TECH & INNOVATION

UK Government, TotalEnergies and Safran boost net-zero aviation

A range of research and technology projects have secured backing from the UK government’s  £3 million net-zero aviation fund, to help accelerate the development and deployment of electric and hydrogen aircraft at UK airports. R&D projects securing government backing include wireless electric airplane charging, immersive and extended reality hydrogen safety training, and ultra-lightweight pressure vessels for hydrogen storage. In related news, France’s TotalEnergies and aircraft equipment manufacturer Safran have signed a strategic partnership agreement to develop technical and commercial solutions for the decarbonisation of the aviation industry. In the short-term, the partnership aims to make current engines compatible with fuel containing up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel . In the longer-term the companies will work to optimise engine/fuel energy efficiency and environmental performance. (Business Green,  ChemEngOnline)

CLIMATE CHANGE

Diageo begins distilling bourbon at its first carbon neutral distillery

Global spirits and beer company Diageo has announced the opening of its first carbon neutral distillery, with capacity to produce up to 10 million proof gallons per year powered by 100% renewable electricity. Based in Kentucky USA, the facility has already begun distilling its Bulleit Bourbon brand whiskey, , and is expected to avoid more than 117,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually. The distillery was built to ensure that fossil fuels are not used during production, with a mix of wind and solar energy used to power the electrode boilers, onsite electric vehicles, and internal and external lighting and equipment. The site also utilises virtual metering technology to advance visibility of water, electricity, and steam usage, enabling the collection of key data to drive resource efficiency and sustainability. (ESG Today)

WASTE 

Samsung, Hyundai develop technology to recycle wastewater sludge

Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Steel have jointly developed a new solution to reuse wastewater sludge from the semiconductor ‘chip’ manufacturing process as a supplementary material in steelmaking. Wastewater sludge is the sediment from the wastewater treatment process generated during semiconductor manufacturing, and accounts for more than half of the total waste generated in the semiconductor process. The collaboration’s research found that calcium fluoride in the sludge was similar to fluorite, a material used in steelmaking to reduce melting temperatures and remove impurities. The companies partnered with South Korean recycling firm Pos Ceramics, to develop wastewater recycling technology to work towards replacing fluorite with recycled wastewater sludge. The development will enable Hyundai to lower production costs, and will help Samsung meet its environmental objectives by recycling its wastewater. (Pulse News; The Korea Herald)

STRATEGY

CBRE builds out net-zero pledge to cover every property it manages

CBRE, the world's largest commercial real estate company, has pledged to achieve net-zero by 2040 across its own operations, supply chain, and all the properties it manages. The firm has signed The Climate Pledge, a commitment to achieving net-zero carbon 10 years ahead of the global 2050 goal set out under the Paris Agreement. Crucially, CBRE will be including in its carbon reduction targets emissions generated from its portfolio of properties, which stretches across 100 countries. The announcement follows on from CBRE's adoption last year of science-based targets and its committing to the Science Based Target initiative’s Business Ambition for 1.5^oC, which calls on businesses to set net-zero targets in line with climate science to limit global warming to under 1.5^oC. (Business Green)

CONSUMERS

Google to show hotels’ sustainability credentials with new search option

Tech giant Google has announced that tourists will now be able to see information on a hotel's sustainability efforts while searching for a stay on its platforms. The search engine will place an "eco-certified badge" next to hotels it has verified are making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. To qualify for the accreditation, hotels will have to be certified by independent organisations like Green Key or EarthCheck. The hotels’ “about” section will include information on the specific measures a hotel is taking, like waste reduction or using sustainably sourced materials. Google also allows holiday-goers to see a carbon emission estimate when searching for a flight through its partnership with  Travalyst – an initiative developing a standardised way to calculate carbon emissions from air travel. (Yahoo)

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