@Risk

Last week, the world population reached 7 billion. Almost concurrently, NRG Expert released new forecasts which show that, given the current rate of population growth, global electricity supply is not likely to keep pace with future energy needs.

According to the new study, the energy tipping point is only about 20 years from now. NRG Expert predicts that 2032 will be the pivotal year where global electricity demand is likely to surpass supply based on global generation.

Of course, population growth isn’t the only factor that impacts the sustainability of the world’s energy supply. As NRG Expert points out, depleted natural resources and the phasing out of nuclear power in developed and developing countries also play a role.

A new report from Capgemini seems to draw a similar conclusion. The 13^th edition of the European Energy Markets Observatory (EEMO) found that energy consumption growth in developing countries, the Fukushima accident and the slowing down of the needed investments made by utilities all will have negative consequences on the security of energy supply and greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. (more…)

As part of its continued efforts to help the Democratic Republic of Congo break the link between the minerals trade and armed groups, the US government will formally launch the Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade (PPA) next month in Washington, DC.

According to a fact sheet, the PPA aims to combine the financial and technical resources of governments, companies, trade associations, civil society, and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) in support of three goals: (more…)

More than 100 global economies –including six G7 economies –have energy supplies that are at “extreme” or “high” risk in the short-term, according to a new analysis from Maplecroft.

The study, titled The Energy Security (short-term) Index, assesses immediate risks to the availability, affordability and continuity of energy supplies in 196 countries by evaluating energy imports, diversity of supplies, import security and energy costs.

Maplecroft rated three countries, Sierra Leone (1), Gambia (2) and Guinea Bissau (3), as “extreme risk” in the short-term index.

In addition, another 122 nations are rated “high risk” in the short-term index, including the G7 economies of: (more…)

Water is one of our most important natural resources, and it is quickly becoming a significant business growth and development risk. Climate change, population growth and increasing living standards are the culprits, each contributing to rising pressure on already scarce water resources.

Investors are beginning to take note, as it becomes more and more clear that sustainable water management is needed to mitigate business risks and help ensure access to sufficient quality and quantity of water supplies.

A new report by WWF and German development bank DEG contains some sobering news. According to DEG and WWF, 191 out of 319 companies studied as part of the report showed high potential business risks related to freshwater. These risks break down into three broad, inter-related categories: (more…)

Even though the federal government has failed to pass meaningful climate change and energy legislation, “greening the supply chain” remains a priority for many companies. Businesses are turning to their supply chains to eliminate waste, reduce their environmental impact and diminish risks associated with climate change and resource depletion.

Now, more than ever before, a wide range of stakeholders, including commercial customers, consumers, investors, analysts and others, is demanding transparent information about the lifecycle of products and services.

To help you get your arms around these environmental concerns, Ernst & Young LLP has identified five specific climate change and sustainability risks to supply chain operations. This list includes: (more…)