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Nanoplastics and microplastics (NMPs) are sneaky invaders, hiding in the tap water we drink every day. These tiny fragments of plastic have already been linked to unsettling changes in gut health and antibiotic resistance, raising alarm bells about their impact on our bodies. But here’s some refreshing news: scientists have discovered a surprisingly simple solution — boiling your water. <h2>A kitchen hack for cleaner water</h2>Researchers, led by biomedical engineer Zimin Yu, have found that boiling water and then filtering it can remove up to 90% of nanoplastics and microplastics from tap water. “This simple boiling water strategy can 'decontaminate' NMPs from household tap water and has the potential for harmlessly alleviating human intake of NMPs through water consumption,” the team explains. Even better? You probably already have the tools you need in your kitchen: a pot to boil water and a simple stainless steel mesh to filter out any leftover bits. <h2>How does it work?</h2>The trick lies in the build-up of limescale — or calcium carbonate — when water is heated. If you’ve ever peeked inside a kettle, you’ve seen this chalky layer. When water is boiled, calcium carbonate naturally precipitates out of the solution, forming a crust. This crust traps NMPs on its surface, making it easier to filter them out. “Our results showed that nanoplastic precipitation efficiency increased with increasing water hardness upon boiling,” the researchers write. For example, in soft water (low in calcium carbonate), the process managed to remove about 25% of NMPs. Meanwhile, in hard water (higher calcium carbonate levels), the process removed up to 90% of NMPs. <h2>The harder the water, the better the results</h2>Hard water, often considered a nuisance because of limescale, might actually be a secret weapon against microplastics. The researchers found that the harder the water, the more effective the boiling process was at capturing and removing plastic fragments. In water containing 300 mg/L of calcium carbonate, NMP removal reached an impressive 90%. Even at lower levels, such as 80 mg/L, over a third of the plastics were filtered out. Using a simple tea strainer or other household filters, these lime-encrusted plastic fragments can be easily removed before the water is consumed. <h2>Why it matters</h2>Microplastics aren’t just a problem for the planet — they’re becoming an intimate part of our daily lives. Previous studies have identified plastics like polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene in drinking water. While the long-term effects on human health remain uncertain, the evidence suggests we’re better off without them. “Drinking boiled water apparently is a viable long-term strategy for reducing global exposure to NMPs,” the researchers say. For many, boiling water before drinking it is already a cultural norm. But the researchers hope their findings will encourage more people worldwide to adopt this practice as plastics continue infiltrating our water sources. The findings of this research have been published in Environmental Science &amp; Technology Letters and can be accessed <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00081">here</a>.

Worried about the harmful microplastics in your water? You just need to boil and strain it before consumption

