Beyond GDP: Could the UN Make a Greener Economic Metric a Reality?
A UN‑appointed panel of economists and statisticians released a comprehensive report outlining a new “wellbeing economy” framework that expands economic measurement to include human and planetary health. The proposal recommends integrating natural‑capital accounting, circular‑economy indicators, and social inclusion metrics alongside traditional output figures. While the framework promises a more holistic view of prosperity, its adoption hinges on global consensus, data‑collection capacity, and political commitment. Critics caution that without rigorous standards the metric could become a symbolic rather than actionable tool.
Fieldwork Robotics Secures £3m Backing to Trial Berry-Picking Robots on UK Farms
Fieldwork Robotics has secured more than £3 million (about $3.8 million) in investment and grant funding to launch field trials of its berry‑picking robots on UK farms. The round was led by climate‑technology investor Elbow Beach, which contributed £2.2 million (~$2.8 million). The capital...
Instavolt Unveils Plan to Install Battery Storage Systems Across Charging Network
Instavolt announced a £2.5 million (≈ $3.2 million) investment to install battery energy storage systems across its EV charging network, starting with five sites and targeting at least 20 more before year‑end. The BESS rollout aims to smooth demand spikes, enable faster charging...
Analysis: Oil and Gas Majors Slashed Low Carbon Spending by 65 per Cent in 2025
Bloomberg New Energy Finance reports that seven leading oil and gas majors reduced their low‑carbon investment by 65% in 2025, marking the steepest decline since 2019. The cut brings total spending on clean‑energy projects to its lowest level in six...
Whitley Fund for Nature Awards: Six Global Projects Recognised for Species Conservation Efforts
The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) has awarded six innovative conservation projects across the globe, each receiving £50,000 (about $63,500) to protect threatened species such as rare frogs, guitar fish, lions and the Galápagos petrel. The initiatives blend scientific research...
Why Do We Ignore Obvious Energy Security Solutions?
Energy‑efficiency measures backed by electrification and digital tools are being sidelined despite their proven ability to cut waste and lower costs. Heat pumps, for example, generate three to four units of heat for each unit of electricity, while AI‑driven controls...
Poll: Majority of UK Public Believes Excessive Oil and Gas Profits Are 'Morally Wrong'
A poll of more than 2,000 UK adults reveals that a clear majority consider it morally wrong for oil and gas firms to earn excessive profits amid the current energy crisis sparked by the Iran‑Russia war. Respondents also expressed strong...
Inform, Educate, Entertain: Top TV Production Firms Join Content Climate Pledge
ITV Studios, Fremantle, and Banijay UK have become the first British television production companies to sign the Climate Content Pledge, an initiative spearheaded by BAFTA’s Albert programme. The pledge obliges signatories to embed sustainability into every stage of production, from...
How the Solar and Storage 'Sweet Spot' Could Slash Europe's Energy Costs
SolarPower Europe’s new scenario projects that scaling solar generation together with battery storage across the continent could halve operating costs for power consumers by 2030. The model calls for roughly 300 GW of new solar capacity and 150 GW of storage, backed...
Study: Developing Nations Face $20tr in Losses From Climate-Related Health Impacts by 2050
A new study warns that developing nations could incur up to $20 trillion in health‑related losses from climate change by 2050. The analysis covers Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting that rising heat, vector‑borne diseases,...
UK-US Consortium Targets First Nuclear Fusion Power Plant by Mid-2030s
A UK‑US consortium comprising Bill Gates‑backed Type One Energy, UK‑based Tokamak Energy, and infrastructure firm AECOM announced plans to build the United Kingdom’s first commercial nuclear‑fusion power plant. The partnership targets a mid‑2030s operational date, aiming to deliver a net‑zero...
Tony Blair Institute Urges Europe to Pursue 'Electrostate' Energy Strategy
The Tony Blair Institute released a report urging Europe to adopt an ‘electrostate’ energy strategy that treats the power grid as a strategic asset. It calls for continent‑wide acceleration of transmission upgrades, digital grid tools, and cross‑border interconnections to lower...
