ReThink Sustainability Together – Konica Minolta

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has announced plans to create a new Bauhaus modelled on the influential design school as part of the European Union’s €750 billion coronavirus recovery plan. Speaking in her inaugural State of the Union address to the European parliament, Von der Leyen outlined her plan to create a “new European Bauhaus” to kickstart a cultural and sustainable movement in the European Union. “We will set up a new European Bauhaus – a co-creation space where architects, artists, students, engineers, designers work together,” she said.

General Motors has joined the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), adding another element to company programs that support the sustainability and human rights of the EV supply chain. IRMA advances responsible mining practice through a comprehensive set of standards covering the four principles of Business Integrity, Planning for Positive Legacies, Social Responsibility and Environmental Responsibility. As automotive battery demand expands globally, access to battery materials is of increasing importance. Given the critical role of EVs in reducing the carbon footprint of the transportation sector, GM says it is committed to the responsible sourcing of the mined materials needed for EV production.