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Businesses aim to get green travel policies on track

Posted on January 17, 2024 by dishanth

New survey reveals four out of five SMEs intend to take steps to encourage employees to embrace lower carbon travel options.

Over 80 per cent of UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) intend to increase their support for lower carbon business travel through corporate travel policies and budgets for 2024.

That is the headline finding from a new survey of over 500 decision makers at businesses with fewer than 250 employees commissioned by Trainline Partner Solutions, the B2B arm of Trainline.

The survey found nine in 10 UK SMEs expect to boost travel expenditure this year, while 92 per cent expect to see levels of business travel increase.

However, at the same time 83 per cent intend to strengthen their travel policy and/or financial support to make it easier for employees to opt for lower carbon travel modes in 2024. Specifically, 48 per cent are planning to use rail more to help reduce their emissions from business travel.

The survey also found 52 per cent of respondents have already set targets for reducing their emissions from business travel – and of those SMEs that have no such goals, two-thirds think it is likely their company will set a target this year.

“Businesses are telling us they expect to both travel and spend more this year as business travel continues to rebound post-Covid,” said Andrew Cruttenden, general manager at Trainline Partner Solutions. “We’re seeing a clear signal that sustainability considerations are a growing factor in setting travel policies and budgets, and rail is a great way to reduce the carbon emissions for travel versus flying and driving. Carriers and travel partners must ensure they can meet this growing demand by innovating and investing in the right tech that helps make rail a simple and seamless option for business travellers.”

Most businesses have slashed travel-related emissions in recent years, after the covid pandemic triggered widespread use of video conferencing platforms. However, business travels are expected to continue to recover this year, prompting calls for businesses and policymakers to incentivise wider use of lower emission forms of travel.

For example, the Climate Perks campaign has called on companies to offer employees extra days off if they use rail for their holidays, while green groups have repeatedly called for businesses to eschew the use of short haul flights wherever rail offers a viable alternative.

However, efforts to encourage wider use of rail have been hampered by the relatively high cost of rail compared to flights, with a Greenpeace analysis last month pointing to how popular rail routes across Europe over the festive period were on average 3.4 times more expensive than equivalent flights.

As such, campaigners are continuing to call on governments to introduce new policies and taxes to curb the availability of short haul flights and tackle the price differential between rail journeys and flights.

Source – BusinessGreen

How manufacturers can transition to 100% renewable electricity

Posted on January 3, 2024 by dishanth

Manufacturing and other industrial users account for around a third of the world’s energy consumption, according to the International Energy Agency(1). Electricity is a central element of that. If all the power consumed by factories and industrial plants came from renewable sources, it would make a sizeable contribution to tackling climate change.

It is a tough target, but one that companies are increasingly signing up to. The RE100 initiative, for example, has seen more than 400 corporations commit to 100% renewable electricity use across their operations. How they reach that goal will depend on many factors, including what they are making and where.

Switching to renewable electricity

“Organisations with lighter electricity needs and stable finances will be best positioned to transition to renewables. Companies with high electricity demand, like furnaces for glass, smelting or other large-scale heating applications and companies with very large footprints – such as expansive warehouses and assembly operations – may have more difficulty,” says Paul Holdredge, Director for Industrials and Transport at consultancy Business for Social Responsibility (BSR).

COP28 president-designate Dr Sultan Al-Jaber told the Adipec conference in Abu Dhabi in early October(2) that heavy industries may be hard to decarbonise but added “We know that solutions exist, and all industries can and must respond.”

The prospect of switching to renewable electricity has become far easier due to recent dramatic cost reductions. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the price of solar photovoltaic power in 2010 was typically 710% higher than the cheapest fossil fuel, but by 2022 it was 29% cheaper(3). Currently electricity accounts for around 20% of final energy use in manufacturing, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, and this is only expected to increase.

The manufacturing challenge

But it is not just the price of renewable energy, low as it is, that dictates a manufacturer’s ability to move to 100% renewable energy. Both the required initial capital investment and first-mover disadvantage—where it costs pioneers more than those that follow them to deploy new technologies—can significantly slow down a fully renewable transition. Not to mention the lack of availability of certain renewables in certain geographies and the fact that the appropriate infrastructure must be in place for this energy to be delivered—something no one company can do on its own.

Manufacturing requires an enormous amount of electricity in comparison to offices. In some countries or regions where the supply of renewable electricity is limited, like Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore, it is much more expensive than electricity produced by traditional means, placing a significant future cost burden on companies that purchase renewable electricity.

