In a world where the interconnection between businesses and the broader environment is undeniable, adopting a double materiality approach is a strategic imperative. By embracing both internal and external materiality considerations, organizations can navigate the complexities of sustainability more effectively, ensuring they not only minimize their negative impacts but also thrive in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Today I bought a coupon with which I will neutralize 4 tons a year for the next four years... I am wondering if anyone has already thought in this direction, and if you have ever heard anything about it???
It cost me 500€,
I mean I wanted to at least neutralize my footprint a little and help the planet.

The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) is coming back in about a month's time! Are you excited?

GGKP will be co-organising / supporting TWO accelerator sessions at WCEF 2024.

First is co-organising the session on, 'the EU in the Global Circular Economy Transition: Inspiration, incentives and market leverage' alongside the European Commission, Green Economy Coalition, and PAGE among our partners.

Did you ever wonder what actual ground-level impacts the EU Circular Economy policies and initiatives are making? Or how similar/different the EU CE action plan is from other regions, let's say Africa's? This is your chance to hear from & speak to the EU Circular Economy practitioners, as well as its global collaborators on the detailed ins and outs of the CE efforts so far. REGISTER here: https://thegreenforum.org/event/eu-global-circular-economy-transition-i…

The second accelerator session we're supporting is titled, 'Driving the Circular Economy Transition with Private Sector Initiatives'.

The global circular economy transition will not only bring behavioural changes to our consumption and waste management, but also the global value chains imposing substantial changes to how SMEs, entrepreneurs, and the entire private sector works. Join the session to learn more about experiences from the field, and how we can address the value chain-wide challenges come the global circular economy transition. REGISTER here: https://thegreenforum.org/event/driving-circular-economy-transition-pri…

Both events can be joined ONLINE.

When will the SEC Climate disclosure rule be applicable?

The intention behind this proposed rule is to establish a uniform framework for climate-related disclosures, enabling investors to gain a clearer understanding of the risks and potential impacts on the business operations and financial health of the companies in which they invest.

The SEC's climate disclosure rule remains under consideration, with the commission now anticipating the release of its finalized regulation in April 2024. This rule mandates companies to disclose climate-related risks, including scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3 emissions, alongside their practices for managing these risks.

Google's "Climate-Conscious" Data Center Cooling Initiative

Google has been on a journey to make its data centers some of the most efficient in the world for over a decade by optimizing the use of energy, water, and materials. Now, they're turning heads with new cooling technology that could dramatically cut down water use in their data centers. This is all part of their "climate-conscious" data center cooling initiative to reduce its impact on water in the communities where it operates.

The Future of Climate Change: From the Perspectives of Sam Israelit, Chief Sustainability Officer at Bain & Company

Sam maintains a positive outlook, envisioning a future where collaboration between companies and regulators, empowered by technology, will lead to effective solutions. As a first trend, he anticipates a convergence of carbon management with financial management. Secondly, he is enthusiastic about a continuous rise in investment in alternative energy sources, spurred by different tech startups. Also, he believes in the continued research and development around low-carbon impact materials such as alternative plastics.

Lastly, over the next decade, he believes that more and more people are going to realize that climate change is real and then they will increasingly expect companies to do something. And as part of that, there will be a willingness to pay for more sustainable products.

However, he cautions that the current pace of change is not fast enough and warns of more severe climate events as a result.

What is SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rule?
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has put forth a rule proposal aimed at standardizing the way in which companies disclose information about their approach to climate-related matters. Under this proposal, publicly traded companies in the United States would be obligated to annually disclose details regarding their assessment, measurement, and management of risks associated with climate change. This disclosure would encompass information on greenhouse gas emissions as an indicator of the company's susceptibility to climate-related risks.

But exactly who falls under the SEC Climate Disclosure umbrella and when it will be applicable?

Happening now: "Beyond COP28 - Advancing Biodiversity Finance for Global Climate Impact" webinar, co-hosted by the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP) and Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED).

Join to discuss the critical role of biodiversity finance in achieving essential advancements to stop and reverse the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Urgent Call for Climate Action and Economic Degrowth

Over the past 50 years, the rapid evolution of global warming and environmental degradation is clearly linked to human activity, including the ubiquitous use of fossil fuels and the blind pursuit of infinite economic growth on a finite planet.

Who is responsible for climate change by burning fossil fuels? Energy producers think they should produce more to make more profit when demand is high, while energy consumers think they should consume more to live more comfortably when supply is plentiful. Most people think we should blame others.

But the truth is that any reduction in fossil fuel consumption or production has a positive impact on climate change. That is, the more energy a person consumes above the global average, or the more energy a company produces for overconsuming people, the more responsible that person or company is for climate change.

Naturally, we all want to live comfortably, and money can help us satisfy our needs and desires. Since human happiness is not proportional to increasing wealth when our basic needs are met, it's not wise to pursue endless profits or infinite economic growth at the expense of humanity. For those with a competitive and noble character, it's high time to measure themselves by the number of people they help rather than the amount of wealth they accumulate.

In a climate and environmental emergency, any economy of overconsumption must decline in order for humanity to survive and thrive within planetary boundaries. Why not meet everyone's basic needs, stop making money for overconsumption, and shift our pursuit of happiness from material to intellectual growth? Let's start doing what we can do ourselves instead of waiting for others to do the right thing first.