Environmental initiatives

Montgomery Co.’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased 30% between 2005 and 2020

According to a Climate Action Progress report, Montgomery County, Maryland, saw a 30% decrease in communitywide greenhouse gas emissions between 2005 and 2020. https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2023/01/montgomery-co-s-greenhouse-gas-emissions-decreased-30-between-2005-and-2020/

Mobility

Zero-emission steel won’t happen without trade-offs, scientists say

In a paper published in Nature Sustainability, experts write that while zero-emission steel is within reach, it will require a big trade-off in production capacity. https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2023/01/28/zero-emissions-steel-tradeoffs/

Environmental initiatives

A new plan to reduce carbon emissions by 2030

Garfield Clean Energy announced last week that Garfield County and all six of its municipalities unanimously adopted an updated clean energy action plan that sets five goals to help reduce carbon emissions by 2030. https://www.aspendailynews.com/news/a-new-plan-to-reduce-carbon-emissions-by-2030/article_7a4adafc-a051-11ed-b190-773a155f7130.html

Companies

Danone announces plan to reduce its methane emissions

Danone is targeting a 30% absolute reduction in methane emissions from fresh milk used in its dairy products with Environmental Defense Fund partnership. https://fooddigital.com/articles/danone-announces-plan-to-reduce-its-methane-emissions

Companies

Continuous modernisation of DEWA's operations contributes to reducing carbon emissions

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)’s upgrade of three gas turbines has contributed reducing carbon dioxide emissions by around 65,930 tonnes per year https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/government-news/continuous-modernisation-of-dewas-operations-contributes-to-reducing-carbon-emissions-nwpn9u4w

Living

She Lives Off The Grid In Alaska And Only Works 15 Hours Per Week

It is a well-known fact that modern living can be stressful. Rent is skyrocketing, the cities are overcrowded, and your nine-to-five makes you feel dreary and worn out every single day because you can barely afford to buy anything, even with a full-time job. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could just escape it all by living off the grid? https://www.chipchick.com/2023/01/she-lives-off-the-grid-in-alaska-and-only-works-15-hours-per-week-heres-how-she-and-her-husband-can-afford-to-do-this.html

Companies

Samsung Electronics Achieves Life Cycle Assessment Verification on Product Carbon Footprint for Semiconductors

Samsung Electronics a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today announced that it has established a Life Cycle Assessment on the product carbon footprint of its semiconductor business and achieved verification from DNV, one of the world’s leading independent certification bodies. https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-electronics-achieves-life-cycle-assessment-verification-on-product-carbon-footprint-for-semiconductors

Mobility

Upcycled waste: sustainable furniture and homewares made from eggshells, earth, paper, fruit peel – even blood

In Hong Kong, designers like Niko Leung are seeking out ways to use waste materials to craft sustainable homewares, furniture and construction materials https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3207851/upcycled-waste-sustainable-furniture-and-homewares-made-eggshells-earth-paper-fruit-peel-even-blood

Companies

Amazon to use green concrete from Holcim in Northern Virginia

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has signed to use low-carbon EcoPact concrete for building work in Northern Virginia. https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/amazon-to-use-green-concrete-from-holcim-in-northern-virginia/

Companies

Cascades launches new eco-friendly packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables

Cascades is proud to announce the launch of a new closed basket made of recycled and recyclable corrugated cardboard for the produce sector. An alternative to food packaging that is difficult to recycle, this new product is the latest addition to Cascades' line of eco-friendly packaging. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cascades-launches-new-eco-friendly-packaging-for-fresh-fruits-and-vegetables-301730589.html

Companies

Microsoft and Qcells announce strategic alliance to curb carbon emissions and power the clean energy economy

Qcells, a global solar leader investing in building a U.S. solar supply chain, and Microsoft Corp., a global technology company with a commitment to be carbon negative by 2030 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/microsoft-and-qcells-announce-strategic-alliance-to-curb-carbon-emissions-and-power-the-clean-energy-economy-301730681.html

Mobility

Asteroid findings from specks of space dust could save the planet

New research into the durability and age of an ancient asteroid made of rocky rubble and dust, revealed significant findings that could contribute to potentially saving the planet if one ever hurtled toward Earth. https://theprint.in/science/asteroid-findings-from-specks-of-space-dust-could-save-the-planet-research/1334238/

