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6 Types of Cool Roof Technology

Posted on August 15, 2023 by dishanth

Cool Roof Technology: a Low-cost Way to Reduce Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions

Want a huge decrease in carbon emissions, a reduction in summertime cooling costs and a more efficient home? Cool roof technology can do all that. Cool roof technology has the potential to eliminate billions of tons of carbon dioxide at a very low cost.

If you’ve ever spent time on a black asphalt roof or up in an attic during the heat of summer, you understand how much heat energy is added to a home during summer months. This is heat that many of us pay to remove by using air conditioners and other means.

But what if, just by a better design and choice of materials, we could have a far cooler house that uses far less electricity each month? That is what people in the Mediterranean and other hot climates have been doing for centuries. White paint and chimney-style ventilation that distributes cool air from lower areas of the house are low-tech examples of cool roof technology that works.

Modern cool roof technology is similar. Most are just like regular roofs but are designed to reflect sunlight and shed heat, to keep buildings cooler in the summer. According to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), cool roof technology could reduce energy consumption for cooling by up to 20%. The study also found that energy savings from cool roof technology could eliminate up to 1.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually in the United States. The equivalent of taking 300 million cars off the road!

According to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, if all North American cities with populations over 1 million people adopted cool roof technology, air conditioner use would fall by one-third.

The Human Cost of Heat

The savings aren’t just in terms of money and carbon emissions. Climate change has disproportionately increased temperatures in urban areas. An urban landscape largely covered in asphalt, concrete and black roofing materials is far hotter than one covered in greenery or reflective materials, a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect.

The urban heat island effect is the phenomenon of cities being warmer than surrounding rural areas. This is because cities have more dark surfaces, such as black roofs, which absorb sunlight and heat up the air. The heated air then rises, creating a convection current that draws in cooler air from surrounding areas. This process can lead to increased temperatures in cities, which can have a number of negative consequences, such as increased energy consumption for cooling, decreased air quality, and increased heat-related illnesses and deaths.

Black roofs also radiate energy directly into the atmosphere. This energy is then absorbed by clouds and trapped by the greenhouse effect, further contributing to global warming.

Type Depends on Location Climate

There are a number of different types of cool roof technology available, including:

Reflective roofs: Reflective roofs are the most common type of cool roof. They are made of materials that reflect sunlight, such as white or light-colored tiles, metal roofs, or paints. Reflective roofs can reflect up to 90% of the sun’s heat, which can help to keep buildings cooler in the summer.
Evaporative roofs: Evaporative roofs are made of materials that allow water to evaporate, such as clay tiles or metal roofs with a water-absorbing coating. As the water evaporates, it cools the roof and the building below. Evaporative roofs can be effective in hot, dry climates.
Phase-change materials: Phase-change materials are materials that change their state from solid to liquid and vice versa. When these materials change phase, they absorb or release heat. Phase-change materials can be used in cool roofs to store heat during the day and release it at night. This can help to keep buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Cooling paints: Cooling paints are paints that are applied to roofs to make them more reflective and to help them cool down. Cooling paints are effective in hot, sunny climates and typically contain titanium dioxide, a highly reflective pigment.
Cooling granules: Cooling granules are small, reflective beads applied to roofing materials like shingles. The granules reflect sunlight and help to keep the roof cooler. Like cooling paints, cooling granules are most effective in hot, sunny climates.

Green Roofs are Cool Roofs

Another type of cool roof technology is the green roof. Green roofs are made of a waterproof membrane with a layer of soil and vegetation on top that helps to insulate the roof and reflect sunlight. Green roofs can reflect up to 70% of the sun’s heat, which can help to keep buildings cooler in the summer. In some cases, they can provide vegetable gardens or just a nice place to sit and enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by nature – while in the city.

Green roofs also have the effect of providing bird and pollinator habitat as well as reducing stormwater runoff. Because of the benefits, many cities are now mandating the installation of green roofs on new construction. New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle and Portland all require green roofs on new construction on buildings with roof areas over a specific set size. That said, retrofitting an existing building is often cost prohibitive due to the structural requirements to support the additional weight.

