Traditional polystyrene packing materials have a detrimental effect on the environment, since they take thousands of years to break down. In a bid to reduce waste and encourage recycling, IKEA is now using biodegradable ‘fungi packaging’ to pack and ship its homewares.

About 40% of Hamburg's 1.8 million residents don’t own a car, so IKEA has introduced its first ‘citystore’ – an urban little sister to its sprawling, out-of-town counterparts. It’s already more popular than any other German branch, but who is this inner-city store attracting?

Once popular exclusively with older generations, the allotment colonies on Berlin’s outskirts are now hot property among young Berliners looking to escape the concrete jungle. Is this green-thumbed pastime just the latest fad or a statement about urbanism and the environment?

Britain is a nation of gardeners. Nearly 80% like to get their hands muddy, and 82% say it makes them feel happier. It’s no longer a pastime for retirees. Whether growing your own or experimenting with the latest smart device, green fingers are spreading across the nation.