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The global population is set to increase by over two billion in the next 30 years. Malnourishment is endemic, soil quality is in decline and water and other critical resources are becoming scarcer. Nevertheless, agricultural companies have a great opportunity to integrate sustainability into their core business practices in order to meet the growing global demand for high quality food, and do so sustainably.

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) recently published a report detailing how some leading agricultural companies are rising up to the challenge of sustainable farming. Most of these companies, however, are still lagging behind and have yet to adopt more sustainable practices.

More stakeholders are stepping up efforts

BCG notes in its report that the depletion of farmland resources and the deteriorating environment has motivated some key stakeholders, including consumers, farmers, food companies and government regulators, to compel agricultural companies to embrace more sustainable methods and processes.

Their efforts are showing results and these external stakeholders are able to drive a transformation that had seemed impossible just a few years ago. Some agricultural companies, including crop nutrition providers, seed companies, farming equipment makers and crop protection manufacturers are adopting more responsible practices in disparate areas of their operations.

Many agricultural companies have also introduced new or improved products, such as crop protection agents, which are more sustainable. The persistent efforts of other stakeholders could soon compel the lagging agricultural companies to adopt sustainability - or be left behind.

Regulators urging sustainable practices

In 2015, governments worldwide announced their support for sustainable farming and backed the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since then, regulators in many countries have implemented policies to fulfill these goals.

These regulators have triggered change by linking farm subsidies to more sustainable agriculture practices. Farmers now have a strong financial incentive to adopt eco-friendly agricultural methods. As regulators and policymakers recognize the correlation between sustainable agriculture and economic growth, they are increasingly willing to address the deficiencies in their country’s farming approaches.

Consumers and food companies are selling better products

A BCG survey of 9,000 consumers in nine countries revealed that 86 percent of the consumers want food products that are “good for the world and me.” These include items that are labeled natural, organic, ecological or fair trade. Another BCG study showed that 70 percent of retail growth in the U.S. food market between 2011 and 2014 came from the sales of “responsible consumption products.”

To meet consumers’ needs, some food companies have joined the efforts, doing so in part because it helps them gain a competitive advantage in the lucrative healthier foods market segment. These companies are encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable practices and making it a condition within their procurement contracts.

The key takeaway

While the BCG report highlights that agricultural companies are not taking sustainability “seriously enough,” it emphasizes that this threat could offer economic opportunities. After all, it is now impossible for agricultural companies to claim that they are strangers to sustainability concepts. They can play a critical role in more responsible and ecological farming, and therefore make it integral to their core business, while becoming knowledge partners with their customers to help build a sustainable, and quite possibly, a hunger-free planet.

Image credit: BCG

With 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in total, aligning with this United Nations’ blueprint to forge a more sustainable and equitable world by 2030 at first appears intimidating to some of us in the private sector. But the genius of the SDGs is that they are designed so companies can sort out which ones are in lockstep with their long-term strategies. And as we pointed out a few months ago, the SDGs are not only for multinationals – smaller companies can also do their part by aligning their operations and strategies with these goals.

With that said, companies that want to do their part to accelerate social and environmental good should consider focusing on these six SDGs during the coming year.

SDG #2: Zero Hunger

A recent Public Radio International report reinforced a most disturbing fact. Across the globe, many of the food industry workers and farmworkers who are integral to our food supply are among the world’s poorest people and are, cruelly enough, at the most risk of food insecurity. To paraphrase a timeless 1992 U.S. presidential campaign talking point, it’s the supply chain, stupid! Food companies can do a lot on this particular SDG, as they can feed (let’s not say kill) two birds with one stone. First, they could work with their furthest reaches of the supply chain to ensure farmers can feed themselves and their communities while increasing their incomes – which, secondly, would also help build a reliable base of suppliers. Mars Inc. and its work with mint farmers offers once such case study of how this SDG can come closer to fruition.

SDG #5: Gender Equality

As Mary Mazzoni discussed last week, guaranteeing that all girls and women have the same opportunities as boys and men is not only a moral imperative – it is an economic one as well. Narrowing the global workforce gender gap could add $28 trillion to the global GDP, according to a Council on Foreign Relations study. But the stubborn fact persists that far fewer women than men participate in the global workforce, and women around the world continue to earn less than their male counterparts, as data from the most recent annual World Economic Forum Gender Equality Index concluded. This is more than about the #MeToo and #TimesUp agendas; companies can lead by example and boost gender equality becomes reality by taking on projects such as supply chain diversity programs.

SDG #6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Many were aghast as Cape Town came dangerously close to running out of water last year. The scenario could repeat itself soon anywhere. Worldwide, countries from Greece to Pakistan are at risk of succumbing to water scarcity. All this news may seem ominous, but the evidence suggests there is still plenty of time to plan and prevent the ravages of drought and floods. The price tag won’t be cheap, however; a 2016 World Bank study suggested that providing the world’s citizens have access to clean water and sanitation by 2030 could cost $114 billion. Nevertheless, the costs could be far higher in 11 years if the gap between water supply and demand widens, as some experts have suggested. Providing technology, human capital and investment in order to expand access to safe water can bolster this SDG, and would allow companies to shine.

