ENVIRONMENT

Technology

Should Refillable Packaging Be the New Norm?

New Fund Aims to Scale Packaging Reuse and Refill Systems Around the World

The Reuse Outcomes Fund will support promising reuse and refill startups in the U.S., Canada and India, leveraging lessons learned from scaling waste management infrastructure across the Global South. 

Mary Mazzoni

March 13, 2024

Technology

Concrete Gets an AI Makeover for Rapid Decarbonization

Concrete is getting a long overdue, lower-carbon makeover, but the millions of mixes available makes choosing the most sustainable option difficult. A new platform powered by artificial intelligence can help.

Tina Casey

March 1, 2024

Technology

The Electronics of the Future Will Stay Charged All Day Using Indoor Light

Imagine a wireless keyboard that doesn't have to be plugged in or a remote control that never needs new batteries, because they get their charge from indoor light with solar technology. This futuristic tech could soon become the norm, with products rolling out as early as this year.

Riya Anne Polcastro

February 27, 2024

Technology

Brands Taking Stands

Why Waffle House is a Perfect Place for EV Charging Stations

An unusual experiment is unfolding in Tennessee, where the state’s Department of Transportation allocated the first round of federal funding for new electric vehicle charging stations. Among a string of roadside gas stations soon to receive chargers, a lone Waffle House stands out.

Tina Casey

February 7, 2024

Technology

The New Ocean Cleanup Crew: Seaweed-Sinking Robots

Seaweed Generation's robots collect and sink massive mats of Sargassum seaweed to prevent them from disrupting ecosystems and hurting tourism-dependent economies.

Ruscena Wiederholt

January 30, 2024

Technology

The Solutions Effect

Is 2024 the Year of the Train?

It looks like 2024 will be full of new developments in the rail industry. From high-speed passenger trains to battery-powered locomotives, these are the three trending train topics we have our eye on this year.

Taylor Haelterman

January 25, 2024

Technology

The Software That's Making Mining Better for the Environment

As we transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy, demand for minerals like lithium, manganese and cobalt is high. Mining is not going away, but that doesn’t mean its environmental impact can't be reduced. A new modeling software is making it possible.

Phil Covington

January 23, 2024

Technology

5 High-Tech Climate Solutions Worth Watching in 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) has an important role to play in climate solutions and climate change adaptation, alongside other technologies like cloud computing. Here are five tech-driven solutions that hit our radar in 2023 and we will continue to watch this year. 

Riya Anne Polcastro

January 22, 2024

Technology

Unleashing the Power of AI: University of Illinois and IBM Join Forces to Anticipate Flash Floods

With the support of tech giant IBM, the University of Illinois developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of anticipating heavy rainfall and flash floods in the Appalachian Mountains, and there’s potential to expand what is learned there to other regions. 

Riya Anne Polcastro

January 19, 2024

Technology

Kenya Reforestation Efforts Show AI Can Advance Climate Solutions

It’s impossible to know if solutions are working without evidence. A new artificial intelligence (AI) model from IBM uses NASA data to track and visualize the impact of a reforestation project in Kenya, and the early results show real promise.

Riya Anne Polcastro

January 11, 2024

Technology

This App Fights Ocean Plastic Pollution and Helps Lift Refuse Collectors Out of Poverty

The Indian startup Recykal is cutting plastic pollution off at the source with an app-based system that rewards local refuse collectors while offering new opportunities for businesses to help raise awareness about effective solutions.

Tina Casey

January 4, 2024

Technology

Will 2024 Be the Year the Green Chemistry Trend Takes Off?

Green chemistry looks to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing chemical products by minimizing the use of hazardous substances. The transition has been slow so far, but stakeholders are aligning to help accelerate the pace.

Tina Casey

December 28, 2023

Technology

Leather or Not? The Rise of Eco-Friendly Substitutes

The production of leather and plastic-based synthetic leather give rise to an array of environmental and social issues. Lately, a petroleum-free pearl is emerging from the muck: leather alternatives from inventive sources like cacti and invasive species.

Ruscena Wiederholt

December 19, 2023

Technology

This Kenyan Startup Aims to Get More Electric Motorcycles on the Road

YNA Kenya is out to get more electric motorcycles on the road, and it's financing the transition with a carbon credit system based on blockchain technology. The startup's innovative model was one of two winners of the U.N. Global Climate Action Award at COP28.

