December 30, 2020
Last year around this time, I focused on digital technology solutions for water with this essay, "2019: The Year Analog Solutions Died." I stand by this perspective, as the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated interest and adoption of digital technologies across the water value chain. However, I wanted to share six new learnings from this pandemic year related to digital transformation along with
...December 29, 2020
CO2 emissions dropped 7 percent in 2020 -- and scientists say they might never fully rebound.
December 29, 2020
Editor's note: Back by popular demand, smart cities consultant Sue Lebeck provides GreenBiz highlights from the past year in verse. You'll find her haiku from 2019 here. Rise before the Surprise Leaders gather for the first and last time in year of shelter-in-place. Learning on the Job Could ways to flatten coronavirus’ curve help bend climate’s curve
...
December 28, 2020
The Green Business Bureau, a trusted authority in sustainable business practices, has a simple mission: to help make every business a greener business. This article introduces the organization, their mission and certification program. Hear from the founders on how they use their business as a platform for transformation.
December 28, 2020
Fixer Layel Camargo discusses the role of arts and culture in building movements and shares their priorities for the new year.
December 23, 2020
In January, Reuters Events Sustainable Business will launch a new monthly publication, The Sustainable Business Review, in which our specialist journalists will analyse the latest news from brands and NGOs, ESG investors and policymakers. Each month we will also bring you a timely industry feature or executive interview, and analysis of exclusive research from our new data partners, Signal ESG, on the 250
...December 23, 2020
The Solitary Gardens art project brings attention to the injustices of solitary confinement while fostering healing and growth in the community.
December 23, 2020
When you think of Colgate-Palmolive, the first thing likely to come to mind is its eponymous toothpaste or dish soap. But the company also owns a lot of other brands that offer other consumer packaged goods such as deodorant (Speed Stick), body soap (Irish Spring) and other household cleaning products (Fabuloso). And what are those items packaged in? Most of the time, plastic. The company was the eighth biggest
...
December 23, 2020
Since the beginning of ages, we humans have prioritized our three basic necessities very well – food, clothing, and shelter. With changing times, different discoveries and revolutions have led these industries in society. However, in recent times our desire for luxury has ruled over ethics.
December 22, 2020
BlocPower CEO Donnel Baird predicts that electrification and energy efficiency -- especially in cities -- will play a key role in our COVID and climate response.
December 22, 2020
Ever wondered which sports team has the most sustainable fans? From the perspective of a rights holder, this is becoming a critical question. The answers will drive business decisions for venue operations, fan engagement and brand partnership activation. For the green sports movement, the answers may be the key to solidifying the importance of integrating sustainability into sports. A new report by
...December 21, 2020
A million-dollar prize has been awarded to the CSIRO-developed innovation FutureFeed — a livestock feed made from seaweed that reduces methane emissions in beef and dairy cattle by more than 80%. 2020 marks the launch of the Food Planet Prize, which recognises initiatives, organisations and individuals working to secure the world’s food supply while fostering a healthy and resilient
...December 21, 2020
The contraption Matt Sheffer wants to show me sits at the far end of a field of alfalfa and grasses, a weave of green and pale gold, broken only by the parallel grooves we’re trudging along, a path carved by the tires of a pickup truck. It’s Nov. 4, and America is in the midst of a presidential election that feels like being trapped, upside down and spinning, on a ramshackle carnival ride. So I’m
...December 21, 2020
As the year comes to a (welcome) close, it’s worth taking a moment to consider how the circular economy concept has emerged and evolved during this very particular year. Here are three trends that defined the circular economy in 2020, and what they might mean for the year to come. 1. Reuse is on the rise. Despite some setbacks posed by the pandemic (including misinformation about the safety of
...December 21, 2020
As the year comes to a (welcome) close, it’s worth taking a moment to consider how the circular economy concept has emerged and evolved during this very particular year. Here are three trends that defined the circular economy in 2020, and what they might mean for the year to come. 1. Reuse is on the rise. Despite some setbacks posed by the pandemic (including misinformation about the safety of
...December 20, 2020
The recent announcement that Sydney’s Malabar Wastewater Treatment Plant will produce biomethane to power up to 24,000 homes is great news, as is the potential for New South Wales to utilise enough biogas to supply 1.4 million homes. However, the secret to maximising the greenhouse gas savings from any renewable energy project is to maximise efficiency at every stage of the process. In the case of anaerobic
...December 19, 2020
The U.S. central bank is joining the financial equivalent of the Paris Agreement, becoming one of the last of its peers to do so.
December 18, 2020
For companies getting serious about sustainability, it often starts with establishing priorities and formally writing an environmental mission statement or “green mission statement”. This guide provides the steps and process for writing a mission statement that captures your company's sustainability priorities.
...December 18, 2020
Linda Cheung is forging ahead with AR public art projects she hopes will inspire a greener society post-COVID.
December 18, 2020
Last week, I unpacked three hype-worthy trends shaping our food systems. Now I want to shine a light on three behind-the-scenes forces that aren’t generating headlines but should be. Let’s drive straight in. 1. Our two-tier food system The story: Online marketplaces that connect consumers with small-scale producers have boomed during the pandemic. Membership at Crowd Cow, a marketplace
...December 17, 2020
Without the benefit of their favorite search engine, I’m certain many readers would be hard-pressed to name the largest, pure-play agricultural equipment company in the world. But digging into innovations being advanced by that organization — AGCO, based in Duluth, Georgia — reveals much about the potential future of technology for cultivating regenerative and precision
...December 17, 2020
A recent announcement by Europe’s largest iron ore producer, LKAB, may seem like a technical detail only relevant for metallurgists and steel nerds. However, the company’s plan to invest up to $46 billion over the next 15–20 years to expand into an emissions-free iron process being piloted in Northern Sweden is big news for Sweden, the global steel industry and future
...December 16, 2020
Have you ever been more ready for a year to be over? In a little over two weeks, this dumpster fire of a year will be relegated to history. And while the world will be dealing with COVID-19 for many more months into 2021, something just feels so good about leaving 2020 behind. Many books will be written about 2020 as a turning point in — you name it: American power. China relations. Democracy. In my
...December 15, 2020
The semantic trick that allows oil companies to "cut" emissions and grow them at the same time.
December 15, 2020
As sustainability professionals, we’ve been talking for years about how consumers are increasingly influenced by values and sustainability. We search the data for proof points that people would prefer to buy from a more sustainable company. Indeed, even when we find the proof points, we also find a large action gap between what people say and what they do. We think the action gap is about to
...December 14, 2020
Solar and wind continue to be the cheapest source of energy in Australia, according to a new report from CSIRO which has calculated the integration costs of renewables in electricity generation. Each year, CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) work with a range of industry stakeholders to give an updated estimate of the cost to generate electricity for new power plants in Australia, through
...December 14, 2020
Amazon has positioned itself as the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy, announcing 26 new global utility-scale wind and solar energy projects totalling 3.4 GW of electricity production capacity. The announcement brings Amazon’s total investment in renewable energy in 2020 to 35 projects and more than 4 GW of capacity. One of the 26 global solar energy projects is the Hawkesdale Wind
...December 14, 2020
There’s a way to cut down on medical waste and emissions without compromising patient safety.
December 14, 2020
One of the world’s largest oil and gas companies is betting that the future of flying is carbon-neutral. That may seem an audacious notion from a company whose business model for well over a century has centered around bringing fossil fuels to market — and is banking on petroleum being a key, albeit declining, fuel for decades to come. And it may seem unlikely that an industry as carbon-intensive as
...December 14, 2020
December marks the five-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement — a turning point for the movement to limit dangerous climate change and environmental destruction. But that is not the only pivotal milestone we should commemorate this month. In December 2015, as a response to increasingly frequent environmental disasters that disrupted ecosystems and human health — plus caused unforeseen
...December 13, 2020
McDonald’s Australia has heralded a new era of sustainability by opening its 1000th restaurant as the company’s sustainability flagship for Australia. As part of the project, WaterGroup has deployed its smart water metering solution into the flagship restaurant, forming one of 25 core sustainability initiatives the restaurant is using to reduce its environmental impact with the aim to
...December 13, 2020
Two ABB synchronous condensers are enabling the new Darlington Point Solar Farm in NSW to feed a large amount of clean electricity into the local power network while maintaining grid stability and reliability. With a projected annual output of 685,000 MWh, the 275 MW (AC), 333 MW (DC) solar photovoltaic farm commenced operation in August 2020 and is reported to be the largest solar farm connected to
...December 13, 2020
What opportunities do you predict for the growth of your industry in 2021? 2021 will be an exciting year for the process automation industry. This past 12 months we’ve seen how businesses with technology enabled strategies showed flexibility and resilience, and delivered innovative responses, through what many found to be a turbulent time. The next 12 months will distinguish even further those who
...December 12, 2020
Predictions, good news, and gift guides to give you hope for the new year.
December 11, 2020
I’m going to try to make sense of this tumultuous year, starting with three trends from the past 12 months that I see as key to the immediate future of food. 1. An insane year for alternative proteins The trend: By Dec. 1, venture capitalists invested a whopping $1.5 billion in alternative proteins during 2020, according to the latest data from the Good Food Institute. That money — close to double
...December 11, 2020
Four "Fix-perts" on creative non-gifts and COVID-safe activities that’ll help you celebrate the holidays (without the mountain of trash).
December 11, 2020
They’re ready to talk about carbon removal. Are you?
December 10, 2020
Food waste recycling is the number one opportunity for businesses to take a bite out of the general waste bin and grow their sustainability credentials. The cost of food waste to the Australian economy is estimated to be around $20 billion each year with 2.2 million tonnes being disposed of by the commercial and industrial sector alone. It’s a surprisingly large amount of wastage, especially given the
...December 10, 2020
A battery recycling program is allowing the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) to reduce its environmental footprint and prevent 2500 tonnes of potential waste from going to landfill each year. Club spokesperson Lucinda Ross said around 90% of batteries replaced by RACQ Roadside Assistance patrols and contractors are recovered for recycling. “In the past financial year we
...December 10, 2020
Food waste recycling is the number one opportunity for businesses to take a bite out of the general waste bin and grow their sustainability credentials. The cost of food waste to the Australian economy is estimated to be around $20 billion each year with 2.2 million tonnes being disposed of by the commercial and industrial sector alone. It’s a surprisingly large amount of wastage, especially given the
...December 10, 2020
Did you know Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak (aka Woz) has a cryptocurrency named after him? Here’s the backstory. A mere three years ago, my inbox was bloated with news about startups such as South Africa’s Sun Exchange or Estonia’s WePower or Australia’s Power Ledger focused on "democratizing" the ability of individual investors to back solar projects, often in
...December 9, 2020
The nation's third-largest pension fund will withdraw investments from companies that aren't prepared to survive in a low-carbon economy.
December 9, 2020
To offset plastic consumption, companies like Nature's Logic are going Certified Plastic Neutral.
December 9, 2020
Shutting down the nation’s fossil fuel–burning power plants in the next 15 years wouldn't be as economically risky as previously thought, a new study shows.
December 9, 2020
Two new films about tending the earth offer very different world views
December 8, 2020
I’ve been following the money this past week. "The money," in this case, is the sprawling and spiraling world of sustainable finance. The occasion, as you may have guessed, was our announcement Nov. 30 of our newest annual event: GreenFin, taking place in April. It drew the attention of a number of friends, colleagues and veritable strangers who wanted to discuss the
...December 7, 2020
Australia and New Zealand’s smart cities leaders have accelerated their efforts this year, with new technology solutions and innovative projects tackling the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic head on. The third annual Smart Cities Awards was presented virtually by Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand, acknowledging 18 winners across seven categories for their visionary leadership,
...December 7, 2020
A team of skilled personnel has successfully installed the first wind turbine of ACCIONA’s Mortlake South Wind Farm project, erecting the installation over a four-day period. The four steel tower sections were installed first, followed by the nacelle and hub, and finally, the three blades, which were bolted into place on 28 November. The crane that lifted all the elements for the top of the turbine
...December 7, 2020
Nestlé digs deeper into regenerative ag, puts $3.6B behind net-zero plan Heather Clancy Mon, 12/07/2020 - 02:00 The world’s largest food company, Nestlé, last week said it plans to spend roughly $3.6 billion over the next five years to meet its net-zero by 2050 aspirations. But CEO Mark Schneider took pains to position this investment as one that will be
...December 7, 2020
HSBC invests in world’s first ‘reef credit’ system Jesse Klein Mon, 12/07/2020 - 01:45 Traditionally, offset markets have been focused on credits for atmospheric carbon sequestration or restoration projects. But there are many other ways industrial and agricultural operations harm the planet. Australian-based environmental project developer GreenCollar decided to
...December 7, 2020
How do you avoid getting distracted and stay focused on the mission? Trisa Thompson Mon, 12/07/2020 - 00:10 Much has been said, and will be said, about 2020. The word "unprecedented" has been used an unprecedented number of times. We are constantly bombarded by the media, whether it be about politics, COVID-19 or the state of the economy. The media barely lets an hour pass without reporting
...December 6, 2020
In a bid to increase uptake and help customers gain more benefits from advanced metering technology, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has committed to review the rules governing electricity meters. The Review of the Regulatory Framework for Metering Services will focus on driving retail innovation and consumer participation in a two-sided energy market — where all types of energy
...December 6, 2020
Solar and wind are energy powerhouses until the sky is dark or the air is still. An ancient source of energy — the tides — could soon offer a predictable alternative.
December 5, 2020
Whether you are a well-established firm or a start-up, green business certification is a necessity for any company committed to the planet and its people. GBB’s informative, step-by-step guide shows you how to get started on your company’s green certification journey.
...December 4, 2020
An answer to aquaculture's unsustainable fish feed habit? Jim Giles Fri, 12/04/2020 - 00:15 Sustainability can be a game of Whac-A-Mole: We roll out a promising solution to an environmental problem, only to discover that the solution generates problems of its own. It certainly feels that way in aquaculture. On paper, fish farms should be a win for sustainability. A third of wild stocks are
...December 3, 2020
New benchmark shows that biodiversity is in fashion Liesl Truscott Thu, 12/03/2020 - 01:00 This week, in advance of World Soil Day — Dec. 5 — the Textile Exchange Corporate Fiber and Materials Benchmark (CFMB) Program is launching a new tool to help the fashion and textile industry take urgent action on biodiversity. The Biodiversity Benchmark, developed in partnership with The Biodiversity
...December 3, 2020
New benchmark shows that biodiversity is in fashion Liesl Truscott Thu, 12/03/2020 - 01:00 This week, in advance of World Soil Day — Dec. 5 — the Textile Exchange Corporate Fiber and Materials Benchmark (CFMB) Program is launching a new tool to help the fashion and textile industry take urgent action on biodiversity. The Biodiversity Benchmark, developed in partnership with The
...December 2, 2020
A Joint Industry Program to develop a supercritical CO2 (sCO2) power plant has been agreed by CSIRO and US-based GTI, a leader in the development and deployment of technology solutions to address energy and environmental challenges. The power plant could assist mining companies to reach large renewable energy targets. sCO2 turbines offer an autonomous, high-efficiency power cycle that doesn’t
...December 2, 2020
The race to mainstream electric vehicles by 2030 Katie Fehrenbacher Wed, 12/02/2020 - 00:30 The world's leading companies and policymakers are coalescing around setting targets for adopting zero-emission vehicles around a 2030 time frame. The latest — and one of the most aggressive to come from a country leader — was issued a few weeks ago by U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson,
...December 2, 2020
The race to mainstream electric vehicles by 2030 Katie Fehrenbacher Wed, 12/02/2020 - 00:30 The world's leading companies and policymakers are coalescing around setting targets for adopting zero-emission vehicles around a 2030 time frame. The latest — and one of the most aggressive to come from a country leader — was issued a few weeks ago by U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who revealed a
...December 2, 2020
Why investor Green Century has taken an active interest in fighting deforestation Julie Nash Wed, 12/02/2020 - 00:15 Jessye Waxman is a shareholder advocate at Green Century Capital Management, where she uses the environmentally responsible investment firm’s leverage as a shareholder to protect forests. Ceres talked with Waxman about Green Century’s focus on
...December 1, 2020
The Australian Government has announced $10.5 million in grants to support waste recovery in Australia, with 11 successful applicants to be awarded funding as part of the National Product Stewardship Investment Fund. Grant winner BioPak will use the funding to develop and support its new nationwide program, The Compost Network — an initiative set to bring industry participants together to
...December 1, 2020
Levi’s has launched the Sustainability Shop in Shop — a unique retail design concept created in partnership with David Jones Australia. Created using environmentally friendly Tasmanian timber supplied by Hydrowood*, the innovative space is leading the way for sustainable fashion in the retail industry and offers consumers a conscious and sustainable way to shop. After more than a
...December 1, 2020
Researchers from the University of Sydney have devised a method to efficiently convert water into hydrogen, making strides in its development as a clean energy store for fuel cells. Historically, the uptake of hydrogen as a fuel has been hindered by high costs and the vast amount of energy required for its production. Although hydrogen is part of the water compound H2O, highly reactive, pure hydrogen is
...December 1, 2020
Can big data, AI and chemical footprinting help the renewable energy sector avoid a toxic waste legacy? Krishna Rajan Tue, 12/01/2020 - 01:00 The launch of the digital economy has brought with it an expansion of disruptive technologies such as predictive analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics that are readily being used to transform the marketplace. But can we also use these breakthrough
...December 1, 2020
The number of abandoned oil and gas wells is on the verge of exploding. These industry insiders want to be part of the solution.
December 1, 2020
A new policy platform is thinking big on forests and climate Kylie Clay Tue, 12/01/2020 - 00:30 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has sent a clear message: to keep catastrophic climate change impacts at bay, we need to keep our warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, and the land sector must play a central role in achieving that. We need to stop emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
...November 30, 2020
Magnesium hydroxide is much better than caustic soda or lime for treating wastewater. Why aren’t its advantages better known? Treating wastewater from food manufacturing and processing industries is about to be turned on its head thanks to a benign but extremely effective ingredient. One of the primary reasons to treat wastewater is to reduce acidity and raise the pH level. Balancing the pH is
...November 29, 2020
This year’s Society for Plastic Engineers‘ Plastics and the Circular Economy virtual conference saw Cleanaway CEO and Managing Director Vik Bansal outline his plan for creating the right environment to drive closed-loop plastic recycling in Australia. “Set against the backdrop of the recent National Waste Policy Action Plan, defined timings for the Waste Export Ban and Container
...November 25, 2020
This Thanksgiving, here's a recipe for change.