SDG #10: Reduce Inequality within and among Countries

Some facets of SDG #10 are out of the private sector’s hands. Take Goal 10.7: “Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration . . .  through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.” Here in North America, we have seen how chaos reigns in a horrific way along the southern U.S. border, but that is a function of public policy, and there is little room here for private sector action.

But there is plenty of work companies can achieve on confronting inequality. Just because a country lacks a legal framework such as the U.S. Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act does not mean a company operating within that same nation cannot take leadership on this challenge. Proven hiring practices that do not discriminate on age, sexual orientation, gender or disability can send a strong signal. Programs that boost financial inclusion also offer low-hanging fruit for companies that are looking to the SDGs for honing their social sustainability strategies.

SDG #7: Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG #13: Climate Action

The year 2020 was a catchy number for regions such as the European Union as they established goals for greenhouse gas emission reductions (which is tied to SDG #13) and clean energy deployment (covered by SDG #7). Those goals sure seemed to be a good idea last decade, when many of these goals were formulated. But there’s a slight challenge now, folks. 2020, in case you haven’t noticed, is next year. The news is not all foreboding: California could meet its 2030 renewables targets by 2020. Continued leadership from the private sector, however, could guarantee that 2020 will be a year of achievement instead of angst. And by leadership, we mean investment, not just advocacy.

Image credit: Leon Kaye

As the current U.S. federal government shutdown is mired in its second week, it is clear many of our national parks and public lands are lurching closer to a meltdown.

Since December 22, the lack of funds has meant a total, not "partial" shutdown for most properties operated by the National Park Service (NPS). There are some exceptions, of course. Grand Canyon National Park, for example, is open because after the last such federal shutdown the state of Arizona appropriated some revenues so that services such as shuttles and restrooms can remain open. “Regardless of what happens in Washington, the Grand Canyon will not close on our watch,” said Governor Doug Ducey in a press statement released a few days before the shutdown began.

But for many national parks, the outcome of this shutdown could turn ugly as this spit-spat drags on – especially if the White House and the newly elected Congress, now with a Democratic-majority House, continue to dig in their heels.

And press reports have suggested worsening conditions within many national parks are already underway. Some of the roads at Yosemite National Park have been reported to be virtual toilets with restrooms locked and sanitation services nonexistent. Farther south in California, conditions at Joshua Tree National Park and its delicate desert ecosystems are described as “deteriorating.” Garbage is overflowing in bins at Big Bend National Park in Texas, causing health hazards as well as attracting black bears. While many of these national parks are still allowing visitors access, they are largely unstaffed – gates into the parks have typically been left wide open, allowing visitors to drive in without paying the typical $30 entrance fee.

Many travelers have changed their plans, and the results could mean an economic hit for the small towns adjacent to many of these national parks - including Mariposa, CA (population 2,200 and a gateway to Yosemite); Beatty, NV (population 1,000 and home to some of the hotels closest to Death Valley National Park); and Twentynine Palms, CA (population 25,000, on the north edge of Joshua Tree).

Towns like these across the U.S. are financially dependent on businesses, from equipment rental services to, of course, locally-owned hotels and restaurants, most of which largely cater to national park visitors. As news outlets such as the Washington Post have reported, many of these same businesses are pitching in to complete the jobs the NPS and its contractors manage – as in picking up garbage, cleaning the bathrooms and keeping tabs on the park.

But these small businesses, many of whom depend on this time of year to reap most of their sales, cannot do all these tasks alone. Nor should they.

At a time when once again, the federal government is unable to act because of infighting and personal squabbles, corporations have an opportunity to step up while our political leaders continue to let us down.

For example, waste management companies could work with municipalities to haul away the garbage that is accumulating on roadsides. Outdoor apparel manufacturers and retailers should find a way to partner with other firms to front the cost of hiring first responders to patrol the roads – which certainly is not happening now at a huge risk to public safety. Other companies (such as those in the consumer packaged goods sector) could provide supplies and funds to help clean up the public areas that have become soiled due to the lack of staffing - which would prevent ecological damage in the long run. Sure, these companies would score some brand reputation and social responsibility points. But they could also shame our public officials with this simple message: "get your act together."

None of these actions would be necessary if there had been a directive to shut all these parks’ gates on December 22. And in fairness, most visitors to the national parks have been respectful. Nevertheless, it only takes a few bad apples to cause too much long-term damage to these national treasures. If there is any sign of brands taking stands in the name of supporting our national parks during a time of duress, now would be the time to act as this shutdown shows no sign of ending anytime soon.

