AmazingHour.com

CSR Success Story: Shed One Distillery’s Marmalade Fund – A Beacon of Community Support. In a world where small businesses often face mounting challenges, Ulverston’s Shed One Distillery stands out as a shining example of how corporate social responsibility (CSR) can thrive even in tough times. Through their innovative and heartfelt initiative, the ‘Marmalade Fund,’ Andy and Zoe Arnold-Bennett, co-owners of the distillery, have shown that supporting local communities isn’t just good for society—it’s good for the soul. Read More... https://lnkd.in/dBGwA_i3 #CSRSuccess #MarmaladeFund #CommunitySupport #Sustainability #SmallBusinessImpact #SocialResponsibility #AmazingHour

Weekly Wrap-Up: December 23rd – December 28th, 2024. As we approach the end of 2024, this week’s posts on Amazing Hour have spotlighted critical developments in corporate social responsibility, climate action, and the challenges ahead in addressing climate change. Here's a detailed summary of the week’s discussions, insights, and key takeaways: Monday, December 23rd, 2024 CSR Success Story: Baker Hughes and UC Berkeley Join Forces to Drive Global Decarbonization. This inspiring story highlighted the collaboration between Baker Hughes and UC Berkeley to accelerate global decarbonization efforts. Through cutting-edge research and innovative technologies, the partnership aims to address industrial emissions and pave the way for a low-carbon future. Key Takeaway: Industry-academic collaborations can be powerful drivers of sustainability, leveraging expertise and resources to achieve shared climate goals. Read More... https://lnkd.in/dEicFArD #WeeklyWrapUp #Sustainability #ClimateAction #CSRLeadership #ResilientFuture #AmazingHour

Community Conversations: Insurance Risks as a Proxy Carbon Tax – A Hidden Cost of Climate Inaction. As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, a new and regressive form of cost-sharing is emerging—insurance risks functioning as a de facto carbon tax. While the idea of a global carbon price has long been championed as a solution to mitigate climate change and redistribute resources equitably, the reality unfolding in 2024 paints a starkly different picture. Rising insurance premiums, driven by the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters, are placing a disproportionate burden on vulnerable populations. Read More... https://lnkd.in/dPdSxqcz #ClimateFinance #SustainableCommunities #InsuranceAndClimate #CarbonTax #ResilientFuture #AmazingHour #CSR

Thought Leadership: Big Oil’s Retreat from Renewables – A Short-Term Strategy with Long-Term Consequences. As we close out 2024, the energy landscape is marked by a significant pivot: major oil companies like BP, Shell, and Equinor have slowed their investments in renewable energy, redirecting focus to traditional oil and gas projects. This retrenchment comes amidst geopolitical instability, soaring energy prices, and shifting investor expectations. While this strategy may yield short-term financial gains, it raises critical questions about the global commitment to combating climate change and the future of sustainable energy. The Shift: Why Big Oil is Doubling Down on Fossil Fuels. The retrenchment of oil majors from renewable energy is driven by several interlinked factors: 1. Geopolitical Disruptions The Russia-Ukraine war has caused energy prices to spike, forcing governments and corporations to recalibrate their energy strategies. These disruptions weakened CEO incentives to prioritize low-carbon investments, with an 8% reduction in renewable spending reported by BP, Shell, and Equinor in 2024. 2. Investor Pressures U.S. oil giants like Exxon and Chevron, which maintained a focus on fossil fuels, have outperformed European counterparts that ventured into renewables. This has created pressure on companies like BP and Shell to prioritize high-margin oil and gas projects to appease shareholders. 3. Economic Challenges in Renewables Offshore wind projects have faced significant cost increases due to inflation, supply chain bottlenecks, and rising interest rates. Shell and Equinor’s cautious approach reflects these economic realities. 4. Policy Uncertainty With Donald Trump returning to the White House in 2025, the future of U.S. green energy policies is uncertain. His promises to repeal President Biden’s climate policies and withdraw the U.S. from global climate agreements add to the ambiguity. Read More... https://lnkd.in/d-RqXMJX #EnergyTransition #SustainabilityLeadership #ClimateCrisis #FossilFuels #RenewableEnergy #AmazingHour

Corporate Spotlight: Entergy – Spreading Holiday Cheer and Championing Sustainability. This holiday season, Entergy Corporation reminded us of the power of community and corporate responsibility through its heartwarming “Operation Secret Santa” initiative. As part of its long-standing commitment to supporting low-income families and individuals facing financial hardships, Entergy brought smiles and relief to customers by covering their utility bills at the Canal Street Customer Care Center. This gesture, powered by The Power to Care program, exemplifies Entergy’s dedication to making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Read More... https://lnkd.in/dfv45FFa #SustainabilityLeadership #CorporateSocialResponsibility #EnergyForAll #HolidayGiving #CommunityImpact

