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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.
Coty partners with LanzaTech to use captured carbon in perfumes
US-based beauty giant Coty has forged a partnership with LanzaTech, whereby carbon captured using the firm's technology will be used to manufacture fragrance ingredients.
Volvo Cars to go fully electric by 2030
Volvo has outlined plans to stop selling petrol, diesel and hybrid cars by the end of the decade.
Drax unveils plans to host UK's largest carbon capture project by 2027
Drax has begun the planning process for its proposals to scale up bioenergy with carbon capture (BECCS) arrays at its Yorkshire power plant.
Aviation fuel made from air and next-gen hydropower: The best green innovations of February 2021
Every month, 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 from February 2021.
'Tech Zero taskforce': UK tech firms to inform Government's net-zero approach
Fast-growing UK tech firms including Bulb, Starling Bank and Olio have formed a new taskforce that will inform the government's green policymaking and garner industry support ahead of COP26.
Borealis to cut emissions at Finnish facility through £15m energy efficiency upgrade
Chemicals giant Borealis has unveiled a new €17.6m (£15.1m) investment into regenerative thermal technology that will reduce facility emissions from heating while also saving around 60GWh of energy annually.
BrewDog announces B Corp certification
Scottish craft brewer BrewDog is the latest company to achieve B Corp certification, highlighting the company's dedication to becoming a force for good and focusing on carbon offsetting and reduction.
Drax scraps gas plant plans in Yorkshire, following climate concerns
Drax is scrapping plans to build the largest gas plant in Europe, which has faced legal challenges on climate grounds in recent months.
UK can create 200,000 jobs through clean technology drive
The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) has claimed that the UK can reach 100% renewable electricity in the next 11 years, with clean technology uptake set to create 200,000 new jobs provided the Government can deliver enabling policies.
#SustyTalk: Virgin Media's Katie Buchanan on net-zero targets and social sustainability
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with an exclusive discussion with Virgin Media's head of sustainability Katie Buchanan, following the launch of a new Meaningful Connections sustainability strategy.
Hydrogen: Is UK policy and industry at a tipping point?
Recent weeks have seen influential bodies urging the Government to publish the Hydrogen Strategy sooner rather than later. In tandem, announcements have been made about hydrogen-powered homes and vehicles. So, is the UK's hydrogen revolution about to begin?
WeTransfer turns to offsets to achieve carbon-neutral certification
Digital file transferring service WeTransfer has confirmed it has achieved carbon neutral status, following a pledge to reduce emissions by 30% by 2025 that was set last year.
Royal Mail to install fuel-efficiency-boosting tech across its fleet
Royal Mail will install technology systems designed to improve efficiency and reduce emissions across the majority of its fleet - which is one of the UK's biggest - over the next six weeks.
Heathrow secures Government funding to develop net-zero aviation roadmap
Heathrow Airport has secured Government funding for a project dedicated to developing a blueprint for delivering a net-zero UK aviation sector, by or ahead of the national 2050 deadline.
From Audi to Volkswagen: How are big carmakers approaching the EV transition?
After Ford and Jaguar announced plans to go fully electric this week, edie looks at the commitments the world's biggest carmakers have made to electrify their vehicle portfolios.
Coventry unveils plans to host battery Gigafactory by 2025
Coventry City Council has partnered with a local airport to develop plans for a major battery Gigafactory that would help to scale up the local electric vehicle (EV) and energy sectors.
UK oil major backs new waste-to-jet-fuel plant
Essar Oil UK Limited, which produces more than 16% of the UK's transport fuels, has announced a new joint project to bring a waste-to-jet-fuel plant online near Liverpool.
Major renewable hydrogen demo project comes online at Welsh cement plant
Building materials giant Hanson UK has installed a renewable hydrogen generation unit at one of its facilities near Swansea, Wales, to test the potential of replacing natural gas with lower-carbon alternatives.
HP unveils sustainability 'changemaker' and 'catalyst' schemes
Tech giant HP has launched a new scheme offering industry partners the resources and traning they need to accelerate sustainability progress, in the same week that Octopus Energy unveiled what it claims is the world's first energy technology research organisation.
