UK shale gas projections “wildly optimistic”, campaigners say
A new paper by the Institute of Directors (IOD), sponsored by shale gas firm Cuadrilla Resources, says pressing ahead with extracting shale gas in the UK could create a £3.7bn industry supporting 74,000 jobs and generating significant revenues for the UK Treasury. The IOD also claims domestic shale could reduce the country's emissions if it is used to replace coal power and could supply around one third of the UK's peak gas demand. However, opponents of such developments say that the environmental damage caused by extraction outweighs the benefits of exploiting the energy source, while researchers have suggested much of the reserves will have to stay in the ground if the UK is to meet its legally-binding climate targets. (Financial Times*, Business Green)
Environment
UK retailers increase efforts to decrease food waste
Coca-Cola Enterprises, Unilever, AB InBev, Nestlé, and 45 other organisations have all recommitted to a joint reduction of food and drink waste by 1.1m tonnes by 2015. This pledge is part of a three-phase programme called the ‘Courtauld Commitment’, launched by the UK waste charity WRAP in 2005. The first phase and second phases diverted 2.3bn tonnes of food and packaging waste which included supply chain waste reduction, but phase three promises to be the most ambitious yet. The companies’ goals include reducing household food and drink waste by five percent and grocery waste by eight percent. WRAP projects that if these reduction goals are met, phase three will reduce CO2 emissions by 2.9 tonnes and bring £1.6bn in cost benefits to consumers and business. (Sustainable Brands)
Social Investment
Western Union responds to Oklahoma tornado
Money transfer company, Western Union, has announced support for disaster relief efforts for families and communities affected by the tornado in Oklahoma. The Western Union Foundation is an American Red Cross disaster-response partner and is supporting the immediate response activities, which includes providing shelter, meals and mental health triage for people impacted by the storm. Western Union will two-for-one match all employee donations and has set up a no-fee payments contribution account benefitting the American Red Cross. (CSR Wire)
Supply Chain
Nestlé commits to sourcing certified cocoa beans
Nestlé USA announced that it will source 100 percent certified, ‘Nestlé Cocoa Plan’ cocoa beans for the entire line of Nestlé Crunch bars. The Nestlé Cocoa Plan is the company’s global initiative to help improve the lives of cocoa farmers and the quality of their products while also assuring a sustainable cocoa supply for years to come. By the end of 2013, Nestlé will purchase enough certified Nestlé Cocoa Plan beans to produce the entire line of everyday Nestlé Crunch bars, the company’s 75-year-old flagship confections brand. The beans will be certified by UTZ Certified, an independent organisation focused on developing sustainable farming and better opportunities for farmers and their families. (Sustainable Brands)
Water
IBM and Arad Group partner to cut water use
IBM has teamed up with Arad Group, which provides water measurement solutions and services, to develop a product that will help utilities and water companies use big data and advanced analytics technology to better manage drinking water. IBM is working with Arad to integrate the latest analytics algorithms into the company’s automated metre system software, which will help utilities reduce water losses, cut costs and better understand water consumption. Field tests of the analytics tool have already shown a potential reduction of 50 percent in the number of technician visits. (Environmental Leader)
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