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Companies such as Adidas, eBay, Mars, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Ikea, Twitter and Unilever have joined with more than 120 towns and cities to sign the declaration

'We are still in': US cities and businesses launch 'societal' commitment to the Paris Agreement

More than 900 companies, including Nike, Tesla, Google and Microsoft, have joined former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg's declaration of defiance against Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, with a vow to achieve and exceed the original commitment.

UN chief Antonio Guterres stressed that the business community was readily equipped to take on the mantle should the US withdraw its support for the Paris Agreement

UN chief: Climate-aware businesses will dominate economy of tomorrow

The new Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) has said that businesses that invest in low-carbon technologies to reduce emissions will become the future leaders of the global economy.

The success of Mission 2020 hinges on key milestones, such as the ability of renewables to outperform fossil fuels by 2020

Christiana Figueres: Peak emissions by 2020 'crazy but achievable'

Former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres remains "stubbornly optimistic" that market trends are already in place to hit ambitious three-year targets as part of her Mission 2020 campaign, but only if the "climate conversation" is extended to a wider range of stakeholders and investors.

Factors behind the UK’s success include the switch from coal to gas for generating electricity and energy-efficiency schemes cutting demand

UK leads G7 on 'decoupling' emissions reduction from wealth creation

The UK has been more successful than any other G7 nation at decoupling emissions growth from that of the economy over the past 25 years, according to a new report.

The report argues that global climate frameworks have lacked a near-term focal point for action

Climate Turning Point: 2020 identified as 'game-changing' year for global action

A new report has highlighted 2020 as the year to "bend the curve" on global emissions that can set into a motion a series of transitions to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and reach net zero carbon by 2050.

Trump’s attack on the clean power plan will not produce instant results. It faces bureaucratic wrangling and legal challenges that could take years

EU leads attacks on Trump's rollback of Obama climate policy

The European Union has led criticism of Donald Trump's effort to unravel Barack Obama's measures to combat climate change, suggesting that Europe will now take the lead in global efforts.

The report calls for stronger legislation to highlight the “phenomenal cost of inaction” in relation to water treatment

Circular wastewater systems 'underexploited', says United Nations

As companies link up with charities to raise awareness of World Water Day, a new report from the United Nations (UN) has suggested that the "vast potential" of using wastewater as a resource remains "underexploited".

The 17 SDGs were introduced in September 2015 with an aim to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and justice and combat climate change by 2030

Lack of collaboration hindering UK uptake of Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are increasing in prominence amongst UK businesses, although siloed working conditions are still impacting the ability for the private sector to deliver social and environmental change.

COP22 proved that governments and responsible businesses across the world stand ready, willing and able to deliver bold climate action

An unstoppable force: Seven things we learned from the COP22 climate talks

As political and business leaders board flights home from Marrakesh after two weeks of proactive discussions, edie looks back at some of the highlights of the UN's COP22 climate talks.

Was COP22 the success everyone had been hoping for, or did Trump's Presidential triumph stall proceedings? (Photo: UNclimatechange/Flickr)

The Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Episode 15 - Fresh from Marrakesh

The Carbon Trust's chief executive Tom Delay and Asia Pulp & Paper's director of sustainability Aida Greenbury are the special guests on this week's podcast episode, which reviews the the UN's two-week COP22 climate talks in Marrakesh.

COP22 also dedicated time to prioritising climate justice. Coupling up with the water agenda, the topic of climate justice led to the introduction of the “Water for Africa” initiative

COP22: Water and climate justice share the spotlight with Trump

Wednesday was water day at COP22 in Marrakesh, and while the mood in Morocco was one of "sink or swim" in regards to an unprecedented US election, business took to the stage to call on governments to introduce a "speedy implementation" of the Paris Agreement.

Hermes Investment Management chief executive Saker Nusseibeh (centre-left) urged firms to focus on the environmental and economic impacts of investment decisions

Ignoring sustainability in favour of short-termism will cause financial ruin, warns major investor

EXCLUSIVE: Companies that fail to realise the long-term benefits of sustainable investment will see their financial returns collapse, one of Britain's biggest investment groups has said.