November 25, 2020
This year’s Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) Annual Awards celebrated sustainable packaging innovation, commitment and ingenuity in the packaging industry. More than 20 accolades were awarded during the virtual event, to organisations and individuals representing a broad range of industry sectors including retail, electronics, manufacturing, health care, logistics, and
...November 25, 2020
Upstart Hazel finds cachet for innovative sachets that extend produce shelf life Jesse Klein Wed, 11/25/2020 - 01:30 In 2017, Hazel Technologies was a plucky young startup with enough scientific success to raise $800,000 in seed funding and score a $600,000 development grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In late 2020, the company is finding early commercial success in its mission to
...November 24, 2020
A novel and efficient way to recycle lithium from rechargeable batteries has been developed and patented by Finnish energy company Fortum. Lithium is one of the most valuable components in lithium-ion batteries, but difficulties in the recovery and availability of the element have left an imbalance between supply and demand as the globe drives ahead with vehicle electrification. Fortum’s
...November 24, 2020
The Australian Sustainable Finance Initiative (ASFI) — comprising 80 organisations across major banks, insurers, super funds, civil society and stakeholders — has released a roadmap that sets out a bold plan to align Australia’s financial system to support a thriving Australian society, a healthy environment, and a strong and prosperous economy. The roadmap calls for financial
...November 23, 2020
A biomethane-to-gas project will see thousands of Sydney homes and businesses using renewable green gas for cooking, heating and hot water. Commencement of the project follows an agreement between energy infrastructure company Jemena and Sydney Water that will generate biomethane at the Malabar Wastewater Treatment Plant in South Sydney. The zero carbon emission high-quality biomethane gas will be
...November 23, 2020
Unilever sets $1.2B sales target for meat and dairy alternatives Cecilia Keating Mon, 11/23/2020 - 00:30 Unilever has announced plans to dramatically increase sales of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives over the next seven years as part of a new sustainability program designed to shrink the environmental footprint of its food brands. The Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant said last week that
...November 22, 2020
The $7 million Circular Economy Business Innovation Centre (CEBIC) has launched in Victoria to bring together businesses, industry groups, research institutions and not-for-profit organisations to create solutions to reduce waste, increase recycling and reuse, and generate new revenue for Victorian businesses. Launched by Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily
...November 22, 2020
Conflict forced scientists to abandon a gene bank, but not before duplicating their last remnants of essential crops in the Svalbard vault on a remote Arctic island.
November 20, 2020
Meena Sankaran, founder and CEO of California-based startup KETOS, dove into the competitive market of sensor tech to help solve the water crisis.
November 20, 2020
The chef who wants diners to fund regenerative ag Jim Giles Fri, 11/20/2020 - 01:30 "We have solutions that are bipartisan and cost the government $0." That was the opening line of a message I received from award-winning chef Anthony Myint, who replied to my request for elevator pitches for president-elect Joe Biden. Myint went on to describe a scalable mechanism for capturing large
...November 19, 2020
Could green hydrogen be key to a carbon-free economy? Jim Robbins Thu, 11/19/2020 - 01:30 This article originally was published on Yale Environment 360. Saudi Arabia is constructing a futuristic city in the desert on the Red Sea called Neom. The $500 billion city — complete with flying taxis and robotic domestic help — is being built from scratch and will be home to a million people. And
...November 19, 2020
There's not really a simple prescription to graze our way out of the climate crisis.
November 19, 2020
In her new book "Waste," Catherine Coleman Flowers reveals how class, racial, and geographic prejudices foster unhealthy, even deadly, conditions by denying the poor an affordable means of disposing of their sewage.
November 19, 2020
In her new book "Waste," Catherine Coleman Flowers reveals how class, racial, and geographic prejudices foster unhealthy, even deadly, conditions by denying the poor an affordable means of disposing of their sewage.
November 18, 2020
Old, unwanted and potentially unsafe child car safety seats will be given a new lease of life under a government-funded program that will recover and recycle the seats. Via the National Product Stewardship Investment Fund (NPSIF), and in accordance with the National Waste Policy Action Plan, SeatCare aims to help the public safely dispose of used child car safety seats for recycling. It is estimated that
...November 17, 2020
With Plant Your Change, planting a tree is as easy as swiping your card.
November 16, 2020
A Dutch sustainability innovation company has developed a waste-monitoring technology that will allow restaurants, caterers and other companies to drastically decrease food waste. Resulting from a collaboration between zero food waste company Orbisk and Studio Mango industrial design, the Automatic Waste Monitor aims to tackle the 1.3 billion tonnes of food that are wasted globally each year. The food
...November 16, 2020
How effective stakeholder engagement shaped Samsonite’s ESG strategy Christine Rile… Mon, 11/16/2020 - 01:00 In March, Samsonite announced "Our Responsible Journey," a new global sustainability strategy that outlines its commitments across four priority areas: Product Innovation; Carbon Action; Thriving Supply Chain; and Our People, including engagement,
...November 16, 2020
5 ways businesses can take action to reduce environmental racism Samantha Harris Mon, 11/16/2020 - 00:20 For decades, Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) in the United States have sought environmental justice as a civil right, but now, the grave disparities in environmental harms are coming into national prominence. This year’s COVID-19 crisis and racial justice movement have
...November 15, 2020
Sydney Water is continually exploring and implementing innovative technologies to improve water services for its five million customers. In collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the water utility is improving strategies to reduce leaks and breaks across its network using acoustic sensors — selecting four leak-detections systems and deploying 229 acoustic sensors
...November 12, 2020
How the digital wave is contributing to the rise of sustainable fisheries Myisha Majumder Thu, 11/12/2020 - 02:03 World fish consumption has almost doubled between the 1960s and now, and some estimates suggest fish contributes to at least 50 percent of total animal protein intake in developing nations. Despite higher demand for seafood and fish, world reserves have not kept up, and aquaculture is
...November 12, 2020
Whether Luis Arce can succeed in developing Bolivia’s lithium riches — and do so in a way that benefits Bolivian workers and frontline communities — remains uncertain.
November 12, 2020
The 'order of planning' determines transit priorities. What if we inverted it to prioritize people? Alan Hoffman Thu, 11/12/2020 - 00:01 Are your transportation plans letting you down? Regions everywhere have adopted ambitious goals for their long-range plans, from climate change to land use to reductions in automotive dependency. Yet even with decades of spending on creating new transit
...
November 11, 2020
With everything that our world is facing in 2020, the last thing on the minds of leadership is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). That is unless YOU are a leader that sees economic recovery as an opportunity to get lean and design efficiencies.
November 11, 2020
These two companies have big plans for hyper-local hydropower that would put renewable energy into the hands of communities — literally and figuratively.
November 11, 2020
A discovery by the UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre could start a ‘green aluminium’ manufacturing revolution and bolster efforts to advance Australia’s manufacturing industry. Backed by industry partner Nespresso, researchers at the SMaRT Centre have found a way to recover aluminium from complex, multilayered packaging. The new technique is
...November 11, 2020
Leveraging the ocean's carbon removal potential Katie Lebling Wed, 11/11/2020 - 00:30 To meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius 2.7 degrees F), greenhouse gas emissions must reach net-zero by mid-century. Achieving this not only will require reducing existing emissions, but also removing carbon dioxide already in the air. How much carbon
...November 10, 2020
Oliver Zahn once pondered the nature of the cosmos. Now he’s using machine learning to build plant-based proteins that taste just like meat — and cheese.
November 9, 2020
How alt-protein companies Impossible Foods, Memphis Meats hope to reshape diets Holly Secon Mon, 11/09/2020 - 01:00 By 2050, nearly 10 billion people will be on the planet. That’s about 2 billion more hungry mouths to feed. Figuring out the best way to feed everyone so they receive enough nutritious food, while using the planet’s finite resources sustainably, is a growing challenge.
...November 8, 2020
“Water, water, everywhere nor any drop to drink,” vividly sums up the sorry situation of a ship’s crew becalmed near the Equator. That often-quoted line from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem about an ancient mariner who disregards nature could well stand for our predicament today. Image: Channels: Natural CapitalTags: Actiam biodiversity
...November 8, 2020
Australian business Planet Protector Packaging has won the inaugural 2020 Ocean Impact Pitchfest for its sustainable thermal packaging solution that plans to eliminate polystyrene from supply chains. After being contracted to set up operations for an Australian meal-kit company, Joanne Howarth, the CEO and founder of Planet Protector Packaging, said she was horrified by the huge volume of wasteful,
...November 6, 2020
From design to recycling, opportunities abound to make solar more circular Myisha Majumder Fri, 11/06/2020 - 02:00 Solar has become a staple of the U.S. power generation mix in the last decade. Now that the industry is maturing, it’s time to have a tough conversation: The solar industry needs to improve its circular practices. Like any industry, the solar industry has unique
...November 6, 2020
4 ways businesses can connect with their communities to create a clean economy Marian Jones Fri, 11/06/2020 Companies often struggle with building community trust as they navigate between profit-making and authentically engaging on climate change and environmental justice matters. Last week at GreenBiz Group’s virtual conference and expo on stimulating the clean economy, VERGE
...November 6, 2020
A new study offers a diet for a cooler planet.
November 5, 2020
New for 2021, the ECO Community Impact Award was created to recognize positive contributions to the environment around the country. The award will recognize individuals or groups who have displayed a dedication to environmental advocacy, sustainable initiatives, and environmental skill and knowledge development.
...November 5, 2020
Whilst consumer goods companies have come under increasing pressure to address deforestation in their supply chains, the same cannot be said for commodity producers operating on the ground.Image: Channels: Natural CapitalTags: CDPforest risk commoditiesFRCFMCGsupply chainsPalm OiltimberSoycattleAmazonFSC
November 4, 2020
6 differences between forestry and soil carbon offsets Jesse Klein Wed, 11/04/2020 - 01:00 Carbon offsets are a big, confusing topic. Three breakout sessions at VERGE 20 covered this topic, with over 100 participants at each. Still, each one went over the allotted time with many questions left unanswered. While understanding the basics is important, many nuances and small details warrant their own
...November 3, 2020
How to value solar plus storage Adam Aston Tue, 11/03/2020 - 01:00 In the wake of California’s summer of wildfires, blackouts and planned outages, many consumers and businesses are clamoring for more resilient options. The crisis has turbocharged interest in systems that deliver power even when the grid is down. Solar plus storage is fast emerging as a top choice, both at scale on the grid and also
...November 3, 2020
Why IKEA is investing in sustainable mobility Holly Secon Tue, 11/03/2020 - 00:30 Swedish home furnishing company IKEA isn’t just focusing on what’s happening inside your home anymore. The company is also thinking about what's happening in the streets outside. That is, the company is pumping cash into a new sustainable mobility program. For the company known for its delicious
...November 2, 2020
America is hungrier than ever for sustainable food systems. Can we build them? Carol J. Clouse Mon, 11/02/2020 - 01:30 In the spring of 2020, many small farms across the U.S. found themselves in a bittersweet predicament. Restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus were forcing restaurants — major buyers for the local farms that serve urban areas — to shut down. The loss
...November 1, 2020
Researchers at the University of South Australia have found that water quality and deficit irrigation schemes each have significant effects on crop development, yield and water productivity — with recycled wastewater achieving the best overall results. Publishing their results in the journal Agriculture, the team tested different water sources on greenhouse-grown tomatoes, finding that
...November 1, 2020
ABB is a global leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering the environmental impact. Synchronous condensers from ABB ensure efficient and reliable operation of power grids through reactive power compensation and additional short circuit power capacity. Operating principles A synchronous condenser is a
...October 30, 2020
Securing funding for market-based climate solutions used to be a tough sell. Then Sarah Kearney stepped in.
October 30, 2020
Plugging into Amazon’s fleet electrification strategy Mike De Socio Fri, 10/30/2020 - 00:30 When Ross Rachey set out to electrify Amazon’s fleet of last-mile delivery vehicles a few years ago, he thought it would be a matter of matching the company’s needs to the right vehicle on the market. It was not that simple. "We were a little underwhelmed at the vehicles that
...October 30, 2020
Plugging into Amazon’s fleet electrification strategy Mike De Socio Fri, 10/30/2020 - 00:30 When Ross Rachey set out to electrify Amazon’s fleet of last-mile delivery vehicles a few years ago, he thought it would be a matter of matching the company’s needs to the right vehicle on the market. It was not that simple. "We were a little underwhelmed at the vehicles that
...October 29, 2020
Startup Phood tackles food waste at the top of the food chain Jesse Klein Thu, 10/29/2020 - 01:00 Picture your local salad bar either at your school, grocery store or office. There are many options between the greens, toppings and dressings. At the end of each day, it’s the job of a kitchen worker to perform a "shrink analysis" on each ingredient — manually identifying, weighing
...October 28, 2020
The method harnesses a new type of ultra-efficient catalyst to make low-carbon biodiesel and other valuable complex molecules out of diverse, impure raw materials. The study incorporating the catalyst design is published in Nature Catalysis. Waste cooking oil currently has to go through an energy-intensive cleaning process to be used in biodiesel because commercial production methods can only handle
...October 28, 2020
Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has launched Green Star Buildings — the first of a new suite of Green Star Future Focus tools. The Green Star sets a new requirement that buildings must be net zero — fully electric, fossil fuel-free and 100% powered by renewables — to achieve the highest possible 6 Star rating. With the biggest overhaul of its Green Star rating system in 18 years,
...
October 28, 2020
Be it a house or shop, shipping containers can help you build any structure in an efficient way. Here are 7 innovative ways shipping containers can be used.
October 28, 2020
Carbontech is getting ready for its market moment Heather Clancy Wed, 10/28/2020 - 01:30 It may be a little early to start writing about trends for 2021, but I’m going to do it anyway. What’s on my mind? Carbontech, a category of climate tech I’d love to see break through next year. It's the exciting idea that we can take something that could be considered waste, draw it out of the
...October 28, 2020
Kraft Heinz sustainability chief reflects on 'interdependence' Heather Clancy Wed, 10/28/2020 - 01:00 Food company Kraft Heinz has been relatively quiet about its corporate sustainability strategy in the five years since it was formed through the merger of food giants Kraft and Heinz — stepping out in early 2018 to provide an update. In September, the maker of well-known brands
...October 26, 2020
These changes to our food systems could improve human and planetary health Oliver Camp Mon, 10/26/2020 - 01:30 On the recent World Food Day, the clarion call was clearer than ever: We must fix our food systems to improve human health, drive economic growth and save the planet from environmental collapse. The challenges facing us are wide-ranging. The way the world produces and consumes food causes
...October 26, 2020
BP, Shell, oil giants fund research into mobile carbon capture from ships at sea Michael Holder Mon, 10/26/2020 - 00:05 A coalition of oil and gas majors are eyeing up the potential to capture carbon dioxide emissions from ships out at sea, teaming up with global tanker owner and operator Stena Bulk to evaluate the feasibility of technology they claim could play a key role in decarbonizing the hard-to-abate
...October 25, 2020
Engineers at Monash University have devised an improved method to remove potentially deadly bacteria from water using graphitic carbon nitride and sunlight. The international team — led by Professor Xiwang Zhang from Monash University’s Department of Chemical Engineering — combined graphitic carbon nitride with polyethylenimine (PEI) to destroy E. coli and E. faecalis from water
...October 25, 2020
Nations around the world are pledging to plant billions of trees to grow new forests. But a new study shows that the potential for natural forest regrowth to absorb carbon from the atmosphere and fight climate change is far greater …
October 23, 2020
Parsing Panera's plan to nudge consumers toward low-carbon meals Jim Giles Fri, 10/23/2020 - 01:00 Something changed recently in America’s fast-casual restaurants. It involved only a single company, but it could herald the start of a fundamental shift in the choices that diners make. I’ll get to what happened in a minute, but first take a step back and consider the information
...October 23, 2020
In 7 cities with different climates and electric grids, new all-electric homes saved money and CO2
October 23, 2020
The most sustainable iPhone is the one that's already in your pocket.
October 22, 2020
In the wake of a pandemic-fueled recession, prioritizing clean energy will be key for rebuilding the economy.
October 22, 2020
The war on waste has come to Sydney’s Grosvenor Place. In a bid to combat food waste, the premium complex with sweeping harbour and city views has installed a waste food recycling system using an enrich360 dehydrator. The dehydrator dehydrates the food collected from office and retail customers, removes the moisture, then heats and cleans the biomass, converting it into a fertiliser that appears
...October 22, 2020
Love trees? Prioritize wildfire restoration and fighting deforestation Heather Clancy Thu, 10/22/2020 - 02:00 Back in my former life as a tech journo, my coverage was informed by the infamous "hype cycle" phrase coined by research firm Gartner to describe the arc of emerging technology adoption from the spark of innovation to mainstream adoption. Lately, I’ve been mulling that
...October 22, 2020
All our best advice on taking care of your face and the planet at the same time.
October 21, 2020
Chargefox has completed a network of ultrarapid electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across seven sites in regional Victoria. The completion of works at Horsham connects the Western Highway route between Melbourne and Adelaide. With $3 million in funding from the Victorian Government, ultrarapid Chargefox sites are now operating at Airport West, Euroa, Barnawartha North, Moe, Torquay, Ballarat and
...October 21, 2020
Microsoft, Tiffany help carve out new responsible mining standard Jesse Klein Wed, 10/21/2020 - 00:01 Not many audits are 14 years in the making. But after almost a decade and a half of creating the most holistic and encompassing mining standard, the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) released its first audit of a mine today. That mine is Carrizal, based in Mexico. It extracts zinc,
...October 20, 2020
"When communities like mine get full rights to our forests, we protect them, preserve huge stores of carbon, and help mitigate climate change."
October 20, 2020
Rethinking the role of sustainability reports Mike Hower Tue, 10/20/2020 - 01:00 Corporate sustainability has a reporting problem — it always has. Companies typically don’t enjoy creating them and investors, customers, employees and most other stakeholders don’t revel in reading them. Yet, with investors more interested in environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues
...October 19, 2020
A new method to molecularly deconstruct polyethylene could see the most commonly used form of plastic transformed it into higher-value, widely used chemical compounds. Many plastic products are intended for single or short-term use — most are not recycled. Efforts to improve the management and reuse of plastic waste have had limited success. Due to significant technical and economic challenges,
...October 19, 2020
Why Gen Z voices matter in making business sustainable Isabel LoDuca Mon, 10/19/2020 - 01:00 Generation Z, those born between 1996 and 2015, are current consumers, future business leaders and the future of this world. Yet, Gen Z is unlike any other generation to date. With buying power of more than $140 billion, Gen Z is the fastest-growing consumer segment with unique purchasing values in mind and
...October 19, 2020
The world’s first nuclear influencer is not a shill.
