South Korea joins China, Japan in pledge to be carbon neutral

South Korea has pledged to target carbon neutrality by 2050. This comes on the back of China’s declaration for net-zero emissions by 2060 and Japan’s aim for carbon neutrality by 2050. President Moon Jae-in revealed the plan to tackle the climate crisis during a policy address to the National Assembly. South Korea’s president said the country will respond to climate …

Carbon-neutral winery uncorks in France

In France, a new sustainable winery is on its way. Château Cantenac Brown, an estate in France’s famous wine hub Bordeaux, has set out to build a sustainable winery with zero-carbon footprint. The winery will eliminate air conditioning or energy consumption. Instead, the thermal inertia of the raw earth winery will ensure the stabilization and aging of the wines. Forty-year-old …

Green Climate Fund accredits Australia’s Macquarie to boost climate investments

The Green Climate Fund (GCF), a climate investment fund for developing countries, has signed an agreement with its first Australia-based global private sector partner. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) set up the GCF in 2010. Its goal was to help developing countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and respond to climate change. With the agreement, Macquarie …

Slow fashion, ecobrands, and the move towards carbon-neutral fashion retail

By May 2021, more than 60 brands, manufacturers, and fabric mills will have produced “circular jeans.” These are durable pairs that can be turned into new jeans after their use. With a project called “Jeans Redesign,” denim experts have come together to stitch guidelines for the slow fashion business to support the circular economy.  Most jeans, like other casual and …

World leaders must listen to science to solve global crises, says Nobel Laureate

Science is key to solving global crises, but we need leaders who listen to science, said Nobel Prize Laureate Kip Thorne in a recent speech.  “Science and technology based on scientific research are key to solving problems such as pandemics or climate change. But I consider it equally important to encourage the respect of politicians and the public for science …

KPMG offers new climate accounting capability to measure greenhouse gas emissions

Global accounting firm KPMG has recently set out to measure and offset greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) with a new capability, Climate Accounting Infrastructure (CAI). Patent-pending CAI is also intended to help organizations mitigate and report GHG. Climate technology companies including Context Labs, Prescriptive Data, and Allinfra are participating.  Businesses to report sustainability practices, ESG results In 2020, organizations worldwide are …

Unilever CEO impels businesses to take stand on climate change, other political issues

Unilever CEO Alan Jope has called on businesses to take on strong positions on global issues such as climate change and inequality. “It’s extremely naive for any business of any scale to say they can’t get involved in political issues,” Jope said during the 2020 Responsible Business Summit organized by UK-based digital media company Tortoise. Jope said Unilever’s guiding principles …

Fashion markdown: Six ways brands can tailor zero net carbon plans

Fashion influencers come under fire online when they advocate for climate action one day and suit up in fast fashion the next. With social media groupthinks like this, fashion brands are paying attention. Consumers are clearly willing to rethink their buying patterns and are getting more engaged with sustainability topics, according to a recent McKinsey study.  McKinsey research shows the …

European Commission wants 2030 GHG targets increased

The European Commission has proposed to increase the bloc’s 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target to “at least 55%.”  The European Parliament’s environment committee has endorsed an even higher target of 60% reduction. In October, the full plenary will vote.  Clean Energy Wire (CLEW) said in a statement that environmental organisations are calling for a higher target to meet the …

Push for climate neutrality is major business opportunity, says German govt

The German government urges Europe’s financial sector to see the shift to a more sustainable economy as a major business opportunity.  “Transforming the economy towards greater sustainability offers huge opportunities. We need to grasp them now. Banks, insurers and investors have a particular responsibility in this respect, which is why our message is: invest more in sustainability and carbon neutrality!” …