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In practice: AB InBev's onsite energy drive at its largest UK brewery
AB InBev's recently-announced carbon reduction targets will see the global brewer lean on past best-practice examples to decarbonise facilities. One of the shining examples thus far has been the use of onsite technologies at the Magor brewery in Wales.
Northumbrian Water set to power treatment works with battery storage technology
Water utility Northumbrian Water has unveiled plans to install battery storage systems made using end-of-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries at several of its water treatment works, in a move to store power generated using its onsite renewable arrays.
World's biggest palm oil firm unveils new measures to end supply chain deforestation
Palm oil sourcing giant Wilmar International has unveiled plans to use satellite tracking and other digital technologies in a bid to eliminate deforestation risks from its supply chains.
A city reinvented: How Barcelona is leading the smart city revolution
edie's insight editor George Ogleby travels to Barcelona to uncover how a technological revolution has enabled the city to unlock the benefits of a smart-city transition for its citizens.
Thames Water £1.4bn loan deal links interest rates to sustainability performance
Thames Water has signed a £1.4bn five-year revolving credit facility (RCF), with the interest rate linked to annual performance against sustainability indicators.
Is the fashion industry about to have its 'plastics moment'?
With MPs urging clothing brands to disclose impacts, consumers increasingly protesting "fast fashion" and documentaries on the true cost of cheap garments emerging at a pace, edie explores whether the fashion industry is set to have its "plastics moment".
Heineken granted water self-supply licence for UK operations
Brewer Heineken has been granted a self-supply licence to deliver its own water and wastewater services for all of its UK operations, in a move it claims will bolster its water stewardship efforts.
Report: Tyres and synthetic clothes 'big cause of microplastic pollution'
Vehicle tyres and synthetic clothing are the two leading contributors to microplastic pollution from UK households, according to a new report from Friends of the Earth.
Three years on: How the Modern Slavery Act has reshaped best practice for sustainable business
The Modern Slavery Act (MSA) served to highlight issues of human rights abuses and human trafficking when it was written into UK law three years ago. But with half of UK businesses still pre-compliance with the Act, edie explores the impact it has had on sustainable business practices to date.
9 ways AI is enhancing sustainability for business
With Google announcing a new £19m fund for businesses using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address environmental and social issues, edie looks at nine projects that have already delivered notable benefits for business.
United Utilities rolls out AI across entire network after slashing energy usage
Water company United Utilities is set to roll out an energy flexibility platform which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) to cover its entire water network, after a three-month trial generated energy savings of 22%.
Nestlé Waters boss: We are not in competition with tap water
Soft drinks firms have a duty to provide consumers with good-quality bottled water, Nestlé Waters' boss has insisted, in the face of widespread concerns about the sustainability of water bottle production.
AB InBev teams up with WWF to champion supply chain water stewardship
The world's largest brewer has launched new partnerships with WWF and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in a bid to accelerate water security initiatives in water-stressed areas around the world.
VW’s electric microbuses and Ikea’s furniture servitisation 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.
MPs propose compulsory metering powers for water firms
Water companies should be given powers to introduce compulsory metering but subject to tougher targets to cut leaks, MPs have recommended.
Hilton makes first investment to drive sustainable travel in Africa
Hotel giant Hilton has made its first investment into improving the sustainability of travel in Africa, as it strives to meet a target of halving its environmental footprint by 2030.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: Sustainability Innovation: Standards, Systems & Software - HH Global
With entries for edie's revamped 2019 Sustainability Leaders Awards closing TODAY, this new feature series will showcase the achievements of the 2018 winners, revealing their secrets to success. Up next: our 2018 Sustainability Innovation: Standards, Systems & Software winner - HH Global.
Water firms commit to protect the environment
Nine of the UK's water companies have, along with 20 NGOs, joined together to create a set of "shared principles" to improve the health of the environment.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: Encore Cistern - Sustainability Product Innovation
With entries soon closing for edie's revamped 2019 Sustainability Leaders Awards, this new feature series will showcase the achievements of the 2018 winners, revealing their secrets to success. Up next: our 2018 Sustainability Product Innovation winners, Encore Cistern.
