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edie Explains: Onsite generation
Is onsite energy generation right for your business? What are the technology options and how do you choose the right one? This edie explains business guide, produced in association with Centrica Business Solutions, has the answers.

Renewables: The policy vision for a net-zero future
The General Election is a huge opportunity for a new government to make a transformative difference to climate change through investment in renewables, Juliet Davenport, chief executive and founder of Good Energy suggests.

Zalando commits to onsite solar and green building certification across fulfilment centres
Online fashion platform Zalando has committed to placing solar panels and low-carbon technology on all its new and existing fulfilment centres by 2023, as the company pushes ahead with its net-zero commitment.

VW's supermarket EV chargers and Levi's upcycled bags: 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

Plans submitted for subsidy-free solar farm at Gloucester army barracks
Plans have been submitted by a subsidiary of Swindon Borough Council to build a subsidy-free solar farm at the Duke of Gloucester Barracks in Gloucestershire that would generate enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of 350 homes for the year.

Johnson frozen out of climate leaders debate as green groups call for net-zero pact between parties
With Prime Minister Boris Johnson quite literally frozen out of the leader's climate debate last night, more than 40 academics, policy specialists, trade bodies and businesses have called for a bipartisan net-zero pact between the UK political parties in order to ensure the nation meets its commitments.

Hydrogen: a critical piece of the net-zero jigsaw?
Earlier this year the UK Government committed to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 through the amended 2008 Climate Change Act (CCA). Professor Joe Howe, chair of the North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) and executive director of the Thornton Energy Institute, looks at how hydrogen is a vital part of the solution.

Time to walk the talk on net-zero
As part of edie's net-zero business guide, Centrica Business Solutions' director Ian Hopkins discusses how businesses can do things differently to deliver on net-zero strategies.

Ofgem's proposed reforms 'undermine' low-carbon power transition, renewables sector warns
Key figures from across the UK's renewable energy sector have criticised regulator Ofgem's proposals for reforming payment processes, slamming them as "damaging" to the business case for renewable generation and flexible assets.

Target meets 2020 goal to install 500 rooftop solar arrays ahead of schedule
US-based retail giant Target has met its 2020 goal of installing rooftop solar at 500 locations ahead of schedule, as it strives to source 100% renewable electricity across its global operations by 2030.

Homes and businesses deliver flexible green energy to Cornwall's Local Energy Market
A fully automated Local Energy Market (LEM) in Cornwall has, for the first time, seen the local Distribution System Operator (DSO) and the National Grid ESO procure flexible green energy from businesses and households simultaneously.

Landsec aiming to become net-zero business by 2030, sets 1.5C science-based target
Commercial real estate firm Landsec has launched an updated sustainability strategy for its carbon emissions, aiming to become a net-zero business by 2030 and reduce its absolute carbon emissions by 70% as part of a 1.5C science-based target.

It’s time for the next big step towards net-zero
A definitive line has been drawn in the sand this year; we have, as a nation, committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, E.ON UK's chief executive Michael Lewis explains.

Supermarket sweep: Tesco inks onsite solar deal as Lidl eyes rapid EV charging points
On the same day that Lidl has pledged to install rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers at all new stores, Tesco has unveiled plans for a UK-wide renewable energy programme.

Amazon launches three major renewables projects
Amazon has announced three major renewable energy deals, including the largest corporate wind power purchase agreement in Europe, as it pushes towards a goal to source 100% renewable energy across its global operations by 2030.

Irish homes to form 'virtual power plant' with solar and battery storage
Irish utility Energia and technology firm Moixa have partnered to in a bid to create a 120 kWh 'virtual power plant' (VPP), consisting of home smart batteries, rooftop solar and electric vehicles (EVs).

Food giants team up to fund Edinburgh's first on-street recycling infrastructure
On-street recycling infrastructure for food and drinks packaging has been installed in Edinburgh for the first time, as part of a campaign run by charity Hubbub and backed by businesses including McDonald's, Costa Coffee and Nestle.

