Author: Business Enquirer
In a significant step for international climate collaboration, the United Kingdom and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today unveiled the Clean and Just Energy Transition Pillar of the ASEAN‑UK Green Transition Fund (GTF). The launch took place at a high-level side event during the 25th ASEAN Energy Business Forum in Kuala Lumpur, deepening a strategic partnership built on sustainable growth and inclusive decarbonisation. What the Pillar Covers This newly established pillar centres on three inter-linked workstreams: Importantly, the initiative emphasises a “just” transition — ensuring that energy security, affordability and equitable growth remain front of mind for ASEAN…
The future of the oil and gas industry was on display at The Oil and Gas Automation and Digitalisation Congress (AUTOMA) 2025, held on 13-14 October in Amsterdam. Experts from o&g companies, EPCs, pipeline operators, refineries, service providers and technology developers explored technologies driving AI-powered transformation, smart infrastructure, digital decarbonisation and autonomous operations. The numbers speak for themselves: powered by 350 professionals, 20-plus hours of networking, 11 sessions and 288 guaranteed B2B meetings – AUTOMA 2025 has been a remarkable milestone. The Congress highlighted its value for participating companies seeking collaboration and partnership with industry peers, marking the beginning of…
Tucked away amidst 100 acres of gently rolling Lancashire countryside, The Woodland Spa at the Crow Wood Resort in Burnley offers a refined escape from the everyday. Established within a lush landscape dominated by Pendle Hill, this day-spa retreat blends scenic tranquillity with luxury amenities. A Sanctuary of Relaxation From the moment you arrive, the sound of silence is one of the most inviting features. The spa’s setting—amid woodland and pasture—creates a sense of space and calm that feels rare this close to UK towns. Inside, the spa experience is layered and immersive. Key features include: Stay a Little Longer…
Tucked away in the quiet Rua Ricardo Severo 21 in Porto, Palacete Severo is a refined boutique hotel that artfully blends heritage architecture with contemporary luxury. Originally the early-20th-century home of architect Ricardo Severo, the palacete has been meticulously restored to reveal its original details—ornate ceilings, stained glass and vintage woodwork—while incorporating modern comfort. Why You Should Consider Staying Room Highlights & Experience Guests can expect rooms that echo the home-like charm of a historic townhouse: elegant wood panelling, large windows, marble finishes and minimal-design furnishings tailored to reflect the original architecture. One interior design brief described the goal as:…
In today’s world, supply-chain decisions are no longer just about cost and availability — they are central to corporate purpose, environmental impact and social justice. The Co-op Group, one of the UK’s largest consumer co-operatives, is showing how procurement can evolve from a transactional function into a strategic enabler for sustainability. Buying Power Meets Purpose With over 2,300 food stores, 800 funeral homes, and a wholesale network supplying around 6,000 other outlets, the Co-op Group’s scale is significant. Under the leadership of Chief Procurement Officer Imran Rasul, the organisation is harnessing that scale to drive new initiatives across energy, seafood…
As the pressure mounts on packaging to evolve, one company is stepping firmly into the spotlight. Pack2Earth has been shortlisted in the Renewable Materials category of the Sustainability Awards 2025 for its low-CO₂, home-compostable biomaterials made from plants and minerals. Their vision? To swap out fossil plastics with materials that break down naturally—and without leaving microplastics behind. From Trail Run to Material Innovation The origin of Pack2Earth is as personal as it is purposeful. Co-founders (both outdoor-enthusiasts) watched snack wrappers accumulate on the trails they ran. That seed of frustration sparked a question: What if packaging could literally disappear when…
Gold is on a tear. As prices surge to all-time highs, the precious metal is delivering unexpected windfalls for a handful of emerging markets, transforming not only investor sentiment but national economic outlooks. A Surge That Hits Across Borders Emerging-market nations are benefiting in two main ways: as gold producers and as sizeable reserve-holders of the metal. Countries like South Africa, Ghana and Uzbekistan are seeing their economies, currencies and markets buoyed by the boom. In South Africa, home to some of the world’s richest gold mines, miners are posting their best year in two decades. Meanwhile, Ghana — Africa’s…
In a significant move for the energy-storage and battery sector, Lyten has completed the acquisition of Northvolt’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) manufacturing facility in Gdańsk, Poland, marking a major step in its European manufacturing footprint. Strategic Importance of the Gdańsk Facility The plant, previously called Northvolt Dwa, spans approximately 25,000 m² (around 270,000 ft²) and was designed with an initial manufacturing capacity of 6 GWh per annum, with potential expansion up to 12 GWh. With this acquisition, Lyten gains not just production capacity, but key intellectual property, product lines and the ability to serve European and global markets with…
The UK government has unveiled a flagship workforce initiative designed to help workers in the oil & gas sector transition into the burgeoning clean-energy industry. With up to £18 million earmarked specifically for retraining, the scheme targets workers whose jobs may disappear as fossil-fuel production falls. The Rationale: Transitioning an Industry—and a Workforce Ministers estimate that over 40,000 jobs of the current 115,000 in UK oil & gas could vanish by the early 2030s. Recognising the risk this poses to both regional economies and the national energy transition, the plan seeks to leverage the many transferable skills of these workers—mechanics,…
The United Kingdom’s plans to reinvigorate its economy through construction and infrastructure are facing a setback — the latest figures reveal significantly fewer planning applications, signaling a potential drag on growth and housing supply. Slowing Approval Rates Spark Alarm Recent data shows a marked drop in planning application volumes, particularly for major housing and construction projects. In one quarter alone, approvals for new homes plunged to their lowest level in over a decade. Analysts describe the trend as a “flashing red warning light” for the government’s ambition to deliver 1.5 million new homes by 2029. Several factors stand out: Why…