efficiency
Last year’s devastating BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was caused by corporate decisions that valued time and money savings over safety and good business practices, according to the government commission investigating the disaster. That finding holds a greater lesson for businesses in general, not just those
innovation
“Crowdsourcing” might be just the label du jour for what is really simple collaboration or competition for the best ideas. But it is helping to generate some promising solutions for serious social and environmental problems. The tricky bit now lies in followup: how many of the life-altering ideas identified through
Internet
Can the infrastructure of the internet support a future of smart grids, home area networks, web-connected TVs and intelligent appliances? If the coming decade brings the dramatic technological changes being promised today, we might soon discover the answer … for better or for worse. Consider just some of the emerging developments
energy
With prices for commodities from food to oil — which are, after all, linked — rising to new highs, there’s a growing threat to stability for individuals, businesses and governments alike. So how can people and organisations insulate themselves from risk? The top priority: to limit their exposure to volatile energy
agriculture
One of the latest WikiLeaks cables to be released highlights not only how adamant the US government is about promoting genetically modified (GM) crops around the world, but reveals what is possibly the worse use yet of the word, “sustainable.” As reported in the Guardian, the leaked cable from the
sustainability
We don’t have to sit around waiting and hoping for a “magic bullet” that can solve all our energy, resource and environmental problems. There’s plenty of technology available today — and new technologies emerging all the time — that, if we use it, can dramatically cut our consumption levels and
peak oil
Sustainability and “green” business have become common topics in many corporate boardrooms, but there’s one issue that most firms have all but ignored, at least publicly: the growing risk of an energy crunch. As we enter 2011, however, that’s an issue they can no longer afford to dismiss.
cleantech
China, now a leader in everything from cleantech investment to carbon emissions, can expect to see its star keep rising in 2011. However, the business atmosphere there promises to show much more volatility in the coming year … with uncertain implications for outside investors. Companies ranging from Apple to Siemens, from
sustainability
What does it take to become one of six finalists for a $1.5 million prize in sustainability? On the surface, there’s not much in common between some of the just-announced contenders for the Zayed Future Energy Prize … outside of an undeniable commitment to building a better, cleaner, healthier
sustainability
Which companies have taken the lead in sustainable cities? While a number of firms are working to establish their reputations in smart cities and technologies, several stand out, though for different reasons. In terms of carving out a high-profile niche in the area, for example, IBM grabs the spotlight for
renewables
Hopes for a clean-energy, low-carbon economy are looking a bit shaky in some parts of the world for 2011, although a controversial vote by the soon-to-be-replaced Congress provides some encouragement in the US. Included within a legislative package that extends Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy as well as benefits
demand management
When researchers tell us we need to cut our carbon dioxide output by megatonnes a year, it’s hard to see how we as puny little individuals can have much of an impact. But lots of puny little individuals acting in concert can help generate significant savings in both energy
