International Development
Africa presses for World Bank reform
African leaders and development experts are to push for changes in World Bank policy and faster reform of its selection procedures. This follows a bitter contest for the top job in the financial institution which exposed its failure to practise what it preaches. In a rare show of unity, all 54 African states backed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Nigerian finance minister and a former World Bank managing director, to be the new president. Reflecting a widely held African view, Sindiso Ngwenya, the secretary-general of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, said the fact that the bank’s selection process had not changed to reflect evolving global realities had undermined its authority.
Financial Times* p8 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8bb6415e-88ad-11e1-a526-00144feab49a.html#axzz1sC2fMiXw
Sustainable Development
Private sector and governments discuss green and inclusive economy ahead of Rio+20
In the run-up to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), business representatives, government officials and other stakeholders engaged in a two-day consultation in The Hague, the Netherlands. More than 300 participants discussed the theme “Realising Inclusive and Green Growth” and how business’ strengths in innovation, adaptation and implementation can best be leveraged to facilitate the transition to a green economy. The outcomes of the discussions have been captured and will be fed into the negotiation process for Rio+20.
CSR-News http://csr-news.net/main/2012/04/16/private-sector-and-governments-discuss-green-and-inclusive-economy-ahead-of-rio20/
Environment
MPs warn UK pollution outsourcing
Carbon emissions from goods imported and consumed in the UK are rising faster than the domestic fall in greenhouse gases, MPs say. ‘Outsourcing’ of pollution overseas will tarnish the UK’s record on carbon emissions, experts warned. The UK’s carbon dioxide emissions fell by 19% between 1990 and 2008, but its carbon footprint, based on what the UK consumes, grew by 20%.The government say that a new deal on climate change should be agreed.
BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17743589
Greenpeace takes a bite out of Apple’s dirty datacentres
Greenpeace has warned a number of cloud computing providers, including Apple, Amazon and Microsoft, about the damaging effects their datacentres are having on the environment. In a new report, entitled “How Clean is Your Cloud”, Greenpeace said there is a split in the technology industry between companies that are taking steps to power their clouds with clean energy, such as Google, Yahoo and Facebook, and those whose datacentres run on so-called “dirty energy” like coal and nuclear power.
Business Green http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2168408/greenpeace-takes-bite-apples-dirty-datacentres
UN: meat consumption must be cut to reduce greenhouse gases
In the developed world, citizens take advantage of the enormous bounty of meat while shopping at markets and dining in restaurants. For some, a meal can only be classified as real if it contains some kind of meat in it. According to the UN, the attitude towards meat consumption has to change, and people must cut back. This is a necessary step in reducing one of the most potent greenhouse gases, nitrous oxide (N2O). A recent study by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggests that the developed world needs to cut its meat consumption by 50% per person by the year 2050.
ENN http://www.enn.com/agriculture/article/44270
Sales of low emission cars soar in UK
UK drivers are increasingly choosing fuel efficient cars with historically low carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, according to motor industry body SMMT. Demand for frugal, low emission cars has risen as a result of rising fuel prices, and technological advances have increased the supply of such cars. The SMMT said 46.8% of cars sold in 2011 emitted less than 130 g/kg, up from 10.6% in 2007.
BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17740356
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