The Editors' Post: Polluters' pain points, and presidential praise

Nicolas Stirer is not an angry activist. Activism has its place, he agrees, but outrage and blame alone won’t solve the climate crisis.

Instead, the entrepreneur takes a more pragmatic approach. At Gree Energy, a B Corp that helps food processing companies in emerging countries to reduce their methane emissions, the priority is to “listen and understand”, he says. Many of these companies know they have a problem, and want to do something about it, but – with little regulatory pressure and therefore minimal incentive to change – they’re concerned about becoming uncompetitive. 

So Gree acts as a “pain reliever” by finding a financially viable solution – one that can also benefit the many rural households facing unpredictable power outages or unstable connections. How does it all work? Find out in our latest Earth Fixers feature. 

Investing in diversity 

The UK’s Growth Impact Fund announced its very first investment this week – in Neuropool, which aims to get 10,000 neurodivergent people into work by 2030. The fund has a particular focus on tackling inequality and supporting “diverse-led” ventures (Neuropool’s founder has autism and ADHD). While almost everyone these days claims to prioritise diversity, creating a fund that is genuinely inclusive takes time and consideration, as we heard from the Growth Impact Fund team, as well as from Impact Hub Bradford, which is trying to make social investment more inclusive in its local area. And it takes money – not least, paying the people you involve in consultations along the way. 

Presidential praise

Not many social entrepreneurs get name-checked (never mind hugged) by the most powerful man in the world. US president Joe Biden was in Northern Ireland earlier this month to mark a historic anniversary – and for one young founder, the occasion was particularly memorable. Read on to find out why Biden was so impressed.

This week's top stories:

Waste worth watching: why Gree Energy wants your dirty water

President Biden acclaims young social entrepreneur in Northern Ireland speech

Assurance for sustainability: who is it really serving?

Top image: A woman cycles on a path that is regularly flooded, in Demak, Indonesia (credit: Dhana Kencana / Climate Visuals)

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