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.
How Climate Risk Can Inform Climate Solutions
The fast and yet slow pace of climate change, along with the geographically dispersed nature of the impacts, can make a collective risk accounting seem overwhelming. Yet there is an interplay between climate risk and certain mitigation measures; we need to factor the risks into how we approach solutions.
There’s an Opportunity for Purpose Leadership in the Metaverse Gold Rush
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.
To Ensure Our Future in Business, We Must Make Sustainability Accessible to All
As consumer-product companies, we have a unique ability to make meaningful change in the broadest sense — and a shared responsibility to our consumers to help make doing the right thing an easy, affordable choice.
The 3 Vital Perspectives Sustainability Leaders Need for the 2020s
As we look back on 25 years of the sustainability movement and focus on the critical decade ahead, we challenge business leaders to embrace three vital perspectives in order to drive deep transformation of the way we live and work in unsettled times.
‘Toxic Tours’ Shed Light on Communities Most Affected by Petrochemical Pollution
Cross-Posted from Marketing and Comms. New platform from Break Free from Plastic explores the hardest-hit frontline communities in the world, from India to Ohio. After hearing each story, viewers can choose to view another location, or take actions designed to make local and global impact.
Umpqua Bank Offers $2M Infusion to Support Minority, Women Entrepreneurs
Cross-Posted from Finance & Investment. Through a series of multi-year partnerships with business-focused nonprofits, Umpqua aims to close the opportunity gap in access to capital, resources, and expertise for traditionally underserved innovators.
Meet the Company Deconstructing Food Products to Reconstruct a More Resilient Food System
Cross-Posted from Product, Service & Design Innovation. Journey Foods is on a mission to transform our food system, one product at a time. Its database of over 17B data points on millions of food products and ingredients is helping companies optimize the complete lifecycle of products, from ideation to market.
Rural Studio Immersion Program Enriching Students, Reviving West Alabama’s Black Belt
Cross-Posted from Product, Service & Design Innovation. At Auburn University’s architectural-training program, “housing is health.” Associate Director Rusty Smith asserts: “As architects, we have a professional responsibility. It's not only an ethical or moral responsibility; it's a professional responsibility, as well, to act when we see people in crisis.”
No Matter the Industry, We All Have a Role to Play in Fighting Hunger
As I write this, we are anxiously awaiting the US Senate to pass President Biden’s “Build Back Better” legislation. It’s important that this passes, as it calls for the continuation of the Child Tax Credit program that has been instrumental in helping US families rise out of poverty.
14 Innovators Win Grants for Solutions Aimed at Sustainably ‘Seeding the Future’
Cross-Posted from Product, Service & Design Innovation. The startups and NGOs have won the inaugural Seeding the Future Global Food System Challenge, from the Institute of Food Technologists, aimed at scaling innovations that will help transform the food system.
The Future of Meat: Likely Somewhere Between Regenerative and Alternative
Cross-Posted from Product, Service & Design Innovation. The broad spectrum of choices in today’s ‘meat’ aisle will continue to diversify as brands work to satisfy the appetites of ever-growing climate-conscious consumer market — and each product has its own benefits, challenges and impacts.
Intrepid Travel Introduces 22 New ‘Impact Initiatives’ for 2022
To provide experiences that enrich destination communities and travelers alike, the new initiatives span 16 countries and include activities such as meals at local establishments supporting women, migrants and seniors; and immersive tours preserving Indigenous and ethnic minority legacies.
Unique Public-Private Partnership Ensures Climate-Proof Future for Sake Production
Cross-Posted from Product, Service & Design Innovation. Companies and industries are being forced to innovate to ensure success in a climate-changed future. One win-win partnership epitomizes the ingenuity of a legendary, highly particular sake brewery and a city government seeking to leverage local characteristics to revitalize the region.
Climate Failure, Growing Social Divides Top WEF’s Global Risks for 2022
The World Economic Forum's annual global survey of experts finds only 1 in 6 are optimistic and only 1 in 10 believe in our ability to implement a stable, sustainable global recovery.
5 Consumer Trends That Will Shape How Brands Source, Produce Goods in 2022
Consumer insights demonstrate need for brands to make good on their sustainability and human rights claims, and make it even easier for shoppers to shop their values.
Dome Sweet Dome: Geoship’s ‘Livingry’ Model Aims to Reconnect Home and Nature
Cross-Posted from Product, Service & Design Innovation. Geoship’s bioceramic, climate-resilient dome villages offer a glimpse into a new model of zero-carbon community living and a future-proof world built through regenerative architecture.
Report Presents Decarbonization of Fashion Industry as $1T Investment Opportunity
Cross-Posted from Finance & Investment. Estimating an investment opportunity of $1 trillion, a new Fashion for Good-Apparel Impact Institute report breaks down the funding needed by solution category and identifies the types of funders best placed to take advantage of the opportunity and benefit from the positive returns.
HSBC to Phase Out Coal Financing by 2040 — Will Wall Street Follow Suit?
Cross-Posted from Finance & Investment. HSBC announces its thermal coal phase-out plan on the same day as a Sierra Club-Center for American Progress report calls out Wall Street’s outsized contribution to the climate crisis. Can the necessary sea change be made in time to avoid disaster?
‘Get Nature Positive’ Responds to Urgent Biodiversity Crisis, Offers Guidance for UK-Based Companies
The UK has lost almost half its wildlife and plant species since the Industrial Revolution. The new campaign, from the Council for Sustainable Business, specifically addresses nature-focused challenges and solutions for businesses.
How Carbon Removal as a Service Is Poised to Aid the Clean Energy Transition
Cross-Posted from Cleantech. Energy company Occidental and its subsidiary, Oxy Low-Carbon Ventures, are on a path to achieve net-zero emissions in their own operations and those associated with their products before 2050. And they are helping others reduce theirs, too.
