The Week in Sustainability

1. Net-zero commitments 

One of the central themes of Climate Week NYC 2023 was the widespread commitment to net-zero emissions goals. It demonstrates a growing acknowledgement among businesses: Addressing climate change is a moral imperative and essential for long-term economic resilience. While the tone remained hopeful, it was also realistic—we only have six years left to reduce global emissions by 50% to meet 2030 goals.    

2. Investments in renewable energy  

Renewable energy took center stage as companies unveiled significant investments in clean energy projects, including massive solar and wind farms. These T&D projects increase the capacity of the grid to move renewable power from the point of generation to the point of consumption, as well as investments in advanced energy storage technologies.  

3. Sustainable supply chains 

Supply chain sustainability emerged as a critical focus for businesses. Companies announced plans to reduce the carbon footprint of their supply chains by sourcing materials responsibly, optimizing logistics, and adopting circular economy principles. The shift reflects a growing demand from consumers for sustainable products and services and the regulatory landscape. 

4. Climate finance and green bonds 

Financial institutions and businesses showcased their commitment to climate finance. Green bonds, designed to fund environmentally beneficial projects, gained significant attention. It’s a trend that indicates a shift towards sustainable investments, with more capital flowing into projects that combat climate change and support sustainability initiatives. 

5. Carbon pricing and emissions reduction 

Many businesses pledged to adopt carbon pricing mechanisms within their operations. They also committed to substantial emissions reduction targets, aligning with the Paris Agreement’s goals. By putting a price on carbon and actively reducing emissions, these companies are positioning themselves as leaders in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. 

6. Technological innovation 

Innovations in clean technology were a hot topic at Climate Week. Companies showcased cutting-edge solutions, including carbon capture and utilization, sustainable agriculture techniques, and electric vehicle advancements. These innovations demonstrate that technology is an enabler of sustainability and can drive significant emissions reductions. 

7. Climate adaptation and resilience 

Climate adaptation and resilience to extreme weather events and rising sea levels were acknowledged as part of the inevitable impacts of climate change. Many announced initiatives to enhance their resilience and support vulnerable communities. 

8. Sustainable reporting and transparency 

Greater transparency and sustainability reporting were highlighted as essential for accountability. Businesses are committed to disclosing their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics more comprehensively and providing investors and stakeholders with better insights into their sustainability efforts.  

Sustain.Life was proud to partner with UN Global Compact USA Network where the message rang clear on the power of data to enable sustainability reporting across the increasingly harmonized global reporting landscape. With recent announcements around CDP’s alignment with the ISSB, CSRD, and proposed SEC climate disclosure rules.  

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Apple continues to trailblaze on the sustainability front. On the legislative front, California’s new bills might set a precedent for broader global actions, which make one thing clear: meticulous carbon accounting is no longer a choice; it’s a necessity.

Paving the way: California’s climate bills

California is once again at the forefront of climate legislation. The state has passed two promising bills: SB 253, aka the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, and SB 261, the Climate-related Risk Disclosure Act. Both bills remain unsigned, but their momentum is undeniable. What sets them apart?

• SB 253 will require companies boasting revenues over $1B (regardless of being public or private) to verify and disclose their emissions across all scopes.
• SB 261 demands businesses with a revenue threshold above $500M to report climate-associated risks in harmony with the TCFD.

Interestingly, these bills not only align with proposed SEC rules, but notably encompass private entities, hinting at broader, rippling effects through supply chains.

Apple’s ongoing green evolution

Lovable tech titan, Apple, publicly endorsed the California bills, likely due to its preparedness signaled by their latest product launches, which focused heavily on sustainability.

Key highlights from the September 12 Apple event:

• Freight emissions cut: Apple is largely transitioning from air to ocean freight, which has a 95% smaller carbon footprint.
• Carbon neutral product debut: The launch of new Apple Watch models have been designed to be carbon neutral—a big step for the company in its quest to become net-zero by 2030 (more on that in a sec).
• A farewell to leather: Vegan enthusiasts rejoice! Apple is transitioning away from leather, which might redefine leather’s luxury status.
• Recycled minerals: Apple has taken a significant step by using 100% recycled cobalt in their batteries, addressing both environmental and ethical concerns in the supply chain.

