Author: Dashveenjit Kaur

As the EU’s landmark deforestation regulation sparks global debate, Brazil’s paper industry leads technological adaptation while highlighting implementation challenges and compliance costs. Blockchain technology and EU deforestation regulations are reshaping Brazil’s pulp and paper industry as it proactively adapts, investing in blockchain technology and supply chain innovations despite mounting pressure for implementation delays. This technological pivot comes as the industry faces potential cost increases of up to $230 per ton of pulp to meet compliance requirements. South America’s largest country’s paper and pulp sector, which exports 4.4 million tons of pulp to the EU annually, stands at a crucial intersection…

The cloud computing giant partners with materials science startup Orbital to use AI-driven innovation to slash carbon emissions and water usage across its massive data centre network. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Princeton-based Orbital Materials to accelerate the development of sustainable data centre technologies. The partnership will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle the growing environmental impact of cloud computing infrastructure. The collaboration will focus on integrating Orbital’s proprietary AI-designed materials into AWS data centres to enhance carbon removal capabilities, optimise cooling systems, and improve water utilisation efficiency. Since establishing its advanced materials R&D…

As mandatory ESG reporting looms, KPMG’s latest survey reveals GRI remains the dominant framework, with 77% of the world’s largest companies and 71% of surveyed national firms now using GRI Standards for sustainability reporting. The adoption of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards continues to strengthen its position as the leading framework for sustainability reporting worldwide, according to KPMG’s Survey of Sustainability Reporting 2024. The research, which examined 5,800 companies across 58 countries, demonstrates that GRI Standards maintain their status as the most widely used sustainability reporting framework globally. The survey findings show that 77% of G250 companies (the world’s 250…

China’s new 1-gigawatt offshore solar farm combines innovative marine technology with clean energy production, powering 2.6 million homes while showcasing the future of ocean-based solar power. China’s state-owned CHN Energy has connected its first batch of photovoltaic units to the grid from its new offshore solar farm in the Yellow Sea. The one-gigawatt facility, situated eight kilometres off the eastern coast of Dongying City, represents the largest open-sea solar installation globally and establishes a new template for marine-based renewable energy projects. The solar farm, developed by CHN Energy’s subsidiary Guohua Energy Investment Co., occupies 1,223 hectares of ocean surface. On…

As mandatory ESG reporting looms, technology companies must transform their voluntary disclosure practices into robust compliance systems – but forward-thinking firms are spotting strategic advantages. In the past few years, we have witnessed how sustainability reporting has evolved from a voluntary practice to a mandatory requirement for many companies. In PwC’s view, the transition mirrors the seismic changes brought about by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and suggests a similar transformation in how companies approach environmental, social, and governance (ESG) accountability. The sustainability reporting landscape rapidly has evolved from a ‘nice-to-have’ into a complex web of mandatory requirements. While many…

All of Singapore’s top 100 companies now report on sustainability, marking a milestone achievement as corporate climate risk awareness jumps to 76% from 49% in 2022, a KPMG survey reveals. Singapore has emerged as one of only seven countries globally where ESG reporting has been fully adopted among its top 100 companies, showcasing the city-state’s accelerated transition toward sustainable business practices. The achievement comes as more Singapore companies recognise climate change as a financial risk, with adoption rates surging from 49% to 76% in just two years. According to KPMG’s 2024 Survey of Sustainability Reporting, Singapore’s corporate landscape has significantly outperformed global…

Swedish wave energy pioneer clinched crucial €32M Series B1 funding, demonstrating investor confidence in ocean power following groundbreaking trials that weathered fierce Atlantic storms. Swedish wave energy technology innovator, CorPower Ocean, has secured landmark funding of €32 million, marking the company’s most significant single investment and signalling a watershed moment for ocean power solutions. The Series B1 round, spearheaded by NordicNinja VC, SEB Greentech, and EIT InnoEnergy, underscores growing market confidence in wave energy’s transition from promising technology to a mainstream power source. The investment follows CorPower Ocean’s successful demonstration of its commercial-scale C4 device at Portugal’s Aguçadoura site. The…

The German chemical and consumer goods giant sets ambitious science-based targets for emissions reduction across its entire value chain, promising a 90% cut in greenhouse gases by 2045 as part of its purposeful growth strategy. Stepping up the fight against climate change, chemical and consumer goods manufacturer, Henkel, has laid out its most ambitious environmental commitment: eliminating 90% of its greenhouse gas emissions within two decades. The Düsseldorf-based company unveiled its comprehensive net-zero roadmap last week, marking a decisive shift in how one of Europe’s largest chemical producers plans to tackle its environmental footprint. The new strategy, announced on November…

As world leaders prepare to gather in Baku for COP29, this year’s climate negotiations must secure global climate action financing while maintaining momentum on phasing out fossil fuels. In what many see as a striking paradox, Azerbaijan – a country whose economy relies heavily on fossil fuels—will host this year’s pivotal UN climate change conference, COP29. This is the second consecutive climate summit presided over by a petro-state, following COP28’s hosting by the UAE, and so raises questions about commitment to meaningful climate action. Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29, from November 11-22, 2024, forms part of an unprecedented ‘triple COP’ sequence…

Microsoft’s experimental wooden data centres combine traditional materials with billion-dollar investments and supply chain reforms to tackle tech’s growing carbon footprint, offering a blueprint for sustainable digital infrastructure. In northern Virginia, Microsoft is revolutionising data centre construction with an unexpected material: wood. The company utilises cross-laminated timber (CLT) in a hybrid approach that combines this engineered wood product with steel and concrete. This innovative method promises to reduce the facilities’ carbon footprint by 35% compared to conventional steel construction and an impressive 65% compared to typical precast concrete structures. The secret lies in CLT’s unique properties. Made from spruce, pine, or Douglas…