As much as half of the world's food, amounting to two billion tonnes worth, is wasted, a report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers has claimed. The report entitled Global Food; Waste Not, Want Not, said the waste was being caused by poor storage, strict sell-by dates, bulk offers and consumer fussiness. Reasons for the waste differ across the world: the study suggests that half the food bought in Europe and the US is thrown away by consumers, with 30 percent of vegetables in the UK left unharvested because of their physical appearance. However in parts of the developing world, the losses are in the early part of the supply chain – due to poor engineering and agricultural practices. (BBC, Huffington Post)
Unilever to phase out plastic microbeads in scrubs
UK marine conservation groups are claiming victory after Unilever agreed to phase out miniscule plastic "microbeads" used in its facial scrubs and exfoliators. After a campaign highlighting the long-term environmental damage caused by the tiny particles to the world's oceans and natural ecosystems, The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and the North Sea Foundation welcomed the move by Unilever, one of the world's biggest manufacturers of cosmetics and bathing products. Unilever's change of policy applies to all its personal care products worldwide and the phase out is expected to complete by 2015. (Guardian)
Finance & Banking
Executives split by company tax dispute
Half of the chairmen of the largest FTSE 100 companies believe the public is justified in being angry about how some multinationals minimise their tax bills, a survey has found. The findings of the poll by Korn/Ferry Whitehead Mann, show big business is split by the row over companies such as Google, Starbucks and Amazon moving money between jurisdictions to keep tax payments down. “Business has to come to terms with the emerging reality that tax is not just a legal issue, it is also a political and moral issue,” said one chairman who thought the anger was justified. (Financial Times*)
Environment
Internet emits same amount of carbon as the aviation industry
The internet and other components of the ICT industry are responsible for the same amount of carbon emissions as the aviation industry, according to new research. The study by the Centre for Energy-Efficient Telecommunications (CEET) and Bell Labs reveals that the ICT industry emits 830m tonnes of CO2 per year. This is about two percent of global CO2 emissions, equivalent to what the aviation industry releases. The report also predicts that ICT's share of CO2 emissions will double by 2020. (2 degrees, The Economic Times)
Shell under pressure to stop Arctic oil search
Pressure is mounting on Shell to abandon its quest for oil in the Arctic Circle after the US Government ordered two reviews into the Anglo-Dutch company's activities off the Alaskan coast. The Obama administration has ordered a sweeping review of Shell's plans to explore in the Arctic after a series of accidents involving its ships, rigs and equipment, culminating in the grounding of the Kulluk rig near an Alaskan island on New Year's Eve. The mishaps have added to the scrutiny Shell was already under by environmental groups, critical of the potential damage inflicted by increased activity in the area. (Independent)
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