Carlsberg Denmark’s Big Regenerative Step

Carlsberg Denmark is increasing procurement from 15,000 tonnes (t) in 2025 to 18,400 t of regenerative crops from the farmers’ 2026 harvest. These raw materials will be used for beer brewed in Fredericia in 2027.

With this contract, Carlsberg Denmark is, for the first time, purchasing regeneratively grown wheat – covering all the wheat used in the brewery’s beers that contain wheat, such as 1664 Blanc and Biere, Jacobsen Brabara’s Easy IPA, Mikkeller Burst IPA, and Brooklyn Pulp Art IPA

“Our investment in regeneratively grown grain in Denmark has got off to a very good start”, says Stig Schneider, Senior Sustainability Manager at Carlsberg Denmark.

“2025 was our first year using regenerative raw materials, and we brewed around 3 million (litres) l of beer using regenerative malting barley.”

“This year, we are already at approximately 100 million l. Now we are increasing procurement from 15,000 to 17,400 t of regeneratively grown malting barley, which will be harvested this autumn and result in around 118 million l of beer next year.”

“On top of that, for the first time, we have also ordered 1,000 t of regeneratively grown wheat, which will cover our entire wheat consumption in 2027.”

Paving the Way for Others to Follow Suit

“Carlberg is a frontrunner when it comes to making a significant and committed shift to regenerative crops,” says Claus Stig Pedersen, EVP for Sustainability & Communications at DLG.

DLG welcomes the fact that Carlsberg Denmark is increasing its share of regeneratively grown crops and, at the same time, highlights the need for more companies to engage.

“This is important because broader demand makes it more attractive for more farmers to work with new cultivation methods and stronger crop rotation,” Pederson added.

“We hope that more companies will follow suit, so that we also see regenerative oats, rye, and rapeseed.”

Carlsberg’s Collaboration With RTP

The regenerative principles that Carlsberg Denmark applies, in collaboration with Danish farmers, align with the Regenerating Together Programme (RTP).

RTP is an international initiative under the SAI Platform, which brings together companies, farmers, non-government organisations (NGOs), and research institutions around a shared approach to regenerative agriculture.

It defines regenerative agriculture as an outcome-based farming approach that protects and improves all soil health, biodiversity, climate, and water resources, with the premise of improving – or at a minimum maintaining – farmer livelihoods.

The Carlsberg Group has recently confirmed continued support for the programme and will continue to follow RTP’s principles and methods.

One of the programme’s aims is to create a common industry framework that improves measurement, transparency, verification, and implementation of regenerative practices.

Carlsberg Denmark recommends developing a clear national framework for regenerative agriculture, inspired by the SAI Platform, that strengthens documentation, transparency, and collaboration across the value chain – and makes it more attractive for farmers to participate in the transition.

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Amazon’s key report takeaways

• Amazon is shipping packages with less waste, less packaging, and fewer emissions
• Amazon is expanding its low- and zero-emission delivery
• Amazon is building data centres that do more with less
• Amazon is collaborating with suppliers to help reduce supply chain emissions
• The Climate Pledge is driving collective action at scale

AI growth drives renewed focus on sustainability

Amazon has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, outlining progress across renewable energy, water stewardship, low-carbon logistics and supply chain decarbonisation as the company continues to expand its global operations.

The report highlights a 7 per cent reduction in carbon emissions per shipped unit during 2025, while Amazon also reported that its data centres are now seven times more water efficient than the industry average. The company said it has also reached more than halfway towards its goal of deploying 100,000 electric delivery vehicles globally by 2030.

Amazon added that, although its absolute carbon emissions increased during 2025, its carbon intensity has fallen by 38 per cent since 2019 while revenue has grown by 156 per cent.

Investment in energy and water efficiency continues

The report outlines continued investment in renewable energy and data centre efficiency to support growing demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI).

Amazon said its renewable energy portfolio now includes more than 712 projects across 30 countries, representing 42 GW of capacity. The company also reported a global average Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.14 across its data centres and said it has reached 75 per cent of the way towards its goal of becoming water positive by 2030.

In 2025, Amazon announced more than 50 water projects expected to replenish more than 5.8 billion gallons annually once fully implemented, while 26 data centres now use reclaimed water for cooling.

Electrification and packaging initiatives gather pace

Amazon also reported progress in reducing emissions across its logistics network.

The company now operates more than 52,700 electric delivery vans globally, delivering 2.4 billion packages using electric vehicles during 2025. Across Europe, 75 micromobility hubs use electric cargo bikes, pushcarts and other zero-exhaust-emission vehicles for deliveries.

Packaging initiatives also continued during the year. Amazon said it retrofitted automated packaging machines with paper-based alternatives, avoiding more than 288 million single-use plastic bags in North America. Recyclable packaging increased to 73 per cent of all packaging in North America, up from 63 per cent a year earlier.

The company added that Amazon Day deliveries, consolidated shipments and improved inventory placement helped avoid nearly 500 million delivery trips and 127 million vehicle miles during 2025.

Supply chain collaboration remains a priority

Amazon said more than two-thirds of its emissions come from its supply chain, making supplier engagement a key focus of its climate strategy.

According to the report, 62 per cent of its top suppliers now have credible decarbonisation plans in place, a 23 per cent increase year over year. The company said it is supporting suppliers through coaching, procurement training and access to power purchase agreements.

Amazon also highlighted continued growth of The Climate Pledge, which reached 656 signatories across 62 industries and 49 countries by the end of 2025.

Sustainability strategy evolves alongside AI

In a letter accompanying the report, Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon, said the rapid growth of AI is reshaping both the company’s operations and its sustainability strategy.

Hurst said: “Perhaps none bigger than AI, which is both transforming what’s possible—accelerating discovery, optimizing systems, and unlocking solutions that weren’t within reach before—yet also creating new demands for energy, water, and infrastructure.”

She added: “While the speed and scale of AI adoption is unique—and the change is happening faster and more broadly than anything else we’ve encountered in our lifetimes—the need to stay stubborn on our vision and flexible on the details is familiar territory.”

Reflecting on Amazon’s environmental investments, Hurst said: “These things don’t happen overnight, but I’m proud of where we are and we’re pushing to go faster.”

Looking ahead, Hurst reaffirmed the company’s long-term sustainability ambitions.

She said: “The path forward isn’t always straight, but the vision is clear and so is our resolve to get there.”

