Climate Change and Sustainable Solutions

SEPTEMBER 2019 | IMPACTINGOURFUTURE.COM

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How Interface is committed to sustainable business and saving the planet Pentair’s Project Safewater addresses the global lack of access to clean water

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Access to drinking water is a basic right, yet so many are left behind — this must change

Sustainability Is Now the Only Strategy for Business Success As politicians refuse to answer the call for climate change, society has turned to businesses to make a difference. This creates an opportunity for eco-conscious companies.

n business, you need to be prepared for the future.

Declining markets, fickle customers, and rising costs threaten the balance sheet that you have carefully nurtured, but these are just the day-to-day challenges in a longer push to succeed.

What can you do to ensure your business survives for the next 15 years? The next 50? The predictions for our future are dire; more heatwaves and polar vortexes, dwindling resources, mass civil unrest, political turbulence, water shortages, and more.

For companies around the world, focusing on sustainable development — ensuring the future resilience of people, planet, and prosperity — has been a key part of their business strategy. Forward-thinking businesses recognize the world is changing, but rather than being led by this change, they are driving it in a positive direction.

The only option We are seeing sustainability move away from being just one of many business strategies. It is becoming the strategy. In the future, successful businesses will be sustainable businesses.

Businesses that take account of risk management, reporting, and compliance across financial, social, and environmental factors, will be the ones that thrive.

but that it is absent from MBA programs. Student-faculty committees can integrate sustainability in curricula and businesses can request it as part of executive training. This will ensure tomorrow’s leaders are equipped with the skills they need to thrive in tomorrow’s challenging environment. See the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education for guidance.

Successful businesses will also recognize that sustainable development presents growth opportunities. How can businesses mitigate environmental, social, and economic challenges? How can it take advantage of the resulting opportunities, which could be worth as much as $12 trillion a year if the Sustainable Development Goals are achieved?

Here are some tips on how to do just that:

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Exploit places where goals overlap FedEx increased fuel efficiency in its air and truck fleet by 22 percent and 35 percent respectively, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 1.5 million metric tons, improving air quality, and saving over $300 million on fuel.

In another example, companies with better gender balance have

proven more profitable than their counterparts. Take advantage of free resources like WBCSD’s CEO Guides, the SDG Compass, and the SDG Business Hub to help identify these opportunities.

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se opportunities created by U sustainable development Sustainability creates demand for new products (think organic foods and cleansers) and, in many cases, larger profit margins as green products sell at higher prices.

There are many examples of this in the cosmetics industry. Natura sustainably sources ingredients from communities in the Amazon rainforest for its all-natural products and has experienced double-digit growth in recent years.

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each sustainability in T business school Companies say they want new hires to understand sustainability

Share your progress Reporting tools are your friends!

Transparency is increasingly necessary, not just from a regulatory perspective but from a stakeholder perspective. Start by checking which reporting frameworks apply to you on the Reporting Exchange. The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures and the Global Reporting Initiative are other good resources.

Anyone can be a champion of change and your business doesn’t have to be a multinational company (although it certainly wouldn’t hurt) to make a difference. From working with local suppliers to instituting recycling, every decision you make today can be good for both the world business. n The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

Publisher Stephanie Sherman, ALI Amanda Ippolito Business Developer Mac Harris, Jordan Hernandez Managing Director Luciana Olson Lead Designer Tiffany Pryor Designer Keziah Makoundou Copy Editor Dustin Brennan Director of Sales Shannon Ruggiero Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Lead Editor Mina Fanous Content Strategist Vanessa Rodriguez Cover Photo Hand in Hand Soap All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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Back in 1994, Interface’s founder, Ray Anderson decided his company would become the world’s first environmentally sustainable and restorative company. That was a big shock to the carpet industry’s petroleum-intensive manufacturing practices.

That’s when they started their Mission Zero sustainability efforts with the goal of eliminating their negative impact on the environment by 2020.

“It’s just been remarkable, the progress we’ve made over the past 25 years,” says Jay Gould, Interface’s CEO, who explains, “When we started with Mission Zero, we didn’t know how we were going to achieve that.”

