The Elephant
A resource for journalists, politicians, policy makers, activists and citizens interested in climate change and the environmental emergency
The ElephantA resource for journalists, politicians, policy makers, activists and citizens interested in climate change and the environmental emergency
Visit: businessgreen.com
Swiss Re warns of 'cascading' climate risks to supply chains and society
2024-06-14 in Business GreenInsurance giant highlights raft of interconnected emerging risks linked to climate change that threaten to trigger business losses and economic slowdown
Scania launches EV charging firm to power up electric truck rollout
2024-06-11 in Business GreenNewly launched Erinion venture aims to install at least 40,000 new charging points at customer depot and destination locations across Europe this decade
Glastonbury's Worthy Farm to bring 'carbon negative' hydrogen technology to festival site
2024-06-10 in Business GreenNew technology aims to take methane captured from cow slurry via an anaerobic digester and turn it into clean graphene and carbon negative hydrogen
'Spreading misinformation': Green groups slam Sunak over attacks on climate policies
2024-06-05 in Business GreenThe Prime Minister used the first TV debate to stoke fears over the cost of the net zero transition, sparking an angry response from environmental campaigners
'A good deal': UK climate goals can be delivered at 'minimal cost', study finds
2024-05-24 in Business GreenUniversity of Oxford research concludes four out of five low-carbon investments are cost reducing compared to their fossil fuel equivalents
'Winter washout': Extreme rainfall expected to knock nearly £1bn off arable farm revenues
2024-05-22 in Business GreenAnalysis claims autumn and winter rainfall was made 15 per cent heavier by climate change, leading to reduced revenue from key arable crops
'No country is immune to disaster displacement': Natural disasters trigger 26.4 million displacements in 2023
2024-05-14 in Business GreenNew research confirms third highest number of people on record were displaced by floods, storms, wildfires and earthquakes last year
Vapes and e-waste blamed for surge in battery fires at waste sites
2024-05-10 in Business GreenNew figures reveal there have been over 1,200 battery fires in bin lorries and at waste sites in the UK over the past 12 months
'Drivers and sufferers': How top fossil fuel producers are among those with 'most to lose' from climate change
2024-05-09 in Business GreenMajor new analysis from Verisk Maplecroft highlights how many of the world's leading fossil fuel exporters are exposed to potentially disastrous climate risks
Wind and solar are closing in on a fossil fuel tipping point
2024-05-08 in Business Green2024 could mark a historic moment in the world's energy history, with fossil fuel electricity likely to peak, writes Ember's Richard Black
'A good day': Local elections reveal surge in support for bolder green policies
2024-05-07 in Business GreenMayors and Parties that put climate action at the heart of their campaigns dominated last week’s local election results, but will the message from voters be heeded?
IEA: Investment in key clean energy technologies topped $200bn in 2023
2024-05-07 in Business GreenInvestment in manufacturing capacity for solar PV, wind turbines, batteries, electrolysers, and heat pumps surged by 70 per cent last year, according to the International Energy Agency
Unlawful: High Court rules UK's climate plan is in breach of Climate Change Act
2024-05-03 in Business GreenCourt rules in favour of campaigners, who argued plan relied too much on risky technologies and did not adequately consider risks of missing targets
'Climate Damages Tax': Fossil fuel levy could raise $720bn to tackle climate crisis
2024-04-29 in Business GreenCampaign groups propose tax on fossil fuel extraction to help bridge climate funding gap through to the end of the decade
Clean Creatives: Over 1,000 advertising and PR firms promise to reject fossil fuel clients
2024-04-22 in Business GreenHigh profile campaign reaches fresh milestone, as pressure not to work with polluting clients intensifies
MPs urge government to boost resilience to extreme weather events
2024-04-19 in Business GreenPublic Accounts Committee warns government efforts to enhance climate resilience lack leadership and urgency
What could go wrong? How $38tr in climate damages could knock a fifth off global income
2024-04-17 in Business GreenMajor new analysis from the Potsdam Institute warns climate impacts through to 2050 could do significantly more economic damage than previously expected
Climate groups hail 'monumental' victory in European human rights legal ruling
2024-04-09 in Business GreenEuropean Court of Human Rights rules against Swiss government in landmark climate case brought by group of 2,000 women
Are leading corporates still relying too heavily on carbon credits to meet 2030 climate goals?