Abha Malpani Naismith

December 15, 2023

Technology

Brands Taking Stands

Carbon Capture and Sequestration in the Spotlight at COP28

The COP28 climate talks cast new attention on carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) strategies. Some say CCS will save us from climate change, while others call it a distraction that keeps the world hooked on fossil fuels. Work on nature-based solutions may make both arguments irrelevant.

Tina Casey

December 13, 2023

Technology

Should Refillable Packaging Be the New Norm?

Bottle Refill Schemes Work in Other Countries, So Why Not the U.S.?

To people in other markets, the news that major bottled beverage brands — among the largest producers of single-use plastic globally — are already operating successful refill systems may come as a surprise.

Mary Mazzoni

November 15, 2023

Technology

Brands Taking Stands

Green Chemistry is Growing Up and Branching Out

A new round of green chemistry innovation is going beyond common household products to decarbonize industrial processes, supply chains and fuels.

Tina Casey

November 15, 2023

Technology

The Human Equation: Using AI and Data To Address Global Challenges

Emerging technologies like AI (artificial intelligence) can play a vital role in a brighter future — if they're designed, managed and regulated effectively.

Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

October 3, 2023

Sponsored

A Clean Energy Revolution in Agriculture and Construction is Here

Advanced Technologies Are Essential to a Sustainable Future

The adoption of advanced technologies is accelerating in agriculture and construction. Machines today are more powerful, precise and easy to use than they have ever been, making them more efficient, productive and sustainable.

CNH Industrial

September 28, 2023

Technology

Can Smarter Labels Enable a Fully Circular Fashion Industry?

Avery Dennison wants to create a circular economy for clothing with tech-enabled care labels that provide information to ensure proper recycling and resale.

Nithin Coca

August 28, 2023

Technology

Making it Easy for Enterprises to Engage with a Low-Carbon Agenda

With artificial intelligence, big-data capabilities and more cutting-edge technologies, cloud-based solutions can serve as a pivotal technological platform to support an innovative agenda, including with respect to sustainability.

William Xiong

August 18, 2023

Sponsored

Putting Sustainability at the Center of Business

SAP, One of the World’s Largest Tech Companies, Aims to Tackle Scope 3 Emissions

Having almost 90 percent of the world’s financial and goods flows touch an SAP system, including nearly all carbon flows, the technology giant has access to the supply chain data that companies need to track and tackle the most challenging Scope 3 emissions along their value chains.

Andrew Kaminsky

August 10, 2023

Technology

EV Battery Swapping Startup Sees a Path Forward Where Others Have Failed

Why spend 20 minutes charging an electric vehicle —  and often much longer — when you can get fully charged batteries installed in just five minutes? It's a question worth asking, yet building a successful business around battery swapping has proven elusive. The team at Silicon Valley startup Ample thinks it’s time for another look.

Phil Covington

July 20, 2023

Sponsored

The Future of Fueling: Sustainability, Mobility and Flexibility

This Model Reimagines Fueling for Efficiency

Mobile fueling can lower a fleet's carbon emissions by up to 14 percent per vehicle by avoiding trips to the gas station, while giving time back to drivers who typically need to refuel every day. The model can also ease the transition to even more sustainable choices like electric vehicles and alternative fuels.

Maggie Kohn

July 18, 2023

Sponsored

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

Simplifying the Path to Net-Zero With Technology

As companies wrestle with how best to meet their net-zero targets, technology presents an important and powerful tool to determine which approaches will make the greatest impact.

Amy Brown

July 17, 2023

Technology

Saving the World’s Coral Reefs with Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

Coral Maker and Autodesk build and deploy artificial coral skeletons seeded with coral fragments to speed up the growing process and restoration of coral reefs. Using artificial intelligence and robotics, they can manufacture 10,000 skeletons a day.

Mary Riddle

June 30, 2023

Technology

Can Artificial Intelligence Reduce Carbon Emissions From Air Travel?

Reducing unnecessary taxi time can put a significant dent in the aviation industry's carbon dioxide emissions. EMMA Systems does so using artificial intelligence.

Riya Anne Polcastro

June 29, 2023

Technology

This New Spin on Decades-Old Technology Can Eliminate PFAS from Wastewater

PFAS are often called "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly, if at all, in nature. Their accumulation in the environment has many concerned, but this North Carolina-based company found a way to eliminate PFAS, somewhat by accident, in its effort to modernize wastewater treatment.

