World Bank to improve sustainability of emerging supply chains
TradeCard, a supply chain collaboration and global trade platform, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, have announced a partnership to enable supply chain liquidity and sustainability in emerging regions. For suppliers in developing countries, the programme is a significant option for obtaining access to capital without impacting their credit lines. The IFC’s ‘Global Trade Supplier Finance’ programme helps suppliers on the TradeCard Platform obtain cash faster and reduce capital-related risk by discounting their receivables. “For brands and retailers, this is a unique opportunity to partner with IFC and the World Bank Group to create a sustainability roadmap for their supply chain,” said Kurt Cavano, founder, chairman & chief strategy officer of TradeCard. (Transport & Logistics News)
Social Investments
Britain has only weeks to use Olympics for social good
Sports organisations, businesses and charities yesterday called for action after Sir Matthew Pinsent, the four-times Olympic rowing champion, said that Britain must avoid the fate of Australia, which failed to capitalise on the enthusiasm of the 2000 Sydney Games to tackle a host of social problems. The euphoria surrounding the Olympics can be utilised to affect young people’s sport participation in disadvantaged communities and obesity rates in England. Sara Parker, of the British CBI employers’ lobbying organisation, said that companies had only weeks to capitalise on the success of the Games. (The Times*)
Policy & Research
Australian oceans could supply 10% power
A new study by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia, has revealed that Australia’s oceans could supply 10% of the country’s electricity by 2050. Their report, Ocean Renewable Energy: 2015-2050, showed that there are tremendous energy resources from waves, tides, currents and thermal energy in Australia’s southern oceans. This is the first time in Australia that ocean-based renewable energy has been assessed from resource to market development. Dr Susan Wijffels, a spokesperson for the CSIRO, said that the findings showed that wave power could be integral to Australia’s renewable energy plan. The CSIRO hopes that their report will encourage the renewable energy industry, government and the public to think seriously about the opportunities, as well as the challenges, for ocean technology in Australia. (Smart Planet)
Consumers
Hotels must use targeted marketing to attract green consumers
Hotels trying to attract green consumers should use targeted marketing, according to research from the University of New Hampshire Whittemore (UNH) School of Business and Economics. As a result of the findings in the analysis Profiling the Potential ‘Green’ Hotel Guest: Who Are They and What Do They Want?, it is suggested that hotels develop a green placement strategy targeted at green consumers that draws on both functional and emotional images. For example, it was found that green consumers look for tangible, functional images such as a recycling programme or a green building certification. They will also look for actions that illustrate a hotel’s commitment to the environment, such as a menu that offers food supplied by local farmers. A growing number of hotel chains have launched environmental initiatives. In May, Hilton Worldwide kicked off a three-year initiative to help procurement professionals make more informed purchasing decisions based on the best available sustainability data and information. (Environmental Leader)
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