Big impact The company’s green changes since 1996 include an 89 percent reduction in water-use intensity; a 96 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity from energy-use at manufacturing facilities — due to facility improvements and renewable energy use; and a 69 percent reduced average carbon footprint of Interface carpet tile products.

They regularly receive Global Sustainability Leadership Recognition and they’re the only company to remain on the list each year since the survey started in 1997.

“Interface is a legendary story of how businesses can change and be profitable and do good for the planet,” says Dr. Jona-

How One Flooring Company Is Leading the Charge for Sustainable Business than Foley, executive director of Project Drawdown, a nonprofit focused on substantive solutions to global warming.

He says more businesses should follow Interface’s lead: “You can look at this as a problem or an opportunity and the opportunity will win,” he says.

“This is an opportunity to make the world better and their customers better.”

Doing good While carbon dioxide keeps the Earth warm, too much of it means the climate is getting hotter at an accelerated rate.

According to Conservation International, the concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere — 408 parts per million in 2018 — is the highest level in 3 million years.

The flooring manufacturer went from “doing no harm” to doing good. They’re looking for ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by producing products that sequester carbon through the use of bio-based materials. And, in the meantime, all the products the company

sells are carbon-neutral through the full lifecycle of the product.

With their Climate Take Back™ sustainability mission, they’ve changed their business model and revised how they think about their supply chain.

One of their products, CircuitBac™ Green, a commercially available backing, uses natural, plant-derived carbon in its materials and ultimately stores more carbon during its life cycle than it emits. With up to 87 percent total recycled and bio-based content, the backing stores more carbon than is emitted during manufacturing, making it “carbon negative.”

“If we are able to figure out how to filter [carbon dioxide] back out of the atmosphere and convert it back into value in the supply chain, we’ll be able to solve climate change and do so in a way that creates a whole range of opportunities for economic growth and innovation,” says Noah Deich, executive director of Carbon 180, a climate-focused NGO on a mission to fundamentally rethink carbon.

He says more companies

need to be on board if we want to meet our climate goals.

“Very, very few companies understand the idea of pulling carbon from the atmosphere and using it as a potential resource and turning this waste back into an asset,” says Deich. “Interface has long been a leader in this space.”

Sustainability is better for business.

“If we can do it, anyone can do it,” says Gould. “If anyone can do it, everyone should do it.” They’re encouraging other big corporations to help reverse global warming before it’s too late.

“People are taken aback when we say, ‘we’re climate optimists,’ but we say that because there are actions both large and small that everyone can take to make a difference in this journey,” says Gould, who’s committed to making the company carbon negative by 2040.

“Everyone can do something little, which adds up to a big impact.” n Kristen Castillo MEDIAPLANET • 3

PHOTO:COURTESY OF INTERFACE

A global commercial flooring company is running its business in ways that restore the planet — and they’re calling on other businesses to join their green mission.

UPCOMING EVENTS LEGIONELLA 2019: BUILDING WATER SYSTEMS September 11-13, Los Angeles, CA ••• ONE WATER SUMMIT September 18-20, Austin, TX ••• 2019 CONCORDIA ANNUAL SUMMIT September 22-24, New York City, NY ••• AWWA ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE 2019 October 21-24, San Diego, CA ••• 3BL FORUM: BRANDS TAKING STANDS October 29-30, Washington, DC ••• WORLD WATER TECH NORTH AMERICA October 29-30, Los Angeles, CA ••• AQUATECH 2019 November 5-8, Amsterdam, Netherlands ••• AMERICAN WATER SUMMIT November 12-14, Houston, TX ••• US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S 2019 CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP CONFERENCE November 13-14, Washington, DC ••• SANITATION ECONOMY SUMMIT November 19-21, Pune, India

Why Companies Must Take Bold Steps to Address the Climate Crisis Companies are setting initiatives to lower their carbon footprints, but saving our planet will take drastic measures. he climate crisis and its impact on extreme weather, future carbon regulation, and the threat of other worsening factors are driving companies to manage risks and ensure a future for their businesses by setting aggressive goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions — but is it enough?

According to The Independent, “July 2019 is ... the hottest month ever recorded on Earth.

We are on track for the period from 2015 to 2019 to be the five hottest years on record ... the battle against climate change is the ‘race of our lives.’”