2024-04-09 in Business GreenStudy claims vast majority of 2030 climate targets set by 51 major global companies fall far short of what is needed to cap global warming at 1.5C
Study: Just three per cent of land could boost UK renewables generation 13-fold
2024-04-09 in Business GreenAnalysis from Friends of the Earth details how onshore renewables could slash emissions and curb energy costs without impacting food production
Halfway to net zero heaven
2024-03-29 in Business GreenUK emissions are down 52 per cent since 1990 and fossil fuels last year provided just a third of UK power - change is happening
UK emissions fall over five per cent in 2023 on back of reduced gas demand
2024-03-28 in Business GreenLatest provisional statistics show UK greenhouse emissions are now 52.7 per cent below 1990 levels
Study: Renewables provide more UK power than gas plants over last winter
2024-03-22 in Business GreenECIU estimates wind, solar, and hydro provided 40 per cent of UK electricity over winter months, while gas fired power plants provided around a third
Economists urge Bank of England to 'step up, not back' on climate change
2024-03-18 in Business GreenLetter to Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey calls for Bank to push forward with urgent work to tackle escalating climate risks
RWE starts construction of first wave of UK solar farms
2024-03-15 in Business GreenEnergy giant confirms work has started on seven UK solar farms, as it beefs up Europe-wide green investment plans
Mersey Tidal Power: Plans for multibillion-pound barrage connecting Liverpool and Wirral unveiled
2024-03-11 in Business GreenTidal barrage connecting Liverpool and Wirral announced as the preferred option to harness renewable energy from the River Mersey
Tagged under: UK | Tidal Energy | Rivers
Public supports 'greater and greener' development, poll reveals
2024-03-09 in Business GreenBright Blue urges government to 'get building' after survey reveals high levels of support for green housing and clean energy development
Tagged under: UK | Public Opinion
Global Briefing: Spain advances plans for short haul flight ban
2024-03-08 in Business GreenSpain to follow France in banning flights where rail offers viable alternative, Italy confirms coal phase out date, and Azerbaijan joins global methane pledge
Tagged under: Coal | Legislation | Methane | Italy | Spain | Aviation | Trains | France
Government confirms £1bn budget for clean power auction, but fears grow over offshore wind target
2024-03-06 in Business GreenExperts warn next auction round likely to leave the UK badly off track to meet its target of 50GW of new offshore wind capacity by 2030
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Energy | UK Politics | Wind Power
'Game-changing': Kensa launches ultra-efficient compact ground source heat pump
2024-02-29 in Business GreenNew model debuted, as latest government figures confirm surge in demand for heat pump grant scheme
Study: Community wind farms could slash household heating bills by a quarter
2024-02-28 in Business GreenResearch outlines myriad benefits of pairing community energy projects with a local roll out of heat pump technologies
Tagged under: Wind Power
Climate Change Committee advises against 'carry-over' of Third Carbon Budget emissions savings
2024-02-28 in Business GreenGovernment will be putting climate goals at risk if it decides to loosen future carbon budgets, climate advisors warn
Tagged under: Net Zero
The solar panel theory of socioeconomic unfairness
2024-02-22 in Business GreenTerry Pratchett's famous economic theory tells us a lot about the urgent need for a net zero transition where the costs and benefits are fairly distributed right across the income scale
Tagged under: Solar Energy | Net Zero
'The ball is in the court of the policymakers': Is the UK's net zero transition at risk of stalling?
