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World's largest cement manufacturer commits to science-based targets and net-zero pathway
The world's largest cement manufacturer, LafargeHolcim, has committed to becoming the first global building materials company to have targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Report: Circular economy can halve emissions of UK infrastructure projects
Transitioning to a circular economy can assist in the net-zero transition, with a new report supported by AECOM stating that carbon reductions of up to 50% can be delivered and £35bn generated for the UK economy by using closed-loop materials throughout the design process of infrastructure projects.
Manufacturers aim for carbon-neutral cement by 2050
A group of the world's leading producers of cement have issued a new industry commitment to deliver carbon-neutral concrete by 2050.
Businesses urged to harness 'nature-based solutions' to combat climate emergency
Businesses have been called upon to trial and pilot 'nature-based solutions' (NBS) in helping them reduce environmental impacts while helping the surrounding areas improve resiliency against a range of climate risks.
Mott MacDonald signs World Green Building Council's net-zero commitment
Five major companies including Mott MacDonald have signed up to the World Green Building Council's (WorldGBC) net-zero carbon commitment, which binds signatories to reach carbon neutral operations by 2030.
'Crack on': Alok Sharma implores businesses to join £2bn Green Homes Grant
Business Secretary Alok Sharma has called on tradespeople across the UK to access the Government's new £2bn Green Homes Grants scheme to mobilise efforts to improve the energy efficiency of the UK's housing stock.
Bridging the gap between sustainability and finance
The role of an environmental professional on big infrastructure projects has changed dramatically during my career. Now we are approaching a period where sustainability and finance professionals engage on the crucial decisions that will shape the green future.
Landsec unveils plans for UK's first net-zero office in London
Property developer Landsec has revealed that it is progressing plans for what it hopes will be the UK's first net-zero commercial building - an office block in Southwark, south London.
M&G Real Estate sets out net-zero commitment
M&G Real Estate has unveiled new carbon reduction targets, committing to reaching net-zero emissions across its operations by 2030 and its real estate portfolio by 2050, in line with the Government's net-zero target.
Barratt Developments sets net-zero target for 2040
The UK's largest housebuilder, Barratt Developments, has built on recently announced science-based targets by committing to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Number of organisations committed to net-zero buildings doubles in one year
The number of companies, cities, states and regions committed to delivering zero-carbon buildings has more than doubled in year, according to new findings from the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) that confirms that 95 signatories are working towards its Net-Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment.
Planning application for UK's first waste-to-jet fuel plant given green light
A planning application backed by Shell and British Airways to create the UK's first commercial-scale waste-to-jet fuel plant in North East Lincolnshire has been granted planning permission.
Government taskforce sets out tools to unlock £65bn investment into green housing
The UK Government's Green Finance Institute (GFI) has found that scaling up green retrofitting of the UK's existing housing stock would require investments of up to £65bn while supporting the economic recovery, as the Green Alliance calls for policy amendments to retrofitting in the UK.
Wooden turbines and Schneider Electric's net-zero 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.
Green stimulus can repair global economy and climate, study says
Green economy recovery packages for the coronavirus crisis will repair the global economy and put the world on track to tackle climate breakdown, but time is running out to implement the changes needed, new analysis has shown.
Legal & General given go-ahead for energy efficient modular homes drive
The modular housing arm of insurance giant Legal & General has been given planning permission to create more than 150 modular homes in Selby, North Yorkshire that will feature the highest EPC ratings for energy efficiency.
AECOM shoots for 20% reduction in emissions through approved science-based targets
Engineering and construction firm AECOM has revealed that targets to reduce operational emissions by 20% and value chain emissions by 10% by 2025 have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as aligned to the requirements of the Paris Agreement.
TODAY AT 1PM: Join edie's webinar on achieving net-zero
Readers have only a few hours left to register for edie's net-zero webinar, which will outline some of the key elements in the field of setting goals for net-zero carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.
Built environment: Avison Young and St. Modwen set net-zero carbon targets
Real estate advisor Avison Young and housebuilder St. Modwen have become the latest companies in the built environment sector to pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
Government urged (again) to revamp low-carbon homes plan
The Government has yet again been urged to reconsider proposed approaches to energy efficiency in housebuilding, after a coalition of councils urged Ministers to remove restrictions that would inhibit higher standards being set.
Government won't appeal Heathrow expansion court decision
UPDATED: The UK Government will not appeal a court decision to block the development of a third runway at Heathrow Airport, which was issued in response to climate change concerns and national targets aligned to the Paris Agreement.
