NET ZERO
The rise of the electric cabbie
A new campaign, Cabbies for the Climate, has just launched to challenge outdated perceptions about London’s black-cab drivers and their stance on environmental issues. Sam Pooke, of FREENOW UK, explains all.
Backed by the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) and...
Cutting the scourge of returns waste
The retail sector has a unique opportunity to tackle the growing environmental challenge of product returns, says Inge Bujakiewicz-Baars, Head of Sustainability at ReBound.Â
Growing volumes of returns create concerns about the carbon footprint of sending items back, especially when...
Green revolution starts AT NHS birthplace
Trafford General Hospital will be making history once again when work begins in January on a £20 million initiative to transform it into the UK’s first inpatient hospital with a Carbon Net Zero energy system.
This pioneering project will replace...
UK greentech companies urged to capitalise on Taiwan’s net zero commitment
Major opportunities highlighted in a UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme study.
Taiwan’s ambitious drive to reduce its reliance on imported fuel and achieve its net zero targets is opening significant opportunities for UK renewable energy companies, according to a new report.
In...
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR): six steps to compliance
The upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainability Products Regulation (ESPR) is no longer news to a lot of businesses operating in the EU.
Many are aware of why the legislation has come into play but struggle to understand the initial actions they...
Town heat network in progress
Darlington Borough Council has signed an energy agreement for development of a town-wide heat network.
The project is still in its early stages, but will see energy infrastructure firm, SSE Energy Solutions (SSE) build an Energy Centre in the town...
COP29: PR Opportunity or Greenwashing Trap?
Engage with caution and act with integrity, is the advice from communications experts Tal Donahue and Scott Addison of Infinite Global.
The COP29 summit in Azerbaijan presents a complex set of communications opportunities and challenges for organisations.
The current event has...
Building green skills in construction
Following this year’s Green Careers Week Jack Kidder, Responsible Business Manager at property developers Henry Boot, says the construction industry must build a climate-smart workforce to ensure the future success of the sector.
In March this year the UN Environment...
Funding boosts green superpower target
Substantial investment is being poured into world-class R&D projects to support sustainable living in the UK.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has committed just under £170m towards the projects, focused on climate change, green economic growth and healthy, green living.
The...
Is this the era of Social Smoothing?
As the clock ticks down to the launch of the new EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), ESG expert Florian Wupperfeld says the regulations won’t benefit citizens and communities, but line the pockets of large international consultancy firms instead.
The...
Biodiversity credits can’t become another wild west
Don’t repeat the mistakes of the carbon credits market, says Marc Palahi, CEO, Circular Bioeconomy Alliance.
The linear fossil-based economy of the industrial era has reached its limits.
As the COP16 biodiversity conference brought sharply into view, our planet is rapidly losing...
Make financial planning sustainable by default
Professional advisory services can no longer view sustainability and climate impact as an optional extra when talking to clients. It’s now a necessity, says Sebastian Elwell, of Switchfoot Wealth.
The urgency of climate change demands a profound shift in the...
Sustain customer loyalty with an authentic story
Ethical consumerism is no longer a trend, it’s quickly becoming a driving force in fashion, energy and careers. Within the B2B space, I’m seeing this mindset spill over into the boardroom, says Kate Garratt, of The Marketing Pod.
Decision makers...
Why we should stop talking about sustainability now
The ‘S’ word has become a hollow buzzword, says Clemens Berger, chairman of the Board of Managing Directors, Louisenthal. Now is the time to turn rhetoric into real action.
Sustainability has saturated every corner of corporate communications. While its importance...
Highland hotel flies high at energy awards
A Scottish Highland hotel has become the only UK business to land a major global green award for its pioneering Energy Centre.
T
he family-run Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness was recognised at a special ceremony in the rainforest of Belize,...
Building a sustainable workforce
A coalition of UK businesses has launched a national research programme to set a clear standard for the private sector’s role in achieving net zero emissions by 2050. However, with corporations responsible for over 70% of the world’s greenhouse...