October 18, 2020
Restoring degraded natural lands highly effective for carbon storage and avoiding species extinctions.
October 14, 2020
Main Roads WA is working with the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) and Tyre Stewardship Australia to validate the use of recycling asphalt pavement that contains crumb rubber. In Western Australia crumb rubber consumption has doubled in the past two years, from between 800–1000 tonnes to nearly 2000 tonnes. Alongside the movement to use a variety of recycled materials in asphalt, road base and
...October 14, 2020
From claymation turtles to air pollution vigilantes, these ads have something for everyone.
October 13, 2020
Are lawyers and accountants doing enough on climate change? Joel Makower Tue, 10/13/2020 - 01:40 When it comes to the climate crisis, it’s not just what you make and sell, it’s what you do, and for whom you do it. That’s the message from several recent reports focusing on the role of service-sector companies in addressing — positively or negatively — climate change.
...October 13, 2020
The "alarmed" now outnumber the "dismissive" nearly four to one.
October 13, 2020
HSBC is latest bank to pledge net-zero financed emissions by mid-century Cecilia Keating Tue, 10/13/2020 - 00:46 HSBC has become the latest bank to commit to achieving net-zero financed emissions, announcing Monday that it intends to align its portfolio of investments and debt financing with global climate targets by mid-century. The bank, currently Europe's second largest financier of
...October 13, 2020
San José's bold new plan for climate-friendly transit Elizabeth Stampe Tue, 10/13/2020 - 00:22 San José is rolling out the green carpet for biking, thanks to the city council’s unanimous passage of the Better Bike Plan 2025. With the plan’s adoption, the city commits to building a 550-mile network of bike lanes, boulevards and trails to help thousands more people ride
...October 12, 2020
On Thursday 8th and Friday 9th October, over 3,000 business executives tuned in to the 2020 Reuters Events Responsible Business Awards virtual ceremony. A great variety of different sectors and industries from all over the world were represented. The diversity on display – both in terms of geographical origin and working sphere – demonstrated how delivering a clean, more responsible business
...October 12, 2020
Beyond emissions: The life of a carbon molecule David Parham Mon, 10/12/2020 - 01:30 Carbon is everywhere. Carbon atoms flow through all living organisms, from the atmosphere to the earth to the oceans and back again. But carbon is also moving constantly through the global economy, which historically has been powered by burning fossil fuels for energy. As a result, carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
...October 12, 2020
Persuasion 101: Ditch the nagging and guilt-tripping.
October 12, 2020
Coca-Cola on board with emphasizing human impact Heather Clancy Mon, 10/12/2020 - 00:15 The importance of setting science-based corporate strategies to address climate change is irrefutable. But corporations need to think far more about the human impact of their business decisions. Companies that don’t act decisively on issues of equity and social justice at the same time will fall short
...
October 9, 2020
While the listing plans offered on Intengine allow you to showcase your environmentally and socially conscious organization in different ways, there are techniques that every member of our directory can use to tailor their profile directly to their audience’s needs. Here are 4 ways to make the most of your listing on Intengine.
October 9, 2020
How to ensure circular fashion is good for people and the environment Annelise Thim Fri, 10/09/2020 - 00:15 This article originally was published in the BSR Insight. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the fashion industry into disarray, leaving supply chain workers without wages and causing major global brands to file for bankruptcy. In the United States alone, 2.1 million retail workers lost
...
October 8, 2020
DEMANDING MORE FROM BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCE Released in a recent National Energy Board of Canada report, British Columbia’s commercial and residential buildings in 2015 released a staggering 7.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, representing 12% of the total GHG emissions produced in the province. However, the Province of BC is committed to fostering sustainable
...October 8, 2020
Drones have become an important tool for climate, conservation, and social justice work by empowering local people with access to important data.
October 8, 2020
Engineering Professor Kim Pickering has been awarded $10.9 million in Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour funding to explore a circular economy concept created for the Aotearoa New Zealand context — shaped by the philosophies and values of both founding cultures: Ma?ori and European. ?miomio Aotearoa — a circular economy for the wellbeing of New Zealand is a
...October 7, 2020
Thousands of 'zero energy' schools, offices, and apartment buildings are on the way.
October 6, 2020
Certifications matter more than ever and brands should be promoting them Suzanne Shelton Tue, 10/06/2020 - 00:30 I’ve written quite a bit lately about how Americans are experiencing a "Maslow moment" right now. Concerns about the environment are taking a backseat to worries about basic needs — our health and our economy (at both the macro and personal level). But
...October 5, 2020
Inside Beautycounter’s quest to transform its mica supply chain Joel Makower Mon, 10/05/2020 - 02:11 First in a two-part series. This story begins, as so many supply-chain stories do, at a mine, the beginning of a journey in which a commodity — mica, in this case — finds its way into an extraordinarily diverse array of quotidian things: attic insulation; brake linings; car
...October 2, 2020
Get ready for the next wave of GMOs Jim Giles Fri, 10/02/2020 - 02:00 One summer day almost 20 years ago, a group of protestors arrived at a plot of genetically modified corn growing near the town of Montelimar in southern France. They were led by José Bové, a left-wing activist famous for his skirmishes with the law and his tremendous moustache. Using machetes and shears, the
...October 2, 2020
“It would be the most herculean thing ever accomplished in human history."
October 2, 2020
They worked on 10 times as many cases exacerbating climate change as addressing it.
October 2, 2020
7 roles to create sustainable success Ellen Weinreb Fri, 10/02/2020 - 00:30 There is a lot of talk right now about systems change, and for good reason: With so many people experiencing the effects of several major crises — the pandemic, the recession, racism and the ongoing climate crisis — we have a narrow window of opportunity for change. As they say, a crisis is a terrible thing to
...October 1, 2020
Amazon, Google, Microsoft and the climate cloud Heather Clancy Thu, 10/01/2020 - 01:30 Despite all they're doing to address climate change with both emissions reduction plans, circular economy innovation and consumer awareness, Amazon, Google and Microsoft have been criticized — rightly so, in my mind — for their close ties to the oil and gas sector. All of them are using their
...September 30, 2020
The next generation in digital water management, supercharging your operations in days, not years. TRILITY brings cutting-edge operations technology to the water industry, enabling businesses to move in step with customers’ expectations. The power lies in generating value from process and assets, not complexity. Bringing data and operational capabilities to life seamlessly with our next
...September 30, 2020
Due to the requirements of social distancing and its person-dense nature, there’s a clear hesitation for people to use public transport. People are instead looking at other modes of transport. Active transit is seeing a massive rise — even to the casual observer, bike stores and cycleways have never been busier. It’s interesting seeing that shift, and I’m intrigued to see whether
...September 30, 2020
5 things to know about California's gas car sales ban Katie Fehrenbacher Wed, 09/30/2020 - 00:00 Last week — as historic wildfires ravaged the forests of California — Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a history-making executive order: The state will ban the sales of new gas-powered cars within the next 15 years. It's a huge move, and the strategy
...September 29, 2020
In a move to push the solar agenda into Australian schools and early childhood centres, a COVID-safe convoy of 20 parents will deliver a Solar our Schools petition to the Prime Minister’s residence at Kirribilli House — via a ‘solar-powered cubby house’. More than 10,000 Australian parents have signed the open letter, asking Scott Morrison to fund solar panels and batteries for all
...September 28, 2020
Sewage systems around the world are plagued by concrete corrosion and fatbergs, leading to costly and disruptive maintenance. But an eco-friendly zero-cement concrete developed by researchers at RMIT University could hold the solution. Led by Dr Rajeev Roychand, the research team created a concrete that eliminates free lime — a chemical compound that promotes corrosion and fatbergs. The research
...September 28, 2020
Seven ways to inform better decisions with TCFD reporting Steven Bullock Mon, 09/28/2020 - 00:00 This article is sponsored by Trucost, part of S&P Global. The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) is helping to bring transparency to climate risk throughout capital markets, with the aim of making markets more efficient and economies more stable and
...September 27, 2020
Israeli food tech start-up W-Cycle has developed SupraPulp — plastic-free packaging made from sugarcane waste. The waste-based packaging is fully compostable and durable enough to be used for greasy, wet or hot food. SupraPulp materials can be frozen then heated in an oven, convection oven, steam cooker or microwave. The packaging is made from 100% renewable sugarcane fibres called bagasse — the dry,
...September 27, 2020
A newly released report demonstrates that innovative design and planning can reduce temperatures in Sydney’s Western Parkland City by up to 4.6 degrees. Conducted by Sydney Water, in partnership with leading architects, engineers and urban designers, the Urban Typology and Stormwater Management report shows that retaining stormwater in the natural landscape, coupled with innovative planning
...September 25, 2020
Dental implant surgery is the best option for people with missing teeth. Implants can retain 90% of chewing ability compared to dentures, which retain only 20% of chewing ability.
September 24, 2020
What makes them incredibly useful? In short, it is insightful conclusions based on research that tracks back to accredited sources. There is nothing more powerful than offering trusted information. These great tools for sourcing your articles will help you stand above.
September 24, 2020
Why nature is the next frontier for sustainable business Erin Billman Thu, 09/24/2020 - 01:15 It has been encouraging to see company and government commitments to cutting greenhouse gas emissions coming thick and fast in recent months, even despite the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes announcements from corporate giants Facebook, Uber and Amazon. America’s Pledge has just revealed that
...September 24, 2020
Why nature is the next frontier for sustainable business Erin Billman Thu, 09/24/2020 - 01:15 It has been encouraging to see company and government commitments to cutting greenhouse gas emissions coming thick and fast in recent months, even despite the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes announcements from corporate giants Facebook, Uber and Amazon. America’s Pledge has just revealed that U.S.
...September 24, 2020
4 things corporations should know about urban forestry projects Jesse Klein Thu, 09/24/2020 - 01:00 It’s hard to make planting trees political, one reason this climate mitigation strategy has received rare bipartisan support for the past two decades. Corporations have used that to their advantage to become an important part of the tree planting business. Funding tree planting in rural areas
...September 24, 2020
4 things corporations should know about urban forestry projects Jesse Klein Thu, 09/24/2020 - 01:00 It’s hard to make planting trees political, one reason this climate mitigation strategy has received rare bipartisan support for the past two decades. Corporations have used that to their advantage to become an important part of the tree planting business. Funding tree planting in
...September 24, 2020
The 18-year-old is trying to defend her tribe's sacred lands and way of life, despite new threats from the Trump administration.
September 23, 2020
How Keurig Dr Pepper is increasing its packaging recyclability In 2019, Keurig Dr Pepper launched its Drink Well. Do Good. corporate responsibility platform aimed, in part, at reducing its environmental footprint. One of the goals of the platform was to convert all packaging to recyclable or compostable formats by 2025, while increasing the use of recycled content. Monique Oxender, chief
...September 23, 2020
Low-cost green hydrogen has been manufactured using a combination of solar energy and water harvested from air. Pioneered by University of Newcastle Professor Behdad Moghtaderi and his team, the technique overcomes some of the key challenges limiting domestic production and availability of hydrogen fuel. The technology employs Moghtaderi’s Hydro Harvester — an innovation that
...September 23, 2020
Low-cost green hydrogen has been manufactured using a combination of solar energy and water harvested from air. Pioneered by University of Newcastle Professor Behdad Moghtaderi and his team, the technique overcomes some of the key challenges limiting domestic production and availability of hydrogen fuel. The technology employs Moghtaderi’s Hydro Harvester — an innovation that
...September 23, 2020
Low-cost green hydrogen has been manufactured using a combination of solar energy and water harvested from air. Pioneered by University of Newcastle Professor Behdad Moghtaderi and his team, the technique overcomes some of the key challenges limiting domestic production and availability of hydrogen fuel. The technology employs Moghtaderi’s Hydro Harvester — an innovation that
...September 23, 2020
Hip pain is a serious problem that can make it hard for you to stand, walk, run, or dance.
September 22, 2020
The How2Recycle label needs a massive campaign. Brands should make it happen Suzanne Shelton Tue, 09/22/2020 - 01:00 I hope you’ve downloaded our latest free report, "Engaging Middle America in Recycling Solutions.". We conducted that research because we were curious about whether Americans were aware of what was happening with our recycling system — that most Asian
...September 22, 2020
It's easier to set a "net-zero" goal than to define it.
September 21, 2020
Head for the kiosk to resupply your soap and sanitizer, and don’t forget your RFID-enabled refillable bottle.
September 21, 2020
Research examining seafood sustainability suggests that jellyfish could become the fish to your chips on a new sustainable takeaway menu to help keep threatened species off the plate. University of Queensland researchers analysed global industrial fishing records to reveal that 92 endangered and 11 critically endangered species of seafood were caught in oceans around the world. UQ Centre for
...September 21, 2020
ESG investments: Exponential potential or surfing one wave? Terry F. Yosie Mon, 09/21/2020 - 00:30 Amidst four concurrent crises — health, economic, race relations and climate — one stand-out 2020 development has been the rebound of major stock markets and, particularly, the growing performance and prominence of environment, social and governance (ESG) traded
...September 20, 2020
Researchers at RMIT University have developed an industry step-by-step implementation plan to transform cigarette butts into bricks. The plan, published in a special issue of the journal Materials, shows how cigarette butts can be collected and recycled on an industrial scale. Every year, across the globe, more than 6 trillion cigarettes are produced, resulting in 1.2 million tonnes of toxic waste
...September 16, 2020
Startup tackles decarbonizing industrial heat processes Myisha Majumder Wed, 09/16/2020 - 01:30 Skyven Technologies, founded in 2013, is a company with a unique proposition for companies in the industrial sector — a way to save money through decarbonizing. Skyven CEO Arun Gupta said the idea came when he applied the thinking behind his Ph.D. dissertation in microelectronics to
...September 15, 2020
In a bid to lower energy and water bills and create a more sustainable and resilient city, councillors in the City of Melbourne will consider proposed changes to the planning scheme to deliver more sustainable buildings. Environment Portfolio Chair Cr Cathy Oke said encouraging investment in sustainable and energy-efficient buildings will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support economic
...September 15, 2020
An idea for solving the plastics crisis Sara Kingman Tue, 09/15/2020 - 01:30 A major problem with behavior-change programs in the waste industry is that they rely on consumers being taught to feel the guilt of plastic in the ocean, and the harm to turtles and whales. They’ve tried to condition people to believe that if we buy so-called "zero waste kits," choose zucchini and
...September 15, 2020
Google’s announcement comes as historic fires linked to climate change have burned millions of acres across the Western U.S. The post Google plans to power your searches with carbon-free energy by 2030 appeared first on Grist.
September 14, 2020
Pasadena and Frewville Foodlands have introduced compostable bags throughout their stores for fresh fruit and vegetables, deli items and baked goods, reportedly becoming the first supermarkets in Australia to eliminate single-use plastic produce bags. The initiative — set to save more than 3 million plastic bags or 7 tonnes of soft plastic from going into landfill — is the result of a
...September 12, 2020
How BASF’s reciChain aims to improve traceability of recycled plastics The vision for BASF’s reciChain project is to take circularity into the real world by increasing traceability of recycled plastics. The company created a plastic additive that enables the traceability. Mitchell Toomey, director of sustainability for North America at BASF, shared an example of how it could work on a
...September 12, 2020
Sure, it was wildfire smoke that made parts of California and Oregon change hue. But inside that smoke was alchemy — the chemistry and physics of molecules and wavelengths.
September 11, 2020
Two recent studies add fresh evidence to both sides of an age-old debate.
September 10, 2020
Built to Last: The Case for Durable Design What are the implications of building long-lasting, durable products, and what opportunities arise from keeping products in service? "They don't build things like they used to..." This age-old lament seems aptly fit for our era of single-use disposables and planned obsolescence. For the nostalgic, the quality conscious and the
...September 10, 2020
Coal-fired power stations could be converted to run entirely fossil fuel-free by using a new type of thermal storage material housed in LEGO-like blocks. Coined Miscibility Gaps Alloy (MGA), the blocks are capable of receiving energy generated by renewables, storing it cheaply and safely as thermal energy, then using it to run steam turbines at power stations instead of burning coal. Patented by the
...September 10, 2020
Hard truths from a decade of investing in regional food systems Meredith Storton Thu, 09/10/2020 - 02:00 The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the inequities and fragility of our industrialized food system and accelerated the movement to create strong regional food systems that support local growers, provide food security, give communities agency over their food supply and yield
...
September 8, 2020
If you’re an employer looking to fill a sustainability-related role, or a job-seeker on the hunt for eco-employment, opportunity abounds. The National not-for-profit ECO Canada will be offering wage funding to help Canadian organizations hire young professionals into environmentally-related positions.
September 8, 2020
The release of an Australian Seaweed Industry Blueprint outlines plans for a $1.5 billion Australian seaweed industry that could employ 9000 people and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10%. The Australian seaweed industry plans to be a $100 million plus industry in the next five years, with investors and entrepreneurs lining up to get involved in seaweed to make money and make a difference by reducing
...September 8, 2020
Mini nuclear plants are almost here. Is the U.S. ready?
