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The COP26 Climate Action Plan: Workshop summary report
Released just ahead of COP26, this report maps out a business action plan to accelerate change across the climate summit's key pillars of Clean Energy, Clean Transport, Nature-Based Solutions, Climate Adaptation and Green Finance.
First wave of speakers announced for edie's online Net-Zero Carbon Inspiration Sessions
Sustainability specialists from Pukka Herbs, Virgin Media O2, Costain and the Zero Carbon Forum have been confirmed amongst the first speakers for edie's digital Net-Zero Carbon Inspiration Sessions, taking place on Thursday 25 November.
At a glance: All the key announcements in the Net-Zero Strategy
The UK Government has finally published its Net-Zero Strategy, a comprehensive run-through of how the nation will decarbonise in a way that "transforms every sector of the global economy", although some green groups don't believe the steps outlined in the Strategy can mobilise action to deliver net-zero by 2050.
BMW inks deal for fossil-free steel manufactured using hydrogen and renewables
BMW Group has announced plans to begin sourcing steel produced using fossil-fuel-free methods from 2025, claiming that the material produces up to 95% less emissions on a lifecycle basis.
Budweiser to deliver carbon-neutral brewery through green hydrogen deal
Budweiser Brewing Group has unveiled plans to create its first green hydrogen supply to a brewery, through a new agreement with energy firm Protium to use onsite renewables at the Magor brewery in South Wales to generate hydrogen to power the facility.
Green hydrogen investment boon: RES and Octopus pledge £3bn in UK, Ineos €2bn in EU
Ineos has announced that it will invest €2bn (£1.7bn) in green hydrogen production in Europe this decade, while Octopus has partnered with developer RES to funnel £3bn into production within the same timeframe.
National Grid expands use of innovative tech unlocking more capacity for renewables
National Grid's Electricity Transmission arm is expanding its use of power flow control technology, which has already unlocked 1.5GW of electricity grid capacity.
45-minute masterclass: Seizing the net-zero opportunity of ESOS Phase 3
This 45-minute masterclass will help your business stay ahead of the curve with the third phase of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), and identify fresh opportunities to align energy audits with net-zero targets
How Salesforce became a net-zero business and what happens next
EXCLUSIVE: Last month, Salesforce announced it had become a net-zero business across its value chain. Here, edie explores how offsetting and location-based decarbonisation plans have created a unique road to combatting the climate crisis.
Green hydrogen facility planned for oil terminal in Orkney
TotalEnergies has forged a consortium with Macquarie's Green Investment Group and Renewable Infrastructure Development Group, aiming to create an industrial-scale green hydrogen plant in Orkney, Scotland.
UK's clean energy investment ranking drops amid Covid-19 funding crunch
The UK has fallen one position to fifth in EY's bi-annual ranking of the attractiveness of national renewable energy investment. The drop is largely attributable to a lack of green finance - a challenge EY believes is likely to be overcome in the coming months.
UK Government firms up 100% clean electricity target for 2035
The UK Government has confirmed that plans to end unabated fossil fuelled electricity generation by 2035, floated by Boris Johnson at the Conservative Party Conference, will be enshrined in law.
KPMG to invest $1.5bn on global ESG solutions
Professional services giant KPMG has unveiled a new $1.5bn investment plan to improve understanding of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) that helps businesses make strong contributions to decarbonisation and societal prosperity.
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.
Orkney flexibility trials deliver 24,000 peer-to-peer trades
A Government-backed local flexibility market trial has seen more than 24,000 peer-to-peer trades take place, enabling local wind energy to power homes and provide flexible services to the national energy market.
Mars targets net-zero value chain by 2050
Mars Incorporated has committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its full value chain by 2050, building on an existing commitment to reach net-zero across operations by 2040.
UK Government eyeing 100% clean energy grid by 2035, Boris Johnson confirms
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stated that the Government intends to develop plans for shifting all electricity generation to clean sources by 2035.
Lawmakers ban fossil gas from EU energy infrastructure funding, with some exceptions
Lawmakers in the European Parliament have voted to remove support for fossil gas in EU funding rules for cross-border energy infrastructure known as the TEN-E regulation.
General Motors set to hit 100% renewable energy milestone in the US five years earlier than planned
Automotive giant General Motors (GM) has pushed a commitment to source 100% renewable energy for its US operations forward from 2030 to 2025.
Diageo opens its first carbon-neutral distillery in Kentucky
Brewing giant Diageo has opened its first carbon-neutral distillery, located in Kentucky, that will use renewables and virtual metering technology to avoid the emissions equivalent to around 25,000 vehicles, as it builds towards its net-zero ambition for 2030.
