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Intelligent highways and underground bins: the best green innovations of the week
A number of eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations have emerged that could help businesses and nations deliver on resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions and combat climate change. Here, edie rounds-up six of the best.
Google, Ikea, make major new renewable energy investments
Ingka Group - the largest retailer within Ikea's franchise system - has confirmed that it is on track to exceed its renewable energy targets after a string of recent investments, in the same week that Google has made its biggest renewable energy purchase to date.
Three learnings on circular innovation
Moving to a circular economy requires new thinking, unprecedented creativity and invention, but how do you practically harness this in innovation projects? Chris Sherwin introduces three recent learnings in this hands-on innovation blog.
Net-zero cities can unlock $24tn opportunity, report finds
Investment into readily available technologies could reduce emissions from cities by 90% by 2050, while creating a global economic benefit worth almost $24trn (£19trn), a new report has claimed.
Zero-emission planes and boats that double as microgrids: 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.
Nissan and EDF partner to launch V2G EV charging offer for businesses
Nissan and EDF have signed an agreement to collaboratively develop and launch a "smart" electric vehicle (EV) charging package for businesses, including vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capacity.
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.
World's biggest mobile operators vow climate disclosure in first step towards net-zero
BT Group and Vodafone Group are among a coalition of 50+ mobile operators to have agreed to begin publicly disclosing their climate impacts.
New initiative to help business minimise climate impacts of cooling
The Climate Group has launched a new initiative aimed at helping businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their cooling processes and to decarbonise their cooling systems.
Unilever turns to interactive mapping to boost tea supply chain transparency
Unilever has publicly published a full list of its global tea suppliers for the first time, along with a new interactive map to help customers understand its supply chain processes.
M&S showcases vertical farming at London store
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has installed vertical farming technology at one of its busiest London stores, in a bid to engage shoppers with the ways in which farmers are innovating in light of climate challenges.
Why we need a human-centred approach for a successful energy transition
A transition often implies a need for various technological, regulatory and business developments - new business models, engineering advances and cheaper, greener solutions. However, it is often forgotten that it is people who are the real drivers behind any change.
Energy managers cynical about Government's net-zero targets, edie's new survey reveals
The second edie Business Barometer of energy managers, supported by Centrica Business Solutions, revealed a sector that was cynical of the Government's policy objectives - but are not concerned about Brexit.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: Rising Star, Charlie Jardine
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 Rising Sustainability Star award, Charlie Jardine.
EU auto industry forms unlikely alliance with NGO on electric cars
Long-time adversaries Transport & Environment and ACEA have signed a partnership to accelerate the roll-out of electric vehicle charging points, as the auto industry seeks to rebrand with a focus on digital and electric.
Cement giant Heidelberg throws weight behind CCS
Heidelberg Cement has signed a memorandum of understanding with multinational energy giant Equinor, in a bid to scale up its efforts in the field of carbon capture and storage (CCS).
UK-based battery innovations bag £55m in Government funding
The Faraday Institution has confirmed plans to split a £55m funding pot between five UK-based research and development projects surrounding battery energy storage for electric vehicles.
UPS unveils 400km range-extending electric vehicles
Logistics giant UPS has introduced a new collection of range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) to its fleets across Birmingham and Southampton.
Veolia upcycles two end-of-life diesel vehicles with electric engines
Resource management firm Veolia is set to trial two electric Refuse Collection Vehicles (eRCV) in Westminster, after 'upcycling' old diesel vehicles that were approaching the end of their life.
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.
Government sets aside funds to explore low-carbon hydrogen
The government has awarded 20 projects a share of £7 million to explore innovative ways of making and using low-carbon hydrogen.
Fairphone's recycled smartphone and zero-emission livestock: 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.
Rolls-Royce teams with Norway's largest regional airline on zero-emission aircraft scheme
Rolls-Royce is partnering with the largest regional airline in Scandinavia on a joint research programme aimed at unlocking and developing technology to enable zero-emission aviation.
Boots purchases electric vans for prescription deliveries
Boots has announced it has purchased its first electric vans and will trial them in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire as part of its prescription delivery service.
From flying taxis to freight drones: Government funnels £300m into future of aviation
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled a new £300m investment to develop low-carbon transport, with technologies such as flying urban taxis, electric planes and freight drones expected to be supported.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: Tideway, Mobility
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: Mobility award, Tideway.