UN climate chiefs celebrating the introduction of the deal in Paris photo: UNClimate/Flickr

Paris Agreement officially enters force: what happens next?

In the early hours of this morning (4 November), vision turned into reality as the Paris Agreement officially came into force, ushering a new era of climate action. But what does this actually mean for the global green economy?

Marrakech, Morocco, which plays host to the two-week COP22 event. The Conference offers an opportunity to set a clear strategy to emulate the Paris Agreement

UN: Paris Agreement still not good enough to avoid serious climate change

Less than 24 hours before the Paris Agreement formally enters into force, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned that governments and the private sector must together scale-up climate ambition to reduce an additional 25% from predicted 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The report outlines that more than 30 governments, including the US, UK and Japan had pledged new funds in 2015

Developed nations 'confident' of hitting $100bn climate action pledge

Developed countries are "confident" that $100bn will be financed annually to aid climate actions in developing countries by 2020, a new report compiled by the UK and Australia has revealed.

Paris climate agreement poised to come into force

The Paris climate agreement is on the brink of coming into force after 31 nations officially joined the landmark accord, with the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, predicting it will be fully ratified by the end of the year.

May’s announcement is expected to be followed by a raft of ratification announcements, with up to 20 countries ratifying the deal on Wednesday (21 September)

UK to ratify the Paris Agreement this year, says Theresa May

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has vowed that the UK will have officially ratified the Paris Agreement by the end of 2016, although it is believed the ratification process could be finalised within a matter of weeks.

In order to accelerate action on the SDGs, the report notes that companies will increasingly have to embrace the “age of digitalisation”

'Fruits of the fourth revolution' key for business to tackle struggling SDGs

Leveraging the power of connectivity and digitalisation will be key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the "fruits of the fourth industrial revolution" inspiring large-scale action, a new report has found.

With United Nations heavyweights calling for the Paris Agreement to be delivered by the end of 2016, countries need to start practicing what they preach

From the US to the Marshall Islands: Global climate action is on the march

COP21's frantic, last-minute climate deal bookmarked a new era for global sustainability, and as Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) evolve into tangible action, edie looks at six recent instances where national action is speaking louder than words.

Ki-moon called on Governments to intensify voluntary efforts and engage with the business sector to drive change

Businesses urged to 'think differently' and adopt Sustainable Development Goals

The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) has called on business, governments and local authorities to adopt new ways of thinking that align the "critical challenges of our time" with operational models and frameworks.

Christiana Figueres receives UN Secretary General nomination

United Nations (UN) climate change chief Christiana Figueres has today (July 7) received the nomination for the post of UN Secretary General.

The EU is thought to have the world’s largest body of environmental legislation

UN calls for post-Brexit UK to link with EU on environment policy

The UN's new environment chief has called for a post-Brexit Britain to link up with the EU on environment policy, adopting key bloc climate laws and maintaining its nature directives.

UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres spoke at the Business and Climate Summit in London's Guildhall earlier today (28 June)

Climate action provides 'thread of certainty' for post-Brexit Britain, says Christiana Figueres

The UN's soon-to-depart climate chief has quashed claims that the UK's impending departure from the European Union (EU) could derail the Paris Agreement, instead claiming that a concerted effort to tackle climate change could be the "thread of continuity" that the UK needs during this "uncertain and volatile" period.

Originally established in 2013, the standard looks to encourage consistency and transparency in quantifying and reporting food waste issues to reap economic benefits

Global standard launched to tackle swelling food waste issues

Companies and countries have been urged to ramp up efforts to prevent food waste, through a new global standard that outlines reporting requirements on food management for business and governments to adhere to.

The report lists 31 natural and cultural World Heritage sites in 29 countries that are vulnerable to increasing temperatures, rising seas and intensifying weather events

QUIZ: How could climate change destroy World Heritage Sites?