Phil Covington

June 23, 2023

Sponsored

A Clean Energy Revolution in Agriculture and Construction is Here

Shipping Heavy Equipment Is No Easy Task: Can It Be More Sustainable?

Due to physical constraints, the choice of options is often limited when moving heavy equipment to its final destination. As tough as this job can be, CNH Industrial strives to be mindful about doing things in as environmentally beneficial a way as possible, the company says.

Phil Covington

June 21, 2023

Sponsored

Building More Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains, Today and Into the Future

Sustainable Agriculture Comes Full Circle With Data Science

“Ancient wisdom meets futuristic technology” sounds like the concept for a new Hollywood blockbuster. But it’s the here-and-now direction of sustainable agriculture.

Terry E. Cohen

June 8, 2023

Technology

This App Makes Flood Data Visual With Augmented Reality

The FloodVue app uses augmented reality to place the viewer's perspective directly in a four-dimensional, digital representation of predicted flood conditions. We spoke with Tyer Jones of WSP to learn more about how the company's visualization app works and why it matters for infrastructure planning.

Michelle Erdenesanaa

May 30, 2023

Technology

Nixing PFAS is a Real Possibility: Here’s One Company That’s Doing It

Classified as “forever chemicals,” PFAS have been found in food, water, soil, animals and even our blood. Impermea Materials has developed a set of water-based solutions that it says can replace of PFAS in products including packaging, apparel, upholstery, and technical textiles such as those worn by firefighters and military.

Riya Anne Polcastro

May 22, 2023

Technology

This Blockchain-Powered System Tracks Ingredients from Field to Fork

Merge Impact bills itself as the first and only blockchain-powered agricultural data solution to help farmers, food manufacturers, and brands better understand the impact of their practices and purchases down to the field level. We spoke with the agri-tech company's founders to learn more.

L Blaine Fulmer

May 19, 2023

Technology

Your iPhone Contains More Recycled Materials Than You Thought

Apple is looking to reduce demand for rare earth elements by quietly expanding its use of scrap. The company reached a new high for recycled materials in 2021, with nearly 20 percent recycled content across all products, according to its 2022 Environmental Progress Report released last week.

Gary E. Frank

April 28, 2023

Technology

Preserving Coral Reefs Through the Power of Listening (and a Little Help From AI)

Launched by Google and marine biologists Steve Simpson and Mary Shodipo, this citizen-science projects aims to combine the collective power of everyday people with the computing might of artificial intelligence to understand — and restore — coral reefs.

Ruscena Wiederholt

April 25, 2023

Sponsored

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

Engaging with SMEs Can Unlock Critical Scope 3 Emissions Data

Working with suppliers is the only way to assess the Scope 3 emissions data that can move companies toward their climate goals. We spoke with Andy Bastien, supplier transparency lead at the sustainability software company FigBytes, about how companies and suppliers can come together to measure and mitigate emissions.

Amy Brown

April 21, 2023

Technology

How AI-Powered Digital Twins Can Help Build Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure

Artificial intelligence and virtual models of real-world objects help infrastructure professionals centralize data, make more informed decisions and contribute to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

Rodrigo Fernandes

April 14, 2023

Technology

Hydrogen: Harmful or Helpful in the Clean Energy Transition?

How hydrogen is produced matters. The good news is that green hydrogen production is on the rise, and costs are falling as technologies continue to improve. Here, we take a closer look at green hydrogen, how it's made and its role in the low-carbon transition.

Katharine Bierce

April 4, 2023

Technology

Flexible Desalination: A Renewable Energy Twist on the Energy-Water Nexus

Businesses can help to alleviate the looming world water crisis by supporting work on new desalination technologies that leverage renewable energy, with broader implications for grid reliability and stability as well.

Tina Casey

April 3, 2023

Technology

About the Hydrogen Rainbow: How Hydrogen is Made Determines Its Impact

Where does hydrogen come from? It depends. From grey and brown hydrogen to blue, turquoise, pink and red, let's take a closer look at how hydrogen is currently produced and the challenges with these methods. 

