2ND JANUARY VOCAB OF PERFECTION

Global investment in clean energy has been steadily increasing,

reaching nearly double the amount allocated to fossil fuels, driven by
improving supply chains and decreasing costs for clean technologies,
according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Total global energy investment is projected to surpass $2 trillion, with a
significant share – approximately $1.5 trillion – directed toward clean
technologies such as renewables, electric vehicles, nuclear power,
grids, storage, low-emission fuels, efficiency improvements, and heat
pumps. The remainder, slightly under $1 trillion, continues to flow into
coal, gas, and oil.
Recent trends highlight that investments in renewable power and grids
are beginning to rival spending on fossil fuels. The report, however,
warns of persistent imbalances in energy investments worldwide.
Emerging and developing economies outside of China remain
underfunded in clean energy initiatives, with clean energy spending in
these regions barely crossing $200 billion – spearheaded by countries
like India and Brazil. This represents only a fraction of the global clean
energy investment, far from sufficient to meet growing energy
demands, especially in countries burdened by high capital costs that
limit the development of new projects.
“Clean energy investment is gaining momentum despite economic
pressures, demonstrating the growing shift towards a sustainable
global energy economy,” stated Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the
IEA. “For every dollar invested in fossil fuels, nearly two dollars are
now being funneled into clean energy. This growth is _(A)_ by falling
costs, energy security concerns, and industrial policies as major
economies vie for leadership in clean energy supply chains. However,
urgent action is needed to direct more investments to developing
economies where energy access remains a pressing issue.”Since the
adoption of international climate agreements, such as the Kyoto
Protocol, the gap between investments in clean energy technologies
and fossil fuel power generation has widened.Solar PV, in particular, is
revolutionizing the power sector, with investment in this technology
expected to reach unprecedented levels. Declining costs of solar
modules are encouraging fresh investments, with China leading the
way in clean energy spending, driven by strong domestic demand for
solar, batteries, and electric vehicles. Europe and the United States
follow closely, together with China accounting for a major share of
global clean energy investments.
Despite these advancements, the report also notes the resilience of
fossil fuel investments. Upstream oil and gas spending continues to
rise, led by national oil companies in regions like the Middle East and
Asia. Similarly, coal investments remain significant, with approvals for
new coal-fired power capacity reaching their highest levels since the
early 2010s. Clean energy investments by oil and gas companies,
though increasing, remain marginal, making up only a small
percentage of their total capital expenditures.