Epson is working to popularize the use of renewable electricity, despite the certainty of short-term cost increases. The company is advancing investment in sustainability to enrich communities and invest in future generations to create social value.

Going local

Wherever they are in the world, with whatever types of renewable energy available to them, companies need to adapt to local, national, and global circumstances. Seiko Epson, based in Japan, has done just that. Having switched to 100% renewable electricity for all its sites in Japan in 2021, it will complete the transition to 100% renewable electricity globally by the end of 2023(4). This goal has been made achievable through steady implementation of decarbonization targets and the use of renewable electricity since 2018.

In Nagano Prefecture, Japan, for example, where water sources are abundant, it relies on hydroelectric power. But in the Tohoku area, where it has a semiconductor fabrication plant, it uses hydropower and geothermal heat from the Ou mountains.

It is taking a similar approach outside Japan. In the Philippines, it taps into local geothermal and hydroelectric sources. While in Indonesia, it uses yet another renewable source—biomass power.

“We have used locally produced energy wherever possible,” says Junichi Watanabe, Managing Executive Officer General Administrative Manager, Production Planning Division, whose role encompasses the promotion of Epson’s procurement strategies in the supply chain, including the use of renewable electricity. “Rather than using energy generated in faraway countries, using a particular region’s abundant renewable resources brings many benefits, such as improving energy self-sufficiency and creating jobs.”

In addition to purchasing renewable electricity, Epson co-creates and develops other power sources through continuous renewable electricity purchases. In partnership with Nagano Prefecture and Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Company, Inc., the company began support of hydroelectric power plants in Nagano Prefecture. Two are already in operation (totalling 5,770 kilowatts) and another is scheduled to begin operation in 2024. That number is expected to increase to five by 2025.

Such targets can help a company stand out from the crowd. “Based on our research, setting a near-term goal for 100% renewable electricity use is an example of leadership and a differentiator. Some companies also have roadmaps to transition over longer time periods,” says Holdredge.

Among the practical methods companies should consider are:

• Sourcing renewable electricity from local suppliers via contracts with electricity suppliers – the ability to do this will depend on the rules in a particular country but, if it is possible, a company can be confident its electricity is only coming from renewable sources.

• Generating electricity on-site, via rooftop solar panels or, if space allows, wind turbines. Even if they do not generate all the power needed, they can still make a useful contribution.

• Develop battery storage facilities. A common concern about renewable electricity is the risk of supply being interrupted when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining, but storage technology offers a viable way to address that.

When it comes to solar power generation systems, Epson’s sites also decide whether to adopt self-investment or power purchase agreement (PPA) based on the individual circumstances of each country or region. The solution will vary from company to company. But most manufacturers are likely to find a combination of these elements will go a long way to reaching their renewable electricity goals.

What’s more, many manufacturers like Epson realize that their indirect GHG emissions from their entire value chain (Scope 3) are much greater than the GHG emissions from their own electricity use (Scope 2). As such, by reducing the sector’s Scope 2 emissions using renewable energy—something the sector can do independently—is likely to have a far greater impact on society. Setting goals early and demonstrating a company’s stance toward solving climate change is the key to co-prosperity with suppliers and a sustainable society.

“For large companies the return on investment is there to make the case for investment in renewables. For smaller companies this can also be true, but it depends on the geography. Government incentives can only speed up transition which is sorely needed,” says Christy Slay, Chief Executive Officer of The Sustainability Consortium.

The future for greener manufacturing

There are big gains for humanity if climate change can be addressed, but for manufacturing companies and their shareholders the best approach could also deliver commercial gains.

Consumers and investors are increasingly likely to reward companies with greener credentials, making it an essential part of long-term market positioning. In addition, greater use of renewables and greater self-generation can make a company more resilient to volatile electricity prices on the open market.

“Reaching 100% renewable is tough but pushing to get as close as possible, as soon as possible should be every company’s focus right now,” says Slay. “Epson has managed to stay one step ahead of the industry and is setting an example not only to Japan but to the world.”

Source Reuters

Larger Cargo Bikes in NYC Transport More Goods

Posted on December 6, 2023 by dishanth

City is considering larger cargo bikes in NYC to transport more goods in more places.

New York City may soon permit larger cargo bikes in NYC to legally operate on its streets in a move that could substantially grow urban freight delivery by cycling. The NYC Department of Transportation proposed new rules that would legalize pedal-assisted electric cargo trikes up to 10 feet long and 10 feet high.

If adopted, the larger trike dimensions would enable more goods to be transported by bikes rather than vans and trucks. Advocates say embracing cargo bikes tailored for commercial uses can reduce traffic, pollution, noise, and curbside congestion caused by urban delivery vehicles.

