Cadbury Schweppes has become the first UK food manufacturer to develop a climate change strategy that will focus on absolute rather than relative targets for carbon emission reductions.
The initiative – called Purple Goes Green – will transform the company’s manufacturing processes and assets, minimising the use of energy, packaging and water. The programme is focussing on “saving, switching and, as a last resort, off-setting” and sets the following targets:
50 per cent reduction in net absolute carbon emissions by 2020
10 per cent reduction in packaging used per tonne of product and 25 per cent in the more highly packaged seasonal and gift items
Use more environmentally sustainable forms of packaging
All ‘water scarce’ sites will have water reduction programmes in place
The company is looking to form alliances within the food manufacturing sector and is encouraging its employees to take action on climate change by making Purple Goes Green action packs including environmental information available to staff.
HSBC has announced that it is to introduce renewable energy technology, water and waste reduction programmes as well as engage its employees in order to reduce its overall environmental impact.
The Global Environmental Efficiency Programme, announced on June 28, is an initiative that will allow HSBC offices worldwide to share best practice. It will be reviewed annually to consider its success and to take the emergence of new technology into account. Key areas of focus will be benchmarking, carbon footprint management and innovation, changing employee behaviour and the development of environmental management systems to improve the energy efficiency of the bank’s operations.
Consumers do not trust information from business regarding climate change according to a new survey – What Assures Consumers on Climate Change? – published on June 22.
The survey, by AccountAbility and Consumers International, also found that consumers do not trust the government, the media or celebrities. In addition, while the level of consumer concern is high, actual changes made to behaviour is low. In the US in particular, only 42 per cent of surveyed consumers could name one important action they could take to tackle climate change.
The survey, of 2,734 people in the US and UK, concluded that there is evidence that consumers are open to change but that they need to be assured of the work that businesses are doing to combat climate change.
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