TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

PepsiCo, Nestlé & L’Oréal unveil ‘endlessly’ recyclable bottles

Leading consumer brands L’Oréal, Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Suntory Beverage & Food Europe have announced the production of the first food-grade PET plastic bottles to be made entirely from a new endless recycling-focused technology. The technology, developed by biotech solutions company Carbios, utilises enzymes from naturally-occurring microorganisms to break down PET plastic into componential parts, regardless of colour and complexity, then converting it into virgin-grade plastic, making it infinitely recyclable. The prototype bottles were produced for some of the companies’ leading brands including Biotherm, Perrier, Pepsi Max, and Orangina. The technology allows the recycling of more types of PET plastic that would otherwise go to waste or be incinerated. It can also be developed at an industrial scale, increasing the amount of PET plastic that can be recycled. (ESG Today)

POLICY

EU approves landmark law on emissions reductions by 2050

The European Parliament has approved a landmark law that sets targets to reduce net EU emissions by 55% by 2030, from 1990 levels, and eliminate net emissions by 2050. The new law is intended to guide EU regulations in the coming decades, as most EU laws are currently designed to meet the bloc's previous emissions-cutting target of 40% by 2030. The first change to come will be a package of policies, which will include more ambitious renewable energy targets, EU carbon market reforms and tighter CO2 standards for new cars. The law also requires Brussels to create an independent body of scientific experts to advise on climate policies, and a greenhouse gas budget to define the total emissions the EU can produce from 2030-2050 and still meet its climate goals. (Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

Global legal experts draw up ‘historic’ definition of ecocide

Legal experts from across the globe have drawn up a “historic” definition of ecocide, intended to be adopted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to prosecute major offences against the environment. The draft law defines ecocide as “unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts”. It captures the most egregious acts against the environment, including major oil spills, Amazon deforestation or the unlawful killing of a significant protected species. If adopted by the ICC’s members, it would become the fifth international crime the court prosecutes, alongside war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. Several European countries, most notably France, have expressed an interest in the idea. (The Guardian)

CLIMATE CHANGE

Top insurers join Prince of Wales’s climate crisis Taskforce

Some of the UK’s largest insurers have joined the Prince of Wales to launch a sector-wide taskforce aimed at tackling the climate crisis. The ‘Sustainable Market Initiative Insurance Taskforce’ – comprising bosses from 17 firms including Legal & General, Allianz, Hiscox and Axa – has pledged to support the transition to a less carbon-intensive economy by expanding insurance coverage for projects such as offshore windfarms, and partnering with governments to provide better disaster protection cover in countries facing serious risks caused by global heating. The group, which the prince first brought together in February, is pushing ahead with plans to expand insurance coverage for hydrogen and nuclear power, and adding clauses to home insurance policies that will encourage customers who lose their home to fire or flood to rebuild with more sustainable materials. (The Guardian)

ANIMAL WELFARE

Luxury coat brand Canada Goose to end use of fur by 2022

Canada Goose, the maker of luxury-priced winter coats, will no longer use animal fur on its clothing,  ceasing buying fur by the end of 2021 and stopping its use in its products by the end of 2022. Canada Goose has long been criticised by campaigners for using coyote fur on its parkas. The move is part of the company's strategy to extend the use of sustainable materials and low-carbon methods of making its coats. The global fur trade industry has already been hit by a growing number of designers and retailers walking away from fur to avoid PR repercussions. Designer brand Burberry announced in 2018 it would stop using rabbit, fox, mink and raccoon fur, and Italian fashion house Prada also committed to end the use of fur. (BBC News)