The Sustainable Digest

Lazy weekend reading, Oct. 26th. Here are a few stories that grabbed our attention during the week, If you feel like reading more, you can find links to all the stories in the comments. Have a sustainable week! Is calling a fund 'Sustainable' is enough to be one? According to Mongabay's Kristine Sabillo Guerrero, ClientEarth has filed a complaint against asset management giant BlackRock with France’s financial markets authority for allegedly misnaming multiple retail investment funds as 'sustainable' while having material exposure to fossil fuel companies. Vox covering the upcoming elections and the climate impact following recent hurricanes. The Wall Street Journal's Samantha Pearson covering the Brazilian Amazon where new initiatives are fostering a change to replace mining, logging and deforestation to sustainable industries like bioplastics, ecotourism and fishing. Not all is bright, see the full article in the comments Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, many of the private wells in North Carolina are still unsafe while a substantial percentage of the residents are dependent on it. Covered by By Mira Rojanasakul and Hiroko Tabuchi for The New York Times Celebrities and vegan brands, from Stella McCartney to Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty brand and Billie Eilish's vegan Air Jordans. Are they more sustainable? what is their environmental impact? Covered by Courtney Evans for CEO Today More sustainability in Private Equity portfolios: '...Sustainability has become a proven lever for value creation, whether through reduced operating costs, lower risks, or green-related revenue opportunities. That’s why many PE firms are stepping up, driving tangible improvements in sustainability across their portfolios. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) #amazonforest #privateequity #veganbrands #ecobeauty #hurricanehelene #hurricanemilton #privatewells #elections #greenwash #sustainabilitynews

What does Ontario province have against bike lanes in Toronto? Recent legislation suggestion in Ontario province of Canada led by Premier Doug Ford suggests to put on hold any new bike lanes, review existing ones and even remove specific ones from several streets of Toronto. While the legislation is receiving support by some business owners, Toronto's mayor, Olivia Chow, is continuing her plans for future cycling lanes in the city. While Premiere Ford is quoted saying to Global News that bike lane reversals is a “popular” measure, here are 5 cities we suggest Premier Ford visit and probably won't be stuck in that much traffic: 🇩🇰 Copenhagen, Denmark - With 41% of commutes being done by bike, the city saves up to $2.17M daily(!!!) in economic benefits from reduced traffic congestion 🇳🇱 Amsterdam, Netherlands - The city probably most known for being bike friendly and some really good fries. City locals ride about 2 million km every day according the city council, with about 58% of residents who cycle daily. 🇨🇦 Montréal, Canada - A city the Premier might be familiar with. has over a 1000km of bike lanes going through the city. 600,000 people cycled as a primary form of transportation, leading to significant environmental and health benefits. 🇳🇴 Oslo, Norway - Since 2015 implemented new bike lanes, removed parking spaces equivalent to 4,250 cars removed from the city streets, placed 500 speed humps, and lowered speed limits which led to zero or colse to non pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. 🇫🇷 Paris, France - Anyone visiting the city in recent years has probably seen the change. With over 1000km of bike lanes in the city, over 15% of city journeys are now made on bikes, leading to reductions in CO2 emissions and traffic congestion. While it's true that not everyone can cycle, visit any of the cities above and see how infrastructure, priority for bike lanes, not only makes it accessible for almost everyone, but saves traffic time, CO2 and benefits local businesses. See article for Global News by Colin D'Mello and Isaac Callan in the comments Doug Ford City of Toronto #Ontarioprovince #Paris #Amsterdam #Oslo #Copenhagen #Montréal #CO2 #carbonfootprint #Canada #bikelane #sustainble #commute #trafficjams Just to be clear and remove any doubt, The Sustainable Digest is a big fan of the Canadian outdoors, hockey, the wonderful people and Original Canadian maple syrup! Image credit for video - Danique Veldhuis

