PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
This is the final post in a four-part series on geomimicry by renowned author and George Mason University professor Dr. Gregory C. Unruh. Read parts one, two and three.
COLLABORATION -
A solid argument can be made that corporate America has made significant progress in the sustainability arena.
LEADERSHIP -
Following the analysis of over 6,000 studies, the world’s leading climate scientists at the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) last month released a Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C. The main conclusion from the report was that global warming is likely to reach 1.5°C in just 12 years if current rates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue. To halt warming at 1.5°C and thus avoid the most disastrous impacts of climate change, the IPCC states that anthropogenic GHG emissions must reach net zero by 2050. This is a monumental task and one that will require what the IPCC calls “rapid and far-reaching transitions.”
NEW METRICS -
Last week at Sustainable Brands’ New Metrics ’18 conference in Philadelphia, PA, over 300 delegates from brands, NGOs, strategists and practitioners across sectors gathered to share the newest credible tools and solutions for assessing the ROI of Sustainable Business.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
This week, circular economy experts from over 20 countries convened in Scotland as Glasgow hosted the third annual Circular Economy Hotspot. Glasgow used the occasion to announce its intention to become Scotland’s first circular city — this will involve Glasgow City Council publishing the country’s first circular economy route map with a key target to power 15 percent of the city’s homes with renewable energy by 2030.
WALKING THE TALK -
Arriving on the heels of Hurricane Florence, Hurricane Michael proved again that companies are making significant commitments to relief and recovery efforts in the wake of natural disasters. Our round-up of Hurricane Florence corporate response efforts covered some innovative ways that companies are reacting to disasters. Unfortunately, we’re already revisiting the topic with a snapshot of how companies reacted to Michael, and why it’s increasingly critical for any company to have a disaster response strategy in place.
PRESS RELEASE -
NEW BRITAIN, Conn., Oct. 18, 2018 – In the wake of one of the largest and most destructive hurricanes to ever hit the continental United States, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) today announced a commitment of up to $150,000 for immediate disaster relief and rebuilding.
PRESS RELEASE -
ATLANTA, October 12, 2018 /3BL Media/ – The UPS Foundation today announced a $1.5 million commitment to support relief and recovery efforts for the earthquake/tsunami in Indonesia and Hurricane Michael in Florida. Through a combination of cash grants, in-kind transportation movements and technical expertise, The UPS Foundation, in collaboration with its disaster relief partners, will provide urgent relief, as well as support for long-term needs ranging from rebuilding to personal and financial recovery assistance. Last month, The UPS Foundation also committed more than $1 million to assist with Hurricane Florence relief efforts.
PRESS RELEASE -
PepsiCo Recycling is continuing to expand the Zero Impact Fund, which offers eligible* colleges and universities an opportunity to bring campus sustainability ideas to life. Through the Zero Impact Fund, schools can submit ideas to accomplish their environmental, economic and social goals, with winning applications receiving up to $10,000 each from PepsiCo Recycling. In its first two years, the Zero Impact Fund received applications from more than 100 different campuses and awarded grants to 27 schools.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Nespresso has partnered with Blue Marble Microinsurance — a startup with the mission of providing socially impactful, commercially viable insurance protection to the underserved and incorporated by nine insurance entities — to launch a pilot weather index insurance program for smallholder coffee farmers in Colombia.
CLEANTECH -
In the past few years, Schneider Electric — a global specialist in energy management and automation — has partnered with its customers around the world in various capacities to co-create smart solutions for a more sustainable future. It focuses its energy on prioritizing resource productivity and management, promoting energy efficiency and rethinking energy consumption. It has also adopted science-based emissions targets and helped its clients set their own.
We spoke with Erik Mohn, Director of Americas Sustainability Services at Schneider Electric, to learn more about the company’s multi-pronged strategy to spread sustainability.
PRESS RELEASE -
FLORHAM PARK, NJ, September 25, 2018 – BASF was recognized for its continuing involvement and commitment to the United Nations (UN) Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a UN Global Compact LEAD company and as an SDG Pioneer during the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit.
PRESS RELEASE -
Novozymes, world leader in biological solutions, and DSM, world leader in animal nutrition, announce the launch of BalanciusTM, a new feed additive for broiler chickens.
“Balancius is the first and only feed additive that works by improving gut health for chickens. It allows broilers to better take up nutrients from feed, thus helping them to grow better and farmers to use less feed. No other technology works like this,” says Susanne Palsten Buchardt, Vice President at Novozymes.
PRESS RELEASE -
ATLANTA, September 17, 2018 – UPS(NYSE:UPS) today announced a more than $1 million commitment through The UPS Foundation in support of recovery efforts following the devastating flooding, infrastructure damage and utility outages caused by Hurricane Florence.
PRESS RELEASE -
Shaw Contract, a division of Shaw Industries and a leading flooring manufacturer serving commercial properties worldwide, has officially joined the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment as part of the momentous Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, celebrating 37 founding signatories.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
A major report released by the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate finds that we are significantly underestimating the benefits of cleaner, climate-smart growth. Bold climate action could deliver at least US$26 trillion in economic benefits through to 2030, compared with business as usual.
CLEANTECH -
Last year, the leading economies in renewable energy investment growth were not to be found in North America or even Europe — the leaders in growth were countries often described as developing, such as China, Brazil, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Argentina.
These big shifts in renewables investment have, in fact, been emerging since 2004, and portend a strong outlook for continued growth in global renewable energy investment and reaching carbon-reduction targets.
BUSINESS CASE -
To keep the global temperature increase to well below 2⁰C and meet the goals laid out in the Paris Agreement, everyone must take bold action to reduce their share of emissions as soon as possible. Companies are responsible for the majority of global emissions and therefore play an integral role in meeting these goals.
LEADERSHIP -
Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) today announced a new climate action strategy, which sets aggressive targets for reducing carbon emissions across its owned-and-operated facilities and global supply chain by 2025; among its goals are using 100 percent renewable electricity in its company-owned facilities.
NEW METRICS -
To keep the global temperature increase to well below 2⁰C and meet the goals laid out in the Paris Agreement, everyone must take bold action to reduce their share of emissions as soon as possible. Companies are responsible for the majority of global emissions and therefore play an integral role in meeting these goals.