Renewable energy to expand by 50% in next five years - report
Global supplies of renewable electricity are growing faster than expected and could expand by 50% in the next five years, powered by a resurgence in solar energy.

Empire invests in onsite solar for UK cinemas
Empire Cinemas has signed a deal to install onsite solar arrays at up to 14 of its UK sites.

'We're up for it': Sky exploring its role in net-zero future
Sky's chief executive Jeremy Darroch has claimed that the company is "figuring out" how it can help push the UK to net-zero emissions before the 2050 deadline.

Climate art awards and low-carbon council housing: 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.

Northern Powergrid trials EV energy storage technology
Northern Powergrid has announced it will run an energy storage trial involving electric vans in order to restore power to customers during a power cut.

Planning for the next power outage
Lee Stokes, head of sustainability solutions & innovation for Mitie Energy, looks back at August's UK-wide power outage and reveals how businesses can build resilience should the worst happen.

Total signs cleantech deal to produce hydrogen at refineries
French energy giant Total has signed a cooperation agreement with the Sunfire cleantech company to integrate capture waste heat and CO2 at a German refinery to create synthetic methanol and hydrogen to be used to reduce energy and transport emissions.

Brexit 'could help UK to reverse solar VAT hike', Conservatives claim
Leaving the EU with a Brexit deal could help the UK Government reverse its recent VAT hike on domestic solar and energy storage, a Conservative MP and former MEP has claimed.

FT's climate campaign and urban rooftop farming: 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.

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Business of the Year - Heathrow Airport
With entries for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020 closing on Friday 27 September, this feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Last but by no means least: The winner of our Business of the Year award, Heathrow Airport.

Subsidy-free solar 'coming of age' thanks to battery technology
Subsidy-free solar projects are "coming of age" thanks to the falling costs and flexibility of co-located battery storage technology, according to a new report which claims that more than 5GW of solar capacity could be deployed in the UK without subsidies by 2030.

Bloomberg: Global renewable energy boom driven by business community
Global investment in low-carbon energy is set to hit $2.6trn by the end of this year, with large corporates driving this trend, new analysis from Bloomberg has concluded.

Will Smith's anti-deforestation shoes and floating solar islands: 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.

Green groups joined by 17,500 citizens in calls to overturn domestic solar VAT hike
More than 17,000 UK citizens have signed a petition calling on the UK Government to scrap proposed plans to increase the VAT on household solar and storage from 5% to 20%.

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Low-carbon Product Innovation, Mitsubishi Electric
With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Low-carbon Product Innovation award, Mitsubishi Electric.

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Landsec, The Built Environment
With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Mission Possible: The Built Environment award, Landsec.

The Barker Plan: How a former UK Energy Minister used sustainability to transform a sanctioned Russian aluminium firm
EXCLUSIVE: Over the course of a year, Russian aluminium and hydropower firm EN+ Group has gone from being banned on the US market to launching a new sweeping sustainability strategy and having those sanctions lifted. Here, edie speaks to former UK Energy Minister Greg Barker, who has been the surprise driving force behind this transformation.

Diageo to invest £180m in renewable energy and water stewardship
Diageo has unveiled plans to invest £180m in clean energy generation and water recovery across 11 of its brewing facilities in sub-Saharan Africa.

More than TV: Can ITV place climate change at the core of its business purpose?
EXCLUSIVE: Following 18 months of radical internal transformation, edie asks how media company ITV is ready to revitalise years of strong CSR work to make environmental stewardship, health and wellbeing and societal change the core purpose of its business model.

Amazon continues investment in renewable energy projects
Amazon has confirmed plans to expand its portfolio of energy assets with investment in two renewable energy projects in the US and Europe.

Better Beer: Inside Molson Coors' $20m mission to climate-proof its supply chain
Over the past decade, Molson Coors has spent more than $20m on initiatives to bolster supply chain stability, with the ultimate aim of 'future-proofing' its key resource - barley. Here, edie explores how that funding has redefined best practice for the US-based brewing giant.