While Apple’s initiatives are commendable, it’s essential to gauge their progress against their broader carbon reduction goals. The company aims for net-zero by 2030 and has already slashed emissions by 45% since 2015. Individual announcements might dazzle, but the journey to their ultimate goal remains paramount.

And there’s still the curious case of a move to titanium. Apple’s choice to introduce a titanium frame in their new iPhone Pro models has raised eyebrows. With a carbon footprint significantly larger than aluminum, it begs the question: Do we really need such high-end materials in everyday tech?

California’s challenges Big Oil

In yet another bold move to address climate change, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a lawsuit against five leading oil companies: BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and ConocoPhillips, along with their associated trade group, the American Petroleum Institute. 

The core of the lawsuit alleges that these energy giants were not only significantly responsible for exacerbating climate change but were fully aware of the potential risks for many decades. Rather than acting responsibly, these companies purportedly chose to conceal the damage, mislead consumers, and oppose renewable energy, all in the pursuit of increased profits. This lawsuit echoes similar legal actions taken by other jurisdictions like Rhode Island, Baltimore, and Honolulu. However, this legal challenge carries added weight given California’s vast economy. Evidence from the 1950s to the 1980s shows that these oil companies had multiple indications about the harmful effects of their products. Their denial and misinformation campaigns allegedly intensified following key global climate events in the early 1990s. 

California has expressed hopes that a jury trial might favor public health. If the companies decide to settle, California aims to establish an abatement fund to address the environmental damage the state has endured due to the changing climate.

New York’s Climate Week and worldwide protests 

Shifting focus to the East Coast, New York City recently initiated its 15th annual Climate Week. The event, however, wasn’t just limited to discussions and conferences. A massive wave of protesters, numbering between 50,000 and 75,000, took to the streets, demanding an end to the reliance on fossil fuels. Their message was potent and straightforward: discussions are valuable, but tangible action is overdue. 

This recent mobilization in New York is noteworthy, being the largest climate demonstration in the U.S. since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The momentum isn’t just national—global protests are anticipated across 54 countries, with an expected staggering 1 million individuals. 

This surge of activism coincides strategically with key global events, namely the UN General Assembly and the UN Climate Ambition Summit. The urgency behind these protests is palpable, especially given recent data indicating 2022 is the hottest year on record and the pressing concern of transgressing six of the nine planetary boundaries. Yet, amid the critical challenges, there’s a silver lining: The ozone layer’s recovery, thanks to informed policies and global cooperation, stands as a beacon of hope. Its repair underscores that concerted, coordinated efforts can usher in positive change.

We dive into the Burning Man festival’s environmental challenges, namely how its principles are at odds with its practices.

Background on Burning Man 

Originating from a small group of artists in San Francisco, Burning Man now attracts around 70,000 attendees annually in the Nevada desert. Attendees would argue it’s not just a festival—it’s a temporary city with guiding principles that resonate closely with sustainability, like radical inclusion, civic responsibility, and environmental protection.

Environmental concerns around Burning Man 

As the event’s popularity has surged, so have environmental criticisms. Noteworthy issues include:

• Carbon footprint – Recent reports suggest that the festival generates an eyebrow-raising 100,000 tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to burning 100 million pounds of coal. It’s a statistic at odds with the festival’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
• Transportation – The festival’s predominant emissions culprit? Air travel, especially as the wealthy and elite increasingly frequent the event from far-off locations.
• On-site emissions – The evolution from rustic camping to diesel-powered installations and air-conditioned RVs significantly contributes to the festival’s carbon footprint.
• Weather: Emblematic of the climate crisis, this year’s event faced torrential rains, which left attendees stranded and forced to ration resources due to the desert’s impassability.

More context

• Physical climate risks – Burning Man underscores the real physical risks businesses and events face due to climate change, especially as weather patterns shift.
• Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) – An environmental justice principle, NIMBY, highlights the challenges faced when socially privileged groups resist sustainable projects in their vicinity. A case in point is Burning Man’s opposition to a geothermal exploration project in the Black Rock National Conservation Area, raising questions about potential hypocrisy given the event’s own environmental impact.

Despite its foundational ideals, Burning Man is grappling with environmental challenges that force questions of its alignment with sustainable practices.

