In Siwa, Egypt, eco-friendly building is taking shape in the form of Adrere Amellal Desert Ecolodge, a hotel designed with the planet’s safety in mind. Living vicariously through the rustic mindset, all-natural materials were utilized to create this sanctuary. Read the full story

Ontario is leading the way in Canada in encouraging sustainable development. Both the government and private companies have developed initiatives to make the province more eco-friendly. Read the full story

As Europe leads the way in environmentally-friendly practices and design, more innovation is providing the United States, among other countries, with better ideas and efficiency. Europe has a variety of companies that sell energy efficient glass for residential use while America maintains merely one. Read the full story

The Taipei 101, located in Taiwan, was recognized as the world’s tallest building until it was outdone by an 800 meter skyscraper in Dubai last week. The 500 meter Taipei may have lost the record for height, but it has come up with a new idea. Although Asia is not necessarily known for its eco-friendly construction, SL+A International Asia Inc., Siemens, and EcoTech International Inc. are all working towards making Taipei 101 the highest green structure in the world. Read the full story

The World Bank recently issued grants to further green technology and research in Mexico, Brazil, and beyond. The regional project aims to reduce private vehicle use; create incentives for public and nonmotorized transport; improve transport planning; decrease carbon dioxide-equivalent tons emitted by ground transport; and increase the number of cities that are integrating environment and climate change components in their transportation policies. Read the full story

Italy is known for the Roman Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Renaissance art of Florence. These tourist attractions make Italy a popular vacation spot and therefore bring in a substantial source of revenue; the estimate for this past year is $23.5 billion. Although these sites contribute to the reputation of Italy, the country is most known for its love and production of food. From the pastas to the wines to the olive oil, Italy is brimming with delectable dishes that contribute to the financial stability of the country. As the food market has long  been a source of revenue for Italy, businesses are starting to realize that going green helps generate revenue, save money and contribute to global climate control. Read the full story

Internationally and within the U.S. , the global trend of conserving energy, utilizing resources wisely, and decreasing carbon footprints is beginning to perceive future success. As smaller businesses begin to model larger companies that pursue sustainable initiatives, competition for strategy, incentives to reduce climate change and increase revenue have seen promising outcomes. By starting environmentally friendly practices early on companies will maximize profits, hire more willing employees, and benefit the globe. Read the full story