Under current regulations, only smaller cargo bikes meeting dimensions for standard bicycles are street-legal in NYC. Larger cargo bikes in NYC are all but inevitable; cargo trikes exceeding those size limits have become popular for urban logistics in other US and European cities.

The proposed guidelines for larger cargo bikes in NYC would align with size allowances for cargo trikes in cities like Seattle, Detroit, and Philadelphia. The NYC DOT stressed cycling freight remains supplementary to traditional truck delivery but offers environmental benefits.

Larger cargo bikes in NYC can “provide increased hauling capacity compared to smaller bicycles…potentially reducing reliance on truck trips and promoting a more sustainable city,” the agency stated.

Expanding cargo bike delivery supports sustainability goals in New York City’s 25-year master plan released in 2021 aimed at equitable climate action. The plan’s transportation section calls for transitioning to cleaner freight options to reach carbon neutrality.

Advocates say allowing larger cargo bikes in NYC tailored for commercial uses would align with the master plan’s priorities. They argue substituting just one fossil fuel-powered delivery truck or van with an electric-assisted cargo trike prevents significant emissions over time. Each trike potentially displaces those larger, polluting vehicles that are worsening both congestion and air quality on NYC streets.

Wider cargo bike adoption can make a meaningful dent in transportation emissions, accounting for nearly 30% of New York City’s total carbon footprint. Cargo bikes also alleviate other pressures urban delivery vehicles create, such as noise, parking limitations, road safety concerns, and decreased public space. Unlocking the potential of micro-mobility freight options like cargo trikes is key to reaching the sustainability vision outlined in the 25-year plan.

The larger cargo bikes in NYC would utilize electric assist motors to haul substantial loads up to 500 pounds with minimal strain compared to pedaling those heavy full loads. Their three-wheeled stable design and sturdy hauling strengths make these cargo trikes ideal urban delivery vehicles for short distances or last-mile trips from distribution hubs. Cargo bikes’ small size, maneuverability, and zero direct emissions also let them nip through urban traffic easily for swift point-to-point goods movement.

Commercial cargo trike models can have front buckets or storage bins to securely transport goods, food orders, packages and more. Some designs allow custom boxes or refrigerated containers to be attached.

Logistics companies like Amazon, UPS, and FedEx already use cargo trikes in a few American cities to shortcut traffic in dense areas. Smaller NYC firms have recognized their benefits as well. For example, Gotham Greens, an urban produce grower, relies on a fleet of cargo bikes to distribute fresh salad greens to local restaurants and stores from their rooftop greenhouses. Beer distributor TriBeca deployed heavy-duty e-trikes last year capable of carrying 800 lbs of beer kegs to pubs and restaurants. They aim to replace several delivery vans to cut diesel emissions.

Experts say each switched delivery from vans to bikes eliminates, on average, about 7 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Less truck traffic and parking also create safer, quieter streets.

But despite their promise, cargo bikes presently make up a tiny fraction of urban goods movement. Questions remain over whether larger cargo bikes in NYC could substantially dent air pollution and congestion woes created by the over 65,000 daily truck trips.

The NYC DOT will collect public feedback on proposed cargo trike regulations this spring before finalizing new rules. Customized trike manufacturers and logistics firms will be watching closely.

Larger cargo bikes have carved growing niches abroad in Amsterdam and London. For cycling advocates, allowing them in New York City could be a critical step to build momentum for sustainable urban freight.

Source Happy Eco News

Low Carbon 3D Printed Homes – Lower Cost too

Posted on November 23, 2023 by dishanth

An emerging application of 3D printing technology is fabricating entire homes through additive manufacturing. Early adopters demonstrate that 3D printing residential buildings carry significantly lower embedded carbon than conventional construction methods.

By optimizing materials and printing processes, 3D home printing could provide affordable, efficient, low-carbon housing to growing populations if adopted at scale.

Also known as additive manufacturing, 3D printing builds structures by depositing materials layer by layer according to digital models. Concrete is typically extruded through a moving print nozzle onto a substrate, hardening upon deposition to gradually form walls and roofs of low carbon 3D printed homes.

Companies pioneering low carbon 3D printed homes include Icon, SQ4D, and Mighty Buildings. Their printed concrete or polymer designs streamline manual labor of framing, insulation, and finishing. Architectural designs are also easier to customize versus cookie-cutter manufactured units.

But the sustainability benefits are among the most significant advantages over current construction. Architect Sam Ruben, an early adopter of 3D printing for eco-homes, states that 3D printing can reduce lifecycle emissions by over 50% compared to standard building techniques.