2024-02-22 in Business GreenReport from DNV argues ambitious policies could enable transition that delivers on climate goals and slashes domestic energy bills by 40 per cent by 2050
Tagged under: Net Zero
'A damning indictment': Lord Deben intervenes in High Court legal challenge against government climate plans
2024-02-21 in Business GreenConservative peer and former chair of the Climate Change Committee submits witness statement in support of legal action accusing government of breaching Climate Change Act
Tagged under: Litigation | UK Politics | Net Zero
'Government needs to lead': Green finance experts unveil blueprint for mobilising net zero investment
2024-02-20 in Business GreenGreen Finance Institute and IPPR call for deeper collaboration between private and public sectors and sector-specific transition pathways to boost much needed green investment
Tagged under: Net Zero | Finance
Labour's ditching of its £28bn green investment plan is a blow to business
2024-02-08 in Business GreenThe UK economy is crying out for investment, and public spending has a critical catalysing role to play - if even Labour won't accept that fact, a slow recovery awaits
Can 2030 emissions targets still be met? 10 worrying questions posed by the latest Hinkley Point C delays
2024-01-24 in Business GreenThe fallout from the latest delays to the flagship Hinkley Point nuclear project are wide-ranging - and they present significant challenges for both the government and the opposition
Tagged under: Nuclear Power
Study: Ships retrofitted for ammonia fuel could cost less to run than fossil fuelled vessels
2024-01-18 in Business GreenShips that are purpose built, fully or partially retrofitted to run on ammonia could operate at lower fuel costs than fossil fuel vessels and cut carbon by up to 77 per cent, new analysis claims
'Large gaps still need to be bridged': UN chief returns to COP28 as climate talks remain on knife edge
2023-12-11 in Business GreenWith crunch climate talks' scheduled close less than 24 hours away, negotiators are still wrangling over the future of fossil fuels, finance pledges, and climate adaptation goals
Tagged under: COP28 | Fossil Fuels | Finance
The world's 280 million electric bikes and mopeds are cutting demand for oil far more than electric cars
2023-11-20 in Business GreenThe UK's leading source of information for the green economy, delivering the latest news and in-depth analysis on green business and environmental issues.
Tagged under: Electric Cars | Cars
'Insufficient ambition and not enough action': UN warns world is on track for 3C of warming
2023-11-20 in Business GreenUN's latest Emissions Gap Report warns that even if governments' decarbonisation goals are met the world is still facing around 2.5C of warming this century
Tagged under: Global Warming | United Nations | COP28 | Decarbonisation
If it keeps on raining the levee's gonna break
2023-11-16 in Business GreenThe UK's climate resilience spending is running to stand still, providing further evidence that attempts to 'just adapt' to climate change will come at huge cost
Global Briefing: Flagship US small modular reactor project shelved
2023-11-10 in Business GreenPlus: EU landmark nature restoration deal, USA's first DAC plant, and electric air taxis plan for take-off in India, in our round up of the top green business news from around the world this week
Tagged under: Nuclear Power
Small nuclear reactors are a bad bet for the British government
2023-11-09 in Business GreenClaims that SMRs are cheaper, easier to build, safer and less wasteful are unproven and misleading, argues University of Greenwich professor Stephen Thomas
Tagged under: Nuclear Power
BP revs up $100m order for US Tesla chargers
2023-10-27 in Business GreenDeal forms latest part of oil giant's plans to invest up to $1bn in EV charging across the US by 2030
'We have to be realistic': Government dismisses CCC's concerns over UK's net zero progress
2023-10-26 in Business GreenGovernment insists UK can meet all its climate targets, but rejects recommendations 'that force families to make costly and burdensome changes to their lifestyles'
Tagged under: Net Zero | COP28
'We need to get on with it': Government urged to boost UK infrastructure investment to deliver net zero
2023-10-18 in Business GreenNational Infrastructure Commission warns annual public and private infrastructure investment needs to rise by tens of billions of pounds to deliver on net zero and levelling up ambitions, saving households thousands of pounds a year in the process
Tagged under: UK Politics | Net Zero | Electricity Grid
Climate risk: Lloyd's of London warns extreme weather could incur $5tr of economic losses over five years
2023-10-13 in Business GreenFresh modelling highlights huge financial risks of failing to tackle escalating climate risks
'Short haul flights should be a last resort': Football clubs urged to sign up to Sustainable Travel Charter