Cool roof technology is a promising way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the energy efficiency of buildings. As the technology continues to develop, the potential for cool roofs to reduce carbon dioxide emissions will likely increase.

This is an easy way to make big gains in carbon reductions, saving homeowners and businesses money. Something we can all get behind.

Source Happy Eco News

JDE Peet’s announce new sustainable coffee packaging

Posted on July 21, 2023July 21, 2023 by dishanth

JDE Peet’s is an American-Dutch coffee and tea company with a portfolio of over 50 brands including L’OR, Peet’s, Jacobs, Senseo, Tassimo, Douwe Egberts, Old Town, Super, Pickwick and Moccona.

In 2022, JDE Peet’s generated total sales of US$9.2bn, employed a global workforce of more than 20,000 employees and served approximately 4,200 cups of coffee or tea per second.

Pioneers: Sustainable packaging launch

JDE Peet’s have launched a first-of-its-kind packaging for its soluble coffee ranges as part of its net zero sustainability initiatives.

The paper packaging is recyclable and encourages consumers to reuse glass and plastic jars already in circulation.

“This is an important step in driving the sustainability agenda of our company and yet another sign of our leadership in innovation. We know that reducing packaging and promoting recyclability and reusability are increasing consumer needs,” says Fabien Simon, CEO of JDE Peet’s.

“By providing more sustainable solutions within soluble coffee, one of the world’s most beloved and consumed beverages, we can maximize our positive contribution in decarbonizing our own portfolios and the coffee market as a whole.”

Sustainability at the heart of coffee production

The packaging launch supports JDE Peet’s efforts to use 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2030 — 78% of its packaging is currently.

The company’s ESG initiatives operate throughout the brands, from sustainable sourcing, to burning waste coffee at factories to save landfill.

The Common Grounds programme champions an inclusive and regenerative ecosystem comprised of three pillars:

Responsible Sourcing — championing regenerative agriculture to enhance livelihoods and positively impact our planet. JDE Peet’s achieved its goal of 100% responsibly sourced palm oil by 2025 three years early.
Minimizing Footprint — striving towards a planet-positive supply chain through innovation and collaboration on sustainable solutions. JDE Peet’s has achieved zero waste-to-landfill at 22 of its 43 manufacturing facilities, and is aiming for all 43 by 2025.
Connecting People — engaging colleagues and communities to support wellbeing and promote equal opportunity. JDE Peet’s have 40% women in leadership positions, a target it had set for 2025.

“Having set carbon reduction targets with the science based targets initiative, we priorities energy efficiency projects,” says Dyfrig Davies, Engineering Manager at the JDE Coffee Manufacturing Factory in Banbury, UK.

“We’ve committed to these targets and now we have to deliver them. we’re taking action for humanity — and doing right by the planet is the right thing to do for our business as well.”

Source Sustainability

SAY Carbon is creating the coolest sustainable boat brand

Posted on July 7, 2023July 7, 2023 by dishanth

BizClik Media and Sustainability Magazine CEO Glen White had first-hand experience aboard a luxurious, environmentally-friendly yacht made by SAY Carbon Yachts.

The business, founded in Germany, produces cutting-edge, technologically advanced yachts, which are built using carbon fibre. Featuring three luxurious yachts – the SAY 29 (E), SAY 42 and SAY 52 – the business prioritises comfort, luxury and sustainability. While enjoying a trip to Ibiza, Spain, White got up close and personal with the SAY 42.

SAY 42: Ultra-low-emission engines combined with maximum comfort

Boasting low emissions and high performance, the SAY 42 demonstrates that stylish, luxurious and sustainable boating is possible – even for those who want to enjoy the seas with their family and friends

The SAY 42 is equipped with two certified ultra-low-emission V8 engines (860 hp) that consume up to 50% less fuel compared to conventional motor yachts, all while maintaining the same renowned performance.

The SAY 42 is ideal for those who appreciate extravagance. Each yacht is characterised by a modern design, featuring striking and unique lines and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a digital cockpit, Seakeeper 2 stabilisers, pop-up showers, a retractable table and an owner’s cabin with a fully-equipped bathroom.