Big businesses push UK Government to phase-out gas power by 2035, as energy price crisis continues
Businesses including BT, the Co-op and Nestle have written to the UK Government, arguing the case for a ban on gas-fired electricity generation by 2035.
UK urged to set end-date for gas-fired electricity as wholesale energy prices skyrocket
With wholesale gas prices in the UK having risen by 250% since January, some green groups are calling on the Government to commit to ending gas-fired electricity generation and give more detail on plans for reducing the nation's dependence on gas for heating.
SSE to combine projects to create 4.1GW offshore wind farm in Scotland
SSE Renewables has announced plans to merge two proposed offshore windfarms in a move that would create enough clean power to provide for all of Scotland's households twice over.
Plans before pledges: How P&G has evolved its climate strategy to target a net-zero value chain by 2040
EXCLUSIVE: Procter & Gamble (P&G) has unveiled a new climate action plan to reach net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2040, with the company's vice president for global sustainability Jack Mcaneny telling edie that the "absolute priority is reducing emissions".
Dogger Bank: World's largest windfarm's operations base to be net-zero carbon
The Dogger Bank Wind Farm, off the North East coast of England, will have its new operations and maintenance (O&M) base constructed and operated under recognised standards for net-zero buildings.
Government ringfences £265m for next Contracts for Difference auction
The UK Government has today (13 September) confirmed that up to £265m will be funnelled into the next Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction round, a record amount of money aimed at spurring uptake in clean energy deployment including offshore wind, solar and tidal technologies.
Hitachi targets carbon-neutral value chain by 2050
Hitachi, one of the Principal Partners to the COP26 conference, has revised its sustainability targets with a new plan to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2050.
Cisco targets net-zero by 2040, Illumina by 2050
Tech giant Cisco has pledged to reach net-zero emissions for operations by 2025 and the supply chain by 2040, while healthcare research and solutions firm Illumina has set a 2050 target.
London's new 'bike library' and a milestone for US renewables: 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.
How will the offshore wind sector's expansion affect biodiversity? UK Government launches major research drive
A four-year research programme assessing the potential impact that the UK's offshore wind sector will have on marine ecosystems as it grows has been launched.
Stagecoach calls for transport policy overhaul as part of carbon-neutral roadmap
Transport group Stagecoach has unveiled a new roadmap to becoming a carbon-neutral business by 2050, while also calling for the UK Government to fix "contradictory policies" associated with the transport sector and the need to reach net-zero emissions.
Anheuser-Busch to install US's largest solar project for a brewery
The US's largest brewer Anheuser-Busch has announced a $64m investment at its Los Angeles brewery that will see the largest onsite solar installation of any US brewery, with solar power set to generate more than 10% of the site's total electricity use.
Mode Global targets net-zero from cryptocurrency operations by 2030
Fintech major Mode Global Holdings has committed to achieving net-zero emissions from its cryptocurrency operations by the end of the decade, outlining plans to ensure they are powered by renewable electricity.
Report: Clean electricity accounted for record two-thirds of EU's generation mix for first half of 2021
Renewables and nuclear power accounted for a record 66% of electricity production across the EU during the first half of 2021, with clean energy proving far more resilient to the pandemic than fossil fuels.
Google owner outlines how it is spending proceeds from world's largest corporate sustainability bond
August 2020 saw Google's parent company Alphabet Inc issuing what it claimed was the largest corporate sustainability bond in history. It has now revealed how it has spent 61% of the $5.75bn (£4.4bn) proceeds.
Government plans crackdown on greenwashing claims from energy providers
The UK Government has outlined plans to review how energy firms use the environmental credentials of their tariffs to market them, amid concerns that some providers are overstating the green benefits.
Humber region to benefit from £260m offshore wind investment
More than £260m has been granted in Government funding to develop next generation wind turbines in the Humber region, in a move that will support the UK's net-zero vision while creating and safeguarding more than 1,000 green jobs.
Newcastle International Airport unveils plans for solar farm as part of net-zero vision
Newcastle International Airport has launched a consultation on plans for an onsite solar farm, after stating its intention to achieve net-zero operational emissions by 2035.
Sky Kids' climate show and record renewable energy investment: 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.
UK's last coal-fired power plant to close in September 2024
Uniper has announced plans to end generation at its coal-fired Ratcliffe-on-Soar power plant in September 2024, a month before the UK Government's legal requirement to do so.
Mars, Diageo and Dropbox unveil major renewables milestones
Mars, Diageo and Dropbox have all unveiled plans to add more renewables to their electricity mix, with Diageo planning for an onsite solar farm in Scotland.