Report: Energy storage to smash 1,000GW milestone by 2040
Energy storage installations are poised for a 122-fold increase between now and 2040, as the uptake of renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs) and falling costs of technology provide an ideal platform to drive demand for storage solutions.

edie Explains: Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs)
What are Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs) in the context of renewable energy? Which organisations are most suited to adopting CPPAs, and what are the business benefits of doing so?

Coors' plastic-free packaging and solar-powered trains: 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.

E.ON now supplying all customers with 100% renewable electricity
Big six supplier E.ON has announced that all of its domestic customers now have an electricity supply matched by renewable sources.

Onsite generation: UK businesses primed to become 'power plants of the future'
More than 80% of UK businesses generating renewable energy onsite plan to increase capacity over the next five years, according to a new survey.

Planning application sent for first electric forecourt in Braintree
Planning applications have been submitted to build an "electric forecourt" featuring rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers, battery storage and onsite renewables In Braintree, the first of more than 100 planned sites by green technology firm Gridserve.

Lightyear One: Prototype of solar car with 450-mile range launched
The prototype of a solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) able to travel 450 miles on a single charge was officially unveiled in Katwijk, the Netherlands today (25 June).

SDG 7: How business is acting as a market shift for renewable energy
Despite the devastating evidence of the IPCC report last year on the impact of 1.5°C of global warming, the findings have not sparked a downward trend in global carbon emissions. The news just hasn't been met with appropriate levels of urgency and immediate action from national governments.

Record 11 million people now employed in renewable energy sector
Renewable energy now accounts for more than 11 million jobs worldwide, according to the latest set of official figures on the sector.

UK Government's Smart Export Guarantee to stabilise small-scale renewables market
The Government's replacement initiative for the Feed-in Tariff (FiTs) scheme for residential and business-owned solar has been introduced today (10 June), ensuring that users will be paid for electricity they send to the grid.
Facebook invests in large-scale solar project
Social media giant Facebook has made its first direct investment in a renewable energy project, as it strives to source 100% clean power by 2020.

Public EV charge points outnumber petrol stations in the UK
The number of public charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK has surpassed the number of petrol stations for the first time.

Onsite solutions and behaviour nudges: How to take an energy strategy to the next level
There are no shortcuts to success and you need to be opportunistic in your sustainability opportunities, according to a panel of energy leaders at edie Live.

Bringing Energy Home: Labour unveils plans for solar homes and grid renationalisation
The Labour Party has unveiled fresh plans concerning how it will decarbonise and democratise energy in the UK, with headline ambitions of renationalising the National Grid and installing solar panels on 1.75 million homes.

Solar car with range of 'up to 800km' to launch next month
Dutch electric vehicle (EV) startup Lightyear has confirmed that it will unveil a prototype of the world's first long-range solar-powered passenger car next month, claiming that the vehicle will have a range of up to 800km (497 miles).

In action: Anesco's subsidy-free solar farm supported by a storage floor price
Renewable energy firm Anesco is working with EDF Energy and it's tech partner, Upside Energy, to introduce an industry-first guaranteed floor price for revenue from the battery storage units operating at the first subsidy-free solar development in the UK.

In numbers: Charting the rapid growth of renewable energy in the UK
A new report tracking investments into independent clean energy and energy storage technologies in the UK has illustrated the speed at which to low-carbon transition is gripping the power sector. Here, edie rounds up the key findings.

Moat Homes launches 'Energiesprong' retrofit pilot to create zero carbon houses
A five-home pilot project has launched in Essex to create zero-carbon retrofit homes in the UK, fitting the buildings with solar photovoltaics (PV) and battery storage systems.

Britain notches up another coal-free record over Easter
Great Britain's power grid notched up another coal-free record over the Easter weekend, operating for nearly 92 consecutive hours without any domestic coal generation.

An EV revolution: Four key takeaways from Tesla's first sustainability report
On Wednesday (16 April), the world's most talked-about electric vehicle (EV) company published its inaugural sustainability report, revealing in-depth information on its environmental credentials for the first time. Here, edie rounds up the key takeaways.

