The Sustainability Year in Stories: August 2024

By Steven Downes

December 30, 2024

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We look at the articles that made the news in 2024. Today, it is August's turn, featuring General Motors and Northstar

Bill Gates-Backed Group Aims to End Carbon Credits Conflict

Carbon credits are controversial, and often come alongside accusations of greenwashing.

However, the reality is that emissions can be unavoidable – in these cases, carbon dioxide removal (CDR) can provide a solution.

Rick Wayman, Director of Outreach at the Carbon Removal Standards Initiative (CRSI), says: “As I’ve gotten deeper into the carbon dioxide removal world over the past three years, I’ve become more and more optimistic about the potential that carbon removal solutions hold.

“I’m not a scientist, but I know enough to appreciate that any large-scale process needs to have rigorous, consistent standards at its core in order to be successful in the long term.”

So, how can it be certain that carbon dioxide removal is trustworthy and consistent?

Carbon Removal Standards Initiative

This new nonprofit aims to ensure that NGOs and policymakers have the science based information needed to ensure carbon offsetting can do good in the way the planet needs.

The CSRI says its work relies on three important realisations:

Carbon removal is a public good
Carbon removal supply and demand will be policy driven
Solutions will fit into a range of regulated industries

Anu Khan, Founder and Executive Director of the CRSI, explains: “Operationalising this simple answer is going to be complicated. And it will take time.

“Civil society will have to play a role in making sure that policymakers and regulators – across jurisdictions, CDR pathways, and policy mechanisms – have access to financially unconflicted info on CDR quantification.

Kristen Siemen, GM's former Chief Sustainability Officer

General Motors: Reaching a Milestone in Clean Energy

GM will fuel three of its assembly plants with renewable energy after signing a 15-year agreement with NorthStar Clean Energy.

The renewable energy purchase agreement with NorthStar is GM’s largest power purchase deal.

It is also a significant step towards the company’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2040.

Writing on LinkedIn, GM’s CSO Kristen Siemen said: “Collaborating with NorthStar Clean Energy aligns perfectly with our vision of a zero-emissions future.

“The Newport solar farm not only helps us reach our sustainability goals but also supports the growth of renewable electricity infrastructure by adding renewable energy directly to the grid we source from.”

Powering the plants

NorthStar’s Newport Solar project in Newport, Arkansas, will support the electricity needs of GM’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly, Lansing Grand River Assembly in Michigan and the Wentzville Assembly site in Missouri by adding renewable energy directly to the grid GM sources from.

GM said the renewable energy purchase agreement “supports the ongoing sustainability efforts that already take place at these facilities.

“Across our manufacturing footprint, our teams regularly conduct energy optimization efforts, an effort to identify and streamline energy needs.”

The manufacturer added:

“Wentzville Assembly has consistently been recognised for its onsite environmental efforts related to water reclamation and reuse efforts.
“Lansing Delta Township Assembly is an Energy Star-certified building and was the first-ever LEED-Gold certified automobile manufacturing facility. The plant is home to a 75-acre nature habitat.

“Lansing Grand River Assembly recently received a grant from the US Department of Energy, which will be combined with GM’s own investment to prepare the facility for electrification.”