September 8, 2020
Carbon 'rainbow': Unilever pledges $1.2B to scrub fossil fuels from cleaning products Cecilia Keating Tue, 09/08/2020 - 00:15 Unilever last week revealed plans to funnel close to $1.2 billion over the next 10 years into initiatives that will allow it to replace chemicals in its cleaning products made from fossil fuel feedstocks with greener alternatives — an investment it
...September 7, 2020
This shift in social standards is the main reason we’re seeing a wave of synthetic substitutes heading for the market. Leather alternatives produced from synthetic polymers fare better in terms of environmental sustainability and have achieved considerable market share in recent years. But these materials face the same disposal issues as any synthetic plastic. So, the leather market has begun
...September 6, 2020
Angove Organic is a 134-year-old, multi-generational family wine company based in McLaren Vale, South Australia, home to sustainable winegrowing and world-class wines. The company has a longstanding commitment to certified organic viticulture, once a niche industry that has now entered the mainstream as consumer demand grows for certified organic products in Australia. Managing Director Richard
...September 4, 2020
Financial models that will get you that on-site microgrid Sarah Golden Fri, 09/04/2020 - 01:30 I’ve written about my high hopes for microgrids and my disappointment at the speed of deployment (due in part to COVID-related slowdowns that stalled construction). But don’t be confused. Like a swimming duck, a lot has been happening with microgrids under the
...September 3, 2020
Aluminium recycling has received a boost through new research into the effects of crystallisation. Researcher Dr Biao Cai from the University of Birmingham’s School of Metallurgy and Materials used sophisticated high-speed X-ray imaging to record the formation of microcrystals as alloys cool and solidify under a magnetic field. A mathematical model was developed by his collaborator, Dr
...September 3, 2020
The open source movement takes on climate data Heather Clancy Thu, 09/03/2020 - 00:15 As GreenBiz co-founder and Executive Editor Joel Makower wrote earlier this week, many companies are moving to disclose "climate risk," although far fewer are moving to actually minimize it. And as those tasked with preparing those reports can attest, the process of gathering the data for them is
...September 1, 2020
To protect the planet’s oceans, we have to know what’s going on in them and what we are taking out. Ending illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is critical, but many countries don’t have resources for patrols at sea and remote surveillance, leaving much of their 200-mile exclusive economic zones (EEZs) unprotected. Many also lack sufficient regulations, oversight, or
...September 1, 2020
Carbon pricing works, and this proves it Paul Burke Tue, 09/01/2020 - 00:45 Putting a price on carbon should reduce emissions, because it makes dirty production processes more expensive than clean ones, right? That’s the economic theory. Stated baldly, it’s obvious; however, there is perhaps a tiny chance that what happens in practice might be something else. In a newly
...
August 31, 2020
It’s time we talked a bit about what defines a Sustainable Business. Not the big players, the ones who are providing renewable energy solutions or leading a global stand on human rights, although these companies have our thanks.
August 31, 2020
‘Harmonics’ refers to deviations from the desired model sinusoidal AC line voltage and the current waveforms. These deviations, or harmonic distortions, have historically been low in magnitude. However, more recently, there has been a considerable increase in harmonic distortions attributed to the use of power electronics, non-linear commercial and industrial loads, and Variable Frequency
...August 30, 2020
Oceans are critical in the battle against climate change, absorbing 25%-30% of annual CO2 emissions, but it is a role that is being undermined as oceans warm and become more acidic. In the future, scientists say, the greatest CO2 mitigation potential will have to be found not in the depths of the oceans, but in what lies on top: renewable energy installations like offshore wind, wave and tidal energy and floating
...August 28, 2020
Amazon hands Mercedes-Benz its biggest electric vehicle order to date Katie Fehrenbacher Fri, 08/28/2020 - 00:00 German auto giant Mercedes-Benz announced its largest order of electric vehicles to date Friday: 1,800 electric delivery vans for retail giant Amazon to use across Europe. The deal shows how companies are increasingly paying attention to ways to decarbonize
...August 27, 2020
Yudith Nieto and Mustafa Santiago Ali dig in on climate justice, intersectional work, and solidarity.
August 27, 2020
With gas still a key part of many industrial heating applications, researchers are looking renewable alternatives. In a project supported by ARENA and the new Reliable Affordable Clean Energy for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre (RACE for 2030 CRC), researchers from the University of South Australia’s Future Industry Institute (FII) are currently prototyping a commercial-scale system that
...August 27, 2020
With gas still a key part of many industrial heating applications, researchers are looking renewable alternatives. In a project supported by ARENA and the new Reliable Affordable Clean Energy for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre (RACE for 2030 CRC), researchers from the University of South Australia’s Future Industry Institute (FII) are currently prototyping a commercial-scale system that
...August 27, 2020
Despite record oil price fluctuations, circular plastic strategies prevail Jesse Klein Thu, 08/27/2020 - 01:45 The coronavirus pandemic threw almost every market into a tailspin, including the notoriously sensitive oil market. And when crude oil prices fell into negative territory in April, the recycled plastic industry experienced a reckoning. Would corporations still invest in
...August 27, 2020
Applying science and healthcare principles to soil wellness can help our planet Poornima Param… Thu, 08/27/2020 - 01:00 Basic human health principles tell us that we should diagnose before we treat and that we should test before we diagnose. From annual physicals and screenings to blood tests and imaging exams, providers and specialists have many new tools and resources
...August 27, 2020
Amid devastating forest fires, One Trillion Trees movement puts down U.S. roots Heather Clancy Thu, 08/27/2020 - 00:02 This week marks the launch of the first regional chapter of the ambitious global movement to plant 1 trillion trees — a natural climate solution seen as critical for helping draw down the earth's carbon debt, and an idea that has been spreading like wildfire
...August 26, 2020
Aquaculture, the farming of aquatic animals and plants in the sea or inland waters, has a crucial role in meeting the challenge of how to feed a growing population while reducing the environmental impacts of food production, experts say. It can also create jobs and improve security of food supplies at a time of great economic uncertainty due to the coronavirus
...August 26, 2020
Adelaide Cemeteries has gained internationally recognised ISO 14001 environmental certification, reportedly becoming the first cemetery operator in Australia to do so. Adelaide Cemeteries CEO Robert Pitt said significant work had been undertaken over several years to improve environmental performance. “Environmental sustainability is a key pillar of Adelaide Cemeteries’
...
August 26, 2020
Stem cells is a very discussed topic lately: They are suggested to be used in cosmetic procedures and even added to creams. They are extracted from milk teeth and umbilical cords. They are used in the treatment of various diseases.
August 26, 2020
Where there's hope for speeding up business action on plastics Elsa Wenzel Wed, 08/26/2020 - 02:01 In 10 short years, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) arguably has done more than any other group to define and advance the circular economy. Its landmark report, "The New Plastics Economy" (PDF), sounded the alarm in 2016 that if "business as
...August 26, 2020
Is it time to forget about your carbon footprint?
August 25, 2020
Australian energy trading technology company Power Ledger has expanded its partnership with Thai renewable energy business BCPG to create a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) marketplace in Thailand and the broader Southeast Asian region. The project builds on Power Ledger’s existing relationship with BCPG that initially involved the deployment of Power Ledger’s peer-to-peer (P2P)
...August 25, 2020
Australian energy trading technology company Power Ledger has expanded its partnership with Thai renewable energy business BCPG to create a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) marketplace in Thailand and the broader Southeast Asian region. The project builds on Power Ledger’s existing relationship with BCPG that initially involved the deployment of Power Ledger’s peer-to-peer (P2P)
...August 25, 2020
New sparks for the electric vehicle industry Zoé Bezpalko Tue, 08/25/2020 - 01:45 Thinking back to the beginning of 2020 can seem like a lifetime ago. Before the pandemic took root on a global level, the transportation industry was already in the midst of a great and exciting transition. The move to electric vehicles (EVs) was intensifying. Take General Motors, for example. In early
...August 24, 2020
Simons Green Energy conducted a feasibility study to assess the suitability of HW Greenham & Sons installing a mixed-fuel cogeneration system at their meat processing site in Tongala, Victoria. The system needed to offer significant environmental benefits and make sound financial sense. Subsequently awarded the project, Simons provided the client with an end-to-end solution from initial design to
...August 24, 2020
The rise (and rise) of sustainability-linked finance Joel Makower Mon, 08/24/2020 - 02:11 One silver lining of this horrific moment is the rise of loans, bonds and other financial instruments linked to sustainability outcomes. In this sense, "sustainability" is broadly defined to include environmental issues as well as social ones. And, more recently, a new subcategory of, yes,
...August 24, 2020
This is why investors want financial regulators to tackle climate risk Ravi Varghese Mon, 08/24/2020 - 01:15 To understand economic crises of the recent past, present and future, there may be no finer teacher than Michael Lewis. Many readers will be familiar with Lewis’s book "The Big Short," which documented how excesses in global credit markets spawned a worldwide
...August 23, 2020
CSIRO has announced the formation of a new company — FutureFeed — to commercialise a livestock feed additive made from the seaweed Asparagopsis, which has been shown to reduce methane emissions in beef and dairy cattle by more than 80%. AGP Sustainable Real Assets-Sparklabs Cultiv8 Joint Venture, GrainCorp, Harvest Road, Woolworths and CSIRO have committed to investing in the company, with
...August 21, 2020
There's a big appetite for farm-to-consumer shopping Jim Giles Fri, 08/21/2020 - 01:45 Avrom Farm sits in the hills above Green Lake in central Wisconsin. With 5,000 chickens, 200 pigs and six acres of vegetables, it’s a minnow in an industry dominated by an increasingly small number of producers and processors. In March, a stay-at-home order hit the region. In just a
...August 21, 2020
Why e-commerce retailers should increase transparency about their products Deonna Anderson Fri, 08/21/2020 - 01:15 When shopping online, consumers are able to see a lot of information about a product. There’s the product description and specifications of an item. For a bottle of perfume, the listing would declare the fluid ounces and describe the scent. A piece of clothing would show
...August 21, 2020
Brandon Dennison is on a mission to save West Virginia’s economy while preserving its unique history.
August 20, 2020
Journey Foods uses AI to create sustainability recipe for food manufacturers Jesse Klein Thu, 08/20/2020 - 02:00 Riana Lynn’s company, Journey Foods, is dragging the packaged food business into the 21st century. "Food manufacturing has really only scaled up in the last 60 years," she said. "And that means we’re also working on very antiquated
...August 19, 2020
Why the District of Columbia is a leader in energy efficiency Catherine Nabukalu Wed, 08/19/2020 - 01:30 One of my favorite sessions from VERGE 2019 was a presentation by Amory Lovins on the expanding energy efficiency cornucopia. Among several things, he discussed the vital benefit of energy efficiency in working toward environmental sustainability through emissions reductions without
...August 18, 2020
Ulta Beauty is bringing refillable containers back to the cosmetics industry Jesse Klein Tue, 08/18/2020 - 02:00 The beauty industry has a plastic waste problem. And it knows it. A quick Google search brings up articles from Allure, National Geographic, Forbes, Teen Vogue and 31,800,000 other results about the issue. It seems those concerns finally have reached a critical mass,
...August 17, 2020
A new study suggests that feelings might be the key to changing conservatives' hearts on climate change.
August 13, 2020
Reusable packaging provides untapped payoffs for business Joana Kleine Jäger Thu, 08/13/2020 - 01:45 Remember the time when milk was delivered to your door in reusable glass bottles? If not, you were probably born during the plastics-era, which began about 50 years ago. Until the 1980s, glass or cotton bags were the go-to packaging materials for many products, such as milk and flour.
...August 11, 2020
How a warming climate moved a fringe economic idea into the mainstream
August 10, 2020
Pioneers of ‘microrecycling science’ at UNSW’s Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) have developed a technology that is set to propel advanced manufacturing in Australia while also addressing the nation’s waste management challenges. Developed by Professor Veena Sahajwalla and her team, the novel ‘material microsurgery’
...August 10, 2020
How sustainability vets align their work-life identities Ellen Weinreb Mon, 08/10/2020 - 01:00 As our professional colleagues in the Sustainability Veterans group expressed their sense of overwhelm and concern around the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter, we also reflected on how it relates to our lives, and vice versa. Sustainability Veterans is a group of professionals who have
...August 10, 2020
Outdated policies that favor fossil fuels could thwart states' climate goals.
August 10, 2020
Investors say agroforestry isn’t just climate friendly — it’s profitable Stephanie Hanes Mon, 08/10/2020 - 00:15 This story originally appeared in Mongabay and is republished here as part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalistic collaboration to strengthen coverage of the climate story. In the latter part of 2016, Ethan Steinberg and two of his friends
...August 9, 2020
Criteria for the Vinyl Council of Australia’s Best Environmental Practice (BEP) PVC product verification scheme will be reviewed and updated following discussions with the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). Best Practice PVC products, independently verified as fully compliant with the scheme, are recognised in Green Star building rating tools, as well as other public and private
...August 7, 2020
We'd need a yearly quarantine to get emissions down enough to limit global warming.
August 7, 2020
Planting tiny urban forests can boost biodiversity and fight climate change Alex Thornton Fri, 08/07/2020 - 00:30 How much space do you think you need to grow a forest? If your answer is bigger than a couple of tennis courts, think again. Miniature forests are springing up on patches of land in urban areas around the world, often planted by local community groups using a method
...August 4, 2020
The state is partnering with investor-owned utilities to provide energy-efficient solutions to more than 350,000 low-to-moderate income households.
August 3, 2020
Concerns about the impact of nanoplastics and microplastics (NMPs) on global ecosystems has been on the radar for many years.1 Most attention to date has focused on microplastics in waterways and oceans, but much is unknown about their occurrence on land.2 NMPs contaminate practically all areas of the world including air, soil and water — streams, rivers, oceans and even arctic snow.3 They have been
...August 3, 2020
A new experiment provides a window into the future of peatlands, the world's largest natural carbon store.
August 2, 2020
A new facility for electric vehicle chargers is being developed by ABB in San Giovanni Valdarno, Italy. The $30 million, 16,000 m2 facility will serve as a global Centre of Excellence and production site for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. It is expected to be operational by the end of 2021. The project follows a $10 million investment in a new fully sustainable, global e-mobility headquarters
...July 31, 2020
Established in 1986, Huon Aquaculture has grown to become a salmon producer that is recognised around the world for the quality of its produce and the ingenuity of its operations. The company is seen as an ethical business and a respected Tasmanian brand — part of a sustainable industry and a company that is focused on the safety of its employees, as well as the welfare of the fish and the wildlife around its
...July 31, 2020
Water is essential for the development and maintenance of successful economies and for preserving human health. Ensuring the ongoing availability of water as an essential resource means that water must be used responsibly and sustainably. Water is a renewable resource, circulating on the planet for many millions of years, but it becomes lost from the water cycle if it is polluted or extracted more quickly than it
...July 30, 2020
Two engineering students at the University of Sydney — Vanathy Arudselvan and Yeeun Cho — have developed a more hygienic, dignified and safer way to dislodge latrine sludge in developing countries, earning them paid internships at GHD. The duo received the GHD Humanitarian Internship Prize presented at the Humanitarian Innovation (Digital) Hackathon hosted by engineering think-tank the
...July 30, 2020
The future of organic coffee: Building a network of support for regenerative agriculture Jean Orlowski Thu, 07/30/2020 - 02:00 Nearly a decade ago, as we took in the lush plant life, clean air and warm sunshine surrounding us during a vacation in Hawaii, my wife, Danielle, and I knew a life shift was happening. A connection to the land — this island — was built on that trip, leading us
...July 30, 2020
Not every household has the same access to clean, efficient energy. Professor Tony Reames has a plan to correct that.
July 29, 2020
A new study expands on the health benefits of RGGI, but more research is needed to evaluate whether they are distributed equitably.
July 28, 2020
Semiconductor firm Applied Materials puts supply chain at center of new commitments Heather Clancy Tue, 07/28/2020 - 02:00 The sustainability ambitions of the world’s largest cloud software companies — Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Salesforce — have been well-documented. The broad semiconductor industry’s position to date, however, has been less
...
July 27, 2020
Wind can come in the form of hurricanes, tornadoes, cyclones, microbursts or downdrafts. There are high winds and gusts in some instances that last just a few minutes, and there are sustaining winds that may last for days. While wind can be a powerful asset, it can also pose a significant danger at times. On an individual basis, it can be valuable to understand the impact of high winds and how we can best protect our homes
...July 27, 2020
How Cargill’s new science-based water targets go with the flow Joel Makower Mon, 07/27/2020 - 02:11 Cargill, the giant food and ag conglomerate, last week announced a new set of 2030 corporate water targets, the latest to do so among firms in its sector. But this was no me-too kind of endeavor. Rather, it put the company at the front of the pack, going well beyond its own operational
...July 27, 2020
Businesses are living through a period of unprecedented change. Driven by the climate emergency and incoming regulation, plus shareholder, employee and consumer pressure, every business is being challenged with how to become a low-carbon enterprise.Image: Channels: Business StrategyTags: Transform Europe Virtual SeriesTransform: Energy & Carbonclimate
...July 27, 2020
Morgan Stanley will measure CO2 impact of loans and investments Michael Holder Mon, 07/27/2020 - 00:15 Morgan Stanley has become the first major U.S. bank to commit to measuring and disclosing the climate impact of its loans and investments, announcing last week that it has joined a multi-trillion dollar group of global financial institutions developing a standardized method for carbon
...July 24, 2020
Closed Loop Partners teams with Walmart, CVS, Target to take on the plastic bag Deonna Anderson Fri, 07/24/2020 - 01:15 Single-use plastic shopping bags are a real problem. They take decades to break down but nearly 100 billion of them are used in the United States every year to cart away goods from retailers. Fewer than 10 percent of those are recycled — often winding up in landfills
...July 24, 2020
Meet Cosmo, a gene-edited calf taking on climate change
July 23, 2020
Concept Environmental Services (Concept) has completed construction of a 112-megalitre Saline Effluent Management System (SEMS) for a key CSG customer. The system consists of two Concept Tanks that each hold up to 56 million litres of brine produced by operations in the area. This project is claimed to be the first of its kind in Australia, which will see a 30% reduction in brine processing time, meaning land
...July 23, 2020
Melbourne’s La Trobe University is on track to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2029 with the completion of a solar energy project at its Bundoora Campus. The solar system features 7500 solar panels on roofs around the campus in Melbourne’s north, which will generate 2.5 MW of clean, renewable electricity. The project is a cornerstone of La Trobe’s Net Zero Plan to reach net zero carbon
...July 23, 2020
A study that will explore how to manage unstable and weak parts of the electricity grid has just received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The Grid Innovation Hub at Monash University has received $495,680 in funding to conduct a desktop study that explores issues and strategies associated with connecting renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind and battery projects
...July 22, 2020
While more and more companies are focused on sustainable entrepreneurship and the fair and inclusive economic growth of the global economy, there is still a trend in the ready-made garment industry of companies moving their production to new markets with lower production costs. The largest, not necessarily the most sustainable, economic growth can be seen in Southeast Asia. The pressure on raw materials and
...July 22, 2020
Nike, Starbucks, Mercedes, Unilever, and others join Microsoft in the Transform to Net Zero initiative
July 22, 2020
UNSW Sydney researchers have found that man-made reefs — in conjunction with the restoration or protection of natural habitat — can increase fish abundance in estuaries. The researchers installed six artificial reefs in each estuary studied, finding that overall fish abundance increased up to 20 times in each reef across a two-year period. The research — funded by the NSW
...July 21, 2020
Researchers at Berkeley Lab and Carnegie Mellon University have designed a new class of solid electrolytes that could facilitate the wider electrification of transportation, including electric aircraft and long-range electric cars. Battery endeavours and the dendrite dilemma To design a rechargeable battery that can power electric vehicles (EVs) for hundreds of kilometres on a single charge,
...July 21, 2020
Reducing waste is a critical environmental concern. Waste ends up polluting the environment, having a significant impact on plants and animals and contributing to climate change. Apart from ecological concerns, waste also has an impact on the economy. Once waste is sent to landfill, it is a dead asset. A circular economy, where items are recycled and re-used, creates jobs and ensures assets stay in the
...July 21, 2020
We asked Grist readers to share the customs, habits, and practices that taught them how to reuse, recycle, and waste less.
