archiveMarch 2023

Investments in net zero clean energy must quadruple within the next two decades according to the global Energy Transitions Commission. In its latest report “Financing the Transition: How to make the money flow for a net-zero economy” the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC) highlights the critical importance of strong government policies relating both to the real economy and to the financial system if finance is to flow on the scale required. It also identifies “concessional/grant” payments needed to support early coal phase-out, end deforestation and finance carbon removals. Around $3.5 trillion...

Sustainability is not only an imperative for companies it’s also a huge opportunity for green business building. Companies that can innovate and scale during these fast-moving, uncertain times could set themselves up for exponential green business growth, according to a new report from McKinsey. McKinsey analysis shows that growing demand for net-zero offerings could generate $9 trillion to $12 trillion of annual sales by 2030 across 11 value pools, including transport, power, and consumer goods. The transition to net zero is under way but not happening fast enough. Growth in climate...

Ordnance Survey has undergone its latest digital transformation to deliver a range of new environmental and location data. Ordnance Survey (OS) geospatial data plays a vital role in sustainability, supporting critical infrastructure for green transport and electric vehicles, planning renewable energy, managing climate change related flood risk and drought, and improving waste collection and recycling. OS will deliver 70 new data enhancements including building age and building construction material, improved coverage of land use, indicative and average road speeds, and improved consistency of address positioning. This latest investment will enable...

A number of changes have been made to CDP disclosure criteria for 2023 that organisations should consider before reporting. CDP requires reporting around a series of questionnaires covering climate change, water, forests and finance and EcoAct has produced a guide to changes in 2023 disclosures. Climate Change: One question has been removed, 25 modified, and seven new questions added. The new questions include two within the business strategy module, two relating to subsidiary emissions, one on external engagement and two additional biodiversity questions. Some minor changes have been made to...

There is a rising need for Environmental, Social and Governance training as companies seek to address new regulations that require new skills to meet environmental compliance targets. And while some may view ESG as a current tick-box inconvenience, leading organisations are undergoing vital training to meet the demands of tomorrow and to ensure their commercial future.  Knowledge and understanding of sustainability is key to the ongoing viability and profitability of business and industry and, across a workforce, will soon be as important as the ability to read, write and count...

Sweden is leading the race to decarbonise steel production with the building of a new green steel-making plant. Steel is one of the world’s dirtiest industries, responsible for more than seven per cent of global CO2 emissions and 25 per cent of Europe’s industrial CO2 emissions. Decarbonisation of the industry is a must and disruptive technology will be the key enabler. H2 Green Steel’s new plant just outside Boden, 900 km north of Stockholm, is taking on decarbonisation on an industrial scale, working with customers and partners to show that...

Efforts to develop clean maritime solutions have been boosted by new government funding aimed at decarbonising the maritime sector. For the first time, the UK government is funding the development of new clean maritime technology across a two-year period. Companies in 12 regions around the UK will benefit from the cash, generating highly skilled jobs across the nation and positioning the UK as a world leader in green solutions. Using technologies adapted from the worlds of high-performance yacht racing, motorsports and aerospace, Artemis Technologies in Belfast is developing vessels that effectively ‘fly’ above...

With the UK’s regulatory requirements tightening, the built environment must prove its commitment to decarbonisation. Digitising environmental performance data is a necessary step towards business success. In 2023 you can’t build a long-term strategy without incorporating ESG factors. Information must be collected and reported on a range of environmental performance metrics, including carbon output and electricity consumption, water use, and waste diversion. By embracing technology, corporations can calculate their carbon footprint, ensure compliance with sustainability requirements, and compare their performance with competitors, as well as against their own mandated and voluntary...

India’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions have been highlighted in a NCAP report that shows the country is far from meeting its targets. NCAP, the National Clean Air Program, was a response by the Government of India in 2019 when pollution levels had increased and the country was choking in fumes. It is the first-ever countrywide program that looks to reduce air pollution nationally. The Central Government launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in...

PET plastics and polyester textiles are used every day but only one quarter of this material is being successfully recycled. The scale-up of chemical recycling alongside existing mechanical recycling approaches has the potential for positive environmental benefits as well as transformative success for the wider PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and polyester industry. If implemented, this combination of plastic recycling approaches could achieve very high recycling rates and lower carbon emissions from the PET packaging and textiles system, according to a new study by Systemiq. The study explores the evidence for the...