Deep Dive: 2024 Roundup on Climate Change – A Year of Milestones and Commitments. As the curtain falls on 2024, the global effort to combat climate change has seen significant advancements, driven by collaboration, innovation, and bold investments. The urgency to address the climate crisis was palpable during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where world leaders and stakeholders reiterated the need for collective action, especially in supporting resilience and adaptation in low-income countries. Beyond the conference, the year was marked by transformative commitments and groundbreaking initiatives aimed at creating a sustainable future. Here’s a detailed look at the most impactful climate stories of 2024 and their implications for global progress...https://lnkd.in/d4xssGbp #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #CSR #AmazingHour #Environment

Climate Action Tip: New York’s Bold Regulations to Cut HFCs and SF6 Emissions. New York State has taken a major step forward in the fight against climate change by adopting groundbreaking regulations to reduce emissions of two highly potent greenhouse gases: hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Spearheaded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), these measures are a key component of the state’s efforts under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) to transition toward a more sustainable and resilient future. For individuals and businesses alike, understanding and supporting these regulations is not only a civic responsibility but also an opportunity to contribute to the global push for climate action. Here's a detailed breakdown of what the new rules mean and how you can take actionable steps to align with these transformative policies. More..https://lnkd.in/dWVzY4B8 #ClimateAction #SustainableBusiness #GreenTechnology #EnvironmentalLeadership #Decarbonization #AmazingHour

CSR Success Story: Baker Hughes and UC Berkeley Join Forces to Drive Global Decarbonization. In a groundbreaking collaboration announced on December 23, 2024, energy technology leader Baker Hughes and the University of California, Berkeley have unveiled the establishment of the Baker Hughes Institute for Decarbonization Materials. This partnership represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of innovative, scalable solutions to combat climate change and reduce industrial emissions. Housed at UC Berkeley’s prestigious College of Chemistry, the institute will act as a bridge between cutting-edge academic research and practical, commercial applications. The partnership aims to accelerate the development and deployment of cost-effective climate technologies that support sustainable energy transitions globally. A Vision for Decarbonization At the heart of this initiative is the shared vision of Baker Hughes and UC Berkeley to address the urgent need for scalable, impactful climate solutions. The institute will focus on: Advanced Materials Development: Research will center on creating next-generation materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that can efficiently adsorb and separate gases like carbon dioxide from industrial emissions. Integration of AI and Machine Learning: These tools will be harnessed to expedite material discovery and optimize performance for industrial applications. Collaboration for Scalability: Baker Hughes will actively shape the research agenda, ensuring that discoveries are aligned with market needs and ready for industrial-scale implementation. Chris Pin Harry, Vice President of Technology at Baker Hughes, emphasized the importance of partnerships in driving sustainable energy innovation: “Innovation, collaboration, and partnership are critical to building the diversified portfolio of technology solutions necessary to meet the energy demands of today and tomorrow.” More..https://lnkd.in/dHja2DnV #Innovation #Technology #ArtificialIntelligence #ClimateChange #CSR #AmazingHour #Education

Weekly Wrap-Up: December 16th – December 21st, 2024. As the week comes to a close, let’s revisit the inspiring stories and actionable insights shared over the past six days. From transformative CSR initiatives to innovative climate action and community engagement, this week showcased impactful examples of progress and collaboration. Monday, December 16th: CSR Success Story – Victoria’s Secret’s Transformative Partnership with the Pacific Links Foundation in Vietnam We started the week by exploring Victoria’s Secret’s groundbreaking partnership with the Pacific Links Foundation. This initiative focuses on combating human trafficking in Vietnam by empowering vulnerable women and girls through education and employment opportunities. Key Takeaway: CSR initiatives that prioritize social justice and empowerment can create lasting, transformative change in communities. Tuesday, December 17th: Climate Action Tip – Anaerobic Digestion in Canada: Turning Food Waste into Green Energy Tuesday’s post highlighted how Canada is leading the way in turning food waste into renewable energy through anaerobic digestion. This innovative process not only reduces landfill waste but also generates biogas, a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. Key Takeaway: Simple, scalable solutions like anaerobic digestion can significantly contribute to waste reduction and clean energy production. More...https://lnkd.in/dMCXAft3 #Climate #ClimateAction #Environment #CSR #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #AmazingHour

Community Conversations: Go Vocal in Action—Transforming Engagement in Benicia’s Industrial Safety Ordinance Journey. The City of Benicia, California, with its picturesque waterfront and small-town charm, has long been recognized for its high quality of life. However, beneath this idyllic image lies a complex reality: the coexistence of a major oil refinery, operational since 1968, and a community deeply committed to public health and environmental sustainability. Over the years, tensions have simmered, fueled by past controversies such as the crude-by-rail project that left residents feeling unheard and disillusioned. When Benicia set out to develop an Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO) to regulate industrial facilities and enhance safety, transparency, and community notifications, it was clear that rebuilding trust and fostering genuine engagement would be critical. This is the story of how Benicia embraced inclusivity, transparency, and innovation to turn a contentious issue into an opportunity for collaboration and progress...More https://lnkd.in/dZ-dhKRS #CommunityEngagement #SustainabilityLeadership #PublicPolicy #TrustBuilding #GoVocal #AmazingHour