ReportWire

Tag: sustainability

  • Trend Alert: Beautiful Low-Impact Pathways – Gardenista

    [ad_1]

    We all need to get from A to B, but paving—like a lawn—is best when it’s kept proportionate. Even better is a pathway that can aid water absorption, instead of an impermeable layer that puts pressure on drains during storms. And a path that uses locally-appropriate materials will add to a garden’s sense of place. Here are some ideas for ecologically seamless pathways, courtesy of designers and horticulturalists featured in our new book, Gardenista: The Low-Impact Garden.

    Photography by Caitlin Atkinson.

    Step lightly with level changes.

    Above: A garden in Mount Washington, Los Angeles, designed by Danielle VonLehe of Terremoto.

    At this Los Angeles property designed by Terremoto, risers in gravel, rather than an engineered flight of steps, minimize visual and environmental disruption. “These are six-by-six timbers that are green pressure treated, which is usually what we use,” says Dani VonLehe of design group Terremoto. “They are rebarred straight into the ground. The treads are graded soil with gravel on top.”

    Mix it up.

    Above: Three different gradients of pink aggregate were used by Terremoto in this Los Angeles garden.

    Creeping Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point’ wanders across three gradients of gravel. This detail provides a loose yet effective definition as the pathway bleeds out to rougher ground. Here, pink is mixed with some black. A mixture keeps it more lively; a color that doesn’t relate to its surroundings can be jarring

    Shop your property.

    Above: A garden in Knox County, Maine, designed by horticulturalist James McCain.

    In this Maine cottage garden, James McCain made paths that are just wide enough for necessary landscape management. James found some of the granite slabs on the property; they are “solid and timeless,” adding to this garden’s sense of place. Relaxed level changes make navigation easier on sloping ground, while generous steps like these act as small terraces, slowing storm water as it flows downhill.

    Make it mossy.

    Above: A woodland garden in St Helens, Oregon.

    Tamara Paulat (who blogs as Chickadee Gardens) cultivates a moss path on compacted ground that is tangled with tree roots. Observing how well moss grew in patches, Tamara began to consolidate it, first scraping, and sometimes bulking up soil. Moss requires an absence of leaves and weeds, which for Tamara is easily done with a few minutes each week on a battery-operated leaf blower (the only reason to use one).

    Choose ground cover over grout.

    Above: Detail from the parking area of a property in Pasadena, designed by Terremoto.

    A relaxed hardscaping mosaic of irregular pavers and gravel around the edges of a parking court is home to self-seeders that are easily thinned. Wild European thyme (Thymus serpyllum) thrives along hot rock edges, with daisy-like Erigeron karvinskianus, ambitious lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina) and Gaura lindheimeri.

    Upcycle dead trees.

    Above: Edwina von Gal’s pathway made of sliced tree trunks, in East Hampton, New York.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Carbon Capture Pipelines Have Struggled to Advance. A Project in Nebraska Found Success

    [ad_1]

    BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A multi-state carbon capture pipeline began operating in September, reducing emissions from Midwest ethanol plants and carrying that carbon dioxide gas to be forever buried underground in Wyoming — an achievement after years of complaints, lawsuits and legislation blocked similar efforts by other companies.

    Other projects prompted intense opposition, including one that has run up $1 billion in spending with no guarantee of success, but the Tallgrass Trailblazer Pipeline is being praised. The reason: community negotiations and financial support.

    “I wish all energy companies would treat communities with a lot more respect like Tallgrass did,” said Jane Kleeb, whose group Bold Nebraska has fought other carbon capture and oil pipelines.

    The Tallgrass pipeline has started moving emissions from 11 ethanol plants in Nebraska and one in Iowa to a site in southeast Wyoming, where the greenhouse gas will be buried 9,000 feet underground.

    The fermentation process to convert corn into fuel releases carbon dioxide. By capturing it before it’s released into the air, plants can lower their carbon intensity score, making the ethanol more attractive for refinement into so-called sustainable aviation fuel — a market some believe could climb to 50 billion gallons annually. The Midwest-based ethanol industry sees jet fuel as essential to its future, offsetting expected declines in demand for motor vehicle fuel as more drivers switch to electric vehicles.

    The federal government encourages carbon capture through lucrative tax credits to pipeline operators. The Biden administration wanted to encourage a practice that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the Trump administration has let the credits continue.

    “If an ethanol plant captures the carbon, it lowers their carbon index and they become a low-carbon fuel, and there’s a premium for that,” said Tom Buis, CEO of the American Carbon Alliance, a trade group. “And they can also produce sustainable aviation fuel out of it. Sustainable aviation fuel is a huge, gigantic market just waiting for someone to step forward and take it.”


    Routing a pipeline isn’t easy

    At least three other companies have proposed carbon capture pipelines in the Midwest, but aside from Tallgrass, only Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions is persisting — and it hasn’t been easy.

    Despite strong support from agricultural groups and the ethanol industry, Summit has dealt with persistent opponents who don’t want their land taken for the pipeline and fear a hazardous pipe rupture. Landowners sued to block the pipeline and sought help from legislators. South Dakota’s legislature banned the use of eminent domain for such lines.

    In response Summit has asked Iowa regulators to amend its permit so the company retains an option for a route that would avoid South Dakota.

    “Our focus remains on supporting as many ethanol partners as possible and building a strong foundation that helps farmers, ethanol plants, and rural communities access the markets they’ll depend on for decades to come,” Summit said in a statement.

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency oversees a rigorous process for underground carbon dioxide injection, involving permits for construction and injection and regulations to protect underground sources of drinking water, Carbon Capture Coalition Executive Director Jessie Stolark said. Typically, porous rock formations similar to a sponge will store or trap the carbon dioxide more than a mile underground, she said.

    Tallgrass had one big advantage at the starting point — it converted an existing natural gas line. The natural gas was put on a different pipeline as Trailblazer was retrofitted. The company built branches off the 400-mile mainline to connect to ethanol plants.

    But Tallgrass also took pains to engage with communities along its route.

    The company worked with people to get its project done “instead of trying to push it down our throat,” said Lee Hogan, chairman of the Adams County commission in Nebraska, whose home is a half-mile from the pipeline.

    It helped that Tallgrass worked with Bold Nebraska, a citizens group, to create a community investment fund that will make annual payments to organizations related to early childhood development, Medicaid-eligible senior care and food pantries.

    Tallgrass will make an initial $500,000 contribution followed by annual payments based on 10 cents per metric ton of carbon dioxide sent through the pipeline. The Nebraska Community Foundation, which will manage the fund, expects more than $7 million will be given out through 2035 across 31 counties in four states.

    It’s a unique arrangement, and a possible template for future projects, said Nebraska Community Foundation leader Jeff Yost.

    “I’m just really impressed that folks that could have just approached this purely as opponents have come together to find a really productive middle ground,” Yost said.

    Tallgrass spokesman Steven Davidson said the investment fund is just one piece of the company’s agreement with Bold, which he said emphasizes being cooperative and transparent, such as when surveying land and valuing easements.

    While lauding Tallgrass’ cooperative approach, Jack Andreasen Cavanaugh, who studies energy policy at Columbia University, said it may be hard to replicate the experience since few if any natural gas pipelines will be available for retrofitting, given increases in supply and demand for natural gas domestically and abroad. Tallgrass’ line crosses his family’s land in Nebraska.

    Still, companies can do better to engage and negotiate with communities, and that includes spending money, he said.

    Kyle Quackenbush, a Tallgrass vice president, said his advice to other pipeline companies is to listen.

    “I think the biggest advice we would have for people is to take those concerns seriously,” he said, “and figure out what it takes to be able to help people get comfortable and understand that this infrastructure is a benefit for their community and not something that they need to be afraid of.”