Following recent Florida Hurricanes Helene and Milton, let's understand better climate risk mitigation. Starting at the top, let's explain what climate risk mitigation is: Climate risk mitigation refers to measures made to reduce the risks posed by recent climate change, such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and regulatory changes. It involves assessing and managing these risks to protect businesses, infrastructure, and communities. This practice involves data research, analysis and forecasts needed for climate-ready designs, insurance and financial infrastructures. Making organizations, communities and people ready and resilient to climate change impacts. Here are a few examples of companies from around the globe, at the core of climate mitigation: NZero, US - Real-time carbon management and accounting platform. Climeworks, Switzerland - Removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for businesses through Direct Air Capture. Orbio Earth (YC S23), Germany - Methane intelligence platform targeting the energy sector. Aclima, Inc., US - Air quality monitoring for climate risk management. Preoptima , UK - Tools for low-carbon building design. Impossible Foods, US - A range of plant based alternative meat company part of a growing demand for meat alternatives with a lower carbon footprint Apeel Sciences, US - Extends the shelf life of fruits and vegetables with edible coatings to reduce organic wastes. Pachama, US - AI-based platform for carbon credits from forest projects. #climaterisk #climateriskmitigation #ESG #carbonfootprint #energy #emissions Video based on photo by Mariano Carpentier

Lazy weekend reading, Oct. 13th. Here are a few stories that grabbed our attention during the week, If you feel like reading more, you can find links to all the stories in the comments. Have a sustainable week! Post Hurricane and politics alert! POLITICO:'Two major hurricanes hitting the same region of the country just weeks apart are not moving the needle for most congressional Republicans when it comes to endorsing tougher action against climate change.' Is sustainability becoming a reality (show)? Solitaire Townsend for Forbes covering the shift in Reality TV and how environmental awareness is reaching millions of viewers:'... 28,424 climate mentions in unscripted TV during the six-month period from September 2022 to February 2023 - collectively viewed 7.3 billion times.' ESG red alert! bp dilutes net zero targets as global retreat from green standards gathers pace( The Guardian ) Philly for sustainability! City Council to consider restoring tax incentive for sustainable businesses in City of Philadelphia L'Oréal has signed a tri-party agreement with Abolis Biotechnologies and Evonik to to develop and manufacture a new generation of biotechnology-based ingredients. The United Nations lays new policy to prevent developers of carbon credit projects from breaching human rights or causing environmental damage with their activities. Climate Home News #ESG #hurricanemilton #climateelections #plantbased #sustainablenews #sustainabledigest Photo by Ethan Hoover

Lazy weekend reading, Oct. 5th. Here are a few stories that grabbed our attention during the week, If you feel like reading more, you can find links to all the stories in the comments. Have a sustainable weekend! Hurricane Helene, elections and climate change - With over 200 casualties it is the deadliest mainland storm since 2005. The storm hit in the midst of the campaign trail raising awareness regarding climate change, the severity, growing frequency of storms recently and overall loss and damage. 💰 More on elections and $1.2 Trillion at stake, The Inflation Reduction Act(IRA) looking to boost clean energy and reducing carbon emissions, is now under the spotlight and it's future depends on the outcome of the November elections ⛰ Field Mag's A Guide to Eco-Friendly Hiking Gear and Avoiding Greenwashing. Hayley Helms helps you to identity eco-friendly hiking products for any outdoor activity. 🛒 Marketers step up! Although there is a lot going on, we expect marketers to do more regarding climate change, read more on Marketing Week Last, Massachusetts governor, Maura Healey, stepped in for 'Nibi' the beaver where it was decided she will stay at the rescue center. Massachusetts's governor commented to AP's Steve LeBlanc:'“Nibi has captured the hearts of many of our residents, mine included. We’re excited to share that we have issued a permit for Nibi to remain in Newhouse’s care...' #HurricaneHelene #climatechange #climatenews #sustainabledigest #sustainablemarketing #climateelections Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey

Climate week NYC! If you traveled to the big city and you need to get away from the talks, panels, meetings and actually see how local businesses practice sustainability in NYC, we gathered nine (out of so many to choose from!!) that are independent, local and making an impact everyday in the city. Enjoy Climate Week... and the city. Starting off with a rooftop, but a very different one, head out to Brooklyn Grange A rooftop farm and event space in Brooklyn, promoting sustainable agriculture and urban greening while supporting local farmers. Package Free focuses on reducing single-use plastics and helping customers transition to a zero-waste lifestyle. They offer a wide variety of reusable, plastic-free alternatives for everyday products like personal care items, kitchenware, and cleaning supplies with some discounts for Climate Week There is no better name for a vegan restaurant than The Butcher's Daughter, offering a plant based menu in 3 locations in NY focusing on local, organic ingredients and reducing food waste. If it's not actual food but snacks you need, try Sustainable Snacks in the Bronx. Offering plant-based, nutrient-dense snacks using whole food ingredients. They partner with ethical suppliers who follow sustainable farming practices and use more sustainable packaging for reduced waste. BEACON'S CLOSET, INC is a resale store with a few locations that promotes sustainability, encouraging the reuse of clothing. Offering second-hand, vintage, and designer fashion, reducing the demand for new clothing production and minimizing waste. Need something to read? GREENLIGHT BOOKSTORE is an independent bookstore that supports local authors, publishers and the community. Their sustainable approach includes sourcing books from eco-conscious publishers, supporting small press titles, and reducing waste in their operations. Take a local bike tour with Bike New York that promotes cycling and sustainable transportation in New York City. Offering education, tours, recycling and other bike related services. Outside NYC, Tiny Fish Printing. is a custom screen-printing company that prioritizes sustainability through the use of water-based inks, organic, fair-trade fabrics. They create custom apparel and textiles, committed to ethical labor practices and minimizing their carbon footprint by using renewable energy in their production facilities. And last, some weekend sustainable vibes at the Brooklyn Flea with local vendors selling sustainable, handmade goods and 2nd hand goods alongside local food and drinks. What is a sustainable local NYC MUST that we missed? #ClimateWeekNYC #ClimateWeek #sustainability #local #NYC #newyork #carbonfootprint #sustainablepackaging Photo by Sherzod Max

Lazy weekend catchup, Sep 21st 2024 Here are a few stories that grabbed our attention during the week, If you feel like reading more, you can find links to all the stories in the comments. This week brings you kids walking instead being driven, decarbonization shows value in millions and how climate is a factor in swing states towards the elections! Have a sustainable weekend! 🏃♀️ 4 in 10 London children started walking to school a year after the city's clean air zone went into effect. Reported by Syris Valentine for Grist ♻ Archive Unites Nearly 20 Brands for Sustainable "Second Hand September" Celebration. Among the brands you can find Dr. Martens plc, The North Face, Oscar de la Renta, SANDRO, ba&sh, maje, HOBO and Ulla Johnson 🇬🇧 Following Canada, Greenwashing: UK's CMA issues new guide for fashion brands as updated by the UKFT Association 💰 Decarbonization Efforts Bring Companies $200M in Annual Net Benefits as reported by Sustainable Brands 👩💻 Alphabet, H&M Group, Shopify, Match Group and Stripe are investing $4.5 million in nine early-stage carbon removal startups to scale their pilot and demonstration projects. Reported by Hanaa Siddiqi for Sustainable Times 🇺🇸 Elections ahead! Climate plans in Swing states: Thanks to a nearly $400 million investment from the federal government, the state(PA) is preparing a massive plan to help industrial operators upgrade to new technologies and switch to cleaner fuel sources. Covered by Alex Brown for the Alabama Reflector 🐾 And last, not sustainable but adorable. A Runaway Capybara Is Evading Capture and was living the life Outside the local Zoo until recaptured. Covered by Alexa Robles Gil for the Smithsonian Magazine Without getting into how this effects the local ecosystem, maybe it is time to rethink the Zoo concept as the Capybara did Any other sustainable news we should include for the weekend? #sustainabilitynews #sustainablemarketing #nyclimateweek #carbonfootprint #cleanairzone #londonkids #secondhandseptember #greenwashing #swingstate #climate #electionsclimate

Old coffee grounds, cream and packaging refill are the base for this skincare company. UpCircle won £250,000 of media as part of the Sky Zero Fund. The skincare company utilizes natural and sustainable ingredients such as old coffee grounds and fruit stones. In addition, customers can send back old packaging for refill and reuse. See their winning ad below. Sky #circulareconomy #sustainablemarketing #sustainablecare #skincare #reuse #refill #UKmedia #repurpose #sustainableproducts

