Sustainable News
Our news page gets behind the daily headlines of NET ZERO to focus on the everyday activities that combine to generate 'circularity' from the take-make-waste linear economy to the truly circular economy.
for businesses on the move!
We've teamed up with Trainline
Trainline tell us they have recently improved their corporate rail travel platform to provide businesses with the best tools and information to help manage staff journeys by public transport door to door.
With major investments on most of the UK's main line and many regional railways, business managers will find the new platform dovetails effectively into a quick and easy travel option. Not only does this help reduce carbon emissions, but it also eases congestion and fosters a sense of community among commuters.
News February 2024
With COP28 receding into the background what events are happening with the punch, the power from its delegates to take forward the key outputs of COP28 and, significantly create the essential drive to cascade them through industry, commerce and government.
A series of events are taking place throughout 2024 which focus on the key takeaways from COP28
- 28-29 April 2024 - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy Development
- 6th - 8th May 2024 - New York, USA - Industry Strategy Meeting
- 28-30th May 2024 - San Francisco, USA - Global Technology Retreat
- 23-27th September 2024 -New York, USA - Sustainable Development Impact Meetings
Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy Development
Over 700 leaders from all industry sectors, commerce and government will participate in comprehensive dialogue expected to leverage global cooperation in issues of economic development, strengthen the purpose and intent of sustainable energy transition and hear of further technological advancements.
Industry Strategy Meeting
This in-person meeting will create something of an engine room where chief strategy officers from industry communities, senior representatives from government, academia, civil society and the World Economic Forum Innovators communities will debate the meetings theme: Shaping Business Transformation in an Era of Disruption.
Global Technology Retreat
The meeting will draw from the key lessons and takeaways from Davos 2024 providing an vital platform that will enable executives responsible for corporate strategy to engage in a series of peer-to-peer exchanges that will have the potential to map the future of their companies, their industries and significantly forge new partnerships and advance the collective action and impact agenda.
The retreat will bring together over 200 technology leaders and experts into dialogue with the Forum's network of 19 national and sub-national centres across five continents to foster connections between global and local technology agendas. In these exciting times, especially around the potential of AI it is anticipated participants will surface new insights, align on mutual priorities and accelerate responsible adoption and application of technology through active exchange and collaboration.
Sustainable Development Impact Meetings
During the week of 23-27 September 2024, on the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly, and in particular against the backdrop of the Summit of the Future taking place on the 22-23 September the World Economic Forum will host the Sustainable Development Impact Meetings.
Drawing on the Forum’s dedicated communities of purpose, business leaders, policymakers, international and civil society organizations, innovators and social entrepreneurs will convene in person for a series of carefully curated impact-driven leaders’ dialogues.
News January 2024
Our early news for 2024 continue the important outputs of COP28 at Davos
5 minute read
Davos Integrators set to drive COP28 Roadmap
- COP28 DUBAI - 5 Takeaways from this important step in managing Climate Change
- World Economic Forum - Davos - A Long-Term Strategy for Climate, Nature and Energy
Five Key Takeaways from COP28
Comment: Although these are global affirmations, there is no doubt that SME's at every level will be affected through the value chains.
1. Taking Stock of Actions - course correct climate action through the Global Stock Take (GST)
2. Tripling renewables, doubling efficiency - a massive build up our of new energy infrastructure in particular clean power
3. Reshaping demand to slash emissions in agriculture - integrate Resilient Foods System and Climate Actions
4. Enabling an holistic nature and climate action agenda -create extensive and far reaching interventions towards a nature positive economy by 2030
5. Addressing adaption and supporting the most vulnerable - the GST defined seven targets as part of the Global Goal to Adaption which needs $300m annually.
What is Still Needed
The UAE Consensus - just like the Paris Agreement is not legally binding, therefore there is a pressing need to define a road map for this transition and to ensure a swift and effective implementation of the GST by nations.
With much to do, major events such as the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos will draw international organisations, global companies, relevant civil society and academic institutions plus more than 100 governments.
We are speeding towards 2030 - We have not done enough, we must do more.
World Economic Forum Davos 15-19 January 2024
Comment:
The output of the climate, nature and energy theme will move through value chains at a rapid pace, SME's need to prepare today!
A Long-Term Strategy for Climate, Nature and Energy - One of four major themes for discussion at the Forum.
The summary of the theme is summed up as:
How can we develop a long-term systemic approach to achieve the objectives of a carbon-neutral and nature-positive world by 2050 while providing affordable, secure and inclusive access to energy, food and water?
How do we balance these trade-offs to achieve social consensus? Read more here of how the theme has been developed during the Forum.
The key issue identified at the close of COP28 was to develop a road map.