Renewable energy investments reach new heights for first half of 2021
Investment into clean energy projects and companies swelled to $174bn in the first half of 2021, with record levels of public market financing offsetting a decline in renewable project investments.
Finance giants 'drawing up plans to accelerate coal plant closures in Asia'
Financial firms including Prudential, BlackRock Real Assets, HSBC and Citi have reportedly signaled their support for a new proposal from the Asian Development Bank, designed to accelerate the transition away from coal-fired electricity.
UK smashes annual grid flexibility record seven months into 2021
New statistics have revealed that 2021 has already broken a "network flexibility" record, with contracted smart energy solutions and grid flexibility up 45% compared to annual levels from 2020.
ArcelorMittal eyes $10bn investment to reduce emissions by 2030
Steel manufacturing giant ArcelorMittal has announced plans to reduce carbon emissions by 25% by 2030 as part of a wider net-zero ambition for 2050, with the new target set to be back by a $10bn investment into low-carbon and circular solutions.
Sky powered by 100% renewables globally
Broadcaster Sky is now powered by 100% renewable electricity across its entire operations, meeting a commitment to the RE100 initiative and building towards its net-zero target for 2030.
UK's fossil fuel generation reached a record low in 2020, as renewables reached new heights
The UK Government has released new data on energy generation and consumption during 2020, revealing that fossil fuel generation plummeted to new lows as demand dipped due to Covid-19 restrictions affecting the transport sector.
EU's green hydrogen plans hailed as 'true game-changer' by industry
The European Commission boosted regulatory support for green hydrogen in its proposed overhaul of climate legislation published last week, with the renewable hydrogen coalition calling it "a true game changer" for the nascent EU industry.
Asda to move entire company car fleet to EVs by 2025
Asda has confirmed it will move its entire company car fleet of 600 vehicles to electric by 2025, a move that will save more than 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions on the road to net-zero.
How the world can reach net-zero emissions by 2050, according to BloombergNEF
BloombergNEF has published its latest New Energy Outlook report, examining three progress pathways to reach net-zero globally by 2050. Here, edie summaries what will need to change to deliver this low-carbon trajectory.
Onsite renewables and EVs: Anglian Water outlines net-zero routemap for 2030
Anglian Water has published a detailed routemap outlining how onsite renewables, electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen and biogas production will deliver its ambition to reach net-zero by 2030.
IEA: Global emissions to reach record high by 2023, with governments breaking green recovery promises
Just 2% of the Covid-19 stimulus funding promised by nations has been spent on clean energy, meaning that global emissions are likely to hit a record high in 2023 and continue rising thereafter.
ScottishPower and Shell bid to develop large-scale floating windfarms in UK
ScottishPower and Shell have submitted a joint bid to develop large-scale floating offshore windfarm systems in the northeast of Scotland, with a decision expected to be made next year.
Inditex and Elsevier commit to net-zero emissions by 2040
Clothing giant Inditex and research publishing firm Elsevier are the latest corporates to have updated their corporate strategies, setting ambitions to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 at the latest.
Taking place TODAY: edie's Clean Energy & Transport Forum
edie's new Clean Energy & Transport forum, is taking place today (15 July) with a fantastic line-up of keynote speakers including the Department for Transport's Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Rachel Maclean.
Report: Global demand for fossil-fuel-fired electricity has peaked
After demand for fossil fuels for electricity generation peaked across developed markets in 2007, it has now peaked across developing markets as well, according to a new report.
2TWh of hydrogen and 37 million EVs: How can the UK reach net-zero emissions?
The National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO)'s latest Future Energy Scenarios (FES) report has outlined four potential scenarios for decarbonisation in the UK, three of which would see the UK reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Here, edie outlines what is required to meet the legally binding target.
BlackRock secures $250m for climate projects in developing countries
The world's largest investor BlackRock has secured more than $250m from global investors and governments to support clean energy uptake and climate infrastructure across countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Pay communities to host offshore wind farms, Leadsom and Rudd urge UK Government
Former Energy Secretaries Dame Andrea Leadsom and Amber Rudd are warning Ministers that plans to dramatically scale up offshore wind across the UK could incite backlash from local communities.
Hyundai joins RE100 as Porsche urges suppliers to source 100% renewable electricity
Hyundai Motor Group's five largest affiliate brands are applying to the Climate Group's RE100 scheme this month, the business has revealed, shortly after Porsche unveiled new measures to help suppliers procure renewable electricity.
UK's clean energy pipeline on course to unlock 625,000 green jobs
The UK's focus on decarbonisation and clean energy looks set to unlock 625,000 jobs, equivalent to 90% of jobs lost to the coronavirus pandemic, according to new research.