Image credit: Leon Kaye

For investors interested in environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies, a regionally diversified approach can help capture global growth. In the coming year, Asia offers a prime opportunity to invest in profitable companies addressing critical ESG challenges through robust and sustainable business models. ESG innovation in Asia is evident across many sectors, including health care and pharmaceuticals, technology, finance and alternative energy. To fully capture the growth and profits of the world’s most innovative ESG companies, it is worth considering Asia. Here, we identify three ESG trends in Asia to watch in 2019.

Trend #1: Environmental Solutions That Generate Clean Air—and Profits

While electric car maker Tesla garners headlines for its stylish design ethos and lengthy waiting lists, Asia has quietly dominated the global battery cell market with its innovative and reliable lithium-ion batteries and other critical components. (See Figure 1.) Global leadership in battery cells belongs almost entirely to companies headquartered in South Korea, Japan and China. Why is this so? Partly it is because Asia has historically dominated manufacturing of consumer electronics that required rechargeable battery technology development and partly because Asia accounts for a significant portion of new electric vehicle sales. China is currently the world’s largest market for electric vehicles, with the U.S. coming in a close second. Of the 2 million electric cars on the road in 2016, 32 percent were driven in China, while 28 percent were driven in the U.S. Japan and France each represent approximately 7 percent of the electric vehicles on the road[1].

Battery cells are just a small part of the innovative sectors helping to power a cleaner energy future, including solar and wind power, energy efficiency, high-speed trains and factory automation. Solar panels are another area in which Asia in general, and China in particular, is taking a clean-tech industries leadership role. China makes 70 percent of the world’s solar panels and installs more than half of them[2].

Trend #2: Small Loans—With the Potential for Big Returns

Among critical social issues facing communities in Asia, inclusion is a key focus area. Social progress requires bringing more people into the middle class globally, along with ensuring greater access to health care, more women in the workforce and more opportunities for people to advance through education and training. Moving hundreds of millions of people out of poverty has been the foundation for social advancement. It has also presented a prime opportunity for global investors who wish to support this progress by investing in companies championing inclusion in Asia’s fast-growing economies. As a starting point, living a middle-class life requires becoming part of the “formal” financial system, often by opening a bank account. Millions of people across Asia lack basic banking services. Credit, even in small amounts, can make a huge difference to families living in poverty. Microlenders are leveraging digital platforms to massively scale up lending without the need to build large brick-and-mortar infrastructure.

As Asia looks to add 2 billion more people to its middle class by 2030[3], financial inclusion will be a key enabler for this transformation by creating and supporting livelihoods. Profitable companies servicing this need provide microlending, micropayments and insurance. In 2017, India had 45 million microborrowers, demonstrating the size and scale of this growing marketplace. (See Figure 2.) Most jobs in emerging Asia are found in micro and small enterprises. Access to capital through financing makes a big difference in the ability of these firms to grow and create more jobs. Therefore, micro and small enterprise lending is an under-appreciated social opportunity. Bangladesh and Indonesia are fast-growing markets for micro and small enterprise lending.

Trend #3: Access to More Affordable Health Care

Asia ESG investing offers a big opportunity to make a global impact simply because of the sheer number of lives affected. South Asia has over 1.5 billion people who spend less than US$100 per year on health care on average[4].

Given the population’s lack of spending power, providing access to affordable health care is a critical social issue. South Asia has millions of people with Hepatitis C, for instance, but few, if any, have been able to afford Gilead Science’s highly effective drug Sovaldi. The drug was priced at US$1,000 per pill in the U.S. and the treatment lasts 12 weeks, adding up to US$84,000. To make this drug available to people across the developing world, Gilead licensed it to several generic drug manufacturers that make the 12-week treatment available for well under US$1,000. With its high quality, globally competitive pharmaceutical and biotech businesses that have low cost structures, Asia has begun to address the problem of affordable access profitably.

Building a Diversified ESG Portfolio

Many global investors tend to be in underweight emerging markets (EM) in general and Asia in particular. A dedicated allocation to Asia ESG can fit within an overall EM allocation, while also providing differentiated exposure to countries, industries and individual securities that may be missing in an existing portfolio.

Article Notes:

[1] Sources: International Energy Agency analysis based on Electric Vehicle Initiative country submissions, complemented by European Alternative Fuels Observatory; data as of 2016

[2] Source: The Diplomat. “China’s Solar Power Dominance and Trump’s Trade Tariffs” February 2018

[3] Source: Brookings, Global Economy and Development Working Paper, February 2017, “The Unprecedented Expansion of the Global Middle Class”

[4] 2016 Global Health Care Outlook: Regional & Country Perspectives, Deloitte, 2016

Previously published on Green Money Journal.

Image credit of Shanghai: Ralf Leineweber/Unsplash

 

 

With the urgency of climate action in mind, here are five energy trends to look out for in 2019. They are not necessarily the biggest trends in terms of raw numbers, but they could play an outsized role in accelerating decarbonization and reducing the risks and impacts of climate change.

