Environmental News on this day... for November 2018, 2017, 2014, 2009

Take a trip into the past and see what stories were in the news in November 2018, 2017, 2014, 2009

November 2018

District heat networks ould deliver up to 18% of UK heating demand by 2050, the ETI has claimed

District heat networks could reduce cost of UK's low-carbon transition by £3bn

The installation of district heat networks could reduce the capital cost of the UK's heat networks by up to 40%, new research from the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has concluded.

WATCH: BEIS director outlines vision for a zero-carbon built environment

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy's (BEIS) Director of energy efficiency Ben Golding has outlined the "win-wins" that can be generated by businesses and public sector organisation by mobilising action towards a zero-carbon built environment by 2050.
Research suggests that corporate PPAs worth 6GW have been signed across Europe, almost 2GW of which was contracted in 2018

Major businesses call for cost-effective European market for renewables

A host of major businesses have penned a declaration calling on governments to set enabling policies that incentivise and increase opportunities to source renewable electricity through onsite installations and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
This weekly round-up explores how businesses and nations across the world are ramping up efforts across all areas of sustainable development

Science-based targets and 'smart' mobility centres: 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.
The letter argues that ‘progress is not being made quickly enough’ to deliver adequate progress on the SDGs

Religious leaders urge Theresa May to appoint dedicated SDG minister

Leaders within the UK's six most predominant religions have urged Prime Minister Theresa May to bolster the Government's action plans for achieving the aims of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), after a recent report revealed that the nation is delivering on less than a quarter of its SDG targets.
None of the companies surveyed by Pinsent Masons were able to confirm specific targets for decarbonising their own operations

Report: Just 5% of UK pension funds possess a climate change policy

Just 5% of the UK's largest pension fund managers have a specific policy on climate change in place, despite almost three-quarters (74%) claiming to acknowledge the risks that climate challenges pose to the finance sector.
A particular challenge for the construction sector is that less than 40% of emissions come from the energy used to produce cement

Researchers: CCS key for zero-emission cement

The construction sector can cut polluting emissions up to 80% by applying efficiency measures along the whole value chain, according to new research. If combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, emissions could even be brought down to zero by 2050, they argue.
This weekly round-up explores how businesses across the world are ramping up efforts across all areas of sustainable development

UPS's e-bike fleet and Nike's circular footwear 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.
PwC has warned that businesses are still failing to set measurable KPIs relating to the Global Goals, three years after the framework was created

PwC: Business still failing to turn SDG ambition into action

Just over a quarter (28%) of businesses have set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to help them measure and disclose their positive contributions towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), despite repeated warnings that corporate action has been slow and weak.
Norwegian firm Equinor ranked first in the report, after pledging to invest 15% of its CAPEX into low-carbon energy by 2030

Report: Oil and gas industry failing to invest in low-carbon projects

Global oil and gas firms have collectively invested just 1.3% of their combined capital expenditure (CAPEX) into low-carbon technologies and projects since the start of 2018, new research from CDP has concluded.

See more news from November 2018


November 2017

Some are using Black Friday to swim against the tide and attempt to create a sense of environmental stewardship against a backdrop of material gluttony

Black Friday: An ideal selling point for sustainability-conscious retailers?

Black Friday, which has since birthed its tech-savvy offspring Cyber Monday, is upon us again, but while retailers attend to whip up a frenzy to boost sales some companies are using the commercial event to highlight their commitments to sustainability.
Leaving REACH while maintaining its rules could make the UK vulnerable to legal challenges from businesses wanting to use potentially dangerous chemicals, the group warns

Brexit could lead to 'backsliding' on product design, recycling and chemicals safety

A business coalition which includes Boot and Kingfisher has warned that Brexit could result in a downgrade in domestic eco-design standards, an increase in the use of dangerous chemicals, and "backsliding" on recycling.
In the UK, more than 330,000 private rented homes currently do not meet energy efficiency standards

Housebuilders 'cheating the public' over energy efficiency standards, claims Lord Deben

Some of the biggest UK private housebuilding firms have faced criticism from the Chairman of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) for delivering new homes that allegedly fail to meet energy efficiency standards.
Airbus will be responsible for overall integration of the E-Fan X project

Airbus, Rolls Royce and Siemens aim for electric plane lift-off by 2020

Airbus, Rolls Royce and Siemens have teamed up to develop a hybrid-electric plane which the group hopes will be ready to fly in 2020.
BNEF predicts that more than $100bn will be invested during the next 15 years in the energy storage market

BNEF: Energy storage market to double six times by 2030

The global energy storage market looks to mirror the rapid growth the solar industry experienced between 2000 and 2015, with a new Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) report predicting that the energy storage market will double six times by 2030.
Smurfit Kappa has invested £50m in water treatment plants

Smurfit Kappa hits water goal three years early

Packaging giant Smurfit Kappa has hit its 2020 environmental target to reduce the chemical oxygen demand (COD) in water discharge thanks to a £50m investment in sustainable technology.
edie has pooled together seven standout predictions from the International Energy Association's World Energy Outlook 2017 report

World Energy Outlook: Seven key trends shaping the low-carbon economy

A rising electrification of energy, rapid deployment of renewable energy sources, and a steady decline of the coal industry are all predicted as major shifts in the global energy scene over the next 25 years in the International Energy Association's (IEA) annual flagship publication.
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Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Ikea house parties and SDG gamification

Gaming for good company Playmob discuss how it is raising awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while Ikea throws a house party celebrating 30 years of operating in the UK.
edie has once again pulled the best innovation stories of the week into this neat and tidy little green package

Uber's flying taxis and offshore robot repairs: the best green innovations of the week

In a week of climate negotiations at Bonn, edie rounds up the low-carbon and resource-efficient innovations that could shape the future.

