Volume 159/ December 11, 2023

Monster Energy Sustainability Digest

Challenges & Opportunities

UK government announces list of banned deforestation commodities after two-year delay

On December 9. 2023 The UK government announced which forest-risk commodities can no longer be imported to the UK if they were produced on illegally deforested land. The law will mean that importers bringing in cattle products (beef and leather), soy, oil palm and cocoa to the UK will have to make a declaration showing the commodity was not produced on illegal deforested land. It is set to apply to businesses with at least £50 million in global turnover who “use” more than 500 tonnes of a regulated commodity in their operations, with companies who break this law also facing “unlimited variable monetary penalties”. Despite widespread support in a consultation by the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on the law last year, the government has not included coffee in the list of commodities – unlike the EU’s regulation. Global Witness’s analysis with Trase shows that UK coffee was responsible for forest loss equivalent to around four times the size of Glastonbury Festival between November 2021 and July 2023 alone. This puts coffee in the top five UK deforestation risk commodities by estimated impact in the study, which looked at direct commodity imports only.

Last month, Global Witness published data showing that UK imports of seven commodities, including all five from the new list, were responsible for 20,400 hectares of deforestation in the two-year period of delay in bringing forward the regulations – an area almost twice the size of Paris. https://bit.ly/3NnKZqh

The Clean Truck Check - By December 31, 2023, vehicle owners in California need to complete registration of their vehicles in the Clean Truck Check database and pay their $30.00 per vehicle 2023 annual compliance fees. CARB estimates that periodic testing requirements will become effective starting in July 2024. This means that a passing compliance test would be required to be submitted to CARB for all vehicle compliance deadlines on or after July 1, 2024. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/june-2023-guidance-vehicle-owners-upcoming-requirements

EU observatory covering deforestation and forest degradation worldwide goes live - The EU observatory on deforestation and forest degradation is now up and running, making its maps and datasets on changes in the world’s forest cover and associated drivers publicly available. It will support the EU’s new rules on deforestation-free products, laid down to guarantee that the products placed on the EU market or exported from it do not originate from deforested land or have not contributed to forest degradation. In addition, the new rules aim to reduce carbon emissions and biodiversity loss caused by EU consumption and production of a series of commodities, and to address deforestation and degradation resulting from agricultural expansion to produce them. As a major economy and consumer of commodities such as soy, beef, palm oil, wood, cocoa, coffee, and rubber, as well as some of their derived products, such as leather, chocolate, tyres, or furniture, the EU is taking action to curb the EU market's impact on global deforestation and forest degradation. These new rules are laid down in the Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) and will apply by the end of 2024. Building on existing monitoring tools, including Copernicus products and other publicly or privately available sources, the observatory will facilitate access to information on supply chains for public entities, consumers, and businesses. The observatory is structured around three main components: global forest monitoring, production and trade of commodities, and EU tools for forest monitoring. https://bit.ly/3GznVRJ

Renewable, clean hydrogen power is coming to California. Here’s what you need to know. In October, the federal Department of Energy chose California as one of seven hydrogen hubs, regions where the agency will fund coordinated networks of hydrogen fuel producers, purveyors and consumers. A University of California-backed consortium called the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems, or ARCHES, managed the state’s application to DOE, and will steer up to $1.2 billion in federal funding toward 39 hydrogen infrastructure projects up and down the state. Altogether, ARCHES projects are estimated to eliminate 2 million metric tons of carbon emissions every year, equivalent to taking 445,000 gas-powered cars off the road. They’ll create over 200,000 new good jobs. And by swapping diesel combustion engines spewing toxic exhaust for zero-pollution fuel cells, Californians will save nearly $3 billion in health care and related costs annually. Beyond direct carbon reductions, the hydrogen hub’s real contribution will be in helping make clean, renewable energy work on a statewide scale and make hydrogen cost-competitive with fossil fuels. “ARCHES is the pebble that launches the avalanche,” says Adam Weber. He’s a senior scientist who leads the Energy Conversion Group at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and ARCHES Chief Technology Officer. “We’ll use the federal money to get the infrastructure in place and leverage it with state and private funding to really get things started in California.” https://bit.ly/3t74Xi7

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its long-awaited Policy Statement on Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) and investment labels (PS23/16) on 28 November.

