March 31, 2021
Toyota has opened a new $7.4 million Hydrogen Centre in Altona, Victoria, reported to be the state’s first hydrogen refuelling station. Installed by gas and engineering company BOC, a subsidiary of Linde, the hydrogen refuelling station will dispense green hydrogen produced through electrolysis powered by onsite solar and battery storage. It is capable of filling a Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell
...March 31, 2021
Today we are mainly able to operate assets remotely, which is a boon to productivity, accuracy and efficiency. However, many areas are still unable to retrieve valuable data from their remote assets. This may include the monitoring of flow volume, water quality, level and pressure, amongst others. Planning and implementing large-scale remote monitoring solutions isn’t simple, and there are many
...March 31, 2021
Measuring the success of change When changes are made in some situations, the results are instantly seen. Wind power plants and solar modules are examples of this. Visible from great distances, they are an eye-catching symbol of the revolution we are experiencing in how we produce energy. There are other important factors in achieving sustainable change, however, such as our efforts to phase out nuclear
...March 31, 2021
From cardboard boxes delivered to our doors to home appliances, nearly everything comes from industrial processes. Those processes use a lot of energy and largely come from fossil fuels; one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from industry. To achieve net-zero economy-wide emissions by 2050 and limit global warming, industrial emissions must drop while still meeting societal needs. A key route
...March 30, 2021
Report: Dry, fiery weather is killing the world's trees
March 30, 2021
Today, we are proud to officially announce our partnership with the Green Business Bureau "We’re pleased to partner with Green Business Bureau. Their online green certification program and sustainability tools complement our marketplace services,” said, Connie Linder, Founder & CEO of Intengine.
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March 30, 2021
At the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, businesses across the country were forced to go remote.
March 30, 2021
How cannabis can be part of an affordable housing future — not just one for eco-conscious elites.
March 30, 2021
When I returned to the office after having my first child, I noticed for the first time that all of the offices and conference rooms either had windows or non-locking doors, which left me without any safe spaces for pumping. Fortunately, I work for a supportive company that requested modification from building management to convert a small conference room to a part-time pumping room. Shortly thereafter, the
...March 29, 2021
This article originally appeared in the State of Green Business 2021. You can download the entire report here. As the circular economy ramps up, we’ve seen impressive innovation in materials, products, models and processes — but innovation on how we treat people has been notably absent. However, as companies, cities and countries alike adopt a more holistic lens and embrace
...March 29, 2021
Many serious concerns have hung over the supply chains of global corporations for decades, ranging from human rights issues to lack of transparency about sourcing and other matters. In the jewelry industry, the issues have ranged from unsafe mining practices and child labor to money laundering through the supply chains themselves. The rise of conscious consumers has altered how brands compete, and
...March 28, 2021
Dairy Australia has launched a climate change strategy, detailing its climate commitment, investment intent and priorities across research, development and extension (RD&E). The strategy covers a range of actions to be executed over the next five years to help dairy farmers adapt and build their resilience to climate change impacts on profitability, while contributing to industry-wide
...March 28, 2021
German plant builder WELTEC BIOPOWER has collaborated with Finnish partner Doranova to complete a biogas plant near Turku in south-western Finland, a region characterised by livestock farms. The 250 kW plant — belonging to a group of three pig farmers — runs entirely on liquid manure. Environmental policy in Finland is increasingly based on sustainable nutrient recycling, with agriculture
...March 28, 2021
The US Government is funding a pilot-scale testing facility to demonstrate a next-generation concentrated solar thermal (CST) technology that Australia helped develop. The Sandia falling particle system has been developed over the past two years with significant input from Australia, including CSIRO, the Australian National University and the University of Adelaide. CSIRO is one of the main external
...March 26, 2021
So far, Canada has succeeded where the U.S. has failed.
March 25, 2021
Heritage retention works at Melbourne’s Goods Shed No.5 are complete, following a six-month process that has seen individual components of the shed cautiously dismantled and catalogued for repurposing — sparking innovative ways to regenerate and reduce waste. Site owner Riverlee is committed to retaining as many items as possible, giving them new life through the forthcoming Seafarers
...March 25, 2021
Or is my utility company just greedy?
March 25, 2021
Or is my utility company just greedy?
