News / cop21

The Planet Mark™ sustainability certification helps businesses cut carbon footprint by 10% per employee

The figures, which are being published as the COP23 Climate Conference opens in Bonn (November 6th-17th), show that holders of The Planet Mark™ for Business that have been in the certification programme for more than one year* on average reduced carbon emissions from their operations by 10% per employee for year-end 2016**. Holders

Steve's Blog: is Trump's victory 'game over' for climate or is there room for optimism?

Climate scientists and environmentalists are warning that a Trump administration could mean “game over for the climate”. They have a point. Not only has Trump vowed to cut clean energy funding, dismantle the Obama-Clinton Climate Action Plan and scrap America’s Clean Power Plan, he’s described climate change as a Chinese hoax designed

Historic Paris climate agreement to come into force in November

The UN confirmed on Wednesday that the climate treaty would take effect from November 4, after the European Union voted to ratify the historic agreement negotiated in Paris last December by almost 200 nations. The EU, with 28 members, accounts for 12 per cent of global emissions, which is enough to reach the 55 per cent threshold

Paris Climate Deal to cut carbon emissions to zero to be enshrined in UK law

Energy minister Andrea Leadsom said on Monday: “The Government believes that we will need to take the step of enshrining the Paris goal for net zero emissions in UK law." The Paris Treaty, signed in December, commits countries to zero emissions by the second half of this century. Former Labour leader and Climate Change Secretary

Planet Mark event praised for “real insight” on Paris Climate Deal and carbon action

“Beyond Paris: The Climate Deal and what it means for me” addressed the impact of the Paris Climate Deal on business and society. Those attending praised it for the “real insight” it brought to complex issues such as climate change and the carbon footprint of products and services, as well bringing home the importance of businesses

Cutting carbon: 39% of COP21 ‘climate pledges’ are from small business, UK-GBC reports

Planet First was one of more than 60 UK companies that showed their 'collective commitment' to put the buildings and construction sector on a “below 2°C path” at the climate change talks (COP21) in Paris last year. The companies included major corporations such as Land Securities, JLL and Hanson, but 39% were small businesses,

The Planet Mark launches ‘Act On 7’ campaign to get business reducing carbon

‘Act On 7’ aims to address the needs of organisations that want to take action on their carbon footprint but either don’t know how to or are struggling to make year-on-year improvements on their carbon reduction programme. It will provide them with easy-to-understand tips, guidance and tools, as well as inspiring stories and compelling

Tackling climate change: why we need to standardise emissions measuring to ensure COP21 is a success

Consensus was finally reached in Paris in December with 195 nations agreeing a deal to tackle climate change. Nations have agreed that the rise in global temperature caused by greenhouse gases is to be kept "well below" 2°C, the point when global warming would pose a threat to life on Earth. This will be achieved through Intended

Paris climate deal sets “clear roadmap” for business

Almost 200 countries, including the US, China and India, agreed on Saturday to strike the first climate deal to set out a clear long-term temperature limit for the planet. Partly legally binding and partly voluntary, the ‘Paris Agreement’ commits all countries to keep global temperature increase "well below" 2C and to pursue efforts

What’s at stake at COP21?

We’ve all seen the images of the melting ice caps, heard the stories of the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, and been shocked by sad facts concerning dwindling fish stocks or the scale of our wasteful, consumerist society. The trouble is, it’s easy to feel powerless in the face of it all. Meanwhile, year by year, the problems

COP21: its time for action…and a bit of fun and games

The ’12 Days of COPmas' campaign has been created by NGO Eco Action Games and playfully takes its lead from the traditional ‘12 days of Christmas’ theme. Instead, though, it explores the key issues that are going to be discussed at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) which kicks off on November 30 for 12 days. Planet First is

COP21 Buildings Day: Planet First adds pledge to global ‘collective commitment’

The companies, which include major corporations such as Land Securities, JLL and Hanson, as well as smaller firms such as Planet First and Planet Mark-certified Sustainable Commercial Solutions, have each entered individual pledges and committed to mobilise “a global market transformation” in the building sector the aim of which

COP21: a few little things we can all do

A mixture of inspiring talks, exhibits, music and art, made Eden's Festival of Hope on Sunday a fitting curtain-raiser to this week's Paris climate talks. And as the hard negotiating gets underway in France's capital, Eden's creative director Tony Kendle suggests a few things we can all do to lighten our impact on the planet: 1.