Articles

Carbon offsetting, compensating for emissions by investing in schemes designed to make reductions elsewhere, has been hailed by many as the be-all and end-all when it comes to businesses addressing their carbon footprints. But, while offsetting is a necessary part of the puzzle, Mauro Cozzi, co-founder of carbon management specialist Emitwise, believes it is not all that it is cracked up to be, and suggests where business focus should be instead. We are seeing businesses proclaiming that they are net zero because they have invested heavily in carbon offsets, Cozzi...

The road to becoming a carbon neutral organisation is complex and different for every business but here are four key steps to success. To highlight the different stages of achieving carbon neutrality through offsetting your carbon emissions via verified projects, Charlotte Bland, marketing executive at TEAM Energy, has put together a guide featuring the four steps that can to help achieve this. Start your carbon offsetting journey sooner rather than later. There are a few reasons why you shouldn’t delay starting your journey to becoming carbon neutral. As pressure from...

The UK has pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050, in accordance with its obligations under the Paris Agreement. All eyes are on utilities providers as we transition to a net zero future, but it’s not as simple as flicking a switch and swapping to renewable energy generation. Here Paul French, Chief Commercial Officer at Ordnance Survey (OS), Great Britain’s national mapping service, explains how access to accurate location data can support utilities companies in futureproofing their networks for...

Sustainable living is a reflection of how much a country cares about preserving and restoring the environment and the health of its citizens. Here are the top ten least ‘green’ countries. Sustainable living specialists GreenMatch conducted a major study to discover the most and least green countries in the world. Their study combined and compared four different reports: the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) from Yale University, a report from EU’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), Green Future Index (GFI) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the IQ Air information platform....

Sustainable living is the goal of climate change efforts as the world seeks to reduce carbon emissions and reach net zero. Here are the world’s ‘greenest’ countries to live in. Sustainable living specialists GreenMatch conducted a comprehensive study to find the most and least green countries in the world. Their study combined and compared four different reports: the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) from Yale University, a report from EU’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), Green Future Index (GFI) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the IQ Air information platform. Being...

Ahead of another UN climate conference, Juan Pablo Solis, senior advisor for climate and environment, Fairtrade International urges governments for concrete action… but time is running out In the 1993 comedy film Groundhog Day, Bill Murray plays Phil Connors, a misanthropic and cynical Pennsylvania weatherman condemned to reliving February 2nd repeatedly until his ethical compass is fully corrected. The film is a comedy driven by the preposterous. But it is also a warning about the dangers of stasis – of how inaction can grind the mechanisms of life to a...

Military carbon emissions are among the highest in the world and account for up to five per cent of global emissions. Military carbon emissions of climate-disrupting greenhouse gases contribute to military carbon footprints including equipment used in exercises, patrols and fighting wars, along with management of military bases and supplies such as food and fuel. Environmental science reports estimate that the world’s combined militaries and their supporting industries produce more global emissions than civilian aviation and shipping combined. According to the US Department of Energy, since 2001 the US military has produced more than...

After 20 years of talks UN member states have agreed a High Seas Treaty to protect 30 per cent of the world’s oceans. But it could be another decade before any real action is taken to implement the treaty. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (High Seas Treaty) sets out a range of legally-binding principles to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity, pledges more money for marine conservation and establishes new rules for mining at sea. Two thirds of the world’s oceans are...

Nuclear fusion regulation planned by the UK government is set to accelerate the development and deployment of fusion energy technology. Nuclear fusion regulation is needed as development of this potential renewable energy source is moving at pace and it could be a major leap forward on the road to net zero. Here, environmental lawyers at Burges Salmon respond to the government’s plans. In October 2021 the Government published its Green Paper ‘Towards Fusion Energy’ in which it sought input from stakeholders on the future regulation of nuclear fusion. The focus...

Indigenous representation is essential in moving world leaders to take immediate action on climate change and the Cultural Survival delegation is joining the Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus and other Indigenous and allied leaders in pushing policymakers for urgent and holistic responses to climate chaos. Cultural Survival is calling for proactive efforts to centre, resource, and respect Indigenous rights, leadership, and stewardship must be prioritised in all layers of decision-making as we engage to combat climate change. To ensure Indigenous Peoples’ rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled in the Just Transition to...