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IEMA: Funding cuts threatening UK's green spaces and biodiversity
Government funding for bodies such as Natural England, the Environment Agency and National Parks has fallen steeply in recent years, leaving the UK at risk of failing to meet key green policy objectives.
Report: Move water to top of political agenda to deliver environmental and social wins
With more than half of the world's populations set to live in water-scarce regions by 2050, a new report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has called on policymakers to place water stewardship at the heart of regional and bilateral policy decisions to create various economic, environmental and societal benefits.
UK water companies to plant 11 million trees to assist carbon-neutral aims
A host of major UK water companies, local authorities and NGOs have today (15 August) teamed on a new tree-planting initiative that will assist the delivery of a carbon-neutral water industry by 2030.
IPCC: Shift in land use crucial to avert climate emergency
The systemic ways in which global businesses are using land is a "major contributor" to climate change and must be radically transformed if the aims of the Paris Agreement to be met.
Earth Overshoot Day: What is the business case for one-planet compatibility?
Monday 29 July will mark Earth Overshoot Day - the day that humanity uses up all of the planet's natural resources for the year and the earliest it has ever occurred. In response, a new whitepaper explores how business can champion energy efficiency and the circular economy to become one-planet compatible.
Survey: Majority of Brits want 'urgent' policy action on climate change
The vast majority of the British public would like to see politicians take more "urgent action" to tackle climate challenges and mass biodiversity loss, a new survey has found.
'Radical action by 2030' needed to tackle Scotland's climate challenges
The head of Scotland's nature conservation agency has warned the country faces an "apocalyse" of flooded towns, dead forests and polluted rivers unless urgent action is taken to cut CO2 emissions.
Rewild a quarter of UK to fight climate crisis, campaigners urge
A quarter of the UK's land could be restored to nature, making a significant contribution towards cutting the nation's carbon emissions to zero, under a new rewilding proposal.
Natural Capital Committee: Biodiversity net-gain must not rely on offsetting
The UK Government's independent advisor on natural capital has criticised proposals put forward by the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) that would require developers to pay for biodiversity offsets in other regions if their projects result in habitat loss.
Innovation shift: Why radical change must focus on entire value chains
Current efforts to introduce new waves of innovation that address key climate issues need to be "scientific, scalable and systemic" with a focus on industry-wide collaboration, according to the chief executive of a corporate system's accelerator aiming to transform sustainability across 10 industry value chains.
'Spectacular failure': Green groups respond to government's Marine Strategy
Conservation and environmental lobby groups have heavily criticised the government's revised UK Marine Strategy, saying that politicians need to radically revise their plans to tackle the growing emergency.
UK urged to take lead on biodiversity as UN issues urgent warning
The British government has commissioned Sir Partha Dasgupta, a professor at Cambridge University, to write a report on the economic case for biodiversity as policymakers across the planet are urged to step up efforts to reverse the alarming decline of the natural world.
Three-quarters of UK FTSE All-Share firms 'highly dependent' on natural capital
Almost three-quarters (74%) of UK businesses listed on the FTSE All-Share Index have been dubbed "potentially highly dependent" on natural resources such as clean air, water and soil in a new study on nature-related business risks.
Shell commits $300m to conservation and carbon offset projects
Oil giant Shell has unveiled plans to invest $300m over the next three years on conservation and carbon offset projects in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint by up to 3%.
Pernod Ricard targets SDGs and regenerative agriculture as part of 2030 goals
Beverage giant Pernod Ricard has today (3 April) launched a new sustainability roadmap aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that commits to ambitious new targets relating to regenerative agriculture and biodiversity, recyclable packaging and a science-based carbon target.
Aldi targets 100% sustainably sourced soy by 2025
Supermarket chain Aldi has pledged to source 100% sustainably certified soy across its supply chain by 2025, including soy used as animal feed.
Why General Mills want supply chains to become regenerative stewards of the environment
Faced with a growing global population and strains on depleted natural resources, US food producer General Mills plans to equip its supply chain farmers with the knowledge and tools to move from practices that mitigate environmental degradation to regenerative approaches.
UK will miss almost all its 2020 nature targets, says official report
The UK will miss almost all the 2020 nature targets it signed up to a decade ago, according to a report by the Government's official advisers.