European Investment Bank issues €500m Sustainability Awareness Bond
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has issued a €500m (£448m) Sustainability Awareness Bond designed to boost capital market and private sector transparency for climate-related risks and opportunities.
How to create the right foundation for corporate activism to thrive
We've entered a new era of corporate activism. From US retailer Patagonia suing President Trump over proposed changes to Utah's national monuments, to the Salesforce chief executive who threatened to withdraw investment from the state of Indiana if an anti-LGBT law was not withdrawn, businesses are getting better at balancing commercial goals with social responsibility.
Science and context: Inside Diageo's refreshed Water Blueprint
With water and sanitation at the core of sustainable development, edie speaks with one of the world's largest drinks businesses to explore how it is accelerating progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.
The World Bank to launch world's first sustainable water bond
The World Bank has revealed plans to launch the world's first series of bonds aimed at advancing water and ocean stewardship and has priced the first bond at SEK1bn (£85m).
Manufacturing the future: We must chase the positive and reverse climate change
Interface's vice-president and chief sustainability officer Erin Meezan recently provided the foreword to edie's brand-new sector insight report, which provides an end-to-end overview of the steps that organisations within Britain's manufacturing industry can take to achieve a sustainable future, today.
World Water Week: Seven ways businesses are progressing water stewardship
As research released for World Water Week (August 26 -31) reveals that the number of large companies pledging to measure, manage and report their water risks has doubled over the last three years, edie rounds up seven ways that the business community is progressing water stewardship efforts worldwide.
London Mayor unveils 20 new water fountains in bid to reduce single-use plastic
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has confirmed that 20 new water fountains will be installed across the capital as part of a scheme to slash the amount of single-use plastic bottles that are purchased.
World Water Week: Valuing our natural environment
We all 'appreciate' a babbling brook and beautiful rivers and oceans, but what is the value of our natural environment? World Water Week provides us all with the perfect opportunity to reflect on the importance of water stewardship, which is not only about doing the right thing, it's also about generating real business benefits as a result.
Machine makers are leading the way to low-carbon
With regulators and markets increasingly demanding the decarbonisation of high-emitting sectors, we are on the verge of a low-carbon industrial revolution. However, to get over the line the products and services supplied to these sectors need to transform.
Greene King saving more than 600,000 pints of water daily since water retail switch
Pub chain and brewer Greene King has revealed that it is saving more than 600,000 pints of water each day since obtaining a self-supply licence to deliver its own water and wastewater services last year.
The SDG roundtable: Getting engaged with the Global Goals - Part One
Sustainability and corporate responsibility managers from a range of businesses recently gathered in London for an exclusive roundtable hosted by edie and DNV GL to discuss how the private sector is stepping up efforts to drive engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Tesco becomes first supermarket to stock cans of water
In the latest move to cut back on the number of plastic products entering circulation, Tesco has become the first supermarket to stock and offer cans of water.
Gove: Water companies need to 'raise the bar' to tackle leaks
Water companies have agreed they need to "do more" to adapt and prepare for changing weather patterns as the environment secretary challenged them to "raise the bar" to tackle leakage.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: Wessex Water Services - Water Management 2018
With entries now open for edie's revamped 2019 Sustainability Leaders Awards, this new feature series will showcase the achievements of the 2018 winners, revealing their secrets to success. Up next: our 2018 Water Management winners, Wessex Water Services.
The burning question: Can Burberry spark a resource revolution in the fashion industry?
EXCLUSIVE: In contrast to the public uproar over the burning of almost £30m worth of stock, luxury fashion brand Burberry is on a journey to "foster business models" that redefine waste and embed the circular economy into an industry riddled with "fast fashion" discrepancies.