March 25, 2021
Unilever has become one of the first multinational companies in the world to publish a corporate net-zero action plan for oversight by its shareholders, as it prepares to put the climate strategy to an advisory vote at its upcoming AGM in early May. The consumer goods giant this week unveiled its strategy for achieving net-zero emissions across its entire supply chain by 2039 in line with recommendations from
...March 24, 2021
Interest in corporate sustainability metrics has skyrocketed in the last few years, particularly in the financial industry. With it has come a surge in demand for information related to these activities, one accommodated by existing reporting standards and frameworks produced by organizations such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), CDP and the
...March 24, 2021
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure could provide a major benefit — boosting both clean energy and resiliency — for the power grid. On Monday, automaker BMW and northern California utility PG&E announced a new expanded program that could help incentivize 3,000 BMW drivers to shift the charging of their vehicles to times of day when clean energy (namely
...March 24, 2021
As director of operations for 11 Domino’s Pizzas in Colorado, Bill Oliver has a unique anxiety that rattles around his brain — that one morning his staff will open the store and head back to the freezer section to start the day’s orders only to find the dough, vegetables and meats sitting there unfrozen. Refrigerators, freezers and warehouses are vulnerable to malfunctions or
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March 23, 2021
The recent 5G phenomenon is spreading all over the world, and it’s important that the general public is aware of the potential ramifications. As a society, we are increasingly reliant upon wireless technologies, and 5G is the next big jump in their capabilities. There have been numerous studies done on the negative effects that the currently utilized wireless waves have on our bodies and our brains. It is
...March 23, 2021
"I am discovering a whole new respect for chief sustainability officers," I texted the facilitator of Leading the Sustainability Transformation. I was general manager of a mock company, Rio Negro Bioproducts, with the express goal to transform it from a traditional business to a sustainable one — economically, environmentally and socially — over a 20-year period compressed into a
...March 23, 2021
Unresolved debates about the past frame choices about who owns the future. America has arrived, once again, at another momentous inflection point to try and resolve some of the most contentious issues the nation has faced and largely failed to resolve — the narrative of American history and culture, the persistence of systemic racism, and continuing debates over women’s empowerment, personal
...March 22, 2021
If water is the lifeblood that runs through our planet, then the world’s forests are its lungs. Both are vital to the living foundation that underpins our society and the global economy. As we celebrate World Water Day and the International Day of Forests, we need to talk about the private sector’s role in shaping a more sustainable, deforestation-free and water-secure future. The climate crisis
...March 22, 2021
Reservoir Station in Melbourne’s north has been awarded a Five Star Green Star Design & As Built rating by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), reported to be the first train station in Australia to do so. The rating is categorised by the GBCA as an ‘Australian Excellence’ achievement. Completed by the Level Crossing Removal Project in July 2020, Reservoir Station was rated
...March 22, 2021
Since the world was introduced to the first meal kit over a decade ago, the industry has matured in size and familiarity, but it also has endured notable criticism surrounding packaging and its perceived impact on the environment. Leading sustainability for a meal kit company, I am acutely aware of our weak points and an advocate for the benefits. Let me be the first say that as an industry, there is ongoing work to
...March 22, 2021
Under the traditional capitalist model, financial performance for shareholders has been the primary measure of the success of a business. However, a growing awareness of ESG trends has given rise to the concept of "stakeholder value," whereby the focus is on long-term value creation for customers, employees, society and the environment rather than just short-term value for shareholders. The
...March 21, 2021
Every year, about 800,000 tonnes of textiles end up in landfill. To help tackle this problem and help consumers recycle and repurpose their pre-loved textiles, courier service CouriersPlease (CP) is collecting unwanted items from Australian households via a partnership with sustainable sock company Upparel. Through the CP–Upparel initiative, people can book a collection through the Boomerang
...March 19, 2021
A complaint filed against Chevron for deceptive advertising could mark a new strategy for fossil fuel opponents.
March 19, 2021
Want more great analysis of the clean energy transition? Sign up for Energy Weekly, our free email newsletter. Portland General Electric (PGE) in Oregon manages a two-year-old program it hopes will accelerate the speed of renewable deployment in the state. It also may be a model for how other utilities can help customers choose clean energy. The Green Future Impact (GFI) program provides an avenue
...March 18, 2021
A collaboration between technology developer Licella, recycler iQ Renew, Coles, polymer manufacturer LyondellBasell and Nestlé marks a major step towards a circular economy for soft plastic packaging, with the announcement of a joint feasibility study to determine the technical, economic and environmental benefits of a local advanced recycling industry. The study will stake out potential
...March 18, 2021
Want to electrify your home? Good luck finding a contractor.
