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

Specsavers has announced that it is funding a full national roll out of its successful recycling boxes across all of its UK stores, offering customers the chance to responsibly manage their unwanted glasses, case and contact lens packaging. The boxes are provided in partnership with MyGroup, a recycling and waste management company that allows hard to recycle plastic that would otherwise end up in landfill to be separated, sorted and recycled. It then transforms the recyc

New research has mapped the scale of microplastics moving from packaging into food and drinks and concluded the process is predictable and preventable. ‘From Pack to Plate’, published by Earth Action in collaboration with rePurpose Global, is the first global synthesis of micro and nano plastics migrating from food packaging. It estimates packaging releases around 1000 tonnes of plastic particles each year. That is roughly equivalent to the weight of more than 600 cars.

The UK Packaging Pact had its official launch at Sustainable Ventures. Attended by founding signatories, the event brought together businesses, governments, and experts to mark the start of a ten year programme to unlock progress towards transforming the UK’s packaging system into a sustainable operation through coordinated action, across multiple sectors. Catherine David, CEO, WRAP, said: ‘The UK Packaging Pact is a unique, complete system approach to unlocking packaging

Improving commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings is becoming a strategic priority for organisations managing property portfolios and compliance risk. With proposed changes to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and increasing scrutiny of non domestic building performance, many businesses are now reassessing EPC exposure across their estates. Yet understanding which building features are holding performance back, and what changes might realistically improve an

Electric vehicle (EV) charge point operator (CPO) Believ has partnered with Mitchells & Butlers, one of the UK’s leading pub and restaurant companies, to deliver fully funded EV charging infrastructure across a significant number of its sites nationwide. Believ’s charge points use 100% renewable electricity, which supports Mitchells & Butlers’ sustainability strategy: helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve its goal of being net zero by 2040. The agreement w

The Arboricultural Association is joining the ‘Big Give Earth Raise’ campaign to raise £5000 in just one week. Every donation to the Championing Trees and Green Equity campaign will be doubled next week thanks to the Big Give’s match fund, making double the difference for the Arb Association. Some communities have five times fewer trees than others and ensuring trees are established requires preparation, aftercare and resources. This campaign will help train volunteers,

Microfibre pollution from large scale laundry operations is emerging as a significant and largely unseen environmental issue. New research led by the University of Portsmouth is using Cleaner Seas Group’s industrial filtration technology – already deployed in commercial settings to better understand the scale of the problem and how it can be prevented before it reaches our waterways. The study builds on previous data that revealed more than 700,000 microfibres can be releas

Wind and solar power have grown faster than almost anyone predicted but projecting their future expansion remains surprisingly difficult. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have developed what they call a computational ‘time machine’ – a model that outperforms existing projection methods by using AI techniques to analyse historical growth patterns across countries. Their central projection shows that onshore wind is likely to supply around 25% of global

On 1 October 2026, Recoup will hold its Plastics Assembly in Peterborough. Created to accelerate practical progress, this one day event is designed for professionals who want to drive real change, connect with peers, and gain fresh insight into the solutions shaping tomorrow’s circular plastics system. Attendees will gain: Direct insight into current and emerging priorities in design, infrastructure, behaviour and policy. Deep dives into the issues shaping the next decade.