Environmental initiatives

A Greener Rubik’s Cube Is Part Of Spin Master’s Eco-Initiative

Rubik’s Cube, and other classic toys sold by toy maker Spin Master, have been redesigned to reduce their environmental impact, as part of an effort by Spin Master to make their playthings more earth-friendly. https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2023/01/26/a-greener-rubiks-cube-is-part-of-spin-masters-eco-initiative/?sh=4043a4fa1a19

Companies

BrainBox AI launches carbon emission reduction, energy efficiency solution

A new solution aims to help retailers meet or exceed their sustainability targetswhile optimizing store comfort for associates and customers. https://chainstoreage.com/brainbox-ai-launches-carbon-emission-reduction-energy-efficiency-solution

Companies

API, Well Done Foundation partner to reduce emissions by plugging orphaned oil and gas wells

The American Petroleum Institute and the Well Done Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate across a range of activities related to reducing emissions and the proper plugging of orphaned or abandoned natural gas and oil wells. https://www.oilandgas360.com/api-well-done-foundation-partner-to-reduce-emissions-by-plugging-orphaned-oil-and-gas-wells/

Environmental initiatives

Argentina’s new plan for reducing carbon emissions

The country’s 2030 national strategy for reducing emissions and adapting to climate change positions gas as ‘transition’ fuel https://dialogochino.net/en/uncategorised/62482-argentinas-new-plan-for-reducing-carbon-emissions-analysed-in-depth/

Companies

PepsiCo Portugal Invests $8.15 Million to Reduce Carbon Emissions

PepsiCo Portugal announced the start of a new project at the Carregado snack factory that aligns with the PepsiCo Positive strategy for sustainability. https://www.environmentalleader.com/2023/01/pepsico-portugal-invests-8-15-million-to-reduce-carbon-emissions/

Companies

Coca-Cola moves to curb global plastic waste

Coca-Cola Company has unveiled programmes aimed at reducing plastic waste around the globe in furtherance of its environmental sustainability projects. https://punchng.com/coca-cola-moves-to-curb-global-plastic-waste/

Companies

Orange EV Expands Zero-Emission Truck Sales in Canada

Orange EV, the leading heavy-duty EV truck manufacturer in the United States, has listened and responded to its customers by expanding into the Canadian market, marking an international growth milestone driven by the strong financial and operational benefits of electric yard truck fleets. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/orange-ev-expands-zero-emission-truck-sales-in-canada-301730390.html

Environmental initiatives

Scientist Discovers a Plastic-Eating Bacteria That Actually Digests Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is a major issue here on Earth, as well as a significant component of the climate crisis. In response to the disaster that is plastic pollution, scientists have been getting quite creative in recent years — and a recent study details the discovery and application of a plastic-eating bacteria. https://www.greenmatters.com/news/plastic-eating-bacteria

Environmental initiatives

Cutting Carbon Emissions – How Airlines Can Save Fuel and Help the Planet

With the impacts of global climate change being felt around the world, getting the international aviation community aligned and working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally is more important than ever. https://connectedaviationtoday.com/cutting-carbon-emissions-how-airlines-can-save-fuel-and-help-the-planet/

People

Emma Thompson and Aisling Bea urge UK banks to stop financing fossil fuels

Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry and Aisling Bea are among celebrities calling on the five of the UK's biggest High Street banks to stop financing new oil, gas and coal projects. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64399747

Environmental initiatives

AEMO report confirms wind and solar best cure for fossil fuel hyper-inflation

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) released its fourth quarter of 2022 (4Q2022) Quarterly Energy Dynamics report on January 25, 2023 https://reneweconomy.com.au/aemo-report-confirms-wind-and-solar-best-cure-for-fossil-fuel-hyper-inflation/

People

Genera hires new chief commercial officer to support customer carbon footprint reduction through a transition to molded fiber packaging solutions

Genera, a manufacturer of domestically sourced and produced ag-based pulp and molded fiber products, announced today that it has hired packaging industry veteran James Davidson as its new chief commercial officer in charge of developing the company's commercial strategy and rapid expansion plans. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/genera-hires-new-chief-commercial-officer-to-support-customer-carbon-footprint-reduction-through-a-transition-to-molded-fiber-packaging-solutions-301730106.html

