Renewable energy and carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects have a second chance to apply for millions of pounds of European funding, after the EU yesterday opened a new call for applications under its NER300 programme. Member states now have three months to gather proposals for funding from interested companies and submit them to the European Investment Bank (EIB) for consideration. The move marks the second opportunity for projects to receive direct support from Brussels, after the EU gave out about €1.2bn (£1bn) of funding to 23 renewable energy projects, at the end of last year. (Business Green)
Corporate Reputation
APP fights back after accusations of policy violation
Asia Pulp & Paper, one of the world’s largest pulp and paper producers, released a report yesterday that says it has not violated its zero-deforestation policy, which it committed to in February 2013. The report investigates allegations made last month that two of APP’s suppliers were clearing natural forest in Borneo and comes a day after analysis published by WWF and other environmental groups accused APP of causing the deforestation of more than 1.4 million hectares in Indonesia. According to the report, in both cases, there was clearance of natural forest being undertaken, but it claims that in neither incident was "the clearance related to APP". (Edie, Environmental Leader)
Human Rights
Zara hit by slave labour allegations
High Street fashion chain Zara is under investigation over the use of sweatshops and child labour, it has been revealed. "Degrading" factory conditions in Argentina were reportedly used to produce clothes for the store. Mostly Bolivian labourers, including children, were made to work up to 16-hour days without breaks and were prevented from leaving the factories without permission, according to investigators. Authorities moved in on the sweatshops on the outskirts of Buenos Aires after a tip-off from a workers' rights charity, La Alameda. (Telegraph)
Policy & Research
Waistline Index grows as emerging markets eat fast food
As fast food brands like McDonald’s Corp, Yum! Brands Inc and Domino’s Pizza work to placate anti-obesity advocates at home, they’re taking high-calorie offerings to other parts of the globe and hooking a new generation in emerging markets. Eating less home-cooked food, and consuming more processed snacks and sugary drinks, the average man is gaining weight in Mexico, Brazil and Chile faster than the worldwide average, according to the Waistline Index compiled by Bloomberg. Fears of increase in heart disease, diabetes and child obesity are already causing legislators in Brazil to consider restrictions on marketing by fast-food companies. (Bloomberg)
Employees take corporate sustainability efforts home
According to a 2013 study by business communication firm Gibbs & Soell; ‘Perspectives on Corporate Sustainability’, employees who participate in workplace sustainability programmes in the US are likely to promote sustainable practices at home as well as encourage others to participate. The study found that 73 percent of employees were more likely to make sustainable choices at home as a result of their workplace experience, with 80 percent encouraging others to engage in social responsibility initiatives. The study also found that three out of four make purchasing decisions based on a company’s environmentally-conscious practices. 73 percent of employees said they wished their company engaged in more sustainable business practices. (Environmental leader)
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