Willmott Dixon to use non-recyclable plastic in new roads at Bristol housing development
A new housing development in Bristol will feature roads made with the equivalent of 150,000 plastic bags of non-recyclable plastic waste originating from the construction phase of the scheme.
Sainsbury’s to accept glass in deposit return trials for bottles
Sainsbury’s has revealed that it will trial a reverse vending machine in England that will accept both glass and plastic bottles.
Sky Mobile to offer 'ethical and modular' Fairphone in UK
Sky Mobile has announced that it will offer the Fairphone, a modular and repairable smartphone consisting of recycled materials, in the UK.
Planning application submitted for Europe's first low-carbon jet fuel plant in North East Lincolnshire
A planning application has been submitted for Europe's first commercial-scale plant to transform waste into a low-carbon jet fuel, with a site chosen in North East Lincolnshire.
SAP's app against poverty and self-charging EVs: 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.
Hoarding old gadgets 'preventing circular economy shift' and 'spurring rare mineral shortages'
The fact that most UK households are hoarding old digital gadgets with no plans to recycle them is a key barrier to implementing circular economy principles for e-waste, the Royal Society of Chemistry has claimed.
Energy leaders urge government to back international AI climate centre
Leading voices from across the energy sector have this week called for the government to support the creation of an International Centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy and Climate.
Faraday Grid enters administration after research budget runs dry
Tech start-up Faraday Grid has entered administration after the firm drained its research budget and failed to secure further funding.
Friday's power cut 'underscores need for flexibility'
In the wake of a large power cut which affected large parts of south England on Friday (9 August), policymakers and power generators must prioritise investments in flexible energy systems.
Asda signs up its fridges to keep the UK warm this winter
Hundreds of Asda supermarket stores will help power the UK's electricity system this winter by using their fridges as a virtual battery pack for the energy grid.
Nestle's biodegradable breakthrough and water ATMs: 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.
‘Well’ under control
In The Salmon of Doubt, author Douglas Adams writes: "We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works." These are words that we can and should apply to our experience of technology in the workplace.
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.
Tesla forays into utility market with 'Megapack' energy storage solution
Carmaker Tesla has this week launched a new large-scale energy storage offering aimed at helping utilities to reduce costs and drive decarbonisation.
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.
Microplastic filters and Tesla's 'Megapacks': 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.
Climate change to shock steel sector profitability, report warns
The global steel sector is facing a vicious cocktail of climate impacts that could see water scarcity, global warming and an increased carbon price place more than 10% of the sector's economic value at risk, according to a new report from CDP.
From climate change to urbanisation: BlackRock's five megatrends that will disrupt society
A new report from BlackRock has found that climate change, resource scarcity and growing consumerism will create disruptive structural shifts across industries as a "confluence of global megatrends" begin to clash.
Swedish lessons: Can data management enable the UK to deliver a net-zero economy?
The UK's net-zero climate target has been widely welcomed, but is currently lacking some actual points of delivery. Fortunately, Sweden's own net-zero target can teach politicians some interesting lessons, including how big data and digitisation can mobilise action plans.
Virgin Media targets 100% renewable electricity by 2020
Virgin Media has pledged to source only renewable electricity for the entirety of its operations by 2020, after joining The Climate Group's RE100 initiative.
The climate FaceApp alternative and Tesla's superchargers: 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 five of the best.
Climate leadership roundtable: Are we on the right track for a net-zero economy?
The UK Government's recent move to legislate for net-zero emissions by 2050 has been widely welcomed across the green economy - but how should businesses respond? edie recently convened a group of sustainability leaders from an array of industry sectors to discuss exactly that.
Government unveils £80m pot to decarbonise aviation and road transport
In a bid to spur the development of new low-carbon transport technologies and systems on the path to net-zero by 2050, the UK has launched a new £80m funding pot for electric car and plane projects.
Flexible Futures: edie launches smart business blueprint for energy
With a radical shift currently occurring in the energy sector, edie has launched its Flexible Futures report into the key issues for energy and sustainability professionals, preparing businesses for the technological revolution.
