Latest News
Climate Change journal focuses special issue on Indigenous peoples as they cope with consequences of climate change
PRESS RELEASE - Climate Change journal focuses special issue on Indigenous peoples as they cope with consequences of climate change BURLINGTON, VT – NativeEnergy, Inc. – Climate change. Two words with deeply varying meaning depending on who you are. Depending on where you live. Depending on the degree to which dramatic changes in weather affect your life. These two words bring with them complex and overwhelming challenges to Indigenous peoples. For some, it means the physical moving of entire communities, the loss of sacred religious sites, the disruption of plants and animals critical for subsistence. Climate change. Two words that mean an end to a people’s way of life.
University of Bath Researchers Treating Wastewater with Seafood Shells
WASTE NOT - The thousands of tons of waste seashells created by the edible seafood sector are being used to treat wastewater in a new project undertaken by researchers at the University of Bath in the UK.Dr Darrell Patterson, from the University’s Department of Chemical Engineering, used waste mussel shells to create what he says is a cheaper and more environmentally friendly way of ‘polishing’ wastewater, which could remove unwanted substances such as hormones, pharmaceuticals or fertilizers.
SAC and Schneider Electric Developing Higg Index 2.0 for Apparel and Footwear Industries
SUPPLY CHAIN - Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, has announced that it has teamed with the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) to develop and implement a dynamic web-based solution for the SAC’s sustainability assessment tool, the Higg Index 2.0. Utilizing Schneider Electric’s sustainability and energy management software platform, StruxureWare™ Resource Advisor, the platform will be a groundbreaking tool for the apparel and footwear industries.
Dr. Bronner's Backing GMO Labeling Legislation with a Label of Its Own
MARKETING AND COMMS - Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, family-owned maker of the top-selling natural brand of soap in North America and advocate for sustainable agriculture, has created a special agitprop label for its quart-size liquid soaps in support of GMO labeling and the Washington State voter initiative to label GMOs, Yes on I-522 — “The Washington Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act.” Last week, natural product stores nationwide and Dr. Bronner’s webstore began stocking products featuring the limited edition soap label, which will be available through November.
Senior Leadership is Largest Driver of Sustainable Business, Report Says
LEADERSHIP - Senior leadership is the most critical driver of sustainability within a business and nearly half of businesses (44 percent) believe engagement with business leaders will be the most important factor in successfully implementing a sustainability strategy over the next three years, according to a new study by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).Sustainability Insights: Learning from Business Leaders, commissioned by Coca-Cola Enterprises, is based on a survey of more than 300 European business executives; it explores how businesses’ sustainability strategies have performed in recent years and identifies the key drivers for future success.
M&S, BT, Unilever, Sainsbury's Top FTSE 100 Carbon Ranking
MARKETING AND COMMS - For the second year in a row, retailer Marks & Spencer has topped Carbon Clear’s ranking of the carbon performance of the FTSE 100. This is the third year that Carbon Clear has undertaken the research, examining the extent and depth of FTSE (London stock exchange) 100 companies’ carbon measurement and reporting practices, ranking companies based on a well-developed scoring matrix.
New NRDC Report Finds Progress on Promises Made at Rio+20, But Calls for More Accountability
MARKETING AND COMMS - There has been significant progress on many of the key globally negotiated and voluntary commitments made at Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development held in June 2012, according to a new study by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Stakeholder Forum.“Fulfilling the Rio+20 Promises: Reviewing Progress Since the UN Conference on Sustainable Development” is a first-of-its-kind assessment by civil society organizations on progress toward some of the key commitments made at Rio+20.
World Water Week just passed. Did you notice?
PRESS RELEASE - Today, 780 million individuals still live without access to clean and safe water sources. Two and a half billion people lack access to improved sanitation facilities. One billion people defecate in the open. Is that too much information?Which leads me to ask why do I, or you as a business professional, care?Clean water is like oxygen. You’re not going anywhere without it. This is obvious, especially if you work for a beverage company. Or a food company. Or any company that has suppliers in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Technology manufacturers. Clothing companies. Candy companies. Pharmaceutical companies. All of us.
Mosaic Enabling Public to Invest in Renewable Energy on U.S. Military Base, Starting at $25
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION - Mosaic, America's first online marketplace to offer solar investments to the public, presents the first major U.S. military solar project to be funded by the public. This is a historic opportunity for Americans to invest in the nation's energy independence and troop preparedness. Launched Friday, investors large and small in the state of California can now put their dollars to work investing in solar panels on military housing.
