Japan says it has successfully extracted natural gas from frozen methane hydrate off its central coast, in a world first. Researchers say it could provide an alternative energy source for Japan which currently imports all its energy needs. Total deposits of methane hydrate around Japan are estimated to be sufficient to cover domestic consumption of natural gas for about 100 years. Other countries including Canada, the US and China have been looking into ways of exploiting methane hydrate deposits as well. (BBC, Times of India, Japan Times)
Policy & Research
Global Access to Nutrition Index report released
The Access to Nutrition Index (ATNI) results showed that the world’s largest food and beverage manufacturers must do more to increase access to nutritious products and positively exercise their influence on consumer choice and behaviour. The ANTI, funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Gates Foundation and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, assesses the world’s 25 largest manufacturers based on their nutrition-related commitments, performance and disclosure practices against international guidelines, norms and accepted best practices. Danone, Unilever and Nestlé are the top performers on the ATNI, receiving the highest scores on both the obesity and under-nutrition rankings. (Access to nutrition, Financial Times*)
Social Stock Exchange will open later this year
The Social Stock Exchange, a new organisation that will publish details of social ventures seeking investment, will open in the UK later this year, according to a spokeswoman for the exchange. The exchange will not act as a trading platform where investments can be bought and sold, but as a ‘shop window’ through which global social investors can view a number of companies and charities in one place. It is expected to open with about 20 organisations listed, each of which will have completed a ‘social impact report’, which will carry information about their social benefit. (Third Sector*)
Supply Chain
Whole Foods to label all GMO products
All products sold at Whole Foods Market stores containing genetically modified organisms (GMO) will be clearly labelled within five years, the grocery chain has announced. This makes the company the first national grocery chain to set a deadline for what it terms “full GMO transparency.” From now until the 2018 deadline, Whole Foods says it will work in collaboration with its suppliers as they transition to sourcing non-GMO ingredients or to clearly labelling products with ingredients containing GMOs. (Environmental Leader)
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