To ensure the yachts meet the highest possible sustainability standards while continuing to ooze luxury, CEO Karl Wagner, maintains control over every aspect of the manufacturing process. Every SAY Carbon Yacht is meticulously crafted to bring the customer’s vision to life, designed to be user-friendly while promoting maximum comfort.

SAY Yachts leading carbon fibre adoption

While working with his previous business, Carbo Tech, Wagner became a leading producer of carbon-fibre-reinforced components for the automotive industry. Its customer base included prominent names from Formula 1, including Aston Martin, McLaren and Porsche.

The numerous advantages of carbon fibre have led to its widespread popularity in various industries, including aviation, construction and motorsports. As pioneers in the pursuit of lightweight design, Wagner and his team demonstrate their expertise in manufacturing innovative motor yachts by utilising the properties of carbon fibre.

“Our expertise in lightweight constructions enables us to achieve a unique combination of acceleration, design and agility while lowering fuel consumption and extending range,” Wagner comments.

Consequently, SAY Yachts has emerged as an international, established manufacturer of luxury motor boats, offering only the highest quality available.

Source Sustainability

New Ocean Carbon Removal Tools Developed

Posted on June 21, 2023June 21, 2023 by dishanth

What is Ocean Carbon Removal?

Ocean carbon removal is a process that aims to remove excess carbon dioxide from our oceans. As we all know, the ocean plays a critical role in regulating our planet’s climate by absorbing large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. However, this absorption has a limit, and as we continue to emit more and more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, the ocean’s ability to absorb CO2 is reaching its threshold.

The process of removing carbon dioxide involves capturing it directly from seawater or indirectly through biological processes, such as photosynthesis carried out by marine organisms like phytoplankton. Once captured, it can be stored permanently in deep-sea sediments or used for various industrial purposes.

Ocean carbon removal has gained significant attention recently due to its potential for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and mitigating climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. Additionally, this solution can generate ocean-based carbon credits, which provide financial incentives for companies investing in sustainable practices that reduce their carbon footprint.

Ocean carbon removal offers promising solutions for mitigating climate change while protecting our oceans’ health but also requires careful evaluation of its environmental risks and economic feasibility before implementation at scale.

The company Planetary Technologies has released an innovative ocean-based carbon removal protocol. The protocol aims to provide a standard for measuring and verifying the effectiveness of ocean-based carbon removal projects.

The technology adds a mild alkaline substance to the ocean, which reduces acidity and converts dissolved carbon dioxide into a salt that remains dissolved in the ocean for up to 100,000 years. This process allows for more atmospheric carbon dioxide to be absorbed by the ocean.

The company has been testing its technology in the U.K., Canada, and the U.S. and claims it could remove up to 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 2028 while restoring marine ecosystems. The publication of the protocol is a major step forward for the nascent market for marine carbon removals.

How does it work?

Ocean carbon removal is a process that involves removing carbon dioxide from the Earth’s atmosphere and storing it in the ocean. The process works by using natural or artificial processes to convert atmospheric CO2 into dissolved bicarbonate ions, which then sink and become trapped in deep-ocean sediments.

Natural processes include photosynthesis by marine organisms such as phytoplankton, while artificial methods involve injecting CO2 directly into seawater or using specialized equipment to capture CO2 from the air.

One of the key benefits of ocean carbon removal is its potential to mitigate climate change. By removing excess CO2 from the atmosphere, we can slow down global warming and reduce its impacts on our planet.

However, there are also concerns about how this technology might impact marine ecosystems. Injecting large amounts of CO2 into seawater could alter pH levels and affect marine life while capturing too much atmospheric CO2 could disrupt natural carbon cycles.

Ocean carbon removal has enormous potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. However, careful planning and monitoring will be necessary to ensure that these technologies are deployed safely and sustainably.

What are the benefits?

The benefits of ocean carbon removal are numerous and far-reaching. One of the primary benefits is that it provides a solution to one of the biggest challenges facing our planet today: climate change. By removing carbon from the atmosphere, we can slow down global warming and reduce its devastating effects.

In addition, ocean carbon removal has a lower environmental impact than other methods, such as land-based solutions or direct air capture. This is because oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, making them an ideal location for large-scale carbon sequestration projects without disturbing natural habitats or ecosystems.