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Funding supports larger UK water conservation trial

The 50 Liter Home Coalition (50L Home) has secured £1.5 million in funding from Ofwat, the regulator of water and wastewater services in England and Wales, to launch a new pilot aimed at reducing domestic water consumption.

Expected to begin in late 2026 and run for three years, the pilot will involve up to 150 homes across England. It follows a successful trial in Los Angeles, where participating households achieved an average indoor water consumption of 79 liters per person per day, compared with the city’s average of 182 liters.

The initiative comes as the UK experiences increasingly frequent heatwaves and growing pressure on water resources.

Building on results from Los Angeles

Convened by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), the 50L Home Coalition aims to demonstrate how households can significantly reduce water use while improving quality of life through the use of high-efficiency appliances, fixtures and consumable products.

Appliances from Electrolux Group’s premium AEG brand, designed to support water and energy savings, will be supplied as part of the England pilot.

Elena Breda, SVP Product Strategy, Innovation, Sustainability at Electrolux Group, said: “The England pilot will take the US pilot to the next level. We are scaling up from 15 to 150 homes and, as smart metering is prevalent in the UK, we can take advantage of this data instead of collecting it manually from each home. It is very exciting to see the 50L Home evolving and to see that our appliances really make a difference in helping households reduce their water and energy consumption, and nudge consumers toward more sustainable, better living habits.”

Water-efficient technology delivers measurable savings

The Los Angeles pilot involved 15 retrofitted homes equipped with Electrolux water- and energy-efficient appliances over a two-year period.

According to the coalition, participants reduced their indoor water consumption without visible water monitoring sensors or prompts encouraging them to use less water. Households also reported easier and more enjoyable household routines.

On average, daily water use for laundry fell by 32 per cent, while daily hot water use declined by 48 per cent through the use of high-efficiency washing machines and laundry detergent designed to perform effectively in cold water.

Daily water consumption across kitchen sinks and dishwashers was reduced by 14 per cent, despite households completing 13 per cent more dishwasher cycles each week. Time spent at the sink also fell by an average of 13 per cent as activities such as pre-rinsing and soaking dishes were reduced.

Breda said: “The results of the Los Angeles pilot show that high-efficiency appliances and smart home design can make a measurable difference in homes. This is about creating solutions that people enjoy using every day, while delivering significant water, energy, and cost savings and making sustainable living achievable at scale.”

Addressing water security and climate challenges

The England pilot is intended to demonstrate how smart metering and water-efficient technologies can help households reduce resource consumption while supporting wider sustainability objectives.

The 50L Home Coalition is jointly coordinated by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Economic Forum. Its members include Electrolux Group, IKEA, Kohler, and Procter & Gamble.

According to the coalition, 50L Home addresses two global challenges—water security and climate change—by rethinking domestic water consumption and promoting more sustainable living.

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Regenerative agriculture continues to scale

PepsiCo has reported progress across its Positive Agriculture (pep+) strategy, with significant gains in regenerative agriculture, sustainable sourcing and farmer livelihood programmes as it works towards its 2030 sustainability targets.

The company said regenerative, restorative and protective agricultural practices now cover 4.7 million acres globally, representing progress towards its goal of reaching 10 million acres by 2030.

According to PepsiCo, growth during 2025 was driven by stronger farmer engagement and collaboration with partner organisations to develop locally relevant programmes, provide technical support and encourage the adoption of regenerative farming practices.

Jim Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Vice President at PepsiCo, said: “As we continue work to help advance toward a more resilient and sustainable food system, I’m proud of the notable progress we’re making—particularly in scaling regenerative agriculture, restorative or protective practices and expanding opportunities that help strengthen livelihoods.”

Collaboration supports sustainable farming

As part of its agriculture strategy, PepsiCo launched Supporting Trusted Engagement and Partnership (STEP) Up for Agriculture, a collaboration with Unilever, several food and beverage companies and retail customers designed to strengthen farmer-facing organisations.

The initiative uses tailored advisory support and a train-the-trainer model to help build capabilities, encourage regenerative agriculture and support more sustainable supply chains.

PepsiCo also continued investing in innovation during 2025, supporting more than 15 projects through its Positive Agriculture Outcome (PAO) Accelerator. The company said demonstration farms, field trials and training programmes reached more than 1,100 farmers.

Sustainable sourcing reaches 70 per cent

PepsiCo also reported continued progress towards its target of sustainably sourcing 90 per cent of its key ingredients by 2030.

As of 2025, 70 per cent of key ingredients were sustainably sourced in accordance with the company’s Sustainable Sourcing Guidelines, while approximately 2 per cent of ingredient volumes were progressing under its “Engaged” pathway towards more sustainable practices.

These efforts are supported by its Sustainable Farming Programme, which is designed to help farmers strengthen environmental performance and build long-term agricultural resilience.

Andrew said: “Our Positive Agriculture agenda is delivering impact for both people and the planet. While there is more work ahead, this momentum underscores what’s possible through strong collaboration and continuous innovation.”

Livelihood strategies approach 2030 target

Since 2021, PepsiCo said it has supported approximately 224,000 people across its agricultural supply chains and communities through programmes designed to improve economic prosperity and strengthen farmer and farm worker security.

The company said this brings it closer to its goal of positively impacting more than 250,000 livelihoods by 2030.

Programmes contributing to this progress include She Feeds the World with CARE, the Collaborative Farming Programme in India, Agrovita with Proforest in Mexico, and the 1,000 Farmers Endless Prosperity initiative in Türkiye.

Focus remains on resilience and innovation

PepsiCo it will continue to focus on strengthening resilience across farming communities, soils, biodiversity and watersheds while embedding measurable impact across its agriculture initiatives.

The company also plans to continue investing in technology, traceability and collaboration to support the transformation of agricultural systems across key sourcing regions.

Andrew said: “Our Positive Agriculture agenda is delivering impact for both people and the planet.”

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Ferrero strengthens sustainable sourcing across global supply chains

Ferrero has unveiled its 2025 Sustainability Report, positioning its enhanced Ferrero Farming Values framework at the centre of efforts to build more resilient and sustainable food supply chains.

