Thematic Thoughts
Real world sustainability linked changes and what they might mean for companies and investors
CBAM: will carbon border taxes help or harm industries?
The trial period for the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism has begun. This could be a game changer, but there is a lot of detail to sort out.
Cooperatives and appellations: addressing the gap between the cost of coffee and farmer income.
The gap between coffee price and farmer income needs bridging. Can Co-operatives and appellations help.
Kenya farm hosts first on-site green hydrogen-to-fertiliser plant.
US-based Talus Renewables, a manufacturer of modular green ammonia systems is starting up a plant in Naivasha, Kenya that will enable local production of both low-cost and carbon-free fertilisers. Talus will supply Kenya Nut Co with fertilisers under a 15-year take-off agreement with the plant expected to produce one tonne
Home energy electrification - more complicated than you think.
We tend to think about home electrification as one of the easiest transitions. Good alternatives already exist. We 'just' need people to switch to electricity for home heating/cooling and cooking. Then we factor in home EV charging, and job done. But, the reality is a lot more
Can renewable electricity now be sold direct to the consumer (in Korea)?
Most households and small businesses have to buy their electricity from a retailer (often known as a distributor), who gets it via the grid. There are some good reasons for this. In most countries, companies that distribute electricity are regulated (for safety reasons), and buying electricity via retailers means consumers
Building regs backlash in Germany
German Housing Minister Klara Geywitz, Finance Minister Christian Lindner and a number of other senior cabinet members of the German coalition have expressed their concern about potential revisions to the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which would include mandatory renovations for buildings with the worst energy performance. The
All swans are black in the dark
In a recent LinkedIn post, Andreas Posavac, Global Head of ESG, Corporate Governance and M&A Advisory at S&P Global Market Intelligence discussed a multi-year research study by The Generation Foundation and 2° Investing Initiative called "All swans are black in the dark." The study
20's plenty?
The introduction of a 20 mph speed limit in built-up areas in Wales has not been without controversy. So emotive was the move that a no confidence vote in the minister who led the introduction of it, Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters, was brought although was easily defeated. The
The transitions will be harder and easier than we think.
There is a tendency to gloss over some of the challenges in delivering the sustainability transitions, to simplify what it is we need to do. And as a result our sustainability plans and proposals can jar with the people who actually have to deliver the change on the ground. This
When optimisation can be sub-optimal
"It's a system optimized to work fantastically, when everything's working fantastically." Coco Krumme, "Optimal Illusions: The false promise of optimization" Technology consultant Dr Jeffrey Funk highlighted a really interesting book by the applied mathematician Coco Krumme. An argument that Dr Funk often
Staying above water: a systemic response to rising flood risk
This is the title of a recently published report from Marsh McLennan. It highlights the alarming rate at which flood risk is growing globally, estimating that currently 18% of the global population is exposed. Even limiting post-industrial average global temperature rises to 2oC could double that percentage. The key message
Reputation and recruitment
The reputation of your business is almost certainly having an impact on your most important long term asset, the ability to recruit the best people. Not just entry level graduates, but all through the organisation. This might not generate the same headlines as the short term share price impact, but