The Green Edge Digest Update – January 2025
A listing of all the publications we reviewed last month, categorised and tagged for upload to The Green Edge Digest Database.
Green Jobs Skills and Enterprises
Author/Publisher: Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)
Date: December 2023
Focus: Explores opportunities for creating green jobs and enterprises in the green economy with an emphasis on youth, women, and people with disabilities.
Category: Skills and Workforce Development
Tags: Green Skills, Circular Economy, Youth Employment, Women Empowerment, Just Transition, Sustainability
Summary: This comprehensive report by VSO delves into the intersection of climate change adaptation and green job creation. It highlights the role of vocational education and enterprises in driving sustainability while addressing socio-economic inequalities. Core recommendations include adopting people-centered green skills, supporting carbon literacy, and integrating circular economy principles in various sectors.
Net Zero Careers Accelerator White Paper
Author/Publisher: GoodPeople
Date: 2024
Focus: Addresses the UK’s green skills gap through cross-sector collaboration under the Net Zero Careers Accelerator initiative.
Category: Skills and Workforce Development
Tags: Net Zero, Green Skills, Workforce Development, Education Partnerships, Social Value
Summary: This white paper outlines the UK’s critical need to bridge the green skills gap. It emphasizes collaborative approaches involving businesses, local authorities, and education providers to unlock job opportunities and align training programs with net zero requirements. The report identifies barriers and proposes tools like job mapping and reverse mentoring to build a robust green economy workforce.
Net Zero Sector Skills – Wales: Summary of Response
Author/Publisher: Welsh Government
Date: April 2024
Focus: Summarizes consultation feedback on skills needed to support Wales’ net zero transition.
Category: Skills and Workforce Development
Tags: Net Zero, Circular Economy, Digital Literacy, Skills Development, Policy Reform
Summary: This Welsh Government document consolidates stakeholder responses regarding the skillsets essential for achieving net zero. Key milestones and strategies, such as embedding sustainability across education systems and developing sector-specific roadmaps, are detailed. The report also addresses cross-cutting issues like the circular economy and emerging technologies in AI and renewable energy.
Planning for Net Zero
Author/Publisher: POST (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology)
Date: January 2025
Focus: Examines the planning system’s role in achieving the UK’s net zero targets by 2050.
Category: Skills and Workforce Development
Tags: Net Zero, Planning Policy, Infrastructure Development, Renewable Energy, Energy Resilience
Summary: This briefing explores challenges and reforms needed in the UK planning system to accelerate net zero infrastructure deployment. It underscores the importance of strategic spatial planning, streamlined planning permissions, and holistic approaches to energy and transport projects, ensuring alignment with national carbon reduction goals.
Clean Industrial Deal Paper
Author/Publisher: Electrification Alliance
Date: 2024
Focus: Advocates for industrial electrification as a cornerstone of Europe’s decarbonization strategy.
Category: Skills and Workforce Development
Tags: Electrification, Industrial Decarbonization, Renewable Energy, Policy Recommendations, Workforce Development
Summary: This paper calls for a robust policy framework to accelerate electrification across Europe’s industrial sectors. It highlights the economic, environmental, and resilience benefits of transitioning to electric processes and identifies barriers like high electricity taxes. Recommendations include financial support mechanisms, equitable tax policies, and workforce training to enable a competitive and sustainable future.
EIC Tech Report 2024
Author/Publisher: European Innovation Council
Date: November 2024
Focus: Identifies emerging technologies with transformative potential in energy, agriculture, and the environment.
Category: Skills and Workforce Development
Tags: Innovation, Green Technology, Circular Economy, Sustainable Agriculture, Energy Efficiency
Summary: This European Innovation Council report highlights cutting-edge technologies such as plant-based biomanufacturing, advanced energy storage, and biohybrid sensors. It stresses the role of innovation in addressing systemic challenges, including climate change, food security, and resource optimization, while fostering economic competitiveness.
Accelerating Together: How the UK Workforce Can Get Net Zero Done
Author/Publisher: Bain & Company
Date: January 2024
Focus: Examines the workforce implications of the UK’s transition to net zero.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: Reskilling, Workforce Transformation, Net Zero Transition, Green Economy
Summary: This report emphasizes the unprecedented scale of reskilling required for the UK’s net zero transition. It projects significant changes across industries, with four million workers needing retraining by 2030. The report calls for coordinated efforts between government and businesses to build training ecosystems capable of delivering on net zero goals.