Sustainable Supply Chain Management - Calling All Innovators
SUPPLY CHAIN - In this Issue in Focus, we are examining the latest tools and initiatives in sustainable supply chain management. Here, guest editor Tara Norton offers her perspective on the state and direction of the field.Through this series of articles and insights, we’re inviting companies, leading innovators and thought leaders to share how they’re managing the toughest supply chain challenges and the key trends that are emerging.A few key questions that we’ll be exploring over the coming months include:
Ambitious Day Two Agenda Educated and Challenged New Metrics Audience on Next-Generation Practices
NEW METRICS - The New Metrics of Sustainable Business Conference convened some of sustainability’s top minds to examine leading-edge work that is expanding the way business creates, quantifies and manages the value it delivers through the metrics it adopts. This is the second of two posts summing up some of this year’s highlights (see the first one here).
The North Face Receives EPA Green Power Leadership Award
MARKETING AND COMMS - The North Face recently became one of eight organizations awarded a 2013 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market.The award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through purchases of power from a utility green-pricing program or a renewable energy certificate (REC) supplier.The outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear company says it installed a one-Megawatt solar system at its distribution center in Visalia, Calif. and worked closely with its parent company VF Outdoor, Inc., and sister brands Lucy and Jansport, to install a 950-kW system at their new headquarters in Alameda, Calif.
Social Value, Meaningful Brands, Human Capital Valuation Set New Metrics Day One Abuzz
NEW METRICS - As the definition of value continues to evolve, the demand for business to demonstrate its ability to create value of various forms for all stakeholders — and not just profit for shareholders — is increasing, and the question of how this value is identified, measured and communicated becomes paramount. The New Metrics of Sustainable Business Conference has convened some of sustainability’s top minds to examine leading-edge work that is expanding the way business creates, quantifies and manages the value it delivers through the metrics it adopts.
Sims Recycling Solutions Launches ‘Zombie Phone’ Buyback Business
WASTE NOT - Just in time for Halloween, Sims Recycling Solutions, a global electronics reuse and recycling company, today announced the launch of Zombie Phone, an online service that allows individuals to sell their used cell phones directly to Sims. Based in Australia, Sims Recycling Solutions operates 16 North American sites in Arizona, British Columbia, California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Ontario, Quebec, Tennessee and Texas.To begin the buyback process, visitors to the Zombie Phone website select their current wireless carrier and identify the make, model and condition of their phones. Based on this information, an offer is instantly calculated.
BASF and Heritage Plastics Partnering to Bring ecovio® Bioplastics Production to U.S.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING - BASF has announced a strategic manufacturing partnership with Heritage Plastics, Inc. to produce the chemical company’s ecovio® compostable bioplastic products in North America.The partnership enables BASF to expand manufacturing of its ecovio biopolymers, which are currently only produced in Europe. ecovio production will begin immediately at the Heritage facility in Picayune, Mississippi.
Patagonia Launches 'Responsible Economy' Campaign
MARKETING AND COMMS - Leaders from outdoor apparel company Patagonia have announced a new campaign, The Responsible Economy, which calls on consumers and businesses alike to rethink disposability for more effective resource allocation.
The Story of Stuff Project's Latest Clip Focuses on 'Solutions'
MARKETING AND COMMS - Today marks the release of “The Story of Solutions” – the latest clip from The Story of Stuff Project and Free Range Studios. In the eight-minute clip, “Story of Stuff” storyteller Annie Leonard describes a set of solutions to the issues set forth in the company’s mega-popular series of videos, including “The Story of Broke,” “The Story of Cap & Trade,” “The Story of Electronics” and “The Story of Bottled Water,” among others.
Report Finds Critical Gaps Between Manufacturer and Consumer Priorities
MARKETING AND COMMS - Ninety percent of manufacturers agree that the environment is becoming more important, but 40 percent of consumers think manufacturers are not doing enough in terms of environmentally friendly manufacturing procedures or products, according to a study by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).The Product Mindset examines manufacturer and consumer perceptions about how products are made, sold, bought and consumed. This year’s report claims misalignment is occurring between the two stakeholder groups in what is expected or desired and what is being delivered.Some of the noteworthy gaps include:
Nest Wants to Be the Hub of the Connected Home
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION - A company that makes a “smart” thermostat wants developers to hack together your connected home. Nest, “The Learning Thermostat,” last week announced a new developer program and Web API that will connect Nest with other items in your home such as lighting, home appliances and home automation.
McDonald's Announces Commitment to Promote Balanced Food and Beverage Choices
MARKETING AND COMMS - McDonald's announced it is partnering with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the Clinton Foundation and American Heart Association, to increase customers' access to fruit and vegetables and help families and children to make informed choices in keeping with balanced lifestyles. President Bill Clinton, founder of the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation; Don Thompson, President and CEO of McDonald's; and Dr. Howell Wechsler, CEO of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, announced the groundbreaking Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) commitment on Thursday at the 2013 CGI Annual Meeting in New York City.
