ENVIRONMENT

Energy

Energy Tech Company Steps in to Help Stabilize the Grid for Renewable Power

Transitioning to renewable energy comes with hiccups, including new challenges for grid operators. Reactive Technologies is looking to help the distribution and transmission sector make the most out of renewable energy by providing measurements and data points that were once hidden from view.

Riya Anne Polcastro

March 27, 2023

Energy

Giant Seaweed Blobs Are the New Normal

A giant "blob" of seaweed is headed toward Florida's beaches ahead of spring break. But the phenomenon is actually nothing new, and experts say it's likely the new normal unless major progress is made on averting the climate crisis.

Riya Anne Polcastro

March 27, 2023

Energy

Protecting the Watery Routes of Whales

Whales can travel thousands of miles between feeding and breeding grounds in migratory routes known as blue corridors, but they face considerable risk outside of protected areas. Protecting their passageways is imperative to maintaining and restoring many whale species.

Ruscena Wiederholt

March 20, 2023

Sponsored

Building a Sustainable Future Through Material Innovation

Owens Corning Wants to Recycle 2 Million Tons of Shingles Per Year By 2030: Here’s How

Owens Corning recently announced a commitment to recycle 2 million tons of shingles per year in the U.S. by 2030. We spoke with leaders at the company to find out more about how they plan to get there.

Kate Robertson

March 15, 2023

Energy

U.S. Postal Service Kicks Fleet Electrification Into Higher Gear

The U.S. Postal Service has overhauled its modernization plan, making room for more electrification as it replaces its current fleet.

Tina Casey

March 14, 2023

Energy

Curbing Plastic Consumption Will Require Drastic Measures — and Business Should Lead the Charge

The transition away from plastic consumption will be painful at first, but it also presents an opportunity for leadership. Businesses that make the most out of coming policy changes could see elevated brand loyalty, increased competitiveness for securing talent and even potentially higher profits in the long run.

Riya Anne Polcastro

March 2, 2023

Energy

Brands Taking Stands

Community-Driven Solar Investments Bring Clean Power to Underserved Neighborhoods

Investments in community solar and solarizing nonprofits look to boost clean power access and energy savings in underserved neighborhoods across the U.S.

Mary Mazzoni

March 1, 2023

Sponsored

What the World Can Learn From New Zealand About Sustainable Agriculture

New Zealand Leads the Way on Regenerative Agriculture Methods

While livestock farming typically comes with a higher greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint, New Zealand’s moves to embrace regenerative agriculture positions farmers to cut these impacts down to size.

L Blaine Fulmer

February 28, 2023

Energy

More Lithium-Ion Recycling is Coming to the U.S.

Building domestic recycling capacity is a huge step in the right direction for the U.S. battery sector, as converting to renewable grids and electric vehicles (EVs) will hinge on the industry’s ability to recycle lithium-ion batteries efficiently.

Riya Anne Polcastro

February 28, 2023

Energy

Jane Fonda Lends Star Power to Last-Ditch Effort for U.N. Ocean Treaty

Jane Fonda is adding her star power and activist clout to a last-ditch effort to sign a U.N. Ocean Treaty that would ban fishing in 30 percent of the world’s oceans and turn them into marine sanctuaries.

Amy Brown

February 27, 2023

Energy

From Pest to Present: Taking On Agriculture’s Carbon Footprint Organically

While modern technology helps farmers boost crop yields, many technological advances in agriculture were developed without sustainability in mind. A return to nature-based solutions can ensure farmers — and their soil — are able to feed a growing population for the long term.

Assaf Dotan

February 24, 2023

Sponsored

Decarbonizing the Maritime Industry

Crowley Puts the Pieces Together for a Decarbonized Maritime Industry

Decarbonizing the maritime industry will involve a host of clean technologies that complement each other in efficient, economical systems. The U.S. maritime and logistics company, Crowley, illustrates how that can be accomplished.

3p Editors

February 21, 2023

Energy

How the Wondrous Whale Benefits the Global Economy

Whales provide a host of benefits to marine ecosystems, people and the global economy, but they remain under threat. Here we take a closer look at how whales shape our world and innovative systems to protect them, from cetacean carbon credits to slower shipping speeds.