The FCA has introduced an additional investment label in recognition of the fact that funds may have a blend of sustainability strategies within the regime;
Portfolio managers, which were previously proposed to be within scope, are excluded from the application of the rules and will be addressed in a second stage; and
Previous proposals to prohibit the use of sustainability-related terms in product names and marketing for in-scope retail investor products without a sustainability label have not been adopted, and the use of such terms will be permitted if certain conditions are met.

The final rules cover the following areas:

Sustainability product labels
Naming and marketing rules
Disclosure requirements
Anti-greenwashing rule
Distributor requirements

https://bit.ly/3uSYd7V

At least 45% of the nation’s tap water is estimated to have one or more types of the chemicals known as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey. There are more than 12,000 types of PFAS, not all of which can be detected with current tests; the USGS study tested for the presence of 32 types. This USGS research marks the first time anyone has tested for and compared PFAS in tap water from both private and government-regulated public water supplies on a broad scale throughout the country. Those data were used to model and estimate PFAS contamination nationwide. This USGS study can help members of the public to understand their risk of exposure and inform policy and management decisions regarding testing and treatment options for drinking water. https://on.doi.gov/4a0oCB3

Half of Republicans in new poll support Biden push to cut emissions - Among nearly three-quarters of Americans who said in a new poll that they want the federal government to design policies around a goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, half of Republicans joined Democratic respondents, bucking party lines and showing significant support for Biden administration commitments to fighting climate change. The CNN poll released Thursday found about two-thirds of respondents are worried about the impacts of climate change on their communities, and nearly 60 percent are worried about increasing extreme weather. https://bit.ly/3t3ppk6

Report Zero-Emission Fuels Could Add 50% to Container Shipping Costs - A new report from independent UK consultancy UMAs seeks both to quantify some of the potential costs and contribute to the discussions by highlighting the challenges that lay ahead for the industry, echoing similar concerns raised by industry CEOs attending the current COP 28 conference and other reports that highlight the potential near-term shortages in the supply of alternative fuels. “The role of the early movers including cargo owners, and their willingness to pay is therefore vital in setting up a zero-emissions shipping market,” writes UMAS. “This report contributes to that dialogue by providing examples of baseline additional cost per container required to bridge the cost gap considering only technological savings. It shows the room that cargo owners, governments, and other stakeholders have to contribute.” UMAS calculates that a vessel operating transpacific would require an additional $20 to $30 million annually by 2030 when you consider both the capex investment in the vessels and operational expenditure. Fuel they highlight would be $18 to $27 million of the added annual cost. UMAS concludes that the window of opportunity for corporate action before regulation increasingly closes the gap is only available for a few years. The full report and the analysis are available online to help guide the discussion and the decision that the shipping industry needs to undertake. https://bit.ly/3ThYCLi

COP28 pledges so far not enough to limit warming to 1.5C -IEA - A raft of new pledges announced at the COP28 climate summit - from tripling renewables to reining in methane emissions - won't be enough on their own to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Sunday.

So far, 130 countries have agreed to triple renewables and double the rate of energy efficiency improvements, while 50 oil and gas companies have agreed to cut out methane emissions and eliminate routine flaring by 2030 under the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter. If everyone delivered on their commitments, it would lower global-energy related greenhouse gas emissions by 4 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030, the IEA analysis said.

That is about a third of the emissions gap that needs to be closed in the next six years to limit warming to 1.5C above preindustrial levels, as agreed to in the 2015 Paris Agreement. "They would not be nearly enough to move the world onto a path to reaching international climate targets," the IEA said. https://bit.ly/3TdHzKx

Finance teams need a crash course in ESG. These organizations can help - Three big regulations driving this push are the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which will require certain companies to disclose and assure a broad range of ESG metrics; California’s Corporate Climate Accountability Package; and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed climate disclosure rule. The latter two regulations focus, in particular, on corporate disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions. A number of organizations have sprung up to support accounting and finance professionals looking to add ESG reporting concerns or sustainability metrics to their subject matter expertise. Three that have served as community partners for various GreenBiz Group events are Accounting for Sustainability, Competent Boards and Impact Finance Center.

