The EU is facing fresh calls to accelerate its crackdown on first generation biofuels following a report backed by Greenpeace. The report assesses how the EU can sustainably deliver its target of ten percent of transport fuels from renewable sources, as well as a six percent reduction in transport emissions, by 2020. A number of NGOs have criticised the EU’s over-reliance on biofuels made from food crops, due to their negligible impact on GHG emissions and their impact on food security and deforestation. The report argues that the bloc should aim for “near-zero use” of certain biofuels by 2020. (Business Green)
Virgin and Ritz-Carlton to bottle own water
Hospitality brands including Virgin Hotels and Ritz Carlton have signed up to the ‘Whole World Water initiative’, through which they will filter, bottle and sell their own water. The spas, hotels, resorts and restaurants that join the program will then contribute ten percent of the bottled water proceeds to the Whole World Water Fund, which benefits clean and safe water programs around the world. Virgin Group founder Richard Branson said the programme’s model reduces shipping pollution as well as financial and environmental costs. (Edie, Environmental Leader)
Revolution in energy use ‘will help curb warming’
The world is poised for a revolution in the way it uses energy that will boost its efficiency by almost a third and bolster efforts to curb global warming, according to the new Energy Outlook report from BP. The report predicts that the amount of power needed to produce a dollar of economic output will fall by 31 percent by 2030, as emerging economies continue to develop. This will see them reducing energy-intensive industrial production in favour of services and lighter manufacturing, which use less power. Meanwhile, improving production techniques and new technologies will improve business efficiency across the world. (Independent)
Employees
South African platinum miners strike over job cuts
The South African Government and its trade union allies are attempting to head off a new crisis in the mining industry after platinum workers at three pits went on strike on Wednesday at plans by Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) to cut 14,000 jobs. Mining minister Susan Shabangu said the world's biggest platinum producer had shown arrogance by failing to consult properly with the Government before making the announcement to close four pits. The unrest comes after a turbulent 2012 for the South African mining sector, with protests in the autumn lasting for weeks and resulting in more than 50 deaths. (Guardian)
Corporate Reputation
Playboy fined £100,000 for lax age restrictions
Playboy has been fined £100,000 by Ofcom for offering hardcore videos and pornographic images online that could be accessed by children. The media regulator said that the adult pay-TV company's failure to have proper controls to stop young people accessing two of its websites was "serious, repeated and reckless". Ofcom found that Playboy did not have acceptable web controls to check that users accessing the porn sites were aged 18 or over. Controls that can be used include asking users for credit card details, which are not available to those aged below 18. (Guardian, Times*)
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