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Paul Polman: Why partnerships and purpose are critical to business survival
EXCLUSIVE: Businesses that are built on longer-term, multi-stakeholder models and have a strong purpose at their core will be much better placed to recover from the coronavirus crisis, Unilever's former chief executive Paul Polman has told edie.
In charts: How coronavirus is impacting sustainability professionals across the UK
EXCLUSIVE: An edie survey of more than 100 sustainability professionals across the country has revealed exactly how the global pandemic of Covid-19 has impacted day-to-day working for those leading the CSR agenda for their organisations. Here are the results...
SMEs and households to benefit from energy efficiency clean technology trials
The UK Government has backed a new digital energy efficiency platform for SMEs to receive automated advice to save energy, in the same week that a smart homes project that uses AI technology on hot water systems to generate storage capacity and manage grid demand commenced.
Report: One in five UK businesses not motivated by environmental impact of plastics
Keep Britain Tidy and Brita UK have called on UK businesses to explore behaviour change and staff engagement initiatives to accelerate action on single-use plastics, after their survey found that 20% of businesses are 'not at all' motivated by the environmental impacts of the plastics they use.
UK SMEs aiming to ramp up sustainability actions
Almost two-thirds of UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) have signalled their intentions to improve environmental sustainability practices due to heightened consumer awareness and new legislation, according to a new survey.
Net-zero cities: Bristol's mission to be carbon-neutral by 2030
Launched as part of edie's Net-Zero November campaign, this new mini-series explores how local authorities are collaborating with businesses to actuate community-centred sustainability schemes on the road to net-zero emissions. We begin with a look at Bristol City Council's commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2030 - 20 years ahead of the Government's 2050 deadline.
Survey: Almost half of UK SMEs failing to act on single-use plastics
A major survey of more than 1,000 UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) has found while the majority of businesses understand the importance of reducing single-use plastics, 40% are yet to carry out basic measures to reduce plastic waste.
HSBC to support UK businesses with green finance offerings
One day after the Government launched its Green Finance Strategy, banking giant HSBC has launched a new range of green finance services aimed at helping businesses of all sizes strengthen sustainability initiatives.
Carbon Credentials to cut Scope 3 emissions through approved science-based target
Energy and carbon management company Carbon Credentials is ready to walk the walk on climate goals, after having new targets to reduce Scope 3 value chain emissions approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Extinction Rebellion: Role of business in society is being defined by climate change
As thousands of climate protestors continue to blockade key London landmarks as part of the Extinction Rebellion protests, businesses have been warned that action or inaction to combat climate change will define their role in future societies.
Energy Catapult launches SME support for low carbon heating and cooling
A new programme has been launched by the government's Energy Systems Catapult centre to assist small and medium sized businesses (SME) develop low carbon heating and cooling.
Five ways retailers are using Black Friday to champion CSR
Today (23 November) marks Black Friday - but while the majority of companies and consumers conform to this spending spree, a select few a using the occasion to champion resource efficiency, social sustainability and environmental conservation. Here, edie outlines how five companies that are turning that trend on its head.
Scottish Government launches 'cashback' scheme to help SMEs bolster energy efficiency
The Scottish Government has partnered with Zero Waste Scotland to launch a "cashback" scheme which offers interest-free loans to small businesses that install energy efficiency measures.
The Climate Coach: Renewable Energy
I have a dream, of a society where children play safely outside in green, common areas, where there are no cars. People travel to work in electric powered trains, buses and through electric car share. They walk and cycle to school, to the local shop and to meet friends. A dream where renewable energy sources provide all the power we need - for heating, electricity and transport - in businesses as well as in homes.
World Water Day - How we can ensure resilience of our water supplies
Peter Simpson, CEO, Anglian Water, discusses the action we can take together on World Water Day to ensure the resilience of our water supplies
Report: Majority of UK SMEs struggling to embed sustainability
Almost three-quarters of UK SMEs are struggling to embed sustainability practices, citing costs issues and unfavourable government policies as major stumbling blocks, according to a new report.
Water retail market reaches 100,000 milestone
More than 100,000 supply points have switched water retailer in the first 10 months of the market, according to figures released by the market operator - MOSL.
Scottish SMEs offered 'cashback' loan for energy-efficiency projects
Small businesses in Scotland have been encouraged to take advantage of a new "cashback" scheme that could enable them to cut annual energy usage by a quarter and save up to £10,000 in the process.
Introducing the Climate Coaching Blog Series
Climate change is the most pressing and critical challenge humanity has faced in its history. We don't have the time to rely on regulators to pass appropriate climate mitigation and adaption legislation. Climate action from across all industry sectors, whatever the size of organisation is essential, required and indeed increasingly demanded by customers and consumers. To address this, I am writing a sequence of blogs called the Climate Coaching Series, here on edie.net, where I will be exploring climate action and answering the questions of what organisations can do to benefit people, profit and planet.
How to embed the SDGs in your sustainability strategy
Apart from the slightly strange feeling of talking into complete silence, and not seeing any response from your audience, I thoroughly enjoyed talking at the edie Masterclass on How to embed the SDGs in your sustainability strategy, sharing my knowledge and expertise on the topic. Here I offer you a short reflection on the webinar and respond to the questions that I didn't have time to answer during the event.
ESOS across Europe: ensure compliance for multinational companies
The Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is the UK's response to Article 8 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), which mandates that all large organisations must, every four years, undertake a number of steps, including calculating total energy use and performing energy audits across their estate.
How to expand your business sustainably: it all starts with your supply chain
The 2016 CEO Study published by Accenture and the United Nations Global Compact boldly claims that a "staggering 97% of CEO's interviewed believe that sustainability is important to the future success of their business". Despite being reminiscent of the 97% of scientists that agree on climate change, clearly, we are at a point in time where the question around business expansion is not can, but rather how, does a business grow sustainably and where should it focus its efforts?