Study: UK Food Prices on Track to Surge 50 per Cent over Past Five Years
A new report from the Energy and Climate Impact Unit (ECIU) projects UK food prices will climb roughly 50% over the next five years, outpacing general inflation. The surge is attributed to a "perfect storm" of rising fossil‑fuel costs, climate‑driven...
Global Solar Sector Raises $11.1bn in Funding During First Quarter of 2026
The solar industry secured $11.1 billion in corporate funding during the first quarter of 2026, according to Mercom Capital Group. Debt financing reached its strongest level in more than ten years, reflecting abundant capital and low‑cost borrowing. The surge is attributed...
'Ridiculous Loophole': European Commission Proposes Exempting Leather Industry From Flagship Deforestation Rules
The European Commission has released a draft proposal to exempt the leather sector from the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), aiming to slash compliance costs by about 75 percent. The move would simplify reporting requirements for leather manufacturers but has drawn...
How LocalDutch's Urban Farm Shops Cut Food Miles and Carbon
LocalDutch has launched a network of urban farm shops that bring fresh produce directly into city neighborhoods, dramatically shortening the distance between farm and plate. By situating growing facilities within a few kilometres of consumers, the company reduces average food‑miles...
IEA: No Sign Global Energy-Related Methane Emissions Fell in 2025
The International Energy Agency’s 2025 stocktake shows global energy‑related methane emissions held steady, with no measurable decline despite isolated national initiatives. The agency warns that roughly 70% of methane released from fossil‑fuel operations could be eliminated today using proven technologies...
Global Briefing: White House to Pay $900m to Stop Two More US Offshore Wind Projects
The White House has agreed to pay roughly $900 million to energy developers to abandon two pending U.S. offshore wind projects. The payouts cover sunk costs, lease obligations and contractual penalties, effectively terminating the projects before construction begins. The move is...
Study: Emissions and Cattle Numbers Decline at England's Farms
A Rothamsted Research modelling study finds that England’s intensively‑farmed areas cut greenhouse‑gas emissions by 18% between 2010 and 2021, alongside a measurable decline in cattle numbers. The analysis attributes the drop to tighter environmental regulations, adoption of precision farming, and...
Why Has NESO Stripped Batteries From Many UK Solar and Wind Projects in the Grid Queue?
National Electricity System Operator (NESO) has stripped grid‑scale battery storage from a large number of solar and wind projects awaiting connection in the UK grid queue. The move follows recent reforms that cleared more than 221 GW of renewable capacity but...
IEA: Battery Recycling Innovation Accelerating Rapidly
A joint European Patent Office and International Energy Agency study shows battery‑circularity patents surged 42% annually from 2017 to 2023, outpacing the 16% growth in rechargeable‑battery patents overall. The report highlights that up to 1.2 million EV batteries will reach end‑of‑life...
Rethinking Business Travel: Why Better Systems Will Lead to Sustainable Routes
Business travel sustainability is shifting from goal‑setting to execution as firms demand reliable emissions data. Trainline Business offers a platform that captures real‑time carbon footprints for each trip, exposing inefficiencies and enabling targeted reductions. The article argues that standardized reporting,...
'Conflict Costs': Failure to Manage Community Opposition a Material Risk for Renewables Developers
Renewable developers are facing a growing, often untracked risk from community opposition, which can trigger costly delays, redesigns, financing penalties and reputational damage. A recent BusinessGreen study warns that these hidden expenses erode the value of clean‑energy portfolios and can...
'As Warm as the African Savannah': Chester Zoo Installs Heat Pumps for Zebras, Ostriches, and Antelopes
Chester Zoo has partnered with Mitsubishi Electric to install two 80 kW air‑source heat pumps that keep the zebra, ostrich and roan antelope enclosure at 18‑24 °C, replicating African savannah conditions. The system uses radiant panels for precise temperature control and joins...
Study: Plant-Based Mince and Meatballs a Third Cheaper than Meat Options
A Good Food Institute study finds that plant‑based mince and meatballs are, on average, 33% cheaper than comparable beef, lamb, or pork dishes such as spaghetti bolognese, lasagne and meatballs. The price gap is driven by volatile meat costs linked...