Alpro and WWF pilot new nature-focused science-based target scheme
A pilot project has been set up to take science-based targets to the next level and "respect planetary boundaries" by WWF and food and drink firm Alpro.
Emma Howard Boyd reappointed as Environment Agency chair
Emma Howard Boyd has been reappointed as the chair of the Environment Agency (EA) by Secretary of State Michael Gove, with her second term set to run until September 2022.
WATCH: Michael Gove, Claire Perry and Paul Polman support school climate strikes
Conservative MPs, Government Ministers and green business leaders have today (15 March) come out in support of students that are missing school and going on strike for a second time in the fight against climate change.
Fiddling the margins or a powerful signal? The green economy reacts to the Spring Statement
Chancellor Philip Hammond has today (13 March) unveiled new measures to champion biodiversity and drive resilience in the UK's housing stock as part of his Spring Statement, but reactions suggest the Government is still moving too slowly.
Spring Statement: Chancellor unveils biodiversity plans and low-carbon homes requirements
BREAKING: Chancellor Philip Hammond has today (13 March) pledged to implement legislation requiring developers to deliver biodiversity net-gain through all projects in his 2019 Spring Statement, which also includes a review into the economic benefits of environmental conservation.
Spring Statement: What can the green economy expect from Philip Hammond's announcement?
Investment in a national net-zero target? New energy efficiency measures for homes? edie previews the green-related announcements likely to be included in the Spring Statement on Wednesday (13 March).
Built environment sector calls for biodiversity focus in upcoming Environment Bill
A group of UK built environment businesses have penned a letter to Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, calling on future legislation to boost economic growth through restorative planning that benefits the environment.
Plastics and biodiversity: Forum for the Future spotlights sustainability's biggest challenges
Global non-profit Forum for the Future has named plastic pollution and biodiversity loss as two of the "fundamental" sustainability challenges of the 2020s, arguing that governments and corporates have not yet adopted holistic, long-term solutions to these issues.
World's food supply under 'severe threat' from loss of biodiversity, UN warns
The world's capacity to produce food is being undermined by humanity's failure to protect biodiversity, according to the first UN study of the plants, animals and micro-organisms that help to put meals on our plates.
#ThisIsACrisis: 7 harsh realities of the global climate crisis
As humanity's negative impacts on the planet continue to grow, a new landmark report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) is warning that the time period we have left to avert an "age of environmental breakdown" is growing rapidly smaller. Here, edie rounds up seven of the report's key findings.
Agency protecting English environment reaches 'crisis point'
Thousands of environmentally important sites across England are coming under threat as the government body charged with their care struggles with understaffing, slashed budgets and an increasing workload.
Water companies urged to 'up their game' on pollution and natural capital through to 2025
The UK water sector has stepped up its environmental ambition in the current business planning period, but gaps remain when it comes to reducing sewage pollution incidents and factoring in the value of natural capital.
Government urged to address funding and data concerns for post-Brexit environment watchdog
The UK Government has been urged to equip any new watchdog for future environmental standards with adequate funding and performance measuring qualities, a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) has claimed.
Yorkshire Water plants first of a million trees to help prevent floods
More than 14,000 trees were planted at Ogden Water last month as part of Yorkshire Water's "big goal" for the environment, which aims to create new "green infrastructure".
Just Eat's e-scooters and solar-powered smart homes: 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.
Defra launches call for evidence on 'biodiversity net-gain' developments
The Government is consulting on whether property developers should be required to deliver a "biodiversity net-gain" when building new housing or commercial projects.
MPs call for ‘watchdog with teeth' to oversee environmental standards post-Brexit
MPs have called on the Government to strengthen the commitments made in its 25-year Environment Plan in order to prepare for the event of a no-deal Brexit scenario, claiming that the UK is currently at risk of losing one-third of green legislation if no agreement with the EU is agreed.
Humanity has wiped out 60% of animals since 1970, major report finds
Humanity has wiped out 60% of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles since 1970, leading the world's foremost experts to warn that the annihilation of wildlife is now an emergency that threatens civilisation.
