What’s the Deal with Material?
Companies cannot realize business circularity without systems change. A Circular Manufacturing Supply Chain Systems change requires a multitude of transformations that include (but is not exhaustive) reverse logistics capabilities, service models for manufacturers, carbon pricing, producer regulations, new commodity markets for materials as well as the more integral aspects of how organizations operate and supply […]
An Action Plan for Sustainably-Driven Companies
Originally published by Real Leaders Magazine, August 8, 2020. “Possible is more a matter of attitude; a matter of decision to choose; among the impossible possibilities; when one sound opportunity; becomes a possible solution.” ― Dejan Stojanovic The imperative for companies today is to be purpose-driven in how they operate. The acute health and economic crises […]
Setting a New Baseline for Normal
The goal of carbon accounting is for businesses to adopt target reduction goals for their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We can only track what we measure. To get to the point of setting carbon reduction goals, companies need to establish an emissions trend line. Makes sense. A company needs to know whether its GHG emissions […]
Achieving the promise of reduce, reuse, recycle with chemical recycling
Originally published by Multibriefs on December 4, 2019 There’s no consensus yet on whether chemical recycling is the silver bullet for the growing plastic pollution problem. What is clear, however, is that a solution needs to be found — and fast. Plastic and the use of plastic are not going away anytime soon. This quintessential […]
The Evolution of Corporate Sustainability
WHAT IS CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY? In the world of sustainability, as applied to corporate industry, we’re often met with varying approaches to and different definitions of business ‘sustainability’. Companies can view it as: a mindset (i.e., longevity of a business model), an approach (i.e., promote human productivity and satisfaction, a signal to the market or key […]
Mainstreaming Sustainable Innovation
Biomimicry in Action We have all seen or experienced innovations based on the science of blending biology with technology. Two of the best-known examples of the science of studying nature to make more effective products for man’s use include: Speedo’s sharkskin swimwear or full-body LZR suit: proudly displayed on the svelte bodies of 2008 Olympic […]
Using Industrial Ecology to Rethink Fashion Consumerism
Assessing the Apparel Industry as a Whole The apparel industry is massive. From a supply side, clothing and textiles represent about seven percent of world exports, with China alone accounting for nearly a quarter of the world’s apparel exports. On the demand side, 2011 consumption levels in the global textile and garment industry reached nearly […]
Affecting Climate Change Personally
The Proposed Goal It is not a pipe-dream to think we can dramatically cut our national and individual (or per capita) greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. “Drastic” reductions of at least 30 percent, 50 percent or more within the next decade is doable and well within our individual capacities to realize. We need to know where to […]
It’s Smart Business to Develop a Climate Change Strategy
Climate Change Threats Are Real, Not a “Hoax” The threats and impacts from climate change today and for the future to communities urban and rural, large and small, and both Republican- and Democratic-leaning are very real. Being a non-believer does not omit you from climate change’s repercussions. Negative impacts are happening, intensifying and becoming more […]
Yes, Powering the Globe with 100% Renewable Energy is Possible!
Caveat: This is a more technical article than most written about climate change issues, personal and corporate sustainability. It’s worth reading but you have been forewarned. Are Renewable Energy Sources Enough? This article addresses the question of whether wind and solar energies are capable of satisfying the world’s energy consumption demands. The general scientific consensus […]