SDG immersion: Breaking down barriers for business
Four days at the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is undoubtedly an immersion process. It's also a good way to gain perspective - I learnt as much by the things that weren't said as those that were.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: O2 & NSPCC - CSR, Charity and Community Initiative 2018
With entries now open for edie's revamped 2019 Sustainability Leaders Awards, this new feature series will showcase the achievements of the 2018 winners, revealing their secrets to success. Up next: our 2018 CSR, Charity and Community Initiative winners, O2 & NSPCC.
Operationalising sustainability as an opportunity
I could have started my talk by acknowledging how sustainability managers find themselves in a cross-fire between contributing to the delivery of competitive goods and services on the one hand and responding to increasing consumer awareness and international and national policy goals on environmental matters on the other hand.
Developing nations faced with huge climate-mitigation bill
Infrastructure investments totalling £470bn are needed across 10 African countries in order to enable national commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while up to £127bn may be required for developing countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Most of Europe's rivers and lakes fail water quality tests - report
The vast majority of Europe's rivers, lakes and estuaries have failed to meet minimum ecological standards for habitat degradation and pollution, according to a damning new report.
United Utilities to reap rewards from AI-assisted energy efficiency tech
Water company United Utilities is set to reduce its yearly electricity bills and energy intensity by 10% after installing an energy flexibility platform which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI).
Report: £340bn annual investment needed to meet UN's water targets
Total worldwide investments into water infrastructure must reach £342bn ($449bn) each year between 2018 and 2030 if the globe is to meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for water and sanitation, a new report from Global Water Intelligence (GWI) has revealed.
The Greenwashing Scourge: Ways that well-meaning businesses can avoid it
I've previously spoken to Edie.Net about English Tea Shop's unique business model which is based on the premise of Creating Shared Value (CSV) and how it has propelled our business to rapid growth. Since this, I've called for companies to adopt sustained and ethical business growth and to make 2018 the year of Creating Shared Value.
Why is single use plastic a problem and what can be done about it?
The UK Government is now trying to catch up with what businesses have been doing for years to tackle single use items. It seems that every day we hear something new about what we can do to tackle the never-ending problem of single use plastics.
PepsiCo expands stewardship efforts across water-stressed regions
Food and drink manufacturing giant PepsiCo has announced that its campaign to expand access to safe water in its areas of operation has provided 16 million people with clean water, putting it on track to reach 25 million by 2025.
Hanson UK hits waste and water reduction goals three years early
Building materials supplier Hanson UK has surpassed its 2020 waste goal of reducing the amount of non-process waste sent to landfill by 85% compared to 2010, while also reducing water usage by a third.
Electrifying your fleet roundtable: Turning challenges into opportunities
Sustainability and energy management experts from some of the world's biggest businesses recently gathered in Oxford for an exclusive roundtable hosted by edie and UK Power Networks Services, to explore how challenges can be turned into opportunities when it comes to fleet electrification.
Bees, Leas and SDGs
Prompted by a leaflet at a garden centre and the general plight of pollinators, I have made a modest donation to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. The decline of honeybees attracts quite a bit of attention, but the poor old bumblebee is often left out of the conversation.
Corporate giants team up to champion UK water stewardship
Marks & Spencer (M&S), Asda and Coca-Cola are among the 60 businesses and NGOs that have committed to a new initiative which aims to tackle water scarcity and stress in the UK through collaborative catchment management.
edie Live 2018: eight key things we learned
After a fascinating two days of inspiration, insight and expertise, edie looks back at some of the most crucial messages taken away from edie Live 2018.
Achieving Mission Possible: 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.
Colder washes can quadruple life of clothes, claims P&G
Procter & Gamble (P&G) has claimed that consumers could quadruple the longevity of their clothes and deliver huge carbon and water savings by switching to colder and quicker wash cycles.
London law school set to reap rewards from rainwater harvesting
City, University of London is set to install a rainwater harvesting system at its new £42m law school, in a move which could reduce its water costs by more than £4,500 each year.
