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Innovation & Technology
The Future(-Fit) of Extra-Financial Reporting
The Future(-Fit) of Extra-Financial Reporting
Published on November 16, 2016
Written by Martin Rich
About a 3 minute read

I’ve yet to meet a corporate CSO or sustainability team member who told me that they really look forward to filling in their annual sustainability questionnaires. In fact, the opposite is almost unanimously true. It’s not that questionnaires don’t have their place per se; they absolutely do. But it seems like every new framework comes with yet another set of (different) questions, requiring participants to input sensitive company information into a ‘black box’ mechanism in order to get a single number or rating in return. Read More...

Innovation & Technology
CLF Impact Report Reveals Groundwork for Robust Recycling System, Circular Economy in U.S.
CLF Impact Report Reveals Groundwork for Robust Recycling System, Circular Economy in U.S.
Published on November 14, 2016
Written by Sustainable Brands
About a 4 minute read

Closed Loop Fund (CLF), a private sector investment fund that finances recycling infrastructure and sustainable manufacturing technologies to advance the circular economy, released its first public progress report. Details reveal investment opportunities in the recycling industry that deliver clear environmental and financial returns for cities, companies, and private investors, despite the headwinds of low commodities prices. Read More...

Marketing & CommunicationsMarketing & Communications
One Simple Action: How FSC, Kimberly-Clark Are Engaging Consumers in Sustainable Forestry
One Simple Action: How FSC, Kimberly-Clark Are Engaging Consumers in Sustainable Forestry
Published on November 9, 2016
Written by Hannah Furlong
About a 4 minute read

Moving the needle on consumer behavior remains a monumental task - but a necessary one if we are to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With household consumption accounting for nearly 70 percent of economic activity in the United States, consumers’ choices can make a real difference. At the same time, consumers are faced with so many decisions in their day-to-day lives that “decision fatigue” is commonplace. We cannot expect consumers to weigh the environmental and social implications of each of their actions and purchases. Read More...

Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Trump Can't Stop the Clean Economy
Trump Can't Stop the Clean Economy
Published on November 9, 2016
Written by Andrew Winston
About a 4 minute read

It’s more beneficial to bottom lines, health, and economic growth to keep going on the clean economy. It’s flat out more profitable. Read More...

Innovation & Technology
adidas, Parley Unveil First Performance Apparel, Footwear Made from Ocean Plastic
adidas, Parley Unveil First Performance Apparel, Footwear Made from Ocean Plastic
Published on November 4, 2016
Written by Hannah Furlong
About a 4 minute read

Today, sportswear leader adidas and environmental organization Parley for the Oceans unveiled the first football and running performance products made from upcycled marine plastic waste, recovered via Parley’s interception and cleanup operations in coastal areas of the Maldives. Read More...

Materials & Packaging
Trending: Breakthroughs in Biomimicry, Recycling Unlock ‘Tarantula Blue’ Textiles, Closed-Loop Tencel
Trending: Breakthroughs in Biomimicry, Recycling Unlock ‘Tarantula Blue’ Textiles, Closed-Loop Tencel
Published on October 24, 2016
Written by Sustainable Brands
About a 3 minute read

The latest textile innovations include a new TENCEL® made from cotton fabric waste, recently picked up by Patagonia, and a research breakthrough that could lead to ‘tarantula blue’ textiles. Read More...

Organizational GovernanceInnovation & Technology
Report: More US Insurance Companies Preparing for Climate Change, But Many Still Ignoring It
Report: More US Insurance Companies Preparing for Climate Change, But Many Still Ignoring It
Published on October 20, 2016
Written by Sustainable Brands
About a 5 minute read

64% of the insurance companies evaluated overall scored in the Low Quality or Minimal disclosure categories. Read More...

Circular Economy
Everything in Moderation: Why You – and Your Brand – Need to Learn to Say 'Enough'
Everything in Moderation: Why You – and Your Brand – Need to Learn to Say 'Enough'
Published on September 29, 2016
Written by Vigil Yu
About a 3 minute read

In the midst of talks on “marketing,” “driving business forward” and “creating competitive advantages” this week at SB’16 Copenhagen, Sirikul “Nui” Laukaikul - founder of the Brandbeing Consultant and representing the Thailand Sustainable Development Foundation (TSDF) - started her talk with a simple ask: “Smile.” Read More...

Organizational GovernanceOrganizational Governance
Languish Anguish: Why Good Sustainability Strategies Stall
Languish Anguish: Why Good Sustainability Strategies Stall
Published on September 28, 2016
Written by Coro Strandberg
About a 2 minute read

CBSR and I co-developed a set of next-generation corporate sustainability practices. 'Transformational Companies' commit to accelerating and scaling sustainability solutions in their business model and society. Read More...

Materials & PackagingMarketing & Communications
Prince Ea, Neste Unleash Powerful Indictment of US School System in Latest Video
Prince Ea, Neste Unleash Powerful Indictment of US School System in Latest Video
Published on September 28, 2016
Written by Sustainable Brands
About a 3 minute read

Renewable diesel and materials producer Neste and spoken word artist Prince Ea have unveiled the latest collaboration in their Pre-order the Future project, this time with a film that focuses on the future of learning. In “The People vs. Read More...