Algae-boosted solar panels and floating cities: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations are being developed to help businesses and nations turn their green ambitions into actions. Here, we round up six of the best.

Walmart launches reusable bag range and spurs progress on supply chain emissions
The world's largest retailer, Walmart, used its annual sustainability summit to reveal that checkouts at its US stores will offer reusable bags made from post-consumer recycled content for the first time, alongside an update to its Project Gigaton supply chain emissions programme.

National Grid 'ready to handle' zero-carbon network by 2025
The operating firm for National Grid has claimed that Great Britain's electricity system can operate as a zero-carbon grid by 2025.

Danone's ultra-sustainable factory and Hilton's soap recycling: 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.

Battery storage and solar farms to power 100 UK 'Electric Forecourts'
Green technology firm Gridserve has unveiled a £1bn programme to construct more than 100 "Electric Forecourts" across the UK, which combine renewable energy, battery storage and rapid chargers to meet the needs of electric vehicle (EV) drivers.

Green Alliance: Feed-In Tariff closure a 'major blow' for community solar
The Government's decision to axe the Feed-In Tariff (FiT) scheme will leave dozens of UK community groups "struggling to make the business case" for new small-scale solar projects, think tank Green Alliance has warned.

First Utility rebrands as Shell Energy and switches 700,000 customers to renewable energy
A year after Shell acquired First Utility it has rebranded the supplier as Shell Energy Retail and has today (25 March) confirmed it has switched more than 700,000 homes in Britain to 100% renewable electricity.

Doubts raised over viability of 'subsidy-free' renewables
Senior figures from the energy and finance industries have declared doubts over the feasibility of building "subsidy-free" renewables at scale without some form of revenue stabilisation.

Bristol City Council smashes carbon target two years early
Bristol City Council will soon set new climate-related mitigation goals, after surpassing a target to reduce carbon emissions by two-thirds two years ahead of schedule.

Inside Forest Green Rovers – the world's greenest football club
With the Football League approaching its nail-biting climax, edie pays a matchday visit to Forest Green Rovers to explore how the Ecotricity-owned outfit is uniting sport and environmental consciousness.

Ikea creates blockchain solution to "democratise" renewable energy
Plans have been created by furniture giant Ikea's innovation lab Space 10 to develop a blockchain-powered solar microgrid.

We need to put jobs and poverty at the centre of climate action
Discussions around climate change are in need of a new narrative that outlines the opportunities of a low-carbon transition, as renowned environmentalist Jeremy Leggett and Xynteo's Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Philip Smith explain.

Warrington Council moves towards energy self-sufficiency with major solar and storage deal
Two industrial-scale solar farms and a 27MW battery storage facility are set to be installed in York and Hull before the end of next year, after funding for the project closed today (28 February).

Etsy to offset global shipping emissions
Online retailer Etsy has announced plans to offset 100% of its carbon emissions generated from shipping items, free of charge for its customers.

Manifesto demands stronger support for community energy
A coalition of 20 charities, green campaigners and community energy groups has published a new manifesto calling for stronger support for community energy schemes to help improve their dwindling prospects.

Audi to install Europe's largest rooftop solar array in 'climate-neutral' bid
Carmaker Audi has unveiled plans to install a 12MW rooftop solar array across two of its logistics centres in Hungary, in a drive to make the facility's operations carbon-neutral.

Printed solar panels and carbon capture breakthroughs: The best green innovations of the week
Each week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations that could help businesses and nations deliver on resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions and combat climate change emerge. And each week edie rounds-up six of the best.

Call for decentralised energy optimisation as FIT regime due to end
Fresh mechanisms will be required to ensure that new decentralised generation is visible on the grid once the feed-in tariff (FIT) regime ends this March, an event heard last week.

Swansea tidal lagoon plan revived - without government funding
The backers of a pioneering project to harness energy from the tides off the Welsh coast have rebooted the scheme and believe they can build it without the help of government.