NIC calls for 'decisive action' to deliver flexible electricity system
The government's infrastructure advisor has told ministers that ensuring there are "no barriers" to future interconnector projects should be prioritised as the UK exits the EU.
How focusing on sustainability will drive wider social value outcomes in construction
The best way for the construction industry to address the climate emergency is by continuing to improve its social value outputs.
Sir Robert McAlpine targets net-zero emissions by 2024
Building and civil engineering company Sir Robert McAlpine has announced a new public commitment to implement carbon reduction initiatives to reach net-zero emissions in the next five years.
Tesla Gigafactory halted over German forest clearance complaint
Tesla's plan to build a new Gigafactory for electric vehicle (EV) production in Germany has been temporarily halted by a court order concerning the clearance of more than 90 hectares of forest in Brandenburg.
Can HS2 comply with the UK's net-zero target?
With Prime Minister Boris Johnson giving the green light to the £100bn HS2, edie examines whether the controversial high-speed rail project can align with the UK's net-zero emissions future.
edie's guides to net-zero carbon continues with the public sector
The fifth report in the series of edie guides on net-zero carbon has launched with a focus on the public sector.
Climate activist turns down Siemens board role over Australian mine deal
German climate activist Luisa Neubauer has declined an offer from Siemens' chief executive Joe Kaeser to sit on a supervisory board off the firm's new energy business, following controversy over an Australian mining project.
Wates Group targets zero waste and carbon by 2025
Private-owned construction firm Wates Group has committed to new goals that target zero waste from all onsite operations and zero carbon emissions from operations and vehicle fleets by 2025.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Eilidh Johnston, Laing O'Rourke
This series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Eilidh Johnston, environmental advisor at Laing O'Rourke.
edie's guides to net-zero carbon continues with construction sector
The fourth report in the series of edie guides on net-zero carbon has launched with a focus on the construction sector.
Mission Possible: Achieving a net-zero carbon future for construction
In edie's fourth guide continuing our series of net-zero reports across various industries we look at how the construction industry are driving towards net zero across their own operations and the supply chain.
Landsec aiming to become net-zero business by 2030, sets 1.5C science-based target
Commercial real estate firm Landsec has launched an updated sustainability strategy for its carbon emissions, aiming to become a net-zero business by 2030 and reduce its absolute carbon emissions by 70% as part of a 1.5C science-based target.
The collaborative push for net-zero emissions in the built environment
For Net-Zero November, edie sits down with a mainstay sustainability leader, a disruptive new firm and the organisation coordinating an entire sector to see how the built environment can collaboratively transition to a net-zero economy.
Report: Local areas to miss net-zero goals without Government support
Government needs to incentivise and support local funding and devolved powers in order to move the UK's local areas to a net-zero carbon economy, a new report has claimed.
Landsec hits science-based targets 11 years early
Commercial real estate firm Landsec has met its verified science-based target 11 years ahead of schedule, with the company's latest quarterly energy data revealing that carbon intensity has fallen by 40%.
'Risking a carbon budget blowout': UK Government gives go-ahead to Drax gas plant
The UK Government is "risking a carbon budget blowout" by overruling a recommendation from its planning authority in order to give the green light to Drax's large-scale gas power plant, which had been refused on climate grounds.
edie's guides to net-zero carbon continues with manufacturing sector
The second report in the series of edie guides on net-zero carbon has launched with a focus on the manufacturing sector.
‘A significant improvement’: Government unveils Future Homes vision
Triple glazing, buildings fabrics that limit heat loss, low-carbon heating systems and onsite generation assets will likely be mandatory requirements for new homes, after the Government unveiled its vision for a Future Homes Standard (FHS).
Multiplex Europe raises carbon ambitions with 1.5C science-based target
Multiplex Europe, the construction firm behind huge London developments including 100 Bishopsgate, has announced that it has increased its science-based target to account for the 1.5C ambition of the Paris Agreement.
Embodied carbon: WorldGBC embarks on 'radical' new approach towards net-zero
EXCLUSIVE: The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has issued a new report outlining how companies in the sector can focus on both operational and embodied carbon to reach net-zero emission buildings by 2050, warning the companies ignoring this new approach could be "outpaced by the innovators".
Meet the Sustainability Leader: Tideway, Mobility
With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Mission Possible: Mobility award, Tideway.
Willmott Dixon to use non-recyclable plastic in new roads at Bristol housing development
A new housing development in Bristol will feature roads made with the equivalent of 150,000 plastic bags of non-recyclable plastic waste originating from the construction phase of the scheme.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Joshua Davies, Multiplex
This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Joshua Davies, sustainability manager at construction giant Multiplex.
