With so much going on in the realm of sustainability, leadership, and innovation, and only a limited amount of bandwidth for professionals in this space, we have created this weekly news to highlight articles that we feel are (1) important, (2) relevant, and (3) interesting in the areas of business sustainability. If you have an article that you feel needs to be mentioned, please do so in the comments section.
Venezuela cuts power for four hours a day to save energy
In our post earlier this week the growing level of water scarcity around the globe. The relevance of this has been highlighted recently by the the energy restriction hitting Venezuela, a countries who’s oil reserves are deeper than most of the world’s, but without the water required for hydroelectric production its capacity has run out. This show the importance of water to all systems and is perfect example of the water-energy nexus, something so key to societies and economies.
Inclusive cities are productive cities
The future of development is in Cities, they are and will be the heartbeat for economies around the world. But as 300 million people worldwide populated cities over the next 30 years how are the systems to be designed to generate the maximise productivity. Much of it lies with the social dynamics where people must feel included, comfortable and happy. Achieve this and productivity follows.
Chongqing looks to cut pollution, protect Yangtze River
Chongqing has been experimenting various forms of environmental protection measures in recent years. In this piece, Tan Yingzi talks about how this Southwestern city has been spearheading environmental protection initiatives via investment and finance, including the introduction of trading pollution rights, setting up environmental investment company and establishing China’s first environmental equity fund, and how these initiatives can be translated into the protection of Yangtze River.
The 5 biggest shifts since the Paris climate talks
Here’s a rundown of the 5 biggest trends that have taken shape since COP21. Investment in clean energy is growing in emerging economies, big business is backing the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, Obama is proposing a $10-a-barrel tax on oil despite continuing taxpayer subsidies to oil and gas, the coal industry is taking a dive – notably Peabody Energy who recently filed for bankruptcy, and sub-national climate action is picking up speed.
Earth Day checklist: five simple things you can do to make a difference
It is, of course, Earth Day and it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t give it a mention in our news this week. Here Madeleine Somerville, of the Guardian, outlines 5 simple things that you can do to make that little bit of a difference for mother nature on this day.