U.K. government announces plans to ban plastic straws, cotton-buds, and stirrers
The U.K. government has laid out plans to prohibit the distribution and sale of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds.
2018 C.E.
India’s Sikkim becomes the first 100% organic state in the world
India’s north-eastern state of Sikkim has won the award for the being the “100 per cent organic state” that promotes agroecological and sustainable food systems.
MIT pledges $1 billion to develop ethical artificial intelligence
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced a billion-dollar initiative to confront the rise of artificial intelligence that will involve supporting deep interdisciplinary research into both AI’s promise and its ethical perils.
E.U. teams up with Bill Gates to launch $115.2 million clean energy investment fund
In a statement Wednesday, the Commission said the 100 million-euro ($115.2 million) fund would be used to help “innovative European companies develop and bring radically new clean energy technologies to the market.”
Jamaica to run on 50% renewable energy by 2030
Jamaica set to run on 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, up from the previous 30 per cent target.
Mayor of London announces £5 million funding for public water fountains
The Mayor or London, Sadiq Khan, has announced a £5 million fund to implement more public water fountains.
Amazon signs deal for 100% renewable electricity in their U.K. buildings
The solar panels are expected to generate the equivalent amount of electricity required to power over 4,500 U.K. homes and will reduce the company’s carbon footprint by 6,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Scottish Power switches to 100% wind power
Scottish Power has become the first integrated energy company in the U.K. to make the shift from coal and gas generation to wind power.
PepsiCo inks deal for 100 per cent recycled plastic packaging
The “multi-year” supply agreement, announced late last week, will see Loop supply PepsiCo with production capacity at its factory in the US, which produces PET plastic using 100 per cent recycled materials.
Tens of thousands march across France to demand climate action
Tens of thousands of people marched in Paris and other major cities across France on Saturday to call for greater action on climate change.