Global warming’s ripple effects can be seen everywhere month-by-month and minute-by-minute—from July heatwaves to altered coastal ecosystems. And that’s just this summer alone. But the challenge also brings forth innovation—and this week, we’re focusing on a couple of stoires about promising innovations in marine cargo shipping and aviation. 

Marvel in marine shipping

Traditionally derived from natural gas, methanol is emerging as a potential alternative to heavy fuel oil in marine cargo shipping. The advantages? Methanol emits 80% less nitrogen oxide and 99% less sulfur oxide. But, the carbon emissions from conventional methanol remain a concern. Enter biomass-based methanol, a greener variant that emits 60–90% less carbon than its conventional counterpart. 

While challenges loom in the form of higher costs and availability (unsurprisingly, ships tailored for this unique fuel also come with a heftier price tag), there’s good news, too. Maersk, the world’s largest shipping company, is eyeing ambitious carbon targets, signaling a potentially burgeoning demand for biomass-based methanol.

But marine cargo shipping isn’t just eyeing the future—it’s also looking to the past for sustainable inspiration. Sails are back in vogue! The Pyxis Ocean, the first wind-powered commercial cargo ship, is a testament to this resurgence. These modern sails, reminiscent of wind turbines, can help ships save nearly three tons of fuel daily. Even more promising, existing ships can be retrofitted with these sails, which paves the way for a future where cargo ships harness both wind power and bio-based methanol, heralding a massive reduction in shipping emissions.

Clearing the skies: AI in aviation

Now let’s shift gears to aviation. Beyond sustainable aviation fuel lies another promising avenue—the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

Google and American Airlines are collaborating to harness AI-based predictions to minimize contrail formation—the cloud-like trails left behind by planes that trap heat and account for a whopping 30% of aviation’s contribution to global warming.

So where does AI come in? By leveraging vast amounts of weather data, flight paths, and satellite imagery, Google’s Climate and Energy team can predict contrail formations. Pilots can then adjust altitudes, similar to how they evade turbulence, to bypass humid layers, thus reducing contrails. Initial tests cut expected contrails by 50%.

While sustainable transportation alternatives aren’t without their challenges, the combined might of innovation, determination, and technological advances like AI paints a hopeful picture for a greener future. 

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In recent days, two major environmental events have captured our attention. On the one hand, we have the devastating wildfires that ravaged a community in Hawaii, and on the other, we witnessed a landmark ruling in a climate case from Montana, which could potentially pave the way for future climate-related lawsuits.

Hawaii’s heartbreaking wildfire disaster

The alarming news of wildfires in Hawaii has been distressing to say the least. The fact that the fires claimed over 100 lives (a number that’s sure to climb) is deeply saddening, and our hearts go out to everyone affected. For many, it’s hard to fathom how a vibrant island like Hawaii, surrounded by water, could fall victim to such a disaster.

So, what’s causing these infernos in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? The current state of affairs has been years in the making. Over the past three decades, Hawaii has seen declining rainfall, reduced cloud cover due to soaring temperatures, and changing storm patterns. Sadly, all these shifts are linked to climate change, which resulted in the arid conditions that fuel wildfires. The region’s drought conditions cause temperatures to rise, and with less moisture to absorb the heat, it further dries out the landscape, and creates a vicious cycle. And while Hurricane Dora may not have directly hit Hawaii, its strong gusts exacerbated the wildfire situation.

It’s a chilling reminder that multiple climate events can, and often do, impact one another, leading to catastrophic outcomes.

The landmark Montana climate case

Shifting our focus to Montana, a significant legal development promises to be a beacon of hope for the climate movement. In the lawsuit, “Held v. State of Montana,” young plaintiffs have achieved a monumental win.

For those unfamiliar, the case revolved around young activists challenging the state. They asserted that by overlooking climate change in their fossil fuel projects, Montana infringed upon their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. The verdict? The judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, deeming Montana’s approval of such projects without climate change considerations unconstitutional.

This groundbreaking decision isn’t just a victory for Montana. It establishes a powerful precedent for similar cases nationwide. The ruling solidifies the long-held understanding that climate change is a manufactured, human-created issue, and its repercussions directly influence individual lives. Importantly, it fortifies the legal framework for citizens, especially younger generations, to champion their rights and the future of our planet.