Net Zero and the Labour Market: Evidence from the UK
Author/Publisher: Anna Valero, LSE Public Policy Review
Date: March 2024
Focus: Analyzes the impact of net zero policies on the UK labor market.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: Green Jobs, Labour Market, Skills Development, Inclusivity
Summary: Using an occupational lens, this study examines how net zero policies reshape employment in the UK. It reveals that green jobs typically offer higher wages and require advanced skills but remain less accessible to underrepresented groups. The report advocates for inclusive training programs and targeted interventions in impacted sectors.
Accelerating to Net Zero: CCC Progress Report
Author/Publisher: UK Government
Date: December 2024
Focus: Government response to the Climate Change Committee’s recommendations for achieving net zero.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: Climate Policy, Clean Energy, Adaptation, Decarbonization, Net Zero
Summary: This government response highlights progress on the UK’s Clean Energy Superpower Mission. It details steps taken, such as lifting onshore wind restrictions and advancing decarbonization in housing and transport, while acknowledging challenges in meeting carbon budgets and scaling renewable energy.
Future of Jobs Report 2025
Author/Publisher: World Economic Forum
Date: January 2025
Focus: Explores global labor market transformations driven by macrotrends and technological advancements.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: Workforce Trends, Green Transition, Digital Skills, Reskilling
Summary: This report anticipates significant labor market disruptions by 2030, driven by trends like AI, digital access, and the green transition. It identifies green jobs as a key growth area, with roles in renewable energy, environmental engineering, and electric vehicles topping demand. Effective reskilling is highlighted as critical to realizing these opportunities inclusively.
Green Jobs: Impacts of a Green Economy on Employment
Author/Publisher: Klaus Jacob, Rainer Quitzow, Holger Bär – Environmental Policy Research Centre, Freie Universität Berlin
Date: 2015
Focus: Examines the qualitative and quantitative employment effects of transitioning to a green economy.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: Green Jobs, Environmental Policy, Employment Effects, Economic Transition
Summary: This study explores how green economic policies impact job creation, skill requirements, and labor dynamics. It emphasizes the importance of green skills development, renewable energy integration, and market-based instruments for a sustainable economy. Key challenges include labor market mismatches and the unequal geographic distribution of green job benefits.
Reskilling and Upskilling for Decarbonization: Analyzing Micro-Credential Programs for Energy Workforce Development
Author/Publisher: Stephanie Coates, Alan Rossiter, Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Journal of Continuing Higher Education, August 2024.
Date: August 2024
Link (Paywalled download)
Focus: e=Examines online micro-credentialing programs for senior-level energy professionals.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: Energy Transition, Upskilling, Reskilling, Micro-Credentialing, Workforce Development
Summary: This study examines six online micro-credentialing programs designed to upskill mid- to senior-level energy professionals for the energy transition. Surveys before, after, and six months post-completion revealed the programs effectively enhanced foundational knowledge and skills, meeting students' expectations and enabling job application during enrollment. Participants were largely self-motivated, with limited employer incentives, highlighting the potential of micro-credentialing to support interdisciplinary learning and ongoing professional development.
ECITB Workforce Census Report for 2024
Author/Publisher: Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
Date: January 2025
Focus: Comprehensive analysis of the UK’s engineering construction workforce, including hiring challenges and sectoral trends.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: Engineering, Construction, Workforce Development, Skills Gaps, Sectoral Analysis
Summary: This census identifies workforce distribution trends, demographic shifts, and challenges like hiring skilled professionals for key roles such as pipefitters and project managers. It highlights sectoral growth in renewables and nuclear energy, advocating for targeted training and investment to address.
International Talent Programs in the Changing Global Environment
Author/Publisher: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Date: 2024
Focus: Examines international STEM talent programs and their implications for U.S. competitiveness.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: STEM Talent, Immigration Policy, Research Collaboration, National Security
Summary: This report highlights the importance of international STEM talent for innovation and national security. It critiques the U.S. immigration system and proposes strategies to attract and retain global talent, emphasizing collaboration with allied nations and equitable pathways for foreign researchers.
IW Policy Paper: Agenda 2030 for Education Policy
Author/Publisher: Prof. Dr. Axel Plünnecke, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln
Date: December 2024
Focus: Addresses education’s role in Germany’s demographic, digital, and environmental transformation.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: Education Policy, Demographic Change, Innovation, MINT Education
Summary: This policy paper outlines Germany’s educational challenges amidst demographic shifts and declining STEM competencies. It calls for expanded MINT (STEM) programs, early language interventions, and increased funding for schools and universities to drive innovation and workforce readiness.
Workforce Skills Report 2023
Author/Publisher: Science Council
Date: April 2024
Focus: Examines UK workforce skills in science and technology sectors.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: STEM Skills, Workforce Development, Lifelong Learning, Innovation
Summary: This report highlights the skills gaps in the UK’s research and innovation sectors. It advocates for greater investment in technical education, professional registration schemes, and multidisciplinary approaches to future-proof the workforce against rapid technological change.
Building a Data-Driven Picture of Researcher Mobility in the UK
Author/Publisher: National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB)
Date: September 2023
Focus: Analyzes intersectoral mobility trends of researchers in the UK.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: Researcher Mobility, Higher Education, Industry Collaboration, STEM Careers
Summary: This report investigates the flow of researchers between academia and industry, revealing patterns of career mobility and challenges in fostering collaboration. Recommendations include refining data collection methods and addressing systemic barriers to mobility.
Distribution of Capabilities in the UK Workforce Amidst Technological Change
Author/Publisher: Institute for the Future of Work
Date: January 2025
Focus: Explores how capabilities vary across demographic and industrial sectors during technological transitions.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: Workforce Capabilities, Technology Adoption, Inequality, Human-Centered Policy
Summary: Using a capabilities approach, this paper identifies disparities in UK workforce resilience to technological change. It stresses the need for supportive HR policies and targeted training to mitigate inequalities and promote equitable adaptation to new technologies.
Taking Work or Changing Work?
Author/Publisher: Institute for the Future of Work
Date: January 2025
Focus: Examines the impact of technology on job quality and worker wellbeing.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: Technology Adoption, Work Transformation, Employee Wellbeing
Summary: Through focus group insights, this report explores how emerging technologies reshape work experiences, from increased autonomy to social disconnects. It underscores the importance of human-centered design and inclusive policy approaches to balance technological benefits with worker welfare.
The Working Future: More Human, Not Less
Author/Publisher: Bain & Company
Date: 2022
Focus: Reframes the future of work, emphasizing human-centric approaches in an automated world.
Category: Labour Market
Tags: Future of Work, Human-Centric Design, Automation, Workforce Trends
Summary: This report challenges traditional views on automation by illustrating how human creativity and problem-solving are becoming increasingly valuable. It highlights shifting worker motivations and the growing importance of organizational belonging and flexibility.
Cities Outlook 2025
Author/Publisher: Centre for Cities
Date: January 2025
Focus: Analyzes economic trends and regional inequalities in UK cities.
Category: Devolution and Regional Development
Tags: Urban Development, Regional Inequality, Economic Policy
Summary: This annual report reveals persistent wage disparities across UK cities, emphasizing the role of urban areas in driving national productivity. It calls for bold devolution and industrial strategies to bridge regional divides and stimulate inclusive economic growth.
Clusters Part 2: Case Studies
Author/Publisher: Innovation Caucus, Oxford Brookes University
Date: August 2023
Focus: Explores nine innovation clusters in the UK, offering insights into their growth potential.
Category: Devolution and Regional Development
Tags: Innovation Clusters, Regional Development, Knowledge Sharing, Agritech, MedTech
Summary: This report delves into case studies from diverse sectors such as agritech, healthtech, and immersive technology, highlighting the factors enabling cluster growth. It emphasizes the importance of leadership, knowledge exchange, and targeted investments in fostering innovation ecosystems. Recommendations include developing robust support structures and strategic collaborations.
Low Carbon Hub Business Plan 2024-25
Author/Publisher: Low Carbon Hub
Date: January 2025
Focus: Outlines a strategic plan to scale community energy projects in Oxfordshire.
Category: Devolution and Regional Development
Tags: Community Energy, Renewable Energy, Decarbonization, Local Partnerships
Summary: This business plan lays out the Low Carbon Hub's goals to expand its renewable energy capacity to 165 MW by 2035. It highlights partnerships with local authorities and communities as pivotal to achieving a just and sustainable energy transition. Key initiatives include demand reduction programs and CAPZero pilots.
Community Benefits from Net Zero Energy Developments: Consultation
Author/Publisher: Scottish Government
Date: December 2024
Focus: Seeks input on improving benefit-sharing models for renewable energy projects in Scotland.
Category: Devolution and Regional Development
Tags: Community Benefits, Net Zero, Renewable Energy Policy, Just Transition
Summary: This consultation explores how to maximize socio-economic benefits from renewable energy developments. It reviews Scotland's Good Practice Principles and proposes extending shared ownership and funding benchmarks for communities hosting energy infrastructure.
Analysis of a Net Zero 2030 Target for Greater London
Author/Publisher: Element Energy
Date: January 2022
Focus: Examines pathways to achieving a 2030 net zero target for London.