Katharine Bierce

April 3, 2023

Technology

Ford Picks Tennessee for T3, the Electric Truck of the Future

Ford is back with plans to manufacture a mysterious new electric truck, known only by the name T3, and bring 6,000 new green jobs to the red state of Tennessee.

Tina Casey

March 30, 2023

Technology

Your Tax Dollars at Work: 3 New Clean Power Resources to Watch

Vast new clean power resources are yet to be tapped, and the U.S. Department of Energy is leveraging its financial muscle to lift new, sustainable energy systems from the design table to commercial production.  

Tina Casey

March 7, 2023

Technology

The EV Battery of the Future is Already Here, and It’s Made in the USA

Ford plans to build a new $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery factory in Michigan, dedicated exclusively to manufacturing a cutting-edge battery cathode based on a lithium-iron-phosphate formula. So, what are LFP batteries, and why does Ford's move matter?

Tina Casey

February 17, 2023

Technology

AI Can Propel Corporate Sustainability Ambitions Into Action

The advancement of artificial intelligence is dramatically changing the way we live and do business. Although the long-term impact of advanced technologies is yet to be determined, tools like AI have the capability to propel a company’s sustainability ambitions into action.

Abha Malpani Naismith

February 10, 2023

Technology

Growing EV Markets Present Challenges and Opportunities for New Battery Technology

During the BNEF Summit in San Francisco last week — a meeting of the minds focused on the convergence of transport, energy and technology — the state of play for electric vehicle batteries was addressed in depth, and it's a tale of both challenge and opportunity.

Phil Covington

February 9, 2023

Sponsored

Putting Sustainability at the Center of Business

The Secret to Accurate Scope 3 Accounting Is Sharing Trusted, Auditable Carbon Data Across Networks

Growing cross-sectoral and multi-company efforts are looking to scale up the measurement, assessment and reduction of Scope 3 emissions through innovative carbon data networks.

Nithin Coca

January 23, 2023

Technology

Digital Technology is Key to Climate Resilient Infrastructure

As the U.S. deals with record-breaking devastation from climate change to the tune of $20 billion annually, we need to make climate resiliency a top priority for infrastructure — and technology plays a major role.

Dustin Parkman

January 17, 2023

Technology

How Artificial Intelligence Can Improve Companies’ ESG Work During 2023

Artificial intelligence can offer ESG practitioners an important tool in their kit: The ability to deal with the overwhelming amount of data.

Leon Kaye

January 10, 2023

Technology

Declining Birth Rates Have an Economic Impact — but This AI Concept Isn’t an Answer

Declining birth rates worldwide could cause a bevy of social problems — but this concept, fueled by AI, is hardly an answer to sustained economic growth.

Riya Anne Polcastro

January 6, 2023

Sponsored

Putting Sustainability at the Center of Business

'Best-of-Breed’ Sustainability Software May Be The Worst Solution

There is no easy road to meeting corporate sustainability goals. But many companies are inadvertently making that work harder on themselves by looking at the challenge in silos. 

Kate Robertson

December 12, 2022

Technology

How Software and Design Can Help Push the World Closer to Decarbonization

Better design powered by the best possible software can help boost decarbonization efforts worldwide, as this billion-dollar tech company has proven.

Leon Kaye

November 29, 2022

Technology

How Intelligent Automation Can Pave the Road to Net-Zero

Used to its fullest potential, here's why intelligent automation could make all the difference in the global fight against climate change.

Saranjit Singh

November 29, 2022

Technology

How Technology and Expertise Can Scale Local Solutions to Global Climate Change Challenges

The power of science, technology and innovation together can help at-risk communities become more resilient as they respond to climate change. 

Michael Jacobs

November 28, 2022

Technology

Soon, ‘Googling It’ Will Make Sustainability Data Fast and Easy

Google says that soon, more searches will pair results with relevant sustainability data, notably for queries related to clothing, food and transportation.

Leon Kaye

October 4, 2022

Technology

The Path to Sustainability Travels Through the Cloud

The path to sustainability and mitigating the disruptions of climate change and achieving zero net emissions is going to include technology and innovation.

Cisco Corporate Social Responsibility Blog

October 4, 2022

Sponsored

Accelerating Sustainable Animal Farming Solutions For a Brighter Future

What the World's First Bio-Based Vitamin A Means for Sustainability

The solution for producing the world’s first fully bio-based Vitamin A has emerged from a common microorganism that is found in countless food products.

