THE NEXT ECONOMY -
The tourism industry is responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions. For every event that commits to more sustainable practices, the VR sector does its part in helping the tourism industry as a whole become more resilient in the face of climate change.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
Since 2020, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program has helped customers discover and shop for more sustainable products. We asked Amazon's Adam Werbach how the program began, what the company has learned, and his vision for the program’s future.
BEHAVIOR CHANGE -
Marketers are the co-creators of our societal narrative, and a brand’s messaging has the ability to drive culture change. Never before has the power of the stories we tell held such importance or latent opportunity.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
As demand for better brands continues to increase, we can expect an exponential increase in two things: ‘green’ brand claims and the level of public scrutiny. Before your brand team loses time, money and precious brand equity, check out this summary of resources to help you stay the course.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it seems only fitting to focus on the women working to feed our country. From raising dairy and beef cows to vegetables and other crops — women are slowly becoming the face of the next generation of US farmers.
WALKING THE TALK -
SB amplifies the actions of its global community and governments in support of Ukraine and reflects on the conflict’s potential impacts on long-term sustainability efforts.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Traceability is the foundation upon which we can truly revolutionize the fashion industry, revealing the actual costs of products and ensuring that the wealth generated from production gets redistributed more fairly.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
Fossil fuels and other climate-risky endeavors are still big money for banks; and even if consumers find their bank continues to fund them, it’s something they often feel powerless to
change.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
The Institute’s work includes education and cross-sector partnerships to reduce harmful chemicals in products. We spoke with Senior Scientist Tom Bruton, PhD to learn more about the organization’s history, cross-sector collaborative efforts and focus in the midst of a global pandemic.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Laudes Foundation’s Transparency in Action portal features best practices, expert advice, tools and resources — including information on existing and upcoming legislation — for brands to take informed steps towards transparency and expand their current efforts.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
The first-ever Asian version of the Socio-Cultural Trend Tracker shows the huge opportunity that await brands for meeting conscious consumers’ needs and desires in Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
The Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence would oblige companies to identify, prevent, and mitigate human rights and environmental violations in their value chain. But there is debate over whether companies can be reasonably expected to control their entire value chain, down to the smallest suppliers.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The futuristic hotel is being built using a ‘360-degree, holistic circular approach.’ With a data-driven approach to next-level ecotourism, Svart’s goals include not only its guests’ relaxation, but education on environmental conservation, and changes in ‘attitude and behavior.’
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
MDIs are trusted providers for communities of color and include some of the oldest minority-owned US banks; they play a unique role in increasing access to
financial services for underserved populations.
WALKING THE TALK -
In India, CSR is approached with a rigor not found anywhere else in the world. Here, we see how businesses around the world can learn from the Indian approach to CSR — to ensure that every dollar spent has the best societal impact, while improving your brand value.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Here, Shaw Industries’ VP of Global Sustainability, Kellie Ballew; and Rachel Hodgdon, CEO of the International WELL Building Institute, discuss game-changing trends in building design — all centered around a new focus on human health and wellbeing.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
Except for a clutch of ads for EVs, it seems the climate crisis is not yet a force driving brand messaging at the Super Bowl. But a few brands seized the opportunity to drive adoption of sustainable behaviors at scale.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Companies getting into the gold rush of the metaverse can, like many before them in burgeoning industries, put profit first with little thought to the implications on society. Rarely have we been able to proactively factor in brand purpose and ESG planning into the early stages of an industry; and we have the unique opportunity to get it right this time around.
WASTE NOT -
From cups and straws to the over 300 million gallons of beer expected to be drunk in the US this weekend, companies are stepping up with innovative solutions to rein in the fallout from one of our most wasteful celebration days of the year.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
Companies must create opportunities for employees to break down internal and social borders that try to dictate who they are and what they can achieve. By doing so, employees can think beyond their day-to-day role to grow as professionals and individuals, while also creating meaningful value for the company.