Category: Devolution and Regional Development
Tags: Net Zero, Urban Decarbonization, Energy Transition, Green Infrastructure
Summary: This report models scenarios for London’s accelerated net zero target, identifying challenges such as infrastructure upgrades and behavior change. It emphasizes the need for high ambition and early action to reduce cumulative emissions and achieve cost-effective decarbonization.
Skills Research Digest Northern Ireland Q3 2024
Author/Publisher: Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland
Date: Q3 2024
Focus: Summarizes recent labor market trends and skills challenges in Northern Ireland.
Category: Devolution and Regional Development
Tags: Skills Development, STEM Education, Workforce Trends, Lifelong Learning
Summary: This digest highlights issues like skills mismatches and the need for expanded STEM opportunities. It recommends policy interventions to boost vocational education and address digital skills gaps, emphasizing the role of green jobs in Northern Ireland’s economic future.
Make UK Executive Survey 2025
Author/Publisher: Make UK
Date: January 2025
Focus: Analyzes the manufacturing sector’s challenges and opportunities amid rising costs and technological shifts.
Category: Devolution and Regional Development
Tags: Manufacturing, Technology Adoption, Workforce Development, Decarbonization
Summary: The survey highlights how UK manufacturers are leveraging technology, such as AI and automation, to navigate cost pressures. It underscores the sector's resilience and its pivotal role in driving green job growth and innovation.
Clean Fuels for All by 2050
Author/Publisher: FuelsEurope
Date: 2021
Focus: Proposes a pathway to climate-neutral liquid fuels for transport by 2050.
Category: Devolution and Regional Development
Tags: Climate Neutrality, Low-Carbon Fuels, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Transport
Summary: This roadmap advocates for investments in low-carbon liquid fuels and clean hydrogen, emphasizing their role in achieving net zero transportation. It calls for policy support to create a competitive market for sustainable fuels.
Sightline Climate: Climate Tech Investment Trends 2024
Author/Publisher: Sightline Climate
Date: January 2025
Focus: Tracks venture capital and growth investment trends in climate tech sectors.
Category: Devolution and Regional Development
Tags: Climate Tech, Venture Capital, Green Innovation, Investment Trends
Summary: The report identifies shifts in climate tech investment, with a focus on scaling technologies like clean firm power and renewable fuels. Despite challenges, energy remained the leading sector, driven by large-scale investments in nuclear and geothermal technologies.
Cleantech Global 100 2025
Author/Publisher: Cleantech Group
Date: January 2025
Focus: Highlights the 100 most innovative private cleantech companies globally.
Category: Pot Pourri
Tags: Cleantech Innovation, Green Technology, Sustainability, Industrial Decarbonization
Summary: This annual report showcases companies driving progress in sectors like energy storage, hydrogen, and precision agriculture. It emphasizes the increasing focus on scalability and the economic viability of green technologies.
Shared Prosperity and Just Transition
Author/Publisher: Indigenous Peoples' Rights International and Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
Date: October 2024
Focus: Advocates for Indigenous leadership and equitable partnerships in renewable energy projects.
Category: Pot Pourri
Tags: Just Transition, Indigenous Rights, Renewable Energy, Benefit-Sharing
Summary: This report emphasizes the importance of Indigenous co-ownership and fair benefit-sharing in achieving a just energy transition. It showcases case studies where respect for Indigenous rights resulted in sustainable and conflict-free project development.
Just Transition for Supply Chain Management
Authors: Hakan Karaosman, Donna Marshall, Irene Ward
Publisher: International Journal of Operations & Production Management
Date: May 2024
Focus: Integrates the concept of just transition into supply chain management.
Category: Pot Pourri
Tags: Just Transition, Decarbonization, Supply Chains, Social Justice, Governance
Summary: This paper introduces a framework for just transition within supply chain management. By analyzing 72 case studies, it proposes a taxonomy centered on shared outcomes and governance. It critiques Eurocentric, extractive models and advocates for context-sensitive practices that address socio-ecological systems and decarbonization.
AI Opportunities Action Plan (and UK Government Response)
Publisher: UK Government
Date: January 2025
Link (also Response from UK Government)
Focus: Outlines strategies to position the UK as a global leader in AI innovation and adoption.
Category: Pot Pourri
Tags: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Infrastructure, Workforce Development, AI Regulation
Summary: This government plan highlights AI’s role in driving economic growth and transforming public services. It emphasizes the need for secure AI infrastructure, talent cultivation, and ethical AI use. Key strategies include developing AI Growth Zones, fostering public-private partnerships, and creating a National Data Library for secure data access.