ExxonMobil, LafargeHolcim and Elon Musk: The corporate giants placing their faith in CCS
Over the last couple of days, the world's largest cement manufacturer, one of the world's largest fossil fuel firms and the founder of the biggest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer have all unveiled strategic efforts to commercialise carbon capture and storage projects.
UK's energy storage pipeline passes 16GW
The UK has more than 16GW of battery storage capacity planned across more than 700 projects, with the technology emerging as a key enabler of the net-zero target, new research has revealed.
UK Power Networks funnels £80m into net-zero projects
The network operator that provides energy to more than 18 million people across London and the South East has launched an £80m fund to support projects that will contribute to the UK's net-zero emissions target for 2050.
Premier Inn turns to flywheel energy storage to assist electric vehicle charging
Whitbread-owned Premier Inn has installed a kinetic energy storage system for electric vehicle (EV) charging at its Leipzig hotel in Germany to help overcome poor grid balance.
#SustyTalk: Enterprise's Iain Macbeth on fleet electrification in the time of Covid-19
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with an exclusive discussion with Enterprise-Rent-A-Car's director of electric vehicle (EV) strategy, Iain Macbeth.
Solar power and blockchain: BMW and Rio Tinto make major moves on sustainable aluminium
BMW has announced plans to begin sourcing aluminium produced using solar-powered manufacturing, in the same week that Rio Tinto launched a new blockchain-based sustainability standard for the material.
Low-carbon heat: UK's heat pump sales set to almost double this year
The UK's heat pump manufacturers have collectively placed orders with suppliers for more than 67,000 units this year - around double the number currently already in warehouses and on shelves.
Ocado trials electric vehicles for rapid deliveries
Ocado has launched a trial of electric vehicles (EVs) for its rapid grocery delivery service in the heart of London, as part of the retailer's ongoing commitment to reaching net-zero emissions.
Seaweed animal feed and solar panels made from waste fruit: The best green innovations of January 2021
Every month, 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 from January 2021.
Report: UK needs to install five times as many EV charging points to meet climate goals
In recent years, an average 7,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points have been installed annually across the UK. But that rate will need to increase to 35,000 per year.
Microsoft turns to Climeworks to deliver carbon capture techology
Microsoft has turned to Climeworks' carbon dioxide removal technology as one of the key measures that will help with a mission to reach negative emissions by 2030 and remove the company's historic emissions by 2050.
Government unveils £85m package to support low-carbon aviation innovations
Projects developing hydrogen and fully electrified aircraft have secured multi-million-pound funding pots from the UK Government, in the hopes of the nation hosting zero-emission flights by 2023.
Last chance to register: COP26 business champion Andrew Griffith to deliver keynote at the Sustainability Leaders Forum
edie has today (29 January) confirmed a final addition to the Sustainability Leaders Forum speaker line-up in the form of Andrew Griffith MP, who will deliver a keynote speech about the business opportunity of COP26 on the second day of the virtual event, which runs from 2-4 February.
Robert Downey Jr launches ESG venture capital funds
Renowned actor and producer Robert Downey Jr. has launched a new Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) venture capital investment fund aiming to support sustainability products and services, clean energy and resource efficiency.
5 top tips for choosing onsite technologies on the road to net-zero
With businesses under pressure to minimise energy costs, improve resilience and accelerate decarbonisation, what role can onsite technologies and systems play? Here, edie rounds up best-practice advice from the business leaders on this vitally important topic.
Jaguar Land Rover targets emissions reductions through faster, lighter electric vehicles
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will steer a consortium-led initiative to make electric vehicles (EVs) lighter while also enabling larger batteries to be fitted to increase range.
Mastercard commits to net-zero carbon by 2050
Mastercard has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, aiming to expand the use of onsite solar technology while also decarbonising its supply chain.
One week left to book your place at edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards
There is still time to book your ticket for edie's award-winning Sustainability Leaders Forum and Sustainability Leaders Awards, which will recognise excellence in corporate sustainability via a prestigious virtual ceremony taking place next week.
Electric vehicles and heat pumps set for exponential growth on road to net-zero
More than 4.5 million electric vehicles (EVs) could be on UK roads, almost 250,000 households could feature solar technology and between 450,000 to more than one million domestic electric heat pumps could be installed by 2030 in order to reach net-zero, new research has found.