Part of the savings comes from more efficient material usage. Conventional construction methods are wasteful, generating excessive scrap materials that go to landfills—3D printing deposits only the needed amount layer-by-layer, eliminating waste.

Printing also allows easier integration of recycled components like crushed concrete aggregate into prints, diverting waste streams. And lightweight printed structures require less embedded energy to transport modules. Optimized print geometries better retain heat as well.

But the biggest factor is speed – printed homes can be move-in ready in days rather than weeks or months. A standard SQ4D home prints in just 8-12 hours of machine time. Accelerated production means less energy consumed over the total construction period.

And speed has financial benefits, too, reducing the logistical costs of prolonged projects. Combined with simplified labor, 3D printing can cut estimated construction expenses up to 30%. Those cost savings make printed homes more accessible to low-income groups while stimulating large-scale adoption.

To quantify benefits, Mighty Buildings completed a life cycle assessment comparing their printed composite polymer dwellings against conventional homes. They estimated their product cut emissions by over one-third during materials and construction. Waste production dropped by over 80%.

Such data helped the company achieve third-party verified EPD declarations certifying their low carbon 3D printed homes. Mighty Buildings believes printed homes could eliminate over 440 million tons of carbon emissions if comprising 40% of California’s housing needs by 2030.

Despite advantages, barriers remain to limit widespread 3D printed housing. Printed buildings still require finishing like plumbing, electrical, windows, and roofing. Developing integrated printing around and including those elements will maximize benefits.

High upfront printer costs also impede adoption, though expected to fall with scaling. And building codes need updates to cover novel printed structures despite proven duribility. Some jurisdictions like California are pioneering efforts to add low carbon 3D printed homes as approved models in housing codes.

But if technical and regulatory hurdles are resolved, additive construction could offer meaningful emissions cuts. With global populations projected to add 2 billion new urban dwellers by 2050, low carbon 3D printed homes may become a go-to sustainable building technique, especially in growing developing countries.

The urgent need for dense, low-carbon housing solutions to accommodate global populations makes 3D printing’s advantages stand out. Printed homes advance from gimmick to viable strategy against climate change.

Eco-conscious homebuyers on a budget have a new choice – low carbon 3D printed homes made from low-carbon cement. A new housing tract in Round Top, Texas has introduced small dwellings printed using concrete that produces just 8% of the carbon emissions of traditional Portland cement manufacturing.

Habitat for Humanity last year unveiled its first low carbon 3D printed home in Williamsburg, Virginia. The project represented Habitat for Humanity’s first completed 3D printed home in the country.

By combining 3D printing techniques with more sustainable cement mixtures, homebuilders can reduce the carbon footprints of affordable printed housing even further.

Source Happy Eco News

Cement Energy Storage – Two Ways

Posted on November 20, 2023 by dishanth

Cement, the binding agent in concrete, is the world’s most widely utilized construction material and may soon be used as cement energy storage. However, emerging research reveals its overlooked potential to serve as a cement energy storage medium in two completely different ways: solid thermal batteries and supercapacitors (when combined with carbon).

Cement Blocks as Thermal Batteries

According to an article in the Journal of Composites Science, scientists have developed a method to produce cement-based blocks that effectively function as thermal batteries. Their technique infuses cement blocks with the ability to soak up renewable electricity when manufactured and then discharge it later on demand as usable heat.

The researchers use chemical alterations during the concrete mixing process to integrate phase change materials into the cement binder matrix. These phase-change materials have the ability to store and release thermal energy.

The resulting cement energy storage blocks contain phase change materials that can absorb electricity when it is most abundant and inexpensive from the grid or renewable sources. The charged blocks can then act as solid thermal batteries, releasing their stored energy as heat when needed for space and water heating systems.

In initial tests, the team achieved energy densities comparable to lithium-ion batteries in their cement energy storage-based blocks. This stored energy is emitted as gentle heat when water is added, with adjustable discharge rates. The blocks can offer long-duration energy storage across daily cycles or entire seasons.

By incorporating waste materials like plastic ash during production, the researchers achieved lower costs than conventional concrete blocks or batteries. Additional waste heat captured during block fabrication can provide self-generated power.

The creators say that scale adoption of such cement energy storage thermal batteries could provide renewable energy storage for buildings while lowering grid demand peaks. The cement blocks offer an alternative to mining metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are finite and environmentally destructive to extract.

This novel approach redirects one of cement’s existing useful properties – its high thermal mass – towards storing renewable energy rather than fossil fuels traditionally used for heat in cement kilns. It points to one-way cement could aid sustainable energy transitions through material innovation.

