Millions of people in UK towns and cities are living in ‘tree deserts’, where a lack of trees is leaving communities more exposed to poorer health outcomes, air pollution and rising temperatures, according to new figures published by the Woodland Trust. Research by the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity reveals stark inequalities in access to the benefits urban trees provide, highlighting a significant north-south divide across the UK, with 15 of the UK’s 20 worst p

Duni Group’s new assured carbon footprint calculator provides consistent and data driven carbon footprint insights for the company’s own produced napkins and table covers. This tool makes it easier for customers to make informed, more sustainable choices and reduce their climate impact. An example of how companies can use their work with science based targets to create value for customers. As demand for product level CO₂ data continues to grow, transparency and consistency

Virgin Media O2 is pledging to help 500,000 low income households stay connected as part of its new ESG strategy, the ‘Responsible Business Plan’. Through the new strategy, the operator is embedding ESG into every aspect of the business, taking greater ownership over the full lifecycle of its operations – from how its network is built and run, to the impact its products and services have on people’s lives. This includes reducing its environmental impact, making connecti

UK infrastructure should be primed to support a wave of policy initiatives that may increase demand to recycle flexible plastic packaging domestically, according to David Gudgeon, head of external affairs at Eurokey, a brand by Reconomy, the international circular economy specialist. These policy initiatives include Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the Plastic Packaging Tax and Simpler Recycling. While these reforms aim to improve consistency in collections

PPWR is establishing harmonised packaging requirements across the European Union, accelerating the shift towards recyclable packaging. Fibre based innovation is essential in translating these regulatory requirements into scalable solutions, such as Muoto, which extends fibre into applications previously dominated by plastic. Metsä Board has been showcasing Muoto on its stand at the recent at Interpack 2026, highlighting how fibre based materials can be applied in new packag

Topsoe has entered into an agreement with Texas based, BioVeritas, a sustainable fuels and chemicals technology company commercialising a platform to unlock advantaged feedstocks for existing infrastructure. The agreement will enable fuel producers to license Topsoe’s HydroFlex technology alongside the BioVeritas Process to produce renewable fuels from second generation feedstocks, such as woody biomass, corn stover, wheat straw, and similar waste and residual biomass. The

Stora Enso has announced Bergslagets Skogar as the new name of its Swedish forest asset company. The announcement marks an important step in its preparations to separate its Swedish forest assets into a standalone listed company, subject to relevant approvals. Bergslagets Skogar represents Stora Enso’s Swedish forest asset entity, comprising long term, sustainably managed forest land with a history of active ownership extending back to year 1288. The name reflects both the

A British company leading the charge against environmentally destructive throwaway technology has opened a ReCycle facility to meet increasing demand from OEM customers. The £1.5 million facility is powered using sustainable electronics innovator In2tec’s ReUse and ReCycle technologies, allowing it to undertake component recovery and remanufacturing on behalf of customers. Emma Armstrong, sustainable electronics ambassador, said: ‘Component recovery at scale needs a different

RO Group recently collaborated with NatWest and the Supply Chain Sustainability School to showcase its flagship Milton Keynes office property, Silbury House, as part of an initiative focused on how corporate investors can translate sustainability strategy into practical action across real estate portfolios. As part of the programme, a webinar on ‘Sustainable Assets for Large Corporate Investors in Real Estate’ was held on Tuesday 28 April, bringing together industry leaders

At a time when sustainability commitments are coming under pressure across some of the UK’s biggest businesses, small businesses in the manufacturing sector are holding firm. New research from Novuna Business Finance finds that despite the worries over rising inflation, energy prices and supply chain disruption, many manufacturing small businesses remain committed to making practical progress on sustainability in 2026. The Novuna Business Finance research points to a manufa

A recent Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) survey shows concern on climate is declining. Despite this, expectations of action remain: 35% of investors still want HL to prioritise climate engagement, pointing to a growing gap between attention and accountability. This comes as climate tensions in finance escalate, with banks softening policies, protests disrupting AGMs, and most of the public (76%) unaware that climate commitments are being scaled back. Tara Irwin, senior ESG anal

Tropical rainforest loss fell 36% in 2025 from the record high of 2024, according to new data from the University of Maryland’s GLAD (Global Land Analysis & Discovery) Lab, available on World Resources Institute’s Global Forest Watch platform and Global Nature Watch. The findings suggest that strong policies and enforcement can curb forest loss. However, climate driven fires are a dangerous new normal, threatening to reverse recent gains. In 2025, the world lost 4.3 milli

Virgin Media O2 is doubling down on its commitments to use renewable energy and to achieve net zero carbon emissions after agreeing a long term Power Purchase Agreement with egg Power. Under the 10 year agreement, egg Power will supply Virgin Media O2 with solar energy from its new solar farm in Suffolk, which is expected to become operational in 2027. The project is expected to provide around 5% of Virgin Media O2’s total energy supply. This agreement builds on Virgin

ChargePoint has introduced Express Solo: a fast, standalone EV charger, capable of delivering a 600kW charging speed. Express Solo will be ChargePoint’s first DC charger to also be sold across Europe. Delivering high power, scalable EV charging in a single compact cabinet, installation is now possible in tight spaces, at lower construction costs, all while increasing charging speed. Express Solo delivers approximately 40% higher power density than other DC charging solution

Exchange for Change (the UK DRS operator) has confirmed that a flat 20p deposit will be applied to all in-scope containers as part of the upcoming deposit return scheme (DRS). Commenting on the announcement, Travis Way, managing director at RVM experts EcoVend, part of international circular economy specialists Reconomy, said: ‘While much of the industry had anticipated a flat 20p deposit, its confirmation is a helpful step forward for businesses preparing for the UK’s Depo