This is driving more than 300 organizations to set climate targets in line with the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions scientists say are needed to stay within reasonable atmospheric warming levels, known as science-based targets.

The reductions needed are substantial. Agribusiness giant Cargill is working to reduce GHG emissions from its beef production chain by 30 percent by 2030, which will equate to removing 2 million cars from U.S. highways for a year.

Pure Strategies, a leader in sustainability consulting. purestrategies.com 4 • IMPACTINGOURFUTURE.COM

Bold steps However, leading companies understand that typical efforts to achieve efficiencies throughout the business, even working upstream or downstream, are not enough. Bold steps are needed.

This means changing business models and working beyond the usual spheres of influence. Ben & Jerry’s, as a part of their science-based target efforts, is shifting its product portfolio to include plant-based desserts. The smaller carbon footprint from almond-milk ice cream is a step-change from the incremental improvements possible with dairy-based ice cream.

“Firms that take a stand on values, sustainability, and climate resiliency are better fit to serve and retain customers,” notes Forbes.

It is more than a business benefit; setting science-based targets and taking bold steps to change is a business imperative. Are you ready to join the leading companies taking the bold steps for our future? n Tim Greiner, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Pure Strategies

Building resilient businesses, integrating sustainabililty.

Safer Materials

Reducing Emissions

Sustainable Supply Chains

Addressing Sustainability and Climate Change Through the Lens of Water Having access to safe water is a human right, and is essential for well-being and dignity. That means everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, political ideals, or any other identifier, must have access.

“Leaving no one behind,” the central promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, gives all of us a crystal clear message: everyone must participate in, and benefit from, the progress of development.

In the realm of water, this means achieving SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), which aims for universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030.

“Water for all,” of course, means leaving no one behind. An obvious statement perhaps, but one that needs to be made because, however much progress we have seen in recent decades, roughly 2.1 billion people still don’t have access to safe water.

What’s more, “The Sustainable Development Goal 6 Synthesis Report 2018 on Water and Sanitation” shows we are already off-pace to meet SDG 6. Demand for water is rising, pollution is worsening, funding is lacking, and governance is often too weak to manage this precious resource efficiently and effectively.

Business as usual, then, is not an option.

As the 2030 Agenda commits us “to reach the furthest behind first,” we must ask ourselves who, among the 2.1 billion people currently

unserved with safe water, are the most marginalized groups and how can we reach them?

A changing planet Climate change, in combination with political turmoil, is only likely to make this situation worse. It is estimated intense water scarcity could displace 700 million people worldwide by 2030. Failing to ensure such large numbers of people enjoy their human right to water can only make the world more unstable.

Just as the water crisis negatively affects so many aspects of global society, turning the tide will have far-reaching benefits. Indeed, SDG 6 is one of the “central” SDGs because of its vital role in ensuring human health, dignity, equality, and productivity, and the survival of the ecosystem.

Furthermore, investing in water supply and sanitation makes good economic sense. The return on investment is high in general, and for the vulnerable and disadvantaged in particular, especially when broader macroeconomic benefits are taken into account. The multiplier for the return on every dollar invested has been globally estimated to 2 for water supply and 5.5 for sanitation. n Murray Burt, Global WASH Manager UNHCR Rio Hada, Team Leader, Human Rights and Economic and Social Issues Section Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, OHCHR Stefan Uhlenbrook, Coordinator, UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme

Julia Louis-Dreyfus Is Making a Commitment to Green Living Award-winning actress and producer Julia Louis-Dreyfus drives an electric car, frequents farmers’ markets, and uses solar power in her home.

She hopes you’ll follow her lead.

Fans know her as Elaine Benes from “Seinfeld” and Selina Meyer, the vice president on HBO’s “VEEP,” but Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus wants you to know about her passion to protect the environment.

“My actions have an impact on humanity and generations to come,” said the actress, producer, and environmentalist, who makes the Earth a priority and encourages others to do so, too.

“I don’t really lecture, I just do,” she said.

Louis-Dreyfus, her husband, and two sons have many green habits.

When building their family home a few years ago, they incorporated sustainability by installing a grey water system to recycle water, using reclaimed wood, and powering the home with solar energy.

