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Good news thread

  • 1.  Good news thread

    Posted 11-09-2023 10:55

    Good news thread: 

    As the world is trying to transition from being "wasteful, idle, lopsided and dirty" (Lombard Odier's description) to clean, inclusive, and circular, there seems to be a lot of "doom" in the air. We thought it is not fair. And we thought we'd create this thread on sharing "good" news and success stories in all fields of "ESG" and "Sustainability! 

    Brazil's President Lula unveils plan to end deforestation by 2030! Brazil's Green Climate Fund's data here  

    Do share your good news or something that you observed or did that you think is a really good news for the world! 



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 2.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 25-09-2023 10:53

    Good news thread: Do share your good news or something that you observed or did that you think is worth recognising and celebrating! 

    Today I have found not one, but two great news for us to enjoy! 

    1: EU emissions fell by 4% at the end of last year – and economies grew, data reveals (Eurostat data released on 15 May 2023). Out of the 27 member states, emissions fell in 23 EU countries.  

    2. Seals are making a comeback in Belgium: This team of volunteers helping them coexist with humans 

     

    Share yours, don't be shy! 



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 3.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 02-10-2023 10:07

    Good news thread: 

    Eco-friendly tiers? 

    This article in esgnews.com attracted my attention. Sustainable tire materials market to surge at 29.3£ CAGR (2023 – 2031). Companies in the space include Evonik Industries, Solvay, PPG Industries, Contec, Black Bear Carbon, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Michelin etc. 

    Can this space be interesting for any investors in our community? 

    Do share your good news or something that you observed or did that you think is worth recognising and celebrating! 



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 4.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 02-10-2023 10:23

    Small robot that can reforest the whole planet - that's a very good news!

    https://interestingengineering.com/ie-originals/engineering-origins/season-1/ep-9-small-robot-that-can-reforest-the-whole-planet



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 5.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 09-10-2023 09:43

    Good morning everyone! Lets set up for a great week ahead. 

    Good news Monday: 

    Scientists in Brazil rediscovered tree thought extinct for nearly 200 years 

    French company has designed the first e-bike that doesn't need a battery 

    If you have good news, share in this thread!



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 6.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 16-10-2023 10:33

    Good news thread 

    EU Commission adopts measures to restrict intentionally added microplastics 

    Clarity AI launches methodology to build SFDR-aligned indexes and ETFs 



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 7.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 23-10-2023 09:38

    Good morning Community!

    Today in our "Good news on Monday" i thought i'd look at commoditites. And it sounds like

    Copper is the new oil, says Goldman Sachs' Jeff Currie 

    Why we need this material more than oil now from Interesting Engineering

    What do you think?



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 8.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 30-10-2023 10:38

    Good morning Community!

    As usual, we start Mondays with good news!

    Green construction to create USD 1.5 trillion in investment opportunities in emerging markets – World Bank's IFC by ESG News 

    According to IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop the green construction revolution is picking up speed. IFC report states that sustainability linked bonds, green mortgages, green funds, carbon transition bonds, carbon retirement portfolios can help in capitalizing on investment opportunitiesGlobal private debt financing for building green increased twentyfold, from 10 USD billion in 2017 to a record high of USD 230 billion in 2021. Only 10% of that was in the emerging market.  



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 9.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 30-10-2023 10:39

    Worl Energy Outlook by the IEA (2023) states that there is no question that clean energy projects are facing headwinds in some markets from cost inflation, supply chain bottlenecks and higher borrowing costs.  

    Yet equally, clean energy is the most dynamic aspect of global energy investment.  How fast it grows in the coming decades in response to policy and market stimuli is key to explain the differences in trajectories and outcomes across the IEA's three main scenarios: Stated Policies, Announced Pledges and Net Zero Emissions by 2050. 

    In all scenarios, the momentum behind the clean energy economy is enough to produce a peak in demand for coal, oil and natural gas this decade, although the rates of post-peak decline vary widely. 



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 10.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 13-11-2023 09:36
    Edited by Aya Pariy 13-11-2023 10:29
      |   view attached

    Good morning everyone!

    Hope your Monday already brought good news to you, but here's one for us.

    ESG-linked executive pay is on the rise, which is good news for the planet. A global study finds that in 2021 38% of companies tie compensation of ESG goals, resulting in real improvements in firms' environmental performance. This is a big jump from just 1% in 2011. The study was based on data from nearly 4400 firms in 21 countries and was conducted by IESE together with San Diego State University and University of Mannheim. 

