With so much happening in the world of corporate sustainability, SustainabilityOnline has introduced The Sustainability Brief – a regular round-up of some of the top stories making headlines around the world.
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Fifty Shades Greener launches hospitality certification scheme amid new Irish green-claims rules
Fifty Shades Greener has launched the Green Business Certification for Hospitality, developed with Agent 4 Change, following the introduction of Ireland’s new environmental marketing rules at the end of September. Hotels are independently audited and can receive bronze, silver, gold or Emerald certification, renewed annually. As an example, Dublin’s Mespil Hotel has received gold certification and is targeting an 18% reduction in annual general waste, from 33,000kg to 27,000kg, by the end of 2026.
Coty sharpens climate targets and cuts water and virgin plastic use
Coty’s FY2026 Sustainability Report says the company has received SBTi validation for a net-zero target covering a 90% reduction in absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2050, against a FY2019 baseline. Scope 1 and 2 emissions were down 83%, and Scope 3 emissions 29%. Water withdrawal fell 30%, meeting its target, while virgin plastic use declined 53%, towards a 60% reduction target by 2030. “As Coty transforms, our focus remains firmly on creating long-term value through our Coty.Curated framework,” commented Markus Strobel, interim CEO.
Used electric cars gain appeal as batteries retain 95.5% average health
Used electric cars are becoming increasingly attractive in Germany, with batteries in returned lease vehicles retaining an average 95.5% of their original state of health, according to analysis by mobility company Ayvens. Since 2025, Ayvens has tested almost 7,300 returned electric lease vehicles before selling them to private buyers and used-car dealers. The vehicles had travelled an average of around 55,000 kilometres, with the batteries recording an average State of Health (SoH) of 95.5%. “The concern that an electric car battery loses significant performance after a few years is not borne out by our evaluations,” said Martin Kössler, managing director of Ayvens in Germany.
Ofgem launches £3.5bn tender for Hornsea 3 offshore transmission
Ofgem has launched its largest-ever Offshore Transmission Owner tender round, with an estimated £3.5 billion value for the transmission assets connecting Hornsea 3 to Britain’s electricity grid. The offshore wind farm, located more than 100km offshore, is due for completion by the end of 2027 and is expected to generate enough electricity to power 3.3 million UK homes. The successful transmission owner will receive an inflation-linked revenue stream for up to 25 years.
Tunley Environmental launches sustainability tender response checklist
Tunley Environmental has launched a free Sustainability Tender Response Checklist designed to help businesses respond to sustainability questions in tenders and customer requests. The seven-step checklist covers carbon emissions, water, nature, waste and environmental compliance, with guidance on matching sustainability claims to supporting evidence, explaining evidence gaps and ensuring environmental claims do not exceed the available evidence.
EU opens consultation on bio-based plastics in packaging
The European Commission has opened a consultation on the use of bio-based feedstocks in plastic packaging, with submissions open until 13 January 2027. The review is required under Article 8 of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and will assess the technological development and environmental performance of bio-based plastics, including feedstock availability, sourcing sustainability, production impacts and recycling technologies. The Commission added that it may subsequently develop legislation covering bio-based plastic packaging.
IUCN calls for faster implementation of global biodiversity framework
The IUCN says governments at CBD COP17 must accelerate implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, with only four years remaining to deliver its 2030 targets. IUCN is calling for stronger biodiversity finance, better alignment of economic and financial flows with biodiversity outcomes, greater use of existing scientific assessments and standards, and increased participation by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, businesses and other non-state actors.
Sustainable Energy for All expands clean-energy STEM programme to Nigeria and Mozambique
Sustainable Energy for All has expanded its flagship STEM traineeship programme to Nigeria and Mozambique, adding the two countries to an initiative designed to develop skills for the clean-energy transition. The organisation says it has supported sustainable-energy access across 115+ countries, while its current figures show more than 8.6 million people reached and $1.6 trillion committed through UN Energy Compacts since 2021.
UK Parliament examines the cost of maintaining electricity-system stability
A new UK Parliament report examines the costs associated with maintaining electricity-system stability as the power system moves towards greater renewable generation. The report notes that NESO has been working to reduce the annual cost of providing system inertia to around £50 million, while batteries and other flexibility technologies are being considered as alternatives to more expensive gas generation.
