COLLABORATION -
As the US formally rejoins the Paris Agreement, a coalition of communities, businesses and institutions will play critical role in supporting an ambitious new US climate target and mobilizing whole-of-society climate action.
WALKING THE TALK -
The disconnect between many companies’ public sustainability ambitions and their non-public lobbying efforts can no longer be excused. The Erb Institute’s Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce is helping companies connect the dots.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
A regional coalition, led by UNEP, will support access to financing by the public and private sector, with special emphasis on SMEs — to foster innovation and the implementation of specific projects in the region.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
The UK Government commissioned an independent, global Review on the Economics of
Biodiversity in Spring 2019. The report urges policymakers to start valuing ecosystems and says GDP encourages unsustainable growth.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
COVID-19 showed us that we can respond quickly to a crisis, and that industry collaboration is an achievable goal. Looking ahead, we have an opportunity to redefine our planet’s future by setting more ambitious sustainability goals and shortening the timeframe in which we deliver on them.
WASTE NOT -
While zero-waste initiatives in the US gained momentum in 2019 and early 2020, myriad complications related to the pandemic brought many to a screeching halt. But as we transition from emergency mode, there have been restarts.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Urban mobility has continued to evolve along with humans’ changing need for transport. Here are a few emerging technologies, public-private
partnerships and city design initiatives fueling the transition to a sustainable future for urban mobility.
COLLABORATION -
As Congress signs off for Thanksgiving, roughly 12 million Americans could soon lose jobless benefits. The hope is that people and companies continue to step up; government programs continue, and the flexibility the food supply chain has gained during COVID will enable a nimbler switch to accommodate future need.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
Setting climate goals and claiming leadership while supporting laws that would oppose the realization of those goals is not just bad for a company’s reputation
and the hiring of young talent — such misalignment also poses a systemic risk that is of increasing concern to investors.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
The monthly Green Jobs Report shows that “greener” enterprises align with more resilient jobs, higher pay for workers, fewer job losses, and the potential for
better overall company and investor portfolio performance.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
New report from Forum for the Future asserts that the decisions we make in the next 6-18 months will lock in unsustainable practices or set us on a pathway towards a fairer, more sustainable and resilient world.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
The Time to Vote coalition has grown to nearly 800 companies. The goal is to have more than 1,000 companies — from a diverse set of industries representing every state — join the movement by November 3.
WALKING THE TALK -
If your brand is serious about sustainability, look no further than Patagonia’s example. The company shows us all what it looks like to build a community of advocates and network of allies that work collectively to shape policymaking. Your brand has that power, too.
COLLABORATION -
At 10 Minute Walk, we are working with city leaders across the US to make sure that 100 percent of people in US cities have access to safe, quality green space
within a 10-minute walk by 2050.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
Every problem that confronts the US today can be traced back to racist ideology. Businesses cannot survive on just the small percentage of the very wealthy buying goods. Mass incarceration, poverty, healthcare disparities — all of these issues affect your bottom line
and profits.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
In an open letter, the group of 14 CEOs calls on governments to accelerate such a transition by recognizing and supporting purpose-first business as an emerging fourth sector of the economy.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Finally, something both parties can agree on — the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act is not only a beacon of hope for preservation of the US’ national parks, it could help ensure that the entire country has access to the restorative power of nature.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
UNEP’s Innovation for Sustainable Lifestyles Competition sees college-level
entrepreneurs developing solutions in the areas of transportation, building and
food to help the region rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.
WASTE NOT -
The private sector must collaborate with the public sector to clean up plastic pollution in our waterways. Entities such as the TerraCycle Global Foundation have an opportunity to increase conservation and create value for all stakeholders in the work towards healthier oceans.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
More funds and firms are targeting financially underserved communities, but the impact investing movement and government funding need to be more accessible and intentional to address systemic inequalities and racial disparities in investing.