France Presents 'First of Its Kind' Fossil Fuel Phase-Out Roadmap
France has become the first major economy to publish a comprehensive fossil‑fuel phase‑out roadmap, unveiled at the Santa Marta Conference. The plan calls for ending coal use by 2030, phasing out oil by 2045, and eliminating gas for electricity generation by...
UK Energy Tsar Chris Stark: 'I Don't Worry Too Much About Data Centres'
UK clean‑power tsar Chris Stark told BusinessGreen he isn’t overly concerned that the surge in AI‑driven data‑centre demand will derail Britain’s climate agenda. He argues the nation’s expanding renewable capacity and grid‑flexibility measures can absorb the extra load without compromising...
'Deeply Unjust': Could a Rush for Critical Minerals Harm the World's Most Vulnerable Communities
A new United Nations report warns that the surge in demand for critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt is creating severe, hidden environmental and health crises in low‑income regions of Africa and South America. While wealthy nations benefit from...
Virgin Media O2 Inks 10-Year Solar PPA with Egg Power
Virgin Media O2 has entered a 10‑year power purchase agreement with renewable developer egg Power to buy electricity from a new solar farm in Suffolk. The farm is slated to begin generating power in 2027, providing a long‑term source of...
Study: Fossil Fuel Power Generation Has Peaked in Every OECD Country
A new study finds that every member of the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD) has already peaked in electricity generation from oil, gas and coal. Since the 2007 high‑water mark, fossil‑fuel power output across the 38 economies has...
Can the UK's Data Centre Boom Go Green?
The UK’s data‑centre sector is expanding rapidly, with capacity expected to double by 2030, raising concerns about its electricity demand. Analysts argue that the growth can be aligned with the nation’s net‑zero goals if power‑intensive facilities are powered by renewable...
Chinese Auto Brands Report 210 per Cent Global Growth During March
Chinese EV makers OMODA and JAECOO announced a 210% surge in global sales for March, propelling both brands past the one‑million‑vehicle milestone in under three years. The rapid growth makes them the fastest automotive brands worldwide to hit that volume....
Santa Marta Conference: Legal Experts Warn Governments Have 'Binding Obligations' To Phase Out Fossil Fuels
At the Santa Marta Conference, more than 250 climate‑law specialists warned that governments already carry binding obligations under several strands of international law to phase out fossil fuels. The experts cite the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, human‑rights conventions and emerging...
Are Geopolitical Uncertainty and Rising Costs Slowing the 'Race to Retrofit' Commercial Buildings?
The latest analysis shows the UK’s commercial real‑estate sector saw fewer A, A+ and B Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in 2025 than in the two preceding years, indicating a slowdown in building retrofits. Property owners cite rising material and labour...
Global Briefing: Investment Secured for 'World-First' Green Fertiliser Plant in Paraguay
British clean‑tech developer Atome announced it has secured financing to build the world’s first industrial‑scale green fertiliser plant in Paraguay. The facility will generate ammonia‑based fertiliser using renewable hydrogen powered by the country’s abundant hydroelectric grid. By replacing fossil‑fuel‑derived inputs,...
Aviation and Shipping Emissions Set to Be Included in UK Carbon Budgets
Britain’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed that the UK’s share of international aviation and shipping emissions will be incorporated into its legally binding Carbon Budgets starting in 2033. The move expands the scope of the five‑year emissions...
'Hitting Records Left, Right and Centre': Gas Generation Hits Record Low 1.2 per Cent Share of the Grid
The UK’s power grid approached a fully zero‑carbon moment on Wednesday as gas‑fired generation fell to a historic low of just 1.2% of total electricity output. At the same time, solar production surged to a new record, supplying the bulk...
UK Deposit Return Scheme to Apply Flat 20p Levy for All Materials
The UK Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will impose a flat 20 p (≈$0.25) levy on all eligible single‑use drink containers made of PET plastic, steel or aluminium. The uniform charge takes effect in October 2027 across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. By...