March 18, 2021
Polar bears, recycling bins, and trees are out.
March 17, 2021
Schneider Electric has been recognised by the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) for its leadership in building renewable energy markets and green power procurement in Asia — receiving a Renewable Energy Markets Asia Award at CRS’s inaugural Renewable Energy Markets (REM) Asia conference. Schneider Electric was selected for the award based on its commitments to a clean energy
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March 16, 2021
Growth in the urban population directly affects the increase of urban areas, which in turn influences the natural environment. The volume of vegetation decreases, agricultural land quality and the number of water resources become worse as well which leads to environmental pollution. The city represents a complex mosaic of natural and anthropogenic habitats.
...March 16, 2021
Victoria’s Moyne Shire Council was one of Australia’s first councils to introduce a glass-only bin collection system, introducing a fourth kerbside bin in September 2019. Eight community groups were engaged to work with the council to hand deliver more than 6000 glass-only, purple-lidded bins — adding to the existing collection service that includes recycling, FOGO (food organics,
...March 16, 2021
Scope 3 emissions are the hardest emissions for companies to address when setting goals. But often, they are the most emissions to take on. For Etsy, the e-commerce marketplace known for handmade items like jewelry, art and apparel, Scope 3 emissions make up 99 percent of the company's carbon footprint. That's why it's prioritizing engagement with sellers in its marketplace to drive down
...March 16, 2021
Louisiana has a $1.5 billion plan to slow sea-level rise and BP is paying for it.
March 15, 2021
The nonprofit consortium that oversees the nation’s building codes has given the construction and gas industries more control over the process.
March 15, 2021
This article originally appeared in the State of Green Business 2021. You can download the entire report here. San Francisco Bay Area biotech giant Genentech is a world leader in making medicines for diseases such as cancer and cystic fibrosis; it’s even trialing one of its medicines for helping treat COVID-19. It’s safe to say that the company, a division of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche,
...March 14, 2021
Researchers from North Carolina State University (NC State) have discovered that certain bacteria make a slimy but tough biofilm for protection and motility — and it can also be used to separate water and oil. The researchers used the material produced by the bacteria Gluconacetobacter hansenii as a filter to separate water from an oil mixture, with results published in the journal
...March 13, 2021
A Quebec-based engineer is using microwave technology to recycle plastic waste. Could his approach help cut down on the production of new plastic?
March 12, 2021
Thought Leader | Kevin Nilsen As ECO Canada’s President and CEO, Kevin Nilsen embraces the change, rapid growth, and innovation of Canada’s environmental sector. Nilsen has seen a massive influx of talent and capital within the field — and intends to make the most of this exciting period of transformation.
...March 12, 2021
A carbon-free future requires a lot of mining. A battle brewing in Nevada shows it won’t be easy.
March 12, 2021
Want more great analysis of the clean energy transition? Sign up for Energy Weekly, our free email newsletter. The era of American offshore wind finally may be coming to its shores. This week, the Biden administration backed the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in the United States: an 800-megawatt project planned off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. The project, known as Vineyard
...March 11, 2021
Reprinted from GreenFin Weekly, a free weekly newsletter. Subscribe here. For years, companies have focused voluntary social reporting on metrics that are, let’s say, comfortable: government-mandated data, such as occupational health and safety or certain hiring metrics, that has been measured and managed for years. Add a few more nuanced data points, such as the results of an annual employee
...March 11, 2021
A study investigating the environmental impacts of single- and multi-use packaging used at quick-service restaurants has found that paper-based single-use products provide significant environmental advantages compared with reusable options. Conducted by global engineering, design and consultancy company Ramboll, and commissioned by the European Paper Packaging Alliance (EPPA), the life cycle
...March 11, 2021
For more essays and articles by Shana Rapport, sign up for VERGE Weekly, one of our free newsletters. Sanjana Paul is a 23-year-old scientist, electrical engineer and environmental activist on a mission. Yes, she's worked at NASA. But her mission isn't to explore the outer edges of the solar system. Instead, it's to harness the full power of technology and the ingenuity of young people
...March 11, 2021
Cities are home to more than 50 percent of the global population and as a result are presented with ever-growing challenges, including finding a balance between social equity, economic vitality and environmental sustainability. Cities also have extraordinary potential to enable change and the ability to find harmony between people, prosperity and the planet that creates a better future for
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March 10, 2021
Webinar hosted by ECO Canada. Today, the focus is on truth and reconciliation and this webinar introduces the histories, cultures and issues facing Indigenous communities in Canada.