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    Photos You Should See – Oct. 2025

    [ad_2]

    Associated Press

    Source link

  • 3 Critical Steps Companies Like LEGO Take to Manage Change

    [ad_1]

    As I’ve written, you can’t just force sustainability. It is, after all, a big change.

    But it’s possible to make your business more sustainable with the right approach. Companies like Lego, Patagonia, and Unilever, have managed to successfully integrate sustainability into their businesses, and by studying their strategies, it’s possible to identify three key elements to a successful sustainability implementation.

    You’ll need a clear purpose that inspires action, incentives that reinforce values, and governance that ensures consistency over time. 

    Align With Your Purpose

    Policies and commitments gain meaning when they are paired with purpose. Purpose gives direction and meaning to collective work. And so driving real change in an organization means creating a shared mindset rooted in the company’s values, mission, and purpose.

    Bringing purpose into change management demands coherence between what the company communicates and what it actually does.

    Strategic choices, innovation processes, and relationships with stakeholders should align with the impact the organization seeks to generate. This alignment strengthens credibility, guides decision making and helps every team understand how their efforts contribute to broader impact. 

    Patagonia illustrates how purpose can shape practice. In 2022, the company transferred its ownership to two entities created to channel all profits toward environmental conservation. It also offers the Environmental Internship program, allowing employees to work with environmental organizations while maintaining their salary. These initiatives show how purpose can guide decisions, motivate participation, and nurture a culture grounded in impact. 

    Align Incentives With Purpose 

    Incentives reveal what truly matters to an organization. A shared purpose and belief is the foundation of change. But belief doesn’t define behavior. What gets measured and rewarded defines behavior.

    Integrating environmental and social criteria into performance and compensation systems helps create a culture where sustainability is managed with rigor and consistency. When sustainable results are part of performance evaluation, teams understand that their choices have tangible consequences.

    This approach encourages shared accountability, promotes collaboration, and strengthens the link between collective goals and individual contributions. It also ensures sustainability remains central to business priorities rather than confined to specialized departments. 

    LEGO advanced in this direction by introducing a carbon indicator tied to annual bonuses for salaried employees. This integration embeds emissions reduction into personal objectives and sends a clear signal: improving environmental performance contributes directly to the company’s success. Such measures turn sustainability into a visible, measurable, and motivating commitment. 

    Maintain Accountability With Governance 

    While incentives and purpose drive behavioral change, governance provides the third key ingredient: structure.

    Governance means defining responsibilities, setting oversight mechanisms, and integrating sustainability in decision-making beyond leadership cycles. Incorporating sustainability into governance strengthens alignment between business goals and the actions needed to achieve them. 

    A solid framework enhances coordination, facilitates progress tracking, and promotes accountability. It also positions sustainability as a strategic dimension of the business, integrated into long-term planning, risk management, and talent development. 

    Unilever exemplifies this approach. The company embeds sustainability into decision-making through dedicated committees and regular performance reviews. It also relies on an independent advisory council that brings external perspectives and ensures transparency. This model allows environmental and social objectives to be managed with the same rigor as financial results. 

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

    [ad_2]

    Antonio Vizcaya

    Source link

  • October Global Regulatory Brief: Green finance | Insights | Bloomberg Professional Services

    [ad_1]

    Key takeaways

    • MEPs propose that only companies with more than 1,000 employees and over €450 million in annual turnover be required to undertake sustainability reporting. 
    • Firms falling outside the scope would report Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and EU Taxonomy data on a voluntary basis following Commission guidance. Large companies would be prohibited from demanding sustainability data beyond these voluntary standards from smaller partners.
    • Sector-specific reporting would become voluntary and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) would focus on quantitative disclosures to ease cost and compliance burdens.
    • The Commission would establish a free online portal with templates, guidelines, and reporting information to complement the European Single Access Point.
    • Obligations under the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) would apply only to EU firms with over 5,000 employees and €1.5 billion in turnover, or foreign companies meeting the same EU turnover threshold. 
    • Companies would face national, rather than EU-level, liability for due diligence breaches, with fines capped at 5% of global turnover.
    • Large firms would still be required to prepare a transition plan aligned with the Paris Agreement.

    Next Steps

    The European Parliament is due to adopt the position in a plenary sitting next week, after which interinstitutional negotiations with the EU Member States (Council) and Commission are expected to begin in late October or November to finalise the legislative text under the Omnibus package.

    MAS appoints new Chief Sustainability Officer

    The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has appointed Ms. Abigail Ng as its new Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), effective October 6, 2025. Ms. Ng, currently the Department Head of the Markets Policy & Consumer Department, will take over from Ms. Gillian Tan, who had concurrently held the CSO role with her duties as Assistant Managing Director (Development & International) since October 2022. This transition marks the move to a dedicated CSO role as MAS’s sustainability agenda enters a more mature phase.

    Key takeaways

    • The leadership change reflects MAS’s decision to dedicate the CSO role as its Sustainability Group (SG) agenda matures. The outgoing CSO, Ms. Gillian Tan, will focus on her position as Group Head of the Development & International Group.
    • Under Ms. Tan’s three-year tenure, the Sustainability Group spearheaded several significant initiatives to advance sustainable finance in Asia, including:
    • Finance for Net Zero Action Plan: A strategy aimed at mobilizing financing to support Asia’s shift to a low-carbon economy.
    • Singapore-Asia Taxonomy: An effort to establish consistent and clear standards for sustainable financing.
    • Key Transition and Blended Finance Initiatives: The launch of the Transition Credits Coalition (TRACTION) and the Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P) to accelerate the energy transition.
    • Talent Development: The Sustainable Finance Jobs Transformation Map to boost skills and competencies within the sector.
    • The incoming CSO, Ms. Abigail Ng, is expected to leverage her extensive background in sustainability issues, including her experience in formulating sustainability disclosure policies and collaborating with international and diverse stakeholders, to lead the Sustainability Group in its next phase.

    Next steps

    Looking ahead, there would likely be continued focus on MAS’ key efforts like the Singapore-Asia Taxonomy and blended finance platforms (TRACTION, FAST-P). Given Ms. Ng’s expertise in policy, her tenure may also bring greater focus to sustainability disclosure requirements. This dedicated leadership structure reinforces the MAS’s commitment to advancing Singapore’s role as a key regional hub for sustainable finance.

    Switzerland to align due diligence law with EU CSDDD

    The Swiss Federal Council has announced plans to introduce a corporate due diligence law aligned with the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). A draft legislative proposal is expected by March 2026 based on the EU’s final framework following adoption of the first Omnibus package.

    Context

    The initiative follows renewed political momentum in Switzerland, spurred by a popular initiative launched in summer 2025 with support from over 280,000 citizens and a broad civil society coalition. 

    Key takeaways

    • Swiss government will design its due diligence law in line with the EU’s CSDDD framework.
    • Announcement responds to strong domestic political and civil society pressure.
    • Signals convergence of Swiss and EU approaches to sustainability and responsible business conduct.
    • Companies headquartered or operating in Switzerland should anticipate tighter requirements on human rights and environmental due diligence, particularly for multinationals with cross-border operations.

    Next steps

    • Draft legislation to be presented by March 2026.
    • Text will be coordinated with the EU’s final CSDDD as amended under the Omnibus simplification package.

    FCA publishes letter on sustainability-linked loans market

    The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a letter highlighting progress in the overall functioning of the sustainability-linked loans (SLLs) market since its last review in 2023. The letter highlights the importance of robust internal controls, governance frameworks, and transparency in SLL arrangements. 

    Key takeaways

    Overall, the FCA recognises that – despite headwinds – the SLL market has matured, with firms adopting better practices and stronger product structures. Specifically, the FCA noted: 

    • Improvements in the quality of SLL structuring, including more robust KPIs and stronger governance processes; 
    • Post-transaction monitoring could be a tool to inform self-assessments of existing approaches to SLL provision and help ensure internal frameworks evolve to account for best practice; 
    • Regulated firms should remain alert to risks of misleading disclosures and ensure sustainability claims are accurate and appropriately communicated. 