Another benefit is that it can create new economic opportunities in coastal communities through jobs related to monitoring, maintenance, and technology development. Furthermore, companies can earn ocean carbon credits by participating in these programs, encouraging investment in sustainable practices while funding future initiatives.

Ocean carbon removal helps protect marine life by reducing acidification levels caused by excess CO2 emissions. Acidification harms many marine species, including coral reefs which support millions of people worldwide through fishing and tourism industries.

What are the Concerns?

Despite the numerous benefits of ocean carbon removal, there are also concerns that need to be addressed. One of the primary concerns is the potential environmental impact on marine ecosystems. Large-scale ocean carbon capture technologies deployment may interfere with fish habitats and disrupt food chains.

Another concern is the lack of regulatory frameworks for validating and verifying the efficacy of ocean carbon credits. With no established standards in place, it becomes difficult to ensure transparency and accountability in measuring how much carbon has been removed from oceans.

Additionally, some experts warn that relying on carbon removal could divert attention away from more pressing climate solutions, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions at their source. Without a comprehensive approach to addressing climate change, we risk overlooking other important factors contributing to global warming.

As we continue exploring ways to reduce our impact on the planet’s environment, it’s essential we address these concerns head-on by conducting thorough research and creating clear regulations around monitoring the effectiveness of this promising new technology.

A Piece of the Big Picture

The release of Planetary Technologies’ ocean-based carbon removal protocol is a significant milestone in the fight against climate change. The ability to remove carbon dioxide from our oceans not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also has positive effects on marine life and ecosystems. While there are concerns about potential environmental impacts and costs associated with this technology, it is important to continue exploring innovative solutions like these to address global warming.

Furthermore, individuals can get involved by supporting research efforts or advocating for policies that promote ocean-based carbon capture and storage projects. Ultimately, reducing our carbon footprint requires collective action at all levels – from governments and businesses to individuals.

By working together towards a sustainable future, we can protect our planet’s health while creating new opportunities for economic growth and innovation. Ocean carbon removal is just one piece of the bigger picture, but an important one in our journey towards a greener tomorrow.

Source Happy Eco News

Biomimicry in Sustainable Designs

Posted on June 7, 2023June 7, 2023 by dishanth

Biomimicry in Sustainable Design

The construction industry is very energy intensive. Steel and concrete, both popular materials in construction, are very carbon-intensive in their production. Many of the emissions from concrete production are attributed to burning fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas, which heat up the limestone and clay that becomes Portland cement. There is an opportunity for the construction industry to shape a nature-positive economy from the city to the building design and material and component levels.

The Mobius Project, a greenhouse designed by Iguana Architects, uses biomimicry in sustainable design by drawing inspiration from how ecosystems in nature work. They are committed to revolutionizing food production by turning waste into locally grown, low-carbon nutritious food. The biological waste can also be turned into methane to generate electricity for the greenhouse. In their closed cycle with zero waste, one organism’s waste becomes the next’s input. The idea for the Mobius Project came from observing the oak tree, which has the potential to reuse its output resources, including materials, energy and water.

The Eden Project, designed by exploration architecture, uses biomimicry in sustainable design with a giant greenhouse inspired by the biblical Garden of Eden. It was designed to resemble soap bubbles, carbon molecules, and radiolaria. The idea was that the soap bubbles would be optimally positioned in the sun to allow for complete self-healing. They also took inspiration from dragonfly wings for the best way to assemble steel pieces, allowing for a lightweight structure that required fewer carbon emissions to transport from place to place.

Designers have also looked at lotus leaves to decrease the need for protective finishings, which are usually toxic. The lotus leaf has tiny hairs covered with a waxy coating that allows it to stay dry. Water that hits the leaf will roll off the waxy nonpolar coating. This has inspired a protective coating for external areas that will repel water and dirt, which reduces the need for maintenance. Moreover, reducing the water accumulation in buildings will reduce deterioration mechanisms in infrastructures, such as steel corrosion, sulphate attacks, freezing and thawing.

Limestone-producing bacteria can be used to extend a building’s lifespan. Certain bacteria can produce limestone, filling the gaps and cracks that affect concrete structures over time. This can reduce the need to use new concrete for repairs.