Conductive Cement-Carbon Composites

Researchers at MIT have also demonstrated cement energy storage’s potential as an energy storage medium by transforming it into a highly efficient supercapacitor. Their method infuses cement with carbon-based additives to create cement-derived composites with enhanced conductive properties.

The MIT team found that the resulting material attained supercapacitor-like behaviors by mixing cement with inexpensive carbon black additives. This was due to carbon black creating a conductive surface area network throughout the composite.

With just 3% carbon black content by volume, cement’s conductivity spiked to levels comparable to powerful supercapacitors. The team states that a cement block around 45 cubic meters in size could potentially store up to 10 kilowatt-hours of energy – equal to an average home’s daily usage.

While still experimental, the researchers say these carbon-infused cement energy storage composites could enable integrated energy storage in concrete structures. Walls, foundations, or roadways made with such cement mixtures might capture solar, wind, or waste energy onsite for later usage.

The carbon provides the charge-storing capacity, while ubiquitous cement allows for scalable, inexpensive production since these composites do not rely on scarce materials like lithium or cobalt. Combined, they offer unique advantages as sustainable energy storage solutions.

Conclusion

Together, these two emerging techniques demonstrate that one of the planet’s most abundant building materials – cement – can potentially provide flexible, large-scale energy storage as demands grow.

While still in the early stages, both research trajectories showcase cement’s latent abilities to store energy through novel manufacturing processes and composite ingredients. With further advancement, cement energy storaget-based batteries and supercapacitors may offer new tools for enabling greater renewable energy integration across infrastructure. The present global ubiquity of concrete construction means cement-derived energy storage could be rapidly deployable once perfected. Unlocking the hidden attributes of cement through materials science and engineering may yield key innovations to support grids in an electrified, renewable future.

Source Happy Eco News

New Carbon Capture Tech Turns CO2 into Solid Carbon

Posted on November 8, 2023 by dishanth

New capture technology turns CO2 into solid carbon, a coal-like product that can be safely reburied.

Scientists may have discovered a groundbreaking new method to pull out of the air and convert CO2 into solid carbon flakes. Researchers at Australia’s Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have pioneered an efficient carbon mineralization process using liquid metal catalysts. This technology could provide a sustainable way to capture atmospheric CO2 and safely store it long-term as a stable solid.

Most carbon capture techniques today focus on compressing CO2 gas into a liquid that is injected deep underground. However potential leakage risks make this method less than ideal for permanently storing billions of tons of carbon dioxide. We urgently need innovative solutions to remove and safely store the CO2 already overburdening our atmosphere.

That’s why RMIT’s new mineralization approach to turn CO2 into solid carbon is so promising. It converts greenhouse gases into inert carbon solids at room temperature. This offers a potentially cheaper, more secure form of carbon storage compared to current methods.

RMIT’s method utilizes molten liquid metals to trigger a chemical reaction, transforming gaseous CO2 into solid carbon flakes. This occurs at ambient temperature inside a simple glass tube device. The process works by sending CO2 into the glass tube containing a liquid metal alloy of gallium, indium, tin, and cerium. Running an electric current through the metal accelerates the carbon mineralization reaction.

Carbon steadily accumulates as a layer of solid flakes on the liquid metal surface and the only byproduct of the process is pure oxygen. The flakes are then removed allowing the process to continue indefinitely. Because this process occurs are room temperature, the energy requirements are far lower than other systems.

The researchers experimented with different metal compositions and temperature conditions to optimize the carbon conversion process. Once optimized, the system can continuously pull in and convert atmospheric CO2 into solid carbon without additional heat or pressure.

Unlike underground injection techniques, solid carbon can easily be collected for safe, permanent storage. The carbon solids could even be processed into materials like carbon fiber. And since the process only needs a small amount of electricity and air, it has minimal environmental impact or manufacturing costs.

Turning CO2 into solid carbon could be a more predictable, sustainable and longer lasting approach to carbon capture and storage. The RMIT team is already investigating ways to scale up the liquid metal carbon mineralization method. Adoption by power plants or heavy industry could significantly cut CO2 outputs.

Finding viable ways to remove excess greenhouse gases is critical to slow global warming. Since the Industrial Revolution, over 1.3 trillion tons of carbon dioxide have entered the atmosphere – and the pace is accelerating. New solutions like RMIT’s carbon mineralization technology will be essential to extracting legacy emissions already dangerously heating our planet.

