The year 2013 saw record-breaking growth for solar electricity generation as the photovoltaic and concentrated solar thermal power markets continued to grow. With over 39 gigawatts installed worldwide, the PV solar market represented one third of all newly-added renewable energy capacity, according to Max Lander and Xiangyu Wu writing in the latest number of the Worldwatch Institute's Vital Signs Online publication.

According to the American Chemistry Council, following an upwardly revised 0.5 percent gain in May, the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index continued to expand, rising by 0.3 percent in June. Chemical output was higher in all regions.

Macy's Inc. has reported a series of initiatives from 2002 through 2013 have resulted in a 38-percent reduction in the company's electricity usage and a 95-percent adoption rate of recycled or certified paper used in the company's marketing materials.

Is the use of nanotechnology in manufacturing and poisoning workers?

The total natural capital cost of plastic in the consumer goods industry is more than $75bn per year, according to research released by the Plastic Disclosure Project, the UN Environment Programme and natural capital analysts Trucost.