Month: April 2022

Growing up in rural or suburban areas improves spatial navigation

Stuart Mitchell

People who grew up in rural or suburban areas have better spatial navigation skills than those raised in cities, particularly cities with grid-pattern streets, finds a new study led by researchers at UCL, University of Lyon and the University of East Anglia (UEA). The researchers also found that people whose home cities had grid layouts were slightly better at navigating similarly organised street patterns, despite having poorer performance overall, as early childhood environments influence not only navigation ability, but navigation styles as well. The study, published in Nature, involved nearly…

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First A380 powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel takes to the skies

Stuart Mitchell

Airbus has performed a first A380 flight powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus’ A380 test aircraft MSN 1 took off from Blagnac Airport, Toulouse, France at 08h43 on Friday 25 March. The flight lasted about three hours, operating one Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine on 100% SAF. 27 tonnes of unblended SAF were provided by TotalEnergies for this flight. The SAF produced in Normandy, close to Le Havre, France, was made from Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), free of aromatics and sulphur, and primarily consisting of used cooking…

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Microsoft selects AI start-ups to accelerate progress on environmental sustainability

Stuart Mitchell

Ten companies focused on reducing carbon emissions and waste, preserving water and protecting ecosystems have been selected to take part in Microsoft’s AI for Environmental Sustainability Accelerator programme. The programme, launched in collaboration with the Met Office and Social Tech Trust, will support the cohort through a four-month programme to advance their environmental solution using AI. The 10 companies will develop their technological capabilities and commercial strategy, build the relationships they need to scale their solution and, crucially, learn how to measure the impact it will have for environmental progress.…

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Carbon Offset Prices Could Increase Fifty-Fold by 2050

Stuart Mitchell

Prices for carbon offsets – verified emissions reductions equivalent to one ton of carbon each – could be as high as $120/ton or as low as $47/ton in 2050, according to research company BloombergNEF (BNEF). The outcome will mostly depend on what types of supply are eligible to meet the rapidly expanding universe of sustainability goals, as well as who the primary customers are in the market, finds BNEF’s inaugural Long-Term Carbon Offset Outlook 2022. Should all types of offsets continue to be permitted, including those which avoid emissions that…

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Apple launches $50 million Supplier Employee Development Fund

Stuart Mitchell

Apple has announced a $50 million Supplier Employee Development Fund that will expand access to learning opportunities and skills development. The fund also includes new and expanded partnerships with leading rights advocates, universities, and nonprofits to drive Apple’s ongoing work to empower supplier employees and drive improvements in knowledge of and respect for workplace rights across industries. As part of the new $50 million commitment, and building on Apple’s long history in the space, the company is working alongside supply chain partners to amplify worker voice. That includes supporting the…

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