Why is New York's Statue of Liberty under threat of destruction from global warming? How could extreme weather destabilise the masonry at Stonehenge? Find out which of the world's official Heritage Sites are most at-risk of being destroyed by the effects of climate change in our latest flip-card quiz.

Patricia Espinosa has been the Ambassador of Mexico to Germany since September 2013, before which she worked in several positions in the foreign ministry

Patricia Espinosa nominated to replace Christiana Figueres as UN climate chief

Mexican diplomat Patricia Espinosa looks set to replace Christiana Figueres as the new Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) after receiving the nomination in a selection process led by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

The UK's Under Secretary of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Lord Nick Bourne, signing the Paris Agreement last week

Paris climate deal: countries with about half of global emissions to join this year

The White House has said countries accounting for about half of the world's greenhouse gas emissions would join the Paris climate agreement this year, bringing the agreement "within striking distance" of entering into force.

The official signing ceremony at the UN headquarters in New York breaks the record for first-day signatures held by any international treaty

175 countries sign Paris climate agreement on Earth Day

Political leaders from more than 170 countries - including the China, the US and the UK - came together at the UN headquarters in New York to officially sign the Paris Agreement on Earth Day (22 April).

The UN headquarters in New York, where more than 130 countries are expected to ratify the Paris climate change deal

COP21 signing ceremony: 100 corporations call for clear policies and swift actions

IKEA, Starbucks and Unilever are among more than 100 global companies that have expressed support for the Paris climate change agreement to be enshrined into national law as a matter of urgency, on the eve of the official COP21 signing ceremony in New York.

An earlier start date could also turbo-charge the agreement, providing momentum for deeper emissions cuts

US and China lead push to bring Paris climate deal into force early

The US and China are leading a push to bring the Paris climate accord into force much faster than even the most optimistic projections - aided by a typographical glitch in the text of the agreement.

The new mapping system could provide researchers with an effective platform to differentiate between forest destruction caused by climate change and deforestation

UN and Google forge 'eye-in-the-sky' forest mapping partnership

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has turned to tech giant Google to implement a high-resolution satellite-based data mapping system which could usher in an "unprecedented level of environmental literacy" for the forestry sector.

Christiana Figueres’ optimistic predictions about the Paris Agreement follows a series of positive announcements on climate change made by national governments and big businesses

Christiana Figueres expects Paris Agreement to take effect in 2018

The UN's soon-to-depart climate chief has said that the Paris climate change pact agreed last December could come into force two years earlier than the originally planned date of 2020.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will frame the UN's policies and agenda over the next 15 years

UN Global Compact seeks 'change agents' to accelerate action on SDGs

The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) has launched a 'pioneers programme' to accelerate grassroots leadership on the new global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Figueres stated that she was ‘highly inspired’ by the UN’s continuous battle against climate change

"Hard act to follow": Christiana Figueres to step down from UN climate post

Christiana Figueres has been hailed as "one of the great leaders of our time" as the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change announced today (19 February) that she would be stepping down from her post.

Ban Ki-moon stated that the investor community is of critical importance to the success of the Paris climate deal

Ban Ki-moon calls for doubling of clean energy investment

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for global investment into clean energy to be doubled by 2020 in order to keep global temperature increases below 2C as set out in Paris.

The report found the middle class is becomingly increasingly aware of the risks posed to them by climate change

Global middle class can drive climate action, says UBS

The global middle class could hold the key to mobilising climate action, a new report from financial services firm UBS has claimed.

2015 could mark the first time that emissions have declined during a period of strong economic growth

Global carbon emissions could fall in 2015

Global carbon emissions are projected to stall with a possibility that they might actually decline by more than 0.6% in 2015, according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

The draft document handed to the French on Saturday has refined 50 pages down to just over 20

Paris climate change talks yield first draft amid air of optimism

Negotiators paving the way for a global climate change agreement in Paris have cleared a major hurdle, producing a draft accord in record time and raising hopes that a full week of minister-led talks can now clinch a deal despite many sticking points.