Making good choices Global warming is a big concern for Louis-Dreyfus, who admits going green can be difficult or overwhelming, especially at first. However, she says little changes can make a big impact.

Getting started from green living means doing things that are good for the environment, such as recycling, “or being aware of how you spend your money on light bulbs, paper, and the food you buy, and the food you put in your body,” Louis-Dreyfus said.

She advocates for others to get involved on the local level, and says it’s important to evaluate what the most important environmental concerns are, and then work to make positive changes to fix those problems.

Kristen Castillo MEDIAPLANET • 5

How Businesses Can Set, and Achieve, Meaningful Sustainability Goals As sustainability becomes more important to consumers and necessary for the planet’s future, companies will increasingly be rewarded for going green. We asked industry experts about what their companies have done to set and hit high-quality green benchmarks.

Where do you see the future of sustainable business practices heading?

Diederik Scheepstra: We are at an exciting time for sustainability because companies have learned that they need to make sustainability an integral part of the business, and be actively involved in finding solutions to address real issues throughout the supply chain. We have consumers to thank for that.

The way a company operates and the impact it has on the world is now vitally important to people. One-off programs are not enough. I am convinced that genuine efforts to make a difference will be recognized and will lead industries in the right direction — and vice versa.

What do you believe is the No. 1 challenge for companies trying to achieve sustainable goals?

DS: The ability to operate on a level playing field.

This is a major challenge for a global industry like aviation. It is challenging to create a fair business landscape across international borders. Creating a sustainable aviation industry is all about work-

Diederik Scheepstra Commercial Director USA, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Elisabeth Comere Customer Sustainability Manager-Americas, Tetra Pak

ing together with all stakeholders: governments, passengers, suppliers, corporations and competitors. This is a matter that goes beyond competition.

Elisabeth Comere: Collaboration will be the key enabler for change, especially for systemic challenges, such as packaging waste collection and recycling where all parties (i.e., consumers, industry, recycling value chain actors, and municipalities/governments) must play an active role for recycling to occur.

For instance, Tetra Pak and other carton packaging manufacturers co-founded the Carton Council to increase car-

6 • IMPACTINGOURFUTURE.COM

ton recycling throughout the United States — the whole model of the Council is based on collaborating with all stakeholders across the recycling value chain.

The challenge is establishing those collaborative models through robust private and public-private partnerships, while also aligning on the goals of the changes we are trying to make. This requires a change of mindset to move beyond competition to experiment, learn, share, and be open.

Another challenge is developing knowledge and expertise in the specific areas of interest at a rapid pace. With recent shifts in sustainability demands, innovative packaging solutions are on the rise and companies are striving to deliver circular innovation. This requires full understanding of various scenarios and options, and anticipating unintended consequences of new innovative solutions.

Entering into cross-sector partnerships to gain this expertise is the way to go.

For example, Tetra Pak joined WWF’s ReSource Plastic initiative in May 2019 to address plastic pollution.

How can an organization continue to improve its

sustainable goals?

EC: Measurement is a key aspect in tracking and improving sustainability goals. Having a thirdparty methodology to develop and track goals is also critical for transparency, accuracy, and credibility. At Tetra Pak, we are part of the Science-Based Target Initiative. This is a third party that helps ensure we have set a meaningful and credible environmental goal.

Setting a science-based target was the right thing to do for our company. It was also a way of checking whether the targets and activities we had in place were aligned with the latest science defined with the support/buy-in of external stakeholders, such as WRI, CDP, WWF, etc.

Having a science-based target has actually driven innovation in our company, forcing us to raise internal knowledge on renewable energy investment. We are looking at how to make investments in solar panels part of bigger projects, to spread the cost over a longer period of time. So far our investments in generating our own renewable energy have been reasonably modest, but we are scoping possibilities, mapping scenarios, and planning

for the future with the ambition to only rely on renewable electricity by 2030.

What do you find to be the most important facet of a company or organization’s sustainable goals?

EC: I believe transparency and accuracy are critical.

Organizations must be able to substantiate any environmental claims made and track progress against the goals established. Consumers and retailers expect to understand what companies are doing to help protect the environment. So having credible environmental goals and making them public are important aspects of building brand credibility.