Tideway's super sewer project is slashing transport emissions and combatting plastic pollution
The annual report for the Tideway super sewer project has revealed that more than 110,000 heavy goods vehicle journeys have been avoided and that more than 33,000 plastic bottles have been collected from the Thames river.
UK sectors face system shocks during net-zero transition
The road to net-zero emissions in the UK will create system shocks and disruption that will hit organisations across the electricity, heat, transport and construction industries the hardest, according to new research published by the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC).
Skanska UK pledges to become a carbon-neutral business by 2045
Construction and property development giant Skanska has committed to reduce the carbon emissions of its UK business to zero by 2045, without purchasing carbon credits for offsetting.
Framework launched to deliver net-zero built environment
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has launched a new framework today (30 April) outlining how developers, designers, owners, occupiers and policymakers can define and deliver a net-zero built environment.
Ikea's new Greenwich store receives highest BREEAM sustainability rating
Home improvement retailer Ikea's Greenwich store has achieved sustainable construction certification BREEAM's 'Outstanding' status, just over two months after it opened.
How to lead the way in low-carbon infrastructure development
If the economy is to grow, infrastructure improvement projects are a necessity. Yet, as the fight to slow the effects of climate change becomes more urgent, it is essential that the potential impact of these schemes is considered right from the start.
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.
Dow's Project Butterfly and Ikea's EV charging push: 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.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND: edie's sustainable built environment webinar featuring UKGBC, Willmott Dixon & Mace Group
Sustainability and energy professionals seeking insight to drive low-carbon practices across the built environment sector can now watch Wednesday's webinar, featuring insight from the UK Green Building Council, Willmott Dixon and Mace Group, on demand
Mission Possible: edie launches new construction sector report
The key drivers, challenges and opportunities facing sustainable business in the UK construction sector are revealed in edie's latest Mission Possible report, today (6 March).
Mission Possible: Achieving a sustainable future for CONSTRUCTION
This brand-new sector insight report provides a comprehensive overview of the steps that organisations within Britain's construction industry can take to achieve a sustainable future, today.
Multiplex Europe has emissions reduction goal approved by SBTi
Construction firm Multiplex Europe has had an ambition to reduce direct emissions by 30% by 2030 approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
UK homes jeopardising national climate targets, report warns
The UK will not hit its legally binding carbon reduction targets unless the Government acts now to address the "increasing uncomfortable and unsafe" national housing stock, according to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).
UKGBC, Willmott Dixon and Mace Group to feature in edie's sustainable built environment webinar
Sustainability experts from Willmott Dixon and Mace Group are set to take part in an one-hour webinar on Wednesday 6 March which will explore the various business drivers, challenges and opportunities facing low-carbon, resource-efficient construction.
Swansea tidal lagoon plan revived - without government funding
The backers of a pioneering project to harness energy from the tides off the Welsh coast have rebooted the scheme and believe they can build it without the help of government.
'A 1.5C world is circular': Nations urged to drive resource productivity to reach climate goals
A new report released today (22 January) at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos has outlined the urgent need for nations to "wake up to the potential" of the circular economy in order to push the world towards the Paris Agreement's more ambitious pathway.
Manchester commits to making all new buildings 'net-zero' by 2028
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has pledged to ensure that all new buildings erected in the city region will be 'net-zero' carbon by 2028.
Big-name businesses collaborate to form task group for net-zero buildings
A number of the biggest companies within the UK's built environment sector, including JLL, Landsec and Wilmott Dixon, have jointly formed a new task group aimed at creating an industry-led framework for net-zero buildings.
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.
Scotland's cities can unlock £1bn circular economy boon, says report
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged Scotland's largest cities to transform waste processes and operations to capture a £1bn economic growth opportunity highlighted by a new Zero Waste Scotland report, released today (31 October).
Solar window cells and 100-year heat pumps: the best innovations for World Green Building Week
To mark World Green Building Week, edie has re-focused its usual green innovations of the week series to deliver six of the best solutions to help decarbonise the built environment.
Barratt smashes emissions target seven years early
The UK's largest housebuilder has hit its carbon target seven years early, having seen its operational carbon emissions fall by 21% since 2015.
Energy-generating building materials backed by £36m Government funding
The UK Government will spend more than £36m on new technology that will enable building materials to generate, store and release clean energy.
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.
UKGBC launches sustainable innovation guide for built environment
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has launched an innovation manual to help companies working in the built environment sector put sustainability at the heart of their operations.
London commits to global cities 'net-zero carbon' building pledge
The leaders of 19 global cities have committed to eliminating carbon emissions from new building portfolios by 2030, in order to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement.
Solar-powered breweries and Ikea's electric rickshaws: 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.
