FlexSea’s bioplastic achieves top certification, Ekko to showcase at COP29 and Royal appointment for Alex and Mike
FuturePlus
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FlexSea’s bioplastic achieves top Biobased Certification
FuturePlus member, FlexSea has announced that its bioplastic formulation has achieved a stellar 97.7% biobased carbon content, securing the top accreditation of 4 out of 4 stars. The certification marks a huge milestone, confirming that nearly all the carbon in our materials is sourced from renewable, organic biomass.
The demand for sustainable alternatives to fossil-fuel plastics is only growing and FlexSea’s next-generation bioplastics provide an innovative solution for companies striving to reduce their carbon footprint.
The advanced bioplastics deliver all the functionality of conventional plastics with the environmental benefits of biobased innovation.
Congratulations to co-founders Carlo Fedeli and Thibaut Monfort Micheo and the whole team.
EU and UK Diverge on Climate Transition Plans for Businesses
The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) has issued draft guidance on corporate climate transition plans, setting the stage for new standards in sustainability reporting across the EU.
This guidance supports upcoming regulatory mandates under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), with the latter requiring companies to begin aligned reporting by 2027. The document outlines expectations for businesses’ climate transition plans.
Key elements include setting emissions targets aligned with the 1.5°C global warming limit, clear plans for achieving these targets without undue reliance on carbon credits, and details on financing via the EU’s green finance taxonomy.
The guidance also emphasises transparency on companies’ exposure to high-carbon sectors and potential impacts on workers, communities, and ecosystems. Notably, EFRAG’s recommendations diverge from the UK's Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) framework.
Ekko to Showcase Sustainable Finance Solutions at COP29
FuturePlus member, ekko has been selected to showcase at COP29 Azerbaijan as part of the UK Pavilion in Baku from 11-17 November.
Ekko’s innovative approach, known as the ‘enviroconomy’, empowers banks and payment providers to help consumers manage their environmental impact through everyday transactions.
By enabling people to make a difference with each purchase, Ekko combines finance and environmental awareness.
Through its platform, consumers can support meaningful environmental projects, making a measurable impact simply by using their bank cards. This approach educates and engages consumers, encouraging them to take small actions that together drive significant change for the planet.
Ekko’s presence at COP29 highlights the potential for finance to contribute to climate action, demonstrating how sustainable transactions can reshape the relationship between spending and environmental impact.
As a FuturePlus member, Ekko shares our vision of driving growth through sustainability.
Earthshot Prize 2024: celebrating Sustainable Innovation
The Earthshot Prize has announced its latest winners, each receiving £1m in funding for breakthrough projects that tackle some of our planet’s biggest environmental challenges.
Hosted in Cape Town this week, this year’s ceremony saw a diverse cohort of innovators and leaders recognised across five key categories: improving air quality, protecting and restoring nature, reviving oceans, addressing climate change, and building a waste-free world.
One standout is Keep IT Cool | Earthshot Prize Winner 24 from Kenya, which took home the award for its solar-powered cold storage solutions that have reduced food waste in fishing communities by 25%. Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems from the US was also honoured for its pioneering waste heat recycling technology, aimed at reducing carbon emissions in industrial settings.
In nature conservation, the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative was recognised for its tireless work in restoring Kazakhstan’s Golden Steppe habitat, helping protect the near-threatened Saiga Antelope. The High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People , representing 119 countries, won for its ocean protection efforts, while Ghana-based GAYO was awarded for improving air quality through sustainable waste management and employment.
Since its founding in 2020, the Earthshot Prize has committed £50m to climate solutions, aiming to spark global change. With these winners, the journey toward a sustainable future looks brighter.
FuturePlus supports techUK’s report on the Vital Role of UK Tech SMEs
We’re proud to contribute to techUK 's latest report, UK Tech SMEs: Driving Economic Growth and Innovation, which spotlights the transformative impact of tech SMEs on the UK economy. This comprehensive report combines quantitative insights from Beauhurst with interviews from tech SMEs, offering a detailed view of the sector’s contributions and the unique challenges these businesses face.
The report reveals that:
This indicates that while tech SMEs are driving economic growth, they often operate with limited financial resources.
Through our collaboration, FuturePlus provided insight into sustainable growth and resilience strategies, addressing key challenges for tech SMEs, including access to scale-up finance, commercialisation challenges, and talent shortages.
Regional disparities and cash flow issues, compounded by late payments, further highlight the need for more supportive infrastructure.
FuturePlus is committed to supporting these businesses as they continue to innovate, fostering growth that benefits both local communities and the broader economy.
Download and read the full report here.
Royal appointment for Alex and Mike
Our co-founders, Mike Penrose and Alexandra Smith had the honour of attending the International Sustainability Reception at Buckingham Palace yesterday, invited by the Master of the Household on behalf of His Majesty The King.
The prestigious event brought together global leaders to discuss critical issues like climate action and plastics reduction, focusing on building momentum for COP29 and the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations.
Connecting with others dedicated to making real progress toward a more sustainable future was inspiring.