Ruscena Wiederholt

February 13, 2023

Energy

Why the EPA's Decision on Coal Ash Matters

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized that, all too often, the communities most affected by coal ash pollution are poorer and lack the resources to mitigate the environmental harm or pursue legal action.

Patrick McCarthy

February 10, 2023

Energy

How U.S. Businesses Helped Halt the Pebble Mine Project — And What's Next for Alaska's Bristol Bay

Activism from environmentalists and native tribes — buoyed by U.S. businesses and investors — paid off last month when the U.S. EPA issued a Final Determination on the embattled Pebble Mine project. So what's next for Alaska's Bristol Bay, and the businesses that supported it?

Tina Casey

February 7, 2023

Sponsored

What Corporate Sustainability Means in Practice: How Things Really Get Done

How Meta Sources 100 Percent Renewable Energy Around the World

Meta now has a robust renewable energy portfolio spanning six countries and 20 U.S. states that produces as much energy as the company's global operations consume. So, how do they do it?

Mary Riddle

February 7, 2023

Energy

Why the U.S. Native Seed Shortage Matters

TriplePundit spoke with Dr. Kayri Havens, director of plant science and conservation at the Chicago Botanic Garden, about why the U.S. native seed shortage matters — and what we can do about it.

Mary Riddle

February 6, 2023

Energy

Researchers Propose a Plan for California's Water Woes

California may have released its Colorado River plan, but the state's water troubles are far from over. A recent report from the Milken Institute, a nonpartisan economic think tank based in Santa Monica, offers some potential solutions.

Kate Robertson

February 3, 2023

Sponsored

What Corporate Sustainability Means in Practice: How Things Really Get Done

Net Zero Goals: Moving from Why to How to Now

COP27 missed the mark in some key ways, such as ensuring financing for developing countries and creating mechanisms to help more countries reduce emissions. "It is also clear we can all do more to measure and report on yearly progress," this executive says.

Edward Palmieri

February 2, 2023

Energy

If Renewable Energy Can Make It in New York, It Can Make It Anywhere

This new project could decarbonize a fifth of New York City's power grid. It shows just how quickly urban areas can turn the corner on renewable energy and further disproves the anti-ESG movement.

Tina Casey

January 31, 2023

Energy

U.S. Climate Targets Are Within Reach, But Overconsumption Still Matters

“We don’t need magic bullets or new technologies" to halve emissions by 2030, says Manish Bapna, CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council. A new report from NRDC and Evergreen Action says U.S. climate goals are within reach. But we still need to address overconsumption.

Riya Anne Polcastro

January 30, 2023

Energy

Humans Fueling Steady Rise in Ocean Heat Levels, Creating Adversity for Aquatic Species

Rising marine temperatures threaten mortal peril to oceanic species, and complications to life on land as well. So, what do warmer waters mean for us, and for the abundance of aquatic life facing extinction?

Patrick McCarthy

January 27, 2023

Energy

West Virginia Invests in Iron-Air Battery to Lead the Clean Energy Revolution

If all goes according to plan, the state’s new venture with the iron-air battery startup Form Energy will help accelerate the pace of clean energy investment across the U.S.

Tina Casey

January 23, 2023

Energy

Where Has All the Water Gone? Utah’s Great Salt Lake on the Verge of Collapse

Utah will need to immediately decrease the amount of water it uses by up to 50 percent in order to save the lake, a massive feat that would require unprecedented levels of coordination and cooperation. 

Mary Riddle

January 20, 2023

Energy

The Biggest Water Stories From 2022 — And What's to Come This Year

Water may not have made the splashiest headlines, but it maintained a steady current, even offering a few surprises. Here are some of the top water stories from TriplePundit in 2022, plus what we might see on the water front this year.

Kate Robertson

January 13, 2023

Energy

See-Through Solar Windows Turn Ordinary Buildings into Climate Heroes

These solar windows allow glass to filter daylight into buildings, while also harvesting energy from the sun and converting it to electricity.

Tina Casey

January 10, 2023

Sponsored

Carbon and Beyond: The ESG and Sustainability Trends Shaping Business Today

To Act On Climate Change, Today’s Companies Must Be Water Stewards

As climate change makes water access more of a concern for communities, the decisions companies make about their water usage affects situations well beyond their fence lines. 