July 20, 2020
8 cities share how racial justice is embedded into their climate plans Jesse Klein Mon, 07/20/2020 - 02:00 As COVID-19 rampages through vulnerable minority populations with tragic consequences, and protests for racial justice surge among a similar demographic, city climate planners see a renewed focus on climate justice. The pandemic, in some ways, has been a trial run for the
...July 20, 2020
"It wasn't supposed to work."
July 17, 2020
The future of the fashion industry requires innovative circular systems Nicole Pamani Fri, 07/17/2020 - 00:15 Agricultural waste from food crops either is traditionally left to rot or is burned, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. About 270 million tons of banana waste are left to rot annually, and in India, 32 million acres of rice straw are burned. Circular
...July 16, 2020
Honorary Associate Professor Mark Diesendorf and Professor Tommy Wiedmann analysed dozens of studies on renewable electricity systems in regions where wind and/or solar could provide most of the electricity generation in future. Their findings reveal that transitioning to renewable energy will reap environmental and long-term economic benefits, with the possibility of energy return on energy invested
...July 16, 2020
The electronic waste collection conundrum Heather Clancy Thu, 07/16/2020 - 01:15 The primary reason I started covering the business of sustainability during the 2008 financial crisis wasn’t just because I was laid off from my position as editor of a technology trade publication. Quite simply, I had become obsessed with the tech industry’s then-blasé attitude about
...July 15, 2020
Whenever and wherever you need to check a pH, conductivity or oxygen value, you need to obtain reliable measured values that allow you to take any necessary remedial measures quickly, to ensure that your process continues to run at an optimum level. Learn about a mobile innovation that measures pH/ORP, conductivity and oxygen with the highest signal reliability. Discover how to establish immediately what
...July 15, 2020
Could trash-to-energy technology feed hydrogen demand? Arlene Karidis Wed, 07/15/2020 - 01:00 One novel spin on emerging hydrogen fuel options is "clean hydrogen" made from trash. Early pioneers of these hydrogen-from-waste technologies such as Ways2H, SGH2 Energy (SGH2) and Standard Hydrogen say not only are they making carbon-free, energy-rich fuel, their
...July 14, 2020
Activist and hip-hop artist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez knows a thing or two about bringing people together.
July 13, 2020
As Covid-19 forced countries around the world into lockdown, grounding airlines and closing factories, global energy consumption plummeted. Demand dropped by 3.8% in the first quarter, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), which predicted that the figure would be 6% by the end of the year – equal to the entire energy needs of India, the world’s third-largest
...July 13, 2020
As wind and solar continue to grab the headlines, it’s easy to forget that hydropower remains the world’s largest form of renewable energy, contributing around 70% of all green electricity. The trio of China, North America and Brazil remain the world’s biggest producers, and last year saw the latter open the colossal Belo Monte project. Capable of generating 11,233MW and providing
...July 13, 2020
An unexpected breakout year for the social side of ESG Mike Hower Mon, 07/13/2020 - 01:30 About six months ago, I wrote that 2020 would be a pivotal year for environmental, social and governance (ESG), and that what happens this year and over the next decade could determine the next century. While it would be the world’s biggest understatement to say 2020 isn’t turning out the way we
...July 13, 2020
A CFO’s take on climate and risk management Vincent Manier Mon, 07/13/2020 - 01:00 Just a couple of months into 2020, the world was amid significant discussion about the core purpose of businesses, led by BlackRock CEO Larry Fink calling for corporate America to take control of its carbon footprint and major companies, including Microsoft and Delta, making ambitious zero-carbon
...July 13, 2020
The purchase is an “important baby step” that could help boost demand for sustainable aviation fuels.
July 12, 2020
GRI and SASB are collaborating. Is that good news for companies? Joel Makower Sun, 07/12/2020 - 17:56 For years, corporate reporters — those inside companies responsible for creating sustainability reports and reporting environmental, social and governance data to various other organizations — have been frustrated by what many refer to as an alphabet soup of standards and
...July 10, 2020
20 must-read books about food systems Danielle Nierenberg Fri, 07/10/2020 - 00:50 With record high unemployment, a reeling global economy and concerns of food shortages, the world as we know it is changing. But even as these shifts expose inequities in the health and food systems, many experts hope that the current moment offers an opportunity to build a new, more sustainable food
...July 9, 2020
Electricity could soon be used to clean up heavily contaminated industrial wastewater streams. A team of engineers from the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Sydney developed an electrochemical oxidation process, with the aim of cleaning up complex wastewater that contained a toxic combination of chemical pollutants. “Our study, published in Algal
...July 9, 2020
SA Water’s new Murray Bridge Wastewater Treatment Plant has received an ‘excellent’ design rating from the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA), with the score of 72 reported to be the highest design rating to date for a water or wastewater project in Australia. With the ability to process up to 4.5 million litres of sewage a day, the plant replaces the previous
...July 7, 2020
Activists in New Mexico defend the relationship between people, land, and seeds.
July 7, 2020
The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. In Utqiagvik, Alaska, Inupiat people say that change is a part of life.
July 6, 2020
You might think cars and other forms of transportation in a big city like Vancouver, BC, would be responsible for the lion’s share of carbon emissions. You’d be wrong.
July 6, 2020
True million-mile batteries are likely to outlast whatever cars they’re built for, meaning their arrival could dramatically impact both second-use markets and battery recycling.
July 5, 2020
The Australian Government will invest $190 million in resource recovery infrastructure to transform the nation’s waste and recycling capacity — a huge milestone for recycling, according to the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR), the national peak body for the $1.5 billion industry that employs 50,000 Australians. The Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF) is set to generate $600 million
...July 2, 2020
Airlines: Give us a break! UN: Done.
July 2, 2020
From bike protests to staggered commute times, here’s how things might (literally) go in the future.
July 2, 2020
The City of Sydney has switched to 100% renewable electricity, generated from wind and solar farms in regional NSW. All of the City’s operations — including streetlights, pools, sports fields, depots, buildings and the Sydney Town Hall — will now be run on renewable electricity. The green energy deal — valued at over $60 million —is reported to be the biggest of its kind by a
...July 2, 2020
The City of Sydney has switched to 100% renewable electricity, generated from wind and solar farms in regional NSW. All of the City’s operations — including streetlights, pools, sports fields, depots, buildings and the Sydney Town Hall — will now be run on renewable electricity. The green energy deal — valued at over $60 million —is reported to be the biggest of its kind by a council in Australia. The
...July 2, 2020
A truly clean energy system runs on a clean conscience Alec Appelbaum Thu, 07/02/2020 - 01:15 What would you do if the cause that lights your day turned out to be trapping fellow citizens in the dark? For Shalanda Baker, a professor of law and public policy at Northeastern University, thinking about a clean energy future means thinking about the daily, weekly and sometimes invisible
..._thumb.jpg)
July 1, 2020
With their sleekly designed refill stations dispensing beverages and household soaps, Vancouver-manufactured Drinkfill and Soapstand are positioned to make zero-waste living accessible to millions of people around the globe. I sat down with the company’s CEO, 31-year-old Andy Chou, to learn about his ambitious goal of having hundreds of thousands of stations installed in major urban centres
...July 1, 2020
Critics say that the company is using deceptive accounting techniques to distract from its increasing emissions.
July 1, 2020
The Covid-19 crisis has provided brands with a rare opportunity to reset their supply chain strategy and create a plan for achieving their recycling goals. Plastic waste is a concern for many businesses, especially in the packaging industry, where “branded litter” flows into ocean-bound waterways at an unprecedented rate of almost a truckload per
...July 1, 2020
Mapping the deep: A new age of exploration Dawn Wright Wed, 07/01/2020 - 02:00 Did you know that we have far more accurate maps of the moon, Mars and Venus than we do of our own ocean? It wasn’t until 2017 that we were able to help advance the exploration of the world’s ocean with the launch of the world’s first 3D digital map. For the first time, the new developments in mapping
...June 30, 2020
Rapid urbanisation and aging infrastructures are creating global water challenges, but contemporary technologies like the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) offer a solution. Water is a precious natural resource becoming more scarce with rapid urbanisation. According to the World Economic Forum, water scarcity is one of the most significant challenges of our time. And as the global population
...June 29, 2020
Secrets for circular supply chain partnerships from Interface and Aquafil Elsa Wenzel Mon, 06/29/2020 - 02:00 It’s an enviable alliance that has outlasted most marriages. For two decades, Interface and Aquafil have worked together to close the loop on carpeting, an example that other companies have followed. The carpet maker and the nylon supplier moved long ago past the early steps
...June 29, 2020
Meet Terry the Fracosaurus and other cartoon characters that really shouldn't exist.
June 29, 2020
16 congregations of Dominican nuns recently debuted a collaboration with Morgan Stanley to create a $130 million climate solutions fund.
June 28, 2020
Australian builders are calling on construction industry professionals to take a stand on the climate change and biodiversity emergency. The Australian Builders Declare initiative sees builders joining architects in publicly acknowledging that we are facing a climate emergency, and that business as usual cannot continue if we want a prosperous future for our children and natural
...June 26, 2020
Where Unilever's product labeling initiative could have a huge impact Jim Giles Fri, 06/26/2020 - 01:00 One of the most significant projects in sustainable food in 2020 was unveiled last week. The news is important partly because of the company involved: CPG behemoth Unilever, which reaches 2.5 billion consumers every day through 400 brands, which range from Ben & Jerry’s to
...June 25, 2020
A report released by ENEA Consulting reveals that a suite of technologies is required to address power quality issues caused by increasing electricity generation from rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This report is a timely addition to drive solutions for Australia’s energy transition as consumers’ appetite for rooftop PV continues to grow. The Future Grid for Distributed
...June 25, 2020
To B or not to B? More tech companies should ask themselves that question Heather Clancy Thu, 06/25/2020 - 02:00 Fifth Wall, the biggest venture fund dedicated to funding disruptive ideas in real estate and retail, this week revealed that it has become a Certified B Corporation (B Corp) — a move that requires it to embed concerns about equity, inclusiveness and sustainability into its
...June 24, 2020
REDWAVE MATE from REDWAVE is an artificial intelligence system designed to monitor and optimise recycling plants. The system measures quality and records and analyses information during production, with collected data used to ensure optimal plant and sorting operation. Artificial intelligence is designed to increase plant availability and sorting efficiency, as well as maximise yield and
...June 24, 2020
UNSW has entered into an agreement with Dutch electric bus manufacturer Ebusco, aiming to boost the development of electric vehicles in Australia. The two organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will promote further research and development of sustainable transport. UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Jacobs said the partnership reflects UNSW’s
...June 24, 2020
Wind turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy has partnered with German hybrid tower producer Max Bögl Wind AG in a cooperation model set to propel wind power in Germany. Under the framework partnership agreement, project developers planning a Siemens Gamesa wind turbine will be able to purchase hybrid towers directly from Max Bögl, reducing the number of interfaces and further
...June 24, 2020
Lyft's 100% EV strategy requires a policy blitz Katie Fehrenbacher Wed, 06/24/2020 - 02:00 ICYMI, ride-hailing biggie Lyft announced last week that it plans to electrify every single car offering services on its platform by 2030, including both those that Lyft owns and rents to drivers and ones that its drivers own. It's a colossal task for an 8-year-old company that says it
...June 23, 2020
Leigh Creek Energy turned to Rockwell Automation to design, build and commission a pilot plant to produce synthetic natural gas and monitor the technical and environmental performance of the process. The Leigh Creek Energy Project uses in situ gasification (ISG) to convert coal from its solid state into its gaseous form, resulting in the generation of synthetic natural gas (syngas). The challenge was
...June 23, 2020
Let’s incubate the Green Swans hatched by the COVID-19 Black Swan Tom Baruch Tue, 06/23/2020 - 01:30 The global COVID-19 pandemic is a historic Black Swan event that offers a Green Swan of opportunities to harvest innovation from 50 years of converging exponential technologies. We are presented with a rare opportunity to invest in new innovations, rebuild our data and power
...June 23, 2020
Alpine resorts get creative to combat rising temperatures.
June 22, 2020
The 2020 GreenBiz 30 Under 30 GreenBiz Editors Mon, 06/22/2020 - 02:30 If you're looking for the light of inspiration during one of the darkest periods the world has seen in decades, you've come to the right place. We are proud to introduce our fifth annual cohort of twentysomethings who are sustainability leaders within — and without — their companies,
...June 22, 2020
Chefs could be the missing ingredient to circular food systems Lauren Phipps Mon, 06/22/2020 - 01:00 It’s often said that the way to a person’s heart is through the stomach. The same principle could apply to fixing the broken food system. Food loss and waste, the carbon-intensive production and distribution of food, hunger and food deserts: These are just a few
...June 22, 2020
The key to lowering your microfiber footprint: wash your clothes on cold.
June 22, 2020
A new study reveals that the continent's green patches act as a carbon sink.
June 21, 2020
Cities are eyeing microtransit to create a responsive system. But experts say there are tradeoffs.
June 19, 2020
Timberland invests in regenerative leather ranches Deonna Anderson Fri, 06/19/2020 - 02:45 Regenerative agriculture practices have received a lot of attention in recent years, and much of the focus has been on food production. But more companies outside of the food space are figuring out how they can invest in or use regenerative practices in the supply chain for their
...June 19, 2020
Lyft said it would transition to 100% electric vehicles by 2030. But its electrifying news leaves some questions unanswered.
June 19, 2020
Not pictured: Toxic fumes.
June 19, 2020
Finally, a one-stop shop for researching food systems data Jim Giles Fri, 06/19/2020 - 00:15 Parts of our food systems are so bewilderingly complex that attempts to answer even basic questions can result in hours of frustrated searching. If you can relate to this, I have some good news for you — not quite a fully-fledged solution, but certainly a step toward one. The genesis of this
...June 18, 2020
Companies are a vital part of the social fabric. They provide livelihoods, their outputs power economic activity, and their goods and services are depended upon the world over. Image: Channels: Communications & ReportingTags: pandemicBuild Back BetterCWBACHRBSDGsILOBangladesh Garment ManufacturersHuman rightssupply chains
...June 17, 2020
“We’re creating regulations for an ecosystem that we don’t understand.”
June 17, 2020
Keep yourself (and the planet) cool with these lessons on extreme heat.
June 17, 2020
3 keys for scaling nature-based solutions for climate adaptation Jonathan Cook Wed, 06/17/2020 - 00:30 This article originally was published in World Resources Institute. In Indonesia, climate change is already a pernicious threat. More than 30 million people across northern Java suffer from coastal flooding and erosion related to more severe storms and sea level rise. In some
...June 17, 2020
Dow’s Jim Fitterling on tackling plastic waste and the company’s sustainability goals In a conversation with GreenBiz Executive Editor Joel Makower, Dow CEO Jim Fitterling details strategy for the company’s latest sustainability commitments — including being carbon neutral by 2050. “That includes looking at Scope 1 through 3 emissions. And also taking a look at
...June 16, 2020
“Low-cost”, “flat-pack”, ”Swedish”, “yellow”. Mention of the word “IKEA” and many word associations spring to mind. True aficionados of the world’s largest furniture retailer may think “Poäng chair” or “Billy bookcase”, or even “meatballs”. One term that is unlikely to crop up,
...June 16, 2020
The launch of the streamlined self-service digital textile collection service means that households can elect a convenient time to have their unwanted clothes, shoes and textiles picked up from home to be recycled. Following Manrags’ recently launched textile recycling initiative that receives old textiles from consumers for re-use or recycling, the company has joined forces with
...June 16, 2020
Unilever unveils climate and nature fund worth more than $1 billion Cecilia Keating Tue, 06/16/2020 - 00:30 Unilever has announced it will invest €1 billion (about $1.12 billion based on exchange rates this week) over the next decade in efforts to tackle climate change and deliver on a new goal to ensure net zero emissions across its value chain by 2039. The consumer goods giant
...June 15, 2020
A 20/20 view of sustainable packaging Cheryl Baldwin Mon, 06/15/2020 - 00:00 This article is sponsored by Pure Strategies. Sustainable packaging is a keystone issue for corporate sustainability. As one of the first environmental concerns companies began to tackle proactively, interest and efforts had notable resurgence in the last few years, partly spurred by the attention on ocean
...June 14, 2020
Developer Sekisui House Australia and energy partner WINConnect share a common vision to make Ripley Town Centre in south-east Queensland the largest private community energy network in the state. While the concept of embedded energy networks is not new, WINConnect Executive Chairman Tom Patsakos said Ripley Town Centre is the first ever township to commission one. “To my knowledge, there is
...June 14, 2020
An artist talks about his environmentally responsive artwork.
June 12, 2020
It’s time to put people first Lise Kingo Fri, 06/12/2020 - 02:00 Editor's note: Lise Kingo is stepping down as CEO and executive director effective June 16. The organization's new leader, Sanda Ojiambo, begins June 17. Seventy-five years ago, the United Nations set out to put the world on a path to recovery, pledging "never again" to allow the horrors of two
...June 12, 2020
How we can fight the pandemic by embracing circularity Garry Cooper Fri, 06/12/2020 - 01:30 Throughout the pandemic response, a key issue has been a lack of communication and coordination to get personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies to where they are most needed, with many areas of the country suffering from severe resource shortages as a result. The only truly
...June 11, 2020
Water vapour from the atmosphere could be used as a source of renewable energy, according to a new study. The research from Tel Aviv University — led by Professor Colin Price in collaboration with Professor Hadas Saaroni and doctoral student Judi Lax, all from TAU’s Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences — is based on the discovery that electricity materialises in the
...June 11, 2020
Christchurch has become the first city in New Zealand to launch a secure solution for commuter bikes, e-bikes and scooters with the unveiling of Locky Docks. Locky Docks offer locals a secure parking and charging solution for conventional bikes, e-bikes or scooters in convenient locations, without the need for a bike lock. Safe cycle routes are displayed on the Locky Dock screens. The docks are free for
...
