The Sustainability Learning Forum

Lhopitallier, Laurent

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From Waste to Energy – Successfully and Safely

Metso Corporation
Paula Niemistö

The Riverside Resource Recovery Energy from Waste Facility, the largest such facility in the United Kingdom, is located on the bank of the River Thames in London. Metso’s automation solutions play a significant role in managing the waste-to-energy plant successfully and safely. The plant produces around 478,000 MWh of electricity a year, which is the equivalent produced by burning 191,000 tons of coal. more[...]

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Bettercoal: Tackling sustainability issues in coal purchasing

RWE
Marga Edens, RWE

The energy transition has many facets. Not only is the structure of electricity generation shifting, but the procurement of fossil fuels is changing as well. In ever more places in the world, natural gas and coal are now being traded on commodity markets, somehow comparable to petroleum. It has not always been this way, especially with coal, which was previously obtained mainly from domestic mines. But this is changing now. In Germany for example, 2018 will mark the end of domestic extraction. Germany is already supplying a huge amount of its demand forcoal from other continents. This leads to new challenges with regard to sustainability issues. The markets have become a great deal more liquid. Most of the coal on offer comes from mines in South Africa, Colombia, and Russia; their geological features allow coal to be extracted at significantly lower costs than in Western- European countries like Germany. However, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the conditions under which such mining takes place and allegations have been made that the mining in thesecountries has an negative impact on workers, the local people and the environment. Many of these countries do not have the detailed environmental impact assessments, socially acceptable resettlements, and rules for workers’ representation in decision-making that we take for granted in OECD-countries. Often the statements issued by mining companies contradict reports from environmental associations, human rights organizations, and trade unions. more[...]

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Water and Energy: An Important Issue for GDF SUEZ

Engie

By 2030, the world will face a water shortage in the amount of 40 percent of its needs. The energy sector, which is the second major user of water behind agriculture, will have to face this challenge. Hence, it is important for GDF SUEZ to be prepared for potential impacts on its business and identify risks and opportunities related to the problem of lack of water. more[...]

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Exploring Sustainable Biofuels for Aviation

Pauline Lacroix, Air France and Jacqueline Houweling, KLM
AIR FRANCE KLM

Air France - KLM considers the transition from fossil fuels to renewables as a priority to ensure the future of commercial aviation. The Group’s strategy is to explore the entire value chain, from research to commercialization, and to set an example for the rest of the industry. Partnerships are important to accelerate the development of a market for sustainable biofuels. more[...]

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Reducing Carbon Emissions in Everyday Life

Dr. Nicola Schuldt-Baumgart, ISOE - Institute for Social-Ecological Research
Dr. Immanuel Stieß, ISOE - Institute for Social-Ecological Research

When it comes to protecting the climate, the focus is usually on business and industry. Less well-known is the fact that more than half of the total annual carbon footprint per person (11 tons) is the direct or indirect product of private households. more[...]

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How High Is Sustainability on the European Policy Agenda?

Elena Mocanu

Faced with economies still struggling to make ends meet, the European Union’s take on sustainability relies heavily on fundamental industry makeovers for signs of economic recovery. more[...]

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Sustainable Energy for All Targets

Sustainable Energy for All is about driving actions and mobilizing commitments to positively transform the world's energy systems. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the SE4ALL initiative in 2011 with three objectives: ensuring universal access to modern energy services, and doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, all by 2030. more[...]

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