EC Environmental Policy

Recent studies have shown, for example that the loss of important predators - from wolves in boreal forests to sharks in seagrass meadows - can lead to growing populations of terrestrial and marine herbivores, whose widespread grazing reduces the ability of ecosystems to absorb carbon.

Falling coal use in China and the US and a worldwide shift towards renewable energy have kept greenhouse gas emissions level for a second year running, one of the world's leading energy analysts has said.

"Global investments in clean energy hit $367 billion last year, beating expectations, according to a new report from Clean Energy Canada. "

"MillerCoors, the second largest brewer in the US, announced on Wednesday that all of its major breweries have achieved landfill-free operations. The Fort Worth Brewery in Texas was the final of its eight sites to reach the milestone, after the facility engaged a 'Sustainability Employee Council' that focused on changing employee behaviors and making recycling easier and more accessible."

"MillerCoors, the second largest brewer in the US, announced on Wednesday that all of its major breweries have achieved landfill-free operations. The Fort Worth Brewery in Texas was the final of its eight sites to reach the milestone, after the facility engaged a 'Sustainability Employee Council' that focused on changing employee behaviors and making recycling easier and more accessible."

"In its second year, The Backyard Project has scaled production nearly 15x, tapped new partners across the U.S.A. and evolved production to bring eco-preferred fashion to more consumers "

"The EPA is proposing changes to its chemical safety rules that will require companies in three industries - paper manufacturing, petroleum and coal products, and chemical manufacturing - to assess whether safer technologies and chemicals are feasible. "

"In an effort to promote the circular economy in the US and eliminate waste, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has launched a US chapter of its Circular Economy 100 (CE100) program. "

"Shasta Lake, the largest reservoir in California and a critical source of water for Central Valley farms and cities from the Bay Area to Bakersfield, reached 100 percent of its historic average Sunday as billions of gallons continued to pour in from drenching downpours."

Trader Joe's announced last week that it will transition its entire egg supply to cage-free sources. First up are Western states: Eggs sold in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado will be 100 percent cage-free by 2020. All eggs across Trader Joe's stores will be sourced from cage-free suppliers by 2025. But the company might meet its goals sooner.

Sodexo, the food services and facilities management company, Deloitte consulting, Mission Point Capital Partners impact investment firm and the Closed Loop Fund have taken it upon themselves to study the economics and data points of food waste in the U.S. and develop a road map for action.

Ethical Corporation just launched an exclusive case study comprehensively detailing the circular economy work of one industry leader: Patagonia.

Why Dow, Coca-Cola, Google and many other big companies are joining the quest to cut waste by continually cycling materials back through supply chains. 

President Obama's budget includes almost $260 million to fund a water innovation strategy, which the White House says will boost water sustainability and reduce the price and energy costs of new water supply technology.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has been developing these rules for several years as part of its multifaceted strategy to achieve the goals of AB 32, California's landmark greenhouse gas emission reduction program.  Read more: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2016/02/11/california-leads-on-reducing-methane-emissions-from-oil-gas-operations/#ixzz40U7HsATq

Renewables are expected to grow at a faster rate than previously thought and could account for 15% of global generation by 2035, according to BP. The report says wind, biofuels and other renewables are expected grow 6.6% annually. Renewables currently account for 3% of the world's energy mix, but that figure could climb to 9% within two decades. "The rate at which renewables gain share from 2020 to 2035 matches oil's gain over the 15 years of 1908-23," BP said.

The Indonesian island Sumba is working to provide 100 percent renewable electricity to all 650,000 residents by 2025. 

BP chief executive Bob Dudley this week called on governments to adopt carbon pricing mechanisms to address climate change.

Nuclear energy's resilience was never more apparent than during the COP21 climate talks in Paris. It was there that a famed environmentalist and the one who has cautioned against the effects of global warming said that the carbon-free energy form should figure a lot more prominently into utility power generation. Read more: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2016/02/11/scientists-say-climate-change-should-propel-nuclear-energy-to-prominence/#ixzz40U6A0Uhv

Ford Motor Company has achieved landfill-free status across its entire network of North American headquarter facilities, resulting in the diversion of more than 240,000 pounds of waste from landfills. The company's 3 North American headquarter facilities are located in Dearborn, Michigan, Oakville, Ontario, and the Santa Fe district in Mexico City.

Unilever has achieved zero non-hazardous waste to landfill status at more than 600 global sites, which include factories, warehouses, distribution centers, and offices.