Stories from Phil Covington
Corporate Responsibility
Corporations, Nonprofit Collaborate to Send Aid For the Ebola Outbreak
The West African Ebola crisis continues to gather pace. With the devastating illness proving fatal in around 55 percent of […]
August 11, 2014
Sponsored
Sustainably Attired
Fashion Futures: Resource Constraints and Sustainable Design
The fashion business is close to being a $2 trillion industry globally, and with a growing population predicted to reach […]
June 12, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Asia Pulp and Paper Plans to Restore 1 Million Hectares of Indonesian Forest
Over the last several months we have been tracking the progress of Asia Pulp and Paper’s (APP) efforts to manage […]
May 12, 2014
Technology
Abu Dhabi Launches Solar Car Challenge
This week at the Abu Dhabi Ascent climate meeting in the United Arab Emirates, renewable energy company Masdar, in partnership with the […]
May 9, 2014
Energy
Masdar Partners With Companies to Develop Energy-Efficient Desalination Pilot Project
While California is in the grip of drought after one of the driest years on record, reigniting an interest in […]
May 6, 2014
Finance
U.N. Secretary General On Climate Change: 'It’s Time to Lead'
The opening speeches at the high-level U.N. meeting on climate change at Abu Dhabi Ascent on Sunday constituted a rallying […]
May 5, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Heads Up: We'll Be At the 'Abu Dhabi Ascent' U.N. Climate Conference May 4-5
May 4-5, a special two-day, high-level United Nations meeting — “Abu Dhabi Ascent” — will convene in Abu Dhabi, United […]
May 2, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Ford's Corporate Responsibility Continues Under New Leadership
There’s apparently a saying at Ford Motor Co. that empowers development: “Great products, strong business, better world,” so says Thomas […]
April 30, 2014
Technology
U.K. Companies Share Clean Tech Expertise at Globe 2014 in Vancouver
Last week a delegation of British companies supported by U.K. Trade and Investment attended the sustainable-development advocacy conference Globe 2014, in Vancouver, British […]
April 3, 2014
Finance
Desalination is Now a Billion Dollar Industry, Report Shows
Despite some early March rain in California, and a few storm systems moving in this week, the late season moisture […]
March 31, 2014
Energy
Sustainability is Important to Most American Food Shoppers, Survey Finds
A new survey of American consumers provides some potentially surprising findings that indicate American food shoppers are very mindful about […]
March 27, 2014
Technology
Investment Fund Launches Model For Energy Efficiency Financing
According to the EPA, buildings in the U.S. account for 36 percent of total energy used in the country and […]
March 13, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Indonesia's 2nd Largest Pulp And Paper Company "APRIL" Falls Short In Forest Management Policy
At the end of January, environmental science and conservation news site Mongabay, reported that Indonesian Paper giant, Asia Pacific Resources […]
March 7, 2014
Technology
Tesla's 'Gigafactory' To Produce More Than Car Batteries
Last week, Tesla announced that it would build a new “Gigafactory” to produce lithium-ion batteries at a rate able to […]
March 4, 2014
Technology
Report: Fugitive Emissions Cancel Out Net Climate Benefit of Natural Gas
Natural gas has frequently been described as a bridge fuel to a low-carbon energy future for at least a couple […]
February 28, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Asia Pulp and Paper: One Year After the Forest-Clearing Moratorium
Last fall we reported extensively on Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) and its Forest Conservation Policy (FCP), which since February 2013 […]
February 24, 2014
Technology
Greenlots Introduces Open-Standards EV Charging
Though you’ll continue to read that electric vehicles have been slow to catch on, the fact is, they are catching […]
February 12, 2014
Finance
Electric Scooter Share Business 'Scoot,' Grows in San Francisco
Back in October 2012, we reported on a new urban mobility service operated by Scoot Networks, which at the time […]
February 7, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Ford CEO Alan Mulally Talks Straight with Bloggers at Detroit Auto Show
At the North American International Auto Show’s opening day in Detroit this week, Ford’s affable CEO and President, Alan Mulally, […]
January 16, 2014
Technology
What Does Mass Adoption of Electric Vehicles Mean for the Grid?
