Sustainability

PONTREMOLI, Italy – September 09, 2026 -- vivo and the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme concluded the 2026 Capture the Future: Global Youth Storytelling Initiative with a five-day Co-Creation Camp in the Appennino Tosco Emiliano Biosphere Reserve, running August 31 to September 5 and gathering 15 young creators from around the world.

Global open call drew 745 submissions from 98 countries

Launched by vivo and UNESCO MAB in March 2026, the initiative invited young people to document the relationship between people and nature within UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. The call generated 745 submissions from participants in 98 countries, with stories linked to more than 120 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves across the World Network.

Jupiter, Fla. – September 09, 2026 -- Bloomberg Television will broadcast a new episode of Advancements with Ted Danson on Saturday, September 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET, profiling four technology sectors ranging from targeted cancer therapy to space-based solar reflection. The episode features Lila Biologics, Reflect Orbital, Primary Packaging Resources, and Taica North America across separate segments.

AI-designed molecular binders aim to improve radioligand cancer therapy targeting

The episode examines radiopharmaceuticals and targeted radioligand therapy (RLT), where engineered molecules deliver radiation directly to tumors while sparing healthy tissue. Lila Biologics is featured discussing computationally designed mini binders intended to improve tumor targeting, stability, manufacturability, and therapeutic performance for cancer treatments.

Delray Beach, Fla. – September 09, 2026 -- The global aluminum refractory materials market is projected to grow from USD 2.17 billion in 2026 to USD 2.73 billion by 2031, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 4.77%, according to MarketsandMarkets.

Secondary aluminum production drives fastest volume growth

By production stage, secondary aluminum production is set to post the highest CAGR at 5.9% between 2026 and 2031 by volume, as recycling consumes up to 95% less energy than primary smelting. Rising scrap volumes and automotive and packaging demand are pushing investment into remelting furnaces, each requiring specialized refractory linings.

Hong Kong – September 09, 2026 -- A coalition of seven institutions including HSBC, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Temasek-backed GenZero has launched the Green Accelerator (GA), a non-profit platform designed to convert green technology projects in emerging markets into investment-ready assets for multilateral development banks, sovereign wealth funds and commercial lenders.

Berlin – September 09, 2026 -- The TÜV Association has warned that the AfD's strong showing in the Saxony-Anhalt state election threatens Germany's evidence-based approach to climate, energy and digital policy.

TÜV Association ties technical certification standards to scientific fact-finding

Dr. Joachim Bühler, managing director of the TÜV Association, said the TÜV inspection industry has always guided technological progress based on scientific findings and verified facts. He argued this same principle must now apply to politics following the AfD's election success in Saxony-Anhalt.

Association cites reliance on foreign skilled workers and EU integration

Bühler stated that TÜV organizations require skilled workers from both domestic and international labor markets and benefit directly from a unified Europe. He described the sector as standing for openness and international cooperation.

Hong Kong – September 09, 2026 -- Fosun International Limited (HKEX: 00656) has had its Hang Seng Sustainability Rating upgraded from AA- to AA+, a record high for the Group, following the 2026 ratings review by Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited that took effect the same day.

Rating upgrade breaks three-year plateau at AA-

Fosun had held the AA- rating for three consecutive years before this year's jump to AA+. The Hang Seng Sustainability Rating covers approximately 500 Hong Kong-listed companies within the Hang Seng Composite Index and more than 1,300 A-share companies in the Hang Seng China A (Investable) Index, based on a framework developed by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency assessing seven core indicators including corporate governance, environment and fair operating practices.

Hong Kong – September 09, 2026 -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (HKEX: 2318; SSE: 601318) has been upgraded from A to A+ in the 2026 Hang Seng Sustainability Rating, marking the third consecutive annual improvement for the insurer. The upgrade places Ping An's A-shares in the top 10% of both the broader A-share universe and financial-sector peers, while its H-shares rank in the top 20% of Hong Kong-listed companies and top 10% of financials.

China – September 09, 2026 -- More than 300 senior executives, government officials and civil-society leaders gathered at a Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) summit to launch a dozen sustainability-driven partnerships aimed at accelerating the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Ann Arbor, Mich. – September 09, 2026 -- ISO officially released the revised ISO 14001:2026 environmental management standard on April 15, 2026, replacing ISO 14001:2015 and giving certified organizations until April 15, 2029 to complete their transition.

New standard folds 2024 climate amendment directly into core requirements

The revision incorporates the climate change amendment issued in 2024 into the body of the standard rather than treating it as a supplementary clause. It also aligns more closely with ISO's Harmonized Structure, a move designed to ease integration with other management system standards used by certified organizations.

Kuala Lumpur – September 08, 2026 -- Agroz Inc. (NASDAQ: AGRZ) placed #35 globally in the 2025 FoodTech 500, ranking in the top 7% of more than 11,700 companies evaluated by Forward Fooding, the organization behind what is widely called the "Fortune 500 of FoodTech."

Agroz collects four separate industry honors within months

The Malaysia-based agricultural technology firm, which designs, builds and operates indoor and outdoor Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) vertical farms, also received the Superbrands Award 2026 from Superbrands Malaysia, an authority on branding recognized for assessing market leadership and consumer trust. Separately, Agroz won the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2026 Fast Enterprise Award, which honors companies demonstrating rapid, sustainable business growth across the region.