Environmental initiatives

US Proposes Plan to Slash Emissions of Powerful Greenhouse Gases

The United States’ top environmental regulator this week announced a proposal to intensify an effort to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a highly potent greenhouse gas, in line with an international agreement the U.S. ratified in September, 2022. https://www.voanews.com/a/us-proposes-plan-to-slash-emissions-of-powerful-greenhouse-gases-/6800368.html

Companies

Hershey & National Grid Renewables Sign Second Big Power Deal

A recent deal between Hershey and National Grid Renewables is so exciting, and it isn’t the first time they’ve done it https://cleantechnica.com/2022/10/23/hershey-national-grid-renewables-sign-second-big-power-deal/.

Environmental initiatives

A Robot Fish Eats Plastic That Can Help Clean Up Waste in the Water

The robo-fish moves through the water by flapping its tail while holding its mouth open to catch microplastics and water in an internal cavity. Once the cavity is full, it will close its mouth and open its gill flaps. https://www.techtimes.com/articles/282356/20221022/robot-fish-eats-plastic-help-clean-up-waste-water.htm

Companies

HMD introduces Nokia's eco-friendly smartphone

HMD Global, the exclusive licensee for Nokia-branded smartphones and accessories, has launched a new smartphone model as the first eco-friendly handset in Thailand to catch a global trend. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2421191/hmd-introduces-nokias-eco-friendly-smartphone

Mobility

'Earth lab' to assist green transition

In Beijing's suburban Miyun district, a new "Earth lab" simulating the carbon circulation of the planet is expected to become a new tool in China's fight against climate change. http://www.china.org.cn/china/2022-10/19/content_78474408.htm

Energy sources

Global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels to rise by less than 1% this year as renewables and EVs take off

Finally, some good news in the battle against greenhouse gasses: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the burning of fossil fuels are on track to rise less than 1% this year. https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/19/energy/co2-emissions-climate-fossil-fuels-intl

Mobility

2022 Can Earth’s Moon save our fragile planet?

Key elements of Moon World Resorts Inc.’s unique Destination Resort project, MOON, will be sustainability and net zero carbon emissions, deliverable on day one! https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4113068.html

Environmental initiatives

Changing Himalayas: United Sherpa Association (US) hosts exhibition on climate change

United Sherpa Association (USA), Inc, aka Sherpa Kyidug America hosted a first of its kind exhibition in New York with the theme "Changing Himalayas" to raise awareness to save the mountains, and the planet as a whole. https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/changing-himalayas-united-sherpa-association-us-hosts-exhibition-on-climate-change

Environmental initiatives

Sustainable Fashion in China

The sustainable fashion trend is also beginning to take root in China, driven by young, urban, and increasingly environmentally conscious consumers. https://www.china-briefing.com/news/sustainable-fashion-in-china-an-emerging-trend-in-the-apparel-industry/

Companies

Honda is aiming for an increasingly sustainable future

Honda Group, which includes all of the various Honda entities as a global company, has released theHonda Sustainability Report 2022which collects all the details on what the house has done one year after the last report, as well as defining its own goals for the future. https://www.ruetir.com/2022/10/20/honda-is-aiming-for-an-increasingly-sustainable-future/

Companies

SimplyGood Launches New Sustainable Home Cleaning and Personal Care Products in Australia and New Zealand

SimplyGood, the eco-brand that's reimagining everyday home cleaning & personal care products to eliminate single-use plastics, will launch in Australia and New Zealand on October 15, 2022. https://www.yahoo.com/now/simplygood-launches-sustainable-home-cleaning-231000068.html

Environmental initiatives

Making batteries lighter and saving CO2 emissions

Ultimate Battery Company (UBC)’s breakthrough battery technology is set to make cars and vehicles lighter, reduce CO2 emissions, and revolutionise energy storage across multiple sectors and industries, helping to accelerate the move to net-zero carbon. https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/making-batteries-lighter-and-saving-co2-emissions/26427/

Mobility

Global warming could collapse the Atlantic circulation system

The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) is a vast system of ocean currents which carry warm water from the tropics into the North Atlantic ocean and transport cold water from the northern to the southern hemisphere, thus playing a major role in the regulation of the Earth’s climate. https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-could-collapse-the-atlantic-circulation-system/

Companies

10,000 days to Net Zero: Businesses gear up for a more sustainable future

It’s now less than 10,000 days until Net Zero in 2050 – the date by which many nations across the UK have set a legally binding target to bring greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero. https://www.edie.net/partner-content/10000-days-to-net-zero-businesses-gear-up-for-a-more-sustainable-future/

Environmental initiatives

Sustainability Takes Flight across Aviation Industry

As airline travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, airplane manufacturers are rethinking sustainability metrics, going deep and wide across the life cycle of millions of parts that comprise the airplanes that people fly in every day. https://news.sap.com/2022/10/sustainability-aviation-industry/

Energy sources

Air Company Makes Sustainable aviation fuel from Co2

JetBlue has committed to buying millions of gallons of carbon-neutral SAF from Air Company, which creates fuel from carbon dioxide. Olivia Palamountain reports https://globetrender.com/2022/10/13/air-company-makes-sustainable-aviation-fuel-from-co2/

Environmental initiatives

Nepal sets priority for climate adaptation, financing

Nepal is preparing to attend the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the UNFCCC on November 7-18. https://english.khabarhub.com/2022/13/276505/

Mobility

World's most polluted cities: Kathmandu in top 10

Kathmandu is in the top 10 list of the world's most polluted cities. According to IQ Air, on the basis of air quality measurement, Kathmandu was the sixth most polluted city in the world on October 11, 2022. https://nepalnews.com/s/capital/kathmandu-in-the-list-of-top-10-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world#:~:text=Kathmandu%20is%20in%20the%20top,in%20the%20world%20on%20Tuesday.

Companies

Yadea Wins Prestigious Sustainability Awards for Carbon Neutrality, Further Inspiring Sustainable Travel

Yadea Group (01585:HK), a leading player in the electric scooter industry, was recently recognized by the China Brand Influence Development Forum for its role in promoting carbon neutrality. https://www.yahoo.com/now/yadea-wins-prestigious-sustainability-awards-085500641.html?

People

A road to sustainable fashion: up-cycling t-shirts

Since 2003, Andrew has been taking steps in the fashion industry to promote sustainable clothing. https://greatlakesecho.org/2022/10/11/a-road-to-sustainable-fashion-up-cycling-t-shirts/

Companies

Nepalese making meals plastic-free

A few companies in Kathmandu are striving to make a dining experience more eco-friendly by producing biodegradable, organic cutlery for the Nepali market. https://kathmandupost.com/49/2020/09/07/making-meals-plastic-free

Nepal Yatri Motorcycles: Gearing up for an Electric Future

Reinventing the electric vehicle scene in Nepal, Yatri Motorcycles prepare themselves for their first delivery https://nepalnews.com/s/science-and-technology/yatri-motorcycles-gearing-up-for-an-electric-future

Companies

10,000 days to net-zero: Businesses gear up for a more sustainable future

Joy Newton, associate director of sustainability and ESG finance at Lloyds Bank, and Tara Schmidt, head of climate & sustainability strategy, sustainability & ESG finance, Lloyds Bank, look at how the landscape is changing as UK businesses prepare for net-zero. https://www.edie.net/10000-days-to-net-zero-businesses-gear-up-for-a-more-sustainable-future/

Environmental initiatives

Austria seeks allies for legal challenge to EU green investment rules

Austria said on October 10, 22 that it was seeking to enlist other European Union countries to support its legal action against Brussels for labelling investment in gas and nuclear power as "green". https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/anti-nuclear-austria-seeks-backing-against-eu-green-investment-rules-2022-10-10/

Mobility

Delhi pollution likely to reduce as Punjab farmers shifting to sustainable ways

Delhi pollution have increased over the years as despite taking several measures to check stubble burning over the past several years, the incidents of farm fires continue unabated in Punjab. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/delhi-pollution-likely-to-reduce-as-punjab-farmers-shifting-to-sustainable-ways-11665326499486.html

Environmental initiatives

Midea Publishes World's First Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for Air Conditioning Product

Smart home global leader Midea ("the Company") hosted a ceremony at Chillventa 2022 to mark the release of the Company's Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for its XtremeSave series split air conditioner. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/midea-publishes-worlds-first-environmental-product-declaration-epd-for-air-conditioning-product-301646366.html

Environmental initiatives

'Nepal could take a lead in hydrogen energy development'

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Pampha Bhusal, has said Nepal has the potential of taking a lead in the development of green hydrogen in the world. https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/nepal-could-take-a-lead-in-hydrogen-energy-development

Environmental initiatives

India’s Path to a Hydrogen-Powered Future

Today, India accounts for 6.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. High-cost-driven imports including crude oil, natural gas and coal comprise over 80% of its total energy mix. https://spectra.mhi.com/indias-path-to-a-hydrogen-powered-future?utm_source=nativeocean&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CNW&utm_term=z154761446b1_outbrainrtb__edition%2Ecnn%2Ecom1z&_z1_adgid=12034998&_z1_caid=54761446&_z1_msid=b1_outbrainrtb&_z1_pub=edition%2Ecnn%2Ecom&zpbid=31540_dbd8f189-497a-11ed-845c-855383b4c82c

Companies

Deego Nepal: Turning waste to treasure

Deego Nepal was born of the idea of putting everyday non-recycled waste materials to a sustainable use. The company makes and sells affordable eco-friendly daily lifestyle products out of discarded waste products. https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/deego-nepal-turning-waste-to-treasure-4407

Companies

Walmart+ InHome’s service offering limited assortment of sustainable packaging

The company is partnering with Loop to enable InHome users in the metro areas of Bentonville and Rogers, Ark. to purchase a limited assortment of products in refillable, reusable containers. https://drugstorenews.com/walmart-inhomes-service-offering-limited-assortment-sustainable-packaging

Energy sources

NC State ends partnership with defunct solar panel company now subject of state investigations

North Carolina State University is working to terminate a sponsorship contract with solar panel installer Pink Energy, a spokesperson told 5 On Your Side. The company abruptly went out of business two weeks ago after a 5 On Your Side report about customers upset with Pink Energy because their home solar panels weren’t working. https://www.wral.com/nc-state-ends-partnership-with-defunct-solar-panel-company-now-subject-of-state-invesgitaions/20515665/

Energy sources

This is how solar panel recycling can be scaled up now

Solar is the fastest growing renewable energy source and is projected to continue to accelerate due to the Inflation Reduction Act. However, in the past, decommissioned solar panels mostly went to landfills. Nowadays, 95% of value in materials can be recycled – but solar panel recycling needs to be scaled up. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/10/solar-panel-recycling-is-here-and-now-is-the-time-to-scale-up/

People

Herman Miller aims to reduce carbon footprint by 50% to help improve the health of our plane

Herman Miller recently announced new sustainability goals for 2030 as part of the MillerKnoll collective of brands. The goals are targeted at reducing the company’s carbon footprint, designing out waste, and sourcing better materials. https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/herman-miller-aims-to-reduce-carbon-footprint-by-50-to-help-improve-the-health-of-our-planet-lo0sfdz4

Mobility

Rewilding: letting nature do its own thing

Rewilding involves letting nature restore and repair itself. In Europe, more than 80% of land is degraded and less than 30% of rivers are regarded as healthy. Rewilding organisations like Rewilding Europe are reintroducing lost species including the Eurasian lynx and Marsican brown bear. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/10/what-is-rewilding-nature/

Companies

VolNepal Sustainable Development & Livelihood Projects

VolNepal aims to achieve these goals through creative sustainable villages and livelihood programs. We have identified several ways to empower rural communities to make them self-sufficient. https://www.volnepal.org/sustainable-projects/

Environmental initiatives

Nepal Embraces Opportunity to Advance Sustainable Hydropower

Environmental and social experts, with the support of the Australian and U.S. governments and IFC, continue to build knowledge on how Nepal’s waterways can be developed sustainably, while protecting aquatic biodiversity and lowering social impacts. https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/news_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/news+and+events/news/nepal+embraces+opportunity+to+advance+sustainable+hydropower

Companies

Cotton Mill Nepal

Cotton Mill Nepal uses 100% cotton to create all of their products, and they hire local women to design, stamp, and sew their items together. They believe in having a production process that is “environmentally friendly and people focused.”

Companies

Leklekk in Nepal: Sustainability

Yajaswi founded Leklekk: The Green Wave that brings alternatives to plastic products and yet achieves a fair balance of profitability, social responsibility and environmental sustainability through three phases of giving, recycling and growing. https://farsightnepal.com/news/30

Environmental initiatives

Nepal’s Transition to Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development

In 2021, Nepal adopted the Green, Resilient and Inclusive development (GRID) approach to systematically address the impacts of COVID-19 and Nepal's structural challenges, including slow domestic job creation, a high vulnerability to climate change and environmental degradation.

Environmental initiatives

Curb food waste and save the planet

Throwing away food is like stealing from the table of those who are poor and hungry. https://www.gulftoday.ae/opinion/2022/10/02/curb-food-waste-and-save-the-planet

Environmental initiatives

Switch to green fuel

THE majority of industrial units in the National Capital Region (NCR) have once again failed to meet the deadline, September 30, for a shift to green fuels such as PNG from traditional fossil fuels like coal, diesel and petcoke. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/editorials/switch-to-green-fuel-437540

Companies

Eco-Friendly Soap Packaging uses artichoke waste, peapons

There are companies and brands that have become more conscious about these things over the years but there’s still a lot of non-biodegradable waste out there. While we can’t totally get rid of them with one solution, researchers and product designers are trying to come up with more sustainable alternatives. https://www.yankodesign.com/2022/10/02/eco-friendly-soap-packaging-uses-artichoke-waste-peapods/

Companies

Skagen launched its newest sustainable watch

Danish-inspired watch and jewelry brand, Skagen, unveiled its newest sustainable watch, the Grenen Solar Save The Waves Limited Edition on September 25, 2022. https://vman.com/article/skagen-launched-its-newest-sustainable-watch/

Energy sources

Light shines on solar-wind-battery electricity plant

A renewable-energy plant in Oregon that combines solar power, wind power and huge batteries to store the energy generated there was commissioned last week as the first utility-scale plant of its kind in North America. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/oct/02/light-shines-on-solar-wind-battery-electricity/

Environmental initiatives

Meal prepping and sustainable living doesn’t have to be a daunting task

Buying in bulk can be an economical and more sustainable way to do your grocery shopping. Instead of trying to buy all your food at once, shop around. Slowly build up a pantry of basics. https://martlet.ca/meal-prepping-and-sustainable-living-doesnt-have-to-be-a-daunting-task/

Environmental initiatives

How floating garbage ‘seabins’ can clean up our dying oceans

About 8 million tonnes of plastic waste ends up in our ocean every year, and forecasts suggest this could double by 2025 if we don’t take drastic action. https://theprint.in/environment/how-floating-garbage-seabins-can-clean-up-our-dying-oceans/1151786/

The Dark side

Apple Isn't as Green as It Pretends to Be

In recent years, Apple has really made a name for itself as an environmentally conscious company. The company often talks about its environmental initiatives, climate pledges, and reducing its overall carbon footprint. https://www.makeuseof.com/apple-isnt-as-green-as-it-pretends-to-be/

Environmental initiatives

National Mission for Clean Ganga approves 14 projects worth ₹1,145 crore

The projects include eight related to sewerage management in five main stem Ganga basin states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, a statement said https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/national-mission-for-clean-ganga-approves-14-projects-worth-1145-crore/article65958936.ece

Mobility

Is the war against plastic pollution too difficult to win?

umans passed the 100 mm tonne plastic produce mark in 1990, and a 2020 report by NRDC, said that the World produces 300 mm tonnes of single use plastic annually. In 2020, the UN baseline warned that the ever-increasing growth in the amount of plastics produced has led to a significant plastic waste generational problem that has outpaced society’s ability to manage it. https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/big-read/2022-10-02-is-the-war-against-plastic-pollution-too-difficult-to-win/

Environmental initiatives

Save your local forest and earn money with this new stock exchange for biodiversity.

We all know that there’s no Planet B. We’re losing nature around us at an alarming rate and our survival depends on our biodiverse ecosystems. Unfortunately, money makes the world go round. https://atlasofthefuture.org/project/single-earth/