THE NEXT ECONOMY -
A recent Ellen MacArthur Foundation study examines the myriad ways that scaled circular models can help restore critical biodiversity; but Swedish researchers warn that without more clarity and substance, efforts to scale a circular economy risk becoming counterproductive.
LEADERSHIP -
Carol Cone — internationally recognized Purpose pioneer and host of the Purpose 360 podcast — spoke with the former Unilever CEO and fellow Purpose pioneer on the eve of the release of his new book, Net Positive.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Still striving to greatly improve the sustainability of the industry, Fairphone’s new model embodies the company’s commitment to better materials, better mining practices and a longer product lifecycle.
BEHAVIOR CHANGE -
The two companies have teamed up to develop an interactive, educational and entertaining experience designed to educate families on how they can conserve resources in their homes with a few simple changes.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
220 global financiers holding $29.3 trillion in assets call on world’s highest-impact companies to set science-based emissions-reduction targets ahead of COP26; they are joined this year by 26 CDP supply chain member companies.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
The Swedish EV maker finds vast differences in CO2e throughout the life of its vehicles, depending on the source of the charging energy.
WASTE NOT -
We spoke with ReGrained co-founder Dan Kurzrock to learn more about the upcycling process, the role such technology can play in helping to fix the food
system, and why brand collaboration is so important when it comes to scale.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
As consumers demand that brands and retailers provide more sustainable products and ask for transparency, companies understand that these need to start at the very beginning — in the dirt, so to speak.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
For retailers, the logistical challenges of returns are overwhelming. Without circularity in operations, returned items often end up in landfills. But
retailers can take small, immediate steps to set themselves up for becoming more circular — and more successful.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
Through materials innovation and technology advances, the packaging industry can be a critical component in working toward a world without waste and a truly closed-loop, circular economy.
COLLABORATION -
The “1 Billion Green Trips” initiative, by B Corp-certified hotel booking platform Goodwings — now backed by Intuit, TechSoup, Impact Hub and six other partners — aims to remove travel-generated carbon emissions at an unprecedented scale.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The reusable packaging platform’s transition from ecommerce to in-store marks the conclusion of its hugely successful pilot and the beginning of Loop’s next phase of growth, which will see it available in-store across five countries and on four continents.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
The Index ranks 144 countries based on their ICT infrastructures and ecosystems, including how well they are utilizing ICT to create more sustainable economies. For Tau Institute founder Roger Strukhoff, what sets the nations that will succeed apart is “a certain willingness to think beyond their front door.”
MARKETING AND COMMS -
New partnership enables foodservice operators to easily guide diners toward climate-friendly food choices. Nestlé Professional Cool Food Meals will
incorporate plant-based proteins from Sweet Earth Foods, which will be carbon neutral by 2025.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
As circular business models continue to increase in popularity, Chairish’s report finds the resale furniture industry projected to grow by 54% over the next five years; two-thirds of consumers surveyed think resale will play a significant role in the future of sustainability.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Many people are becoming more aware of their environmental footprint and the impact they have on people and the planet. This awareness can be harnessed by the tourism industry to shift passive sea-and-sun tourists into more conscientious, actively engaged travelers.
FROM PURPOSE TO ACTION: BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TOGETHER -
While the use of green chemistry is critical to mitigating adverse
environmental impacts, there remains a gap in education of chemists and an overall lack of awareness in the industry. We sat down with John Warner, one of the founders of the field, to better understand how green chemistry is helping to enable a more sustainable future through science.
WASTE NOT -
Whether it’s using the carrot of incentives or the stick of regulations, change is possible — and strongly desired. So, what can brands do? Be proactive and make the extra effort to find and choose recycled plastic whenever possible.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Whether in our personal lives or in business, doing only what is required or expected is generally unsatisfying. If your plan of action means doing the bare minimum, the status quo is the likely result.