    Attaching "Executive Compensation Tied to ESG Performance: International Evidence" to this post.

    Previously I shared transcripts for the Climate Change Podcast with John Teahan, Redwheel and Harlan Zimmerman, Cevian Capital about the same theme - linking remunerations to sustainability/climate goals. You can find them here

    Do you have these links at your company? Are they effective?



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 11.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 20-11-2023 09:14
      |   view attached

    Good morning Community!

    Here are some good news to start the week:

    Bloomberg launches first physical climate risk indicators.

    Bloomberg worked with Riskthingin.AI and announced the launch of the first physical risk indicators that account for every climate scenario endorsed by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). The AI uses Bloomberg's physical assets data on nearly 50,000 companies-covering over 1 million manufacturing sites, energy plants, mining operations, office buildings, and retail sites-to calculate a company's physical risk exposure level.

    Big news for CCS (carbon capture and storage). Global CCS Institute shares its 2023 report. Headline is a 48% increase in CO2 capture capacity in development to 361 million tonnes per annum. 198 new projects have been added to the development pipeline.

    What good news have you got to share? Anything from your industry or space?



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 12.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 27-11-2023 09:07

    Good morning community! Here's some good news for you while you are sipping your morning coffee.

    Electric car battery prices are going back down faster than expected.

    Goldman Sachs Research now expects battery prices to fall to $99 per kilowatt hour (kWh) of storage capacity by 2025 - a 40% decrease from 2022 (the previous forecast was for a 33% decline). 

    The reduction in battery costs could lead to more competitive EV pricing, more extensive consumer adoption, and further growth in the total addressable markets for EVs and batteries. Lower battery prices could mean EV cost parity with ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles by mid-decade.

    If you are an owner of an electric vehicle, share your experience here. If you have invested in EV or EV infrastructure, do you agree with this rather positive prognosis?



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 13.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 04-12-2023 10:25

    Good morning community! Good news I'd like to share today are these:

    SAF are here? A Virgin Atlantic passenger jet powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) completed a London – to – New York jaunt on Tuesday last week, showcasing the potential of low-carbon options. SAF accounts for less than 0.1% of total global jet fuel use. This flight carried only Virgin's billionaire founder, Richard Branson, and a few others and it is set to return to London using conventional jet fuel.

    Aviation accounts for 2-3% of global carbon emissions. Engines in commercial use are not yet certified to fly on more than 50% SAF and the vast majority of flights blend in a much lower amount of SAF with traditional jet fuel.

    Watch 3-min video here

    I know for sure we have members who have experience and insights on the potential for SAF and for investors in this space, would love to hear from you on what you think the potential here is?



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 14.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 04-12-2023 11:25

    Mixed feelings about SAF as it all depends on what it is generated from and at the end of the day a fuel that doesn't leave CO2 in the exhaust is preferable.  However the reality is that if we are to continue flying long haul there may be no alternative except maybe Airships.  So Good news with caveats and hope for better solutions.

     

    SAP is a bit like CCS it allows an existing industry to carry on with limited change to business as usual.  If the SAP is generated from biological route there is a land use and a loss of what otherwise might be nature based longer term CO2 sequestration.  If it is based on capturing carbon from waste streams and then transforming with energy into fuel it depends on the waste stream being sustainable and the energy input being 100% renewable to arrive at a credible case for sustainability.

     

    The purists will rail against it but in reality it will have a role in transitioning but will be imperfect and not true netzero and needs to be replaced by a net zero solution on the 2050 time scale. Given the useful life of aircraft fleets it is probably a necessary stepping stone.

     

    I get more excited about the work retro fitting smaller short haul planes to run on Hydrogen.

     

    What do other's think?

    Has anyone looked at the full cycle analysis vs other uses for inputs for the different pathways to SAF?

     

    David






  • 15.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 11-12-2023 10:29
    Edited by Aya Pariy 11-12-2023 17:53

    How green hydrogen is putting Namibia on the map - Sustainable Views

    Hyphen Hydrogen Energy has agreed a deal with the government of Namibia for the next phase of a USD 10 billion green hydrogen project that will export to Europe once complete. Hyphen has signed MOUs with a number of potential European customers, to whom it aims to supply about 750,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually. Namibia is one of the world's sunniest and most sparsely populated countries. It is also water-scarce however.