    Next steps: Firms should continue to review their internal systems and governance arrangements for SLLs in light of the FCA’s observations. The FCA will continue to work closely with the UK’s Transition Finance Council as it drives forward the UK Government’s recommendations to promote a credible transition finance ecosystem.

    [ad_2]

    Bloomberg

    Source link

  • Tokyo auto show highlights technology but Trump’s tariffs loom large

    [ad_1]

    TOKYO — The Tokyo Mobility Show is highlighting more than just cars or the types of fuel they use from electric to hydrogen, but also various kinds of futuristic transport.

    Think scuttling robotic chairs, like the Uni-One from Honda Motor Co. The Tokyo-based maker of the Accord sedan says it is all about personal mobility as a mode for quick transport by 2035. Just sit on the boxlike machine as it zips around quietly.

    Toyota Motor Corp. showed a helicopter-like aircraft with six propellers, which was still in development in cooperation with U.S. aviation company Joby.

    Such gadgetry, as well as more regular vehicles, are on display at the show, which runs through Nov. 9 at Tokyo Big Sight exhibition space. It was previewed to media Wednesday, ahead of its opening to the public Thursday.

    Looming in the backdrop of the fanfare is the threat of auto tariffs under U.S. President Donald Trump, raised to 15% from 2.5%, although an improvement from the 25% he slapped on initially.

    Trump’s tariffs are expected to erase more than 2 trillion yen ($13 billion) off automakers’ annual operating profits, according to calculations from recent earnings.

    Masahiro Moro, chief executive of Mazda Motor Corp., among the worst hit of the Japanese automakers, said his engineers were developing cars that understood drivers’ emotions, as well as those that contribute to sustainability by reducing carbon emissions the more you drove.

    “We believe the joy of driving has the power to shape the future,” he told reporters.

    Nissan Motor Corp. showed a prototype, or experimental model, of its Sakura electric car, fitted with a solar-system roof that slides out at the top, called “Ao-Solar Extender,” to generate power while the car is parked. The word “ao” means “blue” in Japanese.

    Nissan said the model’s message is about adding value to one’s life, as the generated power can be used for other gadgets around the house as well as work as power stations during disasters. The concept car targets environmentally conscious moms, according to Nissan.

    “Japan is at the center of what we do because we are a Japanese company,” Nissan Chief Ivan Espinosa said on the sidelines of the show.

    While in town earlier this week for talks with new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump also met with the heads of Japan’s businesses, including Espinosa. The exchange of ideas was constructive, according to Espinosa.

    Nissan, as well as Toyota, said they were considering importing their own models made in the U.S. back into Japan as a way to mitigate the trade imbalance.

    The Japanese government has promised to buy Fords and invest $550 billion in the U.S.

    Japanese automakers export more than a million autos to the U.S., while selling 4.4 million vehicles a year in Japan. Only about 16,000 American cars were sold in Japan, a tiny fraction of the Japanese auto market. Japanese cars make up about 40% of the American market, according to Cox Automotive, although much of the vehicles sold there are made at U.S. plants.

    Toyota Chief Executive Koji Sato said customers’ tastes differed by markets, and offerings must be tailored to meet various needs.

    “We want to be an important part of the American auto industry with a long-term perspective,” he told a small group of reporters.

    Toyota showed a still-developing tiny collapsible electric bicycle called Land Hopper that Japan’s top automaker suggests should get packed in the upcoming Land Cruiser FJ, the latest version of the hit recreational vehicle that had its beginnings in 1951 as the Toyota BJ.

    A flagship model, Land Cruiser sales have topped 12 million in 190 countries and regions. Targeting Japanese off-roaders, the new Land Cruiser FJ goes on sale in Japan next year — with a 2.7-liter (1-gallon) gasoline engine.

    Japanese exports to the U.S. have risen in recent months as automakers tried to beat the tariffs. The crunch is expected to hit next year.

    “Automakers will look to increase U.S. production where possible and diversify export destinations to other key markets, such as Australia and Canada,” said Darcey Bowling, auto analyst at BMI.

    “We expect that Japan’s vehicle market will face challenges due to the elevated U.S. tariffs.”

    ___

    Yuri Kageyama is on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Core Development Group Awarded EV Technology of the Year

    [ad_1]

    Mahwah, NJ-Based Clean Energy Contractor Honored for Outstanding Commercial EV Charging Infrastructure


    MAHWAH, N.J., October 24, 2025 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Core Development Group, a leader in renewable energy solutions, won the Overall Electric Vehicle Technology of the Year award in the sixth annual AutoTech Breakthrough Awards, presented by leading market intelligence organization Tech Breakthrough.

    The award recognizes Core Development Group’s exceptional commercial and fleet EV charging services, highlighting its expertise in developing EV charging infrastructure, sustainable transportation, and clean energy innovation.

    “We are honored to be recognized as an EV charging leader for 2025. With a track record of more than 15,000 successful EV fast-charging installations across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, our commercial Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services reduce carbon emissions while easing the transition to cleaner energy sources,” said Henry Cortes, Core Development Group Founder and CEO.

    “We focus on commercial EV charging, from concept through completion, and provide fleets with the optimal number of charging stations to consume the least power – resulting in the highest operational and environmental return on investment. The momentum of EV charging infrastructure across North America is undeniable, and Core Development Group is proud to help power the future of commercial electric fleets,” Cortes said.

    The AutoTech Breakthrough Awards recognize innovation and excellence in automotive technology, transportation breakthroughs, and sustainable mobility solutions. This year’s program attracted thousands of nominations from over 15 countries.

    For more information about Core Development Group, visit https://www.coredevusa.com.

    ###

    About Core Development Group

    Core Development Group is a trusted and agile independent U.S. renewable energy developer, contractor and consultant. The company helps organizations transition to clean, renewable energy and provides solar energy systems, battery storage, microgrids, and EV charging infrastructure to companies in the U.S. and abroad. Core Development Group also provides world-class engineering, design, construction, quality assurance, and construction management consulting services for renewable energy projects. Founded in 2012, Core Development Group is headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey. Learn more at coredevusa.com.

    Contact Information

    Peter Muzsi
    VP, Business Development
    pmuzsi@coredevusa.com
    201-825-2195

    Source: Core Development Group LLC

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Oklo Is Having Its Worst Week Since May 2024. What’s Ailing the Nuclear Stock.

    [ad_1]

    Oklo Stock Is Having Its Worst Week Since May 2024. What’s Burdening the Nuclear Start-Up.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • SK tes Urges IT Leaders to Treat Retired Hardware as a Data-Security Priority

    [ad_1]


    SINGAPORE, October 22, 2025 (Newswire.com)
    –
    This Cybersecurity Awareness month, SK tes, a leading provider of secure IT asset disposition (ITAD) and lifecycle services, is calling on organizations on take a closer look at one of the most overlooked cybersecurity threats: end-of-life IT equipment.

    While companies invest heavily in firewalls, endpoint protection, and threat detection, many fail to recognize the hidden risks lurking in their retired hardware. From hard drives to mobile phones, switches and routers, outdated devices often retain sensitive data that can be exploited if not properly managed.

    “Managing retired IT equipment isn’t just a logistical task, it’s a cybersecurity imperative,” says Tom Hoof, Group IT Director, “There are many examples of routers resold with corporate credentials still intact, and storage drives containing medical records end up in in second-hand markets. These are evidence of poor or missing processes and systemic risks.”