Net-zero energy transition: UK Power Networks and Northern Powergrid outline £7.7bn investment plans
Electricity distributors UK Power Networks and Northern Powergrid have outlined business plans backed by £4.5bn and £3.2bn of spending respectively, both with a heavy focus on low-carbon generation and technologies.
Amazon's carbon footprint grew 19% in 2020 amid pandemic parcel boom
Amazon has revealed that its absolute global carbon emissions rose 19% year-on-year in 2020, largely due to increased demand for online shopping as lockdown restrictions forced physical stores to close.
Nissan unveils plans for £1bn electric vehicle hub and battery gigafactory in Sunderland
Nissan looks set to transform its flagship Sunderland manufacturing facility into a £1bn electric vehicle (EV) hub that will feature a 9GWh battery production gigafactory - the first of its kind in the UK.
UK's coal-fired electricity ban officially brought forward to 2024
From 1 October 2024 - one year earlier than originally planned - coal-fired electricity generation will be banned in the UK.
Tasmania's 200% renewables goal and Toast Ale's B-Corp recertification: 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.
Asda reduces emissions by 16% over 12-month period
Supermarket giant Asda has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 16% over the last year, as it builds towards a net-zero carbon goal set for 2040.
Business demand for renewables greater than that of UK's total power usage
Businesses that have made public commitments to procure 100% renewable energy have created a combined demand that is bigger than the national requirements from the likes of the UK and Italy, with separate research showing that two-thirds of renewables globally are cheaper than fossil fuels.
Facebook achieves net-zero operations, 100% renewable electricity
Facebook has revealed that it achieved net-zero operational emissions in 2020, after eliminating the majority of its greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint and investing in carbon removal projects.
UK set to double solar capacity by 2030, but more required to help reach net-zero
The UK is on course to double its solar capacity by 2030, but will need to treble it if the nation is to meet its net-zero target for 2050, with Solar Energy UK calling for overhauls to policy to spur the national market.
Report: Global fossil fuel use not yet in decline, despite renewable energy pledges
Fossil fuels accounted for some 80% of global final energy consumption in 2019, the same share of the energy mix as a decade ago, a major new report has revealed.
Polestar and Google to halve emissions and join Race to Zero campaign
Swedish electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Polestar and technology giant Google are the latest firms that have agreed to halve emissions by 2030 as part of a wider effort to deliver net-zero value chains, by joining the UN's Race to Zero campaign and the Exponential Roadmap Initiative.
#SustyTalk: Budweiser Brewing Group's Mauricio Coindreau on renewable energy procurement
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with an exclusive discussion with Budweiser Brewing Group's head of procurement & sustainability Mauricio Coindreau.
Ikea launches renewables programme for direct suppliers
Ikea has unveiled a new programme that will ensure that all of its direct suppliers are powered by 100% renewable electricity, as the retailer pushes towards its commitment to become 'climate positive' by 2030 by reducing more emissions than the value chain emits.
IEA: To reach net-zero, renewable energy investment in developing nations must increase sevenfold
Some $150bn was invested in clean energy in developing economies last year, according to new International Energy Agency (IEA) analysis. But the Agency believes this figure must hit $1trn by 2030 to deliver a net-zero world.
Study: World set to hit 'peak oil' by 2030 as energy majors shift to renewables
The world's largest oil and gas companies increased investment in clean energy by 34% in 2020, despite a 6% fall in global energy demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to new research.
AB InBev cuts emissions through new lightweight beer bottle design
The world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), has unveiled new lightweight beer bottles that have a reduced carbon footprint of 17% compared to its other bottle types, with plans in place to roll them out across Europe.
Anheuser-Busch meets 100% renewable energy goal four years early
Beer giant Anheuser-Busch has achieved 100% renewable electricity for its beverage production activities in the US - a goal originally set for 2025.
IEA: Renewables set to attract 70% of global energy investment in 2021
Global energy investment is likely to rebound to pre-pandemic levels this year, with most finance going towards renewables - but, ultimately, the new generation capacity financed will not be compatible with long-term climate goals.
Shareholders pass vote for HSBC to phase-out global coal financing by 2040
Shareholders of HSBC have today passed a proposed management resolution that commits the bank to phase-out financing for the coal industry by 2040 worldwide, following successful campaigning from investors.
£2bn for net-zero: SSE outlines bumper low-carbon spending plans for this financial year
Utility major SSE has unveiled plans to invest £2bn in low-carbon projects and supporting infrastructure this financial year, after posting a rise in profits led by renewable energy.
