Manufacturers increase green focus
Envirowise, a governmental consulting body, and EEF, an industry body for the manufacturing and engineering sector, have surveyed 562 UK manufacturing companies for the report “Measuring performance – Environment survey 2008.” The report, published on August 25, found that the manufacturing sector has established environmental priorities, is engaged on key issues like recycling and energy use, and is taking action. Only 2% of those questioned said their companies took no action on environmental issues. However small and medium enterprises are experiencing more problems implementing “green” policies into their businesses and were affected by increasing waste management costs.
Lords call for waste reform
The House of Lords Science Committee has called on the government to take action to ensure more is done at a national level to encourage all businesses to reduce waste. One of the Lords’ proposals includes a VAT system amendment which could introduce variable VAT rates for products using more sustainable materials, as well as reduced VAT for servicing and repairs. The so-called “fast fashion” industry was criticised for contributing to a “throwaway society”.
Sainsbury’s opens green supermarket
Sainsbury’s has opened a supermarket in Devon which will use 50% less energy and produce 40% less carbon dioxide than a normal store. The supermarket features 38 different energy-saving measures including a biomass boiler burning wood chips to provide heating, LED lighting and solar-powered fans.The company has also unveiled a greener delivery lorry, which is powered by the gas produced from decaying rubbish.
Car makers must go green
The results of an opinion poll, published on August 28, show that 87% of people in the UK favour measures to force car manufacturers to produce cars that use 25% less fuel. The poll, commissioned by Friends of the Earth and undertaken by TNS Opinion, questioned a total of 4,885 people in the UK, Germany, Spain, France and Italy. 58% said that apart from cost, fuel consumption was the most important factor in choosing a car.
Contact
Friends of the Earth
020 7566 1649 www.foe.co.uk
Employees want more sustainable business practices
Zogby International, an information service company, has surveyed over 700 US employees to understand their views on so-called “green” corporations. The research, published on August 14, was commissioned by a workplace communication specialist, the Marlin Company. Almost a quarter of those questioned said that companies go green to save money, whilst 22% said they do it to gain positive publicity. Nearly 15% said companies make green choices in order to be politically correct and only 17% cited social responsibility as the motive. When asked, “Who’s greener, you or your company?”, more than 63% of employees said that they were greener. Frank Kenna, CEO and president of the Marlin Company, concluded: “Companies need to do more than talk about green initiatives. Employees need to see that their company is serious about it.”
Carbon Trust launches green lighting guide for retailers
The Carbon Trust launched a free Display Lighting Technology Guide, on August 21, offering advice and tips on how retailers can reduce energy costs, while cutting carbon emissions in the process. By implementing no cost and low cost energy saving measures, such as upgrading to energy efficient light bulbs or making use of natural lighting, retailers can save money and reduce carbon emissions, while also complying with relevant legislation.
Sustainability awards shortlist announced
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) announced its shortlist to the annual UK Sustainability Reporting Awards on August 28. Last year’s winner BT will have to defend its title against strong competition from Unilever, Vodafone and the Co-Operative Group amongst others. Thames Water and Body Shop did not make the shortlist despite appearing on it previous years.
Contact
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants UK
020 7059 5000 www.uk.accaglobal.com
IFC partners with the Global Reporting Initiative
International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, signed an agreement with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) on September 17 to launch a 12-month research and consultation project to help private enterprises worldwide create new opportunities for women, adopt best practices in sustainability reporting, and improve their bottom lines. The project will develop a Gender Sustainability Reporting Resource Guide that will complement the GRI’s innovative Sustainability Reporting Framework, the most widely used and recognized global framework for nonfinancial reporting.
New UN report ‘sounds strong alarm’ on gaps in achieving development goals
Trade and aid are still major barriers to achieving the anti-poverty goals that countries committed themselves to achieving by 2015, despite significant progress in debt relief for the poorest States, according to a United Nations report launched on September 4 by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The report “Delivering on the Global Partnership for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)” was prepared by the MDG Gap Task Force, created by Mr. Ban to track global commitments on aid, trade and debt, and to follow progress on access to essential medicines and technology. Released ahead of a high-level event on the MDGs convened by Mr. Ban in New York on September 25, the report found that donors will need to boost their development assistance by $18 billion a year between now and 2010 if they are to meet the pledges they made in 2000 to halve poverty and other socio-economic ills.
Greenpeace unveils 9th Guide to Greener Electronics
Greenpeace released its ninth annual Guide to Greener Electronics on September 16. Greenpeace scores electronics brands on a set of chemicals and e-waste criteria and on new energy criteria. The ranking criteria reflect the demands of Greenpeace’s ‘Toxic Tech’ campaign that demands that companies should clean up their products by eliminating hazardous substances and take-back and recycle their products responsibly once they become obsolete. This year Nokia returns to first place with 7 out of 10, whilst Nintendo was last, scoring 0.8 out of 10.
SME managers suffer anxiety as downturn takes effect
One in six managers of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the UK are stressed to the point of regularly waking in the middle of the night worrying about their business, according to figures released on September 17 by Norwich Union Business Protection. Findings from the survey show that a market downturn and customers defaulting on payments are the main causes of stress, cited by 46% and 30% of SME owners respectively. 23% said they were specifically concerned by rising utility bills.
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