The Chinese Government has announced that it is launching two new pilot carbon trading schemes in Beijing and Shanghai as it strives to cut greenhouse gasses and reduce smog levels. China, which is the world's largest carbon emitter, is under public pressure to tackle air pollution following heavy smog which has repeatedly led to the closure of schools, roads, factories and airport. Under the new platforms, it will be mandatory for industrial firms to buy credits to cover any carbon dioxide emissions above their allocated quotas. China is set to launch seven pilot carbon trading schemes in total, with one already in operation in the southeast city of Shenzhen. Another platform will be established for the province of Guangdong before the end of the year, and another three are due to go into operation in Hubei province and the cities of Tianjin and Chongqing next year. (Reuters)
Report: US taxpayers foot bill for climate inaction
According to a new report by the US sustainable business leadership NGO Ceres, the financial losses in the US caused by extreme weather events such as Hurricane Sandy, are set to rise in the years ahead as a result of climate change. Last year, the US economy reportedly lost more than $100 billion owing to extreme weather events. The report, Inaction on climate change: the cost to taxpayers, argues that the US Government, its agencies and state bodies are still not facing up to the financial implications of climate change. According to the report, the US Federal Crop Insurance Programme, which provides funds for farmers affected by climate-related disasters, is “heavily subsidised, unnecessarily expensive to taxpayers and provides no incentive to farmers to use crop production methods that decrease crop loss and increase resiliency to extreme weather events.” Ceres said that “continuing to ignore these escalating risks may be more comfortable than confronting the challenges of climate change, but inaction is the far riskier and more expensive path.” (Climate News Network)
Global businessesurged to better manage their natural capital
The University of Cambridge Natural Capital Leaders Platform has launched a new online tool that is designed to encourage global businesses to consider their use of natural capital and the impact on global natural resources and enable companies to respond to these pressures. E.Valu.A.Te (Externality Valuation Assessment Tool) is an interactive online tool and practical guide that aims to help businesses assess and evaluate their use of natural capital. Businesses can enter scenarios that relate to their current operations or see what impact a change in operations would have. Andy Wales, senior vice-president of sustainable development at SABMiller, said that “the inter-connectedness of all resources means that issues such as water scarcity, food and energy security cannot be addressed in silos. As the global population continues to grow, managing the relationship between water, food and energy is only going to become more critical.” (Blue & Green Tomorrow)
Employees
Amazon accused of risking UK warehouse staff health to keep up with orders
According to an investigation by the BBC, UK employees that work in warehouses owned by the US firm Amazon can walk up to 11 miles per shift and are reportedly risking their health. An undercover reporter, Adam Littler, was employed as a “picker” and was given a handset that allotted him 33 seconds to find each product, tracked his picking rate and sent his performance to managers. If it was too low, he was told that he could face disciplinary action. Sir Michael Marmot, a professor of public health at University College London, said that “the evidence shows increased risk of mental illness and physical illness. The demands of efficiency are at the cost of individuals’ health and wellbeing.” Amazon said that safety inspections had not raised any concerns and that an independent expert appointed by the company advised that the picking job is "similar to jobs in many other industries and does not increase the risk of mental and physical illness." (The Times*; BBC)
Survey: UK zero-hours contract workers happy
According to a survey by the UK Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), UK workers on zero-hours contracts are more likely to be happy with their work-life balance than other staff. 58 percent of the 2,500 UK employees surveyed said that they were happy with their work-life balance, compared to 65 percent of those on zero-hours contracts. The contracts have been criticised by trade unions and some members of the UK Government as they mean employees have no guaranteed set hours, holiday entitlement or sick pay. However, the CIPD said that just over half of the 456 zero-hours workers surveyed said that they did not want more hours. Steve Radley, the director of policy at the UK manufacturers' organisation EEF, said that "the debate on zero-hours contracts has become unbalanced and needs greater focus on the benefits it can bring to both workers and employers.” (BBC)
Supply Chain
Resource efficiency guide offers practical pathway for business
The UK environmental consultancy LRS Consultancy and the UK law firm Burges Salmon have launched a new guide to give businesses practical guidance on how to become more resource efficient. The guide, A Practical Path to Resource Efficiency, is designed to help manufacturers, retailers, brand managers and supply chain partners to become more efficient in their use of materials and energy. The guide provides case studies showing how other companies have implemented resource efficiencies into their supply chains and details the materiality issues that companies need to consider when improving the resilience of their supply chains. The managing director of LRS Consultancy, Dee Moloney, said that the guide “demonstrates the importance of a range of approaches, such as systems thinking, collaboration, corporate leadership and good business practice." (Edie)
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