Boost for aid effectiveness as transparency initiative gains momentum
More than 130 organisations are now publishing their data to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), an open data platform that allows comparisons of aid flows in order to improve accountability and impact. IATI’s membership has grown to include 37 donor signatories who together represent 75% of global official development finance. In a foreword to the IATI’s new 2012 report, UK Development Secretary Justine Greening MP says: “Transparency of aid flows is critical to good aid delivery. It helps reduce waste, fight corruption and makes sure money gets to the people who need it most.” In 2013, the initiative plans to develop tools such as the prototype aidview.net, which aims to make IATI data accessible to all. (UNDP)
Environment
C40 and Siemens announce collaboration on cities and sustainability
The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and Siemens have announced a new collaboration to recognise city actions and innovation that will accelerate city actions to combat the impacts of global climate change. “Forming a partnership with Siemens and tapping into their knowledge and expertise will improve our ability to measure the results of our initiatives, advance the most effective policies, and build on the great work already underway in C40 cities,” said C40 Chair, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. The collaboration includes both a technical partnership on greenhouse gas emissions and a newly created C40 & Siemens City Climate Leadership Award to provide recognition for cities that are demonstrating climate action leadership. (C40)
Renewables investment to triple by 2030 – but is it enough?
Annual investment in renewable energy technologies, such as wind turbines and solar panels, is likely to jump by 230% by 2030, according to a major new report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). BNEF's ‘new normal’ analysis predicts wind will account for 30% of new capacity by 2030 and solar will take up 24% as a result of reductions in technology costs. Global biofuel production, meanwhile, could increase by around 200%. The new analysis comes on the heels of a report launched last week by the International Energy Agency, stating that the development of low-carbon energy is progressing too slowly to limit global warming, with the average unit of energy produced today just as dirty as it was 20 years ago. (BusinessGreen; Reuters)
Supply Chain
Samsung commits to action on tin, while Apple stays silent
Samsung Electronics has admitted it is using tin mined in Indonesia for the manufacture of its smart phones, causing devastating effects on the local environment. Last year Friends of the Earth carried out a six-month investigation which found that the mining of tin used in popular brands of smartphones was destroying tropical forests, killing coral and damaging community life on the island of Bangka in Indonesia. Samsung has now committed to taking urgent action to tackle the problem across its supply chain and it has written to customers explaining how it has traced its supply chain back to the mines. Meanwhile, Friends of the Earth has called for a similar commitment from Samsung’s main rival Apple. (Edie; Friends of the Earth)
Governance
Shareholders revolt over pay at Anglo American
More than a quarter of Anglo American's investors have refused to back the company's proposed remuneration for its top executives. Shareholders in the company have also thrown out a resolution that would have helped the miner raise cash from outside investors. The revolt against the remuneration report rose to 28% from 15% last year, as investor unrest over executive pay showed no sign of relenting. Anglo, which has installed a new chief executive, Mark Cutifani, and reported a loss of £150m because of spending on its Minas-Rio iron ore mine in Brazil, held its annual meeting on Friday, but did not announce the details of the vote until Monday. (Times*; Guardian)
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