sustainability

On December 2, 2025, Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL) executives will participate in a fireside chat at the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference. President Stéphane de La Faverie and Chief Digital & Marketing Officer Aude Gandon will discuss the company’s strategic vision, growth prospects, digital transformation, and approach to evolving consumer preferences. Topics will include brand strategy, sustainability efforts, and leveraging technology like AI to enhance customer experiences. A live webcast will be available on the EL Companies investor website.

Air Products (APD) announced a quarterly dividend of $1.79 per share, payable February 9, 2026, to shareholders of record on January 2, 2026. This reflects the company’s dedication to shareholder value. Air Products, a major player in industrial gases for over 85 years, focuses on energy, environmental, and clean hydrogen markets. The company supplies industrial gases and related equipment, while also developing and operating large-scale clean hydrogen projects, leveraging its expertise towards sustainable solutions and potential future growth.

SMX and CARTIF are collaborating in Spain to deploy SMX’s molecular tracing system in CARTIF’s pilot plants, creating verifiable material passports for recycling. This partnership links traceability to research, accelerating validation for grants and compliance. SMX’s technology embeds a unique signature into materials, providing real-time data and a digital passport. Building on a successful Singapore project, this initiative aims to scale across European supply chains, transforming sustainability into a competitive advantage. The success hinges on regulatory acceptance and industry adoption.

Bill Gates urges a shift in climate strategy, emphasizing human welfare alongside emissions reduction. He argues for prioritizing poverty and disease alleviation, viewing them as integral to climate action. While acknowledging the challenges of meeting Paris Agreement goals and political volatility, Gates remains optimistic about technological innovation, particularly in the tech sector. However, concerns arise regarding the energy demands of AI and its potential impact on sustainability targets. Despite potential risks of an AI bubble, tech companies face pressure to invest in emerging technologies.

Europe’s AI ambitions are threatened by increasing water scarcity. Data centers, crucial for AI, consume significant water, especially in water-stressed Southern Europe where tech giants are investing heavily. Experts highlight the lack of integrated planning, prioritizing AI over sustainability. While the EU emphasizes green computing and recycling, concerns persist about the overall water footprint, including off-site energy generation. Some regions are facing tensions and enacting restrictions due to strain on resources, prompting the industry to explore sustainable innovations like non-potable water feeds and water-efficient designs.

Carnival Corporation is expanding its “Less Left Over” food waste reduction strategy by launching meal donation programs in Mexico, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. These partnerships with local food banks and organizations will redirect surplus high-quality meals to vulnerable populations, marking the first time a cruise line has established such programs in Latin America. This initiative extends Carnival’s meal donation program to 19 port destinations and reflects its commitment to addressing hunger and promoting sustainability. The program builds on a successful model already implemented in Europe.

SharkNinja, in partnership with MassChallenge, is launching the SharkNinja Innovation Challenge to support STEM innovators and early-career entrepreneurs. The nationwide competition invites university students and young individuals (18-24) to submit applications by October 24th in categories like consumer problem-solving, sustainability, and universal design. Finalists will receive mentorship, resources for prototyping, and IP counsel. Winners will get cash prizes and mentorship to accelerate growth, with a live pitch finale in early 2026. This initiative falls under SharkNinja’s “Innovation for Impact” program.

SMX (NASDAQ:SMX) is innovating sustainability verification with molecular-level technology that enforces recycling and safety standards in real-time. By embedding verifiable identifiers directly into materials, this approach allows for automated verification of recycled content, flame retardants, and other safety features. Recent initiatives include partnerships with A*STAR in Singapore for a national plastics passport system, REDWAVE in Europe for industrial process verification, and the North American Flame Retardant Alliance (NAFRA) for safety compliance. This provides governments and manufacturers with verifiable proof of compliance.

Microsoft is investing $4 billion in a second Wisconsin data center, following a $3.3 billion initial commitment. The Mount Pleasant facility, equipped with Nvidia Blackwell GB200 GPUs, will support demanding AI workloads, addressing the growing demand for AI processing power. This expansion comes amidst a global scramble for cloud infrastructure driven by AI adoption. Microsoft aims to match energy consumption with carbon-free sources, including a 250-megawatt solar farm. The data centers’ power requirements exceed 900 megawatts, but Microsoft aims to avoid inflating local energy costs. Wisconsin is poised to become a major AI hub.

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China’s sustainability efforts are gaining recognition, with an upgrade from “A-” to “A” in Hang Seng Indexes Company’s 2025 ratings. Impressive environmental performance and corporate governance contributed to high rankings within the Hang Seng Composite Index and Hang Seng China A (Investable) Index. Ping An’s strategy focuses on integrated finance, health, and senior care, leveraging technology and green initiatives. The Group’s commitment extends to rural revitalization and community support through its “San Cun Hui” welfare platform.