Learning from nature and imputing the way nature works into our designs and in the construction industry can make our built environments more sustainable. There’s so much we can learn from nature; the more we discover, the more we can work toward reducing our impact on the planet.

Source Happy Eco News

According To New Study, Dust Absorbed By Phytoplankton Benefits Them

Posted on June 7, 2023 by dishanth

Carbon prevention or carbon capture?

A significant amount of the conversation surrounding climate change concerns the release of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere. While this is important, the priority is most concerned with reducing or eliminating fossil fuel emissions.

While achieving this goal is paramount in creating a clean, eco-friendly world, the topic of carbon sequestration has been under the radar until recently. When most think of carbon sequestration, they imagine carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology or think of trees.

Both are valuable and productive carbon sequesters; however, they are not the only areas or mechanisms useful for reducing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Our world’s oceans are single-handedly the largest carbon sinks we have, and many marine organisms participate in this important process.

Phytoplankton makes up an important role in carbon deposition onto the ocean floor. In recent years, they have been thriving due to mass amounts of dust being created and deposited.

Carbon sinks and carbon eaters.

In the ocean, there are multitudes of different organisms sequestering carbon. Seagrass is one of the largest carbon sequesters and provides large habitats for other fish and marine animals to thrive in.

However, despite the outsize role that some marine organisms play in carbon sequestration, phytoplankton also makes up a key role.

Phytoplankton generally pulls up their nutrients from the ocean and use those nutrients to turn carbon dioxide into organic matter, which then gets deposited back onto the ocean floor.

Due to climate change-induced wildfires and natural disasters, phytoplankton have been thriving in recent years. According to a new study published in Science Magazine and led by Toby Westberry out of Oregon State University, there is a direct correlation between the amount of dust being brought into the ocean and the numbers and health of phytoplankton in the area.

They used satellite imaging to observe the differences in the coloration of the water before and after a major dust storm or wildfire occurred. They noticed that the water in the affected areas began to turn green, indicating larger numbers of phytoplankton.

The researchers also found that depending on the altitude of the marine environment, there is an observed difference in the health and numbers of phytoplankton. In lower altitude areas, there were fewer phytoplankton despite being healthy, and in higher altitude areas, there were more phytoplankton as well as being more healthy.

It all adds up.

Phytoplankton, while important, doesn’t make up as much of an impact on climate sequestration as one might hope. This is because dust-related phytoplankton growth only makes up 4.5% of the global yearly carbon dioxide absorbed by the ocean. Though, in some areas, the amount of carbon absorbed can reach highs of 40% of the total amount.

Nonetheless, It is important to be aware of the multitudes of different ways carbon sequestration can occur. These systems are large and complex and take up many different forms. To address the issue of storing carbon and removing it from our atmosphere, we must understand it won’t be a “one-size-fits-all” approach that is successful. It will take multiple different mechanisms working together and complementing each other to save our world. Phytoplankton, it seems, will be playing an important role in this.

Source Happy Eco News

Etihad Airways plans to use sustainable fuel made from CO2

Posted on May 19, 2023May 19, 2023 by dishanth

UAE-based airline Etihad Airways has partnered with Twelve, a carbon transformation company, to promote sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced from CO2 and renewable energy.

Twelve combines renewable energy and water to convert CO2 into vital chemicals and materials derived from fossil fuels. This innovative formula reduces lifecycle emissions by 90% compared to traditional fossil-based fuels and is compatible with current aircrafts.

Etihad’s sustainable mission

The new partnership aligns with Etihad’s sustainability goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and converting waste into fuel, with a target of diverting 75% of waste from landfills by 2025. The collaboration is driven by the growing demand for SAF among various airlines.

In 2019, the airline introduced the Etihad Greenliner Program, which allocated a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner to focus on sustainability initiatives. The programme aims to identify and tackle key sustainability challenges through partnerships with Boeing and engine manufacturer GE.

SAF aligns with Etihad’s commitment to driving innovation and transforming the aviation industry towards sustainability, and the new partnership reinforces Etihad’s mission and sustainability efforts.