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 16.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 17-01-2024 12:03
      |   view attached

    Good morning community!

    Adding to our Good news for sustainability thread. I felt uplifted when I saw this report "The climate action Gender Gap" from 30%club and Oliver Wyman
    "Women are the most likely changemakers for climate action". 

    Here's a snippet:

    You can donwload the full report from our library.


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    Aya Pariy
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  • 17.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 05-02-2024 10:19

    Good morning Community. Here's some good news for this Monday.

    European companies lead in linking ESG to senior pay.  Almost all main index constituent companies in Europe (93%) reported in this year's disclosures said they had incorporated at least one ESG metric in their executive incentive plans. This is up from 90% the previous year and just 75% three years ago. Read more here  ESGClarity

    TotalEnergies and Air Liquide create new joint venture TEAL Mobility to launch a hydrogen station network for heavy duty trucks. It will operate around 20 stations in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg and Germany from 2024. ESGtoday



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 18.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 07-05-2024 13:53

    Good news thread for this week!

    The Dutch city of Utrecht is a city where only 1 shared vehicle for 3 homes are allowed. The neighbourhood called Merwede has 4 clear rules:

    -          1 vehicle for 3 homes

    -          No space for privately owned cars

    -          Shops and restaurants are in walking distance. Residents are encouraged to take the bike

    -          Public transport is well developed.

    This neighbourhood is pioneering a car-free lifestyle. This helps to reduce emissions and congestion and free up urban space for other uses.  The area is designed with walkability and cycling in mind to remove the need for lengthy commuting. This project is currently under construction and it hopes to welcome its first residents this year. Read more here

    I would love to live in a city like this. I wonder how realistic this to re-design the existing UK cities and areas.

    Share your good news here too!



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 19.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 29-05-2024 10:52

    Good morning Community!

    This is a thread of "good news" for sustainability. It's not all doom and gloom. Share your good news here in this thread!

    This morning I wanted to celebrate Champions! Our community champions have been leading and guiding us on all things "community", dedicating their time, sharing their knowledge and learnings. We are lucky to have you as Champions and big thanks!

    Here are a couple of photos that I took during our recent Sustainability Conference!

    If you'd like to meet our Community champions give me a shout and I will introduce you to them. 

    @David Manuel
    @Katriona Baker
    @Beatrice Methe
    @Jacopo Gadani
    @James Doyle
    @Francesca Wheble
    @Anastasia Kuznetsova
    @Elaine Xu
    @Denise Santana
    @Jim Totty
    @Hamish Wilson
    @Nyasha Mafoti
    @Anatoliy Konyakhin

    @Eric Yim
    @Katy Husband
    @Anshula Venkataraman



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 20.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 30-05-2024 08:31

    Thank you Aya for the shout out to our champions.

    Thank you Champions for the hours that you've put into CFA UK to make it the engaging community that it is. 

    I noticed the 7th May topic on cities in this thread. We (C40) focus on cities as 56% (4.4bn people) of the population live in cities. Kate Raworth introduced us to donut economics - that we have successfully trialled in several cities across Australia and Europe. Climate budgeting in cities is another successful and interesting topic to deliver climate projects within the municipal budget. 

    If these topics are of interest, feel welcome to get in contact. 

    Best Regards,



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    Anita Brown
    C40 Cities
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  • 21.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 11-09-2024 09:44

    Good morning Community!
    I saw this good news and wanted to share with you. THis article is from "New Scientist".
    Plastic vaporising process could recycle bags and bottles indefinitly.

    Brief Summary:

    A new recycling process developed by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, can vaporize plastic waste into its chemical building blocks, allowing plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene to be recycled indefinitely without degrading. This process uses inexpensive, common catalysts to break down plastics into monomers that can be used to create new plastics with properties equivalent to virgin material. While promising, challenges remain, including dealing with additives in plastic.

    Share your good news for sustainability here!



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 22.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 09-10-2024 11:20

    Good morning community!

    Today I'd like to share some great news for some of our members to celebrate them and their achievements!

