Felix Dodds comments on sustainable development, coffee & life

Over the past four decades, sustainability has evolved from a niche concern into a defining global agenda. From the foundations laid by the Brundtland Report to the rise of ESG, net-zero commitments, and global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the field has expanded rapidly and entered the mainstream. Yet today, many working in sustainability sense that the agenda is entering a new phase. ​ Sustainability at a Crossroads , a global consultation conducted in 2025 by GlobeScan, ERM, and Volans, explored how practitioners are experiencing this moment. Drawing on perspectives from sustainability professionals across regions and sectors, the research pointed to a period of reflection and reassessment about how progress can be accelerated. While views differ, there is a recognition that the current approach needs to evolve to better meet the scale and complexity of today’s challenges. At the same time, this moment should not be seen as a setback, but as an opportun...

Urban trees are on the rise but researchers are only starting to uncover the best way to cool cities with them. "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today," so the saying goes. Originally published here . Trees have been touted as solutions to many environmental problems, from reducing air pollution to restoring biodiversity. But much planting in cities today is motivated by their potential to mitigate extreme heat. "Most of our signatory cities are reporting extreme heat as their main risk currently, and adding green infrastructure such as trees is one of their key activities to tackle it," says Samie Raichs Tovany, urban heat project officer at C40 Cities, a global network of cities committed to climate action. Nearly half a million people are estimated to die annually from heat-related causes, primarily due to cardiovascular problems . Extra strain is put on the heart as the body tries to cool itself down by circulating large ...

New SDSN report calls for stronger governance and implementation as the world enters the final stretch of the 2030 Agenda 23 June 2026 (Paris, France) — With less than four years remaining in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains significantly off track: Only 16% of targets are projected to be achieved by the deadline . The vast majority of UN Member States remain committed to the framework, but a small number of countries, most notably the United States, have moved into active opposition to the paradigm of sustainable development and the multilateral institutions that underpin it. These are among the key findings of the 11th edition of the Sustainable Development Report (SDR), released today by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). This year’s SDR calls for stronger SDG implementation and renewed global cooperation as the world enters the final years of the 2030 Agenda and begins laying the ground...