    Recent reports have highlighted worrying breaches:

    • Refurbished routers containing sensitive corporate information

    • Firewall devices leaking global configuration data

    • Hard drives with patient health information sold at public markets

    A common misconception is that factory resetting a device is a device is sufficient. It’s not. SK tes advocates for data erasure that meets recognized data destruction standards such as NIST 800-88 and the newer IEE 2883:2022, which require not just data destruction but also verification that data is irretrievable.

    SK tes warns that improper disposal of IT assets isn’t just a technical oversight, it’s a serious compliance risk. Mishandling retired devices can lead fo breaches of major global data protection regulations including GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, NIS2 and DORA. These frameworks mandate strict controls over how sensitive data is stored, accessed, and destroyed.

    When hard drives, or other equipment containing confidential information are discarded without proper sanitization, companies risk leaking personal health data, financial records or proprietary business information. The consequences can include hefty fines, legal action, and irreparable damage to brand reputation and customer trust.

    This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, SK tes urges IT leaders, compliance officers and procurement teams to ask: “Do we know where our retired assets are, how they are being managed and what’s still on them?”. Mishandling this technology, from USB drives to laptops to servers, can lead to serious consequences.

    To help organizations navigate this critical phase of the IT lifecycle SK tes is offering a free 8-point Checklist for Secure IT Asset Disposition. This practical guide outlines essential steps to ensure data is properly wiped, verified and disposed of in line with industry standards standards. Visit www.sktes.com to download the checklist.

    About SK tes:
    Since our formation in 2005, SK tes, a subsidiary of SK ecoplant, has grown to become a global leader in sustainable battery recycling and technology lifecycle services. We provide comprehensive services for battery recycling, extracting scarce materials from used batteries at purity rates high enough that they can be reused in the manufacturing supply chain.

    SK tes has over 40 owned facilities across 22 countries offering unmatched service-level consistency, consistent commercials, lower logistics costs, local compliance experts in-region, support in local time zones and languages, and a deep understanding of transboundary movement globally.

    For more information about SK tes and global capabilities, please visit our website www.sktes.com.

    Source: SK tes

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Does physical climate risk carry a financing premium? | Insights | Bloomberg Professional Services

    [ad_1]

    For this analysis we chose to retrieve data representing a company’s average asset damage rate over the 2030 time horizon considering all hazards. However, users of the data can specify exposures to specific hazards, and across any time horizon through 2050 in 5-year intervals. Descriptive analysis of these indicators reveals that across sectors, the average interquartile range (i.e. the middle 50% of companies in each sector) equates to approximately 1O points (see Figure 1 below). We therefore use +10 points as a benchmark throughout the analysis, to signify the typical spread between a more exposed and a less exposed company in the same sector.

    Why is the climate risk signal hard to detect?

    Initially, descriptive analysis of the raw firm-level data is unconvincing in supporting the hypothesis. Physical risk exposure indicators show no simple unconditional correlation with WACC, neither globally across firms, nor across country averages. Firms in some countries tend to have both high WACC and high physical risk exposure (e.g. Brazil), but the relationship is noisy and inconsistent, as you can see in Figure 2. This warranted further investigation through regression analysis to control for region, sector and firm-size which can all influence
    financing costs alongside physical climate risk exposure.

    Median Physical Risk Exposure and WACC of Firms Per Country of Risk

    Evidence of a physical risk premium

    We estimate a cross-sectional ordinary least squares regression of WACC on physical risk exposure, controlling for economic sector, region, and size. This was carried out to test whether markets globally price physical risk exposure after accounting for structural factors. The model provides evidence that physical risk exposure is associated with a positive change in WACC, specifically +22bps per +10 climate risk points. It is statistically significant (p-value <.001) and consistently positive across the 95% confidence interval (12-31 bps).

    When country fixed effects are added the link becomes less conclusive, which likely reflects that much of the variation in WACC occurs between countries, and that limited within-country variation in physical risk makes it harder to detect. This does not overturn the global finding, but suggests the pricing operates more across countries and regions than strictly within them.

    It’s also important to note that the effect does not map neatly onto country averages. As shown previously (Figure 2), there is no apparent correlation between the median physical risk exposure and median WACC by country. Together these results imply that markets may be pricing physical risk into financing costs, but that they’re not simply applying a straightforward ‘country risk premium’ to firm-level WACC. Instead, the pricing signal appears across the global universe of firms rather than a simple country-average effect.

    What are the hotspots for climate risk and financing costs?

    We then looked to understand if physical risk is priced more strongly in some regions and sectors than in others. This was done by producing models with interaction terms as well as fitting a series of subsample models, specific to regions and sectors, to test them explicitly. Indeed, it was revealed that the effect of physical risk on WACC for companies was more pronounced and more reliable in certain cases.

    When studying sectors, companies in Materials and Utilities had the most robust results, experiencing on average +56bps and +45bps WACC per +10 point increase in physical risk (see Figure 3 below). Similarly, firms in Communications experience +62bps, but the finding is less conclusive. All other sectors had coefficients lower than the global effect. This finding is quite theoretically consistent, suggesting that capital markets are attuned to the fact that asset-intensive sectors with typically higher PPE (Property, Plant & Equipment) values are more exposed to the physical impacts of climate change, and are actively factoring this into risk premia.

    Effect of Physical Risk Exposure on Firm WACC by Sector

    Regionally, the results suggest that higher physical risk (+10) is associated with higher WACC in the predominantly emerging market regions of Latin America (+94bps) and Asia (+25bps), while controlling for sectoral differences (see Figure 4 below).

    Effect of Physical Risk Exposure on Firm WACC by Region

    What physical climate risk premiums mean for investors

    Capital markets appear to be pricing physical climate risk exposure into the cost of capital for firms. Overall firms with higher physical risk exposure (+1 O} face a +22bps premium in WACC, even after controlling for sector, region and size. The effect is not visible in the raw data or country aggregates, yet it appears markets are pricing this in subtly across the global cross section of firms. Furthermore, the effect is heterogeneous thus far, with the premium found to be more strongly evident and pronounced in infrastructure-heavy sectors (Materials, Utilities), as well as some emerging-market regions (Latin America, Asia). This aligns with theoretical expectations, with the evidence pointing to investors penalizing sectors and geographies generally perceived to be more highly exposed to physical disruptions.

    Future research should aim to further test the explanatory power of physical risk exposure for financing costs alongside additional macro-economic controls and credit ratings, as well as determining whether markets are pricing exposure to certain climate hazards more strongly than others.

    A broader takeaway for investors is that a financial premium is potentially already being attached to physical risk exposure. Investors should look to fully integrate physical risk factors into valuations, discounted cash flow models, asset allocations and wider investment processes to maintain risk-adjusted returns as markets increasingly wake up to the realities of climate change. Corporates on the other hand should note that by demonstrating resilience to physical risk – through disclosure of climate risk assessments and clear adaptation plans they may be able to lower their financing costs moving forward.

    To learn more about Bloomberg’s Sustainable finance solutions: click here

    [ad_2]

    Bloomberg

    Source link

  • UN agency says C02 levels hit record high last year, causing more extreme weather

    [ad_1]

    GENEVA — GENEVA (AP) — Heat-trapping carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere jumped by the highest amount on record last year, soaring to a level not seen in human civilization and “turbo-charging” the Earth’s climate and causing more extreme weather, the United Nations weather agency said Wednesday.

    The World Meteorological Organization said in its latest bulletin on greenhouse gases, an annual study released ahead of the U.N.’s annual climate conference, that C02 growth rates have now tripled since the 1960s, and reached levels not seen in at least 800,000 years.

    Emissions from burning coal, oil and gas, alongside more wildfires, have helped fan a “vicious climate cycle,” and people and industries continue to spew heat-trapping gases while the planet’s oceans and forests lose their ability to absorb them, the WMO report said.