A day ahead of the final Budget presentation, India released the <keyword id="20613906" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="economic-survey" source="keywords">Economic Survey</keyword> 2023-2024, outlining a plethora of optimistic — and some bittersweet — indicators of the health of the nation’s economy. When you consider the climate-related aspects of the report, there’s a ton of good news: we have achieved massive strides in clean power generation, while cutting out a ton of dirty emissions from our products. However, scroll down to the bottom of the report, and you find a scathing criticism of the “western” approach to climate change. Here's a closer look at why, and what clues do such narratives hold about India's <keyword id="22513472" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmental-strategy" source="keywords">environmental strategy</keyword> in coming years. <h2>Problems with the “Western way”</h2>The major criticism, as per the survey, is that the Western approach to climate change is far too alarmist. They argue that this “one-size-fits-all” attitude often fails to account for the diverse needs of countries like India. To that end, it also points out that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) promotes "accelerated and equitable mitigation pathways" that don't always align with the developmental priorities of <keyword id="20353838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="developing-nations" source="keywords">developing nations</keyword>. Additionally, the report notes that Western solutions often prioritise market-based strategies to sustain high consumption levels rather than addressing the root issue of overconsumption. The survey emphasises that <keyword id="20224417" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-living" source="keywords">sustainable living</keyword> is deeply ingrained in <keyword id="19983840" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-culture" source="keywords">Indian culture</keyword>, which contrasts sharply with the consumption-driven lifestyle prevalent in the West. This focus on high consumption misses the mark, as it doesn't consider the environmental impact of such lifestyles. And for the most part, this bit is true; Indian history is enriched with traditions that emphasise the conservation of nature. As <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2017/3828609">per estimates</a>, religious practices have preserved an estimated 1.5 lakh sacred groves across India, and natural conservation efforts can be traced back to the time of Ashoka. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111925936" title="Economic Survey 2023-24: Where does India stand on the employment, and what&amp;#39;s next?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Therefore, it may not be entirely inaccurate to say that in India, sustainability isn't a new concept; it's a way of life. Traditional Indian practices like using reusable materials, upcycling, and embracing minimalism have always promoted sustainability. The survey highlights that these practices are now threatened by Western capitalist ideals that equate consumption with progress. By returning to these roots, India can offer a model of sustainability that's both practical and culturally relevant. <h2>Fixation on technical solutions</h2>The Economic Survey also critiques the Western obsession with high-tech solutions, such as solar-powered buildings and electric vehicles. These solutions require substantial financial and infrastructural resources that many developing countries simply don't have. Moreover, they often overlook the broader environmental impact and lifecycle costs associated with urban sprawl and high-density living. Instead, the survey suggests that simpler, more holistic solutions might be more effective and sustainable. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111774972" title="Economic Survey shows India&amp;#39;s energy needs to grow 2.5x, healthy growth in formal employment" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>However, this does not mean that India refuses to embrace greener tech. Not only has the country launched various initiatives to promote energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, it also aims to to generate 40% of its energy from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. As per the report, India is the only G20 country on track to meet the 2°C warming commitment under the Paris Agreement, with significant investments in <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword>, particularly solar power. <h2><keyword id="20269618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mission-LiFE" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Mission LiFE" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Mission LiFE">Mission LiFE</keyword>: A sustainable initiative</h2>In order to help reinforce and rejuvenate the Indian way, the survey highlights Prime Minister Modi's Lifestyle for Environment initiative, or Mission LiFE. This initiative underscores individual responsibility in combating climate change, drawing from ancient Indian philosophy that advocates for a naturally sustainable lifestyle. By focusing on small, individual actions that collectively lead to significant environmental benefits, Mission LiFE contrasts sharply with the Western top-down policy approach. This grassroots strategy could be key to achieving real, lasting change, the report asserts. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111927198" title="On the right track — Economic Survey 2023-24 outlines India’s commendable climate action" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>All in all, the report challenges the dominance of Western policies and offers a pathway that could be more adaptable and relevant for other developing nations facing similar challenges. With its ongoing progress towards climate goals, India is well-placed to lead by example, showcasing a sustainable and culturally attuned approach to environmental stewardship.