That issue is the scope of the Davos theme which has been readily adopted by integrating the work of multiple purpose-driven Forum initiatives, including:
The Davos Forum has included two snapshots of both organisations:
The CEO Climate Leaders Alliance in a Snapshot
- 120+ Companies
- 26 Countries
- 12 Industries
- 9 Million Employees
Alliance Objective
To build an influential network of business leaders from diverse industry sectors and regions, with the power to accelerate the pace of climate action within our value chains and in the markets in which we operate.
Comment:
There is a huge opportunity in this objective which many of our partners such as BSI and the Soil Association are tackling head on

Takeaway #3 of COP28
Soil Association welcomes cash boost and incentives for nature-friendly farming
Discover how the Soil Association is tackling this major issue in their NEWS posted January 2024
First Movers Coalition in a Snapshot
- 90+ Active members
- $16 billion Annual Clean Demand in 2030
- 31M tonnes Annual Emission Reductions in 2030
Coalition Mission
By 2050, 50 percent of emissions reductions needed to achieve net zero are expected to come from technologies not yet available at scale. Building early market demand for such technologies by 2030 will be critical to catalyze their commercial adoption.
Comment:
Our key industries including aerospace, aviation, automotive and nuclear especially micro reactors all have major programmes underway. Such is the nature and scale of these industries international co-operation, long recognised as a fundamental, will continue to bring the kind of scale required by the First Movers Coalition Roadmap.
Summary:
If you are an SME then the message we convey from COP28 and Davos is:
Contact BSI Training Academy which offers a complete set of standards that match the aspirations of sustainability on every front including the Circular Economy.
Or, if you are interested in Certification for food, farming, forestry, fashion and textiles, health and beauty contact the Soil Association
Discover how BSI can help you become a sustainable organisation, click on this link to learn more
BSI is making a PAS (Publicly Available Specification) for Energy Related Consumer Products. At present the specification is in its final stages before publication.
PAS 7770:2024 will provide an holistic framework for businesses of all sizes to assess a products environmental impact across its full life cycle.
The guide will create an overarching standard for net zero in products in relation to the four R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Renew.
News December 2023
COP28 DUBAI
From 30 November to 12 December, COP28 brings together the parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These include the EU and all EU member states. We're focusing on this all important global event.
Raising ambition
In his address to the COP28 plenary, President Charles Michel called for increased and rapid global action to keep the global temperature rise within 1.5 degrees. He declares
"The Earth belongs to our children. This is not an advertising slogan; it is an existential reality. The decade ahead is crucial, and we are fully mobilised to work with each of you to protect humanity".
COP28 GOALS
The presidency’s plan of action to deliver on the pillars of the Paris Agreement focuses on four areas:
- fast-tracking the energy transition
- fixing climate finance
- putting nature, people, lives and livelihoods at the heart of climate action
- underpinning everything with full inclusivity
COP28 Initial Targets
- triple renewable energy
- double energy efficiency
Dubai Nov 30th Source: Reuters
COP28 kicks off with climate disaster fund victory
- U.S., UK, Japan, UAE among first to announce new contributions
- Countries and oil companies urged to work together
- To date some $425million dollars have been announced with, it is hoped more to follow.
Dubai Dec 2nd Source: Reuters
Countries promise clean energy boost at COP28 to push out fossil fuels
- 118 countries back pledge to triple world's clean power
- Goal would slash fossil fuel use this decade, cut methane emissions
- Smaller club of countries plan to scale up nuclear energy
COP28 focus on health draws $777 million to fight tropical disease
DUBAI, Dec 3 (Reuters)
The United Arab Emirates and several charities at the U.N. climate summit on Sunday offered $777 million in financing for eradicating neglected tropical diseases that are expected to worsen as temperatures climb.
The pledges, made as the COP28 summit on Sunday focused on climate-related health risks, included $100 million from the UAE and another $100 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
COP28 EU Energy Days focus on clean energy transition after launch of Global Pledge on Renewables and Energy Efficiency
DUBAI, Dec 4 (EU Directorate-General for Energy)
Today and tomorrow (4-5 December), the European
Commission is hosting the EU Energy Days at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai. For the first time, this high-level conference will take place over two days and feature 9 sessions, broadcasted from the EU Pavilion in Dubai.
The events take place after 121 countries signed up to the Global Pledge on Renewables and Energy Efficiency, an initiative launched jointly by the EU and COP28 presidency and presented by President von der Leyen at the World Climate Action Summit over the weekend.