“Etihad Airways is working hard on its sustainability strategy and deploying a range of initiatives across the spectrum of sustainability to achieve that,” Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer at Etihad said. “Collaborating with sustainable aviation fuel makers like Twelve to advance products like E-Jet fuel is an important part of that drive.”

A long-term solution for addressing aviation emissions

Twelve has developed a low-carbon jet fuel, E-Jet fuel, produced using carbon transformation technology, which has been tested and verified by the US Air Force.

By joining forces, the two businesses aim to plan international demonstration flights to promote SAF in the global market.

Twelve’s CEO, Nicholas Flanders, describes the partnership as an “honour” while highlighting the company’s progress towards a supply of drop-in jet fuel made from air and not oil.

Flanders continues: “Our E-Jet fuel allows airlines like Etihad to reduce emissions by up to 90% with their existing aircraft fleet, which will be critical to achieving the United Nations’ 2050 net-zero emissions target in aviation.”

Source Sustainability

4D-Printed Seeds That Can Study the Soil

Posted on May 19, 2023May 25, 2023 by dishanth

Soil plays an important role in keeping our planet healthy. Soil filters our water, provides plants with nutrients, and provides a home for billions of organisms. Moreover, the soil is an important ingredient for growing food, and it protects us against flooding and combats drought. Because soil is made in part of broken down plant matter, they contain a lot of carbon that the plants took in from the atmosphere. The capacity of carbon that soil can hold depends on climate, temperature, rainfall, soil type and depth.

Soil is under threat due to rising temperatures and biodiversity loss due to climate change. Half of the topsoil in the world has been lost in the last 150 years due to erosion. These impacts include compaction, loss of soil structure, nutrient degradation and soil salinity. Soil nutrient loss is recognized as among the most critical problems at a global level for food security and sustainability.

Because many of the effects of climate change on soil happen underground, it can be difficult to study the impacts. Scientists from the Bioinspired Soft Robotics Lab in Genoa, Italy, have developed a solution to this problem. They have designed the first 4D-printed seed-inspired soft robot. The robotic seed mimics the movement and performance of a natural seed. The seed is said to help act as a sensor for monitoring pollutants, CO2 levels, temperature and humidity in the soil.

The structure of the South African geranium inspires the artificial seed. The seeds can change shape in response to how humid their environment is. The seed can autonomously move around a terrain surface and penetrate the soil. Here, the seed can explore the soil and penetrate inside fractures, extracting energy from the environmental humidity changes. The seeds can find a home for themselves by expanding and shrinking due to changes in the water content of the air.

The seed was created using 4D printed structures as they can create dynamic morphological changes under environmental stimuli. Additionally, these structures can be programmed to reshape and perform work for any type of scenario. The seed is also strong enough to lift about 100 times its own weight. The seeds are made out of biodegradable polymers, which are activated using oxygen plasma to increase water-attracting abilities. The scientists chose these materials because they absorb and expand when exposed to humidity.

This invention could be a battery-free wireless tool for environmental topsoil monitoring. It could be a low-cost system to collect soil data across remote areas without monitoring data. It is also a relatively non-invasive way to study and monitor the soil. And the role of biodegradable materials and eco-friendly processing is fundamental for sustainable and green robotics to avoid the dispersal of new waste in natural environments. This study could be an inspiration for other researchers looking to study hard-to-reach areas that are at risk due to climate change.

Source Eco Hero News

Producing Net Zero Scotch Whiskey

Posted on May 17, 2023May 19, 2023 by dishanth

Scotch whiskey, although delicious, is very energy intensive to produce. Creating Scotch whiskey involves a four-step process of malting, mashing, fermentation and distillation. The kettles are heated using natural gas or fossil fuel oil which boils the mash and distils the alcohol. The creation of Scotch whiskey requires burning vast quantities of peat to dry barely. The peat gives the whiskey a smokey flavour. Peatlands are areas that consist of organic materials from decaying plants. The peat captures carbon dioxide normally released during decomposition and is trapped as carbon in the oxygen-free peatland. Peatlands are important carbon sinks as they can sequester 550 gigatonnes of carbon, more than any other vegetation type, including forests. However, once the peat is burned during scotch distillation, all the carbon is released into the atmosphere.