Heathrow Airport launches peatland restoration project to offset emissions
Heathrow Airport has invested almost £100,000 into a peatland restoration project near Salford, in a move that will push the airport towards its carbon-neutrality aim by offsetting the carbon emissions of almost 64,000 passenger flights to New York.
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.
Mondelez to use 100% sustainably-sourced wheat in EU
Confectionary giant Mondelēz International has committed to making 100% of the biscuits it manufactures in the European Union with sustainably-sourced wheat, a 40% increase from the company's biscuit production last year.
How technology can power our connection to the natural world
Humanity continues to find new ways of pushing the limits of technology, to discover the edges of innovation. Whether it's sending a car into space, exploring the potential for nanotechnology to support hyper-targeted drug therapies, creating virtual worlds or an artificial intelligence that responds to our spoken commands; most of these ideas were solely in the domain of science fiction 30 years ago.
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.
Paving the way to a better built environment
Construction businesses lie at the juncture of some of the world's most pressing environmental and societal challenges. Here, the UK Green Building Council's chief executive Julie Hirigoyen charts the progress being made across the industry in the key areas of climate change, resource use, nature and biodiversity, health & wellbeing and socio-economic impact.
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.
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.
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: 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.
Michael Gove: UK to reward farmers for environmental practices post-Brexit
Michael Gove will indicate that the UK will replace the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-Brexit with a system that gives subsidies to farmers who try to enhance the natural environment.
Redrow targets biodiversity 'net gain' at new developments
UK housebuilder Redrow has announced that a "net gain" approach to biodiversity will be adopted across all new developments, following a trial period that successfully enhanced the ecological land value of certain projects.
Imbuing your brand with purpose – two practical principles
Creating a brand purpose vision or narrative is a challenge. Usually there are a number of different audiences to engage, both internally and externally, the purpose must 'fit' the material issues facing the brand and it must have an impact which lasts.
Tony Juniper takes on lead advocacy role at WWF
WWF has announced that prominent conservationist Tony Juniper has joined the green organisation as executive director for advocacy and campaigns.
What the world needs now, is sustainable soy
Producing more responsible - and certified - soy will be critical in protecting the Cerrado region of Brazil.
Deep breath: change the conversation
Air quality in our towns and cities is a critical issue but action and progress will be sorely limited unless we grasp the challenge of awareness, behaviour and pro-active communications.
Food and beverage giants agree to strengthen supply chain management
Companies such as Unilever, Mars and PepsiCo are part of a new collaborative partnership aiming to develop free science-based decision tools that improve farm-level sustainability reporting metrics and data collection.
Velvet owner accused of sourcing pulp from protected forest region
The owner of well-known UK-based toilet paper brands Velvet and Cushelle is facing accusations of sourcing pulp from protected areas of the Great Northern Forest in Sweden.
The Body Shop rolls out first Bio-Bridge project in India
From September to the end of October, every product purchase and transaction from customers visiting The Body Shop stores will help protect threatened elephants and gibbons in India, as part of the company's latest Bio-Bridges programme.
Working together for a better retailing climate
Changes to the sustainability landscape are gathering pace. This change will intensify in the coming decades as we face a changing climate and ever greater demands for finite resources. So what does the future hold for those in retail sustainability?
Celebrating success for business and the environment
This week I attended our 2017 Awards Gala Dinner. Always an inspiring event where the very best of responsible business is celebrated, what I found most encouraging last night was the focus on the environment across all areas.
The Body Shop allocates £2m for 'World Bio-Bridges Mission'
As part of its latest efforts to "re-wild the world", The Body Shop has today (4 July) launched a new funding platform aiming to raise more than £2m to add ten more regenerative Bio-Bridges around the globe by 2020.
Why science alone won’t resolve planetary boundaries
As a sustainability professional, I remember relishing in Johan Rockström and 28 scientists' 2009 creation of "a safe operating space for humanity", the framework of Planetary Boundaries.
New natural capital metric a 'powerful lever for change', says Kering
EXCLUSIVE: A new natural capital biodiversity metric will act as an "internal change management tool" that allows companies to define and translate what environmental footprints look like in a business context, Kering's head of sustainable sourcing innovation has claimed.