Sustainability 'imagineered': The Disney-led resort powered by geothermal energy
edie's senior reporter Matt Mace travels to the outskirts of Paris to uncover how Villages Nature Paris tapped into geothermal energy to deliver on a holistic 10-step sustainability framework.
There is more that we can do as a nation to win the war on food waste
Food waste is a growing problem with one third of food produced in the world going to waste. The UK is a culprit with households wasting, on average, £700 per year on food which is shocking when you consider that approximately 10 million people struggle to afford a meal in the UK.
Wales unveils ambition to become world's first 'refill nation'
The Welsh Government has today (8 May) outlined the country's plan to become the world's first 'refill nation', where access to drinking water in public places is universal.
Sustainability leadership: It's all about the journey
There's nothing new in businesses taking a leading role in social change, but there's growing evidence that it is beginning to happen on a scale we haven't seen before.
AB Sugar targets water, carbon and plastics under new sustainability commitment
Global sugar company AB Sugar has launched its first ever group-wide sustainability report, outlining bold new commitments to cut carbon emissions and water use by 30% and ensure all plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable or bio-degradable by 2030.
Why you need to know what the animals in your supply chain are being fed
Earlier this month, sitting in a packed room full of food and feed industry executives from around the world, we spoke together with leading retailers on why animal feed is one of the critical sustainability issue of our times.
World's largest brewer develops greener way to put bubbles in beer
The world's largest brewer is rolling out what it claims is a greener way to put bubbles in beer and reduce its CO2 emissions by 5%.
Northumbrian Water goes 100% renewable through green deal with Orsted
Northumbrian Water will power all 1,858 of its sites using renewable electricity for the next four years after signing a deal with Danish energy supplier Orsted.
Why the retail industry is taking a leading role in delivering the SDGs
Last month saw a landmark moment. Better Retail Better World, a retail industry initiative to tackle global challenges highlighted by the UN, including modern slavery and decent work, sustainable economic growth, inequalities, climate change and responsible consumption and production, commenced.
Land degradation threatens human wellbeing, major report warns
Land degradation is undermining the wellbeing of two-fifths of humanity, raising the risks of migration and conflict, according to the most comprehensive global assessment of the problem to date.
Greggs builds appetite for water efficiency with service switch
On-the-go food retailer Greggs has chosen water retail company Business Stream to supply services to all of its managed outlets and major production sites across the UK.
AB InBev places climate-science into communities with new 2025 goals
EXCLUSIVE: Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is linking science-based climate goals with a "moral" belief that it should be influencing the communities it operates in, after announcing new climate, water and supply chain goals for 2025.
World Water Day - How we can ensure resilience of our water supplies
Peter Simpson, CEO, Anglian Water, discusses the action we can take together on World Water Day to ensure the resilience of our water supplies
World Water Day: Top brands and retailers sign up to new Courtauld 2025 water ambition
The likes of Coca-Cola, Sainsbury's and Tesco have all given their backing to a new Courtauld 2025 water ambition, amid a flurry of corporate activity around water efficiency on World Water Day (22 March).
London to pilot water bottle refill scheme to slash plastic waste
Major firms including Costa Coffee, Leon and Whole Foods will offer tap water refills across London stores as part of a pilot scheme to slash single-use plastic bottles in the capital.
Microplastics found in more than 90% of bottled water, study says
A new analysis of some of the world's most popular bottled water brands says more than 90% contain tiny pieces of plastic.
Ofwat accuses water firms of being ill-prepared for adverse weather
Several water companies have "fallen well short" on their forward planning to ensure the recent adverse weather did not impact water supplies, Ofwat has said.
The public mood is changing – how can business talk to customers about sustainability?