Divergence of ESG Ratings
Authors: Florian Berg, Julian F. Kölbel, Roberto Rigobon
Publisher: MIT Sloan
Date: May 2022
Focus: Explores the causes and implications of disparities in ESG ratings.
Category: Pot Pourri
Tags: ESG, Sustainability Metrics, Corporate Performance, Governance
Summary: This study quantifies the divergence of ESG ratings from six major agencies. It identifies measurement inconsistencies as the primary driver (56%), followed by scope (38%) and weighting differences (6%). The findings call for greater transparency and standardization in ESG methodologies to reduce investor uncertainty.
Planetary Solvency: Finding Our Balance with Nature
Authors: Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, University of Exeter
Date: January 2025
Focus: Proposes a risk management framework for maintaining planetary health and human prosperity.
Category: Pot Pourri
Tags: Climate Risk, Planetary Boundaries, Global Policy, Resilience
Summary: This report emphasizes the urgent need for systemic risk management to address climate and ecological crises. It introduces the RESILIENCE principles and recommends integrating these into global policymaking to mitigate cascading risks and avoid tipping points.
The Real Cost of Climate Change
Publisher: Kisters
Date: November 2023
Focus: Analyzes the escalating financial burden of climate-related natural disasters.
Category: Pot Pourri
Tags: Climate Economics, Disaster Preparedness, Policy Advocacy
Summary: This report highlights the financial implications of inaction on climate change. It predicts a doubling of global disaster costs every decade and emphasizes the urgency of preemptive investments in resilience and adaptation measures.
A New Energy and Industrial Revolution: Making GB Energy a Success
Publisher: Project Tempo
Date: November 2024
Focus: Proposes strategies for Great British Energy (GBE) to achieve energy security and industrial growth.
Category: Energy - General
Tags: Energy Policy, Industrial Strategy, Renewable Energy, Public Ownership
Summary: The report outlines a vision for GBE to drive the UK’s energy transition. It stresses the importance of local energy projects, clean supply chains, and realistic public expectations. Policy recommendations include creating Power Purchase Agreements and integrating regional energy plans.
Economic Potential of Energy Crops in Scotland
Authors: Fiona Dowson et al.
Publisher: Ricardo plc
Date: December 2023
Focus: Evaluates the viability of perennial energy crops for Scotland’s net zero targets.
Category: Energy - Biomass
Tags: Bioenergy, Agriculture, Rural Development, Carbon Capture
Summary: This report assesses the profitability and barriers to scaling energy crops like miscanthus and short rotation forestry. It identifies policy incentives and market expansion as critical to fostering adoption by farmers.
Sargassum-to-Energy: Bioethanol Production in Ghana
Authors: Winnie A. Owusu, Solomon A. Marfo, Harrison Osei
Publisher: Sustainable Environment
Date: 2024
Focus: Explores the potential of invasive Sargassum for bioethanol production in Ghana.
Category: Energy - Biomass
Tags: Biofuels, Renewable Energy, Circular Economy, Ghana
Summary: This review highlights Sargassum’s potential as a sustainable bioethanol feedstock in Ghana. It aligns with SDG goals and provides a pathway to reduce reliance on edible crops and fossil fuels in the energy sector.
Carbon Utilization Infrastructure, Markets, and R&D
Publisher: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Date: 2024
Focus: Reviews strategies for integrating carbon utilization into net-zero goals.
Category: Energy – Carbon Capture and Storage
Tags: Carbon Capture, Circular Economy, Policy, Infrastructure
Summary: This comprehensive report examines opportunities for carbon dioxide and coal waste utilization in a net-zero future. It highlights RD&D priorities, infrastructure needs, and the potential for circular carbon economies.
Global Wind Report 2024
Author/Publisher: Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)
Date: April 2024
Focus: Tracks progress in wind energy deployment and outlines challenges in achieving the global goal to triple renewables by 2030.
Category: Wind Power
Tags: Wind Energy, Renewable Energy, Infrastructure Development, Climate Policy
Summary: The 2024 report highlights record growth in wind capacity (117 GW added globally in 2023) and calls for increased investments, regulatory streamlining, and global collaboration to meet ambitious COP28 targets. It emphasizes offshore wind potential and challenges such as supply chain constraints and permitting delays.
The Path to a New Era for Nuclear Energy
Author/Publisher: International Energy Agency (IEA)
Date: January 2025
Focus: Explores nuclear energy’s role in addressing energy security and climate challenges.
