Green Top 10 – July 2024

1- 5 Innovative Ways The Paris 2024 Olympics Are Going Green

The Paris 2024 Olympics is focusing on sustainability with several innovative measures. First, medals will incorporate iron from the Eiffel Tower, emphasizing circular economy principles. Second, eco-friendly furniture in the Olympic Village includes coffee tables made from recycled badminton shuttlecocks. Third, all 620,000 items used for the Games, including 7,000 toilet brushes, will be given a second life through resale, recovery, or donation. Fourth, to protect seagrass in Marseille, drone-like buoys will replace traditional anchored ones during sailing events. Lastly, the opening ceremony will feature 30 electric boats on the Seine, showcasing sustainable energy transitions for waterway navigation.

Source: Forbes

2- Renewables overtake fossil fuels to provide 30% of EU electricity

Wind turbines and solar panels generated 30% of the European Union’s electricity in the first half of 2024, surpassing fossil fuels, according to climate think tank Ember. Power generation from coal, oil, and gas fell by 17% compared to the same period in 2023, leading to a one-third reduction in sector emissions since 2022. Thirteen EU member states, including Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and the Netherlands, produced more electricity from wind and solar than fossil fuels for the first time. Despite challenges, particularly in the wind industry, experts see this as a significant yet achievable step towards a clean energy future. The report underscores the importance of maintaining momentum in renewable energy deployment to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Source: Guardian

3- Model Behavior: Visualizing Global Carbon Dioxide

NASA has created a mesmerizing yet alarming map showing carbon dioxide pollution moving through Earth’s atmosphere. This visualization, which highlights the invisible pollution driving climate change, was made possible through a high-resolution weather model and supercomputers. The model integrates data from billions of ground and satellite observations, providing a detailed and comprehensive view of how CO2 circulates around the planet. This illustration underscores the global impact of carbon emissions and the urgent need for climate action.

Source: NASA Goddard

4- UN’s Urgent Appeal to Address the Rising Crisis of Extreme Temperatures

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for urgent, coordinated global efforts to combat extreme heat amid record-breaking temperatures. The recent heatwave saw July 21, 22, and 23 as the hottest days on record, signaling that extreme heat is becoming increasingly common. The crisis impacts billions worldwide, affecting health, economies, and exacerbating inequalities. Guterres highlighted four key action areas: protecting vulnerable populations with low-carbon cooling and early warning systems, safeguarding workers with effective heat protection, boosting resilience through data and science, and addressing the root causes by phasing out fossil fuels and advancing renewable energy. He emphasized the need for comprehensive climate action to tackle both the manifestations and causes of climate change.

Source: Environment Energy Leader

5- How ICC Sydney is Reducing Waste, Minimizing Carbon Footprints, and Promoting Ethical Practices

A survey by the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) found that 86% of UK and European event organizers view sustainability as crucial for running events. ICC Sydney’s CEO, Geoff Donaghy, emphasized the venue’s commitment to sustainable practices, with 88% of respondents agreeing that integrating sustainability, diversity, and inclusion enhances attendee experiences. Key findings show that sustainability commitments influence venue selection for 42% of organizers. ICC Sydney uses 25% renewable energy and has implemented initiatives like waste diversion and refill stations. The venue also focuses on diversity and inclusion, supporting accessible events and engaging with First Nations businesses through its Legacy program.

Source: Environment Energy Leader

6- Companies setting climate transition plans up 44% in 2023, research shows

A report by CDP, a non-profit data tracker, revealed that the number of companies claiming to have climate transition plans aligned with the 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming cap has increased by nearly 50%. However, many companies fail to provide sufficient information for investors to verify these claims. Of the 5,906 companies that reported having such plans, only 39% disclosed information on at least two-thirds of the 21 key indicators set by CDP, and just 1% disclosed all metrics. Despite this, the momentum is growing, with 8,000 more businesses aiming to have transition plans by 2025, highlighting the increasing importance of climate commitments for market confidence.

Source: Reuters

7- Sustainability in the fashion industry: the role of the digital product passport

The fast fashion industry has significantly contributed to overproduction, waste, and environmental degradation, with over 60% of items ending up in landfills or incinerated each year. This sector is responsible for substantial greenhouse gas emissions, with textiles production generating around 1.2 billion tonnes annually. The European Commission’s Sustainable and Circular Textile Strategy aims to make textile products more durable and recyclable, incorporating regulations like the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are proposed to enhance transparency by providing detailed environmental sustainability information for each product. Implementing item-level serialization using QR codes can offer additional benefits, such as improving recycling rates and ensuring product authenticity, helping the industry move towards a more sustainable future.

Source: The Manufacturer

8- Sustainable by design: Transforming datacenter water efficiency

Last month, Microsoft unveiled its Datacenter Community Pledge, emphasizing datacenters’ role in conserving and replenishing freshwater resources globally. Microsoft aims to become water positive by 2030, having already reduced water intensity in datacenters by over 80% from the early 2000s to 2023. Efforts include minimizing water use through innovative cooling technologies like direct-to-chip cooling and cold plates, and utilizing reclaimed water and rainwater harvesting. Additionally, Microsoft is investing in global water replenishment projects and advocating for effective water management policies. These initiatives align with their broader sustainability goals, which are detailed in the Microsoft 2024 Environmental Sustainability Report.

Source: Microsoft

9- Microsoft inks the largest carbon removal deal ever

Microsoft has struck a deal to purchase 500,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide removal credits from 1PointFive, a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum. This agreement, noted as the largest single carbon removal agreement ever, involves a direct air capture (DAC) facility at the Stratos plant in Texas, set to start operations next year. Microsoft, aiming to become carbon negative by 2030, faces rising emissions due to the energy demands of AI and data centers. DAC technology will remove CO2 from the air and store it underground. Previously, Microsoft bought 10,000 tons of CO2 removal from Climeworks in 2022, and Amazon recently agreed to buy 250,000 metric tons of CO2 removal credits from 1PointFive.

Source: Geek Wire

10- As businesses fail to hit sustainability goals, comms strategies must adapt, not die

As the world approaches a mid-way review of the UN’s Decade of Action for sustainable development, the outlook is concerning. Only 27% of businesses committed to The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global pledge on plastic waste are on track to meet their 2025 goals. Additionally, Accenture’s 2022 research indicated that 93% of companies are unlikely to reach their net-zero targets at their current progress rate. Ambitious sustainability goals often exceed practical resources and capabilities, posing challenges for businesses in communicating missed targets. Transparency is crucial, as acknowledging obstacles and redirecting efforts can build trust. Effective communication strategies can turn missed goals into opportunities for renewed action, reinforcing a company’s commitment to sustainability.

Source: The Drum