Each organization addresses a gap in sustainability competencies and provides multiple resources for individuals to develop the skills, knowledge and networks to succeed as sustainable finance or sustainable accounting professionals.

Accounting for Sustainability (A4S)

Launched as a charity in 2004 by the then-Prince of Wales, Accounting for Sustainability aims "to help ensure that we are not battling to meet 21st century challenges with, at best, 20th century decision-making and reporting systems."

Educational Offerings:

A4S Academy — an 18-month training program for corporate finance and accounting leaders that includes virtual programming and an exercise that helps students develop and implement a plan of action for their own sustainability challenge at work.
Workshops — concentrated courses on specific topics such as transition finance or CSRD are held in person and give participants the opportunity for peer exchange and learning, and to qualify for continuing professional education credits.
Webcasts — interviews with thought leaders who share how they're addressing sustainability within finance, planning and investment.

Pricing:

The majority of services and resources offered by A4S are free as part of its charitable mission, but some workshops require participants to apply before they can attend. The A4S Academy costs 4,500 British pounds.

Competent Boards

This organization was launched to provide ESG education to board directors and investors but has since expanded to include ESG, climate and biodiversity learning resources and corporate managers. Its mission is to create a shared language for communicating about ESG risk and opportunities.

The training features live and recorded lectures from expert faculty including former Unilever CEO Paul Polman, activist investor Engine No.1 Founder Chris James and the founding chairman of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, Robert Eccles.

Offerings:

ESG Certificate — a 12-course, self-guided online training program for business leaders, investors and board directors covering a range of ESG topics.
ESG Designation — a live online training program consisting of 12 sessions led by expert faculty. The credentials can be used to satisfy IFRS S1 and S2 requirements for sustainability and climate governance at the board and management levels.
Corporate Subscription — training on 18 leadership topics, along with draft language for use in governance and proxy statements as well as multiple assessments, networking, and updates on the latest ESG developments.

Pricing:

Competent Boards offers multiple tiers of ESG training services: the ESG certificate training costs $3,595, the ESG designation course is $6,495, and the corporate subscription starts at $45,000 per year for 10 seats.

Impact Finance Center (IFC)

The center was originally created to provide "non-conflicted" impact investing education and training for sustainability professionals seeking ways to finance projects. It has since expanded to include education and training for investors.

IFC specializes in information about how to leverage innovative approaches such as blended finance, public-private-philanthropic partnerships and partially recoverable grants to solve funding challenges that delay sustainability initiatives.

Offerings:

Fellowship Program — a one-on-one training program offered to a range of sustainability and finance professionals in corporate, investment and nonprofit roles.
Learning Circles — small-group training for accredited investors interested in investing in social ventures in a common geography or interest area.
Investing Accelerators — large-group training for asset owners; each member contributes to a pooled fund and participates in 9-12 workshops where the group sources, evaluates and makes investments in social ventures with the pooled fund.
Webinars — online events that cover a wide range of impact investing topics such as blended finance, sustainable forestry, diverse managers and corporate financial innovation; these resources can be accessed through the IFC Impact Investing Institute.

Pricing:

The center allows participants to pay on a sliding scale based on revenue, seeking to accommodate those with budgetary challenges. It also offers apprenticeship programs and scholarships.

https://bit.ly/3GIo1Gt

Circular Economy, Zero Waste, Recycling and Litter Abatement

Plastic recycling directory ends, citing lack of 'real commitment from industry' The directory listed sites to drop off plastics for recycling.

https://bit.ly/3GuqsMY

U.S. Food Waste Pact launches with ReFED, Walmart, Del Monte, others

The pact will follow an approach of “Target, Measure, Act,” with signatories across the food supply chain agreeing to halve food loss and waste by 2030 by collaborating on best practices.

Food waste nonprofit ReFED and the World Wildlife Fund announced the U.S. Food Waste Pact on Tuesday. The pact’s signatories include major grocers like Aldi and Walmart as well as other food supply chain participants like Sodexo USA, Aramark and Del Monte Fresh Product.
The signatories have all agreed to pursue United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, which seeks to halve food wasted in retail, and reduce losses along food production and supply chains. The partners also plan to share data on efforts to reduce food waste and loss, which the nonprofit plans to anonymize and aggregate to measure progress and identify best practices.

