Textile/Apparel
H&M launches new organic and recycled collection
The Swedish retailer H&M became the largest buyer of organic cotton in the autumn of 2011, surpassing Walmart. H&M launched its first collection of clothing made from organic or recycled materials in 2010, and called it the Garden Collection. A year later, the company launched the Conscious Collection, also made from organic or recycled materials. H&M recently announced it will launch its 2012 H&M Glamour Collection, part of its Conscious Collection line on April 12 at 100 of its stores worldwide.
UK government fails to reach decision on carbon reporting
UK businesses have slammed the Government’s lack of decision in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mandatory reporting as “unacceptable” and “deplorable”. This follows yesterday’s announcement by government that it has not reached a decision on whether or not it intends to introduce carbon reporting, which was planned to come into force on April 6 2012. Despite growing support from UK businesses, green NGOs and politicians for the introduction of mandatory carbon reporting the Government has declined to make a decision.
United States environment agency seeks strict limits on new coal plants
New controls on carbon dioxide emitted by power stations proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would ban the construction of new coal-fired plants lacking costly special equipment. The regulations are the latest move in the EPA’s drive to regulate CO2, thought to contribute to global warming, which has led to the agency coming under fire from Republican politicians and some industry organisations.
Policy
Planning reform delivers stronger definition of ‘sustainable development’
Fears that Government plans to shake-up the UK planning system will deliver a building free-for-all and damage the natural environment were eased, as Ministers published a new national planning framework containing a strengthened definition of ‘sustainable development’. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) aims to streamline planning policy and kick-start economic growth through house-building and other developments. It has always contained a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’, but the final document contains a definition of what sustainability should encompass, which was welcomed today by the green building sector, green groups and conservationists.
Green Wise http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/planning-reform-delivers-stronger-definition-of-sustainable-development-3190.aspx
Consumers
Nielsen identifies attributes of the global, socially-conscious consumer
Half of consumers under age 40 are willing to pay extra for products and services from socially-responsible companies. These global, socially-conscious consumers consult social media when making purchase decisions and are most concerned about environmental, educational and hunger causes, according to a new study from Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy.
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