FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
Following the announcement of Philips’ new sustainability-driven revolving credit facility, Dutch banking group Triodos has launched a personal current account in the UK in response to a growing demand for responsible banking products.
“Our new personal account brings an inspiring new option to the UK current account market, which we believe is dysfunctional and is obviously dominated by a small number of large banks,” said Bevis Watts, Managing Director of Triodos UK.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Denver-based startup Bext Holdings Inc. (Bext360) is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology to make it easier for coffee farmers around the world to get paid a fair price for the coffee beans they grow and sell.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
In honor of National Soil Conservation Week, which commences on April 16, the Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC) has launched a new campaign encouraging Canadians to play in the dirt. Initiated by the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario, the Soil Your Undies campaign aims to draw attention to the importance of soil health.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
In a bid to boost sustainability in Indonesia’s agri-business sector, PT SMART Tbk (PT SMART) — a subsidiary of Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) — and the French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD) have launched a new regional platform that will deliver research-based training and enhance sustainability standards in major commodity chains, including palm oil.
PRESS RELEASE -
DETROIT – The Michigan Urban Farming Initiative (MUFI) continues to innovate to uplift its North End Detroit neighborhood with agricultural concepts that transform blighted properties and vacant land into useful community assets. The all-volunteer organization will debut a new recreational space and water harvesting cistern this summer, thanks to grants and material donations from Garnier®, TerraCycle®, and Target Corporation.
COLLABORATION -
The Michigan Urban Farming Initiative (MUFI), an all-volunteer organization revitalizing Detroit’s North End neighborhood through agriculture, will debut a new recreational space and water-harvesting cistern this summer, thanks to grants and material donations from Garnier, TerraCycle and Target Corporation. The announcement coincides with the non-profit’s crowdfunding campaign to help convert a vacant three-story apartment complex into a community resource center.
LEADERSHIP -
Community initiatives constitute a crucial component of the transformation taking place in Detroit, which has seen its fair share of difficulties following deindustrialization. And the Michigan Urban Farming Initiative (MUFI) is one of them.
STAKEHOLDER TRENDS AND INSIGHTS -
International non-profit Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has launched its 2017 policy development round, opening up six areas of the MSC program to consultation from stakeholders to improve its existing programs and develop effective and sustainable new standards.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Twelve of the world’s leading cocoa and chocolate companies have agreed to collectively work towards ending deforestation and forest degradation in the global cocoa supply chain, with an initial focus on Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. The agreement commits the participating companies to develop and present a joint public-private framework of action to address deforestation at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 23rd Conference of the Parties (COP23) meeting in Bonn, Germany in November 2017.
COLLABORATION -
Today, powerful female leaders from both the private and public sector gathered in New York City to discuss their growing global power to tackle climate change and deliver on the ambitions of the Paris Agreement.
COLLABORATION -
In an industry full of certifications for product and brand sustainability, it can be difficult to navigate which ones are right for your organization. While intentions for each certification are good, some processes are more comprehensive than others. The rigorous B Corporation certification standards set by third party B Lab clearly define holistic, impact-focused practices in business.
CLEANTECH -
Water is an increasingly precious resource and no one knows this better than California. Last year marked the state’s sixth consecutive year of drought, an issue that is putting serious strain on its agriculture and viticulture industries. Achieving a sustainable water future is critical to meet the needs of people, businesses and the environment, a prospect that local and national businesses alike aren’t taking lying down.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
In an effort to help support farmers and increase the amount of farmland dedicated to organic production, Kashi has introduced a second line of products in its growing Certified Transitional portfolio.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
Growing demand for seafood and a global population growing at a rate of 75 million people every year has put ocean resources under significant strain. Approximately 90 percent of global fishing grounds are now over-fished or fully-exploited. Sustainable consumption of seafood is therefore imperative, and one of the only ways to reverse the decline and collapse of fish stocks within our lifetime.
PRESS RELEASE -
Auburn Hills, Michigan, February 21, 2017 – BorgWarner helped launch the Michigan Urban Farming Initiative’s (MUFI’s) crowdfunding effort today with a $10,000 donation to support America’s first sustainable urban argihood in Detroit’s North End. If the $50,000 funding goal is met by April 2, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) will provide a matching grant with funds from MEDC’S Public Spaces Community Places program.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Changing consumer attitudes and the reality of climate change have shifted the conversation about the business case for sustainability. For more and more companies, embedding sustainable business practices into operations, business models and missions is no longer optional — it is now imperative in order to remain competitive.
PRESS RELEASE -
Beverages major Coca-Cola India has partnered with DCM Shriram (DSCL) along with Solidaridad and International Finance Corporation, for a project to enhance sugarcane yield and improve farmers' income in Uttar Pradesh.
"It is a sustainable supply project, in addition to improving farmers' income. We have come together to increase sugarcane farmers' yield and to bring in sustainable agricultural practices," said Coca-Cola India and South West Asia President Venkatesh Kini.
PRESS RELEASE -
BASF and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a collaboration agreement to evaluate how satellite-derived data and images can best be used for agricultural purposes. In close partnership with farmers, the partners’ long-term goal is to translate this information into digital tools and services.
BEHAVIOR CHANGE -
Every year, nearly 70 billion animals are farmed for food. With rising public awareness of the way animals are raised for food, animal health and welfare is an increasingly important area for businesses today — particularly for consumer-facing brands. Now in its fifth year, the Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) provides companies with a clear set of expectations on farm animal welfare management practice and reporting, enabling them to benchmark themselves against industry peers and to progressively drive up welfare standards in their supply chains.