Boardrooms ignore climate change at their peril, say CDP and DJSI
The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) have unveiled their new results, with both reporting large increases in participation from the world’s biggest companies. According to the CDP, a host of extreme weather events this year have driven climate change up the boardroom agenda, with 81% of Global 500 companies responding to its 2012 questionnaire. Of these, 81% now identify physical risk from climate change and 37% perceive these risks as a real and present danger, up from 10% in 2010. Bayer and Nestlé top the 2012 rankings, both achieving a perfect 100% score for disclosure and an ‘A’ for performance. Meanwhile, the DJSI saw an 8.4% increase in participation from the world’s top 2,500 companies in 2012, with Unilever, ANZ, Siemens and Akzo Nobel among this year’s ‘Supersector Leaders’. BMW is the only company to reach the top of both rankings. According to Paul Simpson, CEO of the CDP, “There are still leaders and laggards but the economic driver for action is growing, as is the number of investors requesting emissions data. Governments seeking to build strong economies should take note.” (CDP; DJSI)
International Development
Child mortality plummets thanks to economic growth and better aid
Global child mortality has nearly halved in the past two decades thanks to a mixture of better aid and economic growth in poorer countries, according to a UN report. Research released yesterday showed fewer than seven million children under the age of five died last year, compared with nearly 12 million in 1990. However, huge challenges remain in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, which together accounted for over 80% of all under-five deaths in 2011. "The global decline in under-five mortality is a significant success that is a testament to the work and dedication of governments, donors, agencies and families," said Anthony Lake from the UN children's agency Unicef. "But millions of children under five are still dying each year from largely preventable causes for which there are proven, affordable interventions." (The Independent, p31)
Environment
Retail sector dominates on-site solar generation
Retailers Walmart, Costco, Kohl’s, Ikea and Macy’s make up the top five US corporates in terms of on-site solar capacity, with other retail businesses taking four of the remaining spots in the top 20, according to a report by the Solar Energy Industries Association and the Vote Solar Initiative. The report, Solar Means Business, says that Walmart and Costco combined have more solar photovoltaics installed on their store rooftops than all of the capacity deployed in the state of Florida, while Ikea now has solar power at 79% of its locations. Overall, the top 10 companies have individually deployed more solar energy than most electric utilities in the US. The report also highlights the role that corporates have played in funding solar; Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Google and others have provided billions of dollars in financing for solar energy systems in the US. (Environmental Leader; SEIA)
Co-op sponsors anti-aviation tax campaign
Environmentalists have expressed outrage at the news that a member of the Co-operative Group, which describes itself as “among the world's leading businesses tackling climate change”, is sponsoring an anti-aviation tax. Co-operative Travel is sponsoring the Airport Operators’ Association’s ‘A Fair Tax on Flying’ campaign, which is seeking a reduction in European green taxes on flights. According to a Co-op spokesman, the Group believes that the current tax system is not “fair on consumers and fair on the climate”. However, John Stewart of the Campaign for Better Transport claims that the Co-op’s involvement in the campaign “badly tarnishes” its green, ethical reputation. “Many of its members will be shocked at its decision to join this alliance,” he said. (The Guardian)
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