Architecture survey reveals “shocking” levels of sexism
A survey from the UK Architect’s Journal has found that 66 percent of female architects have experienced some form of sexism over their career, with 31 percent reporting monthly or quarterly occurrences. On top of this, 88 percent of women respondents felt that having children would hold them back in their career and 62 percent thought that the building industry still doesn’t accept the authority of female architects. Former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, Angela Brady, called the results “shocking” and said women needed to be particularly firm around the issue of equal pay, urging women to push their employers on whether or not they were being paid the same as their male colleagues. Former Aedas board director Sarah Williams said that “there need to be more women at board level holding senior positions across the industry in order to start to change the culture within organisations”. Whilst 44 percent of architecture students are female, only 12 percent of partners are women. (Guardian; Architect’s Journal)
Health & Nutrition
Food companies in the US slash calories in obesity fight
A voluntary effort by the world’s largest food and beverage companies to remove billions of calories from products sold in the US to help combat the nation’s obesity epidemic has reportedly exceeded its five year goal. In 2010, companies including Coca Cola, Unilever and Kraft pledged to remove one trillion calories from the US marketplace by 2012 and 1.5 trillion by 2015. Analysis by researchers has found that, as of 2012, 6.4 trillion fewer calories were sold with some of the decline believed to be down to reduced portion sizes and the effects of the recession leading families to cut back on junk food. Larry Soler, president of not for profit Partnership for a Healthier America, said that, “reports like this, and the fact that they exceeded their commitment by four-fold, really shows that you can make progress in giving American families more healthy options.” (Thomson Reuters)
Environment
BP loses bid over Gulf oil pay-outs
BP has lost an appeal to cancel the terms of its multi-billion dollar settlement with businesses over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster. The UK oil giant has supported compensation for businesses harmed by the disaster, but it argued that the terms of the existing deal meant that some huge sums were being paid for false claims. In 2012, BP agreed to make payments to those who suffered economic losses as a result of the disaster aboard the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, which triggered the worst offshore oil spill in US history. However, BP complained that the pay-out formula worked out was too generous and meant that people and businesses were being paid huge sums for false claims. This verdict by the US federal appeals court means that BP may have to pay out much more than originally thought, increasing its estimate from $7.8 billion to $9.6 billion. BP has faced over $42 billion in criminal and civil charges since the disaster. (BBC)
China mulls national pollution permit trading system
China is looking into establishing a nation-wide trading system for pollution permits as part of efforts to use market mechanisms to help clean up its environment. China is reportedly working on new regulations for pollution permits as well as planning to publish proposals for new pilot trading projects. China already has over 20 local trading platforms that allow industrial firms to buy and sell permits for pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, major constituents of smog and acid rain, but their impact so far has been limited. A spokesperson from the School of Environment and Natural Resources at Renmin University said that, “emission trading in China is not strictly a market activity and it is more like paying for emitting. It is just a few regions running some test trading.” China has vowed to reverse the environmental consequences of three decades of rapid industrial expansion and clean up its heavily polluted air, water and soil and is hoping to use the market to encourage firms to cut emissions. (Thomson Reuters)
Sustainable Development
Businesses join forces for dialogue on sustainable development
Engineering and construction firm Costain and transport company Arriva Trains Wales are holding talks with the Welsh Government on how to advance the sustainable development agenda. The two corporations have signed up to the Welsh Government’s ‘Sustainable Development Charter’ and will be joined by other charities and public sector bodies, including BT, Tata Steel, Marks & Spencer, British Waterways and the National Trust. The main aim of the meeting is to address how to put sustainable development at the heart of their operations and forms part of the government’s ‘Future Generations Bill’. Commenting on the Bill, Minister Jeff Cuthbert said it would, “help tackle the generational challenges we face in a more joined up way, ensuring Welsh public services work together to achieve a more sustainable and fairer Wales.” (Edie)
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