1. Resilience: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties or

challenges; toughness.
2. Steadily: In a firm, regular, and consistent manner, without
sudden changes or interruptions.
3. Accounting: The process of recording, classifying, and
summarizing financial transactions; the practice of managing
financial records.
4. Marginal: Relating to something that is on the edge or borderline;
something that is of little importance or significance.
5. Expenditures: The action of spending money; expenses incurred
in the process of running a business, government, or personal
finances.
6. Unprecedented: Never before experienced or done; without
previous example.
7. Revolutionizing: Making significant or dramatic changes,
especially in a way that transforms something entirely.
8. Investments: The action or process of putting money into
something with the expectation of obtaining a profit or return.
9. Adoption: The act of accepting, taking on, or embracing
something new, such as ideas, technologies, or methods.
10. Concerns: Worries or anxieties; issues or matters requiring
attention or consideration.
11. Funneled into: Directed or channeled towards a specific
purpose or destination.
12. Demonstrating: Showing, illustrating, or proving something
through evidence or examples.
13. Renewables: Renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar,
and hydroelectric power, that can be replenished naturally.
14. Significant: Important or notable; having a large impact or
effect.
15. Vulnerability: The quality of being open to harm, damage, or
attack; susceptibility to being hurt or affected.
16. Fragility: The quality of being easily broken, damaged, or
affected; delicate or weak.
17. Susceptibility: The state of being likely or prone to be
influenced or harmed by something.
18. Fortitude: Mental strength and courage in facing adversity or
difficulty.
19. Tenacity: The quality of being determined, persistent, or not
giving up easily.
20. Equilibrium: A state of balance or stability, where opposing
forces or influences are equal.
21. Homogeneity: The quality of being uniform or similar in nature
or composition.
22. Discrepancies: Differences or inconsistencies, especially when
they contradict or do not align with one another.
23. Congruence: Agreement or harmony; compatibility and
alignment between things or ideas.
24. Parities: The state or condition of being equal or equivalent,
especially in terms of status or value.
25. Underpinned: Supported or strengthened by a foundation or
basis.
26. Propelled: Driven forward or caused to move in a certain
direction.
27. Undermined: Weakened, harmed, or diminished in strength or
effectiveness, often in a subtle or gradual manner.
Over the last year, many of us have become much more conscious of
the way we shop, consume, and dispose of everyday items. There
have been countless catalysts for this groundswell of support for
environmentally and socially responsible choices: wildfires ravaging
the U.S. and Australia, the voices of Extinction Rebellion and Greta
Thunberg, fast fashion giants being exposed for under-paying garment
workers, and the pandemic shifting our focus to supporting small, local
businesses over big brands.One thing we can be sure of is that most of
us are emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic much more conscious as
consumers than we were before–as recent research from Kantar
discovered. Yet the reality is that changing consumer habits is still only
a drop in the ocean. Real change will only come when the world’s
biggest businesses step up to the plate–but many of the actions they
are focused on now are too little, too late.
It’s not that we shouldn’t praise companies like IKEA for launching
recycling and buy-back schemes, or fast fashion brands like H&M for
inventing technologies that make clothing from recycled and recyclable
materials. We should–every action is a small step towards achieving a
more sustainable future. But it’s no wonder big brands are constantly
coming under fire for “green-washing” of late–frankly, these actions are
nowhere near enough.
What’s needed is a complete overhaul, from start to finish, of how a
business operates–no matter its size or scale. To do so in a way that
creates the most value means grounding sustainability in what
consumers want and need.But where most businesses are missing a
trick is by focusing on what consumers are looking for right
now:reduced emissions, recyclable packaging, recycled materials, and
basic workers’ rights. This is why we’re still so far behind where we
should, and could, be. Businesses should be leading, not following.
Rather than focus on what consumers care about today, we need to
dust off our crystal balls, and ask: what will consumers care about in 5
years, or even 20 years’ time? Brands should be __(1)__for an entirely
ethical value chain narrative–one that goes far beyond incremental
actions, and brings everything consumers care about under one roof.
Moving on to production, the use–however “hidden”–of child or slave
labour, or workers not paid a fair living wage for their work, is next up.
The water footprint is next, a growing issue in the consumer
consciousness–both in terms of how much water it takes to
manufacture a product, and whether products are made in
water-stressed areas of the world, only to be shipped to water-rich
areas.Then, it might be how much plastic and recyclable material is
used in the packaging, and the carbon miles and emissions it takes to
ship the product to where it’s sold.The conscious consumer of the
future won’t only have a recycling-first mindset, but will actively seek
out alternatives to plastic in the first place. Businesses like Notpla are
already ahead of this curve, having created a machine that grows a
seaweed-based plastic alternative–flexible, biodegradable, and even
edible – to prevent up to a billion plastic bottles reaching the ocean
every year. Innovative business models like these will not only
transform how we eat, drink, and live for the good of the planet, but will
soon become second nature to increasingly conscious
consumers.Starting with what customers want is central to any
business strategy–you don’t need an MBA to know that. But when it
comes to sustainable business, looking ahead is critical–after all, living
in the present is what has already put the future of the planet and its
people on thin ice.Keeping an ear to the ground on what conscious
consumers are looking for, and predicting how these desires might
grow and adapt, is the key to building a future-proof business. Now, it’s
not enough for leaders to only guarantee that their business stands the
test of time. They need to guarantee that the planet and its people do
too.
● Conscious: Aware of and able to think about one's surroundings,
thoughts, and feelings; deliberate or intentional.
● Innovative: Introducing new ideas, methods, or products; creative
and forward-thinking.
● Emissions: The release of substances, especially gases or
pollutants, into the atmosphere, often from vehicles, industries, or
power plants.
● Narrative: A spoken or written account of connected events; a
story or a description of events.
● Seaweed: A type of plant that grows in the sea, often used in food
or as a source of natural resources.
● Biodegradable: Capable of being decomposed by natural
biological processes, such as being broken down by bacteria or
fungi.
● Groundswell: A strong, widespread, and growing movement or
reaction, often in response to a particular issue or cause.
● Exposed: Revealed or made visible, often referring to something
that is not covered or protected.
● Consume: To use up, eat, or absorb something, typically food,
resources, or information.
● Ravaging: Causing severe destruction or damage, often in a
violent or devastating manner.
● Countless: Too many to be counted; innumerable or vast in
number.
● Conscious: (mentioned earlier) Aware of and able to think about
one's surroundings, thoughts, and feelings.
● Praise: To express admiration or approval for someone or
something, often in a positive or encouraging way.
● Green-washing: A deceptive practice in which a company or
organization promotes itself as environmentally friendly without
making meaningful or substantial efforts to be so.
● Constantly: Happening all the time; continuously or without
interruption.
● Frankly: In an open, honest, or straightforward manner.
● Catalysts: Agents or factors that bring about or accelerate change
or action in a process.
● Overhaul: A complete renovation, repair, or improvement of
something, often to make it more effective or efficient.
● Modification: A change made to something, often to improve or
alter its form, function, or character.
● Disintegration: The process of breaking apart or decaying into
 smaller pieces or components.
● Degradation: The process of something becoming worse or
deteriorating, often involving a decline in quality or value.
● Refinement: The process of improving or perfecting something by
removing imperfections or making subtle improvements.
● Reorganization: The process of rearranging or restructuring
something, often for greater efficiency or effectiveness.
● Striving: Making great efforts to achieve something or improve
oneself.
● Questioning: The act of doubting, examining, or seeking
clarification about something.
● Resisting: Opposing or refusing to accept or yield to something.
● Supporting: Providing assistance, encouragement, or approval
for something or someone.
● Delaying: Postponing or causing something to happen later than
planned.
● Mindset: A way of thinking or a mental attitude that determines
how someone approaches situations or challenges.
● Ethical: Relating to moral principles or the rules of right and wrong
behavior.
● Seek: To search for or try to obtain something, such as an answer,
goal, or opportunity.