Innovation & Technology
The latest products, services, design approaches and business models that are helping organizations of all sizes deliver on their sustainability ambitions and establish a new business as usual
Slowly But Surely, Fairphone Paving the Way to a More Ethical Electronics Industry
Latest Fairphone Impact Report reveals benefits of social and environmental programs; while LCA of the Fairphone 3 shows that using a smartphone for over 5 years can reduce CO2 emissions by about 40%. ... View More
How a Classic Brand Is Tackling the Marine Plastic Problem
Zipper giant YKK Group has used recycled PET yarns in the woven tape of its Natulon® zippers since 1994. But when it wanted to help address the challenge of ocean plastic, the company saw it as an opportunity to get creative. ... View More
Global Maker Challenge Finalists Tackling Food, Trade, Justice, Circularity
This year’s global challenges centered around four themes: Sustainable and Healthy Food for All, Climate Change/Circular Economy, Innovation for Inclusive Trade, and Innovation for Peace and Justice. ... View More
Illinois Soybean Farmers Sowing Seeds of a Sustainable Future
Illinois has maintained its leadership in US soybean production for nearly a century, thanks to its climate and ongoing commitment to sustainable agriculture and conservation best practices. ... View More
Imagine, Never Having to Charge Your Personal Devices Ever Again
Powerfoyle is a new solar material capable of converting all types of light into energy — making it possible to charge any device or appliance from natural daylight, sun or indoor lighting. ... View More
Young Innovators Compete on Ideas to Build Back Better in Latin America
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. ... View More
P&G Embraces Natural Climate Solutions to Achieve Global Climate Neutrality
The goal is to reduce its GHGs by 50%, use 100% renewable electricity at all manufacturing sites by 2030, and advance natural climate solutions to achieve carbon neutrality for the decade. ... View More
Public Benefit Brewer Aims to Put People Back to Work During Corona
While starting any new business is challenging; Works Progress Administration believes it’s always a good time to help people and benefit your community through social impact — especially during this time of chaos and crisis. ... View More
HP Sets Ambitious Plastic Goals, Doubles Down on Diversity Commitments
Along with the release of its 2019 Sustainable Impact Report, the tech giant has set bold goals around reduction of single-use plastics and increasing recycled materials; and committed to doubling its number of Black executives by 2025. ... View More
A Brief History of Food Declarations; and the Path to Better Ones
Food is not about boxed brands on a shelf, but about people and the environment — hence, our need for food declarations. We’re working on one that not only certifies the ingredients, but shows consumers the impact they make with the purchase of e... View More
Meet the Food-Delivery Service That’s Actually Helping Restaurants ‘Fare’ During the Pandemic
Fare, a new food-delivery app, is building a more equitable model — one that fosters enhanced community cohesion and shared benefits, and doesn’t include restaurant-crippling fees. ... View More
Small Fashion Brands Throw Collective Weight Behind Circular Fashion Pledge
Over 110 small and medium-sized apparel brands from around the world have signed on to the 2020 Circular Fashion Pledge, with actionable steps to make circular fashion an industry-wide reality. ... View More
Meet the Innovators Ensuring the COVID Plastic Boom Doesn't Last Forever
With health concerns momentarily outweighing mindful consumption, global efforts to wean the world off of single-use plastics have ground to a halt — and suddenly, in the race to protect citizens, plastic is everywhere. Thankfully, lockdown has als... View More
Sisters’ Social Enterprise Breaking the Cycle of Limited Personal Mobility in the UAE
Meet Charicycles — the upcycled cycles that are helping improve mobility and air quality in Dubai, while improving the wellbeing and motivation of children in refugee camps. ... View More
SDGs Key to (Re)Building Tourism with an Eye Toward the Future
The travel industry has done a poor job integrating the SDGs into business operations and reporting on them. But the Goals offer guidance on how to develop destinations that can appropriately manage tourism’s footprint and minimize environmental im... View More
Israeli Startup Looks to Nature for Concrete Solution for Marine Infrastructure
ECOncrete has created a unique line of concrete solutions that enhance the biological and ecological value of urban, coastal and marine infrastructure; while increasing their strength and durability. ... View More
‘Quality of Life’ Economists Reveal Planning Tool for Values-Driven Entrepreneurs
Happonomy’s Leap Model is a step-by-step plan that helps startups, businesses and organizations strengthen their foundations, evaluate resources and move ideas forward while staying true to their sustainability principles. ... View More
Biomimetic Cooling, Housing Solutions Take Top Honors in Youth Design Challenge
The Biomimicry Institute’s third annual Youth Design Challenge engaged 6,000 students across the US; and yielded ingenious designs for solutions to problems in cities and nature alike. ... View More
How 3 CPG Companies Invigorated Their Brands Through Plastic Neutrality
The Plastic Neutral Certification enabled these brands to immediately address the growing concerns of their customer base, tell unique stories on their sustainability commitment, and differentiate themselves from the competition on the aisle and in t... View More
Brewers Take Note: Enzymes Can Play a Crucial Role in Global Climate Fightback
LCAs are becoming increasingly important in identifying ways to help solve the climate crisis — not only in pinpointing inefficiencies, but in highlighting how relatively small changes can create a huge, lasting, collective impact. ... View More