Coffee Industry Coalition Launched to Map Deforestation Across All Growing Regions
A coalition of the world’s largest coffee producers has unveiled an industry‑first initiative to create a comprehensive, satellite‑based map of coffee farms worldwide. The program will pinpoint areas where coffee cultivation has caused forest loss and will partner with national...
Enviromena Inks £825m Financing Package to Accelerate 1GW UK Solar Rollout
Enviromena, a Reading‑based solar and battery developer, has secured an £825 million financing package—approximately $1.06 billion—from a consortium of major banks. The funds are earmarked to fast‑track the company’s 1 GW solar pipeline across the United Kingdom. Enviromena claims the deal is one...
British International Investment Vows to Boost Climate Finance with New £15bn Strategy
British International Investment (BII) unveiled a five‑year climate plan worth roughly $19.2 billion, including a $1.4 billion fund targeting emissions cuts in coal‑dependent nations. The strategy expands financing for renewable energy, energy‑efficiency and climate‑resilient infrastructure while boosting technical assistance and impact‑measurement. In...
Study: Public EV Charging Now Cheaper than Petrol or Diesel for Most Drivers
A new analysis shows that charging an electric vehicle on the public network is now cheaper than fueling a petrol or diesel car in almost every scenario. The cost advantage peaked in May 2024 as oil prices surged following geopolitical...
Underfunded Regulators Risk Stymying Britain's Nuclear Energy Drive
Britain’s nuclear expansion is being hampered by chronically under‑funded regulators who lack the staff and expertise to process licences efficiently. The Labour government’s rhetoric of treating regulators as "blockers" has intensified scrutiny, even as the country pursues ambitious projects like...
Study: Iran War Accelerating China's Solar and Battery Export Boom
China's exports of solar and battery components surged dramatically in March, reaching a record 68 GW of solar capacity—double February's level. The spike was driven by higher oil and gas prices caused by the Iran war, prompting worldwide demand for clean‑energy...
YSL Beauty Lifts the Lid on Its Sustainability Glow Up
YSL Beauty has appointed Dania Blin as its global sustainability and scientific director, tasking her with advancing clean‑beauty, natural‑ingredient, and circularity initiatives. Blin will boost responsibly sourced ingredients, eco‑friendly packaging, refillable formats, and bio‑based materials, aligning with L’Oréal’s ambitious climate...
Mondelēz International Cuts Emissions by a Fifth in 2025
Mondelēz International announced that it reduced greenhouse‑gas emissions across its value chain by just over a fifth in 2025 compared with its 2018 baseline. The cut, roughly 21%, was achieved alongside progress on water stewardship, food‑waste reduction and a shift...
'This Must Be a Wake-Up Call': Brussels Pushes for Faster Clean Power Drive
The European Commission unveiled an emergency policy package aimed at slashing Europe’s reliance on imported fossil fuels. The plan accelerates electrification and renewable‑energy deployment, backed by a €50 billion (≈$54 billion) fund and stricter emissions rules. Member states must revise their energy...
Iran War Fossil Fuel Shock Drives Inflation to 3.3 per Cent
UK consumer price inflation jumped to 3.3% in March, the fastest rise in fuel costs in over three years. The surge is directly linked to the Iran‑related disruption of oil and gas supplies, as the conflict threatens the Strait of...
'Actions Don't Match the Narrative': EV Industry Slams HMRC Appeal Against Public Charging VAT Ruling
The UK tax tribunal ruled that VAT should be removed from public electric‑vehicle chargers, a decision HMRC is now appealing. Industry groups argue the appeal undermines the government’s net‑zero narrative and hurts drivers who cannot charge at home. Ministers have...
UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell: 'Fossil Fuel Stagflation Is Now Stalking Economies'
UN climate chief Simon Stiell warned that the convergence of soaring fossil‑fuel prices and stagnant economic growth—what he calls "fossil fuel stagflation"—is now threatening global economies. He linked the surge to the ongoing Iran‑Israel conflict, which has tightened oil markets...