PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Although developments in the field of artificial intelligence began around the 1950s, its capacities have significantly increased in the recent years. Owing to factors such as the development of faster computers, availability of open-source software and the access to vast amounts of computational data, AI has now branched into machine learning (ML), probabilistic predictions, chaos theory and evolutionary computation. Investing in artificial intelligence courses, therefore, prepares people to undertake not just one, but many AI applications.
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 -
Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM), the global leader in storage and information management services, today announced that its operations in Belgium, Ireland, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom have achieved the company’s stated goal of utilizing 100 percent of their electricity consumption from renewable energy sources. This milestone represents a significant achievement for the company following its joining of the RE100 initiative earlier this year in which Iron Mountain committed to using renewable energy sources for 100 percent of its worldwide electricity. In doing so, the company pledged to follow a rigorous standard for green power purchasing and achieving aggressive interim milestones on the way to a complete conversion by 2050.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
Responsible investing has been an overriding theme of the past two weeks, with a proliferation of new initiatives, campaigns and reports joining a growing list of recently released resources for sustainable and impact investors to increase the quality of their investments emerging during last week’s Global Climate Action Summit and this week at Climate Week.
WALKING THE TALK -
A campaign launched today is holding BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, accountable as the single largest contributor to climate destruction. BlackRock’s Big Problem — supported by over a dozen organizations, including Friends of the Earth US, Amazon Watch and the Sierra Club, with support from The Sunrise Project — asserts that as the world’s biggest owner of fossil fuel companies, BlackRock is putting the planet on a path towards runaway climate change. The campaign launches as world leaders in climate policy, solutions and finance gather in New York for Climate Week.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
Since its founding in 2006, EcoAct Group has grown from raising awareness at the local level in France into a global collection of experts engaging with the private and public sectors to aid in the transition to a low-carbon economy. In addition to advising companies on climate change and carbon neutrality strategies, EcoAct also conducts research to assess publicly listed companies’ efforts in these areas.
PRESS RELEASE -
ATLANTA – The UPS Foundation, which leads global citizenship and philanthropy programs for
CLEANTECH -
Self-driving cars are on the horizon and widespread adoption holds many promises. On top of reducing collisions and alleviating traffic, autonomous vehicles have the potential to dramatically shrink our carbon footprint. That’s a major win — not only for the public but for businesses, too.
PRESS RELEASE -
ATLANTA, September 18, 2018 – UPS (NYSE: UPS) was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for the sixth consecutive year and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the 14th straight year. The recognition comes as UPS continues to work toward its ambitious sustainability goals to add more alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles to its fleet while increasing its reliance on renewable energy sources.
UPS’s inclusion on these highly-regarded indices reflects its position in the top 10 percent of sustainability performers among the 2,500 largest companies tracked in the S&P Global Broad Market Index.
CLEANTECH -
A documentary called The New Fire tells a controversial yet hopeful story about the young entrepreneurs fueling a new energy revolution, working to turn a vilified technology — nuclear power — into a global solution to climate change.
LEADERSHIP -
We live in the Fourth Industrial Revolution – an era with unprecedented technological advancement. This revolution has also come at a time with serious global ecological and social challenges. Thankfully, companies around the world are committing themselves to finding innovative, profitable solutions to these problems.
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.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
Big news from California: The state legislature has just passed a bill, SB 964, that requires two massive pension funds run by the state, the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS), to factor in climate-related financial risk and report progress both on that, and towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.
PRESS RELEASE -
Sustana promotes and applies sustainable manufacturing and business practices to deliver premium, eco-friendly recycled fibers to customers across North America. One example of this is the unique food packaging product EnviroLife. EnviroLife allows brands to reduce their environmental impact by using recycled fiber in direct-contact food packaging.
PRESS RELEASE -
Note: This blog originally appeared by guest writer Darrel Stickler, Global Environmental Sustainability Leader at Cisco on the company blog.
Today is the first day of the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) in San Francisco, just north of Cisco’s global headquarters. A low-carbon footprint event for Cisco to attend! The theme of the summit is “Take Ambition to the Next Level.”
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Capitalism will save the planet. And I’ll tell you why.
This week, leaders from around the world have descended on San Francisco for Gov. Jerry Brown and Michael Bloomberg’s Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) and its affiliate events, to celebrate past and commit to future actions to curb climate change. The hope is that, collectively, these commitments from states, cities, businesses and other organizations will be enough to counter the current climate policy regression in Washington. No doubt, commitments will be made — but talk is cheap unless we can find a way to make the walk profitable.
CLEANTECH -
Earlier this year, we announced our Green Cities Initiative, a new business unit dedicating significant resources to tackling climate change. As Lyft continues to grow, we have an increasing responsibility to commit additional resources towards our values in order to maximize the positive impact of the Lyft platform.
PRESS RELEASE -
Can a built space not only have a positive impact on those who occupy it, but also on the environment outside the building? We believe the answer is yes.
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.
WALKING THE TALK -
London’s Heathrow International Airport has chosen the winners of its inaugural Centre of Excellence Sustainable Innovation Prize, which were judged as the best solutions to some of the sustainability challenges facing airports and the aviation industry more widely.
Launched in January, the competition challenged entrants to focus on three areas as part of Heathrow’s Centre of Excellence for Sustainability work: