August, 2019

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Are bioplastics really better for the environment? Read the fine print

GreenBiz

Confusion among terms like bioplastics, bio-based and biodegradable plastics makes it hard to discern and make the environmentally responsible choice.

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Lessons for Change from Bungee Jumping

Green Project Management

I went bungee jumping over twenty years ago in Ottawa at the Great Canadian Bungee Jumping site at Wakefield, Chelsea Quebec. During that memorable experience I was reminded of several important lessons that I believe are valuable for change initiatives. For context, “Visualize an amphitheater of solid limestone, 200 ft. high, surrounding a 160 ft. […].

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Investments in ‘people and places’ start to demonstrate impact in Opportunity Zones

Impact Alpha

ImpactAlpha, Aug. 28 – Capital is finally flowing to projects in U.S. Opportunity Zones that promote inclusive development and community empowerment. In other words, impact is investable. Locally led development efforts, homegrown startup activity and affordable housing investments from Erie, Pennsylvania to South Los Angeles are demonstrating that capital-gains tax incentives available in Opportunity Zones can The post Investments in ‘people and places’ start to demonstrate impact in Opportuni

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Dundee to host conference on climate change science and law

Envirotec Magazine

Scotland will host world-leading experts in climate change law and science in September, as they attend a major conference on global climate at the University of Dundee. Held at the University’s Dalhousie Building from 27-28 September, this inaugural event will focus on identifying elements of a global climate consensus and the legal practicality of effective climate action.

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How to Drive Cost Savings, Efficiency Gains, and Sustainability Wins with MES

Speaker: Nikhil Joshi, Founder & President of Snic Solutions

Is your manufacturing operation reaching its efficiency potential? A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) could be the game-changer, helping you reduce waste, cut costs, and lower your carbon footprint. Join Nikhil Joshi, Founder & President of Snic Solutions, in this value-packed webinar as he breaks down how MES can drive operational excellence and sustainability.

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The energy transition is underway: 10 charts tell the story

Renewable Energy World

The renewable energy transition promises to reduce carbon emissions, but it’s happening at different speeds around the world. Read on for some key insights from BloombergNEF’s New Energy Outlook 2019, which provides a detailed road map to the future.

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SDSN at the Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week

Sustainable Development Network

A panel on Long-Term Strategies and Decarbonization, facilitated by Agustin Matteri from UN Environment, convened Amal Lee Amin, Division Chief of Climate Change of the InterAmerican Development Bank; Patricia Campos, Climate Change Director at the Ministry of the Environment and Energy of Costa Rica; Emma Torres, Associate Director , Head of New York Office, SDSN; Ivan Dario, Coordinator of Low Carbon Development Strategy at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia; A

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'How do we save this f--king planet?' A 7-point response is giving people hope and some clear answers.

Good.is: Planet

Over on the /AskReddit forum, one frustrated citizen got down to brass tacks. In today's world, it's easy to feel hopeless when it comes to the herculean challenges posed by climate change. There's so much to do and it feels like we're constantly barraged with negative warnings that even our most valiant efforts might be in vain. So, virtually throwing their arms up in air, Reddit user "ExoticFailure" simply begged for an answer: "How do we save this f **g planet?

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Nine policy wonks on how to catalyze private capital for public good

Impact Alpha

ImpactAlpha’s What’s Next series, produced in partnership with the Global Impact Investing Network, provides a platform for practitioners and experts to reflect on the future of impact investing. ImpactAlpha, Aug. 26 – Impact investing is among the last of a vanishing species: a bipartisan issue. In the U.S., some of the few legislative achievements of the last The post Nine policy wonks on how to catalyze private capital for public good appeared first on ImpactAlpha.

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Bristol announces low carbon housing development, and selection of heat pump technology

Envirotec Magazine

Borehole drilling rig for the installation of heat pumps at Ashton Rise. A sustainable housing development is to be developed in Bristol, featuring innovative low-carbon heating. Bristol City Council’s 133 homes at Ashton Rise are being built using the high efficiency Sig iHouse solution, and heated by individual ground source heat pumps connected to a shared ground loop array of boreholes.

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Hydrogen is expected to account for 10% of China’s energy network by 2050

Renewable Energy World

The Chinese government recently issued a whitepaper on the status and prospects of the hydrogen fuel and fuel cell sectors, indicating that energy derived from hydrogen will become an important part of the Chinese energy network.

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The Key to Sustainable Energy Optimization: A Data-Driven Approach for Manufacturing

Speaker: Kevin Kai Wong, President of Emergent Energy Solutions

In today's industrial landscape, the pursuit of sustainable energy optimization and decarbonization has become paramount. ♻️ Manufacturing corporations across the U.S. are facing the urgent need to align with decarbonization goals while enhancing efficiency and productivity. Unfortunately, the lack of comprehensive energy data poses a significant challenge for manufacturing managers striving to meet their targets. 📊 Join us for a practical webinar hosted by Kevin Kai Wong of Emergent Ene

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SDSN Member Conference: Universities Implementing the SDGs in Afghanistan

Sustainable Development Network

On August 29th, SDSN member Kateb University hosted the Conference on the Role of Universities in Implementing the SDGs in Afghanistan. The event was supported by the national Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Finance, and was co-organized in partnership with national and international development organizations and key stakeholders working on the SDGs in the country.

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The world is going sideways. What's a sustainability professional to do?

GreenBiz

The Amazon and the Arctic are burning, Greenland and Antarctica are melting, and longstanding concerns such as plastic waste, air pollution and water security that don’t seem to be getting better. How do you stay positive?

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The last straw: Will plastic become the next stranded asset?

MSCI

Oil and gas companies are accelerating investment in plastics, in response to the shift away from fossil fuels. But is this pivot sustainable? Could plastic become the next stranded asset?

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Blackstone’s embrace of impact investing brings new scrutiny

Impact Alpha

ImpactAlpha, Aug. 29 – As legacy private equity firms move into impact investing (see, “For private equity giants, $1 billion is table stakes for entry into impact investing”), the impact of the rest of their portfolios are getting a closer look as well. The latest case in point: Blackstone, the $512 billion private equity giant that The post Blackstone’s embrace of impact investing brings new scrutiny appeared first on ImpactAlpha.

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Are Your Impact Comms Resonating With Stakeholders?

Whether your organization is at the start of its sustainability and impact journey or years into it, many brands share a common concern: the uncertainty of whether they are sending stakeholders mixed messages. Creating content that speaks to your audience's “love language” can be a tricky dance. But, worry not! 3BL has put together tips to ensure that your content not only finds its rhythm but also resonates with your target audiences.

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Treat citizens as partners, not participants, to improve air quality research

Envirotec Magazine

Encouraging citizens to take part in almost every step of scientific air quality research improves their understanding of how air pollution affects their health, finds a new study from the University of Surrey. In a paper published in Sustainable Cities and Society journal, researchers from Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) together with the IAAC Fab Lab Barcelona, Connected Places Catapult and T6 Ecosystems under the iSCAPE project, provide details about how introducing a mu

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More Tesla solar-panel fire incidents emerge in wake of Walmart suit

Renewable Energy World

One evening last year, David Burek noticed charred wood and a burning smell in his attic, near his young sons’ bedroom. He climbed a ladder and saw a melted connector wire from the solar panels installed on the roof of his North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, home. Firefighters rushed over and discovered that flames had burned through the shingles, the roof and a support beam.

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Exploring Aristotelian Epistemology and Ethics: Prof. Sachs visits Greece

Sustainable Development Network

Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director of SDSN, recently visited Greece together with Dr. Sonia Sachs , Director, Health Sector, Center for Sustainable Development. During his stay he attended a two-week program organized by SDSN Greece and SDSN Black Sea. On July 25, 2019, Prof. Sachs met with professors from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUoT) and presented his proposal for the development of an economic model based on the principles of Aristotelian ethical philosophy.

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Here's how e-scooter and e-bike companies could embrace the circular economy

GreenBiz

Shared micromobility services may reduce emissions, but the short lifespan of the scooters and bicycles raises questions about materials use and deeper supply-chain impacts.

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Mastering Supply Chain Sustainability: Where Does ESG Fit In?

Speaker: Hortense Grouvel

In this new webinar, you will learn firsthand how to set up a sustainable supply chain program that will help meet increasing ESG requirements stemming from regulators, customers, consumers, and investors alike. Hortense Grouvel, ESG expert at IntegrityNext, and Sean Whelan, Global Senior Manager at Halliburton, will look at how ensuring compliance will also help you increase sustainability performance, resilience, and innovation, allowing you to unlock the full potential of your supply chain op

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Man tries to explain science to female astrophysicist and it was an astronomical mistake

Good.is: Planet

Is there anything a man isn't willing to mansplain to an unsuspecting woman? Men have tried to explain comedy, literature, and my own body to me. Thanks, dudes, but I've got all those subjects covered. One mansplainer learned the hard way that these days, women can do anything — even astrophysics. Katie Mack is an astrophysicist/cosmologist and freelance science writer.

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UK Climate Investments backs three renewable energy projects in South Africa

Impact Alpha

ImpactAlpha, August 26 – South Africa is a laggard in the renewable energy transition. Today, the country is 90% coal-powered. By 2030, the South Africa wants to reduce coal’s role in its energy mix to 46% and boost clean and renewably-based generation to more than 30% (including hydro and nuclear power). UK Climate Investments is stepping The post UK Climate Investments backs three renewable energy projects in South Africa appeared first on ImpactAlpha.

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Government is “passing water pollution buck to the car industry”, experts warn

Envirotec Magazine

Poisonous particle pollution from brake and tyre wear is carried in runoff then enters rivers and streams. The Government acknowledged the serious and growing impacts of poisonous particle pollution from brake, tyre and road surface wear on the environment and human health – but diverted attention away from the immediate and urgent need to stop it entering directly into rivers and streams, water quality specialists have warned.

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Europe’s wind potential is 100 times higher, could power the world

Renewable Energy World

Europe can potentially generate 100 times the current amount of energy generated, and produce enough power to power the world until 2050, if it were to maximize land use for onshore wind capacity.

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What Regulations Will Impact Sustainability Comms in 2024?

Navigating the waters of sustainability reporting disclosures and regulations can be intimidating, to say the least. With various measures set in motion in 2023 to keep companies accountable, there is a lot in store for brands’ impact communication in the upcoming year. 3BL is kicking off this January with our Navigating ESG Comms Through the Cosmos - Capricorn Edition by highlighting the impact of: The U.S Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Climate disclosure rules The European Commission

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The Role of Universities in Implementation of the SDGs in Afghanistan

Sustainable Development Network

On August 29, SDSN Member Kateb University is organizing a conference on “The Role of Universities in Implementation of the SDGs in Afghanistan”. The event seeks to highlight challenges and potential solutions for achieving the SDGs in Afghanistan, focusing specifically on the role universities play in SDG implementation. The one-day conference will happen in Kabul, Afghanistan, and boasts high-level participation from the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Fi

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Toxic chemicals can enter food through packaging, so we made a list

GreenBiz

Environmental NGO EDF has identified toxic chemicals of concern that must be addressed to ensure health and safety.

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A group of women in Angola are bravely working to clear their country of landmines

Good.is: Planet

Each and every day, 23 people are killed by landmines all over the world. That's almost one per hour — and half of those are children, according to The Guardian. During times of war, landmines are deadly killers. After the war is over, landmines are left behind to kill people even when there's no more enemy. But thanks to the efforts of a brave group of women in Angola, landmines are less of a threat and the community is a safer place.

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Agent of Impact: Derrick Morgan of KNGDM Impact Fund

Impact Alpha

ImpactAlpha, Aug. 30 – Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck wasn’t the first NFL veteran to step away from football on his own terms this summer. In July, Derrick Morgan, a linebacker with the Tennessee Titans, retired after nine years in the league to pursue a long-time passion: impact investing. Over the last few years, Morgan built The post Agent of Impact: Derrick Morgan of KNGDM Impact Fund appeared first on ImpactAlpha.

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What Questions Are Brands Asking About Their ESG Initiatives Ahead of 2024?

Temperatures are rising (and not just metaphorically) as key stakeholders anxiously anticipate the outcomes of COP28. While companies reconsider their 2024 environmental sustainability strategies, there is another aspect of ESG that deserves exploring, the social sector. In the latest edition of "Navigating ESG Comms Through the Cosmos - Sagittarius Edition", 3BL hones in on this sign’s bold quality of asking questions others are burning to know the answers to.

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UK households still stockpiling old gadgets, says Royal Society of Chemistry survey

Envirotec Magazine

UK households are continuing to stockpile electronic devices and failing to recycle them, it seems, with early August seeing the publication of the results of a survey commissioned by the Royal Society of Chemistry which suggested that 51% of households have at least one gadget lingering somewhere unused, while 45% have between two and five. The survey, conducted by Ipsos MORI on a sample of 2,353 people, suggested that UK homes have up to 40 million such unused electrical devices.

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New study shows benefits of local renewable energy marketplaces

Renewable Energy World

The financial benefits of buying and selling locally produced energy from rooftop solar, wind turbines and batteries within communities have been revealed in a test case run by energy tech firm LO3 Energy.

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Groundbreaking progress and political challenges for SDG localization after LDA-SI grant program

Sustainable Development Network

In 2018 and early 2019, SDSN’s Local Data Action Solutions Initiative (LDA-SI) supported organizations around the world in localizing the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework to their regions. The participants used microgrants awarded by SDSN to align existing sustainability plans and local monitoring with the SDGs’ targets and indicators, and vice versa.

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Inside ExxonMobil's hookup with carbon removal venture Global Thermostat

GreenBiz

Could the funding and engineering resources of a major fossil fuels company help direct air capture technology for carbon removal scale more quickly?

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The Silver Lining to Corporate DEI Challenges

In our latest edition of Navigating ESG Comms Through the Cosmos - Scorpio Edition, 3BL embraces the perspective of one of the zodiac's most misunderstood signs: Scorpio. While this sign often has a darker view of the world, they do not shy away from shining a light on controversial topics. This month we take a deep dive into corporate pullback of DEI and how companies can utilize astrological advice to reinvent its social impact communication.