1. Natural gas loses grip on U.S. homes.

We're putting this one first because cutting home energy consumption is one major key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Homes accounted for a full 16 percent of U.S. natural gas use in 2017, coming in third behind power generation and industrial users. Commercial users were fourth at 12 percent, and the transportation sector barely registered.

Electricity is the other major energy input for homes in the U.S., but that doesn't mean all-electric homes are off the hook for methane emissions: The U.S. power grid still depends heavily on both natural gas and coal.

The good news: Renewable energy is beginning to push natural gas and coal out of the U.S. electricity grid. Taking advantage of that trend, in 2018 the Rocky Mountain Institute launched a new initiative aimed at transitioning the residential sector from gas to electricity.

RMI is taking a page out of the Sierra Club's successful Beyond Coal campaign. The idea is to raise awareness about local impacts—such as methane emissions from drilling operations, power plants and the transportation chain—to push for new policies that incentivize gas-to-electric conversions for existing homes and promote all-electric new home construction.

Allies in the appliance manufacturing and construction sectors could contribute to the success of the effort.

What to look for: One important factor in home electrification is the falling cost of rooftop solar and home energy storage systems. Some homeowners may convert from gas to electricity for safety reasons, but the bulk of conversions will probably come from homeowners who spot an opportunity to squeeze the maximum benefit from their rooftop solar systems.

2. U.S. offshore wind industry gets a grip.

The U.S. is a global leader when it comes to land-based wind farms, but the country lags far behind other nations in the offshore category. That's partly due to technology challenges for siting wind turbines in the deep waters of the U.S. Pacific Coast.

The relatively shallow Atlantic coast presents a different set of obstacles. Back in 2010, the Barack Obama administration laid plans for systematically developing wind farms on the Atlantic coast. The plan was stonewalled by Republican leadership in several coastal states, including New Jersey. An earlier offshore wind project for Massachusetts also foundered with an assist from a member of the Koch family.

So far, the U.S. only has one commercial offshore wind farm in operation, the five-turbine Block Island wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island.

The good news: Strangely enough, investor interest in Atlantic offshore wind has picked up substantially during the Donald Trump administration. Global energy companies including Shell, EDF and Equinor (formerly Statoil) are putting up the big bucks for federal offshore lease areas. The Department of Energy is also pitching the U.S. wind industry to overseas investors. This year, the agency established a new wind energy R&D hub in renewables-friendly New York state. Hundreds of turbines could dot the Atlantic coast by the mid-2020s.

What to look for: Keep an eye on upcoming offshore wind lease activity in the New York Bight, a corner of the Atlantic Ocean bordered by New Jersey and New York.

3. A hydrogen fuel cell in every port.

TriplePundit regularly takes note of the emerging hydrogen economy, though with a major caveat: Hydrogen is a zero-emission fuel at the tailpipe, but currently the main sources for hydrogen are natural gas and coal gas.

Fortunately, pathways for renewable hydrogen are beginning to emerge. One particular focus of attention is "splitting" hydrogen from water molecules by applying an electrical current. The bad news is that water-splitting is not necessarily a sustainable solution when the local power grid mix includes fossil fuels.

The good news: The integration of wind and solar in the power grid will help reduce the carbon footprint of water-splitting. In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy and private-sector companies are already looking at modular hydrogen fueling systems that integrate on-site hydrogen production with on-site wind or solar power.

For example, the hydrogen-focused startup Nikola is marketing fuel cell semi trucks in tandem with plans to establish its own network of hydrogen fueling stations, at least some of which will use clean power to produce hydrogen on site.

It's true that hydrogen passenger cars have been slow to take off in the U.S. However, Nikola, UPS and other shipping and logistics stakeholders are positioning renewable hydrogen as the fuel of the future for long-haul trucking, forklifts and other work vehicles. Stationary fuel cells also come into play, and the U.S. military has also been looking at hydrogen fuel cells for tactical and fleet vehicles.

What to look for: Port cities and other shipping hubs will lead the way to hydrogen fuel cell commercialization. Despite headwinds from the Trump White House, the U.S. EPA is apparently still making progress on a broad, ongoing initiative to improve air quality in port cities. That program includes a number of fuel cell projects. In a related development, a first-of-its-kind, high-speed hydrogen fuel cell ferry is on track to launch in the San Francisco Bay in the latter half of 2019.

4. Onshore wind energy: Smaller is okay, too.

One field that has been flying under the radar is distributed wind energy. As described by the Energy Department, distributed wind generally refers to wind turbines that are used to power site-specific operations, for example in agricultural or industrial applications. They are also coming into use for schools, government buildings and homes, among other sites.

Distributed wind turbines are typically much smaller than the now-familiar giant turbines that populate wind farms, though they can range up to the megawatt end of the scale.

Growth in the distributed wind sector has been relatively slow compared to rooftop solar. In the early days of the small wind industry, an element of unfulfilled promises—if not outright hucksterism—may have discouraged investors, but the situation has changed in recent years. Technology improvements and a new regimen of oversight and certification are beginning to pay off, as described in the latest Distributed Wind Markets report from the Energy Department.