June 11, 2020
Ethical Corporation by Reuters Events launches the new Reuters Events Transform Europe Virtual Series to address the big issues facing businesses as they look to deliver a new blueprint fit for a worldwide recovery post Covid-19.
June 11, 2020
It’s difficult to understate the impact Covid-19 has had on the meat industry. At the time of writing, in the US alone, over 24,000 workers across 271 plants have already contracted coronavirus, with supply chain failures predicted to cost over $13bn to the cattle industry, according to the Food & Environment Reporting Network.Image: Channels: Communications &
...June 11, 2020
Mitigating and adapting to climate change is perhaps humanity’s biggest project ever, and it’s expensive.
June 10, 2020
A new report lays out a clear path to clean power in 15 years.
June 10, 2020
Melbourne-based water and sanitation services provider Jacobs has partnered with Yarra Valley Water to investigate the potential of an Australian hydrogen industry supported by co-located hydrogen production at wastewater treatment plants. With findings presented in the thought-leadership paper ‘Toward a Zero Carbon Future’, the study examines commercial barriers to sustainable
...June 10, 2020
Paying farmers a living wage is essential to ensuring sustainable coffee production Dean Cycon Wed, 06/10/2020 - 01:00 When you sit back with a good cup of coffee, you will be engulfed in the warmth, aroma, taste, acidity and body of the brew. Yet, swirling beneath the surface all of the major issues of the 21st century — climate change, globalization, immigration, women’s
...June 9, 2020
The world has changed immensely in recent months, but so, it would seem, have we as individuals. Most significant is the shift in our thinking on environmental threats, particularly climate change. In a global survey of 29 countries, pollster Ipsos MORI finds that seven out of 10 (71%) of those polled agree that long-term climate change is “as serious” at the Covid-19
...June 9, 2020
Sonia Shah's new book questions assumptions about life on the move.
June 8, 2020
Research from Australian telco Belong reveals that only 8% of Australians realise mobile data contributes to carbon emissions — and it is estimated that mobile data networks in Australia cause more than half a million tonnes of CO2 every year.1 In recognition of this impact, which is equivalent to the CO2 emissions from someone flying between Melbourne and Sydney more than three million times in a
...June 8, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic has made clear what many scientists and economists already know – that destroying natural ecosystems and the animal habitats they shelter put our health and prosperity at grave risk.?? But what has been missing among the immediate responses to the coronavirus pandemic are action plans at the regional and national levels laying out how, exactly, safeguarding nature can protect
...June 8, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic has made clear what many scientists and economists already know – that destroying natural ecosystems and the animal habitats they shelter put our health and prosperity at grave risk.?? But what has been missing among the immediate responses to the coronavirus pandemic are action plans at the regional and national levels laying out how, exactly, safeguarding nature can protect
...June 8, 2020
How on-demand food delivery apps could encourage low-carbon food Anna Zhang Mon, 06/08/2020 - 02:00 The COVID-19 crisis has affected most aspects of daily life, including how we get our food. Because the COVID-19 response has restricted restaurants to pick-up and delivery orders in many areas, business for on-demand food delivery apps such as DoorDash, Grubhub, Seamless and Uber Eats has
...June 6, 2020
In India, solar power’s reliance on lead batteries could harm some communities.
June 5, 2020
It’s no secret that I’m on a mission to remove as many toxic chemicals from my home as possible. I’ve tackled my makeup bag, skin, haircare and household cleaning products. Next on my list? My pads and tampons.
June 5, 2020
Winner of the Circular Innovation Award at last year’s Responsible Business Awards, IT products giant HP and manufacturing firm Sinctronics have partnered on a circular economy model in Brazil since 2012. HP has significant manufacturing operations in the country, and has a target to send zero waste to landfill.Image: Channels: EnvironmentTags: Ethical Corporation Responsible
...June 5, 2020
Winner of the Circular Innovation Award at last year’s Responsible Business Awards, IT products giant HP and manufacturing firm Sinctronics have partnered on a circular economy model in Brazil since 2012. HP has significant manufacturing operations in the country, and has a target to send zero waste to landfill.Image: Channels: EnvironmentTags: Ethical Corporation Responsible
...June 4, 2020
How Ocean Spray cranberries became America’s '100 percent sustainable' crop Jesse Klein Thu, 06/04/2020 - 01:45 Cranberries are more than just an American Thanksgiving Day tradition; they also are a tradition of the American land. The crop is one of only three native cultivated fruits in North America. Because the plant is actually meant to grow in the natural
...June 3, 2020
Veolia Water Technologies will assist in the creation of a soluble fertiliser in the Western Australian outback. Perth-based Salt Lake Potash is developing the Lake Way potash mining project, aiming to produce 245,000 tons per year of sulfate of potash (K2SO4) from dry salt lake deposits in the Northern Goldfields region. In order to recover low-cost, high-grade SOP, the production uses solar
...June 3, 2020
It takes a village to succeed in climate tech Ben Soltoff Wed, 06/03/2020 - 02:00 Solving climate change depends, to some extent, on technological innovation. The world’s leading climate authority, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), published a landmark 2018 report highlighting the urgency of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The report outlines
...June 3, 2020
A tightrope walk ahead for corporate sustainability managers Rajat Panwar Wed, 06/03/2020 - 00:00 Amidst numerous uncertainties surrounding post-COVID corporate climate, one thing is certain: Sustainability managers will face multifaceted challenges. Many could face budget cuts, even as their stakeholders expect them to ramp up sustainability efforts and seize this
...June 2, 2020
The automotive sector is responsible for around a fifth of all CO2 emissions globally. At current rates of growth, it is on track to being solely responsible for more than 0.8C of global warming by the end of the century. Cars are also responsible for 90% of air pollution in cities and contain an average of 1.4 tonnes of material, according to EIT Climate-KIC. At the same time, the sector is a heavy consumer of other
...June 1, 2020
Aggregated and concrete supplier Holcim has received certification from Climate Active to sell carbon-neutral products. Administered by the Australian Government, Climate Active is a program to support businesses committed to sustainability, innovation and industry leadership to drive voluntary climate action. Climate-neutral certification confirms that a carbon-neutral claim is based on best
...June 1, 2020
The Terra AC wallbox from ABB Electrification is designed for connected charging in homes and businesses, and supports the growing generation of renewable energy users who want to harness and manage the consumption of their own power. The technology enables configuration and software updates via a dedicated app or remotely via the cloud. Each charger is equipped with a revenue-grade energy meter that
...June 1, 2020
Dedicated to the removal and prevention of marine debris, not-for-profit organisation Tangaroa Blue Foundation created the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) — an on-ground network of volunteers, communities and organisations that contribute data from rubbish collected at beach and river clean-up events to the AMDI database and devise solutions to stop the flow of litter at the source. AMDI
...May 31, 2020
Construction of a full-scale sidestream ANITA Mox treatment plant will commence later this year at Urban Utilities’ Luggage Point Resource Recovery Centre in Brisbane. The plant will use Anammox bacteria to break down nitrogen in wastewater, requiring less energy and chemicals than traditional treatment processes. Veolia Water Technologies and Urban Utilities will work together to install the
...May 31, 2020
Usable water is a precious commodity. The saying “without water there is no life” becomes very real in times of drought as individuals and communities are impacted by the scarcity of supply.It is during these times that there is a greater focus on our water resilience. The remedy to these issues is often reactive, including the implementation of water restrictions and the identification of new
...May 29, 2020
Demystifying the ‘Absolute Zero’ concept Heather Clancy Fri, 05/29/2020 - 02:15 If your sustainability team has regular debates about how to label or describe its various initiatives, it’s not alone. The nuances of all the various adjectives and descriptors that are used to describe climate action — from "science-based" to "net zero"
...May 29, 2020
Residential energy is becoming companies' business Sarah Golden Fri, 05/29/2020 - 01:45 In this crazy upside-down world, the line between residential and commercial energy is getting fuzzy. Everything changed so quickly, it makes sense that climate and energy teams have yet to figure out how to account for the shift. But as companies such as Mastercard, Facebook and Twitter
...May 29, 2020
Can companies rely on regenerative agriculture's carbon removal impact? Jim Giles Fri, 05/29/2020 - 01:30 Amid the recent headline-grabbing investments in food ventures, one event went largely unnoticed: FedEx’s involvement in a $200 million raise by Indigo Ag, a company that provides services and data to farmers. Why would a delivery behemoth invest in an outfit that sells seeds? The answer
...May 28, 2020
How the Navajo got their day in the sun Danny Kennedy Thu, 05/28/2020 - 02:00 In late March, during the early hours of the COVID-19 crisis, just as New Yorkers were realizing how many might die, a small solar development company closed a $4 million financing deal. "Closing" is never easy, but getting a half-dozen high-net-worth individuals, family offices and foundations to pony up
...May 28, 2020
How Stripe’s ‘negative emissions’ team picked its first four carbon removal projects Heather Clancy Thu, 05/28/2020 - 01:14 Among the many notes to myself about potential follow-up stories lies my scribbled reminder to check in on online payment tech company Stripe’s pledge last year to put at least $1 million annually toward carbon removal activities. Last
...May 27, 2020
Using waste carbon feedstocks to produce chemicals Elizabeth R. Nesbitt Wed, 05/27/2020 - 14:36 Emerging carbon capture utilization (CCU) technologies potentially allow chemical companies and other manufacturers such as steel companies to convert waste carbon from industrial emissions — in the form of carbon monoxide (CO) and/or carbon dioxide (CO2) — into sustainable,
...May 27, 2020
Despite living in a country full of wide-open spaces and beautiful rural landscapes, most Australians opt to live in cities. Indeed, even if the COVID-19 pandemic and the confinement of populations around the world makes it difficult for some people to live in cities, urban populations will continue to grow at such a rate that only a smart city strategy will improve the lives of all residents. According to the
...May 27, 2020
Installing a 1.1 MW Tesla Powerpack behind-the-meter battery system has saved The University of Queensland almost $74,000 in electricity costs in three months. UQ Energy and Sustainability Manager Andrew Wilson said savings from the university’s solar panel installations had fully funded the $2.05 million battery system. The battery was a key step in allowing UQ to start trading directly in the
...May 27, 2020
One of Florida’s largest low-pressure ultrafiltration (UF) membrane plants has installed over 300 Rotork K-TORK pneumatic vane actuators. The plant treats water from two separate sources — one for surface water from the surface of a lake and the other for groundwater from the well fields. It is the only municipal drinking water plant owned and operated by the county and has the capacity to
...May 27, 2020
The Turritopsis dohrnii is known as the immortal jellyfish because it is capable of a remarkable biological trick. When it gets old or sick or suffers a shock, this tiny tentacled sea creature is able to transform the state of its cells and revert to its nascent polyp stage, effectively beginning life again.Image: Channels: EnvironmentTags: DSMCanarycircular economyAupingEuropean
...May 27, 2020
How Dell and Levi's envision the future of repair Elsa Wenzel Wed, 05/27/2020 - 02:00 Doing away with a culture of disposability is one of the big dreams of the circular economy. A jolt in this direction came overnight as COVID-19 drove people indoors, forcing many to rethink how they reduce, reuse or recycle items they took for granted only weeks earlier. As U.S. unemployment claims
...May 24, 2020
An urban solar station on the rooftop of DHL Supply Chain’s (DHL’s) new warehouse in Sydney’s west has the ability to direct solar energy either partially or fully to the consumer onsite, or directly trade the energy on the National Electricity Market (NEM). Developed by Epho Commercial Solar and partially funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Association (ARENA), ‘Bright
...May 22, 2020
“I think that in the 20th century we made a big mistake. We built habitats much more for cars than for humans. So now all over the world we are realising that we made a mistake." So said Enrique Penalosa, the inspirational former mayor of Bogota, Colombia, who introduced the first city-wide car-free day in 2001. Now cities across the world, including London, Paris, Mexico City and New York are setting
...May 22, 2020
Episode 221: Mapping biodiversity, repair and the circular economy Heather Clancy Fri, 05/22/2020 - 01:21 Week in Review Commentary on this week's news highlights begins at 4:35. AB InBev VP: Our quest for "agile" sustainable development continues Let's get together: Intel's 2030 commitments include "shared" climate and social
...May 22, 2020
How TerraCycle's safety and cleaning practices can be adopted across industries Deonna Anderson Fri, 05/22/2020 - 00:05 The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the safety of reuse into question. But Tom Szaky, CEO of TerraCycle, thinks when the crisis is over there will be even more opportunity for reusable packaging and containers to become more commonplace, if done
...May 21, 2020
Turbidity measurement to optimise drinking water filter backwash cycles is a critical aspect of the water treatment process. Filter backwash needs to occur at the proper intervals and for the proper duration of time to preserve water quality and maintain filter integrity. Learn about new technology that helps drinking water treatment plants to operate as efficiently as possible.
...May 21, 2020
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have proposed the design of a new carbon nanostructure made from diamond nanothreads that could one day be used for mechanical energy storage, wearable technologies and biomedical applications. Dr Haifei Zhan, from the QUT Centre for Materials Science, and his colleagues successfully modelled the mechanical energy storage and release
...
May 20, 2020
The Digital Transformation of the Food Value Chain webinar (May 28 - 12.00pm EDT // 9.00am PDT) will deep-dive into how companies across the food industry are using technology to improve productivity and drive efficiencies in food production and supply.
May 20, 2020
Bush Brothers counts on water reuse to reduce local impact of bean production Jesse Klein Wed, 05/20/2020 - 03:20 "There was nothing except a pipe going out the back of the plant." This was how Rodney Aulick, president of integrated solutions and services at Evoqua Water Technologies, described the wastewater system at Bush Brothers and Company’s Tennessee plant, when
...May 20, 2020
Is it scooter company Lime's moment to shine? Katie Fehrenbacher Wed, 05/20/2020 - 02:20 If you look at the headlines about the shared scooter industry — with service shut-downs and cratering valuations — you easily could predict the long-hyped sector's demise. But what if now is the moment for scooters to really shine and deliver the unique transportation value
...May 19, 2020
Endress+Hauser has introduced the Turbimax CUS50D sensor, a robust turbidity and suspended solids measurement tool for industrial applications. The sensor is designed to withstand aggressive media in a wide range of applications such as solids measurement in industrial wastewater. The sensor measures turbidity and suspended solids in accordance with ISO 7027, even in very dark liquids and
...May 19, 2020
Pressure on heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment at Melbourne sporting and entertainment venue AAMI Park means that reducing CO2 emissions (CO2e) and running costs is an ongoing commitment of the venue’s management, Melbourne & Olympic Parks (M&OP). To help meet operational growth targets, M&OP consulted technical partner Johnson Controls to identify the best
...May 19, 2020
AB InBev VP: Our quest for 'agile' sustainable development continues Heather Clancy Tue, 05/19/2020 - 02:37 Like most big companies with a complex multinational footprint, Anheuser-Busch InBev's sales slipped in the first quarter and the beer maker is embracing new financial discipline amid the coronavirus pandemic. But the company also has acted quickly to prop up key members of its value
...May 18, 2020
Rebuilding recycling to go circular Keefe Harrison Mon, 05/18/2020 - 18:18 This article is part of our Paradigm Shift series, produced by nonprofit PYXERA Global, on the diverse solutions driving the transition to a circular economy. See the full collection of stories and upcoming webinars with the authors here. After the coronavirus pandemic has passed, the world will need
...May 18, 2020
With key decisions on Covid-19 recovery efforts in Europe and the US due to be made this week, 155 multinational companies today issued a statement reaffirming their own science-based commitments to achieve a zero-carbon economy and calling on governments around the world to match their ambition.Image: Channels: EnvironmentTags: CoronavirusUnder2 CoalitionSDGsParis
...May 17, 2020
With Oligo Infrastructure Indonesia leading the consortium, the processed engineered fuel (PEF) made for a waste-to-energy power plant will convert approximately 650,000 tonnes of waste per year into baseload renewable energy, with a full capacity of 25 MW, along with segregated recyclable materials for further valorisation, biogas and inert fillers. ResourceCo Asia Managing Director Pavel Cech said
...May 17, 2020
Archimats are ‘architectured’ materials that have an organised intertwined or interlocking inner architecture that can be engineered to have superior strength, a high tolerance to damage and good thermal insulation compared with other conventional composite materials such as concrete. Archimats can also better absorb energy and provide improved compliance and flexibility. Led by
...May 15, 2020
The fashion industry is unsustainable — here's how journalism is inspiring activism to improve it Kirstie Dabbs Fri, 05/15/2020 - 01:43 The fast fashion industry has long been critiqued for unsustainable practices and unethical working conditions. From global cotton supply chains to pollution from textile factories, the need to improve the industry in favor of both people and
...May 14, 2020
Inner Sydney’s Central Park has been announced the Environmental Excellence Award winner in the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Wingate National Awards for Excellence at a special virtual awards announcement this week. Selected from five finalists in the Environmental Excellence category, the sustainable precinct by Frasers Property Australia and Sekisui House Australia is an
...May 13, 2020
Infrastructure firm AECOM has launched a platform that streamlines environmental documentation and stakeholder engagement throughout the environmental assessment process. Presenting technical information in a user-friendly online and interactive format, the AECOM Environmental Engagement platform was initially developed for public- and private-sector clients in Australia. The scalable
...May 13, 2020
Watch for ADM to pioneer biofuels, more carbon capture projects Heather Clancy Wed, 05/13/2020 - 02:57 Although decarbonization of industrial processes remains a big technical challenge, food processing and commodities giant Archer Daniels Midland recently adopted new commitments to cut its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2035 — with additional carbon
...May 12, 2020
In the Italian Pusteria Valley, the Beton Werk-Bauschutt Excavation and Recycling Company (BWR) operates one of its many plants. It’s a challenging environment from an operational perspective due to the strong and constantly shifting winds that are typical of the region. These winds pick up dust particles created during operations and disperse them widely — including onto panels at a nearby solar
...May 12, 2020
How cosmetics retailer Lush is making purposeful profit through circularity Katrina Shum Tue, 05/12/2020 - 01:30 This article is part of our Paradigm Shift series, produced by nonprofit PYXERA Global, on the diverse solutions driving the transition to a circular economy. See the full collection of stories and upcoming webinars with the authors here. Commerce as we know it is
...May 12, 2020
The robotic, hybrid-electric future of agriculture Shane Downing Tue, 05/12/2020 - 00:15 While many around the world, ordered indoors amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, are coming up with innovative ways to plant small victory gardens in, around and on top of their homes, plenty of change is afoot in big ag — much of it driven by new technologies. A recent IDTechEx
...May 11, 2020
As we self-isolate, we must be careful not to isolate our ideas and thoughts. We have the opportunity to ensure we deliver a clean, low-carbon and inclusive global recovery. It has never been more important for our industry to share, collaborate and inspire. For that reason, we’re hosting the Responsible Business Week [June 8-16], as an online event and it will be entirely free to attend. We are humbled
...May 11, 2020
Wireless charging pads already exist for smartphones, but they only work if the phone is sitting still. Using this technology for cars would be just as inconvenient as the current practice of plugging a car in for an hour or two at a charging station or overnight at home. So what if a car could recharge as it drives? Engineers from the Stanford School of Engineering have demonstrated a practical way to use magnetism
...May 11, 2020
Inside Eastman’s moonshot goal for endlessly circular plastics Joel Makower Mon, 05/11/2020 - 00:44 At first glance, the sprawling industrial site, covering roughly 900 acres in Kingsport, Tennessee, appears to be just another chemical manufacturing facility. There are hundreds of buildings and countless miles of pipes, conveyors, distillers, cooling towers, valves, pumps,
...May 8, 2020
How online ordering could cut food waste Jim Giles Fri, 05/08/2020 - 02:50 This article was adapted from the GreenBiz Food Weekly newsletter. Sign up here to receive your own free subscription. "It feels like we’re peeling an onion." That’s what sustainability veteran Dave Stangis said when I asked him about the long-term changes being wrought
...May 7, 2020
As part of the 2020 Virtual Responsible Business Week I interviewed Satya Tripathi of the UNEP to get his thoughts and ideas as to why now's the time for business to re-imagine a new normal and turn from a system focused on the value proposition to one of a proposition of values. You can watch the 15-minute interview below:Image: Channels: EnvironmentTags: UN EnvironmentUNEPSatya
...May 7, 2020
The Australian Government has issued a mandate that will see $300 million invested in Australia’s hydrogen industry via the Advancing Hydrogen Fund. Under the mandate, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will make available up to $300 million in CEFC finance to support the growth of a clean, innovative, safe and competitive Australian hydrogen industry. One of the CEFC’s first
...May 6, 2020
A next-generation solar cell that can maintain efficiency in the heat has been developed by engineers at Iowa State University. This solar cell takes advantage of the electro-optical properties of perovskite materials, and the materials are much more stable at high temperatures. One problem with the current generation of silicon solar cells is their relatively low efficiency at converting solar
...May 5, 2020
Two ways P&G is working toward its packaging goals Deonna Anderson Tue, 05/05/2020 - 11:33 Procter & Gamble's Tide laundry detergent brand first introduced in January 2019 its "Eco-Box," which has been compared to a wine box because of its design made from paperboard with a tap for dispensing, in an effort to reduce the plastic in its packaging. In mid-May, the
...May 5, 2020
New compostable packaging guidelines have been published by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) and the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) in a united approach to help Australian businesses make informed choices when it comes to compostable packaging. The guidelines — Considerations for Compostable Packaging
...May 5, 2020
Sustainable infrastructure investments can aid the post-COVID recovery Katherine Davisson Tue, 05/05/2020 - 04:23 The economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing governments around the world to come up with policies for stimulating the global economy. Many are considering a tried-and-true method to boost economies in the short term and provide wide societal benefits in
...May 4, 2020
Four key considerations for infusing sustainability throughout your entire supply chain.
