Marks & Spencer has partnered with WWF to support its 100-point eco plan – Plan A. The partnership, which was announced on September 3, will see the retailer work with WWF on environmental projects in its supply chain as M&S is looking to extend its sourcing of sustainable raw materials. WWF will also help the company to raise awareness with customers and staff to reduce their individual carbon footprint and in turn M&S will fund WWF’s conservation projects in Borneo and the North East Atlantic Marine Eco-Region.
Sony has entered into a partnership with a subsidiary of New York refuse company Waste Management, to enable its US customers to recycle their old Sony electronics products for free and in an environmentally safe way. Announced on August 16, the Sony Take Back Recycling Program was developed with WM Recycle America and launched on September 15 in the US. This is the first collaboration of its kind between a large electronics manufacturer and a national waste management company. Sony hopes that the number of ‘eCycling’ sites will increase to 150 country-wide over the next year.
This initiative coincides with the announcement, on August 9, that Sony has reduced the energy consumption of 90% of its product range over the 2006 financial year.
Contact Sony, corporate social responsibility department 0081 3 6748 2111 www.sony.net
Green paper
Xerox has designed a new type of printing paper that uses 90% of the tree, as opposed to just 45% as traditionally used, and requires less chemicals, energy and trees to produce. The higher wood yield and lower use of chemicals is a result of Xerox mechanically grinding the wood chips into pulp as opposed to using chemical pulping process. There is up to 75% less greenhouse gas emitted due to the use of hydroelectricity to help power the process. As well as being environmentally friendly the Xerox High Yield Business Paper is 10% lighter than traditional paper, saving businesses money on shipping and mailing costs. The Wall Street Journal claims the paper yellows badly with age but Xerox only recommends the paper for short term use or temporary business documents. The paper has been available for purchase since August 1 in the US.
The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development announced on August 15 its support for Meridian Energy’s move to set up an energy efficiency advisory service for homebuilders. Called Righthouse, the service will advise potential homebuilders about energy efficient technologies and installation techniques.
Meridian also plans to trial the introduction of all electric cars in New Zealand, which the NZBCSD has also thrown its support behind, hoping that New Zealand might become a world test market. Research conducted by the NZBCSD has shown that citizens want New Zealand to lead the way on climate change.
Ecover will no longer carry the Vegan Society trademark following a disagreement between the two organisations over the permissibility of using water fleas to measure the effect Ecover products have on aquatic systems. In a joint press release the two organisations state their respect for the other’s values while politely agreeing to disagree. The company, which is the world’s biggest producer of green cleaning products, says it “owes its customers transparency”.
Where the Vegan Society deems the “animal testing” unjustifiable, Ecover regards the tests as vitally necessary in order to continue the company’s commitment to minimising its impact on the environment. Ecover also uses blood from rabbit farms to conduct another currently vital test.
The US Environmental Protection Agency announced the 25 top purchasers of green energy on July 31. Top of the list was PepsiCo by some way, purchasing twice the amount of Wells Fargo & Co, the next company on the list. While some places were filled by public agencies, most of the list comprised private companies including Starbucks, DuPont, IBM and HSBC North America. The EPA cites this as evidence that the US is moving towards a “green culture”. Launched in 2001, the EPA’s Green Power Partnership has over 750 partner organisations, who voluntarily buy energy from renewable sources such as wind or solar in a bid to lower their environmental impact.
The cost of sustainable construction is overestimated by the real estate and construction industry according to a report from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, which found that the building sector misjudged “the costs and benefits of ‘green’ buildings, creating a major barrier to more energy efficiency in the building sector”.
Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Business Realities and Opportunities showed that the 1,400 respondents to the global survey estimated the cost of energy efficient buildings as 17% more expensive than traditional construction. The true difference is closer to 5% more expensive. Respondents also thought that carbon emissions by buildings amounted to 19% of total global emissions but the actual amount is 40%. The study concludes by outlining the opportunities for the construction industry and steps that can be taken to promote energy efficient construction globally.
The report summarises the first phase of the WBCSD’s Energy Efficiency in Buildings Project, which is a three-year initiative to assess the environmental impacts of buildings and develop means to achieve zero net energy use for residential and commercial buildings. The project is co-chaired by Lafarge and UnitedTechnologiesCorporation.
National Grid, the global utility company, has announced its support for draft regulations aimed to cut carbon emissions and energy costs. The US state of Massachusetts has drawn up rules for a cap-and-trade system, which are intended for this purpose. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has become the first of 10 US states to draft such legislation and National Grid stated that it is in strong support of “the transparent and equitable process of auctioning CO2 allowances to fossil power generators”. It has further pledged to “provide needed revenues for investment in no- or low-carbon technology, such as energy efficiency and other non-conventional forms of energy”. The draft regulation is part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative – a cooperative effort by Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
General Electric’s energy investment unit, GE Energy Financial Services, has entered into a joint venture with the AES Corporation to create a standard for the creation and sale of scientifically verified greenhouse gas credits in the US. Announced on July 25, GE AES Greenhouse Gas Services is committed to providing a “rigorous and comprehensive” standard that has “measurable environmental benefit”.
A wide range of international experts were consulted to help ensure the system will not be abused. GE AES Greenhouse Gas Services hopes to be producing somewhere in the region of 20m metric tons of carbon emission credits by 2010.
Morgan Stanley, the global financial services firm, announced on August 14 that it is partnering with DetNorske Veritas to create the Morgan Stanley Carbon Bank, which will help clients to become carbon neutral. Morgan Stanley will offer carbon offsetting and verification and will enable clients to calculate their carbon footprint and take an emissions inventory. DNV, a provider of emissions data certification, will verify the footprints and inventories.
The World Conservation Union has published a report looking at the impact biodiversity loss could have on banks and insurance companies. Biodiversity, the next challenge for financial institutions? considers the risks posed to financial organisations as well as the opportunities and also makes a number of recommendations ranging from improving communication about the issue as well as the development of user-friendly tools. Contact The World Conservation Union 0041 22 999 01 04 www.iucn.org
Credit Suisse launched a global warming index on August 1, which will offer investors the opportunity to invest in renewable energy and carbon-controlled stocks. It will allow investors to look at companies involved in more efficient energy consumption, emissions limitation and renewable energy. Contact Credit Suisse www.credit-suisse.com
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