2023-10-12 in Business GreenMillwall, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Forest Green Rovers, Mansfield Town and Swindon Town become first clubs to promise to tackle transport-related emissions
Tagged under: Trees
Dogger Bank: World's largest offshore wind farm starts exporting power
2023-10-10 in Business GreenGiant North Sea offshore wind farm reaches major milestone on path to delivering clean power for six million homes a year
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Wind Power
OVO to offer heat pumps at lower cost than gas boilers
2023-10-03 in Business GreenEnergy supplier touts new offer promising heat pumps at cheaper price tag and running costs than conventional gas boilers
Prime Minister accused of 'evoking conspiracy theories' with plan to restrict traffic calming measures
2023-09-29 in Business GreenReports suggest Rishi Sunak's conference speech will centre on a new 'plan for motorists' and cite concerns over '15-minute cities'
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Net Zero
'Misguided': Jupiter and Robeco join £1.5trn investor group urging Sunak to stop green delay
2023-09-29 in Business GreenDozens of firms sign letter to Prime Minister warning that watering down decarbonisation policies will hurt inward investment into UK
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Climate Change | Decarbonisation
'A question of ambition': Wind and solar could meet Britain's energy demand in 2050, study finds
2023-09-26 in Business GreenBritain's wind and solar resources are more than sufficient to meet all its energy needs, accroding to policy briefing prepared by researchers at the University of Oxford
Tagged under: Solar Energy | Wind Power
Nature Action 100: Global investors call on corporates to tackle biodiversity impacts
2023-09-26 in Business GreenNew group unveils list of 100 companies in key sectors that investors will push to improve their nature-related policies
Tagged under: Finance
'The strongest possible validation': Airbus and ZeroAvia ink hydrogen aviation partnership
2023-09-18 in Business GreenAirbus joins latest ZeroAvia investment round and agrees to work with green aviation pioneer on hydrogen power system certification
Tagged under: Hydrogen
'Queue for climate and nature': Business leaders convene in central London to call for bolder climate action from government
2023-09-15 in Business GreenExecutives from Toast Ale, Aviva Investors, and Bupa among business leaders to take part in peaceful climate protest
Tagged under: Activism
Government confirms first wave of 21 North Sea carbon storage licenses
2023-09-15 in Business GreenNorth Sea Transition Authority reveals that 14 companies have accepted licenses awarded through the UK’s first-ever carbon storage licensing round
'Heat pumps for everyone': Octopus launches 'free' heat pump package
2023-09-14 in Business GreenEnergy giant says new 'Cosy Octopus' package will come at no cost for some households who can access government clean heating grant
'Complacency and incompetence': Government slammed as clean energy auction results in no new offshore wind farms
2023-09-08 in Business GreenCfD auction delivers just 3.7GW of new capacity as offshore wind developers refuse to bid, sparking warnings UK is now badly off track to meet its clean energy goals
Tagged under: Wind Power | Net Zero
'Extremely disappointing': Few, if any, offshore wind bids expected in latest clean power contracts auction
2023-09-07 in Business GreenFifth round of the government's Contracts for Difference scheme looks set to have attracted minimal interest from offshore wind developers, as industry continues to wrestle with soaring inflation
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Wind Power
'Not fit for purpose': Green groups secure High Court hearing over government's net zero plans
2023-09-01 in Business GreenHigh Court orders three day 'rolled up' hearing for legal challenges brought by Friends of the Earth, ClientEarth, and Good Law Project
Tagged under: Climate Change | Net Zero
'Sign of the times': Fossil fuels hit record low, accounting for just a third of EU power mix
2023-08-30 in Business GreenNew analysis reveals how fossil fuel power generation across the EU fell 17 per cent during the first half of the year
Tagged under: Fossil Fuels
CDP: Extreme heat is worst climate hazard for world's cities
2023-08-24 in Business GreenNon-profit reveals extreme heat it the most widely reported climate hazard among global cities
Tagged under: Africa | Extreme Heat
Wind-powered shipping technology sets sail for Cargill trial
2023-08-21 in Business GreenCollaboration between Cargill, BAR Technologies, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Yara Marine Technologies promises to slash fuel use by cargo vessels
Tagged under: Wind Power
'Wake-up call': How 'vicious' Mediterranean weather events threaten a quarter of UK food imports
2023-08-14 in Business GreenRegion 'ravaged' by heatwaves, wildfires and drought this summer provided just over £16bn worth of UK food imports last year, prompting growing concerns for food security
