into the bloc's Covid-19 stimulus package, hailed globally as "green".
Tetra Pak targets net-zero value chain by 2050
Packaging firm Tetra Pak has today (11 June) committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its operations by 2030, with a longer-term target to achieve a net-zero emissions value chain by 2050.
Britain goes 60 days without coal-fired power generation
As of midnight today (10 June), Britain has had no coal-fired power generation on its grid for a full two months - the longest period since the Industrial Revolution.
Businesses commit to renewables, electric vehicles and energy efficiency on World Environment Day
To mark World Environment Day (5 June), a host of major companies from across the globe have announced new commitments on climate action, by signing up to the Climate Group's leadership initiatives on renewables (RE100), electric vehicles (EV100) and smart energy use (EP100).
NatWest's carbon calculator and Wilko's plastic pledge: The World Environment Day success stories
To mark World Environment Day (5 June) edie's Sustainability Success Stories arrive early, outlining fresh new commitments to sustainability across renewables, resources, the built environment and more.
'Records are falling like dominos': Europe delivering record renewables generation
New statistics have confirmed that Europe broke a renewables generation record during the month, with the continent sourcing more than 50% of its energy needs from green energy on May 24.
Government blocks Vattenfall's offshore windfarm expansion
The Government has refused to grant development consent for Vattenfall's 340MW windfarm extension off the coast of Kent, and has delayed two other planning decisions in the South East, in the same week that Total acquired a 51% stake in the £3bn Seagreen project in the Scottish North Sea.
Fossil fuel profits set to collapse by two-thirds
The global market value of fossil fuels is set to collapse by almost two-thirds, creating heightened economic risk for companies, financial markets and countries failing to embrace new low-carbon technology.
In Action: How Centrica is leading the net-zero carbon transition
Energy services and solutions company Centrica recently announced a new commitment to become a “net-zero” organisation by 2050. This edie In Action case study charts the progress that the firm is now making towards its net- zero goal.
BT launches innovation platform and UK electric fleet alliance
BT has today (1 June) launched two new platforms to help accelerate green innovation in the UK and drive the adoption of electric vehicle (EV) fleets, both of which the tech giant believes will contribute to a green post-Covid19 recovery for the UK.
University of Manchester targets net-zero investment portfolio
The University of Manchester has announced a new commitment to end investments into fossil fuel projects and organisations by 2022, in line to creating a net-zero investment portfolio by 2038 at the latest.