Source Happy Eco News

Sandvik: Building sustainability into upstream supply chain

Posted on October 20, 2023 by dishanth

Mats W Lundberg is the Head of Sustainability Strategy for Sandvik, which is delivering a strategy to decarbonise raw materials to cut supply emissions

According to figures from Sandvik’s 2022 Annual Report, the business of sustainable manufacturing and mining machinery is booming. The high-tech engineering group supplies new solutions to industries to support their actions in these areas, which will also help them reach their sustainability goals.

However, it’s about more than just machinery as the company is now delivering a new sustainability strategy that will allow further impact in the future while also ensuring commercial success for Sandvik and the users of its solutions.

In September 2023, the company made a significant update to its sustainability shift strategy, which was originally brought to public attention in 2019. This also aligns with how the structure of the organisation has evolved as Sandvik Materials Technology was separated from the Group and listed on Nasdaq Stockholm as a business called Alleima. Alongside this further businesses were acquired by the company, making sustainability a crucial strategy for its growing business.

“We are leaning on the good work that has already been done,” says Mats W Lundberg, Head of Sustainability, Sandvik.

“But the field of sustainability is evolving. It is becoming more mature with new legislation and increasing customer, shareholder and employee expectations. We need to evolve with it and meet the new demands.”

The Key focus areas of Sandvik Group’s sustainability strategy include:

Sustainable solutions – An emphasis on closely aligning with customers and their businesses, pioneering change through engineering
Ecosystem regeneration – Sandvik’s innovative approach to collaborating with partners throughout the value chain, focusing on revitalising diverse ecosystems, promoting responsible water management, and mitigating pollution
Circularity and resource optimisation – The objective encapsulates the aspiration to achieve greater output with fewer resources and to embrace resource efficiency as a fundamental mindset
Net Zero Commitment – Sandvik pledges to attain science-based net zero targets, which received approval from the Science Based Targets Initiative in September 2023
People and Communities Engagement – Sandvik’s approach to its interactions with the communities in which it operates and provides its products
Responsible Business Practices – commitment to conducting ethical and responsible operations across the entire value chain.

Sandvik solutions for the sustainable industry

As an organisation that covers a number of industry practices, and is heavily involved in early-stage supply chain activities, Sandvik is digging deeper to create more value for businesses through its mining and machinery solutions. Taking a leading role in decarbonising its supplies from the top, Lundberg explains how the business will generate value across multiple facets.

“We have focused much more on our contribution and how our businesses create value”, says Lundberg. “The new strategy is connected to the Sandvik purpose of advancing the world through engineering, it is forward leaning and shows that Sandvik wants to be a positive driving force.”

Lundbergy is also correct in saying that raw material is one of the primary components of all value chains, whether that involves the production of goods or machinery to ensure services are provided sustainably.

“For any product to be truly sustainable, the entire value chain needs to be sustainable, from raw material sourcing to the manufacturing and usage of the products,” says Lundberg. “And we operate in important and relevant areas here; the mining and processing of raw materials and the machining. If we can contribute with sustainable solutions in these areas we can have a massive impact on sustainability outside of our own operations.”

McKinsey & Company research states the mining industry generates between 1.9 and 5.1 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2) every year. These emissions originate from all of the major resources required to sustain consumer product industries, but also those that are critical for providing sustainable electricity and clean-energy-driven solutions to transport. An example of this being the use of cobalt, nickel, and lithium in the electric vehicle (EV) sector as major components in platform batteries.

As the global demand for raw materials grows, the pressure on mining, rock excavation, drilling, and cutting processes is forever impactful to the emissions embedded in their supply chain. Understanding how crucial this stage is to the reduction of overall emissions in the atmosphere, therefore the ability to reach net zero, will allow greater impact on the environment moving forward.

Source Sustainability

Nestlé & Cargill use cocoa shell in new lowcarbon fertiliser

Posted on September 27, 2023September 27, 2023 by dishanth

Approximately 5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are currently produced from the production and use of conventional fertiliser, and more than half of the carbon footprint of wheat grown in the UK is related to fertiliser use.

Nestlé UK & Ireland and Cargill have partnered to develop innovative solutions in regenerative agriculture. The initiative — a UK supply chain trial — aims to assess whether cocoa shells from a confectionery site in York could be used to create a low carbon fertiliser.

The trial to evaluate the fertiliser’s performance on crop production, soil health and GHG emissions reduction will last two years, and, if successful, could produce and offer up to 7,000 tonnes of low carbon fertiliser to farmers in Nestlé’s UK wheat supply chain. This amount of fertiliser equates to around 25% of Nestlé UK’s total fertiliser use for wheat.