US secretary of state, John Kerry, has said that any climate deal in Paris is 'definitively not going to be a treaty'

Paris climate deal must be legally binding, EU tells John Kerry

The EU has warned the Obama administration that a global climate deal at the Paris summit must be legally binding, after the US secretary of state John Kerry said that it "definitively" would not be a treaty.

The oil and gas giant said that solar PV generation in North America in 2050 will cost around $107/MWh

BP: Solar and wind won't overtake gas without carbon price

The cost of wind and solar energy will continue to fall rapidly between now and 2050, but will remain more expensive than gas unless a global carbon price is imposed.

Japan, the US and the EU are contributing as little as a fifth of their estimated fair share reduction targets

Report: Rich countries failing to accept 'fair share' of climate action

The climate pledges made by rich countries are less than their 'fair share', according to new report released today (19 October).

The Covenant of Mayors 2013 ceremony. Photo: Griet Dekoninck

Cities reluctant to publish climate risk reports

Thousands of cities signing up to the new Covenant of Mayors today (15 October) will submit reports on their vulnerability to climate change to the European Commission every two years - but are under no obligation to make the information public.

Ministers have thrown their weight behind a $100bn commitment as well as supporting an international financial transaction tax

'Vulnerable 20' countries will share economies to fight climate change

Finance ministers representing over 700 million people have announced a series of financial mechanisms to invest in climate resiliency and lower emissions for 20 of the world's most vulnerable countries.

The UN is to formally adopt the set of 17 new Sustainable Development Goals for 2030

Sustainable Development Goals: Businesses urged to take the lead

Sir Richard Branson, Unilever's Paul Polman and Professor Stephen Hawking are among those that have thrown their support behind the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), set to be authorised today (25 September).

Paul Polman, who joined Unilever in 2009, received the award in the Entrepreneurial Vision category

Unilever's Paul Polman receives UN's highest environmental accolade

Unilever's chief executive has been named as one of the winners of the United Nations' Champion of the Earth Award for his work as a 'tireless advocate' for sustainable business models.

7-10 billion tonnes of urban waste is produced each year, with 3 billion people across the globe lacking access to efficient waste disposal facilities

UNEP: 'Urgent response' needed to avert global waste crisis

The first ever worldwide waste report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) says immediate action is required to shift from 'take-make-use-waste' to a circular economy.

Long-term planning for urban development and transport could improve people's lives and fight climate change, according to the report

Climate-smart cities could save the world $22tn, say economists

Putting cities on a course of smart growth - with expanded public transit, energy-saving buildings, and better waste management - could save as much as $22tn and avoid the equivalent in carbon pollution of India's entire annual output of greenhouse gasses, according to leading economists.

The report examines the forest-food nexus, which is growing ever more strained by the need to increase food production by up to 50% by 2050

UN: $200bn agricultural subsidies driving deforestation

International governments could be unwittingly driving deforestation through misguided agricultural subsidies, a new UN brief has found.

None of the 28 energy companies responded

Shell and Gazprom among companies backing 2C limit

More than a third of the world's largest listed companies, including major fossil fuel producers, say they would support an international deal limiting global warming to 2 degrees, according to research by CDP.

The World Health Organisation estimates that poor air quality costs the global economy £53bn each year

EU project aims to crowdsource air pollution data

A campaign to get citizens to monitor air pollution using their smartphones was launched today in 10 cities across Europe, including Manchester and London.

The report also discovered 'widespread theft' of valuable components such as circuit boards and precious metals from waste electronics, resulting in an annual estimated loss between €800m and €1.7bn

Only one third of European e-waste 'properly recycled'

Just one third of all used-but-still-functioning electronics were properly recycled across the EU in 2012, according to a major new study by the UN and Interpol.

The gathering of Islamic leaders in Istanbul have called for greater efforts to deal with climate change

Muslim leaders call for global action on climate change

Leading representatives of Islam have called for action to tackle climate change across the world, at a symposium in Istanbul today (18 August).