    The Geneva-based agency said the increase in the global average concentration of carbon dioxide from 2023 to 2024 amounted to the highest annual level of any one-year span since measurements began in 1957. Growth rates of CO2 have accelerated from an annual average increase of 2.4 parts per million per year in the decade from 2011 to 2020, to 3.5 ppm from 2023 to 2024, WMO said.

    “The heat trapped by CO2 and other greenhouse gases is turbo-charging our climate and leading to more extreme weather,” said WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett in a statement. “Reducing emissions is therefore essential not just for our climate but also for our economic security and community well-being.”

    Climate Analytics CEO Bill Hare called the new data “alarming and worrying.”

    Even though fossil fuel emissions were “relatively flat” last year, he said, the report appeared to show an accelerating increase of CO2 in the atmosphere, “signaling a positive feedback from burning forests and warming oceans driven by record global temperatures.”

    “Let there be no mistake, this is a very clear warning sign that the world is heading into an extremely dangerous state — and this is driven by the continued expansion of fossil fuel development, globally,” Hare said. “I’m beginning to feel that this points to a slow-moving climate catastrophe unfolding in front of us.”

    WMO called on policymakers to take more steps to help reduce emissions.

    While several governments have been pushing for further use of hydrocarbons like coal, oil and gas for energy production, some businesses and local governments have been mobilizing to fight global warming.

    Still, Hare said very few countries have made new climate commitments to come “anywhere near dealing with the gravity of the climate crisis.”

    The increase in 2024 is setting the planet on track for more long-term temperature increase, WMO said. It noted that concentrations of methane and nitrous oxide — other greenhouse gases caused by human activity — have also hit record levels.

    The report was bound to raise new doubts on the world’s ability to hit the goal laid out in the 2015 Paris climate accord of keeping the global average temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times.

    United Nations climate chief, Simon Stiell, has said the Earth is now on track for 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 Fahrenheit).

    Meanwhile, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s global data for this year through June reveals that carbon dioxide rates are still rising at one of the highest rates on record, yet not quite as high as from 2023 to 2024.

    The agency’s monthly data for the long-running Hawaii monitoring location for 2025 through August also showed CO2 rates are still increasing, but not as much as between 2023-2024.

    ___

    The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Ferrari reveals features of first fully electric vehicle

    [ad_1]

    MILAN — MILAN (AP) — Italian luxury sports carmaker Ferrari raised its 2025 guidance on Thursday, despite global 15% tariffs on foreign car imports to the United States, as the company unveiled the new powertrain and chassis of its first fully electric production vehicle.

    Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna declined to give target production numbers or a price for the Ferrari Elettrica, which will be delivered beginning late next year, with the design to be revealed in the spring.

    Under the carmaker’s new five-year plan, 40% of the product lineup will be the brand’s core internal combustion engines, 40% will be hybrid and 20% will be electric by 2030, with an average of four new launches a year in the period. The new business plan calls for more models with lower volumes of each.

    The fully electric vehicle Ferrari Elettrica represents a new segment that Vigna said would bring new buyers to Ferrari. It builds on 15 years of electrification research at Ferrari, starting with Formula 1 technology that was first incorporated into the limited edition La Ferrari hybrid supercar that debuted in 2013.

    To maintain the sports car feel and emotions integral to the Ferrari experience, the Elettrica will capture powertrain vibration through accelerometers on the rear axle that will be amplified to create a sports car roar. Drivers also can select five power levels using steering panels to create the sensation of continuous acceleration.

    Ferrari also is manufacturing most critical components internally, including the battery system and software. The chassis and body shell will be made out of 75% recycled aluminum, saving 6.7 tons of carbon dioxide per vehicle.

    In raising its forecast, Ferrari said that revenues this year would top 7.1 billion euros ($8.2 billion), up from more than 7 billion euros in the previous guideline. Ferrari also targets earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of 2.7 billion euros with a margin of more than 38.3%.

    Presenting its five-year plan, the Formula 1 racing team and sports carmaker that has expanded into luxury goods is projecting net revenues of 9 billion euros by 2030 with and EBITDA of at least 3.6 billion euros on 40% margins.

    Chief Financial Officer Antonio Picca Piccon said that the confirmation of 15% tariffs on European car imports to the U.S. removed “an important element of uncertainty.” The targets were raised based on solid business performance and increased revenues from the sports car business.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Ferrari reveals features of first fully electric vehicle

    [ad_1]

    MILAN — MILAN (AP) — Italian luxury sports carmaker Ferrari raised its 2025 guidance on Thursday, despite global 15% tariffs on foreign car imports to the United States, as the company unveiled the new powertrain and chassis of its first fully electric production vehicle.

    Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna declined to give target production numbers or a price for the Ferrari Elettrica, which will be delivered beginning late next year, with the design to be revealed in the spring.

    Under the carmaker’s new five-year plan, 40% of the product lineup will be the brand’s core internal combustion engines, 40% will be hybrid and 20% will be electric by 2030, with an average of four new launches a year in the period. The new business plan calls for more models with lower volumes of each.

    The fully electric vehicle Ferrari Elettrica represents a new segment that Vigna said would bring new buyers to Ferrari. It builds on 15 years of electrification research at Ferrari, starting with Formula 1 technology that was first incorporated into the limited edition La Ferrari hybrid supercar that debuted in 2013.

    To maintain the sports car feel and emotions integral to the Ferrari experience, the Elettrica will capture powertrain vibration through accelerometers on the rear axle that will be amplified to create a sports car roar. Drivers also can select five power levels using steering panels to create the sensation of continuous acceleration.

    Ferrari also is manufacturing most critical components internally, including the battery system and software. The chassis and body shell will be made out of 75% recycled aluminum, saving 6.7 tons of carbon dioxide per vehicle.

    In raising its forecast, Ferrari said that revenues this year would top 7.1 billion euros ($8.2 billion), up from more than 7 billion euros in the previous guideline. Ferrari also targets earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of 2.7 billion euros with a margin of more than 38.3%.

    Presenting its five-year plan, the Formula 1 racing team and sports carmaker that has expanded into luxury goods is projecting net revenues of 9 billion euros by 2030 with and EBITDA of at least 3.6 billion euros on 40% margins.

    Chief Financial Officer Antonio Picca Piccon said that the confirmation of 15% tariffs on European car imports to the U.S. removed “an important element of uncertainty.” The targets were raised based on solid business performance and increased revenues from the sports car business.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Why Prioritizing Sustainability Can Help Your Retail Business Grow

    [ad_1]

    In today’s retail environment, achieving success often depends on more than just your products. While many brands continue trying to stand out through pricing or other initiatives, others are finding that sustainability is one of the best ways to ensure retail success.

    With the right implementation, sustainability efforts can have an impactful and far-reaching outcome on your retail sales and overall growth.

    Customers want sustainability

    Perhaps the most important reason why retail success and sustainability now go hand in hand is because today’s customers—myself included—want sustainable products. A joint study by NielsenIQ and McKinsey found that 78 percent of customers say a sustainable lifestyle is important. 

    More notably, their research into over 600,000 product SKUs found that when products made sustainability-related claims, they experienced 28 percent cumulative growth during a five-year period. However, products that didn’t make sustainability claims saw 20 percent cumulative growth.

    Growth isn’t just from products customers choose to purchase—but how much they will spend. In 2024, PwC found that customers were willing to pay an average of 9.7 percent more for sustainable products—even with the rampant concerns about inflation.

    When I shop brands, I want to support those who prioritize sustainability and am willing to pay more for it. Many customers today demonstrate this mindset when choosing products, making sustainability poised to become even more important for brands.

    Sustainability initiatives enhance operational efficiency

    Sustainable practices can also improve your operational efficiency in a way that reduces expenses and boosts your bottom line. A report from the SEAD and International Energy Agency highlighted that over 40 percent of global electricity consumption results from industrial motor systems, air conditioners, refrigerators and lighting systems. However, the energy-efficient products that are available could reduce total energy consumption in each of these categories by 50 percent. 

