Sustainability

• [New] Carbon neutrality Peru's textile sector aims to become a carbon neutral industry in the medium term with a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, in line with Peru's commitment.
• [New] Clorox seeks to prevent plastic waste and pollution in packaging, pledging to halve its use of virgin plastic and fiber by 2030 while doubling PCR recycled plastic.
• [New] Throughout the Decade, the ocean science community will be called upon to play a central role in global efforts towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14 which focuses on conserving and sustainably using the ocean's resources.
• [New] India runs the largest clean energy programme in the world and aims to achieve 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022 in line with its commitments to mitigating the effects of climate change.
• [New] The plastic waste generated worldwide is expected to triple to 155-265 million metric tonnes per year by 2060.
• [New] Indonesia's government last year launched a plan to cut ocean plastic waste by 70% by 2025, and to end plastic pollution altogether by 2040.
• [New] NASA plans to collaborate with both international and commercial partners to sustain a more conducive research and development project by the end of the decade.
• [New] China's transition to a low-carbon economy will start reshaping commodities in 2021 with the Communist Party's upcoming economic blueprint, the 14th Five Year Plan, to focus on technological innovation and environmentally sustainability.
• [New] Karnataka is working on a plan to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030.
• [New] Without decreases in plastic production and increases in recycling, by 2040 plastic pollution entering the ocean will triple from 11 to 29 million metric tons each year.
• [New] $90 trillion of investment is needed to finance sustainable infrastructure and cities in the U.S., and that after 2024, fines totaling as much as $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion will be paid to meet enforcement of climate standards for emissions reduction.
• [New] By 2030, the World Bank estimates that two thirds of the world's extreme poor will live in fragile or conflict-affected countries.
• [New] 2021 might look to be a better year, but people in Singapore are still feeling the economic effects of Covid-19.
• [New] Massachusetts lawmakers on Monday passed sweeping climate legislation that sets a statewide net zero limit on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, includes new renewable energy targets and efficiency standards, and codifies environmental justice provisions into state law.
• [New] Through an additional investment of $22.8 million over five years (2019-20 to 2023-24), the Canada Book Fund has undertaken an initiative to support the sustainable production and distribution of accessible digital books that can be used by all Canadians, including persons with print disabilities.
• [New] Diversified business entity ITC has set a target to meet 100% of purchased grid electricity requirements from renewable sources by 2030 as part of its Sustainability 2.0 Vision.
• In coming years, there will be augmented road development across the world, and steel rebar is commonplace in road development projects as it is used to reinforce concrete.
• China will continue to lead the economic recovery in 2021 due to various economic stimulus measures, while other nations will also enjoy the beneficial effects of government stimulus spending through 2021.
• The World Bank described two different outcomes that are contingent upon the outlook for vaccinations - a delayed vaccine rollout could limit global growth to 1.6% in 2021, while effective virus containment and a faster vaccination process might rev up global growth by up to 5%.
• Most scheduled minimum wage increases took effect as expected throughout the year, with another 49+ - mostly in California-updating over the shift to the new year.

Last updated: 16 January 2021