The public mood appears to be changing. David Attenborough's emotive Blue Planet backed by on-going campaigns in the Daily Mail and on Sky has focussed attention on single use plastics. Michael Gove, eager for a positive post-Brexit platform, has sensed an opportunity and started talking about new legislation. Sustainability is creeping up the agenda, customers are getting inquisitive about company behaviour. How should business respond?
Are reuse and refill missing pieces of our sustainable packaging jigsaw?
Last week the Church of England and Members of Parliament pledged to go single-use plastic-free for the 40 days of Lent, while the BBC plans to be similarly plastic-free in its operations by 2020. These are the latest (at time of writing at least) in an ever-growing list of sustainable packaging commitments being made at an almost breakneck pace.
Carlsberg cuts carbon emissions 16% in two years
Carlsberg has reduced its carbon emissions by 16% in two years, driven by the elimination of coal as a fuel source at nine breweries in China, as outlined in the company's latest sustainability report.
Network Rail to roll out free water fountains at national stations
Network Rail has stepped up its efforts to reduce plastic waste with proposals to introduce free water fountains at its managed stations.
Water retail market reaches 100,000 milestone
More than 100,000 supply points have switched water retailer in the first 10 months of the market, according to figures released by the market operator - MOSL.
8 global sustainability trends to watch out for in 2018
Over the past 12 months, challenges around addressing sustainability issues have featured consistently in global headlines. Despite mixed political messages about our transition to a low-carbon future, the private sector has continued to drive sustainability up the business agenda; from Science Based Targets (SBTs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to increased investor scrutiny over non-financial reporting.
How business can play a part in the new Northern Forest
The Government has announced £5.7 million to kick start the planting of 50 million trees across the North of England through an ambitious new plan by the Woodland Trust and Community Forests. The project is set to deliver huge benefits, and businesses and large organisations will have a vital role to play.
Waves - unharness-able?
Waves? Can we ever harness the power of the sea? Perhaps a new system can just do that. A Wave Power cynic thinks this might, finally, be possible.
We have a problem and a lot of plastics
Plastic is everywhere: it is in the air we breathe, in the water we drink, it is the food we eat and in the clothes we wear. We have a plastics pollution problem, leaching into our environment and finding its way into our marine environment, being swept up to the Arctic, ingested by marine life causing harm, polluting our waterways and reducing the aesthetic value of the places we love the most. How we manage plastics is a serious issue, but things just got a bit more complicated.
Yorkshire Water backs Northern Forest to reduce flood risk and offset carbon emissions
Yorkshire Water has announced plans to plant one million trees as part of the creation of a Northern Forest, while also addressing flood risk and offsetting carbon emissions.
Water firms back national scheme to cut plastic bottle use
The water industry has launched a national scheme today (25 January) to cut plastic bottle use by tens of millions each year, while increasing the availability of free drinking water.
In practice: Salesforce's largest US blackwater recycling system
As part of a move to redefine its business purpose through staff well-being and sustainability, Salesforce has used its flagship San Francisco headquarters to champion water efficiency in an area notorious for severe droughts.
Two serious throwaway culture issues for Theresa May beyond plastic bags
The UK government's new 25 year plan for the environment (25 YEP) leads with the planned extension of the plastic bag tax and the need to tackle plastic waste in what Theresa May calls our "Throwaway Culture".
Safeguarding the environment to future-proof our economy
As a Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability professional I couldn't not respond to the UK's shiny new 25 year Environment Plan this month, which sets out how the UK will tackle the crisis facing our natural world.
The 25 Year Environment Plan: reasons to look on the bright side
After months of anticipation the UK's 25 Year Environment Plan was launched yesterday. Unlike some others, I believe it is a positive step. These are my top reasons to look on the bright side:
25-year Environment Plan: Green business reaction
The Government has set out how it intends to enhance the UK's environment by creating richer habitats for wildlife, improving air and water quality and "curbing the scourge of plastic" in the world's oceans. But how have members of the green community reacted?