    In my workplace, I try to find ways to integrate sustainability into everyday technology that we already use. One example would be our smart thermostats, which save on energy consumption by automatically adjusting the temperature according to the weather and turn off when people aren’t in the office. Drastic reductions in electricity use are just one of many ways to increase your bottom line.

    Retail brands can also make impacts when managing unsold goods or products returned by customers. For e-commerce retailers, the percentage of returned goods can exceed 30 percent, and much of that ends up in landfills.

    For example, in a case study by CheckSammy, the Yellowstone National Park Lodges were able to recycle over 25,000 pounds of retired textiles in 2024, contributing to 20 metric tons of CO2 savings. CheckSammy used its Zero Point facilities to receive, sort and separate product returns into the appropriate recycling stream. Such facilities offer retailers and others the ability to aggregate and store materials to the point that they enable economies of scale, lowering the relative costs of diverting those materials away from landfills.  

    Organizations that use these Zero Point facilities to manage excess inventories and returned goods can lower their waste costs, monetize recyclable materials and use the accompanying reporting to track their diversion efforts and share progress with stakeholders. 

    To achieve the maximum impact in this area, brands must consider their Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Research by McKinsey found that indirect (and often partner-related) Scope 3 emissions account for about 90 percent of a company’s combined emissions. Because of this, retail brands must also collaborate closely with their suppliers and other partners. Examining your direct emissions and developing a strategy to reduce them is relatively straightforward. 

    Whether it’s changing how you and your suppliers operate or switching suppliers altogether, both can create new opportunities to improve your profit margins.

    Sustainability strengthens your marketing

    The full potential of your sustainability efforts will only be unlocked when you use them to differentiate your brand. Improving sustainability can still be a net positive no matter how you do it, but integrating it into your messaging makes it far more impactful for your bottom line.

    Highlighting your sustainability through marketing, details on product packaging and other messaging will go a long way in helping you earn your target audience’s trust. A key way to strengthen sustainability messaging is to make sure your company and its products qualify for any relevant sustainability certifications. Eco-minded consumers look for these certifications as a mark that a brand is truly sustainable.

    You can also share how you work with ethical partners or use sustainable sourcing in ads and on product packaging. Your company website and social media can also be great ways to highlight efforts like switching to renewable energy or volunteering to support environmental causes. For instance, in my office, we have a wall near our office entrance that is dedicated to displaying the local charities we support as a company. This wall not only sparks great discussions with the people who stop by our office, but it also brings the much-needed awareness to local organizations in the community that they might not know about. 

    Regardless of your industry, sustainability as a core messaging element can help you differentiate yourself from competitors in your niche and attract like-minded customers and employees.

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

    [ad_2]

    John Hall

    Source link

  • AI to Consume 12 Percent of Electricity, but There Are Caveats

    [ad_1]

    A new report paints a dire picture of the future in which electricity demand is surging and the transition to clean energy is still decades away.

    The global risk management provider DNV forecasts that global emissions will reach net zero only after 2090, and anticipates a temperature increase of roughly 2.2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels by 2100, although they caution it could be higher than that. Furthermore, AI data centers are expected to consume about 12 percent of all electricity in North America as soon as 2040. 

    “A casual observer might conclude that the energy transition is stalled or in reverse. That is most definitely not the case,” the report states. “Some aspects of the transition are supercharged and progressing rapidly, while other aspects of the transition have hit turbulence and are delayed.”

    There are, however, some caveats and reasons for optimism. DNV’s report notes, for example, that as soon as about 2060, carbon dioxide emissions are expected to fall by about 63 percent, with fossil fuels all but exiting the global energy mix. It also states that upheaval in U.S. policy will likely slow the clean energy transition, but not entirely derail it, largely because of China’s leadership in technological development and renewables buildout. 

    As far as AI, the report anticipates data centers will account for an outsized chunk of electricity in North America—consuming some 16 percent overall, with that aforementioned 12 percent coming strictly from AI. Globally, however, data centers are expected to surge to consume some 5 percent of electricity by 2040 with 3 percent attributable to AI, specifically. The report, however, anticipates that initial exponential growth in power demand from AI will become linear in time, even as the “cognitive services” it provides grow exponentially. The energy efficiency of “leading [machine learning] hardware” has improved about 40 percent year-over-year, according to the report.

    During NYC Climate Week in late September, Nvidia’s head of sustainability Josh Parker joined panels to discuss AI and sustainability. On one, he argued it’s worth it to bring new energy online to fuel AI, if artificial intelligence is applied to accelerate innovation in sustainability, emissions reduction, and clean energy.

    “AI really can be—and will be if we use it properly—a fantastic solution to some of the biggest challenges that we’ve had in sustainability,” he said on a separate panel on the same subject. “AI is not only providing more performance per watt of energy, but it’s also more performance per liter of water. It’s more performance per ton of steel, more performance per chip, and across every metric you can think of.”

    [ad_2]

    Chloe Aiello

    Source link

  • The Low-Impact Garden: Fiona Brockhoff’s Nature-Based Garden on the Mornington Peninsula

    [ad_1]

    In just two weeks, Gardenista: The Low-Impact Garden lands in bookstores! We are so appreciative of all the interest the book has already generated. As a thank-you, our publisher is offering a 20-percent discount when you pre-order our book from their site (use code: GARDENISTA20) before October 14. 

    And if you need further enticement, here’s another sneak peek from the book: a tour of an inspired residential garden in Australia that takes its cues from the coastal national park right next door.

    Fiona Brockhoff grew to love the Mornington Peninsula’s wild ocean landscape as a child on vacation. When the renowned landscape designer built her family home here, the style was a nod to 1950s beach shacks—powered by solar panels and rainwater. Her garden is rooted in ecological resilience.

    Fiona’s love of native plants stems from long acquaintance, aided by her love of bush walking (or hiking) and camping. The house, named Karkalla after an indigenous coastal plant, and which she shares with her partner and extended family, sits on a strip of land that has the ocean on one side and Port Phillip Bay on the other. “It’s quite a harsh environment—it’s very windy and the soil is sandy,” explains Fiona. “The decisions we made were not just about the layout of the garden and the hard landscape elements. A lot of the plants that I chose were those I’d seen when I’d been walking in the Mornington Peninsula National Park, adjacent to our property.”

    The provenance of materials is as local as the plants: “The gravel comes from a nearby quarry, and a lot of the timbers are from a jetty that was renovated when we were building the garden.” Walls of regional limestone anchor the house and garden and are the continuing work of stonemason David Swann, Fiona’s partner, whom she met on the build.

    Fiona focuses on “appropriate planting” rather than lecturing people on the rights and wrongs of natives versus non-natives. When a client asks for bamboo and miniature maples to go in a Japanese-style garden, she asks them to go back a step and think about what it is about a Japanese garden that attracts them. Is it the simplicity and the restricted number of plants and elements in that kind of garden? If so, she suggests creating that feeling using local, indigenous plants.

    City people on the Mornington Peninsula can bring with them a Melbourne mentality, thinking that constant vigilance is required in watering and general fussing over plants. Fiona tells clients that unless they are growing vegetables, this is not necessary. “It’s more about allowing those plants to be themselves. They don’t require a lot of maintenance because they’re mainly indigenous, or they’re a good ecological fit. Yes, there’s some pruning, and the gravel needs a bit of raking, but on the whole, it’s about working with nature.”

    Photography by Caitlin Atkinson.

    Above: Sea box (Alyxia buxifolia, foreground) is found in native coastal scrub, but Fiona shapes it like ordinary boxwood. Behind the table is a clipped Melaleuca lanceolata, which in the wild would grow into a large tree. Says Fiona: “We’ve pruned boxwood, roses, and lavender. Why weren’t we pruning Australian plants?” The main barrier is perception, she suggests. “People say to me, ‘Is that really a native garden? But—it’s so beautiful.’”