Key Achievements

• Cutting plastic at scale: Ferrero Rocher’s box redesign has cut the plastic-to-product ratio by 14.7% since 2019/20, avoiding roughly 16,000 tons of plastic cumulatively
• Full visibility on sourcing: Cocoa sourcing has reached 98% traceability to farm polygon maps, with coffee at 100% traceability to plantation
• Driving down emissions: Scope 1 and 2 emissions are down 7.2% year-on-year, with 24 plants now running on 100% renewable grid electricity
• Built for circularity: Globally, 92.9% of overall packaging was designed for recyclability, reusability or composability

Marking the company’s 80th anniversary, the report outlines progress across climate action, responsible sourcing, packaging circularity and community investment, while reinforcing the importance of end-to-end visibility across agricultural supply chains.

Giovanni Ferrero, President of Ferrero Group, said: “Ferrero’s long-term success remains closely linked to the wellbeing of the people and ecosystems on which our supply chain depends. Consumers are increasingly looking for brands they can trust — built on quality, good sourcing practices, careful manufacturing, and a genuine commitment to people and the planet.”

Traceability and regenerative farming drive resilience

Ferrero said its Ferrero Farming Values programme provides a structured approach to supplier due diligence, traceability, certification, regenerative farming practices and collaboration across commodity supply chains including cocoa, palm oil, hazelnuts, coffee and dairy.

Almost 230,000 farm polygons across cocoa, coffee and palm oil were analysed through Ferrero’s EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)-aligned monitoring system to strengthen deforestation-free sourcing.

Certification also remains a key pillar of the company’s sourcing strategy, with 99% of cocoa sourced through recognised sustainability standards, 100% RSPO-certified palm oil and 100% Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee.

“Ferrero Farming Values translates our sustainability approach into concrete actions across the sourcing of our key ingredients,” said Lapo Civiletti, CEO of Ferrero Group. “It provides a structured framework to strengthen supplier accountability, improve traceability and certification, support farmers, and drive collaboration across the sector.”

Climate action and circular packaging gather pace

The report also highlights continued progress towards Ferrero’s climate and circular economy goals.

Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions fell 7.2% year-on-year, supported by 24 manufacturing sites now operating on 100% renewable grid electricity. The company has also introduced a Decarbonisation Hub to help manufacturing facilities develop site-specific emissions reduction roadmaps.

On packaging, 92.9% of Ferrero’s global packaging portfolio is now designed for recyclability, reusability or compostability.

Meanwhile, the redesign of Ferrero Rocher packaging has reduced the product’s plastic-to-product ratio by 14.7% since 2019/20, avoiding approximately 16,000 tonnes of plastic since 2021.

Investing in resilient food systems

Alongside environmental progress, Ferrero continues investing in farming communities and workforce development.

The company is expanding programmes supporting cocoa-growing communities in Côte d’Ivoire, while employee inclusion initiatives now span 61 countries. Ferrero’s long-running Joy of Moving programme has also reached more than 730,000 children, delivering over three million hours of physical activity in schools.

The report positions resilient agricultural supply chains, farmer partnerships and measurable sustainability outcomes as central to Ferrero’s long-term business strategy as food manufacturers respond to climate pressures, evolving regulation and growing consumer demand for responsibly sourced products.

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Clean energy investment reaches new milestone

Google signed agreements for more than 12 GW of net-new clean energy during 2025, according to its 11th annual Environmental Report, as the company continues to expand its AI infrastructure while pursuing long-term sustainability goals.

The company said the new agreements are roughly enough to power a country the size of Greece for a year once operational. During the same period, Google reduced its operational emissions by 2 per cent despite a significant increase in electricity demand.

Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google, said: “Our report navigates the tension between hyper-growth and environmental stewardship, and proves our enduring commitment to a more sustainable future.”

“While the path to achieving our climate ambitions will not be linear — given our AI infrastructure buildout is currently accelerating faster than the grid is decarbonising — we remain focused on scaling abundant and affordable clean power globally and progressing technological innovations that drive down emissions across our operations and the broader industry.”

Balancing AI growth with lower emissions

The report outlines how Google’s AI expansion is increasing demand for electricity, while also highlighting the company’s investments in clean energy, energy efficiency and emerging technologies.

Between 2010 and 2025, Google signed more than 240 agreements to purchase nearly 35 GW of net-new clean energy. The company also matched 100 per cent of its electricity consumption with renewable energy purchases for the ninth consecutive year.

Despite experiencing a 37 per cent annual increase in electricity demand, Google said advances in hardware, software, compute efficiency and clean energy procurement collectively avoided more than 58 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) during 2025.

Brandt said: “While the path to achieving our climate ambitions will not be linear — given our AI infrastructure buildout is currently accelerating faster than the grid is decarbonising — we remain focused on scaling abundant and affordable clean power globally and progressing technological innovations that drive down emissions across our operations and the broader industry.”

AI supports wider sustainability outcomes

Beyond reducing the environmental impact of its own operations, Google said AI is helping customers and communities lower emissions and respond to environmental challenges.

According to the report, nine Google solutions enabled individuals, cities and partners to collectively reduce an estimated 41 million tCO2e during 2025. The company highlighted applications including Google Earth for renewable energy planning, Nest thermostats for home energy efficiency, and fuel-efficient routing in Google Maps.

The report also outlines how AI is supporting forecasting and early detection of wildfires, floods, earthquakes and extreme weather, alongside biodiversity tools such as Perch and SpeciesNet.

Brandt said: “We see — and are actively seizing — a huge opportunity for AI to help drive progress on environmental issues specifically.”

Supply chain challenges remain

While operational emissions declined, Google reported that supply chain emissions increased by 25 per cent year over year, reflecting continued investment in AI infrastructure and the carbon intensity of parts of its Asia-Pacific supply chain.

The company said grid connection delays, fragmented energy markets, supply chain constraints and regulatory hurdles continue to slow the deployment of new carbon-free energy capacity.

Despite these challenges, Google said it remains committed to balancing AI growth with environmental performance through continued investment in clean energy, efficiency improvements and innovation.

Brandt said: “We continue to evolve our approach in tandem with the technology we build, regularly assessing our strategy as we move forward with steady execution, balancing our bold climate ambition with real-world impact. We’ll continue to prioritise AI stack efficiencies, clean energy, and innovation to ensure our efforts make use of the transformative potential of AI to enhance lives globally.”

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Arcadis expands sustainability expertise through strategic partnership

Arcadis has announced a strategic partnership with sustainability consultancy Stok, expanding its capabilities in decarbonisation, energy efficiency and high-performance buildings to support organisations navigating increasingly complex sustainability and infrastructure challenges.

The collaboration combines Arcadis’ engineering, advisory and programme delivery expertise with Stok’s specialist knowledge of sustainability strategy, helping clients align carbon reduction, energy management and asset performance across entire portfolios.