Why did the latest Economic Survey of India heavily shun the ‘Western ways’ of climate action?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Taylor Swift is a billionaire, but her style still reflects a girl-next-door aesthetic. </li><li>That's all strategic. </li></ul>In December, Taylor Swift — <a target="_blank" href="https://time.com/6342806/person-of-the-year-2023-taylor-swift/">Time's Person of the Year</a> — glittered in front of the camera in a black bodysuit, a floor-skimming chenille dress, and a studded bustier gown. At first blush, you wouldn't know that the chenille dress was one of Alaïa's most beloved recent offerings or that the bustier gown was the product of NYC-based brand Area, infamous for their campaigns featuring <a target="_blank" href="https://area.nyc/blogs/resort-24/resort-2024">fake eyes</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2023-couture/area/slideshow/collection#10">bejeweled death masks</a>. Everything edgy about these original pieces had been sanded and smoothed, rendered inoffensive — just how Swift likes it.It is easy to forget that, despite selling <a target="_blank" href="https://chartmasters.org/taylor-swift-albums-and-songs-sales/#taylor_swifts_album_sales:~:text=In%20total%2C%20Taylor%20Swift%20has%20garnered%20an%20immense%20162%20million%20units%20sold%20in%20downloads%20and%20ringtones%20combined.%20She%20is%20one%20of%20the%20most%20successful%20digital%20artists%20of%20all%2Dtime.">a whopping 162 million records</a>, Swift is a normal person with normal taste. It is also easy to forget that those record sales allow her <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2023/10/27/taylor-swifts-new-era-the-pop-star-becomes-a-billionaire/?sh=6f29f3915dee">an estimated $1.1 billion fortune</a>, enough to wear any designer piece she wants or hire any stylist across the industry.So why, then, does she insist on mismatched outfits? A swipe at several Taylor Swift style blogs will reveal <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/739279673316524032/out-and-about-new-york-city-ny-january-11">trail sneakers with muddy fleeces</a>; <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/739232433015242752">Ren Faire-approved dresses with Jean Paul Gaultier boots</a>; and high-heeled Reformation loafers <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/731931986406555648/at-arrowhead-stadium-kansas-city-mo-october">worn oddly with Chiefs sweatshirts</a>. But these outfits aren't the result of middling taste or fashion faux pas — <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-everyone-is-obsessed-with-taylor-swift-football-outfits-2023-10">they're 100% strategic.</a><h2>Crafting Swift's public image</h2>The Swiftian brand philosophy revolves around one essential idea: Taylor Swift is everyone's best friend. In practice, that's endearing positivity (like<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/woman-says-friendship-bracelets-taylor-swift-eras-tour-made-thousands-2023-8"> friendship bracelets</a>), starry-eyed intimacy (like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-swift-midnights-lyrics-easter-eggs-2022-10">coded messages in her videos</a>), and a strong emphasis on personal relatability (like her fashion choices).<div type="image" title="Taylor Swift wearing a short black jess with a belt on the left; Taylor Swift wearing an oversized T-shirt and bike shorts on the right." height="1080" width="1440" msid="107585002" hostid="261" sizebytes="109118"></div>Luxury isn't relatable. Your best friend probably isn't wearing Balmain. She's wearing <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/731712473467699200/out-to-dinner-los-angeles-ca-october-19-2023">a crochet top from H&amp;M</a>, or trends, <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/730187475591593984/out-and-about-new-york-city-ny-october-3">like bike shorts and oversized t-shirts</a>, well past their expiration date. Your best friend <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/730023579516911616/out-and-about-new-york-city-ny-september-30">keeps adding a belt</a> to everything she owns. Your best friend doesn't know what line or proportion means and doesn't seem to care.In that, Swift can transcend ideas of celebrity and instead directly mirror the lives of her fans. Swift sings about the interior worlds of young women; she speaks like them; she even dresses like them, too. To imagine Swift taking aesthetic risks and opting for glamour is to imagine a Swift who actively rejects her audience.Swift also shops where her fans shop, from <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/56428729908">Zara</a> to <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/648225627596587008">J. Crew</a> — a strategy that has evolved smoothly from era to era. During the release of her<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version"> 2012 album "Red,</a>" she was frequently spotted in indie-twee polka dots and saddle shoes from then-giants <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/59986472523">Urban Outfitters</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/55445971288">ModCloth</a>. During "Reputation," she wore <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/176648687532">Madewell</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/175173705617">Forever 21</a> hoodies; during "Folklore," <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/666123132150628352/basic-autumn-lovers-rise-x-october-26">Free People</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/post/624542922250059776">Doên</a> cottage dresses. These choices are attainable, predictable, and unthreatening — purchases made by your best friend during a mall shopping spree.