India committed to eliminating single-use plastic, says PM Modi at One Ocean Summit

India committed to eliminating single-use plastic, says PM Modi at One Ocean Summit

ByThe Circular Economy Team

India has always been a maritime civilization and its ancient scriptures and literature talk about the gifts of the oceans, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday and emphasised that the security and prosperity of countries is linked to oceans.  In his remarks at the ‘One Ocean Summit’, the Prime Minister said India is committed to eliminating single-use plastic and will be happy to join France in launching a global initiative on single-use plastics.  “India has always been a maritime civilisation. Our ancient scriptures and literature talk about the gifts of the Oceans including marine life. Today, our security and prosperity are linked to Oceans,” PM Modi said in a video message.  “India supports the French initiative of a High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction. We hope for a legally binding international treaty this year,” he added.

Austrian group to build green biotechnology facility in RAK

Austrian group to build green biotechnology facility in RAK

ByThe Circular Economy Team

SAN Group, a globally operating biotechnology company headquartered in Austria, has announced  plans to set up its green biotechnology facility within the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (Rakez) at an investment of AED12 million ($3.2 million).  The company’s green hydrogen and farming subsidiary, SAN Enertech, will be constructing a fully integrated sustainable hydrogen production unit, plant, and fish farming on a land plot of 8,470 sq m in Rakez Al Hamra Industrial Zone.

WorldGBC’s call to action: Transitioning to an integrated whole life approach to sustainability in the built environment

WorldGBC’s call to action: Transitioning to an integrated whole life approach to sustainability in the built environment

ByThe Circular Economy Team

Over the last three decades, the sustainability movement within the built environment sector has been on a journey.  The industry has never been more advanced than it is today. This was demonstrated through the flagship Cities, Regions and Built Environment day at COP26, and the inclusion of built environment parameters within the Glasgow pact – covering both buildings and infrastructure. The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are at the heart of the Paris Agreement and crucial to the achievement of its long-term goals, embodying efforts by each country that support an integrated approach to sustainability.  Traditionally, the green building movement focused on operational energy use, efficiency and primarily environmental concerns. However, the scope and breadth of this sustainability ambition has dramatically expanded. It now encompasses the diversity of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, to be considered across all stages of the building and construction lifecycle, plus the communities and infrastructure that serve our buildings, and the built assets themselves.

Eastman to invest up to $1 billion to accelerate circular economy through building worlds largest molecular plastics recycling facility in France | PressReleasePoint

Eastman to invest up to $1 billion to accelerate circular economy through building worlds largest molecular plastics recycling facility in France | PressReleasePoint

ByThe Circular Economy Team

This morning, French President Emmanuel Macron and Eastman (NYSE:EMN) Board Chair and CEO Mark Costa will jointly announce Eastman’s plan to invest up to $1 billion in a material-to-material molecular recycling facility in France. This facility would use Eastman’s polyester renewal technology to recycle up to 160,000 metric tonnes annually of hard-to-recycle plastic waste that is currently being incinerated.
 The investment would recycle enough plastic waste annually to fill Stade de France national football stadium 2.5 times, while also creating virgin-quality material with a significantly lower carbon footprint. Eastman is the largest investor at this year’s “Choose France” event, which is focused on attracting foreign investment to France.
This multi-phase project includes units that would prepare mixed plastic waste for processing, a methanolysis unit to depolymerize the waste, and polymer lines to create a variety of first-quality materials for specialty, packaging, and textile applications. Eastman also plans to establish an innovation center for molecular recycling that would enable France to sustain a leadership role in the circular economy.

Evidensia learning event | Addressing smallholder poverty: the role of sustainability standards

Evidensia learning event | Addressing smallholder poverty: the role of sustainability standards

ByThe Circular Economy Team

There are an estimated 500 million smallholder farmer families globally, many of whom make up a large portion of the world’s poor. With 2030 fast approaching, achieving SDG 1’s target of eradicating extreme poverty for all people necessitates addressing smallholder poverty with urgency. This Evidensia learning event, in partnership with IISD (International Institute for Sustainable Development) and the Living Income Community of Practice, explores what role voluntary sustainability standards can play in achieving this and how.