“As a global grower of fresh produce, Fresh Del Monte takes food waste and food scarcity seriously. Reducing food waste lowers greenhouse gas emissions and minimizes the waste of valuable resources,” Hans Sauter, chief sustainability officer of Fresh Del Monte, said in a statement. “The expanded U.S Food Waste Pact will allow us to further our own efforts to reduce food waste, and also encourage others to set their own goals, and contribute to the wider progress of the Pact.” https://bit.ly/3TbBRIV

Boxed Water™ National Survey Reveals Recycling Apathy Among Gen Z/Millennials - Although 82% of those polled are "somewhat" or "very" worried about the impact of single-use plastic, just a little over half (58%) actively recycle. The least likely to recycle: Gen Z. Specifically, 67% of Boomers "often" or "always" recycle compared to 44% of Gen Z who "often" or "always" recycle. Continuing the linear trajectory, millennials come in at 50% and Gen Xers are at 59%.The top cited barriers to recycling rank as follows: 1) Just because it goes in the recycling bin does not mean it gets recycled (43%); 2) Lack of convenience (33%); and 3) Confusion about what can be recycled (28%). https://bit.ly/4840lIl

IAI backs aluminum emissions reduction target - Several members of the International Aluminium Institute have signed on to the organization’s initiative to meet a COP28-related emissions reduction target. The London-based International Aluminium Institute (IAI) has launched an initiative it says commits to transparently and publicly track ambition and progress in the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction of all its member companies. This initiative, launched in coordination with the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has already been backed by several global aluminum producers. Early signatories include Aluminerie Alouette, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), Alcoa Corp., Alumina Ltd., Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA), Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Hindalco Industries Ltd. (which also owns Novelis Inc.), Norsk Hydro, Mitsubishi Corp., Rio Tinto Aluminium, Rusal, Sohar Aluminium and South32. Combined, the companies produce 221 million tons of GHG emissions annually, according to IAI. As part of initiative, IAI says it is committed to tracking and reporting on its member companies’ ambition and progress in GHG reductions and reporting total global GHG emissions of the aluminum industry on a public and annual basis. The initiative calls for setting a long-term GHG emission reduction target, possibly in 2024, and preferably setting and achieving a net-zero target by 2050. An interim GHG emission reduction target also is likely for 2030, according to IAI. Signatory facilities will agree to use the “IAI Good Practice for Calculation of Primary Aluminium Carbon Footprint Methodology,” as well as the “IAI Guidelines on Transparency – Aluminium Scrap” as calculation references. Satish Pai, managing director of India-based Hindalco Industries and chair of the IAI board, points to recycling specifically as part of the solution. “We gladly welcome the initiative to be transparent on GHGs,” Pai says. “Hindalco has been a leader in sustainable metal manufacturing for years. Because of its infinite recyclability, aluminum is ideal for circularity—the carbon footprint of recycled metal is just 5 percent of primary smelting. "We are among the global leaders in circularity with our subsidiary Novelis using recycled metal for 61 percent of its total aluminum usage, over 2.3 million tons last fiscal year.” https://bit.ly/3NHKOqb

Major glass recycler Strategic Materials files for bankruptcy amid market pressures

A combination of headwinds, such as high interest rates, new competition in California and changing consumer habits, have hit the glass recycler hard in recent years. The restructuring plan calls for the company to be handed over to certain creditors while it goes through a financial restructuring and reorganization that will include deleveraging its balance sheet by over $300 million, SMI said in a news release Monday. https://bit.ly/41c4kk5

QR Codes on Packaging to Help Answer Recycling Questions - A QR code on a product’s package may be a new way to answer the common question, “Can I recycle this?” The Recycling Partnership, which works with companies on achieving packaging circularity, has created a new platform called Recycle Check. Recycle Check gives customers the ability to scan a QR code on a product’s packaging where they can enter their zip code and find out if that item can go into the recycling bin or not. "It'll show you a yes, no answer for your local recycling information, which is super helpful. You don't have to guess about where do I check locally? It can give it to you right there," said Katherine Huded, Vice President of Recyclability Solutions for The Recycling Partnership. https://bit.ly/4ap4yIO