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/lapresmidi/?hl=en">Lauren Sherman</a>, Fashion Correspondent at <a target="_blank" href="https://puck.news/">Puck News</a>, astutely labeled Swift's style as "Anthropologie Gone Wild" — mismatched, outdated, pedestrian, but instinctual. "She knows her audience, and everything she does is, in some way or another, catering to that audience, whether it's purposeful or subconscious," Sherman tells me.<h2>Swift's wealth is an aesthetic tool</h2>One of the criticisms frequently levied at Swift is that her wealth allows her to dress lavishly, yet she infrequently does.According to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/24/style/taylor-swift-eras-tour-looks.html">The New York Times</a>, Swift's onstage and red carpet stylist is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/josephcassell1/">Joseph Cassell Falconer</a>, who dressed Swift for the Eras Tour in bedazzled <a target="_blank" href="https://en.vogue.me/fashion/taylor-swift-zuhair-murad-bodysuit-eras-tour/">Zuhair Murad bodysuits</a> and high-performing <a target="_blank" href="https://us.christianlouboutin.com/us_en/discover-taylor-swift-the-eras-tour">Louboutin boots</a>. However, there's no evidence to suggest he's solely responsible for her candid, off-duty outfits — meaning that Swift's every day, anodyne choices are her own.Cookie Cohen, who runs the Instagram account <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/youbelonginthis/?hl=en">@youbelonginthis</a> — which re-styles Swift's candid and red carpet outfits — says that Swift's quiet approach to wealth is doing more harm than good. "Seeing Taylor, someone I feel aligned with, time and again forgoing the resources at her fingertips, feels like a disservice," Cohen tells me. "From a streetwear standpoint, it's comforting seeing her in fast fashion we can afford, but with today's environmental crisis, it's hard to watch her sometimes promote fast fashion instead of wearing sustainable or substantial vintage pieces that her team could source for her."Swift is no stranger to claims of anti-environmentalism, most notably her persistent private jet usage, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vulture.com/2022/08/taylor-swift-private-jet-emissions-response.html">which led to 8,000 tons of CO2 emissions in 2022</a>. With that in mind, downplaying her wealth is essential to Swift's public goodwill. A photographed shopping spree here or a ride in a sports car could call her entire brand into question. By dressing blandly, Swift can hide all of that — even if it means <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/tagged/candid/page/15#:~:text=Out%20and%20about%20with,print%20no%20longer%20available)">wearing Aritzia</a>.<h2>How Swift's style may change — or not</h2>In recent months (or, if you track things in Eras, since the release of her 2022 album Midnights), Swift has experimented with designer garments and textures, from <a target="_blank" href="https://shopstyle.it/l/b3qHT">The Row</a> to <a target="_blank" href="https://taylorswiftstyle.com/tagged/candid/page/2#:~:text=Saint%20Laurent%20%E2%80%98Le%205%20%C3%A0%207%20Hobo%20Bag%E2%80%99%20%2D%20%242%2C650.00">Yves Saint Laurent</a>. Despite the higher price point of these pieces, they're still styled errantly — from floppy proportions to abominable color palettes. The Swiftian brand philosophy churns onward: even your rich best friend can't build a good outfit.Cohen makes note of where Swift is lacking. "For red carpet looks, I want simple, elegant, flattering — she constantly misses on all these marks. I don't want any more silver on her, it washes her out," she says. "She needs to utilize her long lean body and wear gowns that flatter her. She also over-accessorizes, and it doesn't even distract from her ill-fitted clothes."<div type="image" title="Left: Taylor Swift in a sequined red turtleneck and khaki slacks. Right: Taylor Swift in a patchwork denim dress." height="1080" width="1440" msid="107585004" hostid="261" sizebytes="113974"></div>Many celebrities have ditched the face-of paradigm and opted to act as brand owners, creative directors, and tastemakers, like <a target="_blank" href="https://us.louisvuitton.com/eng-us/magazine/articles/pharrell-williams">Pharrell at Louis Vuitton</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lvmh.com/houses/perfumes-cosmetics/fenty-beauty-by-rihanna/">Rihanna at Fenty</a>. Swift's entrepreneurial spirit and recognizable-if-polarizing style proffer an idea: what if Swift launches her own brand?Sherman suggests that it's a matter of when, not if. "The reason Pharrell is working is because it was so convincing. He's been running <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbcicecream.com/">his own fashion brand for 20 years</a>. Something at that scale is a real job, not just a dip-in and dip-out situation. But I could see her launching her own brand, or doing something along the lines of what <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thecut.com/2023/10/the-first-atelier-jolie-collection-is-here.html">Angelina Jolie is doing</a>."The nature of Swift's eras behooves Swift to pivot quickly, adopt different personas, and shroud herself in costume. But if this is the end of her capital-E Eras — then it's high time for Swift to show us where her aesthetic sensibilities truly lie.