To undo these environmental impacts while continuing to produce Scotch whiskey, owners of the 140 distilleries in Scotland have pledged to recreate their industry into net zero operations by 2040. This is all without government intervention. The Scotch Whisky Association is on board with this pledge as well. The Association wants its customers to imagine a future where distilleries no longer rely on fossil fuels. Instead, they create an industry using energy generated by wind, wood chips and ocean tides.

From 2009 to 2022, the Scotch whiskey industry reduced its carbon emission by more than half and has gone from consuming just 2% renewable to 39%. Offshore wind farms have been installed in Scotland’s coastal waters, near whiskey distillery islands, to pump electricity to land. Distillery co-products as animal feed has begun to shift to their use in bio-energy production. The Association wants scotch producers to funnel the byproducts like draft and pot ale and use it for fertilizer, animal feed and biofuel.

The Association also supports whiskey makers to protect Scotland’s water and consciously recycle their waste. Many distilleries are also moving towards battery-operated vehicles used on their whiskey-tasting tours. Scotland’s government has promised 30 000 new charging stations by 2030, making this possible.

To address their environmental impact on peatland use, the Association and distilleries are actively conserving and restoring Scotland’s peatland by 2035. They are developing a Peat Action Plan to outline how the industry will deliver a net environmental gain. They are also working with agricultural partners to ensure the barley and cereal used to produce Scotch whiskey becomes net zero.

Scotland’s Scotch whiskey distilleries are taking significant and necessary measures to tackle climate change, use water responsibly, move towards a circular economy and care for the land. Their efforts should exemplify all other beverage companies looking to produce products with minimal environmental impact.

Source Eco Hero News

Xbox Initiatives to Reduce Waste and Carbon

Posted on May 17, 2023 by dishanth

As part of Microsoft’s goal to be carbon negative, water positive and zero waste by 2030, its gaming console division Xbox is working towards reducing its carbon footprint through research, innovation, strategic investment, and accountability. Xbox is looking at ways to use less new plastic, minimise waste and reduce its carbon footprint.

Reducing Waste

The company has released a collection of controllers that contain 20% or post-more consumer recycled resins. The newest controller is the Xbox Remix. This controller is made from recycled plastics and includes the company’s leftover Xbox One generation controller parts. The old parts are reground and mixed with virgin plastic to make the controller. The post-consumer plastics used to make the new controlled include CDs, plastic water jugs and automotive headlight covers.

The company started incorporating post-consumer recycled resins into its controllers in 2021 when it introduced the Daystrike Camo and Electric Volt controllers. The Remix Special Edition is the first to include regrind (a term for ground industrial plastic waste) from other controllers. The controller also includes a rechargeable battery pack, allowing players to move away from disposable batteries.

Another way Xbox is reducing waste is by offering refurbished consoles. The consoles undergo a rigorous certification process and are tested to confirm they are working correctly and are inspected for hardware and cosmetic quality. This is an excellent alternative to buying brand-new consoles.

Carbon Aware

Xbox has also announced that they are the first to release dedicated energy and carbon emissions measurement tools designed for game creators. When the console is plugged in and connected to the Internet, and if regional carbon intensity data is available, Xbox will schedule game, app and OS updates at specific times during the night that may result in lower carbon emissions. The console will wake up and perform maintenance at a time when it can use the most renewable energy in the local grid. The company also considers updating consoles to the Shutdown (energy-saving) power mode. The Shutdown can cut power use by up to 20x when it is off compared to Sleep.

Another energy setting update is the “Active hours” setting which will allow the console to boot up and be available for remote wake during the selected active hours. It will fully shut down once the active hours are over.

Xbox also introduced their Xbox Developer Sustainability Toolkit, which includes analytical and visual systems, measurement tools, and resources to help creators make informed decisions about energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with their game designs. The Toolkit includes energy consumption feedback, certification reports, dashboards that show the carbon footprint and total energy consumer during gameplay, guidance, best practices and case studies.

Xbox is taking important measures to reduce its impact and is leading as an example to other game console companies. At the rate they are going, they will reach Microsoft’s carbon goals by 2030.

Source Eco Hero News