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • RTD directors face barrage of opposition, set fare for Access-on-Demand

    [ad_1]

    RTD directors faced a barrage of public opposition and were locked in debate Tuesday night over how to restructure the agency’s Access-on-Demand service, which provides free rides to people with disabilities on commercial services such as Uber and Lyft.

    The directors were wrestling with a staff proposal to impose a base fare of $6.50, reduce the maximum per-ride subsidy from $25 to $20 for up to 60 rides per month, and end the 24/7 availability across the Regional Transportation District’s 2,342-mile service area. They voted 10-5 to set the base fare at $4.50, but had yet to agree on other changes at 9:30 p.m.

    For more than a year, RTD’s 15 elected directors have been unable to decide on the changes that Chief Executive and General Manager Debra Johnson recommended to make Access-on-Demand “financially viable.”

    On Tuesday night, they heard more than three hours of appeals by metro Denver residents with disabilities who urged RTD to maintain a service they described as a lifeline.

    A transit fare of $6.50 “may not sound like much to you. But it would make it so that I cannot afford to go to work,” Gabby Gonzales, who works part-time at a pizza restaurant and estimated her monthly income at about $1,100. “Please keep it as it is. Make it affordable for me.”

    [ad_2]

    Bruce Finley

    Source link

  • How to shop secondhand clothing sustainably and look cool doing it

    [ad_1]

    More online platforms are giving secondhand shopping a digital upgrade, rolling out features like livestream shopping and AI-powered search to make thrifting faster and more exciting.

    Although choosing secondhand over new is often the more sustainable option, experts say it’s not a license to overconsume. They warn that resale has its limits, since buying more than you need still fuels waste, and shopping online can add emissions from servers and shipping, thrifted or not.

    Here’s how industry experts and fashion-forward shoppers shop secondhand sustainably — and how to find quality pieces that last while looking cool, too.

    At eBay’s secondhand runway shows in New York and London, models wore pre-loved designer pieces that guests could shop live. Secondhand items like those make up 40% of the company’s sales, said Alexis Hoopes, eBay’s vice president of fashion.

    “One of our big priorities is making secondhand just as good as shopping in the primary market,” she said.

    ThredUp and The RealReal have reported record sales this year, signaling that the online resale market is growing quickly. Live-auction apps like Whatnot are giving shoppers more platforms to bid on used clothing.

    Shoppers navigating growing online options with an eye toward sustainability can still end up buying more than they need.

    “People who buy secondhand clothing were found to buy more clothing than people who don’t,” said Meital Peleg Mizrachi, a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University who researches textile waste. “Not only that, they tend to get rid of those clothes faster than other consumers. So they’re ending up creating more textile waste because they’re buying more and using that clothing for a shorter period of time.”

    Less than 20% of clothing donations to charities are resold in their stores, according to the Council for Textile Recycling. The rest is downcycled, exported — often to countries in the Global South — or ultimately discarded in landfills.

    Online resale also generates emissions from shipping and packaging, and running massive e-commerce platforms consumes energy, all factors that need to be considered, said Alana James, a fashion professor at Northumbria University. But all of that pales in comparison to the environmental impact of producing a new garment, she said.

    Experts say truly sustainable fashion requires breaking away from the fast-fashion mindset — the constant pressure to “buy now” and the manufactured sense of scarcity that fuels overconsumption.

    “Haul” culture — the social media trend of showing off massive shopping sprees — shows overconsumption in a new way, said Katrina Caspelich, communications director for Remake, an advocacy group for human rights and climate justice in fashion.

    “Responsible secondhand shopping means choosing pieces you’ll truly wear, investing in quality and resisting the pull of endless trend cycles,” she said.

    It can be difficult to determine quality when shopping online, but asking the seller about the garment’s composition can help, said Wisdom Kaye, a menswear content creator.

    Natural fabrics are a good place to start, said Caspelich.

    “Look for silk, cotton, bamboo — things that breathe and last — versus synthetics like polyester or nylon,” she said.

    Shoppers should look for items that are lined and make note of the quality of the stitching, said Julian Carter, a menswear content creator.

    Other secondhand buyers want to buy heftier clothing made before the mid-1990s, when more U.S. products were made without outsourced labor or a lot of cost-cutting, said Wesley Breed, a fashion history content creator.

    From the year to the color, shoppers sifting through hundreds of thousands of search results online should be very specific about what they want, said Aimee Kelly, a fashion content creator.

    “It helps you find the cooler pieces,” she said. “And have patience — look around, you’re gonna find it.”

    Finding the right item is only the first step — caring for it ensures it stays in circulation.

    Stuff bags to maintain their shape, keep clothing in garment bags, and use muslin bags and lavender sprays to keep out moths that eat natural fabrics like silk, wool and fur, said Liana Satenstein, host of eBay’s Endless Runway secondhand fashion show.

    People can also wear clothes more between washes, spot-clean and air-dry clothes, and learn to sew.

    “You’d be shocked how many people just toss a cardigan because a button fell off,” Caspelich said.

    Secondhand sustainability isn’t just about keeping clothes out of landfills.

    People who try to sell or give away their clothes should be mindful of where they’re going, said Mizrachi, the Yale researcher.

    “Try to give them to smaller community stores or shelters — places that you know are happy to get those clothes,” Mizrachi said.

    Zara, H&M and other brands have launched recycling programs.

    eBay recently partnered with British retailer Marks & Spencer for a take-back program that lets shoppers return items in-store to be resold on eBay.

    But the most sustainable choice is simply buying less, Mizrachi said. The only way to make fashion companies change how they do business is to make overconsumption unprofitable — which means buyers need to change their habits, she said.

    “We can’t purchase our way out of the climate crisis,” Mizrachi said.

    ___

    The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Sustainability Is Built Through Collaboration, Not Imposition 

    [ad_1]

    When we talk about sustainability in business, the focus immediately falls on emissions. Reducing environmental impact has become one of the most visible and urgent metrics on corporate agendas worldwide. The emphasis is on carbon footprints, reduction targets, and the clean technologies implemented internally. 

    And this is no coincidence. Climate change is, without doubt, one of the greatest challenges we face as humanity. It is completely redefining what it means to be competitive and resilient, forcing us to look beyond our own operations. 

    In this new context, the value chain has taken center stage. After all, this is where most of the impact occurs, from raw material extraction to final distribution. It is no surprise that supplier decarbonization is now seen as a strategic challenge. 

    A KPMG survey confirms it. Three out of ten CEOs say that the complexity of transforming their supply chains is the biggest barrier to meeting their climate commitments. 

    The problem, in my view, is not recognizing the challenge but how it is addressed.  

    Instead of seeing suppliers as allies, many companies have chosen a simpler path: imposing requirements and shifting responsibility. They demand detailed reports, require certifications, and set strict deadlines. Yet this process rarely comes with real support or shared investment. 

    A Model That Weakens the Foundation 

    This unilateral approach carries serious consequences. A recent study found that, out of more than one thousand sustainability targets across nearly 700 global companies, only 12 percent focused on the people in their value chains. Moreover, most targets still follow a top-down pressure model directed at suppliers. 

    This imbalance poses a huge risk. Most suppliers are small and medium-sized businesses that operate on tight margins. They have limited access to capital, technology, or the expertise required to implement deep changes. Facing these new demands without adequate support can push them out of the system. 

    When a critical supplier is excluded, the ripple effects reach the buying company. Supply chains are disrupted, product quality suffers, and delays can compromise climate goals. Sustainability managed under this logic may show progress, but at the cost of weakening the social foundation that holds the entire chain together.  