JLR backs innovative recycling solution for 'low-grade' plastics
Carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has begun trials of an innovative new recycling technology which purports to turn low-quality, post-consumer plastics into high-grade material.
UK Power Networks launches EV smart charging market trial
Electric vehicle (EV) owners across London and the South and East of England have been invited to take part in a trial to uncover the economic, environmental and social benefits of charging vehicles during off-peak hours.
Plastic-free fruit labels and electric 'hypercars': 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.
UK Government announced as International Ambassador for EV100 initiative
The UK Government has been named as the first government to act as an ambassador for the Climate Group's EV100 initiative to spur electric vehicle (EV) uptake, on the same day that global pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca joined the initiative.
British Airways and Shell back plans for UK sustainable jet fuel plant
British Airways and Shell have provided funding totalling £2.8m to support the development of a UK-based facility that could produce 20 million gallons of sustainable jet fuel annually.
JLR, VW & Ford accelerate electric vehicle development
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has secured a £500m loan guarantee from the Government at the same time Volkswagen (VW) and Ford announced a multi-billion deal on electric vehicle (EV) and autonomous vehicle infrastructure.
Shell invests in peer-to-peer energy trading blockchain platform
The venture fund arm of oil and gas giant Shell has invested in a US-based company that uses blockchain to enable peer-to-peer energy sharing and trading over networks.
UK launches Clean Maritime Strategy to spur net-zero ambitions
The UK Government has announced a new maritime strategy, calling for all new vessels to be designed with zero-emissions capable technologies by 2025.
National Grid: Electric cars could form battery hubs to store renewable energy
A fleet of 35 million electric vehicles could help the UK reach its net-zero carbon target by forming large battery hubs to store renewable energy, according to the country's energy system operator.
UK's rapid EV charging stock 'to double by 2024'
Electric vehicle (EV) charging network firm Engenie has unveiled fresh plans for expansion, which it claims will enable it to double the number of rapid chargers in the UK by 2024.
Unilever's refills and the 'world's first' 100% recycled hoodie: 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.
Sustainable Business Covered podcast: The London Climate Action Week relay
Episode 67 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast sees the edie team travel to numerous events during London Climate Action Week, securing exclusive interviews with the Green Finance Institute, Microsoft, the Green Alliance and more.
JLR to invest hundreds of millions in EV production
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is due to invest hundreds of millions of pounds into its UK factories to manufacture electric vehicles (EV) in the future.
Report: Businesses hosting decentralised energy 'key' to meeting net-zero
Onsite renewable generation by businesses and households will need to play a "key" role in the energy system if the UK is to reach its 2050 net-zero target, new research has concluded.
UK 'lags behind' mainland Europe on EV infrastructure
The UK "lags behind" other European countries on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, research from consultancy firm Delta-EE has concluded.
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.
Corona's Fit Packs and solar methanol islands: 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.
V2G 'could cut £270m a year off cost of running UK power system'
Plugging electric vehicles (EVs) into the grid could cut £270m a year off the cost of running the UK power system by 2030, a new report has claimed.
Government funnels £26m into CCUS projects
The UK Government had confirmed that 10 companies have secured £26m in funding to facilitate the advancement and rollout of carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS).
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.
IHG taps into AI technology in bid to slash food waste by 30%
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is using artificial intelligence (AI) technology across its restaurant and bar operations in a bid to achieve a 30% reduction in food waste.
Bio-solar 'leaves' and electric ice cream vans: The best green innovations for Clean Air Day
To mark Clean Air Day (20 June), edie has rounded up some of the best innovations being explored by companies across the globe to help tackle the environmental and health impacts of air pollution.
UK sectors face system shocks during net-zero transition
The road to net-zero emissions in the UK will create system shocks and disruption that will hit organisations across the electricity, heat, transport and construction industries the hardest, according to new research published by the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC).
Aerospace giants back technology to provide 'relentless' aviation decarbonisation
The chief technology officers of seven major aerospace manufacturers have released a joint statement outlining how the firms are committed to sharing best practice to decarbonise the sector as it approaches its "third era" of electrification and digitalisation.
'Flagship' EV charging hubs to spark 'electric revolution' in London
London mayor Sadiq Khan has revealed plans to build five "flagship" rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs in the capital as part of a new delivery plan for EV charging infrastructure.