Natural capital: Credible concept or spurious sustainability approach?
EXCLUSIVE: Natural capital accounting can be a "disaster" for sustainability professionals and is not an effective way of engaging the finance community with environmental issues, the head of sustainability and finance at UK brewer Adnams has said.
Smart Growth: Achieving the two-degree economy
Ten years ago, HRH The Prince of Wales put out a mayday call for business to take collaborative action to tackle the global challenge of climate change.
Show support for forests on the International Day of Forests
My father used to sing "Hutanku Tak Akan Hilang", which means "My Forests Will Stay" in Indonesian, and I inherited my passion for forests from him. Today (21 March) marks International Day of Forests, but it is unacceptable that even with an annual day to reflect on these environments - and the species within them - that they continue to be lost at unprecedented rates.
Environmental gearing: Bridging the gap between sustainability and finance
For several years now, environmental practitioners have sought to capture the attention of the finance community in order to better embed environmental management into the commercial operations of a business.
SC Johnson goes 'Acre-for-Acre' with customers to protect the Amazon rainforest
Cleaning products manufacturer SC Johnson has unveiled a new challenge to help with the "necessity" of saving the Amazon rainforest, by challenging consumers to protect 10,000 acres.
Soy and deforestation: the easiest step to take is also the most impactful
If we reflect on the prominent environmental issues of 2016, those that received widespread media coverage: the Paris Agreement, renewable energy, palm oil, fracking and air pollution, amongst others, would undoubtedly spring to mind. Few headlines seemed to touch on the deforestation sweeping across South America to give way to an expanding soy industry and its relationship to meat and dairy.
Sweet success? How the sugar tax will impact Britain's low-carbon commitments
Many of us will have made a healthy New Year's resolution, often tailored to running off a Christmas dinner or two and reducing the amount of sugar in our diets. In light of the UK's upcoming sugar tax, what impact could a sugar-reduced diet have on the environment and the sustainability of big food retailers?
The Body Shop accelerates CSR commitments through East Croydon innovation hub
EXCLUSIVE: The Body Shop has officially unveiled a £1m innovation hub in East Croydon that it claims will enhance the company's ability to reduce the environmental impact of its product category footprints and develop an innovation pipeline to deliver pioneering cosmetics produced from biodiversity hotspots.
In practice: Network Rail's Bermondsey Dive Under biodiversity project
Network Rail's infrastructure project received CEEQUAL Excellent Whole Team Award of 96.6%, having increased biodiversity in the area by 113%. The score is currently the highest that has been achieved by a completed project on the £7bn Thameslink expansion programme.
What is a 'climate emergency'?
The UK has declared a climate emergency for the national government in Westminster and devolved administrations of Scotland and Wales. But what does it mean?
Sector insight: The state of sustainability 2018
This exclusive insight report explores the key drivers, challenges and opportunities facing sustainable business in the UK.
Mission Possible: Achieving a sustainable future for hospitality and leisure
This brand-new sector insight report provides a comprehensive overview of the steps that organisations within Britain's hospitality and leisure sector can take to achieve a sustainable future, today.
Executive Briefing: BS 8001 - a Guide
The world's first standard for implementing the principles of the circular economy in organizations
Resource extraction responsible for half world's carbon emissions
Extraction industries are responsible for half of the world's carbon emissions and more than 80% of biodiversity loss, according to the most comprehensive environmental tally undertaken of mining and farming.
Energy resilience roundtable: Paving the path to a clean energy future
Energy management experts from some of the world's biggest manufacturers and retailers recently came together for an exclusive roundtable hosted by edie and Centrica Business Solutions to explore some of the biggest challenges and opportunities when it comes to building energy resilience.
CCS, food waste and deposit return schemes: Recapping a week of major green policy announcements
As Boris Johnson settles into his first day as the UK Prime Minister, Defra, the Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have released a flurry of documents to strengthen approaches to environmental regulation, energy policy and packaging production.
Sustainability Leaders Awards 2019: Meet the finalists
After a record-breaking year of entries, the judges have convened, decisions have been made and edie is proud to unveil the well-deserved finalists for the 2019 Sustainability Leaders Awards. This report outlines the who's who of sustainability excellence.
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