Taylor Swift's bad fashion isn't bad taste. It's strategy.  

<div type="image" title="A man plays guitar while seated in front of a flooded street in New Jersey." height="2663" width="3550" msid="86496953" hostid="261"></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Environmental-justice advocates are helping shape government policies on climate solutions.</li><li>Policies need to consider communities that are the most vulnerable and suffer environmental hazards.</li></ul>Low-income and racialized communities are the most vulnerable populations in the climate crisis, and they're much more likely to suffer from climate disasters. Environmental-justice advocates are working to ensure that climate solutions from government policies address vulnerabilities that cause this disproportionate suffering, such as <a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-storm-queens-basement-death-20210903-2v7ve4a6xvhwra5wpowvu3gmja-story.html">illegal basement housing</a>. Environmental-justice advocates are working to ensure that government policies about the transition to a greener economy are for everyone, including the people who've suffered the most from pollution and climate disasters in the past. During a Climate Week panel on the roots of environmental justice in government action and policy on Thursday, panelists also said that a cleaner and greener economy needs to include low-income and racialized communities in determining the solutions, as well as give them a fair share of the economic gains.The panelists highlighted the specific ways that communities of color suffered from different environmental issues, as well as the work needed to make sure these communities are included in budget discussions and new government investments. Issues identified as having disproportionate climate effects on low-income and racialized communities include housing, frontline workers in agriculture, and energy providers during cold snaps. Negative climate effects include air pollution, flooding, poor transit access, and fewer parks."Environmental racism is the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color," said Peggy Shepard, a cofounder and the executive director of the community organization WEACT for Environmental Justice.In January, President Joe Biden signed an <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad">executive order</a> focused on the climate crisis. It included an initiative to have 40% of the overall benefits from specific federal investments going to underserved and underinvested communities, including in areas such as clean energy and energy efficiency; clean transportation; affordable and sustainable pollution reduction; training and workforce development; and clean water systems and wastewater systems."We've already been working with agencies on how we can meet this goal through the delivery of their programs," said Dr. Cecilia Martinez, the White House's senior director for environmental justice. Corporate leaders should also be aware of environmental-justice laws such as the one <a href="https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/20200918a.shtml">signed in New Jersey</a> in September 2020. As a result of the bill, permit applications for a large variety of facilities - including incinerators, gas-fired power plants, solid-waste depots, and landfills - would require evaluation of environmental and public-health effects by the state's Department of Environmental Protection."According to the law, it is in the public interest for the state to limit the future placement and expansion of these facilities in these overburdened communities," said Olivia Glenn, New Jersey's deputy commissioner for environmental justice and equity. "In other words, we have to do what our advocates have long shared: advance a triple bottom line of social, environmental, and economic benefits. These three are not mutually exclusive."Corporations also need to be aware of how recommendations from members of the environmental-justice community could continue to shape regulatory policies well into the future. "Being a partner with government is critical, but so is being able to stand there and evaluate how the government is doing and how accountable they are to the public," Shepard said.

Environmental racism is real - and climate solutions need to involve vulnerable populations, experts say

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Cargill, the largest private company in the US, buys from farmers and ranchers in 70 countries.</li><li>Insider spoke with Pilar Cruz, Cargill's chief sustainability officer, about its environmental work.</li></ul>Cargill buys corn, soy, palm oil, cocoa, and livestock from farmers and ranchers in 70 countries, then transports these goods around the world and processes them to be sold to companies like McDonald's and Nestlé.That gives Cargill, which <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cargill.com/doc/1432215917376/2022-cargill-annual-report.pdf">pulled in revenue of $165 billion in its last fiscal year</a>, enormous power to improve the food system so it doesn't lead to deforestation and produce carbon dioxide and methane emissions that are frying the planet.Some environmental groups, including <a target="_blank" href="https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2022/01/14/agribusiness-giant-cargill-amazon-deforestation/">Greenpeace</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://Stand.earth">Stand.earth</a>, accuse Cargill of not doing enough on those fronts. Even though the agribusiness giant for decades has tried to root out suppliers who clear tropical rainforests in South America and Southeast Asia, Cargill was among major food companies that promised to end deforestation in their supply chains by 2020 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.com/newsletters/the-long-game/2020/10/06/out-on-limb-deforestation-490527">but failed to meet the target</a>.Insider spoke to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cargill.com/about/pilar-cruz">Pilar Cruz</a>, Cargill's chief sustainability officer and the first Latina promoted to its executive team, about how the 158-year-old company is trying to meet new deforestation goals and reduce emissions on farms.This interview has been edited for length and clarity.How would you explain what Cargill does?We move food from places where it is grown, to the places where it is needed. We operate from farm to fork. Think about the chocolate you eat, or the soy and corn that goes into so many products, or the McDonald's hamburger. Pretty much every time you have breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there will be a Cargill ingredient in there.These ingredients could also be in your beauty products, because we are trying to replace petrochemicals in makeup.What is Cargill doing about the climate crisis?We see the intersection between climate change and food security because we know that the more productive and efficient the food system becomes, the more we can mitigate climate change, eliminate deforestation, and also feed a growing population.Our sustainability strategy has three priorities: climate change, land use and water, and human rights — so diversity, equity and inclusion, and gender empowerment.Within the four walls of Cargill, we measure the water use and the greenhouse gas emissions from the power and energy we use at our meat and manufacturing plants. Once a quarter, we look at our performance against commitments we made to reduce them.Through our RegenConnect program in North America, we partner with farmers in 24 states in the US to help them grow more with less. These practices include no-till farming, planting cover crops, and using less inputs like nitrogen fertilizer and water. The impact has been positive. In 2021 we <a target="_blank" href="https://soilhealthinstitute.org/news-events/economics-of-soil-health-evaluated-on-100-farms-by-the-soil-health-institute-and-cargill/">conducted a survey of 100 farms with the Soil Health Institute</a> and found that 85% of farmers saw an increase in income.That program has been expanded into Germany, Romania, and Poland.We also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nfwf.org/partnerships/corporate-partners/cargill">have a partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation</a>, Burger King, McDonald's and Target to restore grasslands in the Southern Plains, increase the resiliency of the soil, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.What about outside of North America, in places like Brazil and West Africa, where demand for products like beef, soy, and cocoa <a target="_blank" href="https://research.wri.org/gfr/latest-analysis-deforestation-trends">is causing deforestation</a>?The Amazon and Cerrado rainforests are super important to soy production. We committed $30 million to the Land Innovation Fund in partnership with local NGOs, farmers, and governments to advance more sustainable practices in the region.And in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, we also provide training on how to protect, manage, and restore the land.Why didn't Cargill meet a 2020 deadline to end deforestation and push that back to 2030?I would focus on the work we're doing at the moment. We're working with 14 different companies on a roadmap <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tropicalforestalliance.org/assets/Agriculture-Sector-Roadmap-January-2023_compressed-compressed.pdf">facilitated by The Tropical Forest Alliance</a>, in partnership with the US and UK governments. As part of that effort, we moved up our commitment to be deforestation-free in Brazil — specifically in the Amazon, Cerrado, and Gran Chaco — from 2030 to 2025 (for soy, cocoa, and palm).A lot of the work we do is on the ground with the farmers. Our commitment is to protect, manage, and restore 100,000 hectares in the region.In addition to that, we are investing in traceability and transparency by geolocating farms with polygon maps and satellite monitoring to detect changes and take immediate action if needed.A farmer can earn money selling cattle or soybeans, but there aren't strong financial incentives to protect nature. It seems like that has to change to prevent deforestation, the majority of which is driven by agricultural expansion. What is Cargill doing about that?The RegenConnect program that we introduced in the US pays farmers for environmental outcomes. (A Cargill spokesperson added that the company also offers premium payments to soy growers in South America enrolled in a company sustainability program. Some <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cargill.com/doc/1432219233265/2022-esg-report-all.pdf">400 farmers</a> are participating.)Cargill made $165 billion in revenue last year. How much of that is the company investing in sustainability initiatives, and do you think it's enough given the urgency of the climate crisis?We have accelerated our timelines, actions, and investments because we know we must act now. From a financial standpoint, as a private company, we don't share exact numbers, but I can tell you sustainability is a core part of our company strategy and we have invested hundreds of millions around the globe in sustainability efforts.