Tagged under: Drought | Heatwaves | Wildfires
'High time to invest in more climate adaption': Natural catastrophes cost insurers $50bn in first half of 2023
2023-08-10 in Business GreenSevere thunderstorms account for up to 70 per cent of $50bn in natural catastrophe losses in first half of 2023, Swiss Re Institute estimates
Tagged under: Insurance
'Power-ups': Octopus and UKPN to offer free electricity during spikes in renewables generation
2023-08-10 in Business GreenOctopus Energy and UK Power Networks to provide free green electricity to local grids at times of high wind and solar generation
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Solar Energy | Wind Power | Electricity | Electricity Grid
It's time for this country's hard-working, not-so-silent politicians to stop misleading the public about the green agenda
2023-08-07 in Business GreenPriti Patel's latest attack on green policies makes little sense and offers no alternative vision for the future - it deserves to be rejected, line-by-line
Tagged under: Net Zero
Community Energy Together: Local solar collective unveils initial 36MW pipeline
2023-07-31 in Business GreenNew community energy collective aims to generate £20m in local benefits across England and Wales while growing the community solar sector by a fifth
Tagged under: Solar Energy
OBR: Costs of continued gas reliance more than double that of reaching net zero
2023-07-14 in Business GreenRemaining heavily reliant on fossil gas for power and heating poses huge fiscal and economic risk to the UK, warns the Office for Budget Responsibility
Tagged under: Net Zero
'Exponential deployment is now unstoppable': How the clean tech revolution is happening faster than you think
2023-07-13 in Business GreenToday's analysis from RMI suggesting the global power system is on track for net zero emissions is hugely optimistic, but the assumptions underpinning it are surprisingly feasible
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Net Zero
UN warns climate change is pushing millions of people into hunger
2023-07-12 in Business GreenNew research from UN shows around 735 million people are currently facing hunger, compared to 613 million in 2019
Tagged under: Farming | Climate Change | Famine
Climate Change Committee warns UK has 'lost' its global net zero leadership position
2023-06-28 in Business GreenAnnual progress report warns government's official advisors have 'markedly less' confidence in the UK's ability to meet its decarbonisation targets from 2030 onwards
Tagged under: Climate Change | Net Zero | Decarbonisation
Climate Majority: Leading campaigners back new grassroots green movement
2023-06-21 in Business GreenInitiative aims to become 'irresistible political force', as polls show majority of Britons support the UK's net zero emissions goal
Tagged under: Activism | Net Zero
'Growth doom loop': Report warns under-investment will see UK lag behind in global race to net zero
2023-06-20 in Business GreenThink tank IPPR warns UK is suffering from 'investment-phobia' and must move quickly to reap the economic benefits of the green transition
Tagged under: Net Zero | Economic Growth
'We're going to throw everything at this': Labour to unveil Green Prosperity Plan
2023-06-19 in Business GreenLabour Leader to deliver major speech providing more detail on Opposition's sweeping decarbonisation plans, including proposals for state owned GB Energy
Tagged under: Net Zero | Decarbonisation
'A natural solution to many of our most pressing problems': Aviva announces £21m saltmarsh restoration drive
2023-06-13 in Business GreenInsurance giant announces latest tranche of nature funding, as trial of technology designed to boost investment in peatland projects via carbon markets gets underway in northern England
Tagged under: Wetlands | Insurance
'Glastonbury's biggest fan': Octopus Energy debuts 'try before you buy' wind turbine
2023-06-13 in Business GreenTwenty-eight metre tall turbine erected at Festival site to provide clean power to food vendors and demonstrate speed with which onshore renewables can be deployed
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Wind Power
Net Zero Tracker: More than third of world's biggest firms still have no climate goals in place
2023-06-11 in Business GreenNational and corporate momentum behind setting net zero goals continues to build, but concerns remain over integrity and oversight of targets
Tagged under: Net Zero
Study: Solar farms can be 'wildlife havens'
2023-06-07 in Business GreenNew report by Solar Energy UK reveals how well managed solar farms have potential to boost ecology and tackle biodiversity loss in the UK
Tagged under: Solar Energy | Wildlife
'Pretty depressing weekend': Key net zero policies face fresh wave of criticism
2023-06-05 in Business GreenFrom oil and gas licenses to heat pumps and recycling to active travel, crucial planks of the government’s climate policy framework are coming under attack from all sides
Tagged under: Climate Change | Net Zero | US Politics
