H&M launches skills training initiative for garment workers in Bangladesh
Global retailer H&M has announced its commitment to the Business Call to Action (BCtA), a global initiative that aims to accelerate progress towards the UN‘s Millennium Development Goals. Through the creation of a new skills training initiative, the company aims to benefit an estimated 5,000 people in Bangladesh’s garment industry by 2016. Through a ‘Skill Development Centre of Excellence’ the company hopes to raise the levels of vocational training and provide certificates to garment workers. The training is designed to help increase productivity, as well as the long-term employability of industry workers. If successful, H&M says it plans to establish a certified and replicable model for training and support for skilled labour within the export readymade garment industry. Welcoming the move, Sahba Sobhani, Program Manager at BCtA said that, “H&M’s focus on skills and development training, ensuring better workplace conditions and social dialogue in countries like Bangladesh, is a win-win for all.” (Sustainable Brands, Guardian)
Campaigns
Marriott joins global campaign to halt human trafficking
Marriott is among the first tourism companies to partner with a new global campaign aimed at raising awareness about the most common illicit goods and services that tourists might be exposed to while traveling. The “Your Actions Count — Be a Responsible Traveller” is a global campaign created to urge travellers to support the fight against many forms of trafficking. The campaign aims to raise awareness and provide guidance for travellers to recognise possible situations of trafficking in people, wildlife, drugs and counterfeit goods, and invites them to take action through responsible consumer choices, such as alerting the proper authorities to situations. Marriott says it has taken a firm stance against human trafficking for decades and plans to promote the campaign to its millions of customers through digital and social media. (CSR Wire, Sustainable Brands)
London Underground ad campaign aims to galvanise businesses to go green
The Planet Mark, a new green certification supported by Cornwall-based conservation attraction, the Eden Project, is being promoted in a new series of adverts across the London Underground. The ads, with the slogan ‘Get the Planet Mark’, feature some of the benefits enjoyed by the organisations that have achieved the Planet certification, including cost savings, carbon reductions, winning new business and increased employee engagement. The Planet Mark certification benchmarks sustainability performance and aims to get businesses to reduce their CO2 emissions by at least five percent a year. Deloitte, CloudApps and advertising company ExterionMedia have already been awarded the certificate. Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, said that, “even the Eden Project, known for its own standards in sustainability, environmental projects, conservation and teaching needs this certification. We want it because we can always do better. Sustainable values should run through all organisations.” (Green Wise)
Environment
New ozone-destroying chemicals found in atmosphere
Scientists have identified four new man-made gases that are contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer, two of which are accumulating at a rate that is causing concern among researchers. Worries over the growing ozone hole have seen the production of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases restricted since the mid 1980’s but the precise origin of these new, similar substances remains a mystery, according to scientists. The ozone layer plays a critical role in blocking harmful UV rays, which cause cancers in humans and reproductive problems in animals. Lead researcher Dr Johannes Laube from the University of East Anglia, said that, “our research has shown four gases that were not around in the atmosphere at all until the 1960s which suggests they are man-made. The identification of these new gases is very worrying as they will contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer.” Prof Piers Forster, from the University of Leeds added that, “this paper highlights that ozone depletion is not yet yesterday’s story.” (BBC)
Inclusive Business
Unilever invests in China water purification company
Unilever has bought a majority stake in Chinese water-purification company, Qinyuan Group, marking its first acquisition in China in a decade and a strategic move into a market with high demand for clean water. Chinese consumers are increasingly worried about clean water, and the purchase will enable Unilever to expand its existing purification brand Pureit across hundreds of Chinese cities. Pureit’s filtration systems, which range from $3 for a system that can filter water for teeth-brushing to around $150 for an in-home purifier, are already available in India, Central America, and Africa. Under the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, the company aims to make safe drinking water available and affordable to people across the world. 45 million people have gained access to safe drinking water from Pureit since its launch in 2005. The move doubles Unilever’s water-purification business globally with chief executive Paul Polman saying that, “the opportunities to expand are broad.” (Wall Street Journal; Unilever)
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