Gary E. Frank

September 19, 2022

Technology

Bridging the Digital Divide Starts with a Map

Accurate maps of broadband infrastructure and access are lacking as the U.S. tackles the digital divide, but this analytics firm is offering an assist.

Roya Sabri

September 12, 2022

Technology

Deep Tech Startup Tackles Water Scarcity in the Middle East

This deep tech startup harvests water evaporated from the sea and uses it in its floating farms, helping tackle both water scarcity and food insecurity.

Abha Malpani Naismith

September 1, 2022

Technology

The Artemis 1 Launch is a Huge Boost for Technology and Environmental Awareness

Artemis 1 is a reminder that environmental awareness was in part triggered by the first images taken during the Apollo missions over a half-century ago.

Leon Kaye

August 29, 2022

Technology

Extending the Life of Connected Devices: Driving Sustainability and Promoting Digital Equity

From a sustainability POV, developing solutions to extend the useful life of connected devices such as mobile phones and tablets is more critical than ever.

Suzanne Shepherd

August 22, 2022

Sponsored

Doing the Work: What Does It Mean To Be a Just Company?

Collaborating, Listening, Iterating: Early Lessons from the Digital Equity Accelerator

Last year, HP announced an audacious goal to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030 — and partnered with the Aspen Institute to launch the Digital Equity Accelerator to support nonprofits advancing digital equity in their communities. Here's what they've learned so far.

Mariama Kabia

August 15, 2022

Technology

Why Unilever Is Betting Big on Shorter Coconut Trees

Unilever bets that a new breed of miniature coconut trees will pack its punch and lead to big improvements for farmers across the company's supply chain.

Mary Riddle

August 4, 2022

Technology

Three Ways We Can Fix Social Media for the Better

Currently, social media is driven by misinformation that generates intense sentiment — but companies can take these three steps to make it far less toxic.

Appu Esthose Suresh

July 27, 2022

Technology

Why IT Must Adopt a Broader Definition of Sustainability

The IT sector must wrestle with ongoing questions about the long-term sustainability of its workforce, as well as equitable access to jobs in the industry.

Srini Koushik

July 12, 2022

Technology

What For-Profits Can Learn About Digital Engagement in a Down Economy

Nonprofits can teach for-profit organizations a thing or two about digital engagement in the face of severe resource constraints. 

Erin Reilly

June 27, 2022

Technology

It’s Time for the Internet to Become More Sustainable, Says New Coalition

The sustainable web design field is still young, but watch for the emergence of new groups pushing for a more energy-efficient internet infrastructure.

Roya Sabri

April 22, 2022

Sponsored

Reinventing the Linear Economy Into the Regenerative Circular Economy

SAP and Accenture Aim for a Circular, Regenerative Economy

SAP recently introduced a new solution, SAP Responsible Design and Production — co-developed with Accenture, that charts the path toward a more circular economy and emphasizes the need for regenerative practices alongside the reduce-reuse-recycle formula.

3p Editors

April 20, 2022

Technology

Pinterest Takes a Stand on Climate Misinformation

Pinterest has announced that “pinners” who spread climate misinformation should pack up and find another site to post their versions of alternative facts.

Leon Kaye

April 7, 2022

Technology

This App Builds Upon Swedish Equality Ethos in Personal Finance

Qapital's personal finance app assists users with savings goals by reallocating disposable income while reducing their day-to-day budget-related stress.

Kerry Medina

April 5, 2022

Technology

Using Smart Tech to Improve Work and Workplaces

Here's how businesses can embed "smart tech" in every functional area of a company life's from HR to communications, accounting and service delivery.

Beth Kanter and Allison Fine

April 5, 2022

Technology

How Tech Nonprofits Can Seize Market Opportunities That Companies Overlook

Fast Forward’s executive director shared with 3p why tech nonprofits are now booming and why this model is both profitable and can help drive new solutions.

Rasha Rehman

February 8, 2022

Sponsored

Doing the Work: What Does It Mean To Be a Just Company?

New Nonprofit Accelerator Aims to Close the Digital Divide Worldwide

Limited access to technology and the internet also means reduced access to healthcare and fewer opportunities for education, skills development and employment. The new Digital Equity Accelerator from Aspen Digital and HP aims to bridge the gap across the globe.

Kate Robertson

February 7, 2022