DS: Addressing the real problem — a company’s sustainable goals should be focused on where it has the most impact. As an airline, we should spend the majority of our efforts on climate change, because that is where we have the biggest footprint. That is where we have the most work to do as an industry and that is where we are the experts. By focusing on the true problem, you create true value — for the company and the world around us. n MEDIAPLANET

PLANT-BASED MATERIALS ARE FOREVER Tetra Pak® cartons are recyclable and made mostly from renewable, plant-based materials that grow back over time. Our commitment to sustainability is demonstrated by our products and the way we run our operations, always ensuring we do our part to help drive a low-carbon circular economy.

Tetra Pak® Protects What’s Good.

TetraPak.com/us/good

@TetraPakUSA

What We Can Do to Prevent the Spread of This Serial Killer Disease Numerous species of Legionella exist, but only one is a serial killer.

Regular testing for L. pneumophila ensures the water management plan for a building or cooling tower is successfully reducing the risk of this deadly disease.

Water management plans, specifically those based on the ASHRAE 188 Standard, are the best way to manage L. pneumophila growth in buildings.

Building owners and managers need to know if L. pneumophila bacteria is in their water system in order to protect residents, patients, customers, and employees. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Legionnaires’ disease cases have increased more than 500 percent since 2000.

However, the CDC reports 90 percent of Legionnaires’ disease cases could have been prevented by implementing effective water management plans. The ANSI-accredited industry standard, ASHRAE Standard 188, outlines the steps building owners should follow to implement effective plans.

Regular testing for L. pneumophila with a reliable culture test, performed at an accredited laboratory, is integral to a comprehensive water management program. L. pneumophila serogroup 1 is by far the most common source of Legionnaires’ disease but all serogroups of L. pneumophila are dangerous. Luckily, building managers can use the same control measures to address all L. pneumophila serogroups detected.

Idexx Laboratories

8 • IMPACTINGOURFUTURE.COM

Legionella Outbreaks Are Increasing, but Preventable Legionnaires’ disease is an increasing public health threat in America but most outbreaks can be prevented.

We have much to celebrate during World Water Week. Water utilities across the United States provide safe and affordable drinking water throughout the country from large cities to small towns.

However, once water enters distribution systems, many factors can affect its chemical and microbiological composition. These factors can include biofilms, water main breaks, residual disinfectant depletion, stagnant “dead zones” in building plumbing systems, and temperatures that help facilitate growth of certain bacteria, including Legionella, the bacteria responsible for Legionn-aires’ disease.

Becoming a crisis New outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, are reported across the United States on a regular basis.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 8,000 cases were identified in 2018, a fivefold increase since 2000, but public health officials and scientists agree cases are largely underreported or undiagnosed.

Legionella is a common bacteria in lakes, rivers, and soil and poses little public

health risk in its natural environments.

Legionella becomes a significant public health concern when it enters distribution/plumbing systems.

Fortunately, we know that many, if not most, Legionnaires’ disease illnesses and deaths can be prevented. The CDC conducted an exhaustive review of Legionella outbreaks and found approximately 90 percent of them could have been prevented if a comprehensive building water management plan had been implemented.

By identifying hazards, developing engineered and process control measures, monitoring outcomes, and validating that the designed approach is working, environmental health professionals can successfully manage risk across a wide range of settings.

Collaboration Experts from around the world will gather in September at the Legionella Conference 2019 – Building Water Systems: The Sustainability & Public Health Nexus to explore this growing public health concern, to discuss emerging issues related to plumbing systems, and to explore proactive water management strategies.n Chris Boyd, General Manager, Building Water Health, NSF International

Every time we turn on the tap, we want to know the water will be clean and safe to drink.

However, water quality is different across the country, across towns, and even across the street. Homeowners looking to improve the quality of their water can take the following steps: Know what’s in your water If you use city water, contact your municipality for its Consumer Confidence Report, which provides a general overview of the water supply. If you are on well water, or use city water but would like a report specific to your home, work with a water treatment professional who can run a comprehensive test and make the appropriate recommendations.

