Demand grows for global targets to slash food waste
A global standard to measure and report on the amount of food wasted across the world is being called for as World Environment Day gets underway. The protocol could help governments and companies implement targeted efforts to reduce food loss and waste, according to a joint study Reducing food loss and waste from the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The report found that one out of every four calories produced by the global agricultural system is being lost or wasted. It also showed striking differences in food waste trends between developed and developing nations. Other measures being called for include the setting of global, national, and corporate food loss and waste reduction targets. (Edie)
Japan overtakes Germany as world’s largest solar leader
Japan is set to overtake Germany as the world’s largest solar market by annual installations this year as government incentives to encourage clean energy after the Fukushima nuclear crisis attract investment. The change comes after the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association announced that Japan’s domestic shipments of solar modules rose 73 percent in the first three months of the year compared with the previous quarter. The rise in shipments is due to the “generous” rate solar power producers receive in the incentive programme that started last July. Japan’s solar tariff is currently 37.8 yen (38 cents) per kilowatt hour for 20 years, more than twice those of Germany and China. (Bloomberg)
Policy & Research
New guide helps managers make case for climate change investment
The UK Environment Agency and the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA) have teamed up to launch a best practice guide designed to help sustainability executives develop effective climate change adaptation strategies. The new guide entitled Climate Change Adaptation: Building the Business Case, features a series of case studies and best practice advice, detailing how to build business support for climate adaptation measures and how to undertake effective climate risk assessments. The guide was developed as part of the UK government-funded Climate Ready initiative, which aims to ensure businesses are bolstering their resilience to the increase of extreme weather events as a result of climate change. (Business Green)
Social Investment
Businesses urged to teach pupils how to fill skills gap
Business leaders should give regular talks in schools to stop teenagers dreaming of being footballers or pop stars rather than surveyors or technicians, according to the UK National Careers Council. A report from the government advisory body says that many young people have unrealistic career ambitions and need better advice on how to develop the qualifications and skills for specialist jobs that employers need. Britain’s future growth is being hampered by a careers “mismatch” that leaves businesses unable to find skilled staff, while a million young people are out of work, it adds. The report calls for sweeping changes in support for young people. (Times*)
John Lewis pledges huge increase in staff volunteering time
John Lewis, the staff-owned department store, has pledged to increase the amount of time its employees can volunteer during working hours by 69 percent to 33,826 hours annually. Each of the 29 John Lewis department stores around the country has a community liaison coordinator who works with local community groups and charities to find ways the branch and its staff, or partners, can support them. Christine Kasoulis, director of brand development at the company, said: "By working alongside charities and community groups, we seek to understand how we can best support them. (Third Sector)
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