May 4, 2020
The time has passed for small commitments, hyperbole and delays in embracing sustainable investing.
May 1, 2020
Here's what real benefits for workers and communities can look like, as laid out by Circle Economy.
May 1, 2020
So far, money is still flowing into utility-scale deals but it's harder to come by for residential, distributed solar, commercial and industrial, and community solar projects.
May 1, 2020
Many shoppers will find the process quicker and easier post-pandemic, which begs the need for more serious attention to the transportation footprint associated with getting groceries to consumers' front doors.
April 30, 2020
A plan to recycle wastewater and make it drinkable could see the delivery of water to city dwellers become much more efficient. Using Houston as a model, researchers at Rice University's Brown School of Engineering have come up with an idea that could reduce the need for surface water (from rivers, reservoirs or wells) by 28%, through recycling wastewater to make it drinkable once again. While the cost
...April 30, 2020
A study commissioned by the Australian Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISCA) reveals that infrastructure will play a key role in Australia’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, with sustainable infrastructure having the potential to deliver significant benefits. The IS Rating Scheme Return on Investment Study found that infrastructure projects rated under the IS
...April 30, 2020
Agtech startup Pivot Bio snags $100 million amid busy April for climate tech Heather Clancy Thu, 04/30/2020 - 04:31 Even in the old normal, the healthy $100 million investment disclosed this morning by agtech startup Pivot Bio — which hopes to disrupt the $65 billion global market for synthetic nitrogen fertilizer — would be impressive. Given the current economic climate,
...April 30, 2020
It would be devastating if the COVID-19 crisis killed off climate tech startups. We only have a few months to get it right.
April 30, 2020
Here's why a key Sustainable Development Goal is back in style, and why it may be the SDG "for our times."
April 30, 2020
Here's what will help beyond immediate disaster response.
April 29, 2020
With political short-termism aplenty, Canada’s climate leaders are private companies.
April 29, 2020
Buckle up: this year will be rough, but this road trip still looks promising.
April 29, 2020
Because everyone can use some extra help and additional perspective right now.
April 29, 2020
Within the last two years, financial institutions representing $17.2 trillion have committed to align their portfolio emissions with the goals of the Paris Agreement. But there's still more to be done.
April 28, 2020
To repair our economy and ensure its resilience, we can — and we must — solve for public and planetary health at the same time.
April 28, 2020
It's no coincidence that new diseases have risen as more ecosystems have vanished.
April 28, 2020
Coronavirus has caused unemployment to skyrocket. Tree restoration could be a cost-effective way to put Americans back to work.
April 27, 2020
A research team from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Water Cycle Research Center has developed a high-efficiency, adsorbent material using PET waste bottles. The new material is expected to help solve the problem of environmental toxins and antibiotic-resistant bacteria caused by leaks of antibiotics into water. Due to high rates of antibiotic use, South Korea is categorised as a
...April 27, 2020
Several frameworks are emerging that sets performance thresholds identifying economic activities that align with the Paris Agreement emissions reduction targets.
April 27, 2020
From Google to North Face, companies used Earth Day to share big plans. Here are the ones that stood out.
April 24, 2020
The company's new carbon-intelligent software can switch loads between its data centers depending on the availability of clean power.
April 24, 2020
Redundant, distributed, resilient, smaller scale and locally powered, yet connected to the larger world in ways that benefit it when safe.
April 23, 2020
Daniel Lee, executive director of the Levi Strauss Foundation, joined veteran journalist Marc Gunther for a conversation about how the foundation has worked on social justice issues for well over a century. In those years, the foundation has largely focused its philanthropic efforts on protecting the marginalized.
April 23, 2020
Outdoor clothing brand Timberland marked Earth Day by debuting a video with an emotional open letter to nature called “Caring is no longer enough”. Narrated by a child, the letter reflects on the impact of the current pandemic: “Dear Nature, we miss you. Probably more than you miss us. Take this time to breathe, to bloom, to conquer your space. And when we’re back, we promise
...April 23, 2020
A new device could open more areas to wind production by using stationary airfoils instead of twirling turbines
April 23, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic response shows our potential to pull together.
April 22, 2020
On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Thomson Reuters, which owns Reuter Events, announced that it will work to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. The new targets align to worldwide efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the most ambitious aim of the Science Based Targets initiative.Image: Channels: Communications &
...April 22, 2020
The stunning array of technologies emerging to decarbonize the world and make it more habitable for flora, fauna and humans goes far beyond cleantech 2.0.
April 22, 2020
This is climate tech Heather Clancy Wed, 04/22/2020 - 01:50 Since mid-March, as the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic infected certain sectors of the U.S. economy, more than 200 U.S. startups have cut thousands of jobs. While they’re not immune to the forthcoming fiscal challenges, entrepreneurs developing solutions for addressing climate change — from
...April 21, 2020
But this may be the last stretch of typical clean energy procurement activity in a while.
April 21, 2020
The recent report, The Outlook for Biogas and Biomethane1, from the International Energy Agency (IEA), provides a welcome assessment of the huge global potential of biogas from anaerobic digestion to contribute to a clean and low-carbon global energy system. However, it makes only passing reference to the importance of digestate in meeting these targets, something which depends on the conversion of a
...April 21, 2020
Leaders from Amazon, Danone, Salesforce, Mars, General Mills and others share how plans have changed and where they’re holding firm.
April 21, 2020
UBS analysis suggests the pandemic is set to curb air travel growth 10 percent over the next decade as high-speed rail flourishes.
April 21, 2020
We need to develop neighborhoods that ensure access to food, healthcare, education and jobs — without relying on personal vehicles.
April 20, 2020
Society is facing at least six challenges related to COVID-19. Our families and communities need to Keep Calm, Keep Working, Keep Going, Stay Solvent, Stay Supplied, and Stay Safe. Companies can help address each of these challenges
April 20, 2020
Australian researchers have revealed that 2 m2 of solar window will generate the same amount of power as a standard rooftop solar panel. Semitransparent solar cells incorporated into window glass have been tipped by Australian scientists as a game changer that could transform architecture, urban planning and electricity generation, as outlined in a paper published in Nano Energy. Led by Professor
...April 20, 2020
Addressing biodiversity, like so many other things, seems to have been shunted aside by the coronavirus outbreak. It would make much more sense to keep it front and center.
April 20, 2020
Let this be the beginning, not the peak, of a corporate transformation journey, so that once society is beyond the immediate threats, we move into a refreshed approach to capitalism.
April 19, 2020
Australia is one of the biggest producers of municipal waste per capita in the world. Every year, Australia saves 25 million tonnes of waste from going to landfill. But it takes very little to make a truckload of separated waste unusable, which is the general waste problem. Even some of the most environmentally savvy people don’t fully understand where everything goes in our complicated waste and
...April 17, 2020
What’s implausible in 2020 may be plausible by mid-century.
April 16, 2020
It’s all about collecting and connecting data, which is part of the software giant’s DNA.
April 16, 2020
There's an emerging market to pay farmers to store more carbon in the soil by using improved agricultural practices. But some scientists are questioning whether these efforts will actually help slow global warming.
April 15, 2020
What is old is new again for the food industry as consumers become aware of the virtues of turning damaged apples and other fruit into purees, canned foods, breakfast items and other products.
April 15, 2020
Cities — from Wuhan in China to New York in the United States — have been at the front lines of the novel coronavirus crisis and will be in the same position for future crises.
April 14, 2020
What would happen if more people than ever before demanded goods aligned with a sustainable, low-carbon economy? Our economy would transition swiftly.
April 14, 2020
Despite the hard transportation times for public transit and micromobility, it's not all doom and gloom.
April 14, 2020
It's important to choose wisely.
April 14, 2020
Nuclear plants, CCS and whole-building retrofits should not be prioritized over smaller cheaper alternatives, study argues, while acknowledging small scale technologies do not offer a panacea.
April 14, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has put an incredible strain on global supply chains, from medical supplies to household goods, as spikes in demand stress-test logistics infrastructures. There is an opportunity for unmanned delivery vehicles to assist in addressing this demand and help to reduce the risk of spreading infection.
April 14, 2020
In the long term, the need for visibility into supply chain data, and ability to provide services digitally across borders, whether for telehealth or education, is clear.
April 14, 2020
One huge potential benefit: reduced production costs for electric vehicle batteries.
April 13, 2020
But an analysis suggests the likely reduction in CO2 still would be far off goals of the Paris Agreement.
April 10, 2020
Los Angeles is behind a two-phase, first-of-its-kind transformation that will turn a coal-fired power plant in Utah into one powered by green hydrogen by 2045.
April 10, 2020
For starters, it's a material that is readily available, biodegradable and affordable.
April 10, 2020
Will we be better prepared to respond to the climate emergency and other urgent sustainability challenges as a result of this experience?
April 9, 2020
Thriving in the age of climate change pivots around electricity, and that means electric utilities are at the center.
April 9, 2020
COVID-19 has stalled legislation but efforts to increase energy efficiency are expected to resume once the pandemic is over.
April 8, 2020
GlobalData analysis reveals that the COVID-19 outbreak in China will affect the green energy sector, impacting renewable energy sources, battery energy storage, electric vehicles (EVs), and renewable heating and cooling. Global car manufacturers are looking for independence from the current supremacy of Chinese battery manufacturers and are looking to secure their own battery supply
...April 8, 2020
Emulating the natural process plants use to convert sunlight into energy could bring benefits in efficiency not just for power generation, but for energy storage.
April 7, 2020
When products are moved along the supply chain, they travel with carbon emissions. According to a new publication from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, these travelling emissions account for a whopping 10% of all global carbon emissions. Not only that, but these same emissions have tripled between 1995 and 2012. Many goods, including cars, mobile phones and medicines, have
...April 7, 2020
Stronger concrete can be made from a by-product of steel creation, according to new research. This by-product can also be used to make stronger concrete, in a zero-waste approach to help advance the circular economy. Engineering researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, examined whether slag that had been used to treat wastewater could then be recycled as an aggregate material for
...April 7, 2020
As the federal government seeks to bail out the industry, environmental advocacy organizations urged Congress to ensure that any financial aid for cruise lines come with strings attached.
April 7, 2020
That's according to a BloombergNEF report that calls policy support for the hydrogen economy "insufficient."
April 6, 2020
The mission: create an open data-sharing application that chemicals and plastics producers can use to inform circular production processes.
April 5, 2020
A report released by ClimateWorks Australia points to an unprecedented opportunity for Australia to move to a net zero emissions economy by 2050, given the rapid progress and plummeting cost of green technology. The report — Decarbonisation Futures: Solutions, actions and benchmarks for a net zero emissions Australia — demonstrates that Australia has entered the transformational decade
...April 3, 2020
The Covid-19 pandemic highlights the need for governments to take their duties seriously in protecting people and their human rights. Society’s ills can never be solved by business and markets alone. For several decades, the US government has taken a back seat as it relied on the private sector to solve public challenges — a system that is now being shaken to the core as benefits tied to employment are
...April 3, 2020
With two-thirds of the global population expected to live in cities by 2050, and 70 million more people migrating from the countryside to urban habitats every year, cities are growing in importance as climate actors, according to climate action disclosure platform CDP. The extent to which cities are rising to this challenge, even where national government may be failing to grasp the nettle, is seen nowhere more
...April 3, 2020
Will the spectacular drop in natural gas prices throttle the movement to electrify buildings? What's driving the coming collision.
April 3, 2020
One key is to design out waste in the first place.
April 2, 2020
The hunger for alternative protein and non-synthetic approaches to cultivation are inspiring new innovation recipes for animal health and aquaculture.
April 2, 2020
For the sector to play its part means adopting aggressive energy efficiency, zero-carbon and grid-interactive strategies, especially for existing structures.
April 2, 2020
In Pennsylvania, an innovative program is showing farmers how to plant cash crops in buffer zones to help stabilize stream banks and clean up waterways.
April 1, 2020
About eight million pieces of plastic make their way into the world’s oceans each day, representing a global-scale pollution problem that is not going anywhere without serious intervention. Bioplastics — plastics produced from biomass feedstocks — could help solve the world’s plastics problem but are struggling to wrestle market share away from conventional plastics.
...April 1, 2020
The output of desalination plants is a mere fraction of what it the world could use. Using the sun to convert seawater into drinking water could be key.
March 31, 2020
IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) is an acronym that has been thrown around our industry for around 20 years. Ever since the first internet-connected device (a modified Coke vending machine at Carnegie Mellon University in 1982) was explored, inventory management optimisation was one clear benefit of these interconnected devices. Many plant managers are intrigued by the IIoT concept but are either
...March 31, 2020
If we have the chance to start anew, why would we want to rescue and lock in unsustainable systems and industries for another generation or more?
March 31, 2020
Sharing probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind during a pandemic. But countless thousands are rising to the occasion.
March 31, 2020
The business leaders and companies who use this moment to be creative are the ones who will not only weather this storm; they’ll be the preferred brands of the future.
March 31, 2020
Toyota has been a long-standing advocate of fuel cell vehicles. Now it's partnering with its truck and bus focused subsidiary Hino Motors Ltd. to develop and test the new model.
March 30, 2020
University of Tokyo researchers have found a way to improve the performance and safety of lithium-ion batteries. The research findings — published in Nature Energy — could lead to longer journeys in electric vehicles and to the creation of a new generation of home energy storage, both with improved fire safety. “A battery’s voltage is limited by its electrolyte material,”
...March 30, 2020
How, and how much, is the coronavirus pandemic impacting the clean economy? Our analysts share what they're seeing.
March 27, 2020
Will this upheaval slow clean energy goals? There's strong reason for optimism.
March 26, 2020
Australia is a unique space for a vast array of energy sources; coal, uranium, oil and gas have powered us for years, but as the demand for sustainable options increases, we must adapt and support industry innovation to fulfil these needs. Part of this is smart energy, which, among other improvements, will help in supporting our local electricity networks to integrate and maximise the use of solar and energy
...March 26, 2020
The construction of a 1026 MW wind farm complex in Queensland has been announced by Acciona following an agreement with CleanCo Queensland, the Queensland Government’s renewable energy generator. Reported to be the largest ever wind farm in Australia, the MacIntyre complex will boost the Queensland Government’s decarbonisation strategy, mobilising total investments of $1.96
...March 25, 2020
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that is currently gripping the world has already resulted in a vast number of changes to our way of life. International and domestic movements have been curtailed by travel bans and the grounding of entire airline fleets, social distancing regulations are in full swing and many workplaces are moving to online and virtual spaces in the interests of preventing
...March 24, 2020
When it comes to managing the challenges of water scarcity, Australia has it tougher than most. Of the 2,789,400 GL of rain estimated to fall on Australia per year, just 292,000 GL finds its way into surface water or groundwater supplies,1 with the rest either being lost through evaporation or absorbed by plants. As the world’s driest inhabited continent, Australia has learned to make the most of its
...March 23, 2020
Heavy metals in drinking water represent a serious threat to human health in many parts of the world — particularly developing countries — with the possibility of some heavy metals accumulating in the body over time and leading to cancers and organ damage. In addition to the health threats of contaminated water linked to poor sanitation, metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic can be present
...March 22, 2020
Water use has increased sixfold over the past century and is rising by about 1% a year. However, it is estimated that climate change, along with the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme events — storms, floods and droughts — will aggravate the situation in countries already currently experiencing ‘water stress’ and generate similar problems in areas that have not been
...
