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Technological advances have made removing salt from seawater and waste water less energy-intensive, but will they simply encourage us to use more?

California's new environmental rules, which will mean much tougher efficiency standards for buildings and greater use of renewable energy, are good news for the state's businesses, some experts say. Many large new-energy and infrastructure projects will be needed to meet the mandates, and that means money and jobs. "The most important thing the businesses need is a market signal," said Steve Chadima, director of California initiatives for Advanced Energy Economy

China is building ecocities in droves. Dozens of these green-branded, new frontiers of urbanism are already in an advanced state of development, and upwards of 200 more are on the way. In fact, over 80 per cent of all prefecture level cities in the country (the administrative division below "province") have at least one ecocity project in the works. Over the coming decades, it has been estimated, 50 per cent of China's new urban developments will be stamped with labels such as "eco," "green," "low carbon," or "smart".

McDonald's today announced its "2014 Best of Sustainable Supply" winners in a report highlighting how suppliers achieved significant results by identifying opportunities and applying sustainable solutions in diverse places around the world.

Novelis' latest sustainability report shows the aluminum rolling and recycling giant making significant investments and strides to advance the circular economy and increase the sustainability of its business, the aluminum industry and its value chain. The report details the company's efforts to increase its recycling capacity and the recycled content of its products to 80% by 2020.

Startup company Solidia Technologies and the US Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) have partnered to accelerate the development of cement that can reduce the carbon footprint of concrete by up to 70 percent.

Procter & Gamble generated $1.6 billion in cost savings and revenue through its zero waste manufacturing facilities between 2007-2014.

The Building Energy Exchange, a nonprofit to advance energy efficient technologies and lighting strategies in industry, opened in New York City's downtown Manhattan. The nonprofit serves as a hub for information and activities for building owners seeking energy savings.

Royal Caribbean Cruises has announced it will retrofit 19 of its ships with advanced emissions purification (AEP) systems, also known as scrubbers, which will remove more than 97 percent of the sulfur dioxide emissions generated by the ships' diesel engines.

UK specialty paper and advanced materials manufacturer James Cropper PLC has unveiled a sustainable alternative to plastic that the company says can carry the weight of an adult and be composted within 100 days. Developed in partnership with Södra, a Swedish forestry cooperative, DuraPulp is a bio-composite material that can be suitable for a variety of applications.

A report by Frost & Sullivan found that government funding is making zero-energy buildings possible, but the idea is not widely known. "While governmental or regional funding are the main drivers of NZEB technologies, public-private funding is the most effective in sustaining the application of the NZEB concept and advancing its development globally," said Technical Insights industry analyst Jennifer Tan.

Rocky Mountain Institute launched the Business Renewables Center (BRC), a platform to advance corporate renewable energy procurement. The organization plans to use the platform to add 60 GW of solar and wind energy in the United States by 2025, which will nearly double current installed renewable energy capacity.

Ford Motor Company will invest $4.5 billion to advance its electrified-vehicle solutions by 2020. The company also plans to add 13 additional electrified vehicles to its product portfolio by 2020.

Levi Strauss & Co. launched its Wellthread Collection, which is produced with around 65% less water in the dye process and requires up to 50% less water on denim finishes, compared to conventional methods. The collection is also designed for 100% recyclability and produced at facilities that invest in the advancement of financial literacy, women's health, and family wellness. 

The Chinese and Israeli governments plan to partner on "Water City" in Shouguang, China, where Israeli-developed water technologies will be implemented to rehabilitate polluted aquifers and provide clean water, sewage treatment, desalination and irrigation. The city could become a model for how to bring such tech to large areas. 

Sports organizations are increasingly rallying together to promote environmental causes, reduce their climate impacts and try to persuade their fans to go green. "There is a global recognition now of the power of sports to advance environmental messaging," said Green Sports Alliance director Allen Hershkowitz.

By the fall of 2020, REI will sever its business relationships with any of its 1,000-plus suppliers that don't meet stringent new requirements in areas including environmental impact, chemical usage, animal welfare, and labor safety and fairness. The move is among the most comprehensive efforts to advance sustainability in the retail sector. The outdoors-equipment retailer has already supplied to its vendors a 12-page document detailing the new sustainability standards. Some go into effect immediately, while others are more ambitious and aspirational and won't be mandatory for a couple of years.

UPS achieved its clean energy goal of driving 1 billion miles in its alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet one year earlier than planned, according to the company's most recent sustainability report.

Coca-Cola is working to stay ahead of consumers' sustainable packaging needs via such innovations as the recyclable PlantBottle, as well as by working with suppliers and maximizing the use of renewable materials, said Sarah Dearman, the company's head of sustainable packaging. "Our suppliers play a critical role by working together to advance innovation to help enable all parties to meet their goals," she said.

CVS Health has joined GreenBlue's Sustainable Packaging Coalition to advance efforts around reducing product packaging waste in collaboration with its suppliers. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition has more than 190 members, including Amazon, BASF, Dow Chemical, Johnson & Johnson, McDonald's, and more.