Million Air Summer 2021

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TAKE TWO// THE GIANTS

AMAZON We know what you might be thinking — Amazon and sustainability are two words that do not normally mix. Bezos’ behemoth company has had its fair share of controversy, and including it in this feature caused much deliberation at the (remote) Elite Traveler office. However, when talking about tech from the past 20 years, it is hard to not mention the giant. And no matter how you feel about the man behind the brand, the company itself has pledged to achieve net zero carbon by 2040 and is aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2025. A Michigan-born start-up, Rivian, is creating custom electric delivery vehicles for Amazon, and it plans to have 100,000 on the road by 2030. amazon.com

APPLE Another behemoth that has to be included when considering the products that have colored our daily lives over the last 20 years, Apple needs little introduction. Again, the company has been shrouded in controversy (there’s a whole Wikipedia page dedicated to various allegations) but there’s no denying that the company’s innovations have been groundbreaking. You may well be reading this article on your iPhone or MacBook. The brand also has some ambitious plans. It has a goal to be carbon neutral by 2030, including all products, supply chain, stores and offices. It also partners with Conservation International to protect precious ecosystems and communities. The company’s planned $4.7bn ‘Green Bond’ spend aims to bring clean energy to local communities while reducing carbon emissions. In 2020, it funded 17 Green Bond projects that will avoid an average of 921,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually (equivalent to removing nearly 200,000 cars from the road). The projects will generate 1.2 gigawatts of renewable energy globally. apple.com

TECHNOGYM You’ll see Technogym equipment in any gym worth its salt, whether that’s in one of the world’s best hotels or on board a sleek yacht. The Italian brand has been going strong (excuse the pun) for 38 years, with good reason — it leads with high-performing, scientifically researched, advanced equipment that not only does the job but looks the part, too. When Technogym was founded, fitness was seen as somewhat self-indulgent. This idea has changed drastically over the last few decades; many of us now include some form of exercise in our daily lives and understand the myriad benefits. Technogym sees these benefits as not just an individual goal, but a social responsibility — summing it up as ‘healthy people, healthy planet.’ This social responsibility is ingrained in every Technogym product and, indeed, the company at large: The company headquarters, known as ‘Technogym Village,’ encompasses a university, science center, factory, garden and restaurant, and has been built with sustainability and environmental friendliness in mind. Think natural cooling systems and recyclable materials. And, coming full circle, those recycled materials are used in the equipment — up to 95% of the weight of products is composed of recyclables, and the materials contain no toxic components. The latest launch, MyRun, is a treadmill that can connect to your tablet and has a range of on-demand running and walking workouts, trainer-led sessions and virtual training. It is compatible with Zwift, Strava, Garmin and Rouvy, so you can engage in an online race. The MyRun’s running surface absorbs impact efficiently, shielding your joints at lower speeds and offering more reactivity during sprints. It can also track your biometric data — heart rate, track cadence and stride length. technogym.com

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