Coca-Cola's world without waste and VW's EV 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.

Ikea's solar homes and Manchester's 'net-zero' pledge: 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.

Solar households to be paid for excess power after Government U-turn
The UK Government has made a U-turn on its decision to end the solar "export tariff", confirming that households which install solar panels in the future will be paid for excess power they generate and send to the grid.

UK power stations' electricity output lowest since 1994
The output of British power stations fell this year to levels last seen almost a quarter of a century ago, while renewables achieved a record share of the UK electricity supply.

AB InBev signs deal to source 100% renewable electricity in UK
The owner of Budweiser and Corona has secured a deal to purchase 100% renewable electricity for its UK operations.

Solar households expected to give away power to energy firms
The Government has said households that install solar panels in the future will be expected to give away unused clean power for free to energy firms earning multi-million-pound profits, provoking outrage from green campaigners.

Large-scale solar costs expected to fall below £40/MWh by 2030
The cost of large-scale solar generation is expected to fall below £40/MWh by 2030, according to the latest assessment by the Solar Trade Association (STA).

Energy regulations: Coming to a home near you
The launch of the new version 10 of the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP10) means that energy regulations are changing. But what does this mean for our buildings?

Webinar: The sustainable business power hour: Preparing to lead in 2019
This live, interactive webinar will see a range of sustainability leadership experts offer advice, share real-experience cases studies and reveal the key trends to watch out for that will help sustainability professionals hit the ground running in 2019.

Tesco's EV charging network and Sweden's ice hotel: 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.

H&M's transparency hackathon and FedEx's e-vans: 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.

Flexible energy: edie launches new business guides for onsite generation and energy storage
As the UK's energy system undergoes a fascinating transition towards decarbonisation and decentralisation, edie has published two new guides that help businesses seize the opportunities of onsite generation and battery storage technologies to achieve a sustainable future.

BEIS signals policy shift on export tariff
Energy and clean growth minister Claire Perry has signalled a shift in policy when it comes to the closure of the Feed-in Tariff.

edie Explains: Energy storage
How does energy storage work? What are the business benefits of commercial battery systems? And how can they interact with other onsite energy technologies? This free edie Explains guide gives you everything you need to know.

Spain targets 100% renewable power by 2050
Spain's government has published a new climate plan that targets a 100% renewable energy electricity system by 2050, with goals that outstrip those adopted by the EU and a ban on new gas and oil exploration.

Shenzhen's e-bus network and 'climate-positive' homes: 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 renewable energy capacity surpasses fossil fuels for first time
The capacity of renewable energy has overtaken that of fossil fuels in the UK for the first time, in a milestone that experts said would have been unthinkable a few years ago.

Former National Grid boss Steve Holliday: Britain is undergoing a chaotic energy revolution
Former National Grid boss Steve Holliday has championed the role that businesses and innovators have played in igniting a "chaotic revolution" in the energy sector, by accelerating demand for renewable energy and battery storage installations.

UPS's e-bike fleet and Nike's circular footwear drive: 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.

In action: EDF's renewable energy-based renovation of a listed building
Between 2012 and 2015, EDF Energy embarked on an ambitious project to bring a listed 12th Century building into the 21st Century by installing onsite renewable systems to generate low-carbon heat, cooling and electricity.

Floating solar farm to power water treatment works in Lancashire
Water company United Utilities has this week begun building a floating solar farm on the surface of a reservoir in Lancashire, in a move that will enable it to power one of its water treatment plants with 100% renewable power by early 2019.

Why an ex-Tesla VP has turned to storage, blockchain and Virtual Power Plants to 'save the planet'
Last month a UK start-up announced that ex-Tesla vice president Ben Hill was joining their team. Here, edie discovers why he has swapped the world of mobility to embark on a vision to transition the world to 100% renewable energy.

Amazon pledges to install 20MW solar systems across UK fulfilment centres
Amazon has this week pledged to deploy 20MW of solar panels across its UK fulfilment centres, in a move that will slash its carbon footprint by 6,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.