March 10, 2021
BlueDot Photonics aims to make solar power more efficient and affordable.
March 10, 2021
BlueDot Photonics aims to make solar power more efficient and affordable.
March 10, 2021
How conditions become ripe for carbon capture and storage to bloom in the ethanol industry.
March 10, 2021
Hotels don’t want to shelter homeless people. Advocates say it shouldn’t be a choice.
March 10, 2021
Editor’s note: This article is the third in a series about the Ceres Roadmap 2030, a vision for sustainable business leadership in this crucial decade. The roadmap provides a 10-year action plan to help companies navigate and thrive in the accelerated transition to a more just, equitable and sustainable economy. You can find the first article here, and the second here. As COVID-19 spread across the
...March 9, 2021
Award-winning gin producer Four Pillars is progressing towards a greener future with the installation of a 65.88 kW rooftop solar system at its Healesville distillery. Designed by Cherry Energy Solutions, the system is expected to save the business $12,800 each year and reduce its emissions by 1600 t CO2e over the life of the project — the equivalent of powering 185 homes for a year. The system was
...March 8, 2021
Plans to build Australia’s first ‘green’ port near Exmouth on Western Australia’s north-west coast are underway, with Gascoyne Gateway progressing with the company’s next round of community reference groups. The proposed Gascoyne Gateway marine facility — expected to set a new benchmark in marine environmental management — is a single-jetty deep-water
...March 8, 2021
Shipping giant Maersk announced plans for a green methanol-powered vessel by 2023. But there isn't enough of the fuel to go around.
March 8, 2021
Given the devastating economic toll the COVID-19 pandemic has had on women and girls, the imperative to mark International Women’s Day carries more weight than usual this year. The idea of a day celebrating the accomplishments of the female gender in the U.S. reaches back to 1909. Throughout the subsequent decade, the concept was embraced by countries including Austria, Denmark, Germany,
...March 8, 2021
In early February, more than 1,200 sustainability professionals gathered online for GreenBiz 21. And each day after the mainstage talks and panels, a few of my GreenBiz Group colleagues and I hopped onto Zoom to convene with 12 students and young professionals poised to become sustainability leaders of the future. From marketing to engineering, the GreenBiz 21 Emerging Leaders represent a variety of
...March 8, 2021
Blindsided by how COVID-19 quickly dominated the planet? You're not alone. Fourteen months ago, the World Economic Forum's 2020 Global Risks Report neglected to include a pandemic among its major warnings for the year ahead. The crisis has exposed not only the lack of foresight but the lack of effectiveness in mainstream business risk management policies. Fewer than six out of 400 companies
...March 8, 2021
ESG issues continue to gain prominence, with climate change getting the most attention today. We see customers demanding action on carbon emissions, investment firms structuring new green products and governments developing regulations to support the transition to a sustainable future. This has led to a strong focus on two main sectors: energy and transportation. Of course, moving to renewable energy
...March 7, 2021
Reported to be the first of its kind in the Asia–Pacific region, the treatment facility at Queensland’s Urban Utilities’ Luggage Point Resource Recovery Centre uses Anita Mox technology to naturally remove ammonium and nitrogen from sewage via anammox, or anaerobic ammonium oxidation. Organic nutrients like ammonium and nitrogen must be removed from sewage to protect the quality of
...March 5, 2021
Want more great analysis of sustainable food systems? Sign up for Food Weekly, our free email newsletter. I wrote recently about the intense level of innovation we’re seeing in food and ag. To try to stay on top of things, I’ll run quarterly roundups that highlight startups with the potential to move the needle on sustainability. I’ll focus on early-stage companies but will drop in
...March 5, 2021
More than 100 billion tons of resources enter the economy every year — everything from metals, minerals and fossil fuels to organic materials from plants and animals. Just 8.6 percent gets recycled and used again. Use of resources has tripled (automatic PDF download) since 1970 and could double again by 2050 if business continues as usual. We would need 1.5 Earths to sustainably support our current resource
...March 4, 2021
Key discussion points include: What are P&G Fabric Care’s commitment with regards to environmental sustainability? What are some of the key goals and timelines set? What is the biggest challenge for P&G Fabric, and how are you addressing it? How important are collaborations to your goals and can you talk to any innovative collaborations? What actionable steps
...March 4, 2021
The Australian Government has released its National Plastics Plan 2021, proposing a wide range of APCO-led initiatives to fight plastic waste by reducing plastic packaging, and improving recycling and recycled content uptake in the Australian marketplace. The multi-pronged approach includes plastic-free beaches, new labelling guidelines, eliminating expanded polystyrene consumer packaging fill and
...March 4, 2021
Whoever made the mess should pay to clean it up. But who is actually responsible?
