WWF and Coca-Cola debut Arctic protection campaign
Coca-Cola and WWF are joining forces to deliver a marketing campaign to raise awareness and funding for Arctic protection programmes. The company has earmarked €3m for a three year Europe-wide advertising and marketing campaign, designed to encourage consumers to make online donations to WWF's new ‘Arctic Home initiative’. The money raised through the campaign will support polar bear conservation efforts in the Arctic, but WWF and Coca-Cola also hope to raise broader awareness of climate change and the melting of Arctic sea ice. (Business Green)
Greener ships take to Scandinavian waters
The “world’s first” electrically powered car ferry has been launched in Norway. The largest passenger ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) was also launched at the same time, marking a leap forward in the bid for greener sea travel. The 80 metre electric car ferry was developed by Siemens, Norwegian shipyard Fjellstrand, and shipping company Norled as part of a competition organised by Norway's Ministry of Transport. From 2015, the ship will serve the route between Lavik and Oppedal, carrying 120 cars and 360 passengers across the famous Sognefjord. The LNG-powered Viking Grace will carry passengers from Turku in Finland to Stockholm. (Business Green)
Supply Chain
Benetton commits to supply chain detox
Italian fashion brand Benetton has committed to eliminating the release of hazardous chemicals throughout its supply chain and products by 2020. The move comes in response to Greenpeace's ‘Detox’ campaign, launched in 2011, which aims to increase environmental transparency in the fashion industry. Benetton has followed in the footsteps of 12 fellow fashion brands to commit to the campaign including Uniqlo earlier this year. (Edie)
Finance & Banking
Tax rate of FTSE100 companies drops for fourth year
The average effective tax rate for FTSE100 companies has fallen for the fourth consecutive year, according to research from UHY Hacker Young. The average effective rate is now 24.5 percent, having fallen nearly a third since 2009, when the rate was 35.8 percent. The fall, according to Hacker Young, is due to companies "generating greater profits overseas, allowing them to take advantage of lower prevailing tax rates in those jurisdictions". (Accountancy Age)
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