How 25% of Europe's landscape could be rewilded, why Kraft Heinz needs to climate-proof its ketchup, how the Euros pushed carbon insetting, and more.

Nearly 25% of Europe’s Landscape Could be Rewilded, Research Finds

• Rewilding abandoned farmland has the potential to restore biodiversity in Europe.
• Nearly 25% of Europe’s landscape could be rewilded.
• Passive and active rewilding strategies are proposed.
• The success of rewilding depends on factors like area size and wildlife presence.
• Some European countries are better positioned to meet conservation goals with rewilding than others.

“There are many areas in Europe that have a low enough human footprint, as well as the presence of key animal species, to potentially be rewilded,” said lead author of the study Miguel B. Araújo, a biogeographer with Portugal’s University of évora and Spain’s National Museum of Natural Sciences.

As seen on Eco Watch

Climeworks Orca First DAC Project To Receive BeZero AAA Rating

• Climeworks Orca is the first direct air capture (DAC) project to receive a AAA rating from BeZero Carbon .
• The rating recognises the project's effectiveness at removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• Orca uses geothermal energy to capture and store CO2 underground.
• BeZero Carbon is a rating agency that evaluates carbon credit projects.
• DACCS projects are crucial in mitigating climate change.

The AAA rating is the highest possible score awarded by BeZero Carbon, a leading carbon ratings agency. It signifies that the carbon credits issued by Orca are highly likely to deliver the promised carbon removal benefits.?

As seen on Carbon Herald

Record Heat Is Testing Kraft Heinz’s Efforts to Climate-Proof Its Ketchup

• Record heat in California, where all 亨氏 ketchup tomatoes for the US market are grown, is threatening this year’s tomato yield.
• Heinz has invested millions of dollars in research and development to create tomato varieties that can withstand hotter, dryer growing seasons.
• This year’s harvest season is underway, but the true impact of the heat wave on yield won't be known until mid-October.
• Experts agree that there will be some yield loss, but the extent is uncertain.
• Heinz has contingency plans in place, such as dipping into back stock or sourcing tomatoes from other regions, in case of a significant yield reduction.

As seen on Bloomberg

68% of Large U.S. Companies Now Have Dedicated Sustainability Reporting Budgets: EcoOnline Survey

• Most large U.S. companies have a dedicated budget for sustainability reporting.
• Nearly all companies plan to increase spending on sustainability reporting.
• Companies are investing in technology to collect data on greenhouse gas emissions.
• Sustainability is believed to lead to positive impacts on revenue and brand value.

“Our survey highlights a critical tipping point where U.S. companies are boldly moving beyond reactive compliance and penalty avoidance, embracing sustainability as a powerful engine for growth. While they are committed to these initiatives, the specifics of how they will achieve their goals remain uncertain. This underscores the need for clear strategies and robust technology solutions to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and drive meaningful impact.” Tom Goodmanson, CEO of EcoOnline Global

As seen on ESG Today

Carbon insetting funds and free public transport: How sustainable were the Euros 2024?

• UEFA implemented several sustainability measures for the Euro 2024 tournament, including sustainable travel options, green energy use, circular economy initiatives, and a climate fund for local sustainability projects.
• Match tickets included free public transport, and the tournament schedule was designed to minimize air travel.
• All stadiums were operated entirely on green energy.
• Venues implemented circular economy principles, such as reusable cup systems and food donation programs.
• UEFA invested €7m in a climate fund to support environmental projects led by amateur football clubs and regional associations across Germany.
• UEFA also aligned its sustainability strategy with the German supply chain act and excluded gas, oil, and utilities companies from commercial partnerships.
• External audits and reports will assess the tournament's sustainability performance and environmental and social effects.

As seen on Edie

Wizz Air unlimited flights for a year: How does the deal work?

• Wizz Air is offering a deal for unlimited flights for a year for an upfront fee of ￡430 and ￡9 per flight.
• Flights can only be booked 72 hours in advance, and availability is not guaranteed.
• The deal includes taxes and charges, but checked bags and seat selection are extra.
• The environmental impact of unlimited flights needs to be considered as it encourages flying over other modes of transport.?
• It’s imperative for every traveller to consider if their journey is really necessary.

As seen on The Independent

Can developing Asia host a green Olympics?

• Developing Asia faces challenges and opportunities in bidding to host a green Olympics.
• Indonesia proposes a new sustainable capital city, Nusantara.
• India has financial backing but faces air pollution challenges.
• Both countries need to improve their environmental credentials to host a green Olympics.

“The challenges of building and managing the sports and related infrastructure, let alone green infrastructure, are enormous. Hosting the Olympics requires organisational capacity, efficiency, technical skill and financial resources of a huge magnitude. The track record of India for holding international games?does not bear this out,” said Shreekant Gupta, former professor at the Delhi School of Economics.?

As seen on Eco Business

Latest innovations in aviation

Is Hydrogen Fuel the Future of Sustainable Aviation?

• Airbus is aiming to develop a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035, with a range of 2,000 nautical miles (3,704 kilometers).
• Hydrogen fuel is a potential sustainable option for the aviation industry, but there are challenges.
• Airbus is aiming to develop a commercial hydrogen engine airplane by 2035.
• The high costs of production and storage are drawbacks. Read more here.

Examined: How & Why Shark Skin Is Being Used To Reduce Emissions In Aviation

• Shark skin-inspired AeroSHARK technology reduces aircraft emissions by about 1%, offering significant fuel and cost savings.
• It works by reducing skin friction and drag, improving lift if attached to the wings. This translates to a reduction of nearly 1,200 metric tonnes of carbon emissions per aircraft annually. Read more here.