Initially focused on data centres and commercial real estate, the partnership addresses growing demand for integrated solutions as organisations seek to balance operational performance with climate commitments and long-term asset value.

Supporting low-carbon infrastructure and resilient assets

The partners say they are already working together on projects including sustainability design guidelines for data centres and the decarbonisation of real estate portfolios.

The expanded offering is designed to help organisations move from high-level climate ambitions to practical implementation, supporting decision-making across investment planning, engineering, construction and asset management.

The partnership also builds on Arcadis’ existing sustainability services, including its Integrated Sustainability & Compliance offering, while adding specialist expertise in portfolio decarbonisation and high-performance building design.

Meeting growing demand in energy-intensive sectors

Asset-intensive industries, particularly data centres, face increasing pressure to deliver capacity while managing rising energy demand, water use, carbon emissions and resilience requirements.

Josh Nothwang, Global Solutions Director, Integrated Sustainability & Compliance at Arcadis, said organisations are increasingly integrating sustainability into core investment decisions.

“What we’re seeing with clients is a shift from ambition to accountability. Decarbonisation is no longer a parallel workstream – it’s shaping core decisions on capital allocation, asset performance and long-term risk.”

He added that organisations are balancing competing priorities around speed to market, energy demand, costs and long-term value.

“The challenge is making those decisions consistently across complex portfolios. That’s where combining Stok’s specialist expertise with Arcadis’ capabilities makes a difference.”

Scaling decarbonisation across global portfolios

Jacob Arlein, CEO of Stok, said many organisations now require practical support to turn sustainability strategies into measurable outcomes.

“Many of our clients have ambitious goals and need help translating those into consistent outcomes across their portfolios. That requires deep integration of sustainability across design, engineering and delivery.”

“Particularly in data centres and real estate, where asset performance is tightly linked to energy and infrastructure, decisions made early carry through the entire lifecycle. Our partnership with Arcadis connects strategy with management and technical delivery at global scale.”

The partnership forms part of Arcadis’ broader strategy to expand its sustainability ecosystem and help clients deliver decarbonisation programmes across the full lifecycle of natural and built assets, particularly in sectors where carbon reduction, operational resilience and infrastructure performance are increasingly interconnected.

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ROLLS-ROYCE AND SUNLY FORGE PARTNERSHIP

Rolls-Royce Power Systems and Sunly have entered into a prominent partnership, formalised through contracts to develop four extensive battery storage systems across Latvia.

Collectively, these systems will boast an impressive capacity of 490 megawatt-hour (MWh). The first of these innovative hybrid energy parks, featuring cutting-edge motor and turbine union (mtu) EnergyPacks paired with solar panels, is scheduled to commence operations in Valmiera, Northern Latvia, in 2027.

mtu opetates as the product and solution brand under the Rolls-Royce Power Systems division and is the premier brand name for Rolls-Royce’s heavy-duty diesel and gas engines, hybrid systems, and emergency power supply units.

Furthermore, this initiative marks a crucial step towards enhancing the country’s renewable energy infrastructure and addressing the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions.

ENHANCING RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGE

The agreement between the two companies was announced at the inauguration of Sunly’s new solar park in Valmiera, one of the first hybrid energy parks in Latvia.

The mtu EnergyPack in Valmiera is set to become operational in Q1 of 2027, with the other three sites following later that same year. Rolls-Royce has also secured additional contracts in Latvia and Lithuania, positioning itself as the leading supplier of battery storage systems in the Baltic states.

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR A STABLE FUTURE

Rolls-Royce provides an all-encompassing solution from one centralised source, leveraging its dependable mtu EnergyPack alongside the advanced mtu EnergetIQ software platform.

This innovative software meticulously manages the intricate processes of energy storage and release to maintain grid stability. It seamlessly integrates renewable energy sources, optimises their contribution, and intelligently balances energy supply and demand to ensure a reliable and efficient power system.

A MAJOR INITIATIVE AND STRATEGIC COLLABORATION

The contract was signed by Toms Naburgs, Managing Director of Sunly Latvia; Abhinav Bhargava, Senior Manager of Sales at Rolls-Royce Power Systems; Alexa Heinrich, Vice President of Finance for Sustainable Power Solutions at Rolls-Royce Power Systems; and Priit Lepasepp, CEO and co-founder of Sunly.

As the largest supplier in the Baltic states, Rolls-Royce has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sunly to strengthen its partnership in Estonia, focusing on a 300 MWh project in Risti, Estonia.

To date, Rolls-Royce Power Systems has provided mtu battery storage solutions, successfully delivering over 200 projects worldwide.

Once the current projects in the Baltic states are completed, the total capacity will exceed 1,500 MWh, solidifying Rolls-Royce as the leading provider of battery storage technology in the region and, indeed, the dynamic market.

As a testament to its capabilities, Rolls-Royce has developed a large-scale battery storage system, which has been operational since 2025 for the Latvian transmission system operator, Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST).

Additionally, the company has secured contracts in Lithuania, further solidifying its presence and expertise in the region’s energy landscape and showcasing its commitment to innovative energy solutions, thereby taking a significant step forward.

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A MAJOR CLEAN ENERGY MILESTONE  

New York City has reached a significant milestone in its clean energy transition with the launch of the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE), a 1,250-megawatt transmission project designed to deliver renewable hydropower directly from Canada into the heart of the city. 

The project has been brought online through a collaboration between Hitachi Energy, Hydro-Québec, and Transmission Developers (TDI), marking the start of commercial operations for one of North America’s most ambitious clean energy infrastructure developments. 

By linking New York City directly to Hydro-Québec’s network of more than 60 hydropower stations, CHPE is capable of supplying enough renewable electricity to power approximately one million homes. The transmission line is also expected to satisfy nearly 20 percent of the city’s electricity requirements. 

“We partnered with Hitachi Energy from the early stages of CHPE, building a relationship grounded in deep expertise, trusted collaboration, and continuous support. The advanced HVDC Light® technology, combined with strong project execution, has been critical to bringing this project to life,” comments Justin Sauber, CEO of TDI.  

ADVANCED TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY  

At the center of the project is Hitachi Energy’s HVDC Light® technology, a Voltage Source Converter (VSC)-based solution developed to enable efficient long-distance electricity transmission while minimizing environmental impact. Through advanced power electronics, the system enables precise control of voltage and power flow while maintaining exceptionally low transmission losses. 

