Cambodia’s garment industry resumes production after strike ends
A nationwide strike by Cambodia’s garment industry finished on Monday allowing most factories to resume production. The strike, which was one of Cambodia’s largest in recent years, was over wage demands and had raised concerns for the country’s economy due to its high reliance on garment manufacturing, its main export and biggest formal-sector employer. The strike started as a protest against the government’s offer to raise the industry minimum wage to $95 a month, after a group of trade unions, The Asia Floor Wage Alliance, estimate that a living wage for Cambodian garment workers should be $283 per month. Manufacturers favour the country for its low wage costs; however, strikes are frequent because of what union leaders say is widespread discontent with meagre salaries, poor working conditions and lack of enforcement of labour laws. Unions still hoped to achieve their goal but ended the strike following violent clashes in the capital. (Wall Street Journal)
Corporate Reputation
China to link credit to companies’ environmental records
Chinese companies are to be rated by the government on their environmental performance records which will, in turn, determine how they are treated under various social and financial aspects. A trial of ‘environmental credits’ is underway with companies gaining credits for following environmental related rules and fulfilling their duties in environmental protection; these credits will be used as references for public supervision and by financial institutions when considering loans. Aimed at raising the cost for enterprises' environmental violations, the system will also guide related government departments, associations and unions to offer favourable treatment for companies with high environmental credit. Targets for the trial credit evaluation include companies in heavily polluting industries and those that have been punished for environmental pollution previously. (CleanBiz.Asia)
Energy
Wind prevails as Spain’s main energy source
Spain’s grid operator Red Electrica De Espana has revealed that wind is now the country's main energy source and has contributed to a cut 23 percent cut in emissions. Figures showed that this is the first time that wind power has been the technology that contributed most to the annual electricity demand, reaching the same level as nuclear, which contributed 21 percent. Driving renewable energy generation further, hydroelectric energy doubled its contribution to 14 percent, whilst the contributions of coal-fired and combined cycle power stations were down 14 percent and 9 percent respectively. The increase in renewable energy generation in 2013, compared to the previous year, has reduced CO2 emissions of the Spanish electricity sector to 61.4 million tonnes, 23 percent lower than in 2012. (Edie)
Ethics
China destroys tonnes of ivory in landmark move
For the first time China has destroyed a large quantity of confiscated ivory, in a public event which conservation groups are calling a landmark move. The initiative, launched by China Wildlife Conservation Association, destroyed just over six tonnes of ivory with the aim of discouraging illegal ivory trade, protecting wildlife and raising public awareness. China is seen as the biggest market for ivory demand, which was banned in 1989, and is thought to be fuelling poaching in Africa. John Scanlon, from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, said that “this was the first time China has chosen to crush ivory it has previously seized, China is sending a very powerful message both domestically to the Chinese people and internationally, that it is not prepared to tolerate the illegal trade in elephant ivory.” (BBC, Independent)
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