The adoption of plug-in vehicles, both gasoline-electric hybrids as well as full battery electric vehicles, continues to gain pace. At […]
November 27, 2013
Technology
PlugInsights Says More Fast Chargers Will Alleviate EV Range Anxiety
PlugInsights, a plug-in electric vehicle research firm, released their first report last week addressing the experiences, behaviors and opinions of […]
November 20, 2013
Corporate Responsibility
Coca-Cola Issues 2013 GRI Report
Earlier this month, Coca-Cola released their 2012/13 sustainability report, the company’s third GRI report, reporting against 35 key performance indicators […]
November 18, 2013
Corporate Responsibility
Greenpeace: Positive Progress Report On APP's Forest Conservation Policy
TriplePundit’s Phil Covington has just returned from a trip to Indonesia to look at deforestation issues and the sustainable turnaround […]
November 6, 2013
Corporate Responsibility
Interview: Asia Pulp and Paper's Aida Greenbury on APP's Forest Conservation Policy
TriplePundit’s Phil Covington has just returned from a trip to Indonesia to look at deforestation issues and the sustainable turnaround […]
October 31, 2013
Energy
Photo Essay: Helicopter Flyover of Sumatran Biosphere Reserve and APP Plantations
TriplePundit’s Phil Covington has just returned from a trip to Indonesia to look at deforestation issues and the sustainable turnaround […]
October 24, 2013
Energy
Asia Pulp and Paper's Forest Clearing Moratorium in Indonesia is Holding
TriplePundit’s Phil Covington has just returned from a trip to Indonesia to look at deforestation issues and the sustainable turn-around […]
October 16, 2013
Sponsored
The Business Of Biking
A Brief History of Cycling in Denmark & Netherlands
Back in 1900, where in the world could you expect to find bicycles making up 20 percent of the transportation […]
October 15, 2013
Sponsored
Understanding Sustainable Forestry
Deforestation and the Role of Paper Products
Read more in this series Great ideas are started on paper. The world is educated on paper. Businesses are […]
September 24, 2013
Corporate Responsibility
Australian Carbon Tax to Go – What Lessons Can Be Learned?
There are three things governments can do in order to address carbon emissions. Firstly, they can do nothing, which is […]
July 23, 2013
Finance
World's Biggest Challenge: 'Ignorance in the Face of Change' – Paul Hawken
What is the biggest challenge the world faces today? “It has never varied for thousands of years: ignorance in the […]
July 9, 2013
Building an EV Ecosystem: Why Tesla Will Likely Succeed Where Better Place Failed
When Apple launched the iPod in 2001, its sleek user interface and capacious memory revolutionized the portable music-player industry. Followers, […]
July 1, 2013
Corporate Responsibility
Strategies for Taking Control of Our Constantly Connected Lives
We’ve all heard the phrase, “there’s an app for that,” but when you consider it didn’t exist before the first […]
July 1, 2013
Corporate Responsibility
Tesla Pays Off Department of Energy Loan Nine Years Early
In another piece of good news for electric vehicle maker, Tesla Motors, the company announced on Wednesday, May 22, that […]
May 27, 2013
Technology
Electric Vehicle Charging Community Apps Recargo and Xatori Merge
A familiar refrain you’ll hear in connection with the market for electric vehicles is that its success depends not only […]
May 22, 2013
Technology
E-Bikes Continue to Expand in the U.S.
In the world of motorized transportation, the global electric bicycle business is a pretty major concern. Navigant research recently published […]
May 17, 2013
Technology
Tesla's Q1 Results Reveal First-Ever Profit – What's Behind The Numbers?
On May 8th, Tesla published its Q1 results, announcing a profitable quarter for the first time ever in the company’s […]
May 13, 2013
Corporate Responsibility
Shell Oil : Natural Gas Best Opportunity For Carbon Reduction
Earlier this week, Shell Oil Company President, Marvin Odum, was hosted by Climate One at the Commonwealth Club in San […]
May 3, 2013
Technology
Road Test: Specialized's New E-bike Will Add Fun To Your Commute
Electric bicycles tend to have a reputation in the USA for being mundane commuter mules, and while there is a […]
April 26, 2013
Energy
Despite Rising Carbon Emissions – Global Mean Temperatures Have Been Flat
A couple of weeks ago, The Economist ran a report on climate change stating that over the last 15 years, […]
April 23, 2013
Corporate Responsibility
A New Law Would Require Electric Vehicles to Make Artificial Sound
Environmental considerations aside, probably one of the most appealing things about driving an electric vehicle is that as soon as […]
April 8, 2013
Technology
Ready to Ditch Your Car? E-Bike Company EVELO Wants to Hear from You
Last year, electric bicycle company, EVELO made a two-person, 4,000 mile trans-America ride stopping in 10 metropolitan areas to help […]
March 28, 2013
Finance
Cleantech Accelerator Greenstart Evolves into Venture Company
A little over a year ago, we reported that cleantech accelerator Greenstart was distinguishing itself from other firms by specifically […]
March 27, 2013
Corporate Responsibility
Boeing, AA, FAA Collaborate on Environmental Technologies
Boeing, American Airlines and the FAA are currently working together to test a number of environmentally progressive technologies with their […]
October 11, 2012
Technology
Scoot Networks Launches Electric Scooter Rental Service in San Francisco
Cities are where almost all of our economic and cultural activity takes place today, and on an evermore crowded planet, […]
October 4, 2012
Finance
No Company Commuter Shuttle? Bay Area's RidePal Has The Answer
It’s probably pretty safe to say that nobody really likes commuting. Whether you’re sitting in traffic or dealing with public […]
September 21, 2012
Technology
Future of Electric Vehicles Remains Bright, Despite Detractors
Discussion on electric vehicles often seems to be polarized around two different worldviews. Advocates will point out they are the […]
September 13, 2012
Technology
Duo to Ride Across America By Electric Bike to Promote Awareness
Last week, a team of two cyclists, Boris Mordkovich and Anna Mostovetsky, began a two and a half month, 4,000 […]
April 17, 2012
Technology
Stronger U.S. Sales of Hybrids and Plug-in Electrics in March
March turned out to be a big month for auto sales in the United States. Reuters reported that total vehicle […]
April 12, 2012
Corporate Responsibility
Is GM Guilty of Funding Climate Change Denial?