Environmental initiatives

Culinary Services implements systems to reduce carbon footprint

In the fall, Kent State Culinary Services brought the PlanetOZZI system to campus, a reusable container system in the dining halls that promotes environmental friendliness. https://kentwired.com/90451/latest-updates/culinary-services-implements-systems-to-reduce-carbon-footprint/

Environmental initiatives

Government has started banning single use plastic

United Nations warned that the world could face a huge plastic pollution problem if governments do not act soon. a Report of the United Nations Environment ProgramTE, which was published last year, revealed that the amount of plastic debris entering aquatic ecosystems could almost triple by 2040 to 37 million tonnes per year. https://nationworldnews.com/government-has-started-banning-single-use-plastic/

Living

It’s dreadful and scary’: people living off-grid feel forgotten after delays to energy bill support

People living off-grid, including in parks and on houseboats, are struggling to heat their homes as they wait to receive support payments through a delayed Government scheme that was first promised in September last year. https://inews.co.uk/news/dreadful-scary-living-off-grid-delays-energy-bill-support-2097632

Companies

Kellogg helping rice farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Kellogg 's InGrained, a five-year partnership with Lower Mississippi River Basin rice farmers to help reduce their climate impact, is reporting early positive results. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kellogg-helping-rice-farmers-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions-301726964.html

Environmental initiatives

Green buildings and infra will ensure environmental sustainability

Green infrastructure brings nature into work for human benefits ranging from economic, social, environmental and health benefits https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/green-buildings-and-infra-will-ensure-environmental-sustainability-123012300090_1.html

Companies

Sysco, the world’s largest food distributor, should stop using harmful single-use plastic

Sysco delivers wholesale food to a wide variety of businesses including restaurants, hotels and hospitals — but in the process, its use of plastic packaging is contributing to the plastic pollution crisis that kills 1 million marine animals every year. https://environmentamerica.org/articles/sysco-the-worlds-largest-food-distributor-should-stop-using-harmful-single-use-plastic/

Environmental initiatives

FG Introduces Programmes to Reduce Air Pollution

The federal government has flagged off the National Generator Emission Control Programme (NGECP) and the National Vehicular Emission Control Programme (NVECP) in order to reduce air pollution in the country. https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/01/23/fg-introduces-programmes-to-reduce-air-pollution/

Environmental initiatives

Ottawa (Canada) is going to deploy 350 zero emission buses thanks to federal funding

The Canadian city of Ottawa is going to deploy 350 zero emission buses thanks to federal funding, as it was announced lately by Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board and a Member of Parliament, https://www.sustainable-bus.com/electric-bus/ottawa-zero-emission-buses-federal-funding/

Environmental initiatives

California accounted for 40% of US zero-emission vehicle sales in 2022

About 19% of all cars sold in California last year were zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), accounting for 40% of all ZEV sales including hybrid vehicles in the United States, data showed. https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/california-accounted-40-percent-us-zero-emission-vehicle-sales-2022

Environmental initiatives

The world’s largest zero-emissions truck is more than two stories tall

Up until now, one of these trucks emits as much pollution in a year as 700 cars. A new retrofit replaces the diesel with a battery and hydrogen fuel cells. https://www.fastcompany.com/90837208/the-worlds-largest-zero-emission-truck-is-more-than-two-stories-tall

Companies

Kuehne+Nagel teams up with Lenovo to reduce carbon footprint

Lenovo is joining forces with Kuehne+Nagel to create a first-of-its-kind logistics service in the technology industry to support enterprises in their commitment to minimise their environmental footprint and combat climate change. https://www.stattimes.com/air-cargo/kuehnenagel-teams-up-with-lenovo-to-reduce-carbon-footprint-1347672

Essity Ranked One of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies

Hygiene and health company Essity has once again been recognized as one of the world's 100 most sustainable companies by Corporate Knights. The list was announced during the recent World Economic Forum in Davos. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/essity-ranked-one-world-most-141500821.html

Environmental initiatives

Japan Companies Turn to Apple Waste to Make Eco-Friendly Leather

Faux leather is nothing new, but leather made from apple waste has been drawing the attention of both companies and consumers. https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20230123-85862/

Environmental initiatives

Women in Taiwan more supportive of net-zero goals than men

A gender divide is seen in Taiwan toward the effort to go carbon neutral, with women showing stronger support for net-zero objectives, a 2022 study has found. https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4788465