The good news: Last summer, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) added a Distributed Wind section to its portfolio for the first time, citing an opportunity to grow the market for distributed wind applications:

"The inclusion of distributed wind at AWEA expands the Association’s ability to educate Americans about all the benefits of wind energy, including the potential wind turbines have to supply on-site power for homes and businesses. Distributed wind also provides a unique opportunity for the public to engage more directly with wind power technology at residential and community scale."

What to look for: Distributed wind can be difficult to site in urban and suburban settings, but rural applications could be a strong area of growth. Helping matters along, the 2018 Farm Bill passed in December with its slate of clean power programs intact. These are administered under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ongoing REAP (Rural Energy for America Program), which includes funding for distributed wind projects.

In particular, Energy Department studies have pinpointed the U.S. Southeast as a region with untapped potential for both utility-scale and distributed wind development.

5. Local communities step up to the renewable energy plate.

U.S. corporate leadership has garnered a lot of praise, deservedly so, for committing to huge renewable energy purchases. This corporate clean power activism helps to lower costs for everyone, by helping the wind and solar industries build economies of scale.

For individual ratepayers, though, the power to control one's renewable energy destiny can still be elusive. The case of Boulder, Colorado, illustrates the obstacles. In 2011, the city launched a long, messy legal fight for clean power with its utility Xcel. Seven years later, the clean power battle still rages on. Xcel set a zero carbon goal for 2050, but apparently that was too little, too late. In a recent vote, Boulder legislators decided to forge ahead with a takeover of Xcel's distribution network.

The good news: More cities are establishing renewable energy goals, and they are finding new ways to leverage the collective power of ratepayers to get their hands on more clean power.

What to look for: Just as corporate America helped push the demand for wind and solar, local governments are becoming a market force to be reckoned with.

One emerging pathway is community choice aggregation. These programs force utilities to provide a voluntary clean power option. In the past, community choice was a hard sell because wind and solar were more expensive. However, costs are continuing to drop, making community choice practically a no-brainer. Community choice is already underway in California and New York. Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island and Virginia have also passed enabling legislation.

The low cost of renewable energy is also attracting more attention from rural electric cooperatives and other public utilities. Philadelphia's municipal utility, for example, just entered into a power purchase agreement to buy the entire output from a planned 70-megawatt solar farm. In Texas, the municipal utility New Braunfels Utilities recently signed a power purchase agreement involving 225 megawatts of solar energy, enabling it to maintain its reputation for offering some of the lowest electricity rates in the U.S.

A third pathway is on-site solar. These so-named distributed energy resources are already commonplace at federal, state and local public facilities, but their full potential has yet to be realized. Next-generation microgrid technology will help accelerate the trend, with the help of low-cost energy storage.

New cryptocurrency platforms and blockchain software will also help push the on-site solar trend. Cryptocurrency gets a bad rap through its association with Bitcoin and other speculative online currencies, but it also has applications that are purely workhorse in nature. When used in microgrids, online tokens provide for rapid, seamless and transparent transactions. That can incentivize property owners to install solar panels and, if possible, to install more than enough to fulfill their own electricity needs.

Image courtesy of Deepwater Wind

Waste generation rates are on the rise worldwide, according to the World Bank. The world's cities generated just over 2 billion tons of waste in 2016, a figure expected to rise to 3.4 billion tons by 2050. If you want to see your company manage its waste better in 2019, you can organize a workplace recycling program in just five simple steps. Extensive knowledge of waste management isn't necessary, and incremental changes can add up. Follow along get started.

1. Conduct a waste audit

Lay the foundation for your company's new program with an audit of its current waste. It'll inform your later policies, providing direction as you select which products to include in your recycling efforts. You'll choose basic materials like cardboard, paper, plastic and aluminum, of course, but there are other items you should take special care in discarding.

If you're disposing of old or outdated technology, for example, you have to follow a specific protocol. Contact your local municipal waste company to learn how to manage your e-waste in a way that doesn't harm the environment. And keep the lines of communication open with your local waste handlers: Ask them for any relevant suggestions on how to execute your program, and note their advice.

2. Designate a program manager

If you have more pressing obligations and have to delegate the position of program manager, find a co-worker who shows enthusiasm and energy. Why? Your strategically placed recycling bins, helpful signs and emails might not elicit the response you're looking for, and you need someone on your side to stir up interest in your plans and champion your message.

Your program manager can also help perform your waste audit, communicate with recycling organizations and touch base with other employees. You shouldn't try to take on such an enormous responsibility by yourself, and with assistance from a co-worker, you won't have to. Trust them to shoulder the burden when you need to attend to other tasks.

3. Select a pickup service

It's unlikely you'll run into any issues hiring a small-scale or commercial hauler to meet your needs. They're available in most areas, so browse local pickup services to find the best for your particular business. When making decisions about your program, factor in the amount of recyclables you expect your operation to produce within a given timeframe.