Cargill ingredients are probably in every meal you eat. That makes the company's environmental goals a big deal.

The 10 most environmentally friendly countries in the world, according to expats

<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/better-capitalism"></a><div type="image" title="Nespresso CEO Guillaume Le Cunff" height="1333" width="2000" msid="78162457" hostid="261"></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>By 2022, every cup of coffee and espresso drink <keyword id="300339" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Nespresso">Nespresso</keyword> produces (including at-home pods) will be carbon neutral, the company told Business Insider. </li><li>Nespresso CEO Guillaume Le Cunff said addressing <keyword id="6361617" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="climate-change">climate change</keyword> is imperative for success and is calling on other leaders to take a bolder stance on climate change. </li><li>To meet its ambitious goal, Nespresso will invest in reforestation, renewable energy (like solar power and wind power), and work with nonprofits to boost soil health and prevent erosion. </li><li>Nespresso offset its business operations to be carbon neutral in 2017. </li></ul>Nespresso, known for its strong espresso and coffee, is taking a bold stance on climate change. The company told Business Insider that by 2022, every cup of coffee and espresso drink it produces in-store, as well as at-home pods, will be carbon neutral.In other words, all the carbon emissions associated with the growing, production, and brewing of each coffee will be offset, so the net emissions of damaging <keyword id="859517" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Greenhouse-Gasses">greenhouse gasses</keyword> is zero. "We can't wait, simply said. We have to do it now. We have to act now. Everyone — customers, employees —is expecting brands to generate more positive impact," Guillaume Le Cunff, CEO of Nespresso told Business Insider. The announcement comes just days after <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/150-companies-call-on-eu-leaders-tougher-co2-emission-restrictions-2020-9">150 business leaders and investors</a>, including Google and Apple, published an open letter calling on the European Union for tougher carbon emissions standards, and right before the business and nonprofit community convene for Climate Week 2020 in the US. It also comes as the US faces some of the most devastating wildfires, which have been <a href="https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/09/09/california-wildfires-2020-worse-natural-disasters-future-climate-change/">worsened by climate change</a>. Le Cunff, who's worked in sustainability for the company for over 12 years, said it's his personal mission to help reduce environmental damage. But he also acknowledges that addressing climate change is a busines imperative. "Climate change is already a reality for farmers and our core brand essence is to deliver the finest, the most exclusive, the most surprising coffee profile on Earth. If we don't act, and if these growers are not able to make it and keep growing coffee, simply said, the risk is to be out of business," the CEO said. <div type="image" title="farmer, coffee farmer, coffee grower" height="1333" width="2000" msid="78162461" hostid="261"></div>Nespresso reached carbon neutrality in its operations in 2017 through reduction of emissions and planting trees. Over the last 10 years, it's reduced its carbon emissions by 30%. The company's new commitment will focus on emissions that occur in its supply chain and the "product life cycle," per a company statement. To reach this ambitious two-year goal, Nespresso will have thousands of trees planted in and around coffee farms to sequester carbon and rejuvenate the soil, which is stripped of its nutrients through farming practices. It will also invest in "clean energy solutions," which can range from everything from solar energy to wind power turbines for its approximately 110,000 farmers in 15 countries including Colombia, Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Costa Rica. The company will also continue to reduce its carbon emissions, aiming toward operating 100% on renewable energy. The move will likely attract consumers, who are increasingly<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/solitairetownsend/2018/11/21/consumers-want-you-to-help-them-make-a-difference/#42b9cb226954"> demanding brands take action against climate change</a>."I really believe that leaders in corporations have a role to play, can make a difference, have a duty to respond to global issues," Le Cunff said.