Treehugger reports that 10,000 General Motors customers, and another 20,000 citizens have signed a petition to urge the company […]
March 15, 2012
Technology
Cleantech Accelerator Greenstart Launches Design Practice
Every successful start-up begins with a great idea. But, of course, transforming a great idea into a viable business is […]
February 15, 2012
Corporate Responsibility
China Bans its Airlines from Participating in the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme
The controversy over the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), and the inclusion of airlines into the program from the […]
February 10, 2012
Technology
Chevrolet Introduces Environmental Labeling on All Vehicles
This March, Chevrolet will start providing customers with information on a number of the environmental features of their vehicles, via […]
February 7, 2012
Corporate Responsibility
Business Coalition BICEP Endorses California's Advanced Clean Car Program
Business advocacy Coalition, BICEP (Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy) has endorsed the California Air Resources Board’s, Advanced Clean […]
February 3, 2012
Corporate Responsibility
Bicycle And Pedestrian Commuting is Up, but House Transportation Bill Eliminates Funding
The Alliance for Biking and Walking just released its 2012 Benchmarking Report which details that between 2000 to 2009, the […]
February 2, 2012
Technology
Electric Vehicle Market Forecast – 10 Year Horizon Looks Strong
“Any Motor manufacturer without a compelling line up of electric vehicles [by 2025] is signing its death warrant.” This is […]
February 1, 2012
Technology
Ford To Use Kenaf Plant Materials In New Escape
Following Ford’s recent announcement that they will use recycled plastic bottles for seat fabrics in the upcoming Focus Electric, the […]
January 31, 2012
Technology
More Fuel Efficient Cars Spell Less Money For Mass Transit
Consumer Reports characterized this year’s North American International Auto show as “the rise of the mainstream plug-in hybrid,” foretelling a […]
January 19, 2012
Finance
Electric Bicycle Trailer From Ridekick Offers a Useful Boost
Fort Collins, Colorado-based start-up, Ridekick, has a new take on the electric bicycle: they offer something that’s not a bicycle […]
January 13, 2012
Energy
Ford Upcycles 2 Million Plastic Bottles from Landfill to Seat Covers
Readers of TriplePundit don’t need reminding that the waste stream derived from buying bottled water is an environmental hazard. Less […]
January 10, 2012
Finance
Peer-to-Peer Vehicle Sharing Start-Up Launches In San Francisco
They say the best days of boat ownership are but two; the day you buy it, and the day you […]
January 6, 2012
Technology
Ford to Launch New Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
Ford is introducing a new range of electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles for 2012, which the company says […]
December 19, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
The Chevrolet Volt Fire in Perspective
It was probably only a matter of time before we saw this story: An electric vehicle’s battery pack catches fire, […]
November 30, 2011
Technology
Test Drive: Mitsubishi's New MiEV, the Most Affordable EV?