You might find you can transport the recyclables yourself if your company doesn't generate much waste. However, you shouldn't accept that role if there's any risk involved, whether it's to your own safety or that of other drivers on the road. In most cases, it's a smart choice to employ professionals to handle garbage and recyclable collection and removal.

4. Simplify participation

Employees don't want to take time out of their busy days to determine which bin to discard their trash. You need to simplify your recycling program to make participation easy, and you can start with sharp, brightly-colored graphics. Use imagery to differentiate your containers. That confused employee will know precisely where to place his or her trash, saving you both frustration and reducing the amount of consumables mixed with glass and plastic.

5. Remain confident

Your new recycling program won't function perfectly at first. Expect to run into slight resistance and unforeseen complications as your office acclimates. You shouldn't let these setbacks discourage you, however, and as long as you make adjustments to your program to course-correct where necessary, you'll move closer to your goal of reducing your company's impact.

A little context might help to place your efforts in perspective. Every ton of cardboard you recycle can save 46 gallons of oil. You're making a significant difference in your company's waste output. When you eventually run into problems—and you likely will—remember the positive effect your recycling program has on the bigger picture.

Image credi: Pixabay 

Here are seven more brands who pledge to support microloans for women entrepreneurs through the WholePlanet Foundation when you purchase their products at your local Whole Foods this December.

88 Acres

Woman-founded 88 Acres first opened its doors in Boston, where Whole Planet Foundation funds microcredit through microfinance partner Grameen America. Their goal was to open their bakery in an area of need to drive job growth in the community. Through their continued partnership with Whole Planet Foundation, 88 Acres also creates economic prosperity by finding microloans to support women microentrepreneurs domestically and internationally.

During the month of December, $0.10 from 88 Acres Seed Butters sold in select Whole Foods Market stores will be donated to Whole Planet Foundation.

Aspiring Artists of the Earth

Aspiring Artists of the Earth (Here are) has been supplying Whole Foods Market stores with artisan-crafted collections for 13 years now. Owner and resident artist, Tari Zarka, also the resident glass artist, draws and digitizes the artwork used in their wood collections, which are made entirely in-house in Pennsylvania.

“We believe in giving back. We donate a minimum of 5% of our profits to charity annually. We’re proud to support other female entrepreneurs with Whole Planet Foundation, donating $0.10 of each item sold in select Whole Foods Market stores during the month of December,” says Tari.

Goodie Girl

In 2010, Goodie Girl founder Shira Berk was running the café inside her children’s preschool when a fellow parent challenged her to create a gluten-free cookie modeled after the ones baked at the café. Today, she has built a sweet business selling cookies for people with special diets.

“As a minority-run business, we’ve chosen to support Whole Planet Foundation this holiday season because we want to empower women microentrepreneurs in global communities,” said Shira Berk, Founder of Goodie Girl.”

With every Goodie Girl cookie product sold in select Whole Foods Market stores, 3% of sales will be donated to Whole Planet Foundation.

Greyston

Greyston Bakery’s unique partnership with Whole Planet Foundation has served to advance both organizations’ social initiatives. In addition to supporting job creation at the Bakery, a percentage of brownie sales benefit Whole Planet Foundation.

The team at Greyston Bakery says of the partnership: “During this holiday season and at a time when there is so much turmoil and inequality in the world, it’s comforting to know that Whole Planet Foundation continues to help alleviate poverty by lifting up some of the poorest entrepreneurs throughout the world with microloans. Greyston Bakery is proud to be a supporter of this life-changing mission. We also believe in helping others and we’ve been practicing that for over 35 years through our Open Hire™ policy where people with barriers to employment get hired – no questions asked.”

With every purchase of a Greyston Bakery brownie at select Whole Foods Market stores, $0.25 will be donated to Whole Planet Foundation.

Health-Ade

Health-Ade Kombucha was started in 2012 by a husband, wife, and best friend in a true farmers’ market start-up story: a small credit card and a big dream to make REAL FOOD.

Founder and CSO, Vanessa Dew says, “Whole Planet Foundation is aligned to Health-Ade’s values through and through.  One of Health-Ade’s main pillars of growth is built upon the entrepreneurial spirit and the extent to which we can support others to ‘follow their gut’, particularly when making huge social impact, is a position we will always take. The opportunity Whole Planet Foundation offers to tenacious, innovative, hardworking entrepreneurs that need access to resources to rise up from poverty is priceless.  We are proud partners of that mission especially during this season of giving, where everyone involved in making the future brighter, like Whole Planet Foundation, deserves a little Holiday Cheers!”

For every purchase of Health-Ade’s Holiday Cheers kombucha at select Whole Foods Market stores, $0.10 will be donated to Whole Planet Foundation.

Mop Top

MopTop’s founder Kelly Foreman went years without a good hair day until she began the quest to find beauty in her wild curls. MopTop was the result – a line of natural, junk-free products that will make your hair turn heads, for all the best reasons.