March 4, 2021
Reprinted from GreenFin Weekly, a free weekly newsletter. Subscribe here. Last summer, the investment arm of northern Europe’s largest financial services group dropped Brazilian meat giant JBS from its portfolio. Nordea Asset Management, which manages roughly $280 billion, gave several reasons for the decision, including JBS’s links to farms involved in Amazon
...March 3, 2021
Global logistics giant FedEx on Wednesday announced a goal to be carbon neutral by 2040. The plan includes a $2 billion investment across electric vehicles, clean energy for operations and a new academic center with Yale focused on capturing carbon. FedEx — which uses over 180,000 vehicles to deliver packages across continents and operates the world's largest cargo airline — has
...March 3, 2021
The latest eco-label on the market, Climate Neutral Certified gets companies to offset 100 percent of their carbon.
March 3, 2021
PHX Water is founded on a commitment to providing exceptional quality of service in a cost effective manner. Your water safety is our primary focus at all times.
March 3, 2021
3 tips for anticipating investor requests on climate, water and biodiversity Thomas Singer Wed, 03/03/2021 - 01:00 2020 undeniably brought the "S" pillar of ESG into greater focus, including issues such as employee wellness, human rights, and diversity, equity and inclusion. But investors didn’t exactly ignore the "E" component and are poised to emphasize it even more in 2021 and beyond, according
...March 3, 2021
2020 undeniably brought the "S" pillar of ESG into greater focus, including issues such as employee wellness, human rights, and diversity, equity and inclusion. But investors didn’t exactly ignore the "E" component and are poised to emphasize it even more in 2021 and beyond, according to a recent Conference Board corporate sustainability disclosure analysis. In fact, three
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March 2, 2021
When you have selected a few houses from which you will Rent To Buy Homes; next you have to check the facilities that are available near the area where the houses are.
...March 2, 2021
A survey assessing 82 popular food products has found that more than 80% feature packaging that cannot be put into home recycling bins. Only 16 products (19.5%) were entirely kerbside recyclable; 45 (55%) must have some elements taken to a collection point; and 21 (25.5%) are currently difficult to collect and recycle, with many examples of overpackaging and bad packaging design. WWF-Australia worked with
...March 2, 2021
Investor-owned utilities — yes, IOUs — dominate the system and wield enormous political power. Only the feds can change that.
March 2, 2021
On June 23, Amazon commenced its $2 billion Climate Pledge Fund to further endeavors to become net-zero by 2040. In January 2020, Microsoft committed to invest $1 billion over the next four years as part of their Climate Innovation Fund. And on July 21, Apple committed to become 100 percent carbon neutral across its entire business, supply chain and product life cycle by 2030. These commitments and
...March 2, 2021
On June 23, Amazon commenced its $2 billion Climate Pledge Fund to further endeavors to become net-zero by 2040. In January 2020, Microsoft committed to invest $1 billion over the next four years as part of their Climate Innovation Fund. And on July 21, Apple committed to become 100 percent carbon neutral across its entire business, supply chain and product life cycle by 2030. These commitments and
...March 1, 2021
Plans for protecting the environment and delivering a livable Sunshine Coast have put Sunshine Coast Council on the list of finalists for this year’s Banksia Sustainability Awards. The council’s Environment and Liveability Strategy (ELS) is a contender for the awards, to be held on 23–24 March 2021. Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said he was delighted to see the integrated
...March 1, 2021
This article originally appeared on the author's personal blog, and was written in that capacity. Italics are the author's. The only sure path to stop climate change is to zero out greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible. That’s it. As simple as this sounds, it’s going to be an enormous job, requiring hard work over the coming decades. But I find
...March 1, 2021
This article originally appeared in the State of Green Business 2021. You can download the entire report here. The industrial sector is the backbone of the economy, producing the materials that build everything from cities to phones. It’s also a significant contributor to the climate crisis: Industrial processes — from the creation of raw materials to chemicals — are responsible for
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