Designed with sustainability and resilience in mind, the transmission infrastructure differs from conventional overhead power lines. The cables have been installed underground and underwater along routes through Lake Champlain and the Hudson and Harlem Rivers, helping to protect landscapes, preserve ecosystems, and improve resistance to extreme weather conditions. 

The compact design of the HVDC Light system also allows converter stations and associated infrastructure to be integrated within densely populated urban environments. This supports efforts to reduce grid congestion while ensuring reliable delivery of clean energy where demand is highest. 

SUPPORTING DECARBONIZATION GOALS  

Environmental benefits are expected to be substantial. CHPE is projected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 3.9 million metric tons annually, an impact comparable to removing 44 percent of New York City’s vehicles from the road. 

“CHPE will help transform how New York City is powered, delivering clean electricity across hundreds of miles straight into the city center,” adds Niklas Persson, CEO of Grid Integration Business Unit at Hitachi Energy.  

“By transforming a former fossil fuel site in Astoria – long associated with air pollution and respiratory health challenges – this project will help improve local air quality while enhancing New York’s energy infrastructure and ensuring a reliable power supply,”

By displacing fossil fuel-based power generation, the project will also support New York State’s target of achieving 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030. 

The commissioning of CHPE represents a notable achievement for the transmission sector. It is the second HVDC city-center infeed project globally to operate at ±400 kilovolts, following the commissioning of Hitachi Energy’s pioneering project in Mumbai, which was the first installation of its kind at that voltage level. 

As urban centers continue to experience rising electricity demand while pursuing ambitious decarbonization objectives, CHPE demonstrates how large-scale renewable energy can be transported across borders and delivered directly into major cities.  

The project offers a model for future clean energy integration and highlights the growing role of advanced transmission technologies in supporting the energy transition.

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Breakthrough “Nanostack” Architecture

IBM has unveiled the world’s first sub-1 nanometer (nm) chip technology, introducing a new 0.7 nm (7 angstrom) semiconductor architecture designed to deliver significant performance gains while reducing energy consumption. The breakthrough represents a major milestone for the technology industry as demand for AI, cloud computing and advanced digital infrastructure continues to accelerate.

Developed by IBM Research, the new chip incorporates nearly 100 billion transistors on a chip the size of a fingernail—almost double the density of IBM’s 2 nm chip announced in 2021. At its core is a revolutionary three-dimensional “nanostack” transistor architecture that reimagines how chips are built, extending semiconductor scaling beyond the limits of traditional designs.

Driving More Sustainable AI Infrastructure

As organisations deploy increasingly complex AI workloads, improving compute efficiency has become a critical sustainability challenge. IBM projects the new sub-1 nm technology could deliver up to 50% higher performance or 70% greater energy efficiency compared with its 2 nm generation, enabling more powerful computing while reducing the energy required to support data-intensive applications.

The breakthrough highlights how semiconductor innovation can help address one of the technology sector’s fastest-growing environmental challenges: the rising energy demand associated with AI, cloud infrastructure and high-performance computing.

“IBM’s latest chip breakthrough marks a landmark moment in computing, pushing technology beyond the nanometer era to the scale of atoms. With our new nanostack architecture, we’re not just making smaller transistors, we’re reinventing how chips are built to deliver dramatically more power and energy efficiency,” said Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow.

“This industry-first innovation continues IBM’s legacy of leading in next-generation technologies and sets the foundation for the next era of computing.”

Reinventing Semiconductor Design for the Next Decade

The new nanostack architecture represents a significant evolution in chip design. Unlike conventional transistor structures, nanostack vertically stacks and staggers nanosheet transistors, enabling greater transistor density while optimising performance and power efficiency across different layers of the chip.

IBM researchers also demonstrated that the architecture can significantly improve memory scaling, helping support the growing data and bandwidth requirements of advanced AI systems.

The company believes the innovation provides a roadmap for continued semiconductor scaling over the next decade, even as the industry approaches atomic-level manufacturing limits.

Supporting Long-Term Technology and Climate Goals

The development underscores the increasingly important link between semiconductor innovation and sustainability objectives. More efficient chips can help reduce the energy footprint of AI, cloud services, enterprise computing and critical digital infrastructure, supporting efforts to lower emissions while meeting growing demand for computing capacity.

The technology was developed at IBM’s semiconductor research facility in Albany, New York, where the company is collaborating with industry partners on next-generation manufacturing technologies, including High Numerical Aperture Extreme Ultraviolet (High NA EUV) lithography.

With commercial adoption potentially beginning within the next five years, IBM’s sub-1 nm breakthrough demonstrates how advances in chip design can help deliver both higher performance and greater energy efficiency—critical requirements for the future of AI-driven, sustainable digital infrastructure.

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Regenerative Agriculture at Scale

As pressure grows on the food and beverage industry to address climate risk, biodiversity loss and supply chain resilience, regenerative agriculture has emerged as one of the sector’s most significant sustainability priorities.

Yet despite widespread commitments, many organisations have struggled with a fundamental challenge: how to consistently implement, measure and verify regenerative agriculture at scale.

The organisation has officially launched its Regenerating Together Programme (RTP), a new industry-wide initiative designed to help food and agriculture businesses move beyond definitions and pilot projects towards practical implementation across global supply chains.

Supported by more than 40 leading food and agriculture companies—including Nestlé, Louis Dreyfus Company, McCain Foods, Carlsberg and Diageo—the programme seeks to provide the frameworks, tools and governance needed to accelerate regenerative agriculture adoption while improving consistency and credibility across the sector.

“A Landmark Moment”

Dionys Forster, Director General of SAI Platform, described the launch as a significant milestone for the sector.

“Today represents a landmark moment for regenerative agriculture and is the result of years of collaboration across the sector. While significant progress has been made in understanding regenerative agriculture entails, the challenge now is implementation at scale.”

“The Regenerating Together Programme offers a pragmatic solution to addressing this challenge by providing the industry with a practical and credible foundation to transition towards more resilient global supply chains.”

Moving Beyond Principles to Practical Implementation

For several years, regenerative agriculture has been one of the most discussed topics in food system sustainability. However, differing definitions and measurement approaches have often created confusion for farmers, food manufacturers and supply chain partners alike.

The Regenerating Together Programme is designed to address that challenge as the initiative is designed to mark a shift from defining regenerative agriculture to enabling its practical implementation. At its core is a revised Regenerating Together framework that provides a four-step process supported by implementation guidance across crop, beef and dairy production systems.