Category: Nuclear Power
Tags: Nuclear Energy, Energy Security, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Decarbonization
Summary: The IEA underscores nuclear’s rising momentum, driven by innovations like SMRs and policy support. It calls for diversified supply chains, efficient financing mechanisms, and increased private investment to scale nuclear capacity for net-zero goals by 2050.
Thermondo: Germany’s Heat Pump Revolution
Author/Publisher: McKinsey & Company
Date: June 2023
Focus: Examines Thermondo’s journey in scaling residential heat pump adoption in Germany.
Category: Heat and Retrofit
Tags: Heat Pumps, Green Technology, Energy Efficiency, Residential Decarbonization
Summary: This report details Thermondo’s strategy for integrating heat pumps into Germany’s residential heating market, emphasizing vertical value chain management and consumer-focused digital platforms. Key insights highlight the scalability of heat pumps, workforce challenges, and the financial mechanisms needed to transition from fossil fuels to electric heating solutions.
Cotton Mills to Carbon Goals: Manchester’s Retrofit Journey
Author/Publisher: Neil Wolstenholme
Date: January 2025
Focus: Explores Manchester’s green economy initiatives, with a focus on workforce development and retrofitting.
Category: Heat and Retrofit
Tags: Green Jobs, Urban Sustainability, Retrofit, Climate Policy
Summary: This commentary examines Manchester’s leadership in green retrofitting and workforce development, emphasizing education reform and collaborative action between schools and industries to fill the green skills gap.
NRH Retrofit Pattern Book 2024
Authors/Publisher: 5th Studio
Date: September 2024
Focus: Provides guidance on retrofitting Victorian terraced houses to enhance energy efficiency.
Category: Heat and Retrofit
Tags: Retrofit, Energy Efficiency, Heritage Homes, Decarbonization
Summary: This pattern book offers homeowners practical advice on improving thermal performance while preserving the character of historic homes. It outlines interventions like improved insulation, air source heat pumps, and draught-proofing to achieve significant energy savings.
Assessing Future Heating and Cooling Needs in UK Housing
Authors/Publisher: CS-NOW Consortium, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Date: April 2023
Focus: Evaluates the impact of climate change on residential energy demands in the UK.
Category: Heat and Retrofit
Tags: Housing Retrofit, Energy Demand, Climate Adaptation, Vulnerable Populations
Summary: The study predicts increased summer cooling needs in urban housing and recommends tailored retrofit strategies for vulnerable demographics. It highlights low-carbon, cost-effective solutions such as external shading and improved ventilation.
Energy Performance Regime Consultation and Impact Assessment
Authors/Publisher: UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Date: December 2024
Focus: Proposes reforms to the UK’s Energy Performance of Buildings regime.
Category: Heat and Retrofit
Tags: Energy Performance, Building Regulations, Retrofit Policy, Net Zero
Summary: The assessment outlines updates to improve energy performance certificates (EPCs), making them more accurate and actionable. Proposed changes include shorter validity periods for EPCs and mandatory renewals for rented properties, aiming to align housing policies with net-zero targets.
London’s Retrofit Revolution: What’s Going Wrong?
Authors/Publisher: Zack Polanski, Green Party of England and Wales
Date: September 2023
Focus: Critiques London’s slow progress in retrofitting homes for energy efficiency.
Category: Heat and Retrofit
Tags: Urban Sustainability, Policy Advocacy, Energy Efficiency, Workforce Development
Summary: This report highlights severe gaps in funding and workforce development that hinder London’s retrofit goals. It advocates for a comprehensive retrofit strategy integrating skills training, community engagement, and streamlined procurement processes.
NAAC Manifesto 2024: Agricultural Contractors
Author/Publisher: National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC)
Date: April 2024
Focus: Advocates for policy recognition and support for agricultural contractors in driving sustainable farming practices.
Category: Food and Agriculture
Tags: Agricultural Innovation, Land Management, Sustainable Farming, Policy Advocacy
Summary: The manifesto calls for policies acknowledging contractors' pivotal roles in nutrient management, soil conservation, and adopting green technologies. It emphasizes flexibility in farming regulations and enhanced funding to support the sector’s innovation.
Investing in Nature for UK Food Security
Author/Publisher: The Wildlife Trusts
Date: January 2025
Focus: Highlights the importance of nature-based solutions in ensuring long-term food security.
Category: Food and Agriculture
Tags: Food Security, Biodiversity, Nature Restoration, Agricultural Policy
Summary: This briefing links ecological health to sustainable agriculture, proposing enhanced Environmental Land Management schemes and increased investment to mitigate climate and biodiversity crises while boosting food production resilience.