Coffee giant Nespresso commits to making all products carbon neutral by 2022

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Integrated reporting is growing more popular as stakeholders look to understand how companies are building sustainable growth. </li><li>BASF produces an integrated report and is involved in the International Integrated Reporting Council. </li></ul>If you want to read about BASF's financial performance in 2022, chances are you will be looking at the global chemical company's <a href="https://report.basf.com/2022/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">integrated report</a> to learn more. According to the <a href="https://www.integratedreporting.org/news/the-growing-momentum-for-integrated-reporting-part-1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IFRS Foundation</a>, more than 2,500 companies worldwide have adopted integrated reporting.But what exactly is an integrated report?"In simple terms," said Martin Whittaker, CEO of JUST Capital, "an integrated report captures in a single place the full range of factors — strategic, operational, societal, environmental, legal, regulatory, and more — that management believes could affect the competitive and financial success of a company, now and into the future."Whittaker recalls that in the late 1990s, stand-alone, lavishly produced corporate social responsibility or sustainability reports were not uncommon, but were often light on detail."The only numbers in there were the page numbers," he said. "The arc of corporate reporting on sustainability, ESG, purpose, and impact has really changed rapidly and for the better since then."A major shift occurred with the launch of the <a href="https://www.integratedreporting.org/10-years/10-years-summary/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Integrated Reporting Council</a> in 2010, and the framework it rolled out in 2013. An integrated report brings with it a higher threshold of measurement and accountability than a standalone sustainability report. An integrated report, as the framework lays out, focuses on material topics that could impact the company's bottom line. "Once you put information out in a way that is not just a voluntary report of all the things you are doing, but is now baked into obligatory financial reporting, it takes on a more serious connotation," Whittaker said. "It requires validation of the information and connection to the [company's] performance."BASF has reported on its sustainability performance since 2003, in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and has been active in the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) since 2014. Luiziana Ribeiro, BASF North America's director of sustainability, answered questions from Insider about why integrated reporting is an important part of the company's sustainability communication. <h3>Integrated reporting takes a lot of effort. Why does BASF do it?</h3>Doing an integrated report does require a lot of work. There are many people involved in putting it together, from across the globe. It provides a detailed overview of our financial objectives to stakeholders, but also how these objectives tie into our priority action areas and, most importantly, how our sustainability efforts are driving our financial performance.The reason we take this approach is because we have a clear corporate purpose — we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Understanding how and why sustainability plays a relevant role in our future is important to share with investors and all of our stakeholders.<div type="image" title="headshot of Luiziana Ribeiro , director of sustainability, BASF" height="2048" width="1363" msid="99970265" hostid="261" sizebytes="166222"></div><h3>One of the headlines from <a href="https://report.basf.com/2022/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BASF's 2022 report</a>, which was published in February 2023, noted that BASF is "pursuing our climate protection targets with investments of up to €4 billion by 2030." What are your targets? </h3>In 2018, BASF set ambitious climate protection goals and we are now striving worldwide to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. We also intend to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions worldwide by 25% by 2030 compared with 2018, while continuing to grow.So the targeted investment figure cited in our 2022 report is the amount of investment that we feel will be needed to achieve our net-zero ambitions, which we will continue to report on.Our integrated report allows us to keep our stakeholders informed on the many steps we are taking to meet our ambitions, while also keeping our employees engaged in seeking out solutions to help us achieve this longer-term goal.<h3>What do stakeholders gain by seeing these sustainability goals bundled with the financial disclosure report?</h3>It ties back to creating a tangible understanding of the main areas that the company will be investing in to achieve our business and climate protection goals. The report combines the major financial and sustainability-related information necessary to comprehensively evaluate the company's performance.At the same time, it reinforces the fact that creating chemistry for a sustainable future requires continual innovation and process improvement across many areas of our business. To share some perspective, we have more than 111,000 employees globally, and 10,000 of these employees are fully focused on research and development. We spend around €2.3 billion annually in R&amp;D activities globally.There's virtually no innovation BASF is pursuing that does not have a huge sustainability component attached to it. Innovation needs to work toward enabling climate protection, building a more circular economy, and making the most efficient use of our limited natural resources. <h3>How does the report help employees connect to the company's mission?</h3>There's no innovation without our employees. They are the ones thinking about, "What is next for the company and our stakeholders, what are the next-generation products and solutions that we need to be developing and bringing to market?"We wouldn't be having this conversation or thinking about our 2050 ambitions without having the dedicated focus of our employees. They are our No. 1 priority. We need to keep them engaged, motivated, and focused on our goals. This is directly linked to our ability to continue innovating and delivering on our commitments to our customers, investors, and society at large. You cannot have one without the other — sustainability and financial success are both equally important and vital to our ability to keep delivering on our targets and commitments.

