Author: Dashveenjit Kaur

A new GSMA report reveals that 70% of global consumers would pay a premium for sustainable devices as the mobile industry discovers that circularity isn’t just good for the planet – it’s becoming essential for business. That smartphone in your pocket likely took 60 kg of raw materials to create, will be replaced within 3.5 years, and might join the estimated 10 billion dormant phones worldwide – containing $20 billion worth of recoverable precious metals. Yet a fundamental shift is underway. Across 26 countries, consumers are keeping devices longer, demanding repairability, and increasingly choosing refurbished over new.  What was once…

New research reveals that nine in ten CFOs will increase sustainability investment in 2025, with 69% expecting higher returns than traditional investments. More than two-thirds of CFOs expect sustainability investments to outperform conventional spending, signalling a significant shift in how businesses view environmental initiatives’ financial returns. The findings come from a global survey of 500 CFOs conducted by Kearney and We Don’t Have Time in the UK, US, UAE, and India. The survey revealed that 92% plan to increase their sustainability investment in 2025. Almost 40% of CFOs intend to allocate between 2.1% and 2.5% of revenue to sustainability initiatives, while 23%…

AI carbon emissions have reached alarming levels, with just ChatGPT generating over 260,000 kg of CO2 monthly, raising urgent questions about artificial intelligence’s environmental sustainability. The staggering scale of AI carbon emissions has come into sharper focus, with recent data revealing that ChatGPT’s environmental impact rivals that of international air travel. According to a comprehensive study by KnownHost, the popular AI service generates more than 260,930 kilograms of carbon dioxide each month – equivalent to 260 flights between New York and London. While individual interactions appear modest, with ChatGPT producing just 1.59 grams of CO2 per page view, the platform’s…

As the world’s second-largest carbon emitter withdraws from the Paris Agreement for a second time, experts warn of ripple effects and highlight surprising economic currents that may prove more powerful than politics. The US Government’s second withdrawal from the Paris Agreement marks a pivotal moment in global climate politics. But economic realities and market forces may tell a different story from that suggested by the political theatre. President Trump’s January 20th executive order, framed around “Putting America First”, has triggered responses ranging from dismay to pragmatic optimism among climate experts and economists. Beyond the political symbolism Professor Chris Hilson from…

Progressive policies and robust charging infrastructure have transformed Norway’s auto market, making it the first nation poised to phase out fossil fuel vehicle sales completely by 2025. Norway’s remarkable electric vehicle adoption rate has set a new global benchmark. According to recent data from the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV), battery-powered vehicles accounted for nearly 90% of all new car sales in 2024. This achievement positions the Nordic nation as the first country poised to phase out fossil fuel vehicle sales completely. The journey toward this unprecedented electric vehicle adoption rate began in the 1990s, driven by progressive policies and tax…

Tesco research reveals that 74% of UK farmers are concerned about climate change, yet 76% face barriers in implementing environmental measures thanks to high costs and policy uncertainty in sustainable farming UK initiatives. Farmers in the UK are caught in a sustainable farming deadlock, with three-quarters unable to implement environmental measures despite witnessing climate change impacts first-hand. The finding from Tesco’s latest research comes as the retail giant announces two low-carbon concept farms, urging the government to deliver a comprehensive plan supporting farmers in their transition to net-zero agriculture. The announcement at the Oxford Farming Conference highlights the disconnect between agricultural sustainability…

Despite achieving record-breaking EV sales in 2024, UK automakers have warned that massive manufacturer incentives totalling £4.5 billion are financially unsustainable as government targets become more demanding. UK EV incentives reached unprecedented levels in 2024 as automakers spent £4.5 billion to drive record-breaking sales of 381,970 battery electric vehicles, marking a 21.4% increase from the previous year. However, industry leaders warn that this aggressive discounting strategy is unsustainable and risks the sector’s long-term viability. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports that manufacturers offered average discounts of nearly £12,000 per electric vehicle to comply with the UK government’s Zero-Emission Vehicle…

The EV market in China signals a transformative shift in global sustainable transport. With projected sales of 12 million units in 2025, it marks a historic victory for clean mobility. China’s sustainable transport is marking a historic transformation in 2025, as electric vehicle sales are set to surpass traditional cars for the first time in the country’s history. This milestone positions the world’s largest automotive market as a leader in sustainable transportation, years ahead of Western nations. According to the Financial Times, investment banks and research groups, including UBS and HSBC, project that China’s domestic EV market will grow by…

Unilever has announced the merger of its corporate affairs, external communications, and sustainability departments under Rebecca Marmot, the company’s chief sustainability officer. The reorganisation, revealed in early 2025, comes as businesses face increasing pressure to demonstrate tangible progress on sustainability commitments while maintaining strong financial performance. According to an internal communication from CEO Hein Schumacher, the decision reflects “the increasing extent to which the external policy environment impacts our commercial and sustainability ambitions.” The strategic realignment follows the departure of Paul Matthews, who served as global head of communications and corporate affairs for six years. Consolidating these functions under Marmot’s…

The Western Isles Council’s innovative waste-to-fuel conversion project promises to eliminate landfill dependency while creating renewable energy, potentially reshaping how remote communities tackle waste management challenges. The Western Isles are writing a new chapter in sustainable waste management as Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) launches an innovative waste-to-fuel conversion partnership with biotechnology company Advetec to transform their waste crisis into an energy opportunity. Under an eight-year, £1.2 million contract, the council will establish the UK’s first local authority waste-to-fuel conversion facility, processing 10 tonnes of domestic and commercial black bag waste daily at its Market Stance facility in Benbecula. This waste will…