If you think sustainable procurement costs more – you’re doing it wrong
Failure to observe a simple economic principle is at the heart of the myth that sustainable procurement costs more. It shouldn't. But bad procurement will cost you more.
Government 'distorted figures', says Tidal Lagoon Power
The developer behind plans to build a £1.3bn tidal lagoon plant in Swansea Bay has accused the government of distorting figures used to justify its decision not to back the scheme.
Construction Sector Deal: Government sets course for halving building energy use and emissions
The Government has launched its much-anticipated £420m construction sector deal, which provides a framework for the built environment sector to halve the energy use of new buildings by 2030.
How intelligent are we in our fight against exploitation?
There's still a feeling that labour exploitation doesn't happen in the UK. Positive sentiments for change aside, nothing is more powerful than taking action.
Unlocking the Fourth Industrial Revolution for the planet
Back in 1970, at the dawn of the modern environmental movement, American Futurist Alvin Toffler coined the term 'Future Shock'. Toffler highlighted that the late-20th Century was experiencing a phenomenon unique in human history in which technology was changing faster than people. This in turn led to widespread discomfort and confusion as well as frequent social and economic upheaval.
World Green Building Council calls for net-zero building sector by 2030
The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has called on the built environment sector to set ambitious targets that eliminate carbon emissions for building portfolios by 2030, in order to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement.
Report: Circular economy a 'powerful force' to meeting Paris Agreement goals
Circular business models and greater material efficiency of products in the transport and built environment sectors could reduce emissions by 3.6 billion tonnes annually - putting the globe on course to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement.
Show me the money… from sustainability
At my keynote at edie Live, I spoke about a vision of a sustainable built environment, how far away from it we currently are and what the industry is doing to move towards it. It's evident that, despite some positive progress, we need to fast-track the level of change and one way of achieving that is by making the business case for sustainability abundantly clear.
Theresa May unveils plan to halve building energy use by 2030
Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to halve the energy use from new buildings by 2030, as part of a speech that championed the role that science and technology will play in delivering the Government's Industrial Strategy.
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.
The state of sustainability 2018: edie publishes final insight report for UK businesses
edie's year-long sector insight report series concludes today (14 May) with the final edition which rounds up the key sustainability drivers, challenges and opportunities facing Britain's biggest industries.
How Landsec is achieving a sustainable future for the built environment
This brand new series of video interviews showcases the sustainability superheroes who are achieving 'Mission Possible' for their business. First up: Landsec's head of sustainability Caroline Hill explains how the property developer is working to achieve a sustainable future for the built environment.
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.
Construction sector sustainability: edie launches latest sector insight report
The key drivers, challenges and opportunities facing sustainable business in the UK construction sector are revealed in edie's latest sector insight report, published this week.
UK construction firms have ramped up sustainability efforts, edie report finds
EXCLUSIVE: Almost two-thirds of businesses operating in the construction industry are now more committed to taking action on sustainability than they were 12 months ago, despite having to deal with challenges caused by a lack of funding and an unstable policy environment.
Taking the measure of sustainability
Managing what you measure remains as true a maxim as ever in the world of sustainability, especially given the additional impetus provided to governments, businesses and civil society by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, measuring progress on sustainability - whether for businesses or cities - is a complex task.
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.
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.
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.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Tom King, Sir Robert McAlpine
This series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Tom King, sustainability manager at Sir Robert McAlpine.
London joins global cities on 'race to the top' for clean air
The mayors of 35 cities, including London, Los Angeles and Milan, have signed a new declaration to tackle the dangers of air pollution and the climate crisis by pledging to improve air quality through measures that go above and beyond existing national commitments.
Royal Mail's electric vans and Kering's biodiversity 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.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Katie Leggett, innocent Drinks
This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Katie Leggett, innocent Drinks' sustainability manager.
Mission Possible: Achieving a net-zero carbon future for manufacturing
As the movement towards net-zero carbon takes hold across the commercial sector, this fresh insight report looks at how manufacturing companies are driving forward their own goals.
edie Explains: The circular economy
This new and updated edie Explains guide breaks down everything there is to know about achieving a circular economy for your business.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: Landsec, The Built Environment
With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Mission Possible: The Built Environment award, Landsec.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Kathryn Ebrey, Arcus FM
This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Kathryn Ebrey, environment and sustainability manager at Arcus FM.
Going 100%: How landlords hold the key to corporate renewable energy targets
This brand-new edie report developed in partnership with Big Clean Switch and The Climate Group's RE100 campaign sheds light on the relationship between landlords and tenants on the big issue of renewable energy.
