Barclays commits to 100% renewable energy by 2030
The British multinational investment bank Barclays has entered RE100, a global initiative committing to source 100% renewable electricity for their global operations by 2030.
Sustainability
Canada launches Climate Action Incentive Fund
The fund will deliver up to $218 million in its first year (2019-2020), funded from the Canadian federal carbon pollution pricing system.
The world’s largest offshore wind farm just came online off the shores of Britain
The massive wind farm now has 50 of 174 turbines spinning. When completed, the project will have more than double the capacity of the current largest offshore installation.
Finland commits to be carbon neutral by 2035
Finland will go carbon neutral by 2035, under a coalition deal published on Monday, setting one of the world’s earliest timelines for reaching that mark.
U.K. government announces ban on all plastic straws, cotton buds and drink stirrers
The ban will come into place in April 2020 and will be applied throughout towns and cities in England.
Morrisons to become first U.K. supermarket to offer plastic-free fruit and vegetables
The British supermarket will offer 127 loose fruit and veg varieties over the next year. The fruit and veg will either be sold in recyclable paper bags or loose.
Glasgow commits to be U.K.’s first net-zero city
Susan Aitken, Glasgow City Council leader, said: “We need to be a Net Zero city. And we need to be the U.K.’s first Net Zero city.”
Global investment in coal tumbles by 75% in three years
Estimates suggest 2018 was the first time there has been a reduction in coal-fired power capacity across the world since the industrial revolution.
187 nations signed a UN plastics waste protocol
The protocol requires countries that want to ship their waste products to other nations to first obtain the permission of the receiving nations.
Tanzania bans the use of plastic bags
In a historic conservation move the government of the United Republic of Tanzania has announced the ban on plastic bag use beginning June 1, 2019.