The framework has been developed for use across both large- and small-scale farming operations and is intended to be applicable in all geographies and was developed through collaboration with farmers, agronomists, NGOs, academics and industry stakeholders, reflecting the increasingly multi-stakeholder nature of agricultural sustainability initiatives.

“We Need Practical and Credible Frameworks”

The launch comes at a time when food and beverage businesses are facing mounting environmental and operational pressures.

Climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation and biodiversity loss are increasingly recognised as material business risks that can directly affect agricultural productivity and long-term supply security. At the same time, companies are under growing pressure from investors, regulators and consumers to demonstrate measurable progress against sustainability commitments.

Regenerative agriculture has gained traction because it seeks to address multiple challenges simultaneously by supporting soil health, biodiversity, water management and farm resilience.

However, scaling adoption across complex global supply chains has proven difficult.

The Regenerating Together Programme aims to create greater alignment across the industry by providing a common foundation for implementation and measurement, helping companies track progress while increasing visibility of the outcomes being delivered at farm level.

“Regenerative agriculture shows great potential to strengthen supply chain resilience against climate change while helping improve farmers’ livelihoods,” said Pascal Chapot, VP Head of Agriculture at Nestlé.

“To accelerate adoption, we need practical and credible frameworks that can be consistently applied across the value chain.”

Bringing Verification and Credibility to Regenerative Agriculture

One of the most significant developments within the programme is the introduction of independent verification and benchmarking protocols.

For the first time, the framework includes guidance for third-party verification of regenerative agriculture practices, helping organisations assess progress against a common set of criteria.

For sustainability leaders, this could help address one of the sector’s biggest challenges: demonstrating credible outcomes while reducing confusion caused by multiple competing frameworks and definitions.

The verification component is designed to improve transparency, consistency and trust across value chains while helping businesses benchmark regenerative agriculture efforts more effectively.

As sustainability reporting requirements continue to evolve, robust measurement and verification mechanisms are becoming increasingly important for companies seeking to substantiate environmental claims.

What does RTP Change?

“Over the past decade, significant work has gone into turning regenerative agriculture from an emerging ambition into a practical transition across the food and beverage sector. Companies, farmers, supply chain partners and industry bodies have tested approaches, built knowledge and learned what works. That hard work is now beginning to pay off, with clearer alignment emerging around standards, outcomes and what credible implementation looks like in practice,” said Simon Boas Hoffmeyer
VP, Global Head of Sustainability & ESG at Carlsberg Group.

“The launch of the Regenerating Together Programme (RTP) today signals a shift – not because it introduces a fundamentally new idea, but because it addresses one of the industry’s biggest bottlenecks: the lack of alignment, measurement and practical pathways for implementation at scale.”

A Collaborative Industry Approach

A defining feature of the programme is the breadth of organisations involved in its development.

Beyond corporate support, SAI Platform has worked with environmental and implementation partners including The Nature Conservancy and Earthworm Foundation. The initiative also aligns with wider industry efforts involving organisations such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Regen10 and EIT Food.

These partnerships reflect a growing recognition that transforming food systems will require collaboration across the entire value chain rather than isolated action by individual companies.

The programme itself is the result of more than four years of collaboration, including pilot initiatives spanning 23 production systems across 25 countries.

Keeping Farmers at the Centre

A recurring challenge in agricultural sustainability programmes is ensuring they remain practical for farmers.

SAI Platform says farmers have played a central role in shaping the Regenerating Together Programme, helping ensure the framework remains workable at farm level while avoiding unnecessary administrative complexity.

The programme is designed to support farmer agency by allowing producers to determine which practices and approaches are most relevant to their operations. It also seeks to improve recognition of the value farmers create through regenerative outcomes.

By reducing reporting burdens and increasing visibility of positive environmental performance, the programme aims to make participation more accessible and attractive for producers.

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What is Cornerstone?

JLR’s newly unveiled Cornerstone concept vehicle illustrates what that transition could look like in practice.

Developed alongside more than 40 Tier 1 and raw material suppliers, the initiative demonstrates how automakers can embed circularity into vehicle development from the earliest stages—reducing carbon emissions, increasing recycled content and improving the ability to repair, recover and reuse valuable materials.

Rather than a distant concept, the project uses real components and technologies that could inform future production programmes.

Moving Circularity from Strategy to Engineering

The automotive industry has spent years discussing circular economy principles. The challenge has been translating those ambitions into commercially viable engineering solutions and Cornerstone attempts to bridge that gap.

JLR collaborated across its supply network to create 49 more sustainable automotive components, focusing on three objectives :

• Maximising recycled materials
• Increasing the use of bio-based and lower-impact inputs
• Designing components to enable easier repair, disassembly and recycling

The result, according to JLR, delivered more than one tonne of CO₂e savings compared with existing materials and processes, while incorporating almost 140kg of additional recycled material.

By integrating these solutions into a real vehicle bodyshell, the project provides a practical testbed for technologies that could transition into future production vehicles.

Supplier Collaboration Emerges as a Critical Lever

One of the strongest themes emerging from the initiative is the importance of early supplier engagement.

Rather than treating sustainability as a downstream procurement exercise, JLR involved partners throughout development.

The approach reflects a broader shift underway across manufacturing industries, where emissions reductions increasingly depend on collaboration beyond organisational boundaries.

According to the release, suppliers worked alongside JLR’s engineering and industrial operations teams to co-develop solutions spanning multiple material categories and systems.

Key project outcomes:

• 100% closed-loop recycled glass
• De-bondable electronics designed to improve repairability and recyclability
• Speaker systems incorporating 95% recycled magnets
• Lower-emission steel applications
• Recycled seat foam technologies
• FlexAir seat technology
• New headlamp innovations

Several of these technologies are already planned for future JLR vehicle programmes.

Designing for Resource Resilience

While decarbonisation often dominates sustainability conversations, resource security is becoming an equally significant concern.

Material supply disruptions, geopolitical uncertainty and growing demand for critical inputs are prompting manufacturers to rethink how products are designed and sourced but Cornerstone addresses these challenges by improving material recovery and extending component life.

The emphasis on repairability and recyclability could help manufacturers reduce dependence on virgin resources while improving resilience against future supply constraints.

Industry Firsts Demonstrate What’s Possible

Among the project’s most notable achievements are several technologies described as ‘industry firsts’.