“Whole Planet Foundation totally lines up with our core values of Do the Right Thing & Empower our customers and each other! Love, love, love working to make a positive change in this world,” says Kelly, founder of Mop Top.

With every purchase of MopTop products in select Whole Foods Market stores during the month of December, $0.50 will be donated to Whole Planet Foundation.

The Republic of Tea

The Republic of Tea embodies the ancient Chinese philosophy of Tashun — the Great Harmony — when people naturally care about the world and depend on each other for the well-being of the whole. It is a collective concern for others and aspiration to seek opportunities, initiatives and actions that will better the human condition as well as the planet.

Through years of partnership with Whole Planet Foundation, The Republic of Tea has witnessed first-hand the incredible impact and success that comes from microfinance, empowering and lifting women and families out of poverty around the world where they source fine teas and herbs.

During the month of December, $1.50 from every tin of Biodynamic Holiday Chai sold in select Whole Foods Market stores will be donated to Whole Planet Foundation.

Learn more by visiting wholeplanetfoundation.org

Previously posted on the Whole Planet Foundation blog and 3BL Media news.

As 2018 ends, our climate expectations are complicated and uncertain. For me, after working and volunteering on climate awareness and solutions for 15 years, my outlook has improved.

In July I woke up and said, “Maybe we’re not doomed!” How about you?

This fall’s big reports — the IPCC 1.5°C Report, National Climate Assessment, and Arctic Report Card — confirm that the effects of climate change are all around us. They say get ready for ever worsening climate-influenced extreme weather.

Two bookend events, September’s Global Climate Action Summit and December’s COP24 international conference, show strong global commitments to achieve the Paris Agreement's goals — even as we recognize how far we are from being on track.

In contrast, the National Academy of Sciences Negative Emissions Technologies report previews many natural and technical solutions we’ve barely begun to evaluate or demonstrate. They point to the idea that we can actually solve climate change.

Meanwhile, 15-year old Greta Thunberg from Sweden inspired global student walkouts, when she said, “Since our leaders are behaving like children, we will have to take the responsibility they should have taken long ago.”

Now we’re seeing thrilling headlines from passionate and strategic small groups including (alphabetically) the Climate Mobilization, Extinction Rebellion, and the Sunrise Movement.  At last, people are standing up to say they’re putting their own lives on the line. They’re asking their communities, leaders, and countries to recognize we’re in a climate emergency and finally end business as usual.

We hope soon that activists in these groups — and in larger more established organizations — will start to spread the word about hopeful solutions to actually restore our climate. They’ll help us imagine going beyond avoiding the worst consequences we’re now heading for. They might dare to ask and work for what we all really want — a safe, just, and flourishing world!

The next step is for the Green New Deal for the incoming U.S. Congress, whose message and calls are still being shaped, to go far beyond getting off fossil fuels and protecting communities at risk. It can show how millions of us can ensure our future health and build our prosperity. Could such a message even be nonpartisan? Looking to 2020, we’ll be able to ask every candidate and incumbent to commit to actions for a healthy climate.

Those are the big global and national stories. Back home, California can continue to break new ground on climate solutions. Could we see a Central Valley Carbon Project?

I take heart locally from the multitudes of people working on climate change. And from an emerging community centered on reversing global warming, and restoring our climate. It gained credibility and momentum from Drawdown, which incubated here. Now I”m strategic advisor to a new organization, the Healthy Climate Alliance (HCA), that focuses entirely on those goals.

And a diverse “carbontech” ecosystem is creating projects and building businesses to remove carbon. At its center is Manylabs, with over 1,000 people in its Emerging Climate Technology Meetup group, and hundreds sharing information on Slack. Manylabs hosts HCA’s Bay Area Climate Restoration Initiatives directory, highlighting dozens of projects, organizations, and companies where people are getting started to draw down carbon. We’re inviting very successful entrepreneurs to see restoring our climate as their most compelling startup opportunity ever.

Ask climate activists, entrepreneurs, public and private thought-leaders, and many will tell you we’re at a turning point. Hope is the missing ingredient. It will make all the difference. It will fuel our heartfelt urgency, not with fear, dread, and desperation, but with happy visions of a climate restored to health.

Photo by Chris Gill, WestBoundary Photography/Unsplash

Learn how your purchases of products including apparel, kombucha, snacks and greeting cards at your local Whole Foods through the month of December could mean cash donations to finance microloans to women entrepreneurs through the Whole Planet Foundation.

Divine Chocolate

Divine Chocolate is proud to partner with Whole Planet Foundation and continue the tradition of donating five cents of every Divine Chocolate Advent Calendar sold at Whole Foods Market to Whole Planet Foundation.

Partnering with Whole Planet Foundation on their microfinance and women’s empowerment programs supports Divine Chocolate’s central mission of women’s empowerment through economic stability. Divine also contributes 5% of sales from this Advent Calendar towards empowerment initiatives for the women cocoa farmers of Kuapa Kokoo in Ghana.