Nissan to expand EV battery manufacturing at Sunderland plant
Nissan has confirmed plans to add additional electric vehicle (EV) battery production capacity to its UK plant in Sunderland, quashing concerns that the plant could downside or close after Brexit.
#SustyTalk: UPS's Claire Thompson-Sage on low-carbon logistics
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with an exclusive discussion with UPS's sustainable development co-ordinator, Claire Thompson-Sage.
Tennent's invests £7m to remove plastic packaging from beer cans
Scottish brewer Tennent's is investing £7m into new packaging technology at its Glasgow-based brewery which will remove more than 100 million plastic rings from its lager can packs by 2022.
Major gas grid companies team up to outline hydrogen deployment plans
Britain's five major gas grid companies have launched a major collaborative plan to create the UK's first hydrogen town by 2030 as well as creating a network of hydrogen refuelling stations for transport and helping to decarbonise industrial clusters.
Now available on demand: edie's free webinar exploring onsite net-zero technologies
edie's latest webinar is now available to watch on-demand. Tune in to hear experts providing best-practice advice on investing in and integrating net-zero technologies to help assist with decarbonisation targets.
Plastic-free sachets and hydrogen-powered F1 cars: The best green innovations from CES 2021
From big-name corporates to tiny startups, the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) saw thousands of companies showcase their newest tech-based innovations. Here, edie rounds up some of the biggest announcements around green products.
Centrica: UK will only host 35 EV chargers per council by 2025
Local authorities in the UK will play host to just 35 on-street electric vehicle (EV) chargers on average by 2025, new research from Centrica has concluded.
What makes a sustainability leader? Meet battery innovators Powervault
With less than a month until the 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards, this feature series showcases the achievements of the 2020 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winners of the Product Innovation of the Year, PowerVault.
Envision Virgin Racing confirmed as COP26 partner for 'together for our planet' campaign
Motorsport team Envision Virgin Racing has been named as the latest company to be announced as a key partner for the COP26 climate summit, joining the "Together for Our Planet campaign" to encourage global climate action and raise awareness of the electric vehicle (EV) transition.
Inside the world's first fully commercial carbon capture and utilisation plant
edie has today (14 January) published a new case study, taking readers on an in-depth exploration of the world's first fully commercial carbon capture and utilisation plant in India.
In action: the world's first fully commercial carbon capture and utilisation plant
Carbon Clean – in partnership with Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (TFL) – has been operating the world’s first low-cost, industrial-scale carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) plant in India since October 2016. Take a look inside the project with this new download.
Six ideas to achieve your flexible energy future on the road to net-zero
This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where expert energy professionals from a range of sectors discussed the role that smart and flexible energy technologies and systems will play in the net-zero transition.
What makes a sustainability leader? Meet circular economy innovators, P&G
With less than a month until the 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards, this feature series showcases the achievements of the 2020 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winners of the Circular Economy Innovation of the Year, Procter & Gamble.
Five ways to maximise the impact of your energy data
This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where expert energy professionals from a range of sectors discussed the role that energy data can play in the delivery of net-zero targets.
Six top tips for accelerating your electric fleet transition
This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where expert energy professionals from a range of sectors shared experiences integrating electric vehicles (EV) into their organisations' fleets.
Bruichladdich distillery explores hydrogen heating
Bruichladdich Distillery is exploring how hydrogen combustion technology can reduce reliance on fuel oil to meet the island-based facility's heating demand.
Apple links executive pay to performance against ESG targets
Apple has confirmed plans to modify the bonuses its executives receive depending on how much progress the business makes towards key environmental and social targets.
Mission Possible: Achieving a green recovery for the built environment
edie's Mission Possible campaign has evolved to focus on the green recovery, with a new series of reports outlining the challenges that businesses in key sectors face in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, and the opportunities that the green recovery will bring. Up next, the built environment.
Vehicle-to-Grid rollout could deliver £880m in annual savings
Innovative Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) projects, whereby electric vehicles (EVs) act as a form of distributed energy storage, could deliver cost savings of up to £880m annually while reducing emissions from power networks, according to new research.