Pick your solution When selecting a solution, consider what it is you are trying to

How You Can Improve the Quality of Water in Your Home remove. A whole home system filters the water where it enters the home, and is suitable where sediment or chlorine are a concern. Water that is intended for drinking is best suited to an undersink drinking water sys-

tem to filter contaminants like lead and chlorine.

Select a technology There are two primary types of drinking water technologies — carbon filtration and reverse

osmosis. Carbon filtration is effective at reducing contaminants like lead, volatile organic chemicals, and chlorine taste and odor. Reverse osmosis systems employ carbon as well, but also use a membrane filter, which allows for finer filtration and further reduction of potential contaminants.

The benefits of treated water go beyond your family’s physical health. Sound water solutions achieve cost effectiveness by delivering bottle-quality refreshment at a fraction of the price, and can even help extend the life of your appliances.

A simple change can bring peace of mind to your family.

To find a water solution for your home, visit www.pentair.com/ water. n Melissa Jones, Vice President, Pentair Residential & Commercial Systems

How a New Project Is Creating a Sustainable Solution to the Water Crisis SPONSORED

Project Safewater aims to bring clean, potable water to the billions around the world who lack it — the first step involves partnering with local communities.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2.1 billion people around the world lack access to safe, clean water — and more than twice as many lack proper sanitation.

“Lack of access to clean water has a huge impact on people’s

health and livelihood,” says Marybeth Thorsgaard, vice president of communications at Pentair, a water treatment company, and president of the Pentair Foundation. “Sick people can’t go to school or work. And since it often falls to women and children to retrieve water for their family — sometimes having to walk long distances — the negative impact affects them at a disproportionate rate.”

Improving access The Pentair Foundation, funded

by Pentair, launched Project Safewater in 2007, collaborating with Water Mission in Colón, Honduras to bring more than

200 safe water stations to a community of 300,000 people.

“Helping to bring safer water to the world is at the heart of the Pentair Foundation’s mission,” Thorsgaard points out.

“With the Pentair Foundation, we have been able to provide thousands in Honduras with safe water, sanitation, and hygiene training,” says George C. Greene, IV, president of Water Mission. “As a result, individuals and families have experienced significant improvements in their health.” In fact, a long term study demonstrated the project reduced instances of waterborne diseases by 80 percent.

The success in Colón led to the project’s expansion into other

areas of Honduras as well as projects in India and Kenya.

Sustainable solutions Thorsgaard stresses the importance of sustainability in these projects.

“The work of Project Safewater is holistic in nature and it includes training the community to run the water systems, which in turn creates local micro-enterprise opportunities that help sustain these initiatives,” she says.

Part of that sustainability is freely sharing Pentair’s experience with other organizations.

“The problem is enormous,” she says. “It will take more than one company to solve this.” n Jeff Somers MEDIAPLANET • 9

How Renewable Natural Gas Can Help Us Fight Climate Change Right Now Renewable natural gas is a clean, safe alternative to fossil fuels and offers the opportunity for sustainable economic growth in both rural and urban settings. aste is an inevitable byproduct of life. Even with our best efforts to reduce packaging and single-use plastics, recycle and reuse more, and consume less, it’s a biological fact that society must consistently confront the challenges of waste and decay.

It’s not often appealing to talk about, but it is attractive when we consider the opportunity to use society’s various forms of organic waste in envi-

ronmentally beneficial ways, especially those that mitigate fossil fuel use. Biomethane provides that very opportunity and benefit. Also known as renewable natural gas (RNG) because of its interchangeability with geologic gas, biomethane is a vital component of the suite of solutions needed to combat climate change.

The decomposition of organic waste from our wastewater, food waste, landfills, and agriculture emits biogas (predom-

inantly comprised of methane and carbon dioxide). When left unmanaged, organic waste decomposition contributes significantly to some of our largest emitting sectors. Capturing biogas and converting it into RNG is the best solution to mitigate these emissions.

Above and beyond Rapidly replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy from the wind and the sun are not sufficient alone. Because intermittent

renewable sources are more challenging and expensive to store, we require baseload renewable energy complements to quickly decrease fossil fuel use.