• 100% closed-loop recycled glass, delivering a 36% reduction in CO₂e
• De-bondable electronics, enabling headlamp repair and recycling
• 95% recycled speaker magnets

These innovations target areas that have traditionally proven difficult to address within circular economy strategies and by focusing on practical applications rather than theoretical possibilities, the project highlights how incremental advances across multiple components can collectively generate meaningful impact.

Circularity as an Economic Opportunity

The business case for circularity is increasingly tied to competitiveness and as regulations evolve and customer expectations rise, manufacturers that can secure material flows, lower embedded emissions and recover value from products at end of life may gain strategic advantages.

JLR Senior Manager Circularity Paul Francis highlighted the importance of coordinated action across the value chain.

“What we’re achieving with Cornerstone shows how JLR can lead in advancing circularity across the automotive industry, and the value of a coordinated, multi-party approach to deliver progress faster.”

“When we engage early on shared goals and each partner in the value chain brings their expertise collaboratively throughout development, production efficiency and overall outcomes improve significantly. This is how real, honest progress is made, and how the economic opportunity of circularity can be realised.”

Building the Foundations of Circular Manufacturing

JLR says innovations emerging from its Circularity Lab will continue feeding into Cornerstone as new solutions mature.

The programme explores methods to improve how end-of-life vehicles are dismantled and how components can be reused, repaired and recycled more effectively.

The company also recently joined the Global Impact Coalition’s Automotive Plastics Circularity Project, which aims to improve recycling pathways for automotive plastics used throughout vehicles.

Together, these initiatives suggest that circularity is becoming embedded across the automotive product lifecycle—from design and sourcing through to recovery and remanufacturing.

“I was privileged to hear about this trailblazing project from Jaguar Land Rover on a recent visit to their design HQ at Whitley in Coventry,” said Mary Creagh MP CBE Minister for Nature.

“It shows how industry can innovate with government providing a stable policy and investment framework. We must build a resource resilient economy, where waste is designed out and the cars of the future are built to last. Our upcoming Circular Economy Growth Plan will set out how we will support this green growth in every nation and region.”

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Circular Economy Models Gain Momentum Among Consumers

Circular economy business models are moving from the margins to the mainstream, according to Mastercard’s latest report, The Next Era of Conscious Consumption.

The research reveals that consumers increasingly view sustainability and affordability as complementary rather than competing priorities. While cost, product longevity and brand trust remain the top purchasing drivers, more than half of consumers say they are willing to pay more for products that align with their values. That figure rises to more than 60% among Gen Z and Millennial consumers.

Mastercard: Sustainable Consumption Is Becoming Mainstream

As Ellen Jackowski, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mastercard, explained:

“Sustainable living may have taken root among the environmentally conscious, but today it’s gaining momentum by delivering tangible value everyone can feel, from saving money to accessing better, more durable goods and supporting personal health and well-being. Circular purchasing behaviours are becoming more mainstream for everyday consumers because the tools and infrastructure to inspire, inform and enable them are finally emerging.”

“At Mastercard, we see this transformation from a unique vantage point. We sit at the center of the global economy, connecting 150 million+ acceptance points and hundreds of millions of digital access points, thousands of banking partners, and 3.7 billion cards in circulation. That position gives us both responsibility and opportunity: to help turn intention into action, and to make the infrastructure of commerce work in service of a more sustainable future.”

Resale, Repair and Rental Drive Growth in Circular Commerce

The report highlights growing demand for circular commerce models, with resale, rental, repair and reuse becoming increasingly common purchasing behaviours.

Mastercard Economics Institute data shows second-hand clothing sales grew 28% year-over-year in 2025 across leading circular commerce markets, significantly outpacing traditional retail growth. Rental models are also gaining popularity among younger consumers, while repair continues to emerge as a key pillar of sustainable consumption.

71% of consumers say they would rather repair products they already own than replace them with new purchases.

Consumer Demand Creates New Opportunities for Sustainable Business Models

The findings point to a growing opportunity to align sustainability strategies with customer value propositions.

As consumers seek products and services that reduce costs while supporting more responsible consumption, circular business models are increasingly becoming both a sustainability initiative and a commercial growth opportunity.

The report suggests companies that can combine affordability, quality, durability and environmental performance will be best positioned to capture changing consumer demand.

Building the Infrastructure for the Circular Economy

Mastercard argues that scaling circular commerce will depend on stronger supporting infrastructure, including digital payments, sustainability data, rewards programs and tools that help consumers understand the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions.

The company highlighted initiatives such as carbon footprint tracking, sustainable rewards programmes and digital solutions that make lower-impact purchasing choices easier and more accessible.

“The data behind this report points to a steady shift in how people are spending,” said Michelle Meyer, Chief Economist, at Mastercard Economics Institute.

“Circular commerce is showing up more often across categories and markets, not as a one-off trend, but as part of everyday consumer behaviour. At the Mastercard Economics Institute, we look at aggregated and anonymised spending data to understand how these changes take shape over time.

What we see is practical: as people stay focused on cost, they are finding ways to get more value out of what they buy — whether through resale, rental or repair — and those options are becoming easier to access. For businesses, this changes the growth model.

Products and services that support longer use and offer consumers greater choice are becoming a more consistent part of the market, shaping how companies think about demand, inventory and customer relationships. Seen through the data, circular commerce reflects a lasting shift in how people define value and how commerce will continue to evolve.”

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Nasdaq links sustainability and resilience in evolving financial markets

Nasdaq has published its 2025 Sustainability Report, outlining progress across environmental stewardship, responsible technology deployment, governance and workforce development as the company seeks to strengthen resilience across the global financial system.

The report centres on what Nasdaq describes as a “Future Forward” approach, aligning business strategy with the technological, environmental and economic forces reshaping capital markets while supporting long-term stakeholder value.

As sustainability becomes increasingly intertwined with risk management and corporate performance, the report highlights how Nasdaq is integrating climate considerations and responsible innovation into its role as a technology provider for global financial markets.

Responsible innovation becomes a strategic priority

A key theme throughout the report is the growing importance of responsible technology deployment, particularly as artificial intelligence becomes more deeply embedded across financial services.

Nasdaq says it is taking a deliberate approach to AI adoption, balancing innovation with governance, accountability and environmental considerations.

In the report, Adena Friedman, Chair and CEO of Nasdaq, said:

“As a leading technology platform powering the world’s economies, Nasdaq’s focus is on serving as the trusted fabric of the financial system. That means we are Future Forward – architecting the world’s modern markets, powering the innovation economy, and building trust in the financial system.”