Companies

Moy Park unveils pioneering new project to reduce emissions

In its drive to reach net zero, top UK food company Moy Park has unveiled a pioneering new scheme that will monitor and track greenhouse gas emissions in real time at individual farm level, across its entire farming base. https://www.farminglife.com/business/moy-park-unveils-pioneering-new-project-to-reduce-emissions-3995470

Environmental initiatives

Plugging into the electric climate future

The United States rejoined the international effort to limit global temperature increases caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, what is the domestic plan to reduce GHGs. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/1/21/2148440/-Plugging-into-the-electric-climate-future

Environmental initiatives

Kelp farms could help clean up coastal nitrogen pollution

In a study led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, experts have concluded that kelp farms could help reduce coastal marine pollution. While this type of seaweed is known for its ability to take up large amounts of carbon dioxide, the new research suggests that kelp is even better at removing nitrogen pollution. https://www.earth.com/news/kelp-farms-could-help-clean-up-coastal-nitrogen-pollution/

Companies

Maruti Suzuki Steps Up Efforts To Reduce Carbon Footprint

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (Maruti Suzuki) transported over 3.2 lakh vehicles using Indian railways in the calendar year 2022. Notably, this is the highest-ever dispatch using rail mode by the Company in a calendar year. https://orissadiary.com/maruti-suzuki-steps-up-efforts-to-reduce-carbon-footprint-dispatches-record-3-2-lakh-vehicles-using-railways-in-cy2022/

Environmental initiatives

European Biodegradable Plastics Industry to 2028 - Awareness to Reduce Plastic Waste Across Europe Drives Growth

Europe Biodegradable Plastics Market is anticipated to observe impressive growth during the forecast period, 2024-2028. Population growth in the area and increasing demand for plastic items are driving more plastic manufacturing and garbage disposal. https://www.yahoo.com/now/european-biodegradable-plastics-industry-2028-191000581.html

Environmental initiatives

Crocs India and TSL organized a beach clean-up drive for environmental and marine conservation

Crocs India, in collaboration with The Social Lab (TSL), launched a month-long beach clean-up event on 15th January at Versova Beach, Mumbai. https://theprint.in/ani-press-releases/crocs-india-and-tsl-organized-a-beach-clean-up-drive-for-environmental-and-marine-conservation/1327755/

Environmental initiatives

Saudi smart city Neom 'new model for sustainable urban design'

Saudi Arabia’s smart city Neom offers a new model for environmentally-friendly and sustainable urban design, both for the kingdom and the world, said its climate envoy at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. https://www.zawya.com/en/economy/gcc/saudi-smart-city-neom-new-model-for-sustainable-urban-design-pmejv6r5

Environmental initiatives

Young scientists use seaweed to combat plastic pollution in Sabah Malaysia

Semporna, a remote town at the northernmost tip of Borneo, is famous for having some of the most beautiful diving sites and marine life in Malaysia, but in recent years, that fame has been waning as plastic waste litters the shoreline. https://english.newstracklive.com/news/young-scientists-use-seaweed-to-combat-plastic-pollution-in-sabah-malaysia-sc57-nu355-ta355-1265574-1.html

Environmental initiatives

How can we bend the emissions curve?

Not negating the need to move to net zero by 2050, we must act now to avoid hitting the emissions cliff by 2030. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/emissions-curve-davos23/

Companies

Gildan Ranked as One of 100 Most Sustainable Companies Globally

Gildan is one of the world’s 100 most sustainable corporations, according to a sustainable-economy media and research company. https://www.asicentral.com/news/newsletters/promogram/january-2023/gildan-ranked-as-one-of-100-most-sustainable-companies-globally/

Companies

Arçelik Named One of The Most Sustainable Companies in the World in Corporate Knights' 2023 Global 100 Index

Arçelik A.Ş., the global leading consumer durables and electronics manufacturer, has achieved recognition in the Corporate Knights' 2023 Global 100 Index for the third consecutive year. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arcelik-named-one-of-the-most-sustainable-companies-in-the-world-in-corporate-knights-2023-global-100-index-301725814.html

Mobility

Our Planet Versus Plastic Bags - A Tale of Two Cities

With oceans, countries, populations, and governments inundated by a plague of plastic worldwide, it may be useful to focus on the single-use plastic bag choices made by two cities, in the same U.S. state, located at a distance of only 64 miles (104 km) from each other. https://citywatchla.com/index.php/climate/26306-our-planet-versus-plastic-bags-a-tale-of-two-cities