Low-Carbon, Low-Cost Cement: The Case for LC3
Author/Publisher: RMI
Date: December 2024
Focus: Examines the potential of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) in decarbonizing the cement industry.
Category: Cement
Tags: Cement Industry, Decarbonization, Innovation, Circular Economy
Summary: The report demonstrates LC3’s ability to reduce emissions by 40% and operational costs by up to 30%. It calls for industry-wide adoption through technological investments and policy incentives to scale low-carbon solutions.
Switching to Circular Global Value Chains
Author/Publisher: Circle Economy
Date: 2024
Focus: Advocates for transitioning to circular practices across plastics, textiles, and ICT value chains.
Category: Circular Economy
Tags: Circular Economy, Global Value Chains, Sustainable Development, Resource Efficiency
Summary: This publication outlines pathways to enhance circularity in key industries, emphasizing local innovation, stakeholder collaboration, and data-driven approaches to promote sustainable and equitable global value chains.
Building It Green: European Report
Authors/Publisher: Linda Clarke et al., University of Westminster
Date: July 2023
Focus: Investigates vocational education and training (VET) for low-energy construction across Europe.
Category: Construction and Built Environment
Tags: Energy Efficiency, Vocational Training, Construction, Climate Education
Summary: The report analyzes approaches to incorporating climate literacy in construction VET, spotlighting best practices and barriers in countries like Germany, Ireland, and Sweden. It highlights the EU’s “Build Up Skills” initiative as a framework for scaling energy efficiency.
The Green Shift: Financial Incentives for Sustainable Housing
Authors/Publisher: Rafe Bertram, Good Homes Alliance
Date: October 2023
Focus: Explores financial mechanisms driving sustainable home development.
Category: Construction and Built Environment
Tags: Green Finance, Sustainable Housing, Policy Incentives, Net Zero
Summary: This discussion document reviews existing incentives, such as green mortgages, for promoting low-carbon housing. It argues for a collaborative ecosystem among stakeholders to scale sustainable practices across the housing sector.
Digital Sustainability: A Path to Value Creation
Author/Publisher: MIT CISR
Date: January 2025
Focus: Highlights how businesses can leverage digital tools for sustainability.
Category: Digital
Tags: Digital Sustainability, Corporate Strategy, Circular Economy
Summary: The briefing identifies three digital sustainability capabilities—green IT, green products, and green digital offerings—and their role in aligning business goals with sustainability objectives. It underscores the importance of integrating strategic goals for measurable impacts on business performance.
Leveraging the Spectrum of Finance for Just Transitions
Authors/Publisher: Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) and Just Transition Finance Lab (JTFL)
Date: December 2024
Focus: Explores innovative financial instruments to support equitable energy transitions globally.
Category: Finance
Tags: Just Transition, Finance Innovation, Equity, Blended Finance
Summary: This white paper identifies 30 financial instruments across public, private, and blended finance, advocating their strategic deployment to fund just transitions. It emphasizes stakeholder engagement, social safeguards, and the need for new taxonomies to standardize and scale equitable financial solutions. Key insights include the growing role of blended finance and the critical importance of public-private partnerships.
Climate-Related Vulnerabilities: Analytical Framework and Toolkit
Authors/Publisher: Financial Stability Board (FSB)
Date: January 2025
Focus: Develops a framework for assessing climate-induced vulnerabilities in financial systems.
Category: Finance
Tags: Financial Stability, Climate Risk, Analytical Tools, Systemic Risk
Summary: This report presents an analytical toolkit for identifying and mitigating climate risks in global financial systems. It highlights metrics for monitoring transition and physical risks, and stresses the importance of forward-looking approaches to address data gaps and prevent cascading financial disruptions.
The UK Forest Market Report 2024
Authors/Publisher: Tilhill Forestry and Goldcrest Land & Forestry Group
Date: 2024
Focus: Analyzes trends in the UK’s commercial forestry market and timber industry.
Category: Forestry
Tags: Forestry, Carbon Sequestration, Timber Market, Natural Capital
Summary: Despite stable timber prices, forestry values have slightly declined due to increased investor caution. The report calls for diversification of tree species to enhance resilience against pests and climate change. It also notes the emerging role of natural capital in forestry investments.
Decent Work in Nature-Based Solutions
Authors/Publisher: International Labour Organization (ILO), UNEP, IUCN
Date: December 2024
Focus: Highlights job creation opportunities in scaling nature-based solutions (NbS).