RNG not only provides a substitute for geologic natural gas in producing baseload power — it is also an ideal, rapidly deployable solution to decarbonize our existing natural gas distribution systems, and medium and heavy-duty transportation sectors.

Produced primarily in suburban or rural areas, each new RNG production site inserts $10 million or more into local economies, while creating dozens of next-generation renewable energy jobs. RNG is a readily deployable answer to fight climate change right now. n Marcus Gillette, Director of Public Affairs, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas

PHOTO: UNICEF/UNI193997/GILBERTSON

What It Will Take to Deliver Safe Water for All

To close the gaps in water quality and access, we need strong partnerships that can advance climate-proof solutions.

Imagine you are a 9-year-old girl living in rural Ethiopia. There is no running water in your home, no well from which to draw, and 10 • IMPACTINGOURFUTURE.COM

so each day you are sent to fetch water for the family on foot.

You don’t have time for school because you are too busy making sure there is enough safe water in your home. This is not a childhood, yet it remains an all-too-common plight for millions of children.

Inequalities persist Global efforts have improved water quality and access over the past two decades, but there is still work to do. There are striking gaps in sanitation and hygiene as well. Less than half of the world’s population had access to a toilet that was connected to a sanitation system that supported safe waste disposal, and 2 out of 5 people in the world lacked regular access to soap and water for handwashing.

Climate change is a big factor in water scarcity and related issues.

This is why organizations like UNICEF are accelerating efforts with partners in government, civil society, and both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors to implement innovative solutions.

In 2015, the international community committed to delivering safe water and sanitation for all as part of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

To achieve these goals, we must pick up the pace on closing the disparities that exist between the rich and poor, rural and urban. We’ll need to strengthen systems in sustainable ways, which will take community empowerment and participation, and local stewardship.

If we fail, the world’s poorest children will continue to bear the brunt of water scarcity and remain at risk of being left behind. n Caryl M. Stern, President and CEO, UNICEF USA

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What One Business Is Doing to Help Kids Find Clean Water With almost 3 million bars of soap donated, Hand in Hand found a simple solution to fight back against water-related illnesses in children. n 2011, married couple Courtney Apple and Bill Glaab read an article with an alarming statistic: 5 million children die each year from water-related illnesses. With access to soap and hygiene education, Apple and Glaab learned these childhood deaths could be cut in half.

Soon after, they founded a sustainable soap company that donates a bar of soap for every bar sold. Today, with an array of products, distribution through the nation’s top retailers, and partnerships with two notable

5 million children die each year from water-related illnesses. non profits, Hand in Hand has donated approximately 3 million bars of soap to date.

With their first partnership in Haiti, through the non-

profit child advocacy group My Neighbor’s Children, Hand in Hand donated approximately 1.6 million bars of soap to children across orphanages, schools, clinics, hospitals, and communities. In 2013, they also started a clean water program, installing, and repairing wells that provide thousands of people with clean water every day.

Spanning the globe In 2018, Hand in Hand expanded its donations to Cambodia with Eco-Soap Bank, a non

profit started by Samir Lakhani, a 2017 CNN Heroes Award recipient. Lakhani recognized a need to save wasted hotel soaps from landfills and reuse them for a greater good. Employing and empowering women, EcoSoap Bank provides upcycled soaps and hygiene education to schools, hospitals, and villages across the globe.

These values of sanitation and sustainability aligned with Hand in Hand’s mission, making their partnership a perfect match. Together, they’ve distributed over 1.3 million bars of soap to children at 943 schools in four Cambodian provinces.

With every Hand in Hand purchase, one bar of soap and one month of clean water is donated to a child in need.

You can find Hand in Hand products nationwide at Whole Foods, and regionally at Wegmans, Fresh Thyme, Kroger, Target, and Ulta. n Zofia Wolicki, Chief Operating Officer, Hand in Hand

MEDIAPLANET • 11

Join us in creating a more sustainable future As an airline we are aware of the impact we have on the planet. That’s why we strive to be an industry leader in sustainability. Despite being at the top of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 14 consecutive years, we still have a long way to go. And we can’t do it alone. That’s why we invite our partners, passengers, and competitors to join in our effort to create lower impact aviation. Find out more on klm.com/flyresponsibly