25-year Environment Plan: UK unveils long-term strategy for 'greener future'
Theresa May has today outlined a vision for a "cleaner, greener Britain", unveiling the long-awaited 25-year Environment Plan which pledges to eliminate all "avoidable" plastic waste by the end of 2042.
Roadchef switches water supplier to drive efficiency improvements
Motorway services operator Roadchef has switched water and wastewater supply for all 27 of its sites in England to Wave.
'More needs to be done' as microbeads ban comes into force
A ban on the manufacture of certain products containing plastic microbeads has today (9 January) entered into force, although MPs and green groups have reiterated that more action is needed to tackle the global problem of plastic waste.
Don’t look back in anger: Top sustainability trends in 2017
Some of us might look back on 2017 as another eventful, if somewhat discouraging year for sustainability. 2017 has seen the inauguration of Trump, which has led to the US pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, and more recently, has led to removing climate change from the list of USA national security threats. Meanwhile, closer to home, Brexit brings fears that the 1,100 EU environmental laws will become watered down in the UK among the effort to ensure Britain remains a great trading nation. Amid all this, you would be forgiven for thinking that 2017 has been a dismal year for sustainability.
Solving the ocean plastics blight - a systems approach
A storm of heightened awareness and indignation around pervasive plastic pollution has swelled over the past month. With recent mass coverage, namely Blue Planet II and Sky's A Plastic Ocean, the drive to save our oceans from a toxic, chemical-infused future has never been more potent.
How gaming can not only teach but inspire to action in sustainability
Imagine someone stuck with her head in her mobile phone, playing a game. Totally absorbed, the world around her barely exists. Not very hard, is it? We see these people all the time; on the bus, the train and even walking on the street.
Central Heating - is the future smart?
Is it time to smarten up the humble central heating in our homes and use the technology available to reduce the energy we need to stay warm?
English rivers polluted by powerful insecticides, first tests reveal
Rivers in England are contaminated with powerful insecticides, new testing has revealed, increasing concerns over the impact of the toxic chemicals on fish and birds.
In practice: AccorHotels' new project targeting BREEAM excellent certification
Ahead of edie's flagship Sustainability Leaders Awards in January, edie is taking a closer look at some of the projects initiatives that have been deemed worthy of a finalist position by our expert judges. Up next: AccorHotels' new London hotel.
How to solve the plastics problem: Live edie webinar takes place AT 2PM TODAY
Interface, P&G, Surfdome and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation complete an all-star line-up of circular economy experts for edie's live, interactive webinar focused on plastic packaging sustainability - taking place today (Thursday 7 December) at 2pm.
Moving the sustainability agenda forward: 5 key steps for business
In January, I will be sharing the stage with a number of other sustainability professionals at edie's 2018 Sustainability Leaders Forum. The event comes at a pivotal time for our business as, this month, together with The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC), we launched our first ever joint Sustainability Action Plan for Western Europe; This Is Forward.
Global support group launched to ease water pressures related to urbanisation
The United Nations has convened a host of organisations including the World Water Council (WWC) and the Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) to create frameworks that enable cities to overcome political, financial, technological and behavioural barriers associated with water.
In practice: Oxford University Hospitals' money-saving CHP retrofit
Oxford University Hospitals benefited from a finance procurement system that partnered the Trust with companies that could replace aging heat and power infrastructure with a combined heat and power system that would generate massive economic savings.
Water risks still 'invisible' to finance sector, says ING
Commercial banks are struggling to overcome a communications barrier with businesses to gain insight into portfolio risks specifically associated with water, according to Dutch bank ING's vice president for sustainable finance Ambika Jindal.
ING’s commitment to 'Let’s Talk Water'
The vibe at Amsterdam International Water Week (AIWW) is very unique! You have this larger than life technology exhibition where engineers have "Pipe tapping competitions" (quite thrilling actually!), tons of stands with cool gadgets and solutions to be water-wise, and people of about 160 different nationalities walking around in cool national outfits, murmuring to their translators.
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