Category: Nature and Biodiversity
Tags: Nature-Based Solutions, Green Jobs, Workforce Development, Ecosystem Restoration
Summary: This report estimates that scaling NbS could create up to 32 million jobs globally by 2030, with significant opportunities in low-income regions. It emphasizes the need for skill development and inclusive workforce policies to maximize the socioeconomic benefits of NbS projects.
Future of Steel: From Green Transition to Everlasting Era
Authors/Publisher: Kairos Future for Outokumpu
Date: 2024
Focus: Charts the steel industry’s path to decarbonization and circularity.
Category: Metals
Tags: Steel Industry, Decarbonization, Circular Economy, Industrial Policy
Summary: The report identifies five critical shifts, including advancing circularity and redefining sustainability norms. It emphasizes the role of regulation and innovation in reducing the industry’s 10% share of global emissions while addressing emerging challenges like biodiversity impacts.
Impact of EU Policies on Trading Partners
Author/Publisher: Circle Economy
Date: December 2024
Focus: Explores the socioeconomic impact of EU circular textiles policies on Bangladesh and Ghana.
Category: Textiles
Tags: Circular Economy, Textile Industry, Policy Analysis, Socioeconomic Impacts
Summary: This report evaluates how the EU’s circular economy policies, such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Waste Framework Directive, influence the textile industries and informal labor markets in Bangladesh and Ghana. Key themes include labor market transformations, challenges for SMEs, and the role of informal sectors. Recommendations highlight the need for inclusive decision-making and structured support for transitioning economies.
Closing the Loop for Textiles
Author/Publisher: Deloitte
Date: November 2024
Focus: Analyzes the implications of EU sustainability regulations for the textiles industry.
Category: Textiles
Tags: Circular Economy, Textile Sustainability, EU Regulations, Eco-Design
Summary: This analysis delves into the ESPR’s impact on product durability, repairability, and traceability, highlighting the Digital Product Passport’s role in enhancing transparency. It underscores the urgency for businesses to align operations with circular economy principles to remain competitive in EU markets.
Decarbonisation Pathways for UK Transport
Author/Publisher: Jillian Anable, IPPR
Date: December 2024
Focus: Critiques UK transport sector’s progress toward net-zero emissions.
Category: Transport
Tags: Transport Decarbonization, Policy Advocacy, Net Zero, Climate Change
Summary: Despite UK-wide emissions reductions, transport emissions remain stagnant, threatening net-zero goals. This report calls for a shift from vehicle electrification to demand management strategies, including reducing car usage by 50% by 2030. It critiques the government’s downscaling of ambitions and highlights the need for systemic changes in infrastructure and policy.
London Cycle Hire Evaluation
Author/Publisher: Yingheng Zhang et al.
Date: September 2024
Focus: Retrospective analysis of the London Cycle Hire scheme (LCH).
Category: Transport
Tags: Micromobility, Urban Cycling, Public Transport Integration, Sustainability
Summary: The LCH scheme has achieved significant success in promoting cycling and multimodal connectivity in London. Challenges remain, including addressing gender disparities and accessibility in underserved areas. Recommendations include pricing strategies and targeted infrastructure investments.
London Cargo Bike Action Plan
Author/Publisher: Transport for London
Date: March 2023
Focus: Promotes cargo bikes as a sustainable last-mile delivery solution.
Category: Transport
Tags: Cargo Bikes, Micromobility, Urban Freight, Sustainable Logistics
Summary: This plan outlines strategies to expand cargo bike usage in London, including infrastructure investments and behavior change campaigns. With potential to displace up to 17% of van kilometers in central London by 2030, the initiative aligns with the city’s net-zero carbon goals.
Lime in London: Shared E-Bike Benefits and Regulation
Author/Publisher: Lime Technology Limited
Date: July 2023
Focus: Evaluates Lime’s shared e-bike service in London.
Category: Transport
Tags: Shared Micromobility, E-Bikes, Urban Sustainability, Active Travel
Summary: Lime e-bikes have facilitated over 12 million trips in London, reducing car trips by 2.6 million km. Recommendations include standardized regulations across boroughs and improved infrastructure to further support shared micromobility growth.
Carbon Removal at Airports
Author/Publisher: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Date: November 2024
Focus: Explores carbon removal pathways tailored for airports.
Category: Transport
Tags: Carbon Removal, Aviation, Net Zero, Sustainability
Summary: This guide provides airports with tools to implement carbon removal strategies, including direct air capture and nature-based solutions, to complement emissions reductions. Recommendations emphasize partnerships, funding opportunities, and integrating carbon removal into net-zero roadmaps.