Compostable capsules most sustainable option for single serve coffee units - Wageningen University & Research has assessed the environmental impacts and circularity of different materials for single serve coffee capsules, when subjected to various end-of-life scenarios. When both material circularity and greenhouse gas emissions are considered, compostable capsules are the most sustainable option. The circularity was quantified with the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI), a tool developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. This indicator is one of the most complete tools available as it encompasses recycling rates, recycled content, recycling process yield, biobased content, reusability and average lifespan. When taking into account both greenhouse gas emissions and circularity, the main conclusion is that compostable plastic capsules are the most sustainable option. Their MCI is 100% (fully circular) when the capsules are composted: materials are both biobased (non-fossil based) and biodegradable. Both coffee grounds and capsule material can be kept in the loop as they are “organically recycled” via the biosphere into compost. Aluminium capsules are a second-best choice if they are collected separately through systems designed exclusively for returning these capsules (mono-collection): the aluminium is then recycled and the coffee composted. However, the MCI is lower (around 60%) compared to compostable capsules, even when recycled aluminium is used to produce the capsules. Lastly, the research shows that conventional fossil-based plastics do not fit in a circular economy as neither the plastic capsules nor the spent coffee grounds are recycled. The MCI is below 50%. Types of coffee capsules researched, all for the Nespresso machines: Compostable and bio-based plastic capsules (PLA, PHA) Conventional plastic capsules (PP, HDPE) Aluminium capsules, with and without recycled content. https://bit.ly/3GA36W2

Caterpillar invests in tech startup Nth Cycle to boost recycling - Caterpillar is investing in recycling technology developer Nth Cycle as part of a push to boost the reuse of metals used to make batteries and construction equipment. The investment, announced on Monday, comes as part of a $44 million Series B round of financing in privately-held Nth Cycle, which is among a crop of firms racing to commercialize recycling methods for the green energy transition. Massachusetts-based Nth Cycle's technology, designed to be used in a portable system it has branded 'Oyster,' utilizes an electrochemical process to selectively extract nickel and cobalt from scrap, batteries or mined rock. Executives are marketing that versatility to mining companies and the electric vehicle industry. "Caterpillar's collaboration with Nth Cycle supports our commitment to helping our customers achieve their climate-related objectives and establishing a circular value chain," said Rod Shurman, Caterpillar's senior vice president of electrification and energy solutions, in a statement released by Nth Cycle. https://bit.ly/48bSLf2

Keurig Dr Pepper and Circular Action Alliance leader talks EPR and closing gap on 2025 sustainability targets - Charlie Schwarze, Keurig Dr Pepper senior director of sustainability and board chair for the Circular Action Alliance producer responsibility organization, discussed what’s ahead in 2024. In KDP’s most recent sustainability report, the company noted some challenges around availability of postconsumer recycled materials. “I think as we look across the board at companies’ sustainability goals, especially around postconsumer recycled content packaging, supply is going to be a question that every company is looking at into the future,” Schwarze said. He said KDP’s teams say availability currently is good, but “that doesn’t mean it’s always going to be ready to buy off the shelf in the future.” Partnerships will be critical, going forward, to ensure availability, including through the American Beverage Association’s Every Bottle Back program on PET recycling, he said. KDP also co-founded the Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, spearheaded by The Recycling Partnership, to ensure PCR will be available for its K-Cup pods and Mott’s applesauce cups, Schwarze said. Schwarze expects EPR will be a boon as well. “With extended producer responsibility coming online in four states in the U.S., we’re going to see an increase in supply of materials which will need an outlet. So we see that as a healthy supply-demand balancing force to increase supply when we know that demand is going to be there in the future,” he said. https://bit.ly/4878mfJ

The Circular Packaging Assessment Tool is a free tool that makes packaging recyclability assessment possible to all companies and package designers, large or small. The publicly available tool leverages all the data and networks of The Partnership, pulling requirements from the five building blocks of the Residential Recyclability Framework and combining them with recycling access data from The Recycling Partnership’s National Database and digitized design guidance from material-specific industry associations. Improving Recyclability with the Circular Packaging Assessment Tool. Identify key system solutions that boost your packaging strategy to increase MRF and community acceptance, comply with EPR regulations, and strengthen end markets.