Over the past year, the success of mass market electric cars has been judged on just two products; the Nissan […]
November 10, 2011
Technology
EV Technology Company Mission Motors Powers Growth
It’s been a fantastic year for electric vehicle technology company, Mission Motors. In July this year, the company’s electric racing […]
November 8, 2011
Energy
GM Switchgrass Could Boost Future Bio-Fuel Production
Not so long ago, it seemed that biofuels were assumed to be the best means for us to wean ourselves […]
October 18, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
European Court Opinion: U.S. Airlines Must Buy Carbon Allowances
Europe’s highest court released an opinion on October 6th, finding that the proposed mandatory inclusion of non-European based airlines in […]
October 12, 2011
Technology
Chevron Makes Use Of Solar Energy to Recover Oil
When you think of solar energy, it’s likely that you imagine a clean and renewable power source; something that goes […]
October 7, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
European Airlines Add Voice to Fears Over Europe's Cap and Trade Program
The controversial European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) – a European wide cap and trade program – has sparked an ongoing […]
October 5, 2011
Technology
Lighter and More Fuel Efficient, Boeing Delivers the First 787 Dreamliner
This week, US aircraft maker Boeing celebrated the delivery of it’s first new-generation 787 Dreamliner to the Japanese carrier, All […]
September 30, 2011
Energy
Is Junk Food Really Cheaper? Maybe Sometimes
The Sunday New York Times Review section ran an interesting piece this week that posed the question, Is Junk Food […]
September 28, 2011
Technology
Ford Develops E-Bike Protoype
Earlier this year, Ford announced its ongoing commitment to vehicle electrification. The automaker will be sticking to expansions in four-wheel […]
September 27, 2011
Energy
Is the Future of Solar Technology Looking Bright? Experts Discuss
These are tough times for the solar industry. Companies such as Evergreen solar and SpectraWatt have filed for bankruptcy, while […]
September 21, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
American Green Vehicle IP Goes to China
Though we have all become accustomed to China as a major net exporter of goods to global markets in recent […]
September 16, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
Toyota Sets Electric Vehicle Lap Record at The Nürburgring
When auto makers get serious about developing a performance car, they invariably take a trip to Germany’s fabled test track, […]
September 2, 2011
Finance
Sirius XM's Customers Crowdsource Their Response to Channel Changes
There’s a disturbance among listeners of North America’s satellite radio service. Last Tuesday, without warning, monopoly satellite radio provider, Sirius […]
August 16, 2011
Energy
Ford Announces Plan to Sell Rooftop Solar Panels with Electric Vehicles
Auto companies with electric vehicle offerings are increasingly taking the opportunity to build links between their vehicles and renewable energy. […]
August 12, 2011
Technology
BBC's Top Gear Laughs at Nissan LEAF's Expense
I’m going to make an assertion here. Any car enthusiast is, by definition, a fan of the BBC show Top […]
August 9, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
Trade War Looms Over Airlines' Refusal to Comply with EU Cap-And-Trade Law
In June, I wrote about whether the US was right to seek an exemption from the European Union’s Emissions Trading […]
August 4, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
UPS Reduces Per Package Fuel Consumption
Most people probably don’t give an awful lot of thought to how the things they buy actually get to them. […]
August 2, 2011
Energy
GM Demonstrates Strong Commitment to Solar Energy
General Motors made two announcements this week, both indicating a strong commitment by the company to solar energy. On Thursday […]
July 29, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
Enterprise Holdings Rolls Out Largest Electric Vehicle Rental Fleet
Last week, the National Summit on Energy Security took place in Washington DC. Government, military and business leaders gathered to […]
July 25, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
Will Electric Cars Require We Deal With "Lithium Dictators"?
In January, I wrote a piece for Triple Pundit prompted by President Obama’s State of the Union address, in which […]
July 14, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
Supply (Not Demand) Explains Sales Differences Between LEAF and Volt
Sales figures for the Nissan LEAF and the Chevrolet Volt are being closely watched. Since both cars represent a new […]
July 12, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
Building Bicycle Infrastructure Creates Jobs, Studies Find
While the economy remains in the doldrums and job growth continues to stutter, the bicycle industry, at least, seems to […]
July 1, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
Is the US Right To Seek Airline Exemption From European Carbon Law?
Business Green reports that US Airlines, American Airlines, Continental and United, along with their trade association, the Air Transport Association […]
June 28, 2011
Finance
Let Employees "Have At It" When It Comes to Using Competitor Products
This post is part of a series on Stakeholder Engagement sponsored by Jurat Software. Intuitively, it would seem to be […]
June 24, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
Life Cycle Assessment of EVs Reveals Startling Results
A number of articles published this week paint a negative picture of electric cars based on a British study published […]
June 22, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
Virgin America Reaches 15% Fuel Efficiency Gains
Virgin America announced this week that it has chosen CFM International’s efficient new LEAP turbofan engine for 30 new Airbus […]
June 17, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
GM Boss Wants Gasoline Tax Hike – Is This Good Policy To Meet Fuel Efficiency Goals?
The Detroit News reported last week that General Motors CEO, Dan Akerson, would like to see the federal gasoline tax […]
June 14, 2011
Corporate Responsibility
Ford Announces Extension to Range of Electrified Vehicles
It was just a few years ago that Ford, along with the rest of Detroit’s auto manufacturers, found themselves sidelined […]
June 10, 2011