Global hydrogen investment to grow 25-fold by 2040, Bloomberg predicts
Global annual investments in hydrogen totalled $1.5bn between 2018 and 2020, but the average could be $38bn by 2040, a new Bloomberg Intelligence report claims.
Policy direction and pricing: How do we get all UK businesses to 100% clean electricity?
Poor policy direction, a lack of public awareness and financial challenges must all be overcome for the UK's private sector to deliver on the COP26 aim on clean energy, an expert panel has agreed.
UK's electricity grid emissions up year-on-year, despite net-zero pledge
Data revealing that the carbon intensity of the UK's electricity was 5% higher in the first months of 2021 than 2020 has prompted industry calls for greater support for new wind, solar and nuclear capacity.
UK’s largest community-owned solar park to come online next year
The Ray Valley Solar project in Oxford is expected to come online next autumn, after Triodos Bank confirmed lending for what is expected to be the UK’s largest community-owned solar park.
UK climbs energy investment rankings, but concerns persist over green finance availability
The UK has climbed one position to fourth in the rankings for EY's national attractiveness of renewable energy investment, but the organisation has warned that global green finance efforts need to improve considerably to meet clean energy demand for existing climate commitments.
Google and Microsoft among businesses backing 24/7 clean energy tracking
More than 100 global companies, including PwC, Microsoft and Google, are taking part in a new worldwide initiative aimed at verifying clean energy sourcing on an hourly basis.
IEA: World must stop petrol and diesel car sales by 2035 for net-zero transition
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has published a landmark report outlining the sweeping changes needed in the power, energy and heat sectors if the world is to have the best chance of limiting temperature increases to 1.5C.
edie kicks off new COP26 Primer report series with Clean Energy focus
As part of the brand-new Countdown to COP26 Festival of digital content and events, edie has this week launched a series of "Primer Reports" which provide need-to-know insights into the key themes of this year's crucial climate talks. First up: Clean Energy.
Nuclear industry warns that planned closures could derail global net-zero transition
Key groups representing the global nuclear industry have penned an open letter to world leaders warning that the proposed retirement of existing nuclear plants could derail the net-zero transition, calling for the technology to have the same access to climate finance as renewables.
COP26 Primer: Clean Energy
edie’s COP26 Primer Reports are about seizing the green opportunity. Produced in the run-up to the official talks, this mini-series of reports are based on the five key themes of COP26: Clean Energy, Clean Transport, Climate Resilience, Nature-Based Solutions, and Climate Finance.
IEA: Renewable energy to account for 90% of new power expansion post-Covid-19
After capacity additions continued to grow during 2020, the International Energy Agency (IEA) is forecasting that "exceptionally high" growth is likely to continue during this year and next.
edie launches new business guide on flexible energy for net-zero
edie has today (10 May) launched a free guide outlining the key considerations, challenges and opportunities for businesses looking to trial and deploy flexible energy solutions.
Report: UK must more than double onshore wind capacity by 2030 to meet climate targets
RenewableUK is urging Ministers to set specific, legally binding 2030 targets for renewable energy generation to help deliver its net-zero target, including growing the nation's onshore wind capacity to 30GW.
Cutting through cynicism: Why are community-level environmental campaigns so effective?
The debate around individual choices versus action from nations and big businesses has been ongoing in the environmental space for decades. But, increasingly, campaigns that are somewhere in the middle, at community level, are leading the way when it comes to getting results.
LEAK: EU's draft renewables law confirms 38-40% target for 2030
An early draft of the EU's upcoming renewable energy directive confirms the bloc's objective of sourcing 38-40% of its energy from renewables by 2030, roughly doubling the share of solar, wind and other renewables in Europe's energy mix by the end of the decade.
Arla unveils new measures to help farmers self-generate renewable energy
After pledging to become a net-zero business, dairy major Arla Foods has outlined new measures to help farmers across the supply chain generate their own renewable energy and sell any excess.
Johnson & Johnson Vision to power global HQ with 100% solar electricity
Johnson & Johnson Vision, the manufacturer of ACUVUE contact lenses, has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with a solar farm to cover 100% of the electricity consumption of its headquarters.
Electrified heat and hydrogen: Renewable energy deployment 'must grow fivefold by 2030'
To ensure that the global energy mix transitions in line with net-zero, wind and solar will need to be deployed at least five times faster than current rates by 2030 and hydrogen investment must scale dramatically.
Global energy emissions set to rebound as Covid-19 lockdowns lift, IEA warns
Global energy demand is rebounding rapidly from the Covid-19-related slump, with fossil fuels set to play a major role in meeting this demand, the International Energy Agency (IEA) is warning.
