“Lego’s pivot is the beginning of a larger trend toward developing sustainable solutions for entire supply chains in a circular economy”

Lego had great intentions to eliminate fossil fuels from its globally known bricks. As more companies come under scrutiny for their entire carbon footprint, we may see more instances where well-intentioned sustainability efforts run into uncomfortable truths. Tinglong Dai, Professor of Operations Management & Business Analytics, Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University; Christopher S. … Continue reading “Lego’s pivot is the beginning of a larger trend toward developing sustainable solutions for entire supply chains in a circular economy” →

Energy in Demand News, October 8, 2023

As we get closer to COP28 in Dubai, there are some disturbing signs. For example: the US and China failed to pledge to the UN Green Climate Fund (most countries, including Germany, Austria and France, increased their pledges, while Denmark, Ireland and Liechtenstein doubled theirs but total pledges still did not reach target); Russia says … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, October 8, 2023 →

Seeking to ensure there will be a guarantee of free speech at COP28

A statement at the UN human rights council voices ‘disappointment’ after host country, UAE, refuses to change restrictive laws. Patrick Wintour writes in the Guardian about how the UK, a close ally of UAE, is seeking such assurances. UK government asks UAE for assurances over free speech at Cop28 summit The UK has asked … Continue reading Seeking to ensure there will be a guarantee of free speech at COP28 →

New EEA briefing on why a thoughtful approach to participation is needed for sustainability transitions

What is the role of citizens in Europe’s shift to a sustainable future and how do we make it inclusive? Transitioning into sustainability will be challenging and calls for creativity and the full involvement of all sectors of society, including citizens, to make it a success, according to a European Environment Agency briefing published this … Continue reading New EEA briefing on why a thoughtful approach to participation is needed for sustainability transitions →

Energy in Demand News, October 1, 2023

It was encouraging that the heads of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) called on leaders from government, finance and industry across Europe to deliver a clean energy transition that is just, swift and maintains competitiveness. Ministers, ambassadors, business leaders, central bankers and other key … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, October 1, 2023 →

Lessons to be learned in how France lowered its electricity consumption last winter

Ariane Millot, Research Associate in Energy Systems Modelling, Imperial College London and Steve Pye, Associate Professor in Energy Systems at UCL discuss how France was able to lower its electricity consumption last winter by an impressive 10 %. To avoid shortages, France implemented a “sobriety plan” with the aim of lowering total energy consumption by … Continue reading Lessons to be learned in how France lowered its electricity consumption last winter →

Lego ditches oil-free brick in sustainability setback

World’s biggest toymaker says new material made from recycled bottles would have bigger carbon footprint. Latest analysis shows using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) would have led to higher carbon emissions over the product’s lifetime as it would have required new equipment. Noor Nanji discusses latest developments in an article on the BBC News website. … Continue reading Lego ditches oil-free brick in sustainability setback →

The new EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive: “We do not want to be crushed and knocked out” by burdensome regulations, say French SMEs

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive would extend the scope of companies’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting obligations to inform investors, banks and insurance companies better. The new rules would also apply to SMEs. In an article on the EURACTIV website, Théo Bourgery-Gons discusses how French SMEs argue that new regulations are so onerous that … Continue reading The new EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive: “We do not want to be crushed and knocked out” by burdensome regulations, say French SMEs →

Summary of UN Summits Week 2023

Last week, the UN Headquarters was busy with the General Debate of the 78th session of the General Assembly together with summits on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and on climate change. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) does an incredible job … Continue reading Summary of UN Summits Week 2023 →

Energy in Demand News, September 24, 2023

The UN Climate Ambition Summit was held this week, and there were great expectations that this would be the occasion when the world’s leaders would finally understand that it was their most critical priority to address the climate crisis. Yet at the summit, UN Secretary General António Guterres could not hold back his concerns: “Humanity … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, September 24, 2023 →