Gain free, trusted industry resources
Assess end markets and bale inclusion
Discover recycling access levels by package type
Learn suggested actions for challenged packaging

https://bit.ly/3RjQrf6

Competitors, Trends & Innovations

California Drought: Are we in drought again? Where is the rain and snow? What is El Niño doing? It has been a slow start to the wet season, but that doesn't mean things are bad! Plus, El Niño is still brewing in the Pacific & there's signs of more rain & snow. https://bit.ly/41j0x4q

‘Off to a slow start’: Southern Utah water managers continue call for conservation - As of Friday, Dec 1, the state’s snow water equivalent, a critical metric for assessing water availability, currently stands at 39% below normal for this time of year. With 125 days remaining until the typical peak snowpack, water managers remain optimistic about the potential for a good snow year. If winter rain and snow fails to materialize however, the state is still in a good position due reservoir storage that is currently at 77% capacity statewide. This is around 20% higher than normal reservoir levels for this time of year. “While we still have a good amount of water in our reservoirs, we must continue to conserve,” Joel Williams, deputy director of the Division of Water Resources, said in a news release. “The water year is off to a slow start, but it’s still early. From now until April will be pivotal in determining the overall water outlook for the state.” State water managers urge residents to continue water conservation efforts despite promising water levels — as the unpredictability of the weather necessitates a proactive approach to water stewardship. https://bit.ly/48aPe0f

LED lighting is up to 44% more efficient than 4-foot fluorescent tubes, according to a University of Michigan study. The study compared the costs of six replacement options (one fluorescent and five LED) for linear recessed lighting systems and found that LED products were 18%-44% more efficient than T8 fluorescent lamps. Lighting is responsible for 11% of electricity use in commercial buildings and residential basements, garages and shops. Linear recessed lighting systems, which are also called linear fixtures or troffer lights, are among the largest opportunities for energy efficiency improvement, given their long operating hours. The study’s key takeaway is that switching to LEDs can save money and energy and reduce one’s carbon footprint, according to senior study author Greg Keoleian, co-director of the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability. “It’s definitely better to replace your fluorescent lamps with LEDs rather than replace them with new fluorescent lamps,” Keoleian said. “Our finding is consistent with the U.S. Department of Energy’s indication that LED systems are 25% more energy-efficient than fluorescents.” Read the press release on the Michigan News website.

Lidl US on November 30, 2023 released its first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, highlighting the company’s environmental and social impact initiatives and progress over the last two years. Lidl’s environmental and social impact initiatives and progress over the last two years include:

Reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 63% as of year-end 2022 (compared to a 2019 baseline) in support of the company’s goal of a 70% reduction by 2030.
Procured 100% renewable energy since 2022 for the company’s overall electricity use through the purchase of renewable energy certificates (excluding supply agreements over which we have no control).
Identified 11 critical raw materials and committed to setting responsible sourcing targets for each group of items. Lidl set third-party certification requirement for all private label palm oil, chocolate, and fish and shellfish items. All Lidl private label chocolate, for example, is Fairtrade certified.
Launched an annual CSR Purchasing Training requirement for Lidl’s Buying Team to educate on climate, raw materials, and product packaging topics.

Lidl’s CSR Report and additional information can be found here. https://bit.ly/3uTR9bv

Our Georgia Coast: a campaign to keep our coast flowing. This is a place unlike any other. Coastal Georgia stretches for 100 miles and features 14 major barrier islands, nearly 400,000 acres of salt marsh, and some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. Not only does our region support dozens of high-priority plant and animal species, it’s also home to historic communities and an important driver of Georgia’s economy. Our Georgia Coast is a campaign to expand awareness, deepen understanding, and promote ways to get involved in our coast’s preservation.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/878467690

A new publication from the Kansas Geological Survey at the University of Kansas assesses current conditions and trends in water levels and groundwater usage in the High Plains Aquifer, the state’s most economically important groundwater resource. The High Plains Aquifer, which underlies portions of eight states from South Dakota to Texas, is the primary source of water for western Kansas. It includes the Ogallala Aquifer of western Kansas and the Great Bend Prairie (which includes most or all of Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties) and Equus Beds aquifers in the south-central part of the state.

