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IKEA announced a new 2015 goal to source 100% certified sustainable palm oil from segregated sources, a process that ensures the separation of certified palm oil from non-certified product.

The North Face today announced its Fall 2016 line, including more than 500 down product styles that feature certified responsible down through the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). Officially launched in January 2014, the RDS is the most comprehensive, global, third-party certified animal welfare and traceability standard for down and feathers available for use by any company. The North Face initially committed to include 100 percent certified responsible down in all retail and wholesale down products by Fall 2017, and was able to achieve the increase a year sooner than anticipated. 

The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute is now offering its Cradle to Cradle Certified Catalyst Program free of charge. The program helps product developers, designers, and manufacturers better understand and implement the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Program within their organization.

LEED-certified hotels are seeing plenty of payback on their green investments, a new study suggests. LEED hotels saw "superior financial performance," gaining an average of $20 in revenues per room over their non-LEED rivals.

Fashion designers have long asked for a place to find materials they know are healthier for people and the planet - and now they have one. The new Fashion Positive Materials Collection includes 39 materials for fashion applications that are Cradle to Cradle Certified or have received a Material Health Certificate, which at higher levels of certification ensures safe materials suitable for circular design. READ MORE

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil has released its 2016 RSPO Impact Report, which highlights the following accomplishments for 2016: * Increased membership by 29% over the previous year. * Achieved 83 million hectares (10,900 square miles) of certified palm oil producing lands across 14 nations. * 40 RSPO growers have phased out the toxic herbicide paraquat, with another 33 firms saying they are on track to ban the use of this chemical. * Doubled the number of certified independent smallholders. * Closed two-thirds of the labor grievances filed since 2009.

BASF has announced a goal of using only certified palm oil by 2015.

In a bid to appeal to eco-conscious consumers, McDonald's will start selling Rainforest Alliance-certified espresso and Marine Stewardship Council-certified fish sandwiches. "We feel there's a tipping point coming. We see the consumer starting to care. Consumer expectations are rising," explains Bob Langert, vice president of sustainability for McDonald's

McDonald's launched its first Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability framework alongside a new sustainability report. The framework sets new goals of purchasing beef from sustainable-certified sources by 2016, procuring 100% of fiber-based packaging from certified or recycled sources, and increasing energy efficiency 20% in company-owned restaurants in 7 markets

Earlier this year, Hershey set a target to source at least 50 percent of its global cocoa supply from certified and sustainable sources by 2015 - a full year ahead of its original schedule. Hershey has committed to source 100 percent certified and sustainable cocoa by 2020.

After getting two stores LEED-certified since 2008, they used the experience to create their own certification program for franchisees. Dunkin is rolling out the program for new construction, with a goal of building 100 certified restaurants by the end of 2016. And they also want to extend the program to retrofits at some point.

The North Face set a goal of procuring 100% of its down from sustainable sources certified under the Responsible Down Standard. The company also plans to use 100% sustainable down for its Summit Series and European styles by 2015.

The Hershey Company has announced that 30%of its globally sourced cocoa was independently certified and verified in 2014 - this reflects an accelerated pace for achieving its goal of sourcing 100% of its cocoa supply from certified and sustainable cocoa farms by 2020.

Just in time for Easter, Nestlé USA has announced an expansion of its commitment to sourcing sustainable cocoa through its global Nestlé Cocoa Plan. This year, Nestlé in partnership with UTZ Certified, has purchased enough certified cocoa to produce its entire Easter chocolate collection, marking a first for a major U.S. candy manufacturer.

Almost 21% of the global supply of palm oil is now certified as responsible and sustainable by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. Demand for RSPO-certified palm oil is growing due to many factors, including more food companies pledging to cut deforestation in their supply chains, SCS Global Services reports.

Apple announced that the Forest Stewardship Council has certified 320,000 acres of working forest that it supports in China. The 320,000 acres of certified working forest reportedly covers 100% of Apple's product packaging needs.

Most cocoa farmers receive less than 5 cents for every dollar that consumers spend on chocolate, according to Oxfam, giving little incentive or funding to invest in more sustainable farming methods, writes Amy Carniol. By paying farmers a higher price, Fair Trade chocolate improves producers' quality of life and helps them ensure long-term viability, Carniol writes.

Seattle's six-story, 52,000-square-foot Bullitt Center has been deemed a "living building" and produced 60% more energy than it consumed last year. Constructed under the Living Building Challenge, the office building tries to show "what's possible today and to pave a path forward" in eco-friendly construction

After almost two years of research and collaboration with a variety of partners, social enterprise Fairphone is pleased to announce it has successfully established the first pilot supply chain for Fairtrade-certified gold for the electronics industry. Fairphone is now the world's first Fairtrade-licensed consumer electronics manufacturer to support responsible gold mining in Peru with the production of the Fairphone 2.