With every purchase of a Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar in select Whole Foods Market stores, Divine will donate $0.05 per item during the month of December.

PACT

Who doesn’t love socks in their holiday stocking? Pact is a Fair Trade certified, organic cotton clothing company that believes in individuals and the collective power of conscious consuming. PACT values kindness towards humans, planet and clothing that’s as comfortable as being yourself.

“Whole Planet Foundation’s mission aligns with Pact’s brand values. We believe that small every day changes can make a big impact,” says Colleen Bale-Wright, Director of Sales.

During the month of December, PACT will donate 10% of sales of every clothing item sold in select Whole Foods Market stores.

The Piping Gourmets

The Piping Gourmets is a line of gluten free, vegan, Kosher-Pareve and Non-GMO Project verified Whoopie Pies. Their snack cakes are scrumptious, plant based and allergen friendly too!

The Piping Gourmets is a small business with big values. Co-Founders Leslie Kaplan and Carolyn Shulevitz are proud that their women-owned company is able to support other women entrepreneurs in underdeveloped communities. Although they are a small, growing company, they are firm believers in doing their part to help improve the lives of families across the globe.

“We understand from a first-hand position the unique challenges women face while trying to grow a business and raise a healthy family. This is why we choose to support the Whole Planet Foundation this holiday season and contribute a portion of our sales to women and families in impoverished countries,” say Leslie and Carolyn.

With every purchase of Gluten Free & Vegan Whoopie Pies sold in select Whole Foods Market stores during December. The Piping Gourmets will donate $1 per item sold.

Revive Kombucha

Revive Kombucha is a family-owned craft kombucha brewery, launched at a Farmers Market in Sonoma County, California in 2010. The team at Revive develops their own recipes, techniques and cultures to create uniquely delicious and flavor-forward brews. They’re all about brewing kombucha with a culture of heart and fun, and taking care of the earth and community in the process.

With every purchase of Revive Kombucha’s full product line at select Whole Foods Market stores, $0.10 per item will be donated to Whole Planet Foundation.

Lesley Stowe

Lesley Stowe is a Parisian-trained chef, who began her own catering company more than 25 years ago in Vancouver. Frustrated by the lack of specialty foods in the city, she opened lesley stowe fine foods, offering consumers a wide range of world class cheeses, breads, homemade entrées, desserts and hard-to-find grocery items. Lesley’s true passion for making and sharing delicious food is the inspiration behind the original lesley stowe raincoast crisps®. Baked in small batches, with high quality, visually appealing, familiar ingredients, her products elevate any entertaining occasion.

During the month of December, $0.20 from every package of lesley stowe raincoast cheese crisps sold in select Whole Foods Market stores will be donated to Whole Planet Foundation.

Tell It Well

Amy K. Wright is a photographer, and the creator of “Tell it Well” Photo Greeting Cards. When she started her business in 2016, she knew that she wanted to partner with the Whole Planet Foundation and use her business to empower women in poverty.

Having witnessed firsthand the work of Whole Planet Foundation while visiting India, she is passionate about partnering with other female entrepreneurs. Amy says:

“To put it very simply… a microloan = hope. And this hope offers a practical way for a woman in poverty to become an equal business partner with her husband; to feed and clothe her children and gain access to education – many of the basics in my life that I take for granted. Microloans empower those living in poverty to change their own lives, and that is why I support the work of Whole Planet Foundation.”

Tell it Well now supports women entrepreneurs all over the world with 10% of sales. Available in 15 Whole Foods Market stores in the Denver/Boulder & Ft Collins Metro Area or buy on-line at www.tellitwellcards.com.

UNREAL

Two brothers named Nicky and Chris, lovers of chocolate and sweets, set out to create delicious treats without artificial colors and flavors. After thousands of formulas and taste tests, the young men created a line of candies that do good and taste good – without the “bad” stuff.

“We support Whole Planet Foundation’s mission because of the pure good that it brings to the world. By empowering entrepreneurs around the globe, the Whole Planet Foundation creates sustainable, inspiring economic opportunity so that stronger communities can be built in areas that lack the resources that we all take for granted. Whole Planet Foundation helps to level the playing field for entrepreneurs around the world, and we are proud to support this mission,” says Anne Bumpus, Field Marketing Manager for Unreal.

During the month of December, $0.50 will be donated for every Unreal candy item sold in select Whole Foods Market stores.

KeVita

Chakra Earthsong Levy and Bill Moses founded Kevita in 2009. Through their own perseverance as they launched a new brand, they learned how challenging and rewarding it was to start their own business. Today, KeVita proudly supports micro-entrepreneurs around the globe through an annual contribution to Whole Planet Foundation.

During the month December, $0.05 per item of Kevita’s full product line sold in select Whole Foods Market stores will be donated to Whole Planet Foundation.

Learn more by visiting wholeplanetfoundation.org

Previously posted on the Whole Planet Foundation blog and 3BL Media news.