Integrated reporting is one way BASF connects sustainability to strategy for stakeholders  — including its own employees

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The SEC is trying to rein in so-called greenwashing that mislead investors about a fund's holdings.</li><li>The regulator recently offered new proposals that would tighten rules on how funds are named and boost disclosure requirements. </li></ul>The <keyword id="11898794" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="securities-and-exchange-commission" source="Orion">Securities and Exchange Commission</keyword> is cracking down on so-called greenwashing, but its latest proposals may still leave companies with ample room to define <keyword id="12011554" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="esg" source="Orion">ESG</keyword> standards for themselves, according to an environmental lawyer.The proposals were part of an existing effort to stop the ESG label from being used too liberally. But they came a week after <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/tsla-stock?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">Tesla stock</a> was <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/tesla-stock-kicked-out-sp500-esg-index-despite-clean-energy-2022-5">kicked out of the S&amp;P 500 ESG Index</a> despite its focus on making electric vehicles, solar panels, and battery packs — while oil and giant <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/xom-stock">Exxon Mobil</a> was included.The <a href="https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2022-92">SEC's newest proposals</a> target funds' naming practices and boost disclosure requirements. One proposal would expand the SEC's Names Rule to include ESG, meaning that a fund billing itself as focused on environmental, social or governance must invest at least 80% of its assets that way.Another proposal would require ESG impact funds to disclose how they measure progress on their goals and make other ESG funds provide information about the greenhouse-gas emissions produced by the companies they hold. That may sound good for Tesla's ESG prospects, and not so good for Exxon's.But while the SEC wants to tighten rules toward clarity, it is simultaneously asking the companies and funds to define ESG for themselves, said Maggie Peloso, a partner at Vinson &amp; Elkins focusing on climate change risk management and environmental litigation."The commission has taken much more of a free-market approach," she told Insider.In the case of Tesla and the S&amp;P 500's ESG index, the EV maker was booted because it was low on S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices' own ESG score, namely over its lack of a low-carbon strategy disclosures and questionable codes of business conduct.The new proposals from the SEC may allow a green-energy company like Tesla to remain outside of the ESG index whereas emitters like Exxon can stay inside. <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-a-sustainability-index-can-keep-exxon-but-drop-tesla-and-3-ways-to-fix-esg-ratings-to-meet-investors-expectations-183705">That's because each company, or industry, is weighted against one another in the same field.</a> Tesla may shine on environmental standards compared to an oil company like Exxon, but its issues with social and governance complaints still weigh Tesla down. "The proposal is still giving private sector actors a lot of ability to define what the 'it' is in a way that's likely to manifest through interactions between fund managers and their investors," Peloso said.

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