The report summarizes current regional conditions of the aquifer and evaluates progress toward sustaining or prolonging the life of the largest groundwater resource in the state. It also showcases the progress made in areas that have adopted voluntary water conservation measures to reduce groundwater pumping and extend the life of the aquifer. “The availability of more than 25 years’ worth of high-quality water-level and water-use data for the aquifer makes it possible to provide a sound assessment of the aquifer status,” said Donald Whittemore, KGS emeritus senior scientist and lead author of “2023 Status of the High Plains Aquifer in Kansas, KGS Technical Series 25.” “The results can help irrigators, groundwater management districts, and other local and state agencies determine how successful conservation efforts have been.” The new publication provides data for each of the state’s five groundwater management districts, created to provide local management of water resources. All five GMDs overlie the High Plains aquifer. Groundwater levels in the Ogallala portion of the aquifer (GMDs 1, 3 and 4) have dropped significantly since the start of widespread irrigation of cropland in the 1940’s and 1950’s. In some areas, less than 40% of the original aquifer thickness remains. This new assessment found that groundwater levels could be sustained – defined as a zero water-level change – in most of the imperiled areas of western Kansas for at least one to two decades by reducing pumping between 18% and 32%. https://bit.ly/46X38C5

America's Most Responsible Companies 2024

For the fifth year in a row, Newsweek has partnered with global research and data firm Statista for our annual list of America's Most Responsible Companies. While the inception of today's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives may only be a few decades old, the concept of the social contract goes back centuries. Corporate responsibility encompasses environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG). This year, we award 600 of the largest corporations in the United States, up from 500 in 2022. While that increase is noteworthy, even more so is the fact that the company in this year's 600th spot has a higher score than last year's 500th. This year's top overall position is held by Merck, having an impressive score of 92 out of 100, with Xylem following closely at 91.3 and HP, which held the No. 1 position for the previous four years, maintaining a solid presence in third with a score of 90.3.

https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-most-responsible-companies-2024#

General Motors Co. and Autocar Industries announced a collaboration to create a range of zero-emissions heavy-duty vehicles powered by GM’s Hydrotec power cubes. The heavy-duty trucks are expected to go into production in 2026 at the Autocar plant in Birmingham, Alabama, starting with roll-off and dump trucks and cement mixers. Autocar will also eventually produce refuse trucks and terminal tractors using Hydrotec power cubes. Autocar trucks with GM’s Hydrotec fuel cells will be built to order and sold directly to customers. https://bit.ly/46QCtaf

“We need everyone on this journey,” David Grant, senior director of global climate and water solutions at PepsiCo, said in an interview. “We’ll never get around to it if we’re just kind of puttering away.” By NASA’s counting, there’s more than 326 million trillion gallons of water on Earth. But just a fraction of that is freshwater, and the resource in many areas faces growing perils from droughts and other effects of climate change. To reduce water use at PepsiCo, Grant and his team of three focus on internal efficiency — which often means implementing technology and best practices — as well as looking at watersheds where it operates and working with the farmers who produce inputs for the company. Often, some of the biggest innovative leaps come from those in Pepsi looking at water use in regional operations. At an Indian facility, for example, the company learned how to reuse water vapor from operations and cut down on water draws, Grant noted. https://bit.ly/3uPECpk

Antea Group is proud to announce that through Inogen Alliance, we will be a sponsor of the ninth annual Global Water Stewardship Forum with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) for the second year in a row. The forum will take place June 5-6, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The AWS Global Water Stewardship Forum, held annually since 2016, stands as a key gathering where AWS community members and industry leaders come together to exchange knowledge and insights regarding the development of water stewardship practices. Through meaningful dialogues and collaborative partnerships, this forum has emerged as an important and well-attended event for the global water stewardship community. Pre-registration is now open for AWS Members, followed by non-Member registration in mid-January 2024. If you are interested, get your tickets early as this event has a history of selling out. Learn more about the 2-day event and its programming here. https://bit.ly/41eoYjw