3p Editors

January 9, 2023

Energy

The Return of Lula Gives Some Breathing Room to the Brazilian Amazon

Brazil's Lula has made the first week of his second presidency an audacious one, starting with his ambitious zero deforestation promise.

Leon Kaye

January 5, 2023

Energy

5 Signs the Agrivoltaics Revolution Has Only Just Begun

Agrivoltaics, an emerging field that allies solar energy and agricultural stakeholders, is poised to be a business model to be reckoned with.

Tina Casey

January 3, 2023

Energy

Porsche Opens Pilot E-fuel Plant in Chile as Automakers Continue to Ignore Need to Scale Down

Porsche announced its pilot e-fuel plant is now ready for commercial production — but all automakers are still confronting a massive numbers problem.

Riya Anne Polcastro

December 23, 2022

Energy

Next Steps for the Bioeconomy: 5 Sustainable and Unusual Materials to Watch in 2023

As the bioeconomy of the future begins to take shape, researchers using new tools to deploy a wider range of renewable materials that replace petrochemicals derived from fossil fuels. From dandelions to squid protein, here are five to follow in 2023.

Tina Casey

December 21, 2022

Energy

Offroad App OnX Shows How Access to Public Lands is Increasingly Blocked by Private Landowners

A backcountry navigation app popular with hunters is exposing how the latest iteration of robber barons is gobbling up private ranchland and effectively blocking access to publicly-owned wilderness areas.

Riya Anne Polcastro

December 20, 2022

Sponsored

Pursuing Net-Positive

Supporting Smallholder Farmers on the Way to a More Sustainable Palm Oil Supply Chain

The nonprofit Solidaridad works with corporate partners in more than 40 countries to scale up sustainable palm oil production and help smallholder farmers increase their incomes. We take a look at its decade-long partnership with Henkel, the company behind brands like All detergent and Dial soap.

Kate Robertson

December 20, 2022

Energy

France Starts Banning Short-Haul Flights and Urges a Return to Travel by Rail

Short-haul flights have a huge carbon footprint. Now, France is starting to curb domestic flights, and leaders are mulling a ban on private jet travel, too.

Grant Whittington

December 8, 2022

Energy

COP27 Addressed Some Effects, but Not Causes, of Climate Change

Organizers dubbed COP27 “Implementation COP,” but in reality, countries ignored their commitments to curb emissions to fight climate change.

Mary Riddle

November 28, 2022

Energy

Four Partnerships Offering Roadmaps to Decarbonization

Government is taking the lead on decarbonization, but business must step up their efforts worldwide. Partnerships are one path toward true climate action.

Amy Forman

November 22, 2022

Energy

Companies That Love Renewable Energy Have the Power to Stand Against the Fossil Fuel Lobby

The global reach of the fossil energy industry was very much in evidence at COP27 in Egypt last week. But business leaders can push back against fossil fuel lobbyists and their obstruction by forming new alliances that support their needs for renewable energy.

Tina Casey

November 21, 2022

Energy

Electric Vehicles Aren't Enough: We Need Fewer Cars on the Road

The personal passenger vehicle as a primary mode of transportation is not sustainable for a planet with 8 billion people living on it — and the hard truth is that transitioning to low-carbon fuels and electric vehicles simply is not enough.

Riya Anne Polcastro

November 21, 2022

Energy

How the Circular Economy Can Ensure a Just Global Energy Transition

At the COP27 climate talks, civil society leaders discussed how incorporating a circular economy framework into the development of clean energy can contribute to a just transition that avoids the mistakes of the fossil fuel economy.

Amy Forman

November 18, 2022

Energy

Can Seagrasses Fight Global Warming and Spur Sustainable Development?

Understated and underrated for their value as ecosystems, seagrasses are an effective carbon sink and have important economic benefits as well.

Ruscena Wiederholt

November 17, 2022

Energy

Plastics and Their Role Within a Global Clean Energy Transition

Heres one startling statistic to come out of COP27: More than half of the plastics ever made were manufactured in the 21st century. 

Amy Forman

November 16, 2022

Energy

At COP27, a Clarion Call to Scale Up Regenerative Agriculture — Fast

COP27 has sought to bring together farmers, world leaders, climate experts and corporate executives to transform agriculture from a problem into a solution.

