The Next Economy
The myriad new models and processes aimed at fixing the flaws in capitalism and laying the groundwork for practical, alternative economic frameworks designed to benefit all stakeholders.
New Report Maps Size, Scope, Disruptive Potential of Sharing Economy
Crowd Companies, a brand council primarily focusing on the collaborative economy movement, and Vision Critical, a consultancy that specializes in helping companies glean pertinent stakeholders insights, have partnered on a new report, Sharing Is the New Buying: How to Win in the Collaborative Economy, which for the first time maps the size and characteristics of the movement.
3 Ways Brands Can Survive the Sharing Economy in 2014
The sharing economy is a multibillion-dollar industry that's making big brands feel uneasy. Also known as the collaborative economy, borrowing, lending, reusing, and reselling is moving full speed ahead, and in 2014, large companies and organizations will struggle if they don’t do a few key things to adapt.Sharing as a business model is on the rise, with more than 200 companies already part of the movement. Look no further than million dollar businesses such as Airbnb, Lyft or LendingClub as examples. The numbers tells us that people want to rent out their apartment when they’re out of town, share a ride, and loan money to people in need.
WEF, Ellen MacArthur Foundation Project Circular Economy Can Generate US$1T Annually by 2025
A new report released Friday by the World Economic Forum (WEF) at its annual meeting in Davos, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF), contends that over US$1 trillion a year could be generated for the global economy by 2025 and 100,000 new jobs created within the next five years if companies focused on building circular supply chains to increase the rate of recycling, reuse and remanufacture.
Unilever Becomes Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Newest Global Partner
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) announced today from the World Economic Forum in Davos that Unilever has joined Cisco, Kingfisher, Philips and Renault as the EMF’s latest Global Partner. The partnership will find the Foundation supporting Unilever as a pathfinder in unlocking the value of the circular economy within the FMCG industry. Unilever CEO Paul Polman has long viewed the circular economy model as a key opportunity for business development. In his foreword for the Foundation's second economic report, he stated:
The Collaborative Economy: 2014 Hot Topic and Trend
Cross-Posted from Collaboration. According to a Berkeley study, one properly shared car reduces the need for nine owned cars. Participating in a car co-op may not be up your alley, but there are plenty of Millennials eschewing ownership and Boomers that are downsizing who buy into the notion of the “Collaborative Economy” — making co-owning cars a viable option for some.
Top 10 Reasons Why 2014 Will Be the Year of #ShareableCities
A Shareable City enables residents to efficiently and safely share all kinds of assets — from spaces to cars, skills and utilities — to create stronger, healthier and more connected communities. From a policy perspective, a Shareable City looks at multiple aspects of urban planning and community well-being through a collaborative economy lens and proactively supports these goals.At Collaborative Lab, we believe that 2014 will be a big year for Shareable Cities. Why? Here are some of our favorite reasons. If you have others to add, please tweet them to @ShareableCity and let us know!
The Next Economy
While many recognize that capitalism is significantly flawed, coming up with a practical, alternative economic framework that fixes all bugs has proven a mammoth challenge. This channel is devoted to the brilliant minds making progress in ‘changing the game’ by identifying viable features of a thriving global economy delivering health, dignity and happiness to all involved. Here's to the next economy.
How Aruba Plans to Be Energy Independent by 2020
'Energy independence' is a term we hear a lot of politicians throw around, but not too many actually follow through on their plans or promises.Aruba, however, is actually making good on its goal of energy independence. The tiny Caribbean country is not only addressing its energy concerns but is actually on track to become fully energy independent by 2020, thanks to a number of clean-energy investments and initiatives.Sure, it might be easier for a country that measures about 20 x 6 miles to achieve energy independence than it is for, say, the U.S., but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn a thing or two from this country and what it is doing to get its energy situation in order. Let’s take a look at some lessons we can take away from Aruba's example:
The Emerging, Not-for-Profit Economy
Across numerous countries, the economic contribution of the not-for-profit sector has been on the rise since the late 1990s. In Canada, for example, not-for-profit institutions now contribute 8% of the country’s gross domestic product. Moreover, in the U.S. the not-for-profit (NFP) sector grew significantly faster than the for-profit (FP) sector between 2001-2011, despite the financial crisis of 2008.
New Leaf Paper Joins 17 Firms Registering as Benefit Corps in Delaware
Cross-Posted from Marketing and Comms. New Leaf Paper and Plum Organics were among the 17 companies on Thursday that were the first to register as Delaware benefit corporations after the legislation legalizing it was signed on July 17.Some of the other registering companies included leading fair trade food business Alter Eco, popular home goods brand Method Products and online personal delivery farmers' market Farmigo.
Oil, Money and Global Warming: How Shell Is Tackling the Challenges of Energy, Economy and Climate Change
Nine billion people, two billion cars and 16 billion annual passenger flights — that’s what our planet is predicted to look like in 2050. And we will be thirstier for energy and oil than ever before. Despite advancements in renewable energy technologies, fossil fuels will continue to power the economy and cater to 65% of the global energy needs.
Alcoa Facility Saves 50% of Energy Used To Recycle Aluminum for Forged Wheels
Alcoa yesterday announced a major expansion to the Wheel and Transportation Products casthouse at its Barberton, Ohio plant that is expected to cut in half the total amount of energy used to recycle aluminum for forged wheels, reducing greenhouse gases and increasing the overall efficiency and sustainability of the company's manufacturing process.
Dell Social Innovation Challenge Think Tank a Booming Online Success
A dozen or so experts on social innovation and sustainability gathered in Austin, TX, on Tuesday for the Dell Social Innovation Challenge, a yearly program that inspires social entrepreneurship all over the world.
Chevron, Shell Join Environmentalists To Regulate Fracking Standards
A group of energy companies, philanthropic foundations and environmental groups have formed a new organization providing shale gas producers with performance standards certification for shale development.
Shell’s ‘New Lens Scenarios’ Predict Near-Zero Global Carbon Emissions by 2100
Cross-Posted from New Metrics. Shell released new scenarios last week that explore two possible futures with dramatically different implications for society and the world’s energy system. One scenario sees cleaner-burning natural gas becoming the most important energy source globally by the 2030s and early action to limit carbon dioxide emissions. The other sees solar becoming the top source by about 2070, but with slower action to address the threat of climate change.The New Lens Scenarios look at trends in the economy, politics and energy as far ahead as 2100, and underscore the critical role government policies could play in shaping the future.
Green Products Account for Roughly Half of Philips' 2012 Revenue
Approximately 45 percent of Philips 2012 sales came from green products, accounting for nearly $15 billion, according to the company’s latest annual report.
Moral Capitalism: A Model for Creative Innovation
Traditional forms of corporate philanthropy and social responsibility allow corporations to “do good” with the cash left over at the end of the year. When your company makes a profit, you write a check for a percentage of those profits and get a tax break. You feel good about your contribution, and you can use the donation to get some PR buzz.
Guayakí Pioneers Market-Driven Restoration Business Model
“We had this incredible product — yerba mate — that gives you the strength of coffee, the health benefits of green tea and the euphoria of chocolate.
Market for Ethical Products Grows by Nearly $20 Billion Despite Economic Downturn
Consumers remain willing to pay a premium for ethical goods and services despite lingering economic troubles, according to a new study.
