Environment
Aviation plea to leaders over EU emissions tax
Seven leading European aviation companies have written to political leaders complaining about a recently introduced EU carbon tax. The signatories, which include Airbus, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, argue that the pollution levy threatens jobs and trade. They are concerned about trade-related retaliation by countries not complying with the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The CEO of EADS, the parent company of Airbus, Louis Gallois last week told reporters that China had suspended the purchase of planes made by European manufacturers because of the levy.
BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17335616
Carbon finance bankrolls water programme in Kenya
A pioneering sustainable water programme which aims to tackle global water, climate and health challenges has successful used carbon finance to fund a water treatment project in western Kenya. The LifeStraw Carbon for Water programme, which was launched last year by water disease control technology company Vestergaard Frandsen (VF), is thought to be the world’s largest water treatment project in a developing country. As a result of the project VF said that more than 90% of Kenya’s western province now has access to safe drinking water at no additional cost to local communities or the Government.
Edie http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=22048&title=Carbon+finance+bankrolls+water+programme+in+Kenya
Supply Chain
McDonald’s exempt from sustainable food sourcing at London Olympics
McDonald’s has been granted an exemption to local food sourcing goals in the London Olympics. The fast-food chain will source only 10% of the chicken it processes from British farmers. The exemption comes despite the London Games’ Food Vision, which aims to serve 14 meals at 40 different locations using sustainably grown and locally sourced ingredients. Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee (LOCOG), however, defended McDonald’s commitment and pointed out that the company will source beef and pork from the UK and Ireland while offering free range eggs and organic milk.
Triple Pundit http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/03/mcdonalds-chicken-london-olympics/
Social Investment
M&S lends weight to beach litter clean-up campaign
Marks & Spencer is launching what is set to the UK’s biggest ever beach clean-up in a bid to stop marine pollution of seas and shorelines. The retailer has teamed up with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) to organise the event which will take place across 50 beaches over three days, from May 11-13. M&S is encouraging its customers to join in the clean-up effort of common items such as fishing nets, ropes and bottles tops. The Big Beach Clean-up is part of M&S’ Forever Fish campaign which is funded by the 5p carrier bag charge in the retailer’s food halls. Since its introduction in 2008, the charge has reduced carrier bag use by 80% and raised over £4 million for charity.
Edie http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?src=dnl&id=22045
COMMENTS