Mary Riddle

November 15, 2022

Energy

U.S. Stakeholders Make Their Moves as Global Green Hydrogen Race Takes Shape

There's a renewed appreciation for the benefits of green hydrogen, which generates more opportunities for energy storage, transportation and usage.

Tina Casey

November 14, 2022

Energy

How One Tech Giant Is Ramping Up Clean Energy Access for More Citizens Worldwide

IBM has bolstered its international program that seeks to increase access to clean energy for the citizens who are most at risk to climate change.

Gary E. Frank

November 11, 2022

Energy

Net Zero Loses its Meaning as Fossil Fuel Industry Plays Carbon Trading Games

The net zero movement has long been losing steam, and among various problems, it has been co-opted by some of the largest polluters out there.

Riya Anne Polcastro

November 8, 2022

Sponsored

Everything You Need to Know About Sustainability in the Tire Industry

European Tire Industry Addresses Environmental Impact Down to the Smallest Particle

Tire and road wear particles (TRWP) are tiny debris formed as vehicles drive down roadways. In Europe, the tire and rubber industry is looking to understand these particles better — and mitigate them.

Maggie Kohn

November 8, 2022

Energy

Corporate Net Zero Pledges Add Up to Little More Than Zero

So far, it's turning out that 93 percent of the global companies that have set net-zero goals are on course to fall short of their carbon emissions targets.

Leon Kaye

November 4, 2022

Energy

Today’s Energy Crisis Points to a Brighter Future for Renewables

Energy prices are causing chaos worldwide right now, but the IEA says we're in the midst of a renewables investment boom that'll last through 2030.

Leon Kaye

November 1, 2022

Energy

Welcome, White House, to the Global Water Security Effort

The feds are starting to take water security seriously, but they need to look no further than partnerships between the U.S. military the private sector.

Dean Amhaus

November 1, 2022

Energy

Reality Check: Circular Plastic is a Myth

Ongoing talk about circular plastic is turning out to be a myth as the plastics industry is actually on track to triple production of new plastic by 2050.

Mary Riddle

October 31, 2022

Energy

The World Needs More Ambition to Keep the Paris Agreement Alive

National climate commitments need to be over six times more ambitious and must accelerate rapidly in order to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, according to a new report.

Mary Riddle

October 27, 2022

Energy

The Price of Plummeting Wildlife Populations

Wildlife populations have dropped by almost 70 percent since 1970, the equivalent of hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses annually.

Ruscena Wiederholt

October 24, 2022

Sponsored

Building a More Sustainable CPG Sector

The Forest Positive Coalition of Action Leads the Fight Against Deforestation in the CPG Industry

After launching in 2020, the Forest Positive Coalition of Action now includes 22 companies with a market value of over $2 trillion that have committed to root out deforestation across their commodity supply chains.

L Blaine Fulmer

October 20, 2022

Sponsored

What Does It Take to Build a Circular Economy?

What It Takes to Recycle More Packaging on the Path to a Circular Economy

Recycling in the U.S. needs a rethink: Consumers are confused about what to recycle and how, manufacturers and recyclers are missing opportunities to work together, and markets for recycled materials are weak. What will it take to do things differently?

Roya Sabri

October 19, 2022

Energy

Who Believes In ESG? The U.S. Department of Defense, That’s Who

A new 42-MW solar project in Hawai‘i illustrates how the armed forces are deploying ESG principles for the U.S. national defense.

Tina Casey

October 18, 2022

Energy

Top Polluting Companies are Talking the Climate Action Talk, But Not Walking the Walk

The world’s top polluting companies are not taking on meaningful climate action behind their net-zero commitments, says this group of 700 global investors.

Mary Riddle

October 17, 2022

Energy

When it Comes to Coal, Climate Action Delayed is Climate Action Denied

It's widely agreed no new coal-fired plants can be launched in order to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals, but 500 companies are developing new coal plants.

Mary Riddle

October 11, 2022

Energy

Gas Flaring Is Fueling a Far Larger Methane Problem That We Thought

It turns out gas flaring isn’t an effective tactic to burn off methane; in fact, it could be fueling climate change far more than previously thought.