Stella McCartney and Ellen MacArthur present roadmap for circular fashion industry

The sheer scale of textile waste caused by the clothing industry has been laid bare in a damning new report co-launched by Dame Ellen MacArthur and fashion designer Stella McCartney.

See more news from November 2017


November 2014

The Gallery expects to save 765,000kWh of electricity, equivalent to 417 tonnes of CO2 emissions

Video National Gallery goes green with lighting overhaul

The National Gallery has become one of the first public buildings in the world to achieve 85% energy savings on lighting by combining the use of LED lighting with a system that automatically adjusts external roof blinds.
The LGA points out that the average piece of gum costs about 3p to buy but costs £1.50 to clean up

Local authorities urge chewing gum makers to help pay for clean-up costs

Councils have urged chewing gum makers to help pay for the multimillion-pound cost of removing discarded pieces from the streets.

Climate policy has not succeeded in curbing global greenhouse gas emissions, and emissions are steadily rising

Climate change impacts 'unavoidable' but 'can be reduced', says World Bank

Even ambitious mitigation action taken today will not change the fact that the Earth is locked into warming 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by mid-century, meaning climate change impacts such as extreme heat events may now be unavoidable.
The UKERC found that electricity renewable projects created about 1 job per gigawatt-hour generated

Green energy generates 10 times as many jobs as fossil fuels

Investment in renewables and energy efficiency can create up to 10 times as many jobs per unit of electricity as investment in fossil fuels, finds a new report.
The Bio-Bus can travel up to 300km on gas generated through the treatment of sewage and food waste

Video All aboard the Bio-Bus: UK's first human-waste-powered bus unveiled

Today (20 November), the UK's first bus powered by human and food waste made its debut journey in Bristol.
Business is used to hearing the green arguments for low carbon, but the same amount of thought should be given to the financial case for reducing emissions.

Low-carbon agenda is an 'opportunity for economic growth'

Business and government need to work together to reinvent the low-carbon agenda as an opportunity for enterprises to become more efficient and profitable.
Moy Park expects to eliminate 18,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year thanks to the new boilers

Poultry giant bags biomass nest egg

The UK's largest producer of free-range chickens has secured new investments to install 86 biomass boilers at its England farm-base by the end of 2015.
More than £81bn worth of renewable energy projects representing nearly half (47%) of all infrastructure spending in the UK are proposed by 2025

Importance of renewable energy emphasised as projects worth £81bn underway

More than £81bn worth of renewable energy projects representing nearly half (47%) of all infrastructure spending in the UK are proposed by 2025 with wind farms accounting for nine out of the 10 key projects, according to figures released today (30 October) by Barbour ADI.
More than 360 sustainability leaders attended the 10th annual Green Gown Awards

Green Gown Awards: UK's most sustainable academic institutions revealed

More than 360 sustainability leaders attended the 10th annual Green Gown Awards at the University of Manchester's Whitworth Hall this week to witness the announcement of 15 of the UK's most sustainable higher education institutions.

UK military admits climate change is global security risk

The changing climate poses a serious risk to geopolitical stability and could result in more British troops being deployed around the world, according to the former commander of UK maritime forces.

See more news from November 2014


November 2009

EDF cleared over green power ad campaign

The Advertising Standards Agency has cleared power company EDF over a TV, press and poster campaign promoting green electricity.

Sign online petition for effective Copenhagen agreement

The UN is leading an online campaign to show world leaders the scale of public support for a strong binding climate agreement to come out of the global talks in Copenhagen next month.

$16m grants to help Australian offices go green

Almost 40 Australian office complexes are to benefit from substantial government grants to help them cut their greenhouse gas emissions.

Money does grow on trees

Investors looking to make a profit from the latest environmental technology are putting their cash into trees.

Free drinking water in central London

A drinking fountain has been restored and is now open to the public in the middle of one of the capital's biggest tourist attractions.

Electric cars could give environment nasty shock

Loopholes in European Union (EU) law mean electric car sales could lead to more carbon emissions and oil use not less, a new report warns.

Billion pound boost for wind farm sector

A £1.4billion loan fund to develop onshore wind farms in the UK and boost the country's renewable energy supply has been announced.

Five year UK flooding and climate change plan announced

The Environment Agency this morning announced a series of measures aimed at safeguarding from flooding and tackling climate change over the next five years.

Edie forum for Copenhagen talks

With less than a month to go until the eyes of the world focus on Copenhagen Edie wants to hear your views on the crucial climate change talks.

Down town Phoenix

World's largest green building show ready to go

Organisers of this year's Greenbuild have hailed the show as the biggest environmentally friendly homes show in the world.


See more news from November 2009