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Clean energy has become a driving force in the US marketplace as costs have declined and major companies have unveiled investments in wind and other renewables, writes Chris Brown, Vestas' president of sales and service operations in the US and Canada. Wind, in particular, can provide the nation with a winning combination of affordable yet reliable electricity. "Whatever the courts rule on the CPP, there's no turning back or stopping this economic trend. Clean energy makes good sense for business, good sense for consumers, and good sense for the country," he writes.

Guests at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas' properties can further their education in sustainability and local ecosystems through a new program called Earth Lab. Workshops and videos will further the company's noted commitment to wellness and environmental care.

The building industry has become more analytical and data-driven as it has moved toward more sustainable forms of construction. Conventional construction is falling by the wayside in major markets because "people are just realizing that green building makes sense," said Nathan Taft, director of acquisitions for green builder Jonathan Rose Cos.

The Environmental Protection Agency's final Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, which will curb nitrous oxide emissions from power plants in 22 states, debuted this week. Acting EPA air chief Janet McCabe said the "common-sense actions" will benefit millions of people.

Drone boats will soon hit the famous, rusty bike-filled canals of Amsterdam. The ambitious "ROBOAT" project, a collaboration between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS), will start a five-year trial of the vessels from 2017 to give the multi-purpose boats all sorts of interesting tasks for the busy waterways. The boats will support an array of sensors that can measure water pollution and quality, making assessments about how best to improve the environment. "Water is the bearer of life," says Arjan van Timmeren, professor and scientific director at AMS. "By focusing on the water system of the city, ROBOAT can create opportunities for new environmental sensing methods and climate adaptation."

Four mechanical engineering students from Nashik have invented a device which is an indicator for the vehicle driver about excessive pollutant levels, while driving. When the engine of the vehicle starts, the sensor fitted in the silencer will sense the exhaust particles and check the limit value. If it exceeds the prescribed limit then a red light will blink as the first indicator, for two hours. Even after the first warning, if there is no change in the limit then there are two more indicators that will blink within a gap of two hours after which the engine will automatically turn off. According to the four inventors, the device will help in tackling the pollution issue, especially in densely-populated and polluted areas.

Philanthropy has long been a common business activity. From local restaurants sponsoring their town's little league team, to Fortune 500 companies with million dollar foundations, companies have found that it's good business sense to give back to the communities in which they operate.

The White House has announced a new plan to reduce America's methane emissions, which are thought to account for up to 14% of the country's total greenhouse emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency will monitor methane emissions from the fossil-fuel sector, and the Interior Department will develop a plan to capture and sell methane emitted by coal mines on federal land. The effort will depend on "cost-effective, voluntary actions and common-sense standards," said Dan Utech, special assistant to the president for energy and climate change

Many food and agriculture companies have talked up sustainability for years, but the past 12 months ushered in a new sense of urgency and action. Here's my completely subjective list of five notable developments that could signal the shift from conversation to conservation.

researchers' own data suggests hotels try to project a green image in order to draw in perspective customers. As many as 79% of travelers worldwide agree that implementing eco-friendly practices is important to their choice of lodging, so wrapping your corporate image around this just makes sense.

Apple frequently uses debt rather than its flush cash coffers to finance corporate initiatives, such as stock repurchase programs - it makes sense to do so for tax reasons. But, the company's latest appeal to the public debt markets includes another "first" for Apple and the tech industry at large: Apple is issuing $1.5 billion in green bonds to pay for a wide range of environmental initiatives.

US commercial buildings can collectively save up to 28 billion gallons of water annually by using a suit of tools produced by AT&T and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the organizations say.