    It is a fragile structure that sooner or later creates vulnerabilities. 

    Rebuilding Collaboration as a Strategy 

    There are inspiring examples that show collaboration is the true driver of transformation. They remind us that progress happens when we work together. 

    Take Mars, for instance. The company did not simply ask mint farmers in India to change their practices. It worked alongside them, providing technical support and training. The result was higher incomes and productivity for farmers. This not only strengthened local communities but also improved the quality and stability of Mars’ supply chain. 

    Or look at Tony’s Chocolonely, the brand known for its ethical cocoa. Instead of keeping its model for traceability and fair pricing secret, the company shared it openly with other industry players. 

    IKEA’s initiatives also illustrate this commitment. To help suppliers transition to renewable energy, the company created a program that gave them collective access to these resources. This broke down one of the highest barriers for SMEs: high costs and the difficulty of negotiating contracts individually. 

    These examples teach us that sustainability becomes stronger when it is built hand in hand with the value chain, sharing benefits instead of shifting burdens. 

    The rush to showcase progress has led many companies to forget the importance of collaboration. The urgency of meeting indicators has been prioritized over the need to co-create solutions with suppliers and communities.  

    This is why I like to think of three guiding questions: Who is most affected by the transition? What benefits do suppliers and workers receive? Where is it best to invest to create mutual advantages? 

    Framing goals through these questions changes the dynamic entirely. They stop being perceived as demands and become shared commitments that strengthen capacities across the chain. 

    This shift not only makes it easier to achieve climate targets but also reinforces operational resilience, builds stronger trust among business partners, and opens new opportunities in markets that value corporate consistency. 

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

    [ad_2]

    Antonio Vizcaya

    Source link

  • Invasive Plants to Avoid and the Native Alternatives You Should Grow Instead

    [ad_1]

    We’ve all done it: planted something we love only to learn, sometimes years later, that it is invasive where we live. In many cases, we can be forgiven. If a nursery is selling it, the message conveyed is that all is well. There are fewer excuses now, when home research has never been easier and when awareness of invasive species has never been higher. Despite that, invasive plants are still being sold by many growers, and the desire for some of them sometimes overrides our internal ethicist. This list of 13 invasive plants includes some well known and understandably appealing garden ornamentals. Do not plant them, and do remove them if you are currently harboring plants whose spread alters and harms local ecosystems. An invasive plant does not stay home—it travels:  by roots, runner, fruit, and seed.

    But what about…?

    Above: Japanese knotweed in bloom.

    First, a disclaimer: this list of invasive plants is by no means complete and does not include plants like mugwort, Japanese knotweed, and garlic mustard, since we’re assuming (fingers crossed) that their notoriety precedes them and that they are probably not ornamentally tempting. But, by all means, add plants you feel should be addressed, in the comments.

    Butterfly Bush

    Above: Butterfly bush attracts butterflies but outcompetes native plants that feed their larvae.

    One of the most tempting invasive plants is butterfly bush. It smells delicious, is pretty, blooms repeatedly, and is irresistible to butterflies. What’s not to love? Consider, then, that invasive Buddleja davidii excels at producing tens of thousands of lightweight, easily dispersed seeds per flowerhead, outcompeting native flowering shrubs whose leaves are essential food for butterfly larvae. While the nectar of butterfly bush attracts adult butterflies, this shrub is not a host plant for their caterpillars, which cannot feed on its foliage. Bear it mind that while newer, so-called less-fertile butterfly bush cultivars exist, they still produce seed, just less of it. Avoid.

    Plant native flowering shrubs, instead. Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) is a good alternative to butterfly bush, with flowers, scent, and a lot of butterfly action in late summer.

    Japanese Honeysuckle

    Above: Japanese honeysuckle smells wonderful but smothers shrubs and trees.

    As appealing as its perfumed flowers may be, Lonicera japonica is now a serious botanical thug in wild places where it is not native. The scrambling vine uses shrubs and trees for support, creating dense, shaded thickets that alter the local ecosystem by smothering native seedlings. It is spread via its fruit, vexingly ripe during fall migration. Birds disperse the seed as they move south. Japanese honeysuckle also reproduces vegetatively, via above-ground runners and below-ground rhizomes.

    An alternative to Japanese honeysuckle is of course a native honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens (but no scent, sorry). It is very attractive to hummingbirds. For a scented alternative, try star jasmine, (Trachelospermum jasminoides) or bee-friendly yellow jessamine (Carolina jasmine—Gelsemiun sempervirens).

    Chinese and Japanese Wisteria

    Above: Chinese wisteria at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

    I admire the long panicles of Wisteria sinensis and W. floribunda dripping from pergolas in botanical gardens. And then I drive up the Palisades Parkway in New York and New Jersey and see the same vines cascading from the bent branches of oak, maple, and sycamore. It’s beautiful, but it’s deadly: the strong vines of this wisteria cut through bark and cause gradual death, by girdling. Their smothering habit also alters native forest ecologies. Wisteria spreads vegetatively, growing easily from cuttings and new shoots, and by seeds, which explode from their pods when ripe. Seeds also travel along waterways, to germinate downstream.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Seychelles president seeks a second term as people vote in African tourist haven

    [ad_1]

    VICTORIA, Seychelles — The people of Seychelles voted Saturday in an election to choose a new leader and parliament, with President Wavel Ramkalawan seeking a second term in Africa’s smallest country.

    Ramkalawan’s chief political rival, Patrick Herminie of the United Seychelles Party, is a veteran lawmaker and parliamentary speaker from 2007 to 2016.

    Polls opened at 7 a.m. in a sign of what was expected to be a strong voter turnout in the tourist haven, where the president is elected for a five-year term.

    Long lines formed at many polling stations across the country Saturday. Electoral authorities said all stations opened on time and voting was proceeding smoothly.

    Most polling stations closed after 7 p.m. local time, with counting underway. Results are expected on Sunday.

    Ramkalawan, an Anglican priest who later became involved in politics, became the first opposition leader since 1976 to defeat the governing party when he made his sixth bid for the presidency in 2020.

    The governing Linyon Demokratik Seselwa party campaigned on economic recovery, social development and environmental sustainability.

    If no contender receives more than 50% of the vote, the two top candidates go into a runoff. Just over 77,000 people are registered to vote in Seychelles.

    The 115-island archipelago in the Indian Ocean has become synonymous with luxury and environmental travel, which has bumped Seychelles to the top of the list of Africa’s richest countries by gross domestic product per capita, according to the World Bank.

    The economy also has fueled a growing middle class and opposition to the governing party.

    A week before the election, activists filed a constitutional case against the government, challenging a recent decision to issue a long-term lease for part of Assomption Island, the country’s largest, to a Qatari company for a luxury hotel development.

    The lease, which includes reconstruction of an airstrip to facilitate access for international flights, has ignited widespread criticism that the agreement favors foreign interests over Seychelles’ extended welfare and sovereignty over its land.

    With its territory spread across about 390,000 square kilometers (150,579 square miles), Seychelles is especially vulnerable to climate change, including rising sea levels, according to the World Bank and the U.N. Sustainable Development Group.

    Another concern for voters is a growing drug crisis. A 2017 U.N. report described the country as a major drug transit route. The 2023 Global Organized Crime Index said that the island nation has one of the world’s highest rates of heroin addiction.

    An estimated 6,000 people out of Seychelles’ population of 120,000 use the drug, while independent analysts say addiction rates approach 10%. Most of the country’s population lives on the island of Mahé, home to the capital, Victoria.

    Critics say Ramkalawan has largely failed to rein in the drug crisis. His rival, Herminie, also was criticized for failing to stem the addiction rates, while serving as chairman of the national Agency for the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation from 2017 until 2020.

    ___

    For more on Africa and development: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse

    [ad_2]

    Source link