“Farmers often find themselves to be among the first groups to be exposed to global issues, and these risks are then borne by the food system we all depend upon,” shares Matt Ryan, Regeneration Lead at Nestlé UK & Ireland.

“We have to find ways to build more resilience into the system and optimising our use of natural resources is a critical part of this.

“This project is a small, but very meaningful step towards a net zero future, where farmers, local enterprises, and nature all stand to benefit”

Reducing emissions across the supply chain

Cargill supplies the cocoa shells from its York facility where the shells are processed to become key ingredients in iconic products like KitKat and Aero.

Recycling valuable nutrients from waste streams within the food system provides a promising opportunity to create a lower emissions supply chain. Scaling up low carbon fertiliser production in the UK can provide farmers with a more sustainable product at a reliable price.

The trials, which were designed and are being overseen by York-based Fera Science Ltd, are currently taking place on arable farms in Suffolk and Northamptonshire. They are designed to investigate the performance of the fertiliser in terms of wheat yield and quality, as well as assess the impacts on soil biodiversity and GHG emissions in comparison to conventional products applied on the same farms.

“We have now finished harvesting and we’ve successfully grown a Winter wheat crop using this new fertiliser. We’ve compared two parts of the field, one which used the cocoa shell fertiliser, and one which used with the conventional fertiliser, and there is no significant difference in the yield so we can see that it works,” says Richard Ling, farm manager at Rookery Farm, Wortham in Norfolk, who supplies wheat to Nestlé Purina.

“We are really reassured with the results and are looking at running further trials. It’s a step change to be able to use a fertiliser made from a waste stream and see the same results as using a conventional product. It’s an exciting and promising time and we are pleased to be taking part in these trials to help reduce the carbon emissions from our farming.”

For all companies involved, the trial embodies their commitment to innovation, collaboration and sustainability throughout the supply chain. Alongside its pledge to net zero emissions by 2050, Nestlé has committed to sourcing 50% of its key ingredients from regenerative agricultural methods by 2030 and this project is an example of the innovative solutions supporting the company on that journey.

“Cargill and Nestlé have been working together for more than 60 years building resilient supply chains across communities where we both operate. We are excited to continue to build on this strong partnership through our innovative cocoa shell fertiliser trial,” says Sam Thompson, Global Engineering Lead at Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate.

“Together, we hope to contribute to a more sustainable future for the British farming industry.”

Source Sustainability

Harnessing Carbon Mineralization: A Powerful Tool to Combat Climate Change

Posted on September 8, 2023 by dishanth

Carbon mineralization, the process that converts carbon dioxide into solid carbonate minerals, holds immense potential to combat climate change. While it occurs naturally, humans can accelerate this process through various methods.

By refining techniques such as biochar utilization, enhanced weathering, and ocean fertilization, we can unlock the power of carbon mineralization to effectively reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.

There are many ways in which we can accelerate the amount of carbon we sequester using the process. Biochar, a form of charcoal derived from biomass, offers a sustainable solution to enhance carbon mineralization. When integrated into the soil, biochar amends its composition, enhancing its capacity to sequester carbon. The porous structure of biochar acts as a long-term reservoir, promoting carbon retention while fostering beneficial microbial activity in the soil. This method bolsters soil fertility and carbon storage, contributing to climate change mitigation and sustainable agriculture.

Enhanced weathering harnesses the natural process of rock breakdown to expedite carbon mineralization. Techniques involve accelerating rock weathering by introducing acidic or basic substances or fragmenting rocks into smaller particles. Carbon dioxide reacts with the minerals, forming stable carbonate compounds that can endure for centuries. By leveraging enhanced weathering, we can significantly augment carbon sequestration rates, offering a tangible solution to counteract rising carbon dioxide levels.

Ocean fertilization presents a compelling avenue to store carbon on a large scale. By introducing essential nutrients, such as iron or phosphorus, to the ocean, the growth of algae is enhanced. These algae act as carbon sinks, absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Subsequently, when the algae die and sink to the ocean floor, they carry the sequestered carbon along, where it can remain locked away for centuries or even longer. Ocean fertilization holds promise in its ability to mitigate climate change while fostering marine ecosystems.

