US Top Environmental Concerns: Pollution & Climate Change

As the world grapples with pressing environmental challenges, the United States faces its fair share of issues. Such issues include water pollution, air pollution, plastics pollution, and climate change. These problems have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, human health, and the planet as a whole.

In this blog , we will explore these environmental problems, their causes, and their consequences, highlighting the urgent need for action. Furthermore, we will conclude by introducing two online certificate courses that offer practical solutions for sustainability professionals in tackling these challenges head-on.

Water Pollution:

Water pollution is a pressing concern in the United States, affecting rivers, lakes, and groundwater sources. Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and inadequate sewage treatment are major contributors to this problem. Chemical pollutants and excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, lead to harmful algal blooms and dead zones, impacting aquatic life and human health. Efforts to improve water quality involve stricter regulations, better wastewater management practices, and promoting eco-friendly farming techniques.

Air Pollution:

Air pollution poses a significant threat to public health in many American cities. Emissions from industries, power plants, vehicles, and other sources release pollutants like particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants contribute to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and premature deaths. Addressing air pollution requires the adoption of cleaner energy sources, tighter emissions standards, and the promotion of sustainable transportation alternatives.

Plastics Pollution:

Plastics pollution has become an alarming issue affecting the environment, particularly oceans and marine life. Single-use plastics, such as bottles, bags, and straws, contribute to the massive accumulation of plastic waste in landfills and water bodies. Microplastics, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items, are also a concern. Mitigating this problem involves reducing plastic consumption, promoting recycling and waste management practices, and encouraging the development of sustainable alternatives.

Climate Change:

Climate change is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with far-reaching consequences. Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise threaten ecosystems, human health, and economies. The burning of fossil fuels for energy and deforestation are the main drivers of climate change. To combat this crisis, a transition to renewable energy sources, sustainable land management practices, and international cooperation is essential.

The environmental issues plaguing the United States, including water pollution, air pollution, plastics pollution, and climate change, require comprehensive solutions. Through the pursuit of the Online Certificate on Carbon Reduction and Net Zero Strategies and the Online Certificate on Circular Economy, individuals can actively contribute to mitigating these problems and fostering a more sustainable and resilient future. By equipping individuals with specialized knowledge and skills, these courses empower participants to become catalysts for change, driving sustainable practices and shaping a greener future.

For more information contact us at mailto:events@cse-net.org

The New Era of the ISSB: Transitioning from the SASB Standards to IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards

What Do You Need to Know?

Capital markets require consistent and comparable disclosure to provide long-term value to shareholders and secure the future of our planet. To meet these requirements, the IFRS Foundation has proposed creating a global baseline of high-quality sustainability disclosure standards through the new International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). The ISSB will consolidate and build on existing frameworks, standards, and guidance rather than create something new.

As part of this consolidation effort, the SASB Standards will serve as the starting point for the ISSB’s industry-specific requirements. This means that the SASB Standards will ultimately transition into IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards using ISSB due process. Ownership of the SASB Standards will transfer to the IFRS Foundation in June, along with existing projects such as work to internationalize metrics following market feedback.

What does the Transition Mean for Report Preparers and Users?

In the short term, there is no change for report preparers and users. They should continue to use the SASB Standards to ensure that they meet the present and future information needs of investors. Adopting the SASB Standards, the Integrated Reporting Framework, and/or the TCFD recommendations now will better prepare companies for the future adoption of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards.

In the medium term, it is important to provide input into the development of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. The IFRS Foundation has already taken a step in the right direction by creating two prototypes that leverage content from the SASB Standards. The goal is to streamline the reporting landscape, consisting of IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, financial accounting standards (either IFRS or US GAAP), and a connecting framework for describing a company’s governance, strategy, and risk management of financially material sustainability issues.

In the long term, a streamlined landscape for reporting to investors is envisioned, consisting of IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, financial accounting standards (either IFRS or US GAAP), and a connecting framework for describing a company’s governance, strategy, and risk management of financially material sustainability issues. Together, these resources will enable a company to provide a comprehensive view of performance and prospects on the financial markets.

The Online Certificate on SASB & TCFD Reporting by CSE

As sustainability disclosure standards evolve and transition into new frameworks, it is important for professionals to stay informed and knowledgeable about these changes. The Online Certificate on SASB & TCFD Reporting by CSE is designed to help participants acquire or enhance their competency to understand the requirements of the SASB Standards and the TCFD recommendations. This course is focused on the acquisition of knowledge of applying the SASB Standards, as well as reporting on the organization’s climate-related risks and opportunities based on the TCFD recommendations.