Study: Direct Air Capture costs must fall by 75 per cent to drive widespread adoption
2023-06-05 in Business GreenNascent technology will need to scale at twice the speed seen in the solar sector, consultancy giant BCG warns
Tagged under: Solar Energy | Carbon Capture and Storage
'A different kind of representation': New BCC Council promises to 'speak up' on net zero
2023-06-05 in Business GreenBritish Chamber of Commerce announces new group that aims to 'shape national debate' on key business issues, including the net zero transition
Tagged under: Net Zero
Energy Minister: 'We will never license oil and gas development in the UK that isn't compatible with net zero'
2023-05-25 in Business GreenGraham Stuart insists new oil and gas licenses are compatible with UK climate goals, as he argues UK can continue to attract green investment without engaging in 'subsidy race'
Tagged under: Net Zero
IEA: How global clean energy investment is 'significantly' outpacing fossil fuel spending
2023-05-25 in Business GreenThe clean energy transition is moving 'faster than many people realise' according to IEA - yet is still off the pace for meeting 1.5C goal
Tagged under: Fossil Fuels
Meatable hails cultivated meat breakthrough
2023-05-23 in Business GreenCultivated meat producer announces it has developed process to create cultivated pork in just eight days ahead of planned mass market retail launch in 2025
From fossil gas to clean tech supply chains: Five key green takeaways from Japan's G7 Summit
2023-05-23 in Business GreenThe G7 economies remained steadfast in their support for Ukraine, clean energy, and global climate goals, but delivery plans remain somewhat less clear
Tagged under: Japan
Carlton Power and Schroders Greencoat join forces to fuel £200m green hydrogen pipeline
2023-05-23 in Business GreenNew joint venture platform GHECO aims to deliver 500MW of green hydrogen projects across the UK using development expertise from Carlton and financing from Schroders Greencoat
Tagged under: Hydrogen | Net Zero
Study: Two billion people face 'dangerous' temperatures this century without climate policy shift
2023-05-22 in Business GreenCurrent climate policies to expose more than a fifth of humanity to 'dangerously hot' temperatures by 2100, as UK heatwave declared 'no fluke'
'Record order': Volvo Trucks and Holcim ink deal to deploy 1,000 electric HGVs
2023-05-22 in Business GreenLetter of intent to see auto manufacturer provide European building giant with up to 1,000 zero emission trucks by 2030
Tagged under: EVs | Electric Cars
On temperatures, tides, seaweed, and supermarkets
2023-05-18 in Business GreenThe WMO's warning that the 1.5C warming threshold is set to be breached - at least temporarily - hits hard, but the lessons it contains should be obvious by now
Tagged under: Net Zero
Trust is a finite resource
2023-05-12 in Business GreenThe government will try and argue its bonfire of regulations will not weaken environmental protections, just as it is trying to convince people it is serious about onshore wind development - but such gaslighting will be met with a weary scepticism
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
Retained EU Law Bill: Government places hundreds of UK green laws on the chopping board
2023-05-11 in Business GreenLaws, regulations, treaties and decisions related to habitats, air quality, climate change, renewable energy, farming and fishing proposed for scrapheap under government plans
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Farming | Climate Change | Fish
Listed companies to burn through remaining 1.5C carbon budget in 3.5 years, MSCI warns
2023-05-11 in Business GreenLatest analysis of climate commitments from mid- and large-cap firms notes corporate greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise despite surge in new climate targets
Tagged under: Net Zero
'Shambles': Government rows back plans to ditch thousands of EU-derived laws
2023-05-10 in Business GreenBut more than 1,000 EU-derived laws are still set for the chop this year and it remains unclear how many have climate and environmental policy implications
Grid flexibility trials cut Britain's winter electricity use by 3.3GWh
2023-05-10 in Business GreenNational Grid ESO data shows 1.6 million homes and businesses took part in its inaugural Demand Flexibility Services over the winter period
Tagged under: Electricity | Electricity Grid
LinkedIn calls for green upskilling, as demand for sustainability roles grows
2023-04-30 in Business GreenNew data reveals demand in the green labour market is accelerating faster than supply, fuelling fears of a sustainability skills bottleneck
Tagged under: Sustainability
Electric fleets: Biffa revs up plans for electric bin lorries
2023-04-28 in Business GreenAnnouncement comes as IKEA advances plans for zero emission fleet and official sales figures for EVs continue to soar
Tagged under: Electric Cars | EVs
European Council green lights moves to reform and extend carbon market