A permitting predicament

States like California and New York, heralded for their ambitious climate policies, might not meet their 2030 climate targets. Why? It’s not a lack of planning or policies but rather the tortuous pace of state permitting. 

Ambitious goals, bureaucratic hurdles

Both states have set ambitious targets, including plans to ban new natural gas lines and end the sale of combustion engine cars by 2030. But one question begs to be asked: How can states with such robust environmental intentions fall short in streamlining bureaucratic processes?

But the fact remains: Permitting is essential. It serves as a protective measure, ensuring that projects undergo environmental impact assessments, adhere to existing regulations, and factor in community concerns. In permitting, you can’t differentiate renewable energy projects from conventional fossil fuel-based ones. The challenge is balancing swift renewable energy development without compromising environmental standards.

A path forward?

Addressing the bottleneck of permit approval without neglecting environmental diligence is indeed challenging. Could specialized permitting teams be trained in renewable energy projects to ensure speed and compliance? Maybe. On the state level, there are initiatives aiming to reform this process. Governor Newsom’s proposed bill seeks to reduce litigation delays, streamline review processes, and make considerations for projects in areas with endangered species.

Striking the right balance

What about environmental justice and equity? It’s crucial that permitting reforms don’t disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. History has shown us the detrimental impacts of situating power plants and waste processing factories in low-income areas, so it’s critical to ensure that localities not only bear the burden but also reap the benefits of these projects.

The under appreciated aspect of the energy transition

While technology and R&D often get the majority of the limelight when it comes to the energy transition, practical implementation is just as important. Permitting might not be the most exciting topic, but it’s critical to achieving our decarbonization goals.

In a world racing against time to mitigate climate change impacts, these types of discussions shed light on the intricacies of the journey. As we strive for a more sustainable future, these tedious details could make all the difference.

Impact of climate change and the role of El Niño

The globe is currently experiencing the ramifications of climate change as we endure soaring temperatures and severe weather patterns during the summer of 2023. Torrential rains have triggered floods and landslides in Korea, Japan, and the northeastern United States. Meanwhile, heatwaves have swept through the Mediterranean, Mexico, China, and the Southern United States. July has been logged as the most sweltering month on record, shaped by anthropogenic climate change and the influence of El Niño, which is predicted to carry over into the winter, indicating another scorching summer for the subsequent year. This climate shift has also damaged marine ecosystems, with considerable bleaching events noted in coral reefs due to increased sea surface temperatures.

Impact on the oil and gas industry

Rising global temperatures have unexpectedly led to the shutdown of oil refineries in oil-rich regions like Texas and Louisiana. The infrastructure, built under normal climatic conditions, struggles to withstand the current heat extremes. The irony lies in fossil fuel production equipment's inability to endure the warming temperatures they have helped cause. The aging and deteriorating oil and gas infrastructure has accentuated the need for renewable energy technologies. These newer systems, designed with a warming climate in mind, seem to be a more sensible investment for the future. A broader solution to combat climate change is seen in transformative decarbonization efforts.

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There’s been a new surge of ambitious supply chain decarbonization efforts led by heavyweight companies like Amazon, SAP, and others. The reason? It’s likely that the looming SEC climate disclosure rule, now expected in October, has catalyzed action. Businesses are looking to stay ahead of the—again, potential—regulatory mandates and tackle the thorny issue of scope 3 emissions—those tied to supply chains, typically representing 80-90% of a company’s carbon footprint. Large-scale firms are setting the stage, choosing to tackle greenwashing head-on and truly drive climate action with stringent sustainability requirements for their suppliers.

Amazon’s recent sustainability report notably expands its decarbonization ambitions into the supplier realm. By 2024, Amazon suppliers must disclose their carbon emissions and reduction goals—an unequivocal push toward its 2040 net-zero goal. Seeing initiatives leap out of the retail sector into fresh terrains—such as software and tech, with SAP’s supply chain engagement program—means companies across sectors are finally doing something. 

The newfound bid for ESG excellence includes greenhouse gas reductions from critical suppliers. What’s intriguing here are the market forces driving significant changes across the value chain. Transparency and detailed emissions reportingare rapidly becoming the norm, as retailers expect suppliers to align their efforts with customer expectations and goals. It’s a wave of change that’s set to ripple through the business ecosystem, influencing carbon reporting and ultimately driving a more sustainable future.