How sustainable and ethical is your supply chain? Some fashion brands have embraced the much needed change over past decades and some, well, are still stuck in the past. Following a The Business of Fashion investigation linking Italian luxury brands to labor exploitation, we look back over the past 2 decades and see how other global fashion brands started making changes in their supply chains to more ethical and sustainable practices versus pure profitability. Patagonia, one of our favorite brands, mentioned here several times for sustainable practices. That said, the brand does have a history and their ethical and sustainable change started back to the late 90's. Following public scrutiny over labor practices in its supply chain, particularly in Asian countries like Vietnam and Indonesia led to joining the Fair Labor Association (FLA) in 1999 and implemented a Supplier Code of Conduct. Patagonia also invests in worker empowerment programs, such as providing training on workers' rights and access to grievance mechanisms. Following Patagonia, in the early 2000s marked a turning point for the fashion industry, as a series of scandals exposed the dark underbelly of global supply chains. Brands like Gap ., H&M, Nike, and Levi Strauss & Co. started to change and adopt new practices after being caught in the spotlight, facing allegations of child labor, poor working conditions, and environmental damage. German global brands, adidas and PUMA Group, followed suit in the 2000s as well. Both brands faced allegations of child labor and poor working conditions in their supply chains. In response, they joined the Fair Labor Association and implemented their own Supplier Codes of Conduct. Under Armour, The North Face, and New Balance joined the ranks of brands committed to ethical and sustainable practices in the mid-2000s. These brands faced similar challenges and took similar steps to improve their supply chains. The 2010s saw a wave of new brands entering the fashion industry, many of which were founded on principles of sustainability and ethical sourcing. These new brands created a sort of standard that was followed by brand like Columbia Sportswear Company, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger are examples of brands that have made significant strides in improving their supply chains. Despite the progress made by these brands, the fashion industry continues to face challenges. Ongoing issues such as forced labor, wage theft, and environmental pollution remain a concern. However, the growing awareness of these issues and the increasing demand for environmental transparency(ESG), ethical and sustainable fashion have driven many brands to make significant changes to their supply chains. Brands that prioritize these values are not only making a positive impact on the world but also building a strong reputation and a loyal customer base. #supplychains #fashionbrands #ethicalfashion #sustainablefashion #sustainablemarketing

Is there such a thing as sustainable tourism? Can tourists make a difference? In 2024 where tourism volume is expected to reach and may pass the levels of pre-pandemic, we are sharing how you can leave a positive impact and suggested tour agencies that are making a difference. Tourism in general, contribute to increased carbon emissions, consumption of local resources, harmful use of natural habitats and waste, a lot of waste!! Just being aware of the above can change a lot! Be mindful to travel, what you buy, where you stay, what experiences you choose to take part in and above all, minimize waste and even keep a no-waste mindset, its possible. Some tourist companies and agencies have made sustainability part of their agenda and and offer services with the environment, local culture and education at their core, we hand picked a few that stand out, see below. Intrepid Travel- Offers a range of sustainable tours and unique experiences throughout the US. G Adventures offers sustainable tours and experiences focusing on national parks and cultural immersion programs. Natural Habitat Adventures Specializes in ecotourism and offers guided tours to national parks and other natural areas. Responsible Travel creates sustainable tours and experiences focusing on responsible tourism practices and community engagement. Exodus Adventure Travels, UK-based agency, offers a range of sustainable tours and experiences throughout Europe, including hiking, biking, and cultural immersion programs. Green Tourism, This UK-based organization provides certification for sustainable tourism businesses in Europe Fairmas, French based company offers sustainable luxury travel experiences throughout Europe, focusing on ethical practices and environmental responsibility. The Green Season, Sri Lankan based company, offers sustainable nature and wildlife tours, focusing on conservation and community empowerment. Gorilla Doctors: This organization offers sustainable gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda and Uganda, supporting gorilla conservation efforts. Rainforest Expeditions- Peruvian company offers sustainable Amazon rainforest tours, focusing on conservation and community involvement. Ecoventura - Galapagos: This Ecuadorian company offers sustainable Galapagos Islands tours, prioritizing conservation and ethical practices. Do you have other companies in mind that we missed? Any tips to be more sustainable on your next vacation? Let us know! Be mindful and enjoy your next adventure! #sustainabletourism #ecotourism #rainforests #greentours #culturaltours #cultural #naturalhabitat #communitytours #sustainablemarketing #UStravel #EUtravel #Africatravel #SouthAmericaTravel