Government commits £200m innovation fund to tackle Covid-19 and climate crisis
Computers capable of tracking diseases and a floating offshore wind test lab are just two of the technologies to benefit from a new £213m government investment pot that aims to upgrade scientific approaches to combatting Covid-19 and the climate crisis.
UK EV registrations up 185% in 2020, despite impact of Covid-19
Despite new car registrations falling to their lowest in nearly 30 years in 2020, the proportion of the market accounted for by electric vehicles (EVs) grew significantly, according to new figures from the automotive industry's trade body.
Funding allocated to six projects aiming to develop world's first net-zero industrial cluster
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has selected six projects across the UK that will receive a share of £8m in funding to drive progress towards creating the world's first net-zero emissions industrial zone by 2040.
Horizon scanning: Eight green innovations set to shake-up sustainability in 2021
Over the past 12 months, countless innovations which could help businesses and nations deliver a green recovery. Here, edie rounds up nine key products and concepts that could transform sustainability in 2021.
21 New Year's resolutions for sustainability professionals in 2021 and beyond
At last, 2020 has drawn to a close and while the first parts of a new year might not create a respite from a global pandemic and an economic crash, it does create the ideal opportunity to look at the climate crisis with a reinvigorated approach.
Five EU countries object to bloc's latest hydrogen 'manifesto'
Austria, Denmark, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain have issued a joint letter calling on the EU to clearly prioritise renewable energies under an EU-led project aiming to accelerate hydrogen deployment, research and infrastructure.
Ministers urged to cut VAT on batteries for homes after Brexit
The UK should reverse the increase on home energy storage systems implemented by the EU last year after Brexit, trade bodies representing the energy industry have told ministers.
IBM to launch new data platform to map plastics waste
IBM has partnered with the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) on a new data platform to help track plastic waste and recovery globally.
Jaguar Land Rover invests in blockchain for sustainable materials sourcing
Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) venture capital and mobility services arm has invested in a blockchain technology scale-up that will help it to make supply chains for battery materials more sustainable.
Telefónica, Nestlé and Ragn-Sells commit to net-zero supply chains
Technology giant Telefónica, food manufacturer Nestlé and waste management firm Ragn-Sells are the latest businesses to sign up to a collaborative movement to reduce value chain emissions in line with the 1.5C ambition of the Paris Agreement.
Five things you need to know about the Energy White Paper
After months of delays, the UK Government finally unveiled its Energy White Paper on Monday (14 December) detailing how an overhaul to transport, energy and infrastructure will deliver an "overwhelmingly decarbonised power in the 2030s" on the road to net-zero by 2050.
Just Eat, Co-Op and Bensons for Beds launch new EV schemes in time for festive deliveries
Retail giants Co-Op and Bensons for Beds, as well as takeaway delivery platform Just Eat, have launched new electric bikes and vans in time for Christmas.
UK's first electric vehicle forecourt opens to drivers in Essex
The UK's first "electric forecourt", featuring rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers, battery storage and onsite renewable generation, has opened to the public in Essex.
Walkers turns to beer-based carbon capture for low-carbon potatoes
Crisp brand Walkers is scaling up efforts to repurpose potato peelings and captured carbon for use as fertiliser - a system which can reduce emissions associated with potato growing by 70%.
UK Government's welcome backing of CCUS a huge boost for net-zero 2050
The turn of the decade brought hope and expectation on a renewed commitment to tackling climate change as the eyes of the world turned towards the UK ahead of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).
KFC to install electric vehicle chargers at hundreds of UK restaurants
KFC has announced plans to install rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers at up to 450 of its restaurants in the UK and Ireland.
edie launches new business guide to carbon capture, utilisation and storage
Organisations looking to understand the benefits and opportunities of the booming carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) market can access a free 'edie Explains' guide which breaks down everything you need to know about the technology.
edie Explains: Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage
What is carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)? What are the different types of CCUS technology? How can businesses benefit from CCUS? And what are the costs associated with CCUS? This new edie Explains guide answers all of these key questions and more.
Report: Global CCS capacity surged in 2020, despite Covid-19
The total global capacity of carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities operating and under development has seen a 33% year-on-year increase in 2020.
