THE NEXT ECONOMY -
As I write this, we are anxiously awaiting the US Senate to pass President Biden’s “Build Back Better” legislation. It’s important that this passes, as it calls for the continuation of the Child Tax Credit program that has been instrumental in helping US families rise out of poverty.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
Driscoll’s leads the produce industry in increasing the circularity of packaging and landfill diversion of agricultural plastics. It’s the first berry company to make public commitments and inject serious funding into innovation — with a goal to create economies of scale.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
It’s true what they say: The way to someone’s heart is often through their stomach. A new WRI study suggests that carefully reframing menu language can successfully nudge diners toward more climate-friendly food options.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
The US Pact’s brands, retailers and materials manufacturers are seek to develop immediate solutions to the 11 ubiquitous and unrecyclable materials — but the plastics industry is up in arms.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
It seems human rights abuses aren’t the only labor issues companies need to watch out for in their supply chains. Here, Thailand-based Theppadungporn Coconut Company details how it partnered to create the first audit scheme specifically designed to uncover monkey labor.
COLLABORATION -
It’s 2022, and 1 in 3 homes on the Navajo Nation Reservation still do not have a tap or toilet. In 2021, human rights nonprofit DigDeep collaborated with
Kohler to launch the Water Is Life microgrant program — which is working to make safe water a reality for all residents of the Navajo Nation.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
The multi-year, multimillion-dollar Indigenous Earth Fund initiative will support systemic and policy-change efforts centered around Indigenous leaders and environmental solutions.
WALKING THE TALK -
In our experience, it’s challenging to proceed from knowing your company’s emissions profile to crafting a climate action plan to reduce it. Successful companies will adopt the right mix of strategies for them — which is where the bigger challenge comes in.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Paying living wages throughout supply chains can mean changing business models, which can seem insurmountable. But a series of case studies from IDH shows how companies and coalitions are making real progress on their commitments.
WALKING THE TALK -
In his annual letter to CEOs, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink says that, while decarbonizing the global economy is ‘the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime,’ he also asserts that ‘divesting from entire sectors will not get the world to net zero.’
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The broad spectrum of choices in today’s ‘meat’ aisle will continue to diversify as brands work to satisfy the appetites of ever-growing climate-conscious consumer market — and each product has its own benefits, challenges and impacts.
CLEANTECH -
The financing partnership will enable LanzaJet to bring its alcohol-to-jet, net-zero sustainable aviation fuels to commercial scale.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
New cellulosic bio-coating for fresh produce greatly reduces both packaging and food waste by coating the produce with, well, produce.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
To provide experiences that enrich destination communities and travelers alike, the new initiatives span 16 countries and include activities such as meals at local establishments supporting women, migrants and seniors; and immersive tours preserving Indigenous and ethnic minority legacies.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Companies and industries are being forced to innovate to ensure success in a climate-changed future. One win-win partnership epitomizes the ingenuity of a legendary, highly particular sake brewery and a city government seeking to leverage local characteristics to revitalize the region.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
The World Economic Forum's annual global survey of experts finds only 1 in 6 are optimistic and only 1 in 10
believe in our ability to implement a stable, sustainable global recovery.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
By unleashing the corporate balance sheet, finance teams can provide resources to nurture local entrepreneurial talent, improve climate resilience and build housing — all with minimal risk.
WASTE NOT -
Timberloop enables Timberland and its community to work together to keep products and materials in circulation for as long as possible — critical to the
company’s goal for 100% of its products to be designed for full circularity by 2030.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Consumer insights demonstrate need for brands to make good on their sustainability and human rights claims, and make it even easier for shoppers to shop their values.