Master violin luthier invents world’s first vegan violin
Currently, most violins contain glues made from animal hooves and hides. Violin bows are often also not vegan since they’re made from horsehair.
Business
This archive collects stories about businesses making measurable progress on social, environmental, and economic challenges. From small enterprises to global companies, these 661 articles highlight what the private sector is doing right — and what’s possible when profit and purpose align.
GM makes largest-ever investment, spending $7 billion on EV manufacturing capacity
GM is spending $7 billion to erect a new battery plant and overhaul an existing assembly plant to produce electric trucks. The move will create more than 4,000 jobs.
LEGO to build its first carbon neutral factory in Vietnam
The factory will cost over $1 billion and aims to create 4,000 jobs over the next 15 years after production on the factory line begins in 2024. Construction will start in the latter half of 2022.
European supermarkets discontinue selling Brazilian beef to protect the Amazon
Sainsbury’s in the U.K., Lidl in the Netherlands, and the Dutch retailer Alhold Delhaize were among the companies saying they would move away from stocking Brazilian beef.
Uber and Opibus partner to deploy up to 3,000 electric motorcycles in Kenya by end of 2022
After the successful completion of a pilot program in Kenya, Opibus and Uber have announced a strategic partnership to scale the use of electric motorcycles in Africa.
IKEA to phase out plastic packaging by 2028
The shift will happen progressively over the coming years, and mainly be focusing on paper as it is both recyclable, renewable, and widely recycled across the world.
Developers cancel Oregon pipeline and natural gas export terminal
The $8 billion, three-foot-wide, 229-mile-long pipeline would have carried methane-based gas from Canada to the Oregon facility where it would have been shipped to international markets.
United Airlines logs first-ever commercial flight powered entirely with biofuels
Made up of fats, cooking oils, and grease produced by the company World Energy, this “Sustainable Aviation Fuel” is said to emit 80% less carbon dioxide than traditional fuels.
ELLE becomes first major fashion magazine to ban fur in publication
The company’s decision extends across all 41 branches of the publication and will go into effect in 33 publications on January 1, 2022. The remaining 20 will adopt the policy on January 1, 2023.
Nissan to spend $18 billion developing a cheaper, more powerful EV battery
Nissan says its solid-state battery will cut charging time by two thirds and help its EVs to achieve cost-parity with gas-powered cars.