By taking this course, professionals can better prepare themselves for the future adoption of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. The course is an excellent opportunity to stay informed, stay competitive, and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-changing landscape of sustainability reporting.

For more info visit our website or contact us at events@cse-net.org.

This World Water Day, let’s take a moment to learn about the impact of the textile industry on our water sources. Water is an essential resource for most organizations and reducing its footprint brings a lot of benefits.

Explore what businesses can do to reduce their water footprint and make the textile sector more sustainable.

What is the textile sector?

The textile sector refers to the production of textiles – fabrics, yarns and materials created from cotton, wool, and synthetic fibers. This sector encompasses the entire process from the growth and harvesting of the raw materials to the manufacturing and retailing of finished products. The global textile sector employs millions of people and accounts for 2.5% of the world’s GDP. Textiles have been used since ancient times and remain an essential component of global trade and industry. As the global population continues to grow, so too does the textile sector. However, this growth comes with a cost: the pollution of our valuable water sources.

Water pollution in the textile sector

The textile sector relies heavily on water for the processing of raw materials and the finishing of textiles. During these processes, dyes and chemicals are released into our waterways and contaminate the water sources that are vital for drinking, bathing, farming, and recreation. Synthetic fibers, such as polyester and polyamide, are also a major contributor to water pollution.

These fabrics are not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to break down. They are also highly absorbent, which means that microplastics and other toxins on our waterways will cling to them. This can harm wildlife, contaminate drinking water and spread toxins to other ecosystems. Moreover, textile dyeing is the second-largest polluter of water worldwide, with the fashion industry producing 20% of the world’s wastewater.

How can the textile sector reduce water pollution?

Businesses, organizations can take steps to reduce their water footprint and make the textile sector more sustainable. Businesses can start by replacing synthetic fabrics with organic and recycled alternatives, such as bamboo, hemp, or organic cotton. This will not only reduce water use, but will also eliminate the need for harsh dyes and chemicals, further reducing water pollution. Organizations can also reduce their water footprint by buying fewer or used items, or investing in sustainable textiles.

Why World Water Day matters for the textile sector?

The textile sector is one of the world’s largest polluters of water. World Water Day is a day set aside to remind individuals and organizations of the importance of clean water sources. Our actions can have a profound impact on our waterways. Now more than ever, it is important for businesses to consider their water footprint and take steps to reduce it.

By investing in sustainable materials, recycling water and reducing the amount of water used in their processes, companies can play a vital role in the fight against water pollution.

Discover more topics on water footprint and how to reduce it with LCA methodology, by enrolling to the recently updated Online Certificate on Carbon Reduction and Net Zero Strategies. You can register with a special 20% discount until March 31, using the coupon code “NZ20”.

Sustainability Academy’s New Website is taking up a notch the ESG Tools for Sustainability Professionals

Education is the most powerful tool to transform organizations for becoming more Sustainable and have a positive impact on our planet.

We focus on all professionals, entrepreneurs and graduates who want to excel in the sustainability (ESG) profession.

The Sustainability Academy is excited to announce the launch of its brand-new website at sustainability-academy.org

At Sustainability Academy, we believe that education is the most powerful tool to transform organizations for becoming more Sustainable and have a positive impact on our planet. We focus on all professionals, entrepreneurs and graduates who want to excel in the sustainability (ESG) profession.

With that in mind, the website supports the most excellent user-friendly navigation with well-formatted content to browse. It is designed to specifically encourage deeper interaction among visitors, trainers, and consultants.

Streamlined menus create a smooth navigation by providing direct paths to high-use pages, enabling the website to evolve to meet changing user preferences.

Acknowledging the growing percentage of users who access information on mobile devices, the website delivers seamlessly across all device types and platforms. All content is 100% responsive on tablets and smartphones, so that information is easy to see, with full functionality retained.

Sections and features of the new Sustainability Academy website include:

Contact Forms to easily connect with us on most pages
Quick access to all our online courses
Direct connection with CSE and all the upcoming certified training programs
A rich variety of content on sustainability, CSR, ESG, new trends and other hot topics

The introduction of the Sustainability Academy’s new website celebrates the soaring record-breaking demand for group online training for companies and online course services in gerneral and is here to take up the challenge!

About Sustainability Academy:

The Sustainability Academy is CSE’s global initiative to offer affordable specialized online education and in the field of Sustainability, Climate Change, Circular Economy, and Corporate Responsibility. The Sustainability Academy is set to make a difference on this planet, and we invite you to take on the journey with us!