2023-04-26 in Business GreenSweeping reforms expected to push up price of carbon, extend market to cover shipping, buildings, and road transport, and pave way for carbon border adjustment tariffs
Government eyes reforms to crucial clean power auctions
2023-04-17 in Business GreenGovernment says potential reforms to flagship Contracts for Difference scheme would 'improve energy security and drive investment', but industry fears upcoming auction faces severe cost challenges
'Accelerate the phase out': How the G7 cooled on fossil fuels as the answer to the energy crisis
2023-04-17 in Business GreenG7 Energy and Environment Ministers acknowledge energy crisis requires reduction in global gas demand and reiterate support for clean tech, but stop short of setting out roadmap for phasing out fossil fuel power
Tagged under: COP28 | Fossil Fuels
'Unfair costs': Hydrogen heating would push up gas bills, government warned
2023-04-12 in Business GreenOctopus Energy, E3G, and Green Alliance write to government warning against plans to blend hydrogen into gas network
Tagged under: Hydrogen
'Green Day': Boulevard of Deferred Dreams
2023-03-31 in Business GreenYesterday's 'Green Day' package offered the good, the bad, and the ugly of the UK's climate policy programme
Tagged under: Net Zero
'Green Day'? Fears grow government is to prioritise fossil fuel projects in upgraded climate strategy
2023-03-27 in Business GreenReports suggest Number 10 wants to rebadge much-anticipated 'Green Day' package of decarbonisation policies as 'Energy Security Day' and ensure a lead role for new gas projects
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Net Zero | Decarbonisation
Small modular reactors are a high-risk and expensive pursuit
2023-03-24 in Business GreenNext-generation nuclear technologies will divert resources away from cheaper options that can more quickly contribute to energy security and climate goals, argues Andrew Warren
Tagged under: Nuclear Power
NatWest confirms it is to stop lending to oil and gas projects
2023-02-10 in Business GreenBanking giant sets out flurry of fresh green financing commitments as it gears up to release its first Climate Transition Plan next week, but campaigners argue it could pull forward new pledges
UN chief: Fossil fuel firms without credible net zero plans 'should not be in business'
2023-02-06 in Business GreenUN Secretary General António Guterres calls on governments, businesses, and investors to urgently step up action to deliver on climate and biodiversity goals
Tagged under: COP28 | Net Zero
Report: Paying farmers to sequester CO2 far cheaper than carbon capture tech
2023-01-20 in Business GreenSupporting farmers to manage land to expand carbon sinks offers a far cheaper route to net zero than scaling up bioenergy with carbon capture technologies, Green Alliance study argues
Tagged under: Farming | Land Use | Net Zero
'Economic and environmental wrecking ball': Study tots up £83bn cost of Retained EU Law Bill
2023-01-18 in Business GreenEnvironmental and business groups urge government to ditch plans for bonfire of retained EU law ahead of Commons debate today
Tagged under: Wildlife
Government confirms expanded ban on single use plastics
2023-01-14 in Business GreenNew ban on single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, and some types of polystyrene cups and food containers to come into effect from October
Good Energy snaps up heat pump installer Igloo Works
2022-12-05 in Business GreenGreen energy company looks to secure a leading position in the rapidly-growing clean heating market
Report: UK carbon regulator needed to combat 'inconsistent' industrial CO2 reporting
2022-10-31 in Business GreenHeavy industry requires simplified and consistent carbon measuring methodologies if UK is to reach net zero, warns Energy Systems Catapult
Tagged under: Net Zero | Sustainability
Is the government about to 'blow a hole' in the UK's net zero strategy?
2022-10-11 in Business GreenThe government's 'attack on nature' and its opposition to new solar farms could have serious consequences for the UK's long-term net zero strategy
Tagged under: Solar Energy | Farming | Net Zero
'Our fields shouldn't be full of solar panels': Truss vows to crackdown on renewables development
2022-08-02 in Business GreenLatest Tory leadership race hustings sees favourite double down on support for domestic fossil fuel extraction
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Solar Energy
Report: Local authorities 'unprepared' for EV transition
2022-07-15 in Business GreenA lack of local investment and awareness means local authorities could struggle to adequately support the switch to EVs and the target to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030
Tagged under: Electric Cars | EVs | Cars
The cost of not zero
2022-07-11 in Business GreenThe Conservative Party leadership race is fuelling fears the government could dilute its decarbonisation efforts - such a move would amount to a catastrophic economic and strategic error
Tagged under: Net Zero | Decarbonisation
Not so moral money?