Attracting Gen Z talent through social impact
Gen Z is slowly taking over the labour market and expected to make up 30% of the workforce by 2025. Employers need to do a deep dive into their collective mindset to understand attitudes and attract top talent, says...
A new direction for business travel
Eleanor Akers, of Innovative Energy Consultants, innovative-energy.org, has seen first-hand the challenges of decarbonising business travel around the world. Here she shares her team’s latest research into the true cost of business travel and reflects on the emerging technologies...
The pitfalls of carbon offsetting: Rethinking our approach
The trendy concept fails to tackle the root causes of climate change, says Ella Yarrow, Sustainability Manager, Zedify.
As the climate crisis intensifies, the concept of carbon offsetting has emerged as a seemingly convenient solution for businesses (and individuals) looking...
BUSINESSES MUST PREPARE As EU circularity legislation comes into play
With the right strategy and groundwork in place, businesses can ensure they not only comply with the ESPR but thrive, says Lars Rensing, CEO of DPP Solution Provider, Protokol.
Over the last decade, waste has become a growing concern for...
Raise a glass to a ‘greener’ tipple
While many businesses are pivoting towards greener, cleaner processes, more traditional industries face challenges in moving away from methods that have served them for hundreds of years. Craig Groeneveld, Master Brewer at Lyras, investigates the brewery industry’s role in...
Cleaning’s unexpected role in hitting ESG targets
An effective cleaning regime can have a surprising impact on your sustainability efforts, says Alastair Scott, sales director at Robert Scott.
Examining ESG
91% of business leaders believe their company has a responsibility to act on ESG issues1. While big ticket...
Closing the Biodiversity Funding Gap
By Robert Nussey, Nature Positive Manager, Ramboll.
As humanity grapples to protect and restore biodiversity, addressing the funding gap is paramount.Â
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) aims to put us back on track toward a world where nature thrives, ecosystems...
UK fashion failings in ethical trade
One-third of UK fashion retailers do not publish ethical sourcing data.
Approximately 33% (five out of 15) of UK fashion retailers do not publish any ethical sourcing data in their Annual Report, their sustainability report, or elsewhere on their website.
Ethical...
Rethinking strategy for the net zero transition
Traditional tactics are no longer enough, say Yassir Ahmed, Principal, and Johann Franke, Director at Marakon.
Transitioning the world to net zero will require successfully rewiring the global economy to function with carbon emissions as a constraint. The changes needed...
Affordable housing group builds first net zero homes
Legal & General Affordable Homes is building its first net zero homes in Essex.
The 100% affordable scheme is being delivered by Legal & General Affordable Homes (LGAH) in partnership with Rose Builders to tackle the acute local shortage of...
How supply chain transparency can help businesses achieve even more on ESG
Diego Tedesco, Director of Commercial, Product and Marketing at Virgin Media O2, explains the importance of supply chain transparency and how to ensure your suppliers keep their side of the bargain.
Over half (54%) of UK consumers base their buying decisions...
Thames River economy focuses on electrification
A new generation of electric vessels could help power London’s energy network.
Thames vessel operators and London’s electricity network could become partners on an ambitious project.
The Electric Thames project is assessing the possibility of using electric vessels to feed stored...
How companies big and small can tackle Scope 3
Alan Riley, Director at epi Consulting, discusses the challenges of reducing Scope 3 emissions and the steps to meet emissions targets head-on.
Big brands like Microsoft and Unilever have recently been removed from SBTi’s (Science Based Targets Initiative) net zero...
Accelerating Decarbonisation in 2024: The Critical Role of DERMS
Sally Jacquemin, Vice President & General Manager - Power & Utilities, AspenTech, explores the strategic advantages of deploying Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems.
Over recent years, Europe has been hit by a series of severe climate events, including droughts, floods, forest...
