Environmental News on this day... for April 2018, 2017, 2014, 2009
Take a trip into the past and see what stories were in the news in April 2018, 2017, 2014, 2009April 2018
RBS and Tesco extend employee engagement programmes
EXCLUSIVE: RBS and Tesco have both confirmed that their respective behaviour change initiatives are being rolled out across the wider workforce after successful trial periods saw increased efficiencies and reduced costs.
Unilever joins On-Pack Recycling Label scheme to boost plastics recycling
Unilever has joined the On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) scheme to promote the recyclability of its products to consumers, while a six-month trial of clean-cold technology in the company's ice cream transportation trucks has delivered cost-effective environmental benefits.
Report: zero emissions target needed to push UK beyond Paris Agreement
The government should publish a target by 2020 for achieving "net zero" emissions, according to a new report.
Iceland pledges to stop using palm oil in own-brand food
Frozen food giant Iceland has vowed to remove palm oil from all of its own-brand food products by the end of 2018.
Barclays offers green homes mortgage on select new builds
Barclays has launched a Green Home Mortgage scheme, offering homebuyers preferential interest rates and savings of more than £1,300 on energy-efficient new build houses.
Waitrose to remove disposable coffee cups from stores by autumn
Waitrose has ramped up its efforts to tackle plastic waste with a pledge to remove all disposable coffee cups from its shops before the end of 2018.
Theresa May outlines plan to ban plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds
Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that a consultation will take place later this year to prepare England for a national ban on plastic straws, drink stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds.
Costa aims to lead industry transformation with pledge to recycle half a billion coffee cups
EXCLUSIVE: Costa Coffee's energy & environment manager Oliver Rosevear has said the retailer wants to drive cross-industry collaboration on coffee cup recycling, as it today (18 April) makes a bold commitment to recycle the equivalent of its entire annual sales of takeaway cups – at a financial cost to the business.
UK businesses make world-first pact to slash plastic packaging
Major firms including Nestlé, Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Unilever have today (26 April) made joint commitments to make unnecessary single-use plastic packaging "a thing of the past".
Boston Tea Party becomes first coffee chain to ban all disposable cups
UK-based Boston Tea Party (BTP) will become the first coffee chain to implement an outright ban on disposable, paper-based coffee cups, with consumers having to purchase or loan reusable cups from 1 June 2018.
April 2017
Electric vehicle energy storage provides 'perfect opportunity' for UK
EXCLUSIVE: The UK's expanding low-carbon vehicle market offers the "perfect opportunity" for businesses to export surplus energy to the grid, according to the new head of electric vehicles (EVs) at the Renewable Energy Association (REA).
Reports reiterate value of strong policy signals in clean energy revolution
As new research indicates that the global decarbonisation process can be kick-started by a small group of countries with the right policy incentives, a separate study has found that the UK Government can now deliver 1GW of new onshore wind subsidy-free.
Government awards £24m for district heating projects
The Government has today (7 April) awarded £24m for nine district heat network infrastructure projects across the country to provide households and businesses with clean and efficient heating systems.
Veolia to build £10m closed-loop glass recycling facility
Resource management firm Veolia has agreed a deal to construct and operate a state-of-the-art glass cullet processing facility in a closed-loop partnership with a UK wool insulation manufacturer.
EV batteries and robotics first in line for BEIS £1bn innovation fund
The UK Government has unveiled a £1bn investment fund for cutting-edge technologies such as self-driving vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI) and batteries for clean and flexible energy storage.
Walmart kickstarts energy storage project to 'increase reliance' on renewables
American retail giant Walmart has penned a deal to combine energy storage systems with on-site renewables, in order to balance energy generation at numerous Southern California stores.
Greg Clark announces £109m fund into 'cutting-edge' transport research
Business Secretary Greg Clark has awarded more than £109m of government funding to develop driverless and low-carbon vehicles.
Triodos launches UK's 'most sustainable' personal current account
Sustainable banking group Triodos has today (26 April) ramped up efforts to disrupt the "dysfunctional" banking sector through the launch of a new personal current account that embraces responsible finance.
Mercedes-Benz brings energy storage units to the UK
Mercedes-Benz wants to introduce a "private energy revolution" to UK, after commencing deliveries of energy storage units that can connect with renewable energy sources.
Major firms implore G20 to act on climate-disclosure risks
The chief executives of 27 global businesses, including HSBC, Unilever and PwC, have called on G20 governments to adopt recommendations that call on companies to disclose climate-related financial risks.
April 2014
Hospitality industry urged to focus on recycling food waste
Hospitality businesses across the UK should be recycling surplus food, as a new report reveals the sector is set to spend an extra £32m sending food waste to landfill this year.
Giant rainforest buffer zone planned to protect Indonesian wildlife
Paper company responds to criticism with 1m hectare conservation plan but green groups say it won't stop loggers
British Airways gives green light to use waste for jet fuel
British Airways has announced that it will start producing jet fuel made from waste destined for landfill in order to reduce its carbon emissions.
Ealing Council launches recycling reward programme
Ealing Council has partnered up with Greenreedem, a subsidiary of waste management firm Grundon, to introduce a recycling rewards programme for its residents.
Reduce London's flood risk by 'reviving rivers' says Environment Committee
The London Assembly Environment Committee has today called for more impetus on sustainable drainage and river restoration to reduce flood risk.
National Trust launches green energy trading company
The National Trust has announced today that it will sell renewable energy generated from its estate through a new trading company, National Trust Renewable Energy Ltd.
Designers recycle airliner on Channel 4 programme
Three designers, who specialise in turning scrap into cash, have made an array of new products from an Airbus aircraft which was featured on a Channel 4 programme hosted by Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud.
Healthcare sector urged to strengthen staff training on waste management
Healthcare organisations need to strengthen staff training on waste management in order to reduce their impact on the environment and reduce costs, according to new guidance issued by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
Students want jobs with businesses that 'value sustainability'
EXCLUSIVE Today's students want to gain employment with companies who truly value the importance of sustainability, says National Union of Students (NUS) senior project officer Jesse Scharf. Scroll down for video
EU approves more than €280m for new environment and climate projects
The European Commission has today approved €282.6m (£232m) funding for 225 new projects under the LIFE+ programme, the European Union's environment fund.
