Conscious News Roundup - July 2024

Last month brought some exciting developments in sustainability, providing a refreshing dose of positive news amid all the challenges we're facing. We saw impressive strides in renewable energy, innovative public transport solutions, and surprising discoveries from the ocean's depths. With transformative partnerships, creative initiatives, and groundbreaking research, there's some progress happening that gives us hope for the future.

Great British Energy Launches Groundbreaking Partnership with The Crown Estate

Great British Energy, the new publicly-owned clean energy investment company led by the Labour government, is making some serious waves with its big plans. The company is teaming up with The Crown Estate to kick off renewable energy projects across a massive ￡16 billion portfolio of land and seabed. This groundbreaking partnership, announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Energy Security and Net-Zero Secretary Ed Miliband, is set to shake up the UK’s energy scene.

With ￡8.3 billion in public funding backing it up, the initiative aims to attract up to ￡60 billion from private investors. Labour is pushing for a decarbonized power grid by 2030, with ambitious plans to quadruple offshore wind capacity, triple solar capacity, and double onshore wind capacity.

The Crown Estate expects this partnership to deliver 20-30 GW of new offshore wind projects by the end of the decade. The whole thing is supported by the Great British Energy Bill and the Crown Estate Bill, which are all about setting up the company and modernising how The Crown Estate invests. This partnership is a big step forward, showing some real progress in the UK’s move toward a cleaner energy future!

Source: Edie

Wales launches new Renewables Developer

The Welsh Government has just rolled out Trydan Gwrdd Cymru, a new publicly-owned renewable energy company based in Merthyr Tydfil. This company is diving into onshore wind projects all over Wales and teaming up with Natural Resources Wales to make sure turbines are placed responsibly, keeping both environmental and community impacts in mind. By going the public ownership route, Trydan Gwrdd Cymru wants to make sure local communities actually see the economic benefits from these projects.

Wales has set a big goal of meeting 100% of its electricity needs with renewables by 2035, and Trydan Gwrdd Cymru is a key player in that plan. It might take a few years for the company to start bringing in income, but the long-term vision is clear. Jeremy Miles, the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy, and the Welsh Language, has emphasised how important it is for projects like this to be Welsh-owned. It’s all about maximising local benefits and making sure Wales is on track with its economic and energy transition goals.

Source: Edie

Deep-Sea “Battery Rocks” Produce Oxygen

Researchers have made a fascinating discovery: deep-sea polymetallic nodules, or “battery rocks,” can generate oxygen without sunlight. Published in Nature Geoscience, this finding shows that these rocks use an electrochemical process to produce oxygen, challenging the idea that only photosynthesising organisms can do this.

These nodules are rich in rare earth metals and are important for maintaining ocean oxygen levels, making them a target for deep-sea mining. As mining interest grows, so do concerns about its environmental impact.

This discovery highlights the need for sustainable mining practices to protect these ecosystems and shows the importance of balancing technological progress with environmental health. It also hints at exciting possibilities for using natural processes to address the climate crisis.

Source: Smithsonian Magazine

GRI Launches Service to Align Reporting with EU Standards

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has launched the GRI-ESRS Linkage Service to help companies align their sustainability reports with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). This new service makes reporting easier by reducing “double reporting” and showing how GRI and ESRS standards connect.

GRI’s standards are used globally to ensure consistent sustainability reporting, and they now include updates on climate change, energy, and biodiversity. The ESRS, introduced by the European Commission in 2023, expands reporting requirements for over 50,000 companies starting in 2024, focusing on environmental, human rights, and social issues.

The GRI-ESRS Linkage Service will review companies' reports, highlight areas of alignment, and offer guidance on meeting ESRS requirements. This initiative aims to improve transparency and consistency in sustainability reporting, leading to better environmental and social outcomes.

Source: ESG Today

Wolves FC and Transport for West Midlands Launch New Free Public Transport Scheme

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) have rolled out the West Midlands Bus Scheme, offering free bus travel to Wolves season ticket holders. Starting on August 25 with the first home game, fans can enjoy four weeks of complimentary bus rides across the West Midlands network.

This initiative, open to all season ticket holders aged 16 and over, encourages low-carbon travel habits. It's funded by TfWM and the Department for Transport and is part of Wolves' One Pack, One Planet initiative, highlighting their commitment to environmental sustainability.

By supporting local travel and promoting the use of public transport, the scheme sets a great example, and we hope more football clubs will join Wolves in fostering new habits!

Source: Wolves

Each month, we spotlight tangible actions and advancements addressing both social and environmental challenges and opportunities. Join us next month for more updates!?