Beyond Meat CEO backs proposed meat consumption tax
A tax on meat could encourage the public to cut back on animal products in their diets, though it wouldn’t be without complications and difficulties. Remember when the UK government decided to introduce a sugar drinks tax to push consumers toward healthier diets? It seems a similar tactic could be...
Current in Companies
Ben & Jerry’s to end sales in Occupied Palestine Territory
The decision comes after years of pressure from activists and listening to the concerns of ‘fans and trusted partners.’ In a brief statement, Ben & Jerry’s has announced that continuing the sale of its ice cream in occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem would be ‘inconsistent with...
World’s largest four-day week trials an ‘overwhelming success’
Trials of a four-day week in Iceland saw increased productivity and well-being of workers, and hints at the future potential of reduced hours. A four-day week sounds pretty appealing. I’m sure one day less of Zoom calls, busy commutes, and annoying co-workers is something of a fantasy for most. Now, thanks to...
You decide — should Gen-Z demand 100% sustainable businesses?
Research shows Gen-Z wants corporate transparency above anything else. But what does it take to be 100% sustainable and fair trade, and is it fair to pressure companies to obtain both? ‘The term sustainability gets used — and abused — a lot,’ says Richard Turner, founder of Ombar, an...
Ocean architects reimagine floating homes of the future
As sea levels rise, homes on the water may be the only option for those living in coastal areas. Luckily, many architects are up to the challenge. The Climate Central Estimate reports that globally, 275 million people currently live in areas that will be flooded if we reach a global...
UK carbon capture project unites biggest energy firms
Some of the world’s biggest energy companies have come together to develop a huge carbon capture facility in Teesside, north England. Is this finally a genuine shift in attitudes towards climate change? BP and Shell, two names seldom associated with sustainability (to put it kindly), are part of a newly...
Companies close offices for paid ‘mental health’ week
Last week, Bumble closed its office to give staff a ‘much needed’ mental health break. Other companies are following suit despite reports that Gen-Z prefers office life to a work from home setting. The founder of Bumble, the women-led dating app which employs 700 people worldwide, announced a fully paid, week long office closure to give staff time to focus on their mental wellbeing. Following the business's rapid economic growth in...
Is making food out of air a spectacle or feeding solution?
A company called ‘Solar Foods’ has developed a natural source of protein made from nothing but air and electricity. Does this technological marvel have the potential to feed the world sustainably? Making food out of nothing but air and electricity might seem far-fetched, but Finnish start-up ‘Solar Foods’ has turned fantasy into reality. It has discovered a way to turn CO2 from the air into food for a type of...
eBay’s multi-million pound mission to boost social enterprise
Six months into its three year program, eBay for Change is transforming the game for social enterprises working with disadvantaged communities. The world’s largest online auction site, eBay, which already has 300,000 small businesses trading on it has created a dedicated shopfront to provide social enterprises with the chance to reach its 29 million UK userbase. Dubbed ‘eBay for Change,’ this multi-million pound program, backed by Social Enterprise UK...
Ikea launches $1bn renewable energy platform
The philanthropic arm of the world’s biggest furniture retailer is setting up a fund that will support renewable energy programmes in developing nations. If you read about the introduction of Ikea’s first ever sustainable second-hand furniture store last year, chances are you’re already aware of the efforts being made by the conglomerate to better its environmental impact. To recap, in addition to repurposing and reselling its flat-packed goods, it purchased an...
