archive2023

Tallinn in Estonia is leading the network of European Green Capitals this year to promote ambitious sustainable urban transitions. Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, seeks to establish new forms of urban governance and is looking forward to working with other cities in 2023. Supporting sustainable urban transitions and local green deals is at the heart of its action. “European green capitals must be innovative and take the lead in creating sustainable, resilient and inclusive cities of the future,” said Mihhail Kõlvart, Mayor of Tallinn, in a roundtable in Brussels with former...

The latest IPCC report highlights the need for urgent action on climate change and the many options available to mitigate the global crisis. There are multiple, feasible and effective options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change, and they are available now, said scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. “Mainstreaming effective and equitable climate action will not only reduce losses and damages for nature and people, it will also provide wider benefits,” said IPCC chair Hoesung Lee. “This Synthesis Report underscores...

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...