“This past year reinforced our conviction that innovation is not about reacting to disruption, but about designing durable solutions the global financial system can depend on over time.”

AI governance moves to the forefront

The report highlights Nasdaq’s efforts to establish governance frameworks around AI deployment as organisations increasingly seek to balance productivity gains with responsible implementation.

Sarah Youngwood, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Nasdaq, wrote:

“Responsible innovation has always been part of how we think about technology at Nasdaq, and AI is no different.”

To support this approach, Nasdaq has established a dedicated AI Integration Team and expects employees to receive role-specific training focused on ethical AI use.

These measures are designed to create shared accountability while ensuring AI deployment remains aligned with the company’s values and risk management framework and the focus on governance reflects a growing trend among organisations seeking to operationalise responsible AI principles rather than treating them solely as policy commitments.

Managing the environmental impact of AI growth

The sustainability report also addresses a challenge increasingly facing technology-intensive organisations: the environmental implications of expanding AI adoption.

Youngwood noted that Nasdaq is seeking to understand and manage AI-related environmental impacts while maintaining its broader climate commitments.

The company’s approach includes:

• Procuring 100% renewable electricity across operations
• Encouraging employees to use appropriately sized AI models for specific tasks
• Engaging cloud and technology suppliers on energy efficiency
• Working with suppliers to promote responsible water use

As demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow, sustainability leaders are placing increasing attention on the energy consumption and resource requirements associated with emerging technologies.

Nasdaq’s approach signals a recognition that AI governance must encompass environmental as well as ethical and operational considerations.

Climate resilience remains central to sustainability strategy

Alongside its technology agenda, Nasdaq continues to position climate resilience as a core element of long-term business strategy.

According to the report, the company’s climate approach focuses on:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Improving energy efficiency
• Maintaining carbon neutrality
• Managing climate-related risks
• Strengthening long-term operational resilience

This reflects a wider shift across financial services, where climate risk is increasingly viewed through the lens of business continuity, infrastructure resilience and long-term value protection.

Rather than treating sustainability as a standalone initiative, organisations are increasingly embedding climate considerations into enterprise risk management and strategic planning.

Building trust through sustainable market infrastructure

As capital markets increasingly rely on digital infrastructure and AI-enabled capabilities, expectations around transparency, governance and environmental responsibility continue to rise.

Friedman emphasised the importance of making long-term investments that strengthen both sustainability and resilience:

“As we look ahead, our commitment remains clear: to advance sustainable growth, deliver transparent, measurable impact, and create long-term value that endures beyond the next cycle.”

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A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE

Amazon has announced plans to invest several billion dollars in Missouri by developing a state-of-the-art data centre campus in Montgomery County, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the state and driving economic growth, infrastructure improvements, and community development.

The investment is expected to create more than 400 full-time data centre positions and thousands of construction jobs, whilst generating hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenue for Montgomery County over the coming years.

Building on its existing footprint across Missouri, where the company already employs more than 10,000 people and supports an additional 10,000 jobs indirectly, Amazon says the project represents a significant milestone in its continued expansion in the state.

Kehoe highlighted the wider impact of the investment, stating that projects of this scale create lasting benefits for communities by improving critical infrastructure, generating new tax revenue for schools and public services, and strengthening the foundations for future economic growth.

INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES

Alongside the construction of the new campus, Amazon has committed more than $7 million in direct community contributions to support public services, education, and local development initiatives.

Among the largest commitments is a $3 million contribution towards emergency dispatch services, designed to strengthen public safety infrastructure across Montgomery County.

The company is also investing more than $1 million to create a new community gathering space at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, whilst serving as a major sponsor of the county fair.

Further investment will support STEM education, workforce development, sustainability programmes, and local nonprofit organisations. Amazon is launching the Amazon Montgomery County Community Fund with an initial commitment of $150,000, providing grants of up to $10,000 for community-led projects through nonprofit partner ChangeX.

In addition, a new $50,000 fund established alongside the Montgomery County School District will provide grants for teachers and school supplies, complemented by the introduction of the Amazon Think Big Program, which delivers hands-on STEM learning experiences for students.

These initiatives build on Amazon’s broader community impact across Missouri, where employee volunteers have supported education programmes, computer science learning opportunities, food banks, and nonprofit organisations throughout the state.

BUILDING RESPONSIBLY

As part of its commitment to responsible development, Amazon has worked closely with utility provider Ameren Missouri to ensure costs associated with the new data centre campus will not be passed on to existing customers.

The company states that its rates are structured to fully cover the costs of its energy use, preventing additional charges from being passed on to other ratepayers.

Amazon has also invested in a carbon-free energy project in Missouri capable of generating 138 megawatts of power – enough to supply more than 28,000 homes – helping to support regional energy availability and long-term affordability.

Water stewardship has also become a key component of the project. Amazon will fund the construction of the water infrastructure required for the campus before donating the completed system to Montgomery County Public Water Supply District No. 1 at no cost.

The company says its facilities are designed to be highly water efficient, with cooling systems expected to rely on water for less than seven percent of the year. During periods when water is required, rainwater harvesting and on-site recycling systems will help reduce overall consumption.

Further supporting its water-positive ambitions, Amazon is partnering with agricultural technology company Arable Labs on an irrigation optimisation initiative in northeastern Missouri. Using sensor technology and Amazon Web Services cloud capabilities, the programme is expected to reduce water usage by approximately 100 million gallons annually within the local watershed.

CREATING LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITY

Beyond the immediate construction phase, the development is expected to create a diverse range of highly skilled roles, including electricians, HVAC technicians, project engineers, network specialists, operations managers, and security professionals.

Amazon plans to work alongside community colleges, technical schools, universities, and K-12 institutions to develop workforce training programmes that support both the company’s future hiring needs and the wider data centre ecosystem.

Highlighting the company’s longstanding commitment to the state, David Zapolsky, Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer at Amazon, notes that Amazon has operated in Missouri since 2017 and now employs more than 10,000 residents.

For Montgomery County, the project marks a significant economic transformation. Land that previously generated less than $9,000 annually in property taxes is projected to deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenue once the campus becomes operational, creating new funding opportunities for schools, roads, public services, and future community priorities.

As Amazon deepens its presence in Missouri, the company is positioning its latest investment as more than a technology project – it is a long-term commitment to economic growth, infrastructure development, workforce advancement, and community prosperity.

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