New Metrics
How Becoming Future-Fit Is Helping The Body Shop in Its Quest for 'True Sustainability'
How Becoming Future-Fit Is Helping The Body Shop in Its Quest for 'True Sustainability'
Published on September 20, 2016
Written by Maxine Perella
About a 5 minute read

“I think we have to be challenging to each other. If we look at the state of the planet, and we look at the performance of business, there’s something not working there.” Chris Davis, The Body Shop’s international CSR and campaigns director, isn’t afraid to cut to the chase. The company’s Enrich not Exploit commitment, launched earlier this year, is a quest to deliver what Davis calls “true sustainability” – in simple terms, it means putting the needs of the planet before corporate interests. Read More...

Organizational Governance
Cisco, Shell Earn Their Places in the DJSI, Others Get the Boot
Cisco, Shell Earn Their Places in the DJSI, Others Get the Boot
Published on September 9, 2016
Written by Sustainable Brands
About a 5 minute read

It’s that time of year again: S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI) and Sustainability Investing specialist RobecoSAM have announced the results of the annual Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) review. Read More...

Innovation & TechnologyMarketing & Communications
How 2 Sports Giants Are Racing to Save the World
How 2 Sports Giants Are Racing to Save the World
Published on September 9, 2016
Written by Lewis Blaustein
About a 6 minute read

Meet two racers who share a need to push the envelope - whether the subject is figuring out how to go a few millimeters per second faster than before or preserving endangered species. Read More...

Materials & PackagingMaterials & Packaging
Trending: Cow Dung, Kombucha Bio-Textiles Bring ‘Trashion’ to a Whole New Level
Trending: Cow Dung, Kombucha Bio-Textiles Bring ‘Trashion’ to a Whole New Level
Published on August 3, 2016
Written by Hannah Furlong
About a 4 minute read

You may have heard the term ‘trashion’ in reference to clothing made out of trash, an art form that has grown over the past few years among students, artists and fashionistas alike with passions for both style and the environment. Well, these two new “bio-textiles” give “waste fashion” a new meaning. Read More...

Finance & InvestmentCircular Economy
A (Carbon) Market-Driven Approach to Sustainability
A (Carbon) Market-Driven Approach to Sustainability
Published on July 22, 2016
Written by Robbie Fraser
About a 5 minute read

In December of 2015, representatives from virtually every nation gathered in Paris for the 21st Conference of the Parties, better known as COP21. While the conference didn’t fully resolve the steps needed to address the issue of climate change, the signatures from countries throughout the globe symbolized the emergence of a worldwide commitment to climate action. Officially, COP21’s stated goal was to balance carbon emissions by the latter half of the century. But while the related objectives often target 2030, 2050 or beyond, they will only be realized by making changes today. Read More...

Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Waste-Make-Retake: How Interface Is Setting Out to Change Industry with ‘Climate Take Back’
Waste-Make-Retake: How Interface Is Setting Out to Change Industry with ‘Climate Take Back’
Published on July 18, 2016
Written by Mike Hower
About a 9 minute read

Carpet might not seem like a major player in the climate change fight, but the process of making it actually is quite impactful on the environment. Most carpets are synthetic — nylon, polyester, acrylic — all of which are petroleum-based products. Throw in other petroleum-based adhesives and materials used to back the synthetic fibers, chemical dyes to repel stains and fire, and a lack of reliable recycling methods, and you’ve got a recipe for some unsustainable practices. Read More...

Supply Chain
Greenpeace Reveals Brands Stumbling on the Catwalk to Toxin-Free Fashion
Greenpeace Reveals Brands Stumbling on the Catwalk to Toxin-Free Fashion
Published on July 12, 2016
Written by Hannah Furlong
About a 6 minute read

Since the “Detox My Fashion” campaign launched in 2011, 76 fashion brands, retailers and suppliers have committed to remove toxic chemicals from their supply chains by 2020, accounting for a combined 15 percent of global textile production. Read More...

Circular Economy
The Paperless Office 101: Making a Seamless Conversion to Digital
The Paperless Office 101: Making a Seamless Conversion to Digital
Published on July 4, 2016
Written by Hattie James
About a 4 minute read

One of the biggest trends in business for years has been the paperless office. Many brands have taken the digital or paperless office to extremes; social media platform Buffer, for example, does not have a central office, relying on its employees to produce remotely. While this model is great for sustainability purposes, it isn’t ideal for larger organizations. However, that doesn’t mean that a brand the size of Amazon isn’t capable of going paperless. The conversion simply has to happen differently. Read More...

Innovation & Technology
Winners of Biomimicry, Forward Food Competitions Tackle Food Waste, Behavior Change Challenges
Winners of Biomimicry, Forward Food Competitions Tackle Food Waste, Behavior Change Challenges
Published on June 24, 2016
Written by Sustainable Brands
About a 7 minute read

Both the Biomimicry Institute and Net Impact launched food-focused competitions earlier this year, seeking innovative ideas for new products or services. This week, the winners of the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge and Forward Food Competition were announced. Read More...

Consumer Behavior Change
Keurig, PepsiCo Discuss How Owning Up to Failure Can Lead to Long-Term Success
Keurig, PepsiCo Discuss How Owning Up to Failure Can Lead to Long-Term Success
Published on June 10, 2016
Written by Mike Hower
About a 3 minute read

“Failure is temporary but change is real,” said Sophia Mendelsohn, head of Sustainability at JetBlue Airways, during the Wednesday evening plenary at SB'16 San Diego. While many Silicon Valley tech firms wear failure as badges of honor, many brands shy away from admitting their defeats. But this is beginning to change, as companies learn that confessing and even celebrating failure is is key to building sustainability strategies and purpose-driven innovation. “We need to communicate more about our failures,” said Monique Oxender, Chief Sustainability Officer at Keurig Green Mountain. However, this is easier said than done. Read More...

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