DUBAI, Dec 5(EU Directorate-General for Energy)
The EU Energy Days Sessions included
4 December
- Powering the clean energy transition
- The first fuel revolution: accelerating energy efficiency for a sustainable future (co-hosted with the IEA)
- Methane emissions abatement: international cooperation and new business opportunities
- Clean Energy Partnership high-level dialogue: a sustainable recovery for Ukraine
5 December 2023
The EU and its global partners unleashing the clean energy transition
- Localising energy: cities and companies teaming up for the local energy transition
- Clean tech funding for Net Zero
- Just transition: building the workforce of tomorrow (EU Coal Regions in Transition joint event)
- Shaping the clean energy system of tomorrow (a dedicated youth session)
DUBAI Dec 6 -We Mean Business Coalition
Fossil Fuel Phase Out is Possible Option at COP28
We mean Business Coalition is a collaboration, a core group of seven business-focused climate nonprofit organizations to accelerate the transition to a just and climate resilient net zero economy.
We Mean Business Coalition has developed a set of principles, with advice from leading experts including SBTi and ETC, that establish a North-Star for fossil fuel phase-out across oil and gas producers, corporate energy consumers, government and finance.
The principles outline the clear and credible action needed from these key actors to decarbonize the global energy system by the 2040s at the very latest.
Tomorrow 7 December is a rest day for the Dubai UN Climate Change Conference
Dubai 8 December (Exponential Road Map
Science, business and civil society unite behind the call to phase out fossil fuels
Experts had called COP28 the most important conference since Paris even before it had started. Now, as this UN climate change conference goes into its decisive phase, a broad alliance of scientists, business and civil society says this COP marks a legacy moment which determines the fate of our future generations.
"This must be the mitigation moment starting the end of the fossil fuel era," said leading climate scientist Johan Rockström earlier today. But governments remain divided on how to formulate their reaction to the Global Stocktake or GST. This 5-year-process mandated by the Paris Agreement concluded for the first time this year and said, to no one's surprise, that implementation is lacking across all areas and that we need a systems transformation to achieve the agreement's goals and limit global warming to as close as possible to 1.5°C.
COP28 9 December Dubai
Companies are looking for emerging standards and policy to formulate transition plans to eliminate Fossil Fuel
What is happening during the final days of COP28?
The political phase of the UN Climate Change Conference is now well underway, with round-the-clock efforts to agree on a decision text, particularly on outstanding issues, including the global stocktake, adaptation and finance.
Ministers from different regions are appointed to help push the negotiations forward.
“If we want to save lives now, and keep 1.5 within reach, the highest ambition COP outcomes must stay front and centre in these negotiations,” said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell.
Source: UN Climate Change Conference - United Arab Emirates - LIVE BLOG
Comment: The background leading up to this conference has seen a great deal of positive actions - but we still have a long way to go. If anything real is to emerge from COP28 it will be combined action to phase out fossil fuel.
The data below is courtesy of the United Nations Climate Action Solutions
Posted at 8:04
BBC NEWS
Summary
- A new deal has been agreed at the UN climate summit in Dubai after days of negotiations
- For the first time, the deal calls on all countries to move away from the use of fossil fuels - but not to phase them out, something many governments wanted
- The text recognises the need for deep, rapid and sustained reductions if humanity is to limit temperature rises to 1.5C
- "Together we have confronted realities and we have set the world in the right direction," COP28 president Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber says
- At no previous conference of the parties, or COP, have nations agreed on a concerted move away from oil, gas and coal
- But some countries are critical - with Samoa saying island nations badly-hit by climate change were "not in the room" when the text was approved
- Burning fossil fuels drives global warming, risking millions of lives. So far, governments have never collectively agreed to stop using them
Courtesy of BBC News Live Reporting from Dubai 8.04am 13-12-2023
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News Snippets November 2023
The transport industry is making huge strides forward in new technology to reduce carbon output. This month's snippets pick up on rail and air travel with focus on how electricity is changing the ways we travel
Electrification - a rolling programme
By March 2023 70% of all railway passenger train propulsion is by electric power. These trains operate on just 38% of rail infrastructure on the main north - south routes and across the south east network.
The government is recommended by its Parliamentary Committee to commence a 30 year rolling programme of electrification. Such a move will create jobs, expertise and cost reduction as the industry learns how to deliver lower costs per kilometre.
The Committee compared progress in Germany which has benefitted from a 50 year rolling programme where 61% of its infrastructure is now electric with a significantly lower cost per kilometre.
UK investment in high speed trains
South Eastern - metro, main line and high speed with new, upgraded and refurbished trains plus tenders for between 350 and 570 EMUs. The final phase of Greater Anglia’s £1.4 billion fleet replacement programme began in April 2023. New trains are now operating on suburban, intercity and express routes. LNER have 65 Azuma trains and confirm this month an order with CAF for ten Tri-mode trains that can run on battery, diesel or electric. LNER announce new services and longer trains starting in December 2023. West Coast Mainline is introducing 23 new Hitachi trains as part of a £350m investment plus its £117m refurbishment programme for the popular Pendolinos. North Wales will be serviced by the new Class 805 bi-mode train. The company aim to be Net Zero by 2031.