2022-05-20 in Business GreenStuart Kirk's insistence investors do not need to worry about climate risk fundamentally misunderstands both climate change and risk
Tagged under: Climate Change
Teesside net zero cluster earmarked for £150m 'carbon-free' liquid gas production plant
2022-05-18 in Business GreenJoint venture Circular Fuels aiming to have 'world-first' renewable LPG production plant operating in Teesside by 2024 capable of turning waste into 'net zero' fuel
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Net Zero
'This will encourage the world to go for green solutions': Boris Johnson touts plan for fresh UK energy supply strategy
2022-03-07 in Business GreenUK may look to domestic oil and gas sources to reduce reliance on Russia in short term, but Prime Minister insists government will not be abandoning net zero transition
Tagged under: Net Zero | Vladimir Putin | Russia
'We are our own worst enemy': Could mindfulness and compassion help accelerate climate action?
2022-03-07 in Business GreenA growing body of evidence argues personal mental health is deeply connected to wider policy failures – could embedding mindfulness teaching into society improve our responses?
Tagged under: Health
How to fight an economic war
2022-03-03 in Business GreenThe scale of the changes required to end European reliance on Russian fossil fuels are unprecedented and far bigger than many realise - what is needed is an economic war effort
Tagged under: Fossil Fuels | Net Zero | Russia
Heat pumps are suitable for all types of housing, government-backed study concludes
2021-12-17 in Business GreenFindings deliver blow to claims that heat pumps will only be able to decarbonise certain types of homes
Tagged under: Housing
Government preps autumn green bond and pension push, but tensions over net zero plans remain
2021-09-06 in Business GreenDebate over how to fund raft of net zero programmes looks set to dominate the coming months
Tagged under: COP26 | Rishi Sunak | Net Zero | Finance
'A pathway to a brighter future': IEA unveils landmark net zero global energy roadmap
2021-05-18 in Business GreenDelivering net zero energy is achievable but 'perhaps the greatest challenge humankind has ever faced', says IEA
Tagged under: COP26 | Net Zero | Finance
In defence of net zero
2021-04-30 in Business GreenConcerns about the efficacy of net zero targets are justified, but could condemnation of the concept from Greta Thunberg and others inadvertently serve to undermine efforts to decarbonise?
Tagged under: Greta Thunberg | COP26 | Net Zero
Business Green
2020-09-22 (or before) in Business GreenThe UK's leading source of information for the green economy, delivering the latest news and in-depth analysis on green business and environmental issues.
Tagged under: Climate Change | Sustainability
Emissions goals impossible without plastic reduction, think tank warns
2020-09-21 in Business GreenOverseas Development Institute warns fossil fuel emissions from plastic will rise three-fold by 2050 unless current trends are addressed
Tagged under: Fossil Fuels
BP confirms job cuts, reasserts clean energy pledge
2020-06-09 in Business GreenOil major announces it is to cut around 10,000 jobs globally, as CEO predicts coronavirus crisis will accelerate company's transition towards cleaner energy sources
Tagged under: BP | Predictions
NortH2: Shell unveils plans for 'Europe's largest green hydrogen project'
2020-02-28 in Business GreenShell, Gasunie, and Groningen Seaports launch ambitious plans to build green hydrogen hub for northern Europe
Tagged under: Shell | Hydrogen
£30bn pension partnership promises to align holdings with Paris Agreement goals
2020-01-27 in Business GreenBrunel Pension Partnership also promises to ditch asset managers who fail to act on climate
Tagged under: Pensions | The Paris Agreement | Disinvestment
We're falling short on SDG7, but we can fix it
2019-06-05 in Business GreenJeremy Leggett surveys global progress against SDG7, and considers what must happen to deliver on the targets by 2030
Tagged under: Solar Energy
Persimmon admits lobbying government to axe zero carbon homes goal
2019-03-13 in Business GreenGiving evidence to BEIS committee, major housebuilder admits it was in favour of scrapping zero carbon policy as part of push to unlock construction of more new homes
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