March 21, 2020
Logan specializes in commercial real estate sales. He has worked in a variety of roles in Regina that have focused on commercial, residential and new home build sales.
March 19, 2020
Yume — a social enterprise with a mission to prevent edible food from going to waste — wants to tell the Australian food industry that it’s here to help. Connecting food suppliers with surplus stock in real time, Yume’s platform is host to 2500+ registered business buyers who are looking to purchase food products. “COVID-19 is having a severe impact on the Australian food
...March 19, 2020
Predictions about the economic fallout of the current Covid-19 crisis are just that – predictions. Yet, as stock markets plummet, government debt spikes and global events such as COP26 face cancellation or postponement, business leaders still need to strategise for the future as best they can.Image: Channels: Business StrategyTags: CoronavirusMcKinseyaviation
...March 18, 2020
We recently conducted a study reviewing carbon emissions disclosure in FTSE 350 year-end reports for 2017 and 2018. What became glaringly obvious is that companies need to raise the bar when it comes to disclosures around carbon emissions.Image: Channels: Communications & ReportingTags: TCFDcarbon efficiencyESG disclosuresethical investing
...March 18, 2020
More than half of Australian households own two or more motor vehicles, with only 7% of the population reported to own none. Despite cars being marketed as providers of freedom and idyllic lifestyles, Gilbert argues that there are growing reasons to question the cost of that freedom, and even challenge whether it is freedom at all. “There’s obviously the environmental impacts, and the
...
March 18, 2020
Managing our Greenhouse Gas contributions is completely in our control. Carbon markets offer one solution to aid in helping us work together to solve an issue that took humankind more than 100 years to produce.
March 17, 2020
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease Covid-19 continues to cause severe disruption and uncertainty to global trade. Now categorised as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, businesses must consider whether the impact of the coronavirus could cause them to default on their contractual obligations, whether this may be an inability to supply goods due to the effect on the supply chain, an
...March 17, 2020
A three-year Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage project will look to conserve the delicate balance of water flow through the Doongmabulla Springs Complex (DSC) in the Carmichael Basin in Queensland. Led by Professor Adrian Werner — hydrogeologist and founding member of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training at Flinders University — experts in aquifer and
...March 15, 2020
In a bid to support energy affordability and innovation, NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean has announced more than $15 million in funding from the government’s Regional Community Energy Fund, including a $3.5 million grant to the Manilla Solar Project. The project — a partnership between Manilla Community Renewable Energy Inc and Providence Asset Group — will use an advanced hybrid battery
...March 12, 2020
CSIRO research indicates that — despite a rainfall decrease in Western Australia’s wheatbelt between 1900 and 2016 which has shifted wheat yield potential south-west by an average of 70 km — wheat yields have remained unchanged. CSIRO Farming Systems Scientist Dr Andrew Fletcher said the research highlighted the importance of research and development and the continued ability of farmers to innovate
...March 11, 2020
Given the rapidly evolving situation in New York, this morning we took the difficult decision to postpone The Responsible Business Summit until September 21-22, 2020. September’s event will take place in the same venue, The Marriott Brooklyn Bridge, and will benefit from co-location with the Reuters Events ESG Investment Summit.Image: Channels: Communications &
...March 11, 2020
A new method that involves converting durian and jackfruit waste into super-capacitors that can charge mobile phones has been developed at the University of Sydney. This system could substantially reduce the cost of energy storage and charge devices such as mobile phones, tablet, laptops and electric cars very quickly. “Using durian and jackfruit purchased from a market, we converted the
...March 11, 2020
Australians use approximately 17 billion bottles and cans each year. But only 57% of glass we put into our recycling bins is actually recycled, with the remaining 43% destined for landfill, where it takes around one million years to decompose. So why isn’t it enough to simply put glass bottles in the correct recycling bin? One reason is that due to the presence of unrecyclable waste materials or broken
...March 11, 2020
Electric vehicles are crucial in addressing the global climate crisis. Transportation emissions represent 29% of all US global warming emissions, the largest source of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. As we begin the critical decade for climate action, where global emissions must be cut in half by 2030 to limit the worst impacts of a warming planet, transitioning away from polluting vehicles to
...March 9, 2020
From the rise of green bonds and sustainable finance, to consumer pressure forcing companies to look at compliance along their entire supply chain, in theory at least, it’s never been easier to invest in a company, confident that it is deforestation-free. The reality, however, is somewhat different, with hundreds of the world’s largest companies – and the institutions that finance
...March 8, 2020
AkzoNobel has introduced the Polibrid 705E elastomeric polyurethane and Polibrid 670S concrete primer as part of its coatings and linings portfolio. Suitable for water and wastewater applications, the flexible system has crack and bridging properties and the ability to withstand concrete movements. Key features include: solvent free and zero VOC; high film thickness in a single coat (5 mm+ if
...March 8, 2020
An Australian producer of modular and custom-designed greenwalls — The Greenwall Company — is putting ground coffee waste to good use in its soil-less medium for greenwalls and greenroofs. An estimated 75,000 tonnes of ground coffee waste is produced by Australians each year, most of which ends up in landfill — contributing to climate change via the production of the greenhouse
...March 7, 2020
In Brazil, the sixth most populous country in the world, there are more cattle than people. Beef production remains one of the country’s most important industries, and in 2019 exports reached nearly $7.5bn. But beef is also the commodity that is most likely to be the cause of deforestation, with Yale’s Global Forest Atlas laying 80% of all Amazonian deforestation at the feet of the
...March 5, 2020
When the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched nearly five years ago, the United Nations Secretary-General declared: “Now is the time to mobilise the global business community as never before.” Unlike their predecessors, the Millennium Development Goals, the SDGs were designed not just for governments; companies are vital to their
...March 4, 2020
‘In traditional times there were no borders like now — no states and territories, no native title borders and different groups drawing lines. This project removes those borders so that we can work together to keep country and people healthy.”Image: Channels: EnvironmentTags: indigenous-led conservation10 Deserts ProjectSDGsbiodiversityTNCFirst
...March 4, 2020
Using photovoltaic elements on facades could be a useful way to supplement solar energy supply, new research suggests. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP have discovered that if they are appropriately designed, these elements can be attractively integrated and deliver 50% more energy than existing types of wall-mounted PV elements. Even concrete walls are
...March 3, 2020
This decade has been billed as the decade of climate action – but it’s not enough to cut carbon emissions, we also have to reverse the precipitous loss of our planet’s biodiversity.Image: Channels: EnvironmentTags: WBCSDbiodiversitysixth great extinctionParis AgreementUnileverDanoneUNWCMCGlobal Diversity ScoreOP2Bsustainable soy
...March 2, 2020
Nestlé and Australian recycler iQ Renew have announced a trial to find a way to collect, sort and process soft plastics. The trial will see soft plastics collected from over 100,000 homes through kerbside recycling and diverted from landfill. The announcement comes alongside the federal government’s National Plastics Summit, which aims to identify new solutions to the plastic waste
...March 1, 2020
Today’s National Plastics Summit in Canberra will gather a cross-section of 200 delegates from government, industry and community sectors to address the problem of plastic waste. In addition to examining solutions to the plastic waste challenge and mobilising action from governments, industry and non-government organisations, the summit will identify new opportunities to directly address
...March 1, 2020
April’s WIOA Water Industry Operations Conference and Exhibition will provide visitors with a chance to discover and research new technologies, equipment, services and ideas related to the water industry. With an increasing population, expanding manufacturing and growing regulatory requirements, demand for industrial wastewater treatment services is projected to grow by approximately 5.3%
...February 26, 2020
Seasonal pumped hydropower storage means pumping water into a deep storage reservoir, built parallel to a major river, during times of high water flow or low energy demand. When water is scarce or energy demand increases, stored water is then released from the reservoir to generate electricity. IIASA research published in the journal Nature Communications showed that compared with other mature storage
...February 25, 2020
Despite being a major overhead, most businesses still don’t fully understand exactly how, when or where they use energy, or know how much it’s going to cost in five years’ time. The energy landscape is also changing rapidly: as energy managers know well, new regulations, supply security and sustainability demands present new challenges.Image: Channels: Business
...February 25, 2020
PepsiCo and Clean Up Australia have joined forces, launching the three-year program ‘Greening the Green’ aimed at educating consumers on soft plastic recovery and increasing soft plastic recycling across Australia. Although the nation’s recycling rate has increased more than 50% since 1996, waste to landfill has not decreased. The Australian Plastics Recycling Survey from
...February 25, 2020
To shed light on the current state of recycling and to help advance the circular economy, Hi-Cone, a leading manufacturer of beverage multi-packaging solutions, presents its first annual report on The State of Plastic Recycling. Findings of the report show that only one third of adults across four territories reported recycling all of their plastic waste, with over half reporting they found recycling different
...February 24, 2020
A new fund has been announced by Qualitas to finance the construction and management of energy-efficient, low-emissions, build-to-rent (BTR) residential buildings. Backed by up to $125 million from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), the initiative aims to boost clean, green rental stock and extend the benefits of clean energy to Australian renters. The Qualitas Build-to-Rent Impact Fund
...February 20, 2020
Australia needs a roadmap to get its energy system ready for an electric vehicle future, said the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC). Releasing an issues paper as part of its 2020 Retail Energy Competition Review, the commission said planning for the boost in energy use from electric vehicles will ensure the new technology has a positive impact on the energy market. “Electric vehicles
...February 19, 2020
Another report has been released confirming that better recycling standards and specifications are needed in Australia. According to the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR), the report prepared by Equilibrium for the Department of Environment and Energy simply reiterates what industry has been saying for many years. WMRR said that Australia not only lacks
...February 18, 2020
A University of Queensland (UQ) team has developed quantum dot solar cells that can be made into thin, flexible films and used to generate electricity. The technology converts solar energy to electricity via the use of tiny nanoparticles called ‘quantum dots’, which pass electrons between one another and generate electrical current when exposed to solar energy in a solar cell device. The
...February 16, 2020
Thermocells are devices that convert environmental heat, such as that lost from the human body, into electricity via a thermal charging effect. Although inexpensive and efficient, thermocells have historically produced temperature-dependent low output voltages — just tens of millivolts (mV). Researchers from the University of Tsukuba in Japan have now improved the energy-harvesting
...February 13, 2020
Sydney-based A Plus Plastics has acquired stormwater management company Ausdrain in a strategic move to expand its injection moulding manufacturing capacity. A Plus Plastics Managing Director and owner Matthew Holloway is fervent about manufacturing in Australia and approached Ausdrain to propose the acquisition. “I actually picked up the phone and rang the owner of Ausdrain, Gerard Jorna,
...February 11, 2020
Last year’s report on progress towards the New York Declaration on Forest’s goal of ending deforestation by 2030 made for grim reading. Instead of progress, the global rate of gross tree cover loss has increased by 43% since the declaration by governments, NGOs and 60 major companies was signed in 2014, with an area of tree cover the size of the UK lost every
...February 11, 2020
Big brands have found themselves in the eye of a consumer storm over their use of palm oil ever since UK retailer Iceland launched its boycott at the end of 2018, borrowing an emotive ad from a Greenpeace campaign featuring a homeless orangutan, which went viral.Image: Channels: Supply ChainsTags: IcelandGreenpeaceUnileverRainforest Action NetworkMighty
...February 3, 2020
A well-planned infrastructure will be the key to unlocking CASE’s potential and meeting mobility challenges in Australian communities. By 2056, the population of Australia will have hit 30 million people, with major implications for our transport systems. In Sydney alone, the NSW Government predicts there will be twice as many daily vehicle and public transport trips as today, and cars will account
...February 3, 2020
Biotech start-up Provectus Algae will open a new research and development foundry in Noosa next month to further its groundbreaking work with algae as a platform to grow biologics. The facility is reported to be the first of its kind in the world. By programing algae biology, Provectus Algae is working to create new biosynthetic solutions for the production of medicines, vaccines, plant-based foods and
...February 2, 2020
Procter & Gamble products fare particularly badly on the National Resource Defense Council’s toilet paper sustainability scorecard, which looks at factors like the percentage of recycled content in a product, the toxicity of the bleaching process, and how much of its virgin forest fibre is sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified
...January 30, 2020
A world-leading ecologist has issued a dire warning of the terrible consequences of post-fire logging, iterating that the practice could have catastrophic environmental consequences in the wake of unprecedented bushfires. David Lindenmayer, Professor of Ecology and Conservation Biology at the Australian National University, has led global research on the effects of post-fire logging for more than 16
...January 30, 2020
Last week was significant for me, not only because it was my birthday, but because I joined FAIRR’s Founder Jeremy Coller at the World Economic Forum in Davos to launch the Investor Year of Action on AMR (antimicrobial resistance) alongside two of our partners Professor Dame Sally Davies, UK Special Envoy on AMR, and the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock. Needless to say, it was far
...January 29, 2020
National science agency CSIRO will deliver bushfire and climate change resilience measures to help prepare Australia for future years of extreme fire conditions. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that, in collaboration with other agencies and partners, CSIRO will bring plans and recommendations to Australian governments on how to manage and protect homes, the environment, industries and
...January 28, 2020
The SDGs are the world’s to-do list, 17 goals, underpinned by 169 targets, adopted by every UN nation in 2015, to address the most pressing global challenges – from extreme poverty to climate change. These are interrelated problems that require political will; investment – at last week’s World Economic Forum (WEF) the funding gap was estimated at $2.5tn – and action by a range of
...January 22, 2020
It’s impossible to understate the importance of 2020 in the fight against climate change. If we are to have any chance of limiting global warming to 1.5C, 2020 is the year global emissions must peak, with a decade of significant climate action to follow. The year has begun with a stark warning of the consequences of inaction, with the Australian wildfires razing over 10 million hectares, claiming dozens of
...January 21, 2020
Over the last few years, "net zero" has become the guiding principle for action on the climate crisis, offering hope that bold steps will be taken in time to avoid the worst impacts of a warming world. While the phrase may offer a helpful dose of clarity to a complex subject, not all net zero-commitments should be viewed as equals. There are valid concerns that net-zero targets are being set without
...January 20, 2020
THE OCEANS are warming – and fast. So finds new research by a coalition of US and Chinese scientists. Published in the Advances in Atmospheric Sciences journal, the findings reveal that world’s oceans have hit record temperatures for each of the last five years. As well as being the hottest year on record for our oceans, 2019 also marked the largest year-on-year temperature increase since the 1950s
...January 20, 2020
This week’s gathering of business leaders and government heads in Davos for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting is a major date in the sustainable business calendar, with big corporates using the media spotlight on the Swiss ski resort to highlight major announcements.Image: Channels: Communications & ReportingTags: WEFWorld Benchmarking AllianceWMOLarry
...January 20, 2020
The team’s paper — published in Chemical Reviews — discusses the development of KIBs and compares the different materials used in lithium-, sodium- and potassium-ion batteries. Rechargeable batteries are used in most portable electronic devices, electric and hybrid vehicles and renewable power-generation systems due to their low-cost, recyclable technology. They are also an
...January 16, 2020
It seems unlikely that most of us could have predicted our present circumstances a decade ago. The state of both progress and peril in our country and around the world over the past 10 years has landed us in a fractured and unpredictable state, facing enormous societal challenges. Along with those challenges, there are countless opportunities – many of those thanks to corporations around the
...January 16, 2020
Our current growth model has cashed in on the unbridled use of fossil fuels, setting off a carbon explosion that we now urgently need to contain – and we have just decades to do so. But our economy needs to be brought in line with this reality if any significant change is to be made. In other words, we need to transform our fossil-fuel reliant economy into a bio-economy. Quickly. The bioeconomy already
...January 15, 2020
With over 15 CEOs, 70 heads of department and 100 investors at the Reuters Events Responsible Business Summit New York [March 17-18], you’ll find the partnerships and insights that will help you deliver more with your ESG disclosures, build a 21st century supply chain, adapt to the changing climate and prove the ROI of sustainability across the business. The current attendee list has just been released
...January 15, 2020
Transitioning to renewable energy and boosting energy efficiency would only get us 45% of the way towards keeping global temperature rises within 1.5C, according to a recent report by The Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Another 55% will have to come from transforming our production and consumption systems to reduce their use of the planet's dwindling resources. Image: Channels: Supply
...January 14, 2020
There’s increasing pressure for business to communicate its actions, vision and impactin a way simplified manner that engages key audiences whilstdemonstrating integrity and leadership.Image: Banner Ad: Banner URL: https://events.ethicalcorp.com/rbs/Channels: Business Strategy
January 6, 2020
The momentum for a strong corporate sustainability strategy is present and growing. Shareholders, corporate boards, and employees are demanding ambitious and management-endorsed sustainability strategies. These strategies are not bound to an organisation – they also cover the supply chain, alleviating unpredictability between suppliers and buyers. Setting ambitious strategies is a good start,
...January 5, 2020
The failure of last month’s COP25 meeting to agree a plan for governments to deliver on the 2015 Paris Agreement, let alone to ratchet up ambition to keep within 1.5C of planetary warming, puts huge pressure on 2020 to be a pivotal year. What we do over the next 12 months will in turn set the direction for a pivotal decade, which will determine whether we as a species can rise to the enormous challenge of changing
...January 3, 2020
“Walk into the boardroom of a typical Fortune Global 500 company today and the talk will be about today’s challenges. In an environment that rewards short-term gains, immediate concerns understandably dominate management’s time and attention. Many companies with relatively long business horizons are still effectively looking at their watches rather than their calendars. So what would
...January 3, 2020
Are you reading this with a cup of coffee? A piece of chocolate? Or maybe a protein bar with nuts and puffed rice? And if the answer is yes, then have you considered the whole back story that the coffee or cocoa bean, nut and grain carries with it before reaching your cup or plate? Image: Channels: Supply ChainsTags: #deliverydecadeGHG emissionsclimate emergencyagricultureSDGsGlobal
...January 3, 2020
Imagine a massive container ship moving across the ocean at top speed, headed straight for a rocky island. The island is one mile away, which might seem?far off, but turning a large ship moving at high speeds takes considerable effort. There’s still time for the ship to avoid running aground,?but only if it starts the turn
...