Delta and American Airlines ban transport of big-game trophies
Delta and American Airlines have banned the shipment of big-game trophies on flights after the illegal killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe. The airlines announced that they would no longer transport lion, rhinoceros, leopard, elephant or buffalo remains. Delta flies direct to a number of African cities and was subjected to an online petition to ban such shipments. American Airlines flies to only eight sub-Saharan cities, far fewer than Delta, but said in a tweet its decision to stop carrying trophies was “effective immediately”. Cecil was shot illegally in July by US dentist Walter Palmer of Minnesota. Zimbabwe is seeking his extradition and that of a doctor from Pennsylvania, named as Jan Casimir Seski, who is suspected of killing a lion in April. Its announcement came as several other airlines indicated that they are – or soon will be – stopping the transport of all trophy-hunting kills. (BBC)
Social Mobility
Ernst & Young drops degree classification threshold for graduate recruitment
Accountancy firm Ernst & Young (EY), the UK’s fifth-biggest recruiter of university leavers, is to remove degree classification from its entry criteria, having found “no evidence” that success at university was correlated with achievement in professional qualifications. Instead, the company will use numerical tests and online “strength” assessments to assess the potential of applicants. The changes come after a study published by the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission in June found that bright working-class applicants were “systematically locked out” of jobs at leading accountancy firms. Such companies tend to recruit mainly from research-intensive Russell Group universities, where students are “on average more likely to have enjoyed educational and economic advantages compared to many students educated elsewhere”. (Times Higher Education)
Research
How the future of green home building is taking shape
Leading specialist insurer Hiscox has released a new study that takes a closer look at what modern homes will look like in the next ten years. The report examines how changing national and international regulation requires a huge leap forward in energy efficiency to support the drive for zero-carbon homes. It warns that the continuing pace of urbanisation will lead to acute housing shortages in France, Germany and Great Britain. This is changing how we think about the home and fostering a greater willingness to look at new solutions. There will be an increasing acceptance of living in smaller spaces and greater minimalist design, energy positive homes and functionality. Dual- or even tri-hub homes will become increasingly common as different generations establish their own ‘home within a home’. (Blue and Green Tomorrow)
Water
Coca-Cola improves water efficiency by 10 percent
Coca-Cola, the world’s largest beverage company, has released its 2014/15 sustainability report, revealing a 10 percent improvement in water efficiency, but a slowdown in emissions reductions. The report, predictably for a company that used 304 billion litres of water in 2014, is focused on water stewardship, which Coca-Cola describes as being vital for business resiliency. Since 2010, Coca-Cola has improved its water efficiency by 10 percent, using 2.03 litres of water for each litre of product produced. The company says it is on track to reach its 2020 goal of using 1.7 litres of water per litre of product, a 25 percent improvement over 2010. The progress was driven by “significant investments” in new technologies and operating procedures in the manufacturing process. (Edie)
Technology & Innovation
Two new apps promote walking and cycling in Jakarta
In Jakarta, two new apps represent a giant leap for pedestrians and cyclists. The winner of the New Cities Foundation’s Jakarta Urban Challenge is an app that helps pedestrians and bicyclists find safer routes they can share. The Squee Mobile App received a $10,000 prize for top honours in the contest, open to Indonesians 18 to 35 years old. In second place, the Jalan Aman (“Safe Passage”) app aims to make it easy for women to instantly share their locations, report abuse and find safe transport. The Cyclist Urban System took third prize. Rather than an app, this is a plan to introduce “cyclist hubs” across a megacity known for its gridlocked traffic. Bicyclists would reportedly have access to refreshments, repairs, dressing rooms, first aid, route information and rentals. The competition was sponsored by the Foundation and Connect4Climate. (Eco-Business)
Image source: Sunset Cycling by Håkan Dahlström / CC BY 2.0
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