Sustainability News for 19th May: Introduction
Welcome to this week’s Sustainability News for 19th May. At Play It Green, we believe in celebrating positive action and real progress. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, but these inspiring stories show that ambition, community, and innovation are building a better world.
This week, we head to the Highlands for a £3 billion energy project, take to the skies with futuristic aircraft, and celebrate Liverpool FC’s incredible sustainability journey. Thanks to the Play It Green community, hope is never in short supply.
Glen Earrach’s Ambitious £3 Billion Hydro Project at Loch Ness
Scotland’s Glen Earrach Energy has officially submitted plans for a £3 billion pumped storage hydro project near Loch Ness. If approved, it would deliver 34 GWh of storage capacity, covering almost three-quarters of the region’s future goal.
The project stands out for its smart design. Using just half the water previously considered, it could match the output of 800 onshore wind turbines. It also promises a ten percent reduction in the national grid’s carbon footprint, alongside delivering Scotland’s largest ever community benefit fund.
Importantly, Glen Earrach adapted the design after consulting local communities. Changes include protecting critical views, limiting transport on the A82, and reducing above-ground infrastructure. With first power targeted for 2030, this project could transform Scotland’s energy landscape.
The UK Government’s new support for long-duration energy storage strengthens the prospects for success. For the Play It Green community, it shows that environmental progress and local empowerment can go hand-in-hand to reshape our future.
United Airlines Invests in JetZero’s Blended Wing Aircraft
United Airlines is reaching into the future with a major investment in JetZero, a start-up developing blended wing body aircraft. The JetZero Z4 could improve fuel efficiency by up to 50 percent compared to conventional planes, thanks to its lift-generating body and reduced drag.
The Z4 is designed to carry 250 passengers on conventional or sustainable fuels. It also promises a better passenger experience, with wider aisles, larger seats, and quicker boarding through a wider main door. If milestones are met, United may order up to 200 aircraft, with a full-scale demonstrator flight expected in 2027.
The US Air Force is already backing JetZero with a $235 million contract, seeing potential for both civilian and military applications. With fuel savings, carbon reductions, and infrastructure compatibility, JetZero’s innovation could redefine sustainable aviation.
For Play It Green members, it is another reminder that real change is happening in unexpected places. Even industries like aviation are proving that bold innovation and investment can drive massive environmental benefits.
Liverpool FC’s Red Way Report Marks a Milestone
Hot off their Premier League triumph, Liverpool FC has published its third Red Way sustainability report, and the progress is outstanding. Aligned to sixteen of the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals, the club’s impact across people, planet, and community continues to grow.
Ninety-six percent of the energy used across club sites now comes from renewable or low-carbon sources. Liverpool offset all football operations emissions during the 2023–24 season and reduced total carbon emissions by 12.5 percent compared to the previous year. Travel emissions were also cut dramatically, thanks to Sustainable Aviation Fuel and greener bus travel.
Biodiversity initiatives are thriving too, with more than 1,000 trees and hedges planted and 60,000 bees now resident across the club’s sites. Anfield’s old pitch has even been recycled into benches for a new orchard at the AXA Training Centre.
Off the pitch, Liverpool’s Foundation supported over 127,000 people last season, creating a social return of £13.70 for every £1 invested. The club’s local and global community work shows what is possible when sport embraces sustainability with genuine commitment.
Sustainability News for 19th May: Wrap-Up
The Sustainability News for 19th May shows that ambition can drive massive impact. From Scotland’s energy innovation to United’s futuristic flight plans and Liverpool’s leadership in sport, these stories offer real hope.
The Play It Green community reminds us that positive action multiplies. Every tree planted, every footprint reduced, and every conversation sparked moves us closer to the greener, fairer world we all believe in. Let’s keep building momentum together and make change happen, one action at a time.
Make Positive Sustainability News of Your Own!
If you like the Sustainability News for 19th May, why not make news of your own, by partnering with Play It Green? You can integrate sustainable action, education, tree planting, mangrove restoration, seaforestation and social impact into your life and business operations. Whether it’s adding nature repair to your sales process, engaging and educating employees, or strengthening your environmental credentials, the tools and support are there to make it simple. Because, why make it hard!