C40 is a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis. Home to more than half of the world’s population, urban areas are facing water scarcity and flooding every day. These water-related climate hazards are responsible for 90% of global disasters and will only get worse as the climate crisis unfolds. Challenges brought about by too much or too little water are not equally distributed – C40 cities in low and middle-income countries are ten times more likely to be affected by flooding and drought than those in high-income countries. C40 research predicts that by 2050, more than 7.4 million people living in C40 cities will be in areas at risk from flooding, costing C40 cities US$136 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) each year over the next three decades. More frequent and severe droughts are projected to broaden existing inequity and cost C40 cities a combined loss of US$111 billion annually. To address these challenges, C40 mayors are taking action to transform cities and safeguard their communities. Cities are implementing solutions such as water harvesting in informal settlements, restoring urban waterways, and water conservation measures. However, mayors cannot increase urban resilience to climate impacts alone. City governments need to collaborate with partners from public, private and civil society organisations to raise ambition and help speed up the implementation of climate solutions. Together, we can accelerate action and create water-safe cities for all residents. Signatories of this accelerator commit to protect the most vulnerable communities at high risk of flooding and/or drought by 2027 by:

Establishing early warning systems in all low-income areas where communities face a high risk of flooding and drought.
Developing emergency responses to protect all people during critical events with actions such as ensuring safe and accessible shelters and provision of basic needs.

C40 Cities include: Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Freetown, Jakarta, Lisbon, Los Angeles, Milan, New Orleans, New York City, Oslo, Phoenix, Quezon City, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, Rotterdam, Tokyo, Tshwane

https://www.c40.org/accelerators/water-safe-cities/

The Role Of Reverse Osmosis (RO) Membranes In The Battle Against PFAS - Water and Sewer Division comprehensive pilot study at the Bruce Hamler Water Treatment Facility in Rome, Georgia. This aimed to identify the most effective and sustainable treatment process for removing PFAS from the water supply. Six treatment process trains were tested, demonstrating significant PFAS removal but falling short of completely eliminating all compounds to non-detectable levels as initially targeted. Notably, reverse osmosis (RO) technologies exhibited the highest and most consistent PFAS removal rates.

Considering various factors, including PFAS removal efficiencies, capital and operational costs, pilot equipment performance, and feedback from Rome WSD staff, it was recommended replacing the existing treatment trains at the Hamler WTF with disk filter pretreatment followed by either closed circuit RO or cross flow reverse osmosis operating at a minimum 90% recovery rate. The focus on RO and nanofiltration membranes presents a promising avenue for addressing not just PFAS contamination but also dozens of other emerging contaminants. "RO can separate nearly all of the different emerging contaminants to some level, thus providing a permeate water that is suitable for drinking for almost all of those categories," Alderman explains. However, a key challenge arises from the concentration of the contaminants during the RO process, which requires efficient handling of the resulting concentrate. Typically, an RO system discards around 25% of water, intensifying the concentration of contaminants by a factor of four.

Alderman emphasizes ROTEC's advantageous approach, as it returns 90% of the water, resulting in significantly less waste compared to traditional RO systems. "You're making a smaller quantity of brine that you have to deal with for any subsequent destruction technology," he notes. He also emphasizes that RO has the potential to address emerging contaminants beyond PFAS, such as 1,4-dioxane and other substances.

"By combining RO with carbon filtration, you not only ensure clean water but also have the option to reuse the wastewater, creating an efficient and reliable solution that offers the best of both worlds," Alderman concludes. https://bit.ly/487WuKq

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) is responsible for convening the Water Conditions Monitoring Committee (WCMC) - formerly Water Availability Task Force. The WCMC monitors conditions that affect Colorado’s water supply, including snowpack, reservoir storage, streamflow, historical climate norms, long term precipitation and temperature outlooks, and climate variations. The CWCB coordinates across the Water Supply Planning Section and the Watershed & Flood Protection Section to also monitor and provide updates on flood conditions. Additionally, CWCB coordinates with agencies such as the Department of Natural Resources, the Division of Water Resources, and the Department of Local Affairs. The CWCB also collaborates with external partners like Colorado State University's Colorado Climate Center and the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). These groups collectively support monthly meetings of the WCMC. The next WCMC meeting will take place in 2024. https://cwcb.colorado.gov/Water-Conditions-Monitoring-Committee