Alice - a revolution in air travel
Over half of all air travel is under 500 miles. With a range of 300 miles Alice, an all electric 9 seater commuter aircraft is due to enter service in 2027. The aircraft has a $5Billion order book as of October 2023. Operating costs are said to be between 30% and 70% of conventional aircraft.
A 100 seater electric plane by 2027
October 2023 saw the launch of a 1000 Wh/kg battery initiative by Wright Batteries. This size of battery could enable a paradigm shift in decarbonization. The first roll out is targeted for 2027 with the company retrofitting a BAe 146 100 passenger regional jet for one hour low emission flights. Evaluation is ongoing with major regional airlines to define requirements and routes.
Inspiration
Sustainability literally is WORLD NEWS.........
EFQM Herald New Era in
Organizational Performance
Easy integration & application
October 2023
EFQM was delighted to premier its new ‘Insights’ video at the hugely successful ‘2nd Edition of the Middle East Summit’ in Abu Dhabi a few weeks ago.
Vinciane Beauduin
Global Head of Digital Services
EFQM Brussels
Direction Execution Results
The EFQM Model, a globally recognised Framework supports organisations in managing change and improving performance. The new model, introduced in 2020 simplifies the approach creating the cornerstone from which the new insights analysis builds.
Magic Ingredients
To help demonstrate some of the powerful analysis that EFQM has undertaken from this unique dataset, we are pleased to make available, for the very first time, a FREE downloadable interactive PDF 'Insights for organisational performance improvement and transformation’ brochure. This brochure provides a deep dive into some of the key data conclusions and what ‘the magic ingredients’ are for successful organisations. These ‘magic ingredients’ are the building blocks for your organisation to progress, transform and sustain outstanding performance.
Driven by the EFQM Model, the AssessBase provides true insight and analysis.
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Globally Sustainable
Discover the Facts
Follow the Experts
UK News
UK
Renewable Energy 2023
Renewable Energy Sources 2022
- Bioenergy 63%
- Wind and Marine 26%
- Heat Pumps 5%
- Solar PV, thermal and geothermal 4%
- Hydro 2%
Electricity Generation 2022
Electrical Generation from renewable sources in 2022 in TWh
- Onshore Wind 35.2
- Offshore 45.0
- Solar PV 13.3
- Hydro 5.7
- Landfill Gas 3.1
- Other BioEnergy 32.7
Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero UK Energy Brief 2023
Energy Efficiency Measure
2000 to 2022
Industrial Energy 140 - 77.0
Domestic Energy 1.9 - 1.2
Service Sector 19.8 - 13.6
Road Passenger 41.5 - 36.8
Road Freight 81.4 - 85.9
Explanation of measures
These figures, in an abbreviated form, give a broad indication of how efficiently energy is used over time. Energy consumption per unit of output is known as energy intensity. Learn more here
In 2023 COP28 is seeking to double energy efficiency - there is opportunity in each of the five measures.
Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero UK Energy Brief 2023
Things that can
make you think!
Being sustainable helps us all in so many ways.
Click any element in the matrix to find out more
| Home | Health | Family | Wellness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Diet | Hobbies | Well Being |
| Heat | Fitness | Relaxation | Quality of Life |
| Water | Stress | Short Breaks | Natural Pleasure |
| Household | Reflection | Wildlife | Be Creative |
The world is in our Hands
Act local - think global
UN Goal of the Month
Goal 5: Gender Equality
"Half of humanity can’t wait centuries for their rights. We need equality now. That means accelerating the pace of progress. And that relies on political ambition, and on investment – the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres
Five organisations we are partnering with. Each one is internationally recognised, each one is a trend setter.
Home News
Wild Nutrition
Mono diets are a modern day issue and one which can affect the supplements you take. In this article, Head of Nutrition, Lorna Driver-Davies, is going to be talking about the problem of the mono diet and why it makes it important to be consistent about taking your supplements.
Often people who would put themselves in the bracket of eating really well, in my long experience as a nutritional therapist, fall into the category of having a mono diet. Healthy diet is something we all want to enjoy. If you feel that I can help please contact me by clicking the button below.
Evolve Beauty
COSMOS is a Brussels based non-profit international, fully independent association, its signature is a 'consumer guarantee' for organic and natural cosmetics. In short it is a global standard you can trust with over 56,000 products and raw material carrying the COSMOS Signature.
A number of our health and beauty partners hold COSMOS Certification including Evolve Beauty which has the COSMOS Signature on its skin care, cleansing oil, haircare, body care and deodorant products.
Soil Association
In a new move Soil Association scientists are using satellite technology to monitor grass biomass in farmers fields. Known as the
Pastoral Project
the technology tests the use of satellite imagery (optical and radar) and modelling to estimate grass biomass availability (kg DM /ha) at a field level. Of immense help to dairy and beef farms to give stock the best grass to graze
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Progress to a Sustainable Future
