Diversity
Number of women on boards in line to pass 25% target by 2015
Women are joining FTSE 100 boards at such a fast rate that they are likely to exceed the target of 25% female directors by 2015, an official report will predict on Tuesday. A year after Lord Davies, the former trade minister, set the target in a high-profile review of women on boards, Cranfield School of Management will say that a 30% figure is achievable within four years without implementing the mandatory quotas proposed by Viviane Reding, the European Union justice commissioner.
Financial Times p1* http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/61b53be4-6c60-11e1-bd0c-00144feab49a.html#axzz1otUTJAtu
Environment
Obama launches initiative to lower the cost of electric vehicles
President Obama has launched a new programme which will lower the cost of electric vehicles (EVs) within the next ten years, accelerating EVs’ competitiveness in the automotive industry. The initiative, EV Everywhere Challenge, will bring together leading United States businesses, engineers and scientists to advance EV technology that will help increase affordability and convenience for drivers. The acceleration of EV technology will allow EVs to become more competitive with traditionally fuelled cars, and supports Obama’s plans to offer consumers affordable fuel alternatives.
Climate Group http://theclimategroup.org/our-news/news/2012/3/12/obama-launches-us-initiative-to-lower-the-cost-of-electric-vehicles/
Microsoft to track global footprint with CarbonSystems roll out
Microsoft will soon reveal whether it is on track to meet an ambitious 30% carbon cutting goal, after announcing a major software deal to help track its environmental impact. The IT giant confirmed it had signed a deal to roll out CarbonSystems Enterprise Sustainability Platform (ESP) application across its entire global operations, concluding its search for a software platform to track key environmental indicators and performance. The company said the system would also allow it to accurately assess the impact, payback period and return on investment of efficiency initiatives, such as projects to reduce the energy consumption of datacentres, deploy low carbon fleets and use teleconferences instead of plane travel.
Business Green http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2158895/microsoft-track-global-footprint-carbonsystems-roll
Government asks businesses for energy data to support £250 million green policy relief
The UK Government has called on companies and trade bodies to provide it with information and data to help shape a £250 million scheme aimed at shielding the UK’s most electricity-intensive industries from the rising cost of green policies. The Chancellor of Exchequer announced that the Government would introduce a series of measures to alleviate electricity bills of energy intensive companies. Through the relief package direct financial assistance will be targeted to the most energy-intensive businesses whose competitiveness may be affected. It will include higher relief from the climate change levy as well as compensation on the cost of the carbon price floor and the EU Emissions Trading System.
Greenwise Business http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/government-asks-businesses-for-energy-data-to-support-250m-green-policy-relief-3144.aspx
Economy
Budget must provide green policy clarity, say business leaders
Business leaders including Shell, Kingfisher, Tesco, Unilever and EDF Energy have called on George Osborne to use next week’s Budget to signal his support for the green economy by clarifying government intentions and policy framework. An open letter signed by 11 members of the Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders on Climate Change group has today calls on the Chancellor to strengthen the EU emissions trading scheme (EU ETS), provide more details on financing for carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration plants, the Green Deal, and the Green Investment Bank, and replace the carbon reduction commitment scheme with a simpler carbon tax.
Business Green http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2158993/budget-provide-green-policy-clarity-business-leaders
Water
World Water Forum will pander to corporate self-interest, say critics
Diplomats, business leaders, and scientific experts are gathering in southern France this week for the international World Water Forum (WWF) billed as a “platform for solutions” to the global water crisis. However the event has been denounced by critics for lacking legitimacy and promoting the interests of large transnational corporations. Critics say the forum caters to the interests of big business and gives corporations opportunities to advance their interests by facilitating direct access to high-ranking government officials. Starting on Wednesday, activists are staging an Alternative World Water Forum to promote alternatives to privatisation and share experiences on how to promote public and community-led water management from the bottom-up.
The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2012/mar/12/world-water-forum-corporate-self-interest
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