Tropical forest sources have the greatest net-cost benefit for FSC certification, according to the report

FSC certification provides profit incentive for sustainable forestry

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification can provide net cost-benefits to forest operators, according to a new report from the WWF released today (5 August).

July has seen spending cuts and, well, more spending cuts

GALLERY: Top 10 sustainability stories in July 2015

The story of July has been cuts and lots off them.

The UNEP found major financial institutions have few policies in place to counter deforestation

Majority of banks fail to encourage sustainable forestry, UN finds

The majority of financial institutions do not have policies requiring clients to comply with forestry regulations, according to a study by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) revealed today (29 July).

Green thinking can bring huge benefits in reducing bottom lines costs and increasing employee engagement

Why the time is NOW for sustainable business practice

James Deacon, head of corporate responsibility at technology company Ricoh UK, offers his advice for businesses looking to become more sustainable in 2015 and beyond

The report's lead author Dr Ana Gonzalez Pelaez argues that as many people as possible need to have access to insurance

Insurance industry 'essential policy instrument' to help those at climate risk

The insurance industry must be utilized to protect citizens at risk from climate change, a new report from the University of Cambridge's Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) has claimed.

The Adidas concept shoe's upper is made entirely from reclaimed ocean plastics

Adidas showcases shoe made from ocean plastics

Clothing manufacturer Adidas has celebrated its partnership with Parley for the Oceans by creating a prototype shoe made from recycled ocean waste and deep-sea gillnets.

Kyocera has plans to convert two abandoned golf courses into solar power plants

Solar farm conversion for abandoned Japanese golf course

A Japanese solar company has begun construction of a 23 MW solar power plant on an abandoned golf course in Kyoto.

China will aim to cut its CO2 emissions per unit of GDP by up to 65% compared to 2005 levels

China confirms 2030 cap on emissions ahead of Paris conference

China has formally pledged to peak its carbon emissions by 2030, but says it could begin reductions ahead of time.

Clean energy investment offers clear net employment gains compared to fossil fuel spending, according to the report

Report: Clean energy investment creates more jobs than fossil fuels

The global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and energy efficiency will be a net creator of jobs, a new UN report has claimed.

44% of people threw their vacuum away because it was “inefficient”, despite not doing basic maintenance

Vacuum cleaners sucked into throwaway culture

Vacuum cleaners are often thrown away too early because users fail to maintain them properly and mistakenly think they're broken beyond repair, a new study by Nottingham Trent University has claimed.

28 Member States of the European Union, have national targets for greenhouse gas emissions

75% of global emissions covered by national targets

Three-quarters of the world's annual emissions of greenhouse gases are now limited by national targets, according to a new study published today (1 June).

Set for completion in 2018, DiCaprio's 'restorative island' will regenerate the surrounding ecosystem and reverse the effects of climate change. Photo: McLennan Design

VIDEO: Leonardo DiCaprio to build world's greenest island resort

Leonardo DiCaprio has announced plans to create "the world's most sustainable island resort" which will push the boundaries of green design, architecture and eco-tourism.

Unilever has partnered with the Global Citizen and Live Earth: Road to Paris mass movements to achieve its Sustainable Living Plan

Unilever throws weight behind mass sustainability movements

Consumer goods giant Unilever has yet again reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability, this time going beyond its own business practice by partnering with two global sustainability campaigns.

In the European Union 8% of its e-waste will just be thrown into waste bins - amounting to 0.7 million tonnes

Majority of 40 million tonne global e-waste binned, says UNU

The amount of discarded electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste) globally reached 41.8 million tonnes in 2014, with the vast majority neither re-used nor disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

The US is expected to offer emissions cuts of 26% to 28% by 2025 relative to 2005 levels

US set to pledge emissions cuts of up to 28% ahead of global climate treaty

The US will pledge to cut carbon pollution by up to 28%, doubling the pace of current emissions cuts, under a global agreement on climate change to be finalised in Paris at the end of the year.

The Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) is capable of flying both day and night purely powered by 17,000 solar cells installed along its both its wings

Video: Take-off for round-the-world solar flight

A plane that is attempting to be the first to fly round the world without fuel successfully took off on the first leg of its journey from Abu Dhabi this morning.

Understanding ESOS: a Guide for Manufacturers

This free guide has been published by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, to help ease Britain’s manufacturers into ESOS – the Government’s flagship Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme.

The Environmental Audit Committee says David Cameron's Government must have its mind set on de-coupling economic growth from polluting and unsustainable resource use

Sustainable development goals must not be undermined, say MPs

With UN negotiators eventually reaching a watered-down deal in Peru over the weekend, the UK Parliament's green watchdog is now warning the Government to uphold its Sustainable Development Goals ahead of Paris 2015.

The plan was hailed as an important first step towards a climate change deal due to be finalised in Paris next year

Lima climate change talks reach global warming agreement

International negotiators at the Lima climate change talks have agreed on a plan to fight global warming that would for the first time commit all countries to cutting their greenhouse gas emissions.

CO2 emission savings could amount to as many as one gigatonne per year by 2020

UNEP leads coalition to encourage emission reduction

A coalition coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been launched in an effort to dramatically decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions each year by measuring and reporting reductions.

The risks from unmanaged climate change are potentially immense and delay is dangerous

Lord Stern: Climate change treaty should be dynamic, not binding

Economist and academic Lord Nicholas Stern has become the latest prominent figure to push for global Governments to be ambitious and collaborative in their negotiations over a new international agreement on climate change.

China has promised to increase its use of energy from zero-emission sources to 20% by 2030, while the US has pledged to cut its emissions to 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025

China and US strike deal on carbon cuts in push for global climate pact

The United States and China have unveiled a secretly negotiated deal to reduce their greenhouse gas output, with China agreeing to cap emissions for the first time and the US committing to deep reductions by 2025.

Two academics in the prestigious journal Nature now argue that the 2C target has outlived its usefulness

Could the 2C climate target be completely wrong?

The global warming goal that nearly 200 governments have agreed on should be ditched, say scientists writing in Nature.

Efficient appliances could save £214bn annually

UN launches global alliance for energy-efficient appliances

A switch to energy-efficient appliances and equipment would reduce global electricity consumption by more than 10%, cutting US$350bn (£214bn) off annual electricity bills and reducing global CO2 emissions by 1.25 billion tonnes.

Morre than 120 international figureheads descended upon the UN headquarters in New York for the 2014 Climate Summit

Climate Summit: Five things you need to know

The UN Climate Summit in New York saw a host of impassioned speeches, revamped national commitments and new industry-led initiatives. But what does this all mean for your business? Edie's round-up should help...

The destruction of the world's rainforests is one of the largest causes of CO2 emissions

Governments and business leaders unite to end deforestation

A public-private partnership of multinationals, governments, civil society and indigenous peoples have pledged to halve the rate of deforestation by 2020 and eradicate the issue completely by 2030.

The UN has revealed that the zone layer is recovering so fast that it will be more or less mended by the middle of the century

Stopping climate meltdown needs the courage that saved the ozone layer

Governments dither on the solution to global warming - but the Montreal protocol is a reminder of a time when they took their hands out of their pockets.

The campaign has engaged more than 9.7 million people worldwide in its first week

Unilever's Climate Summit campaign goes viral

A digital awareness campaign which aims to encourage global leaders to adopt a more ambitious and urgent approach to addressing climate change has surpassed expectations ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit in New York.

$Is fracking for shale gas key for the UK's long term energy mix, or is it a recipe for environmental disaster?$

Will shale gas ever find its place in today's broad energy mix?

Many decades ago, Albert Einstein said that 'Everything is Energy and Energy is everything". This claim is still very true as we look at the impact of energy as a source on our modern society today.