The Icon

LANDLORDS in Wales will need to ensure their private rental properties meet tougher minimum energy efficiency standards from 1st April 2020. Domestic Private Rented Property in Wales are regulated by the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. An EPC rating of E or above is required on these properties in order to comply with the law. Housing Minister, Julie James commented on the announcement:...

NORTHERN Powergrid has launched findings from its two-year Distributed Storage and Solar Study into how smart home batteries can increase electricity network capacity, enable more homes to install solar panels and deliver financial benefits for customers. The project supported community homes – managed by Energise Barnsley and Berneslai Homes – to save money on their energy bills and cut carbon emissions,...

SAINSBURY'S has applied to Ofwat for a self-supply license for water and sewerage. When the UK’s water retail market opened in April 2017, Sainsbury’s initially selected two water retailers to cover its English site portfolio. Now the company believes that a self-supply licence will offer further opportunities for innovation in delivering its water strategies in the future and provide better insight...

PEOPLE place high value on the wellness of themselves, their family and the Earth, but intention does not always necessarily translate into action according to Visual GPS, new research by Getty Images. This presents a unique opportunity for brands to engage and assist consumers in bridging the gap between intention and action, the research finds. Built on 25 years of experience,...

TODAY major businesses including Unilever, Anglian Water, EDF, Tesco, Sky and Coca-Cola are urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson to show strong climate leadership with a clear strategy championed from the top of government. In a new briefing paper, The Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders Group, convened by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, outlines a set of leadership...

ON International Women's Day the UK’s first dedicated female Science Minister, Amanda Solloway, committed almost £3 million and a package of business support to help inventions by women and young people like clean energy solutions and healthcare services. Female entrepreneurs could contribute £250 billion to the UK economy if they started and scaled their businesses at the same rate as...

BRITISH experts are helping farmers in Delhi, Haryana and Hyderabad to find the most effective way to increase economic well-being by making the most of improved crop post-harvest management and clean, sustainable chilled distribution systems. Half of India’s employment depends on agriculture and Prime Minister Modi has stated his vision for doubling farmers' income to set forth a strategic direction...

NATIONAL Grid ESO has named their very first Chief Engineer to lead a team responsible for keeping Britain's lights on. This role makes sure there is significant focus on engineering at a senior level, providing appropriate input into the ESO Executive Committee. A spokesperson for National Grid ESO commented on the news: "Creating a Chief Engineer role helps us to celebrate...

NATIONAL Express Group has outlined its vision to become the UK’s most sustainable bus and coach company. The group has announced: It will not buy another diesel bus for their UK operations; It will lead the transition to zero emission coaches, with a target for the first electric coaches to be in service next year; An ambition that their UK...

NEW research by M&S Food reveals that over 75% of consumers are consciously trying to reduce their use of plastic packaging. Refillable groceries are an increasingly popular solution to support this aim, with two thirds of consumers more likely to consider using them now compared to this time last year and around one in four (23%) shoppers actively seeking retailers...