Responsible Production & the Circular Economy

The Global Rivers Environmental Education Network is a partnership between General Motors, the nonprofit Earth Force, and local schools and conservation groups in GM communities designed to introduce youth to environmental science and careers in STEM.

Every so often, cities face major shocks. These can be economic shocks, such as the decline of key markets; natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina; or political shocks, such as corruption or gross mismanagement. Larger cities can often deal with these events using their own ample manpower and by leveraging their relationships with national governments. Smaller cities have a greater need for outside resource, but often have to fall back on their own resources and creativity to survive.

In recent years there has been a huge push for sustainable real estate with the realisation that buildings contribute to 40% of energy consumption in developed countries. One way in which sustainable real estate is being implemented is through green leases; leases that go above and beyond to incorporate sustainability requirements.

At this year’s World Economic Forum gathering in Davos, Switzerland, PR firm Edelman shared its comprehensive annual Trust Barometer, confirming what we all know: global trust in institutions and leaders is at an all-time low. Fully two-thirds of countries are now considered “distrusters” (under 50% trust in the mainstream institutions of business, government, media and NGOs to do what is right), compared to about half a year ago. This is a stunning collapse in trust, even from last year’s low base.

Getting dressed each morning is a simple, routine act, but the process of making many of the clothes that fill our closets is anything but. Even to create a typical colored T-shirt, the fabric manufacturing and dyeing industry relies heavily on the use of salt, alkali and other chemicals, a process that creates substantial waste and can involve high energy and water consumption.

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) and Honda (NYSE: HMC) today announced establishment of the auto industry’s first manufacturing joint venture to mass produce an advanced hydrogen fuel cell system that will be used in future products from each company.

Carlsberg Circular Community, an innovative partnership with key partners, rethinks the design and production of packaging material to eliminate waste and optimize materials for high quality reuse and recycling; often referred to as ‘upcyling’.

On the two-year anniversary of the merger that created the second-largest supermarket company in the U.S., Albertsons Companies announced that since the merger with Safeway, it has grown its workforce by 10 percent, creating 26,000 jobs; built or acquired 174 locations; increased healthy food and financial donations; and elevated its commitment to sustainability.

Sands Resorts Macao welcomed the Year of the Rooster by launching the annual “Seasons of Prosperity” show at The Venetian Macao. The 3D Light and Sound Spectacular is the property’s seasonal, family celebration that welcomes Chinese New Year and is one of the world’s biggest light show events this holiday season.

Starting this year, large companies based in the European Union will need to disclose additional non-financial information in their annual reports, specifically policies, risks and outcomes related to environmental issues, respect for human rights and anti-corruption.