Sustainability
What will it take to drive more sustainable funding to India?
According to John Doerr, India must invest in five critical areas to drive sustainable funding. First, financial incentives need to be enhanced. Second, government R&D investment must increase. Third, venture capital needs to play a more significant role in India's sustainability landscape. Fourth and largest is project finance to fund major initiatives. Fifth is philanthropic investing, which is particularly important for catalyzing change. Doerr's plan calls for increasing global government subsidies for sustainability from $120 billion to $600 billion, creating a foundation for meaningful climate action in India.
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Environmental Defense Fund
19:40 - 20:54
How is sustainability becoming a driver of change in global supply chains?
Sustainability has evolved from a corporate value into a significant driver of operational change across global supply chains. Companies like 3M have implemented zero landfill waste in 30% of their manufacturing plants worldwide, while focusing on dematerializing production and creating a more circular economy. According to survey data, 18% of businesses are already changing their supply chains specifically for sustainability reasons, with this percentage expected to grow. This transformation extends throughout the entire supply chain - from production plants to refrigeration techniques, warehousing, and logistics. As consumer markets expand, particularly in Asia where growth remains strong at 4-6%, sustainability considerations are becoming a critical criterion for future business operations.
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Bloomberg Live
18:05 - 20:51
How is bamboo being utilized in modern construction and sustainability efforts?
Bamboo is increasingly becoming the backbone of construction and sustainability, with scientists in China developing advanced technologies to enhance its strength and durability for large-scale infrastructure projects. A notable example is the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, where bamboo composite panels have successfully withstood harsh conditions including sunlight, typhoons, and seawater exposure for six years. Despite its woody appearance, bamboo is actually a grass with a strength-to-weight ratio surpassing certain steel alloys. It absorbs nearly 50% more carbon dioxide than typical trees, making it environmentally superior. India has also pioneered the world's first 200-meter bamboo crash barrier on a highway in Maharashtra, which achieved top fire safety ratings and proved its resilience in high-impact situations while offering 50-70% recycling value compared to steel barriers' 30-50%.
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WION
05:17 - 07:53
How is Saudi Arabia transforming its economy?
Saudi Arabia is working to transform its oil-dependent economy by developing new industries and economies, some of which they aim to invent themselves. This historically closed kingdom has now opened its borders, welcoming international tourists for the first time as part of this economic diversification strategy. The transformation includes massive projects like Neom, a futuristic development with an estimated budget of $1.5 trillion, which aims to create sustainable, technology-driven urban spaces and luxury resorts along the coast. This ambitious initiative represents Saudi Arabia's vision to harness its oil wealth to create a new economic future based on tourism and innovation.
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Johnny Harris
28:19 - 28:38
What is Sudan's current sugar production and consumption situation?
Sudan's annual sugar consumption amounts to approximately 1 million tons, but the country is heavily reliant on imports to meet this demand despite having agricultural potential. Most sugar is now imported from various countries including Brazil and Cuba, as Sudan has never achieved self-sufficiency in sugar production. Even when local sugar factories were operational, Sudan still needed to import sugar to satisfy domestic needs. The situation has worsened due to ongoing conflict and economic turmoil, leaving many sugar factories defunct and farmers without livelihoods tied to domestic production, further deepening the country's dependence on foreign sugar sources.
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Al Jazeera English
01:41 - 02:00
What was the significant achievement of Solar Impulse in 2015?
In 2015, Solar Impulse made aviation history by completing a journey around the world powered entirely by sunlight. This groundbreaking aircraft demonstrated the potential of sustainable aviation technology through its historic circumnavigation. While Solar Impulse showcased what was possible with solar power, it has now paved the way for Bertrand Piccard's new Climate Impulse project, which aims to circumnavigate the globe in 2028 using green liquid hydrogen technology instead of solar power.
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WION
01:35 - 01:46