CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING - Wine packers such as Sonoma-based Free Flow Wines are taking advantage of the reduced stigma of stainless steel-bound wine, along with increased ambitions from winemakers to reduce their packaging footprint.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION - More conscientious catch methods and the rise of cultivated seafood could help take the pressure off of overfished marine ecosystems — whose health is critical for planetary health.
WASTE NOT - IKEA has created a collection made from recycled coworker uniforms; while Dr. Martens’ Genix Nappa collection features recycled-leather remakes of three of the iconic shoe brand’s signature styles.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT - 'Carbon Bankroll 2.0' illuminates the huge, untapped climate impact of the US financial system — how it is undermining leading companies’ climate action, and why companies’ financial management may be their greatest lever for climate progress.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE - The campaign from the Center for Employment Opportunities calls out the barriers justice-impacted people face in obtaining employment as a result of overreliance on background checks.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION - Kind Traveler’s responsible-tourism model now helps San Luis Obispo, California further its tree-planting efforts and progress toward its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.
MARKETING AND COMMS - As we work to find a balance between greenwashing and greenhushing sustainability claims, here are several tips for brands to keep authentically guiding consumers toward better purchases.
SUPPLY CHAIN - With major markets passing environmental and human rights due-diligence requirements, sustainable commodity sourcing may soon no longer be optional — and brands that have invested and built relationships with farmers will be the winners.
THE NEXT ECONOMY - Online resale is expected to more than double in the next 5 years, reaching $40B by 2028; 40% of voters say they’re more likely to vote for a candidate that supports circularity in fashion.
FROM PURPOSE TO ACTION: BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TOGETHER - In celebration of Women’s History Month, we spoke to four women at Dow who recognize the importance of continuing to drive inclusion, diversity and equity as we advance the materials-science industry.
SUPPLY CHAIN - With $77B under threat due to water risk in supply chains, 50% of large corporate buyers now engage suppliers on water issues; but only 14% financially incentivize senior leaders to act on water.
WALKING THE TALK - New Schwab Foundation research provides scalable lessons on how to drive value creation by addressing systemic socioeconomic exclusion at the local and global levels.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT - In times of inflation, consider whether shrinking a product for a short-term win could cause long-term brand damage — first, determine if it’s the best option and include a robust assessment of the environmental impacts.
THE NEXT ECONOMY - 2023 surveys of risk professionals and consumers indicate an intensifying concern about extreme weather as it more directly impacts people’s daily lives, and a corresponding interest in sustainable investment opportunities.
WASTE NOT - Meal Reveal, developed in collaboration with Google Cloud, uses simple fridge scan to help consumers overcome ‘fridge blindness’ and reduce household food waste.
SUPPLY CHAIN - The Scorecard — which evaluates global chocolate manufacturers, brands and retailers on social and environmental criteria in seven areas — helps consumers make ethical purchasing decisions and incentivizes companies to improve their performance in these areas.
SUPPLY CHAIN - A €30M portfolio in Europe and a $50M fund in the US put much-needed capital behind cultivating regenerative-ag value chains, while a partnership with NatureMetrics supports Unilever's work to make farming its ingredients climate resilient.
WALKING THE TALK - Focusing on the material footprint of the upcoming summer Games, Paris 2024 is leaning heavily into recycled materials and plans for reuse of all temporary infrastructure, furniture and equipment.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION - ClimateCrop is boosting starch metabolism in plants through non-GMO gene editing — enhancing crop resilience to climate change, increasing yields, and offering a sustainable solution to future farming challenges.
THE NEXT ECONOMY - As tourism continues to evolve and travelers become more aware of both their positive and negative impacts, the accommodation industry has an opportunity to respond in a meaningful way.