Network operators collaborate on blockchain data register for generation and storage
Energy firms and network operators have teamed together to create a shared register powered by blockchain for energy generation and storage data, in a bid to improve the decarbonisation and operating costs of the UK energy system.
Waitrose posts impressive energy savings from innovative fridge tech
New in-store fridge technology has enabled Waitrose & Partners to reduce its energy use for refrigeration by more than 40%, the supermarket has claimed.
Scotland and Wales place hopes in battery power
Scotland and Wales plan to embrace battery power in order to solve their respective clean energy and employment challenges. Scotland will link a 50MW "super battery" to a wind farm, while Wales wants to invest in battery production.
Tarmac's recycled asphalt and Unilever's plastic-free boxes: 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.
Fish scale plastics and lifts which store energy: 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.
Scrolling towards a better future or coding for chaos? What the ‘Onlife’ means for sustainability
Half the world's population does something unimaginable every day. We each connect into a species-wide hive mind that reaches into our pockets, our screens and controls what we see, think and believe.
Talking electric vehicles with BT's Howard Lungley and UPS's Claire Thompson-Sage
edie's Mission Possible sofa chat show returns for 2019. In the final episode, edie discusses the barriers and opportunities of transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) with Howard Lungley, head of strategy, digital impact and sustainability at BT Group and Claire Thompson-Sage, sustainable development co-ordinator at UPS.
Bristol City Council turns to blockchain to incentivise behaviour change
Bristol City Council is seeking to spur progress towards an ambition to create a carbon-neutral city by 2030 by teaming with a Manchester-based energy technology firm to incentivise employees to act more sustainably through a blockchain-enabled platform.
H&M's orange peel dresses and Waitrose's 'invisible' door: 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.
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.
Toyota to pilot blockchain-powered peer-to-peer energy trading
Carmaker Toyota is set to trial a blockchain-enabled peer-to-peer energy trading system which enables businesses, homeowners and electric vehicle (EV) drivers to exchange surplus power.
Waitrose to launch 'invisible door' that could save retailers £1.5bn on energy bills
Waitrose & Partners will introduce an "invisible" door" to combat the amount of avoidable energy that is lost at entrance doors to retail stores, with research suggesting that a widescale rollout could help British retailers save £1.5bn annually on energy bills.
Drax confirms plans to create UK's first zero-carbon cluster in Humber
Energy giant Drax has unveiled plans to build a large-scale zero-carbon industrial cluster, featuring carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) technology, during the mid-2020s.
Measuring impact on the SDGs through AI
How do you know whether you're truly contributing to the SDGs? It's one thing to set objectives and priorities, it's quite another thing to get there.
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.
Report: Electricity generation carbon prices to treble by 2050
Carbon prices for electricity generation should more than treble by 2050 and VAT rates on domestic energy use hiked to help drive emissions off the grid, according to a new report.
'Eco' blocks and 'super' crops: The best green innovations of the week
Eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations that could help businesses and nations accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy are emerging every week. Here, edie rounds-up six of the best.
No 'low hanging fruit' left for energy innovation, M&S says
There is no longer any 'low hanging fruit' and innovation is going to be required to help with sustainability challenges in the future, according to Marks & Spencer's research and development manager Oliver Knowles.
BNEF: EVs to dominate buses, 'encroach significantly' on cars and trucks, by 2040
Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) has released its annual forecast on the future of e-mobility, predicting that electric vehicles (EVs) will penetrate the global bus, van, truck and passenger car markets faster than it envisioned in previous years.
Unilever unveils 'detectable and recyclable' black plastic packaging
Consumer goods giant Unilever has today (17 May) unveiled a new pigment which makes black plastics detectable by recycling equipment, as it strives to boost the recyclability of its packaging portfolio.
Google and Stella McCartney to launch cloud-based analytics tool for fashion supply chains
Google has partnered with fashion brand Stella McCartney on the first phase of a new machine learning data analytics tool to improve the transparency of the supply chains for the fashion industry.
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).
Top 10 'must-attend' sessions at edie Live 2019
With a week to go until the show doors open, the edie editorial team picks 10 standout case studies set to take the stage at the UK's largest sustainability and energy exhibition, edie Live, as it returns to the NEC Birmingham on 21-22 May.
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