For more information, please visit https://sustainability-academy.org/

Also follow us on Twitter @CSE_network or on our company page on LinkedIn.

Reach us at: info@sustainability-academy.org

Sustainability Academy’s New Website is taking up a notch the advanced Certified courses, that will be of interest to professionals who want to update their knowledge and have a recognized qualification in the field of Sustainability, Corporate Responsibility, Sustainable Development and Circular Economy.

6 steps to create an effective carbon reduction strategy

According to the European Union’s action plan, countries must achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Although there’s a great challenge on doing so, as defined by the European Parliament, this does not only imply to completely eliminate GHG emissions. Instead, organizations should manage a balance between their carbon emissions and the amount of carbon that the atmosphere absorbs from the sinks.

How to start with a carbon reduction strategy.

Firstly, you start with a carbon footprint calculation to check on the CO₂ emissions and their impact. You have successfully used the right tools to analyze the activities. You have also calculated which are the most polluting. However, are you confident enough to implement a successful carbon reduction strategy?

Usually, a lot of businesses believe that by choosing to offset their carbon can be the first and great option, but this is not effective when it comes to reducing CO2 emissions. Reduction efforts need to become more penetrating with an efficient emissions reduction strategy.

Designing the timeframe

What is the timeframe of this strategy? Scheduling the roadmap will facilitate the process of development and implementation so that the targets can be timely met while staying on the financial plan.

Detecting reduction opportunities

Exploring opportunities in all scopes of emissions can result in actual reduction, while also providing an exceptional ROI. Going through the 3 scopes (direct and indirect), it will be easier to identify potential reduction opportunities.

Setting costs and impacts

A list of potential strategies to evaluate the CROI (climate return of investment) prospective for each opportunity, determination of costs, emissions reductions potential and the timeline for applying need to be considered.

Assess actions

Examine opportunities based on specific criteria, such as complexity, benefits, stakeholder requirements and impact operations. It is useful to score each of these criteria before moving on to prioritize actions.

Developing the plan

It is suggested that a group of professionals has received the proper information and education on how to evaluate and keep track of the progress. It is also important to be in line with the timeframe.

Setting Targets

The more precise the targets (meaning they are measurable, relevant and achievable), the closer to reaching the carbon emission reduction goals.

If you are interested to acquire the necessary practical skills on how to apply a carbon reduction strategy, Sustainability Academy offers a certified course with information on international standards relating to Carbon Reduction Strategies and Reporting, including WRI GHG Protocol, CDP, ISO 50001, GRI.

For more information and an exclusive discount contact training@cse-net.org

4 Strategic steps to accelerate the path to net zero

Just before 2021 ended, more that 680 of the world’s largest corporations claimed net-zero emissions goals. The number of net zero targets that have been set by companies is still rising, covering almost 80% of the global economy, according to Net Zero Tracker. This private sector leadership is giving policymakers the confidence to raise national targets, facing now an unprecedented pressure from investors.

Major emitters like United Airlines, BP, Nestlé, and Dell have pledged to reduce their impact on climate change and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Moreover, NatWest, a major retail and commercial bank in the United Kingdom, plans to invest £100bn in climate and sustainable funding by the end of 2025, which could contribute 50% of the UK’s net zero target.

If world leaders want to have a chance of achieving the Paris goal, net-zero is the only way. However, according to the New Climate Institute and the non-profit Carbon Market Watch, real action is still lagging and some of the world’s biggest companies may not even get close to achieving their claimed goals.

How can companies advance toward net-zero?

Zero-carbon skills are required: A net-zero economy will require different skills. To achieve the target of being zero carbon by 2050, higher levels of formal education, work experience and training are needed.

Understanding where your company currently stands: Assess Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and quantify all other indirect emissions from the value chain (Scope 3). Since they are not under your company’s direct control, the quantification and reduction process are not an easy task.

Set your roadmap: Setting a roadmap secures a better financial future. However, defining a vision and assessing your company’s emissions is not enough. Everything should be translated into measurable improvements. Unfortunately, too many net-zero pledges fail to account properly for all GHG emissions.

Tracking the progress: Recognize the gaps to improve data availability and accuracy. Companies should keep in mind that transparency is a key element of good practice in net zero target setting. A great number of companies lack the integrity needed for decarbonization, hiding critical information.

Lead your organization along the Net Zero journey. Sustainability Academy provides a leading Qualification as well as the opportunity to expand your knowledge in the most crucial fields of Sustainability.

Check out our certified online courses here.

Reach us at events@cse-net.org