Carbon mineralization represents a powerful tool in the fight against climate change, offering several noteworthy advantages over other methods:

Substantial Carbon Removal: By accelerating carbon mineralization, we can remove billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually. This significant reduction in greenhouse gas concentrations would directly curb global warming and its associated impacts.
Leveraging Natural Processes: Carbon mineralization harnesses and enhances naturally occurring processes. By utilizing and accelerating these processes, we minimize the need for technologically complex and energy-intensive solutions, leading to a more sustainable approach to climate change mitigation.
Restoration of Carbon Balance: Historically, human activities such as deforestation and fossil fuel combustion have disrupted the carbon balance by releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon mineralization offers an opportunity to restore this balance by actively sequestering carbon and reversing the damage caused by human-induced carbon emissions.

While carbon mineralization shows tremendous promise, these are early days. Implementing carbon mineralization techniques on a large scale requires substantial investment and infrastructure development. The costs associated with establishing and maintaining these methods may present challenges, necessitating collaborative efforts from governments, private sectors, and research institutions.

It is crucial to carefully assess the potential environmental impacts of carbon mineralization techniques. For instance, ocean fertilization may disrupt marine ecosystems if not executed responsibly. Thorough environmental impact assessments and regulatory frameworks are essential to ensure the sustainable deployment of carbon mineralization methods.

Carbon mineralization offers an innovative and promising approach to mitigating climate change by actively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Through methods like biochar utilization, enhanced weathering, and ocean fertilization, we have the potential to achieve substantial carbon sequestration, restore the carbon balance, and forge a more livable planet.

Source Happy Eco News

Green IT for a Greener Future

Posted on September 6, 2023September 8, 2023 by dishanth

Exploring a Green IT strategy isn’t solely about cost and carbon reduction – it’s a pledge to stakeholders

Tell us about Doji?

Doji offers innovative Green IT solutions that empower businesses and individuals to cut emissions and costs through a circular approach. Our unique marketplace, with operations in the U.K. and Brazil, connects enterprises and individuals, enabling them to secure certified refurbished devices and explore options like selling, trading, donating, or recycling existing tech, all with an eco-friendly process while tracking emissions.

We advocate for verified refurbished devices, helping users lower expenses and emissions while advancing Net Zero goals. This showcases our commitment to sustainable consumption and positions Doji as a leader in driving an environmentally conscious future.

How Serious is the Electronic-Waste Challenge?

E-waste, dubbed a ‘tsunami’ by the UN, is the world’s fastest-growing waste stream. In 2021, it hit 57.4 million tonnes, exceeding the Great Wall of China’s weight. Alarmingly, user devices, including smartphones and tablets, emit 1.5 to 2.0 times more carbon than data centers (1). These emissions are projected to increase by 12.8% annually (2), with around 75% arising from manufacturing, transportation, and disposal. Doji tackles this by enabling longer tech device lifecycles.

How Does Doji Aid Organizations in Lowering IT Carbon Footprint and Gaining Benefits?

A rapid and effective way to slash IT Carbon emissions is through a Green IT strategy for tech procurement, where Doji excels.

Doji offers top-quality certified refurbished business devices, negating the need for new ones that generate 70-80% more CO2, primarily in manufacturing. Refurbished IT offsets ‘CO2 costs’ during production over extended use, reducing waste and enhancing environmental balance.

Companies can also recycle old tech through Doji—selling, trading in, recycling, or donating through Doji’s charity partners. Doji also provides carbon accounting, offset projects, and tools for sustainable workplace consumption through its partners.

Overall, the Green IT strategy enhances company reputation, furnishes budget-friendly top-notch hardware, and frequently yields significant savings while also driving positive environmental and social impact.

Besides sustainability, quality, and cost, what should IT decision-makers consider when exploring refurbished IT, especially with Doji

IT leaders should focus on certified data deletion, strong customer service, transparent practices, and supplier commitment to sustainability when opting for refurbished IT. At Doji, sustainability is our driving force for business success, championing a profound shift toward a more environmentally conscious future.

And finally, what does Doji mean, and why did you choose it?

Originating from Japanese candlestick charting, my co-founders and I, who met while studying at the University of Oxford, chose ‘Doji as it symbolizes price equilibrium between buyers and sellers, reflecting our commitment to fairness for all parties, including the environment.

How Does Doji Aid Organizations in Lowering IT Carbon Footprint and Gaining Benefits?

A rapid and effective way to slash IT Carbon emissions is through a Green IT strategy for tech procurement, where Doji excels.

Besides sustainability, quality, and cost, what should IT decision-makers consider when exploring refurbished IT, especially with Doji

IT leaders should focus on certified data deletion, strong customer service, transparent practices, and supplier’s commitment to sustainability when opting for refurbished IT. At Doji, sustainability is our driving force for business success, championing a profound shift toward a more environmentally conscious future.

And finally, what does Doji mean, and why did you choose it?

Source Sustainability