North Sea energy sector requires 'urgent investment' to reach net-zero
Investment into net-zero technologies such as floating offshore wind and clean hydrogen could capture up to £125bn in annual benefits from the North Sea energy sector, but a new report has warned that jobs in the area could fall by at least 20% without incentivising policies.
UK's largest battery storage project receives planning consent in Essex
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has granted planning consent for one of the world's largest battery storage projects to be delivered on the banks of the Thames in Essex.
Tree-planting drones and textile recycling: The best green innovations of November 2020
Every month, 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 from November 2020.
Renewable or 'low-carbon'? EU countries face off over hydrogen
EU member states are fighting over which type of hydrogen to support, with two opposing camps facing off: those backing green hydrogen produced exclusively from renewable electricity, and those in favour of a broader "low-carbon" definition, which also includes nuclear power and decarbonised gases.
Sky invests in 151 electric vans as part of net-zero ambition
Sky is integrating more than 150 Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vans (PHEVs) into its UK fleet, as part of its bid to become a net-zero business by 2030.
MPs set out vision for net-zero Northern Powerhouse
Conservative MPs representing the North of England believe that the Government's Ten Point Plan and the net-zero target can contribute to a levelling up agenda that would create thousands of green jobs in the North.
BEIS, Lego Group and Anglian Water confirmed among latest wave of speakers for Sustainability Leaders Forum
The chief executive of Anglian Water, Peter Simpson, and Minister for Business Energy and Clean Growth Kwasi Kwarteng are among the latest headline speakers that will feature at edie's biggest event of the year - the Sustainability Leaders Forum - which takes place as a global, virtual event on 2-4 February 2021.
Partnerships in space to avoid the 'jaws of death' on Earth
Last year, Sir James Bevan, the chief executive of the Environment Agency, warned that within 25 years England could face endemic water shortages. Or as he put it, speaking to The Guardian at the Waterwise conference, "the jaws of death".
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.
Capgemini: Half of big businesses are using AI to cut their climate impacts
Almost half of the world's biggest industrial, energy, FMCG, retail and manufacturing companies are using artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce their emissions, with the average business forecasting a 16% related emissions reduction by 2025.
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.
Boris Johnson unveils £12bn Ten Point Plan for net-zero transition
Clean hydrogen, carbon capture and storage (CCS), zero-carbon transport and offshore wind are all key pillars of Boris Johnson's Ten Point Plan to push the UK towards net-zero emissions, which will be backed by £12bn in Government investment and aim to create 250,000 new green jobs.
'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.
edie scoops another prestigious award for Sustainability Leaders Forum
edie's flagship Sustainability Leaders Forum has built on consecutive Bronze accolades at the annual Conference Awards by being awarded Silver in the coveted Conference of the Year category.
How would a Gigafactory contribute to the UK's green recovery?
Reports have emerged that the UK is set to unveil funds for a national battery production centre in the UK, but efforts may still be required to ensure that battery production is aligned to the circular economy.
Aviation sector spells out plans to be at heart of UK's green recovery
The chief executives from some of the largest organisations in the aviation sector have called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to deliver legislative and financial support to create a sustainable aviation fuels industry that would help the sector reach net-zero emissions and assist with a national green recovery.
What makes a sustainability leader? Meet employee engagement champions Barry Callebaut
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 employee engagement initiative of the year, Barry Callebaut.
UK set to move petrol and diesel ban forward to 2030
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to move the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars forward to 2030, as part of a raft of new policy announcements to drive the UK towards its net-zero target.
Green hydrogen and retrofitted boats: Shipping giants plot course to net-zero
A coalition representing more than 120 large maritime, energy and infrastructure businesses has published a blueprint for bringing zero-emission shipping innovations to scale.
Carbon offsetting: How are businesses avoiding greenwashing on the road to net-zero?
With the net-zero movement gathering pace, ever more businesses are turning to carbon offsetting to tackle hard-to-abate emissions. But is this a credible choice, or simply a clever greenwashing tactic?
£130m battery development centre gears up in Coventry
A new multi-million-pound industrialisation centre to test recyclable and innovative battery systems is ready to become operational in Coventry.
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.
What makes a sustainability leader? Meet cleantech innovators Kaluza
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 winner of our Technological Innovation award: Kaluza.