    Heartfelt congratulations to Raisa Beliard, BII who won BWAM (Black Women in Asset Management Award)! Raisa is our community Champion and was a speaker at one of our online networking meetups on DFIs strategies. Raisa is an impact investment professional specializing in emerging markets. Currently Raisa is with the British International Investment where she works within the private equity funds and the fund solutions teams covering Africa, South and Southeast Asia and the Caribbean.

    We also congratulate our member Raj Gohil, CFA, on joining Impact Investing Group here in London as a Global Leader on Distribution. Raj has been a community member for a while now. Previously he held senior positions with Macquarie Group. Congratulations Raj, we look forward to hearing more great news from you in the future!

    In other good news, we welcomed 2 new community champions! Heartfelt thanks for them for joining us and contributing their time and experience! Please welcome them.

    Anita Brown, CFA, is a senior manager for corporate and government funding, C40 Cities. Anita is an experienced banker having worked for Standard Chartered, Barclays and other financial institutions. Anita has been a very active member of the community, and we are grateful and delighted that she now is a community champion! 

    Warm welcome to Tarjei Lode, CFA, Chief Financial Officer of Nordic Unmanned. Tarjej has extensive investment expertise having worked for VC firms, done equity analysis and managed sustainable funds. Thank you Tarjei for joining us as a community Champion!

    If you have recent achievements or milestones or other things to celebrate, do share with me, so that we can celebrate together as a community!



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 23.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 09-10-2024 15:00

    Aya great post.....I like the round-up a Community Newsletter 


    No  like or celebrate emojis but deserved all round.  So well done to Raisa and Raj and Welcome Anita and Tarjei.








  • 24.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 12-11-2024 10:17

    Good morning community!

    I haven't contributed to Good news for sustainability thread for a while. Some people consider the election results in the States as not so good news for sustainability and I could feel a mood going to a very somber one within the community recently. It's not all doom and gloom mood, just a bit sober.

    So this morning I thought I'd bring some good news. Even if it is a bit futuristic. Scientists and engineers are now working on generating electricity from Sound Waves.  Like all energy, sound energy has the potential to generate electricity. Just like the sun provides unlimited solar energy and the breeze provides wind energy, sound energy is renewable because sentient beings and insentient objects alike constantly produce sound. While sound waves and energy production principles have long been understood, the technology to convert sound energy to electricity is in its infancy. However, as scientists and technicians investigate and improve the technologies involved in sound-generated electricity, sound energy may produce mass electricity one day. If that sounds like a pipe dream, remember solar and wind power were once beyond our grasp too.

    Some further readings and resources on this here:

    1. Justenergy.com
    2. Can Sound be Converted to Useful Energy? MIT Engineering
    3. NREL Puts Sound Waves to Test in Making Solar Cells Cheaper
    4. Advancements in Thermoacoustic Technology, ScienceDirect
    5. Vibe-Energy Tests at Duke University


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    Aya Pariy
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  • 25.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 13-01-2025 13:57

    Good morning Community!

    Happy 2025! I'd like to start the year with the positive news.

    The article "It's Cheaper Being Green" by Joachim Klement, published on December 3, 2024, discusses the financial advantages companies experience when investing in green projects. Klement notes that many firms find the capital costs for green initiatives to be lower than those for traditional projects, making sustainable investments more appealing.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Lower Capital Costs for Green Projects: Companies are discovering that financing green initiatives often comes with reduced capital expenses compared to conventional projects.

    • Increased Investment in Sustainability: The perception of higher returns from green projects is driving more firms to allocate resources toward sustainable investments.

    • Growth of ESG Investing: The popularity of ESG criteria has significantly contributed to the shift towards green investments, influencing corporate strategies and financial decisions.

    Share your good news as the year begins!



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    Aya Pariy
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  • 26.  RE: Good news thread

    Posted 03-02-2025 14:13

    Good morning Community!

    This is our good news for sustainability thread. It feels like this year it is more crucial than ever to share the success stories!

    Here's the artcile from Guardian that caught my eye today. 

    An Edinburgh court has ruled that the UK government's approval of the Rosebank oilfield and the Jackdaw gas field was unlawful. The court found that the original permits failed to account for the carbon emissions resulting from burning the extracted fossil fuels. This decision is a significant victory for climate campaigners, who argued that such omissions contravened legal requirements. The ruling sends the projects back to the UK government for further review, aligning with its commitment to phasing out fossil fuel extraction in favor of a greener future.

    Read the full article here



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    Aya Pariy
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