International Development
UK £16 million funding to boost agriculture statistics
The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) has signed an agreement with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to donate £16 million ($25 million) to support an innovative new global partnership that would improve the agricultural statistics available to governments and farmers around the world. The ‘Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics’ builds capacity of developing countries to produce and use agricultural and rural statistics for more effective food security, sustainable agricultural and rural development policies and helps makes the information available to farmers when and where they need it.
This Day Live http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/uk-25m-funding-to-boost-agric-statistics/113328/
Environment
FedEx and BP push the envelope with carbon-neutral deliveries
FedEx plans to be the first global logistics company to offer free carbon-neutral envelope shipping, after signing a deal to offset carbon emissions arising from the delivery of more than 200 million packages through oil giant BP’s not-for-profit carbon management programme. The logistics company has already committed to using cleaner fleets. The company has also pledged to calculate the annual carbon footprint of all its FedEx Envelope shipping options and purchase the requisite carbon allowances to cover the deliveries through BP Target Neutral.
Business Green http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2166820/fedex-bp-push-envelope-carbon-neutral-deliveries
Consumers
Energy companies will have to help customers save cash, says Nick Clegg
Clegg will announce the big six energy companies – EDF, E.ON, British Gas, Southern, Scottish Power and npower, which supply 99% of British homes with energy – will from autumn be required to write to customers every year to tell them their best tariff and how to get it. It is the first time the “big six” energy companies will be required to send such information to their consumers, including how they can switch to a cheaper tariff.
The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/apr/11/nick-clegg-energy-firms-help-customers?INTCMP=SRCH
Social Investment
Philanthropists enraged by ‘tax dodger’ claim
The acrimony between the Government and charity leaders intensified after David Cameron and George Osborne claimed philanthropists were giving money to good causes as a way of dodging tax. The Chancellor’s decision to limit, from next April, the amount of tax relief wealthy donors can claim on philanthropic gifts – a move that critics claim will cost charities millions of pounds a year – has provoked outrage.
Corporate Reputation
Barclays executive pay under fire, ABI cites concerns
Britain’s most powerful shareholder group has said it has concerns about executive pay levels at Barclays Plc, adding to growing criticism over a £17 million award for Chief Executive Bob Diamond. IVIS, the shareholder advisory service of the Association of British Insurers (ABI), said it had issued an “amber top” warning on Barclays’ remuneration, which indicates it has some concerns. The ABI said its concerns were about executive pay. It had already criticised Barclays after its 2011 results two months ago, saying the bank had not gone far enough in cutting staff pay to improve rewards for investors.
Reuters http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/04/11/uk-barclays-abi-idUKBRE8391CI20120411
COMMENTS