Leon Kaye

October 4, 2022

Energy

SBTi Launches New Standard for Food and Forestry

TriplePundit spoke with Martha Stevenson, senior director of strategy and research at World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and senior advisor for the SBTi, about what makes up the new standard and what business leaders can expect.

Mary Riddle

September 30, 2022

Energy

Island Nation of Vanuatu Pushes for a Non-Proliferation Treaty on Fossil Fuels

Whole countries are at risk of being swallowed by rising seas if drastic action isn’t taken to slow the climate crisis. One of these nations — the South Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu — wants to hold the world accountable by petitioning for a non-proliferation treaty on fossil fuels.

Riya Anne Polcastro

September 29, 2022

Energy

Data Transparency: The Missing Link in Tackling Global Food Waste

The most important focus area for food waste is prevention – and in that department, industry has its work cut out. Better data can help on this front.

Are Traasdahl

September 29, 2022

Sponsored

Lead on Purpose: How Values Drive Business in Uncertain Times

New Partnership Enlists Mars Employees to Tackle Marine Debris

Consumer goods company Mars is partnering with the nonprofit Rozalia Project to help employees learn about the environmental impact of single-use plastics on marine environments and to develop solutions.

Mary Riddle

September 29, 2022

Energy

The Rapidly Shrinking Riches of the Amazon

If left standing, the Amazon rainforest is worth over $8.2 billion per year. Yet Brazil has continued to open the Amazon to industry, clearing an area nearly the size of Connecticut from 2020 to 2021 alone. Can business make a difference?

Ruscena Wiederholt

September 26, 2022

Energy

The Amazon Rainforest is a Massive Bioeconomic Opportunity

The desire for economic development and the need for conservation don’t have to be at odds. At this year’s U.N. Science Summit, Brazilian scientist Carlos Nobre unpacks the opportunity to develop a bioeconomy in the Amazon rainforest.

Roya Sabri

September 23, 2022

Energy

Transforming Our Fragmented Produce Industry Is Imperative

In the fragmented produce industry, unnecessary blind spots create both food and economic waste. Demystifying the supply chain and expanding the resources available to buyers and growers can transform the industry for the better, says this CEO.

Pablo Borquez

September 22, 2022

Energy

Are You Ready To Change the Way You Think About Climate Action?

Our mindset influences how we approach problems, and also how we influence other people to adopt new ways of thinking about climate action, says the CEO of Ericsson North America.

Niklas Heuveldop

September 20, 2022

Energy

New USDA Program Connects Farmers with Financial Benefits of Carbon Sequestration in Soil

More farmers are beginning to adopt regenerative farming practices that focus on building soil health, and now the U.S. Department of Agriculture has come up with a new program to help accelerate the movement.

Tina Casey

September 19, 2022

Energy

Electric Vehicles Are Good, but Industrial Decarbonization is Even Better

For all the publicity surrounding electric vehicles, they're just one piece of the decarbonization puzzle. Reducing industrial emissions is a more daunting task, and the Joe Biden administration has just announced a new investment plan to tackle the challenge.

Tina Casey

September 16, 2022

Energy

As Activists Swarm to Save Endangered Monarch Butterflies, Most Companies Sit Idle

A swarm of monarch butterflies is a breathtaking sight, and so are the activists organizing to save the newly endangered species from annihilation. But for all the reporting on what individuals can do to help save the monarchs, there has been far less coverage on the role of corporations. 

Patrick McCarthy

September 16, 2022

Energy

America’s Reliance on Gas Stations Threatens Environmental Justice

America’s reliance on gas stations involves far more than harsh fuel costs. Gas stations are a risk to environmental and public health, and disproportionately harm minority and low-income populations, directly threatening the movement for environmental justice. 

Oliver Browne

September 16, 2022

Energy

New Study Makes the Case for Fleet Electrification at the U.S. Postal Service

Auto giant Ford has supported a new study that underscores the benefits of 100 percent fleet electrification for the U.S. Postal Service.

Tina Casey

September 13, 2022

Energy

What Will It Take to Save the Monarch Butterfly?

The decline of the migratory monarch butterfly threatens a “butterfly effect” on entire ecosystems. After the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) classified monarchs as ‘endangered’ in late July, conservationists are rallying to stop the risk of extinction. 

Patrick McCarthy

September 12, 2022