Environmental taxes could add €35 billion to EU revenue by 2016
Around €35 billion of additional revenue could be raised by introducing or extending environmental taxes across twelve European Union member states, new research suggests. The study, carried out by Eunomia Research and Consulting, identifies the potential for environmental fiscal reform (EFR) in twelve European countries, which could raise up to €101 billion in additional tax revenues by 2025, and ensure that economic policies are sustainable, not only economically and socially, but also environmentally. Recommendations include new taxes, or changes to existing taxes, covering energy, transport, air pollution, waste, water, fertilisers and pesticides, as well as revenue savings from removing environmentally harmful subsidies. Acknowledging the importance of EFR, EU Environment Commissioner Janez Poto?nik said that, “environmental fiscal reforms have the potential to almost double the revenues they currently bring to national treasuries, with benefits for our environment as well as scope for cutting taxes on employment or cutting the deficit.” (Edie)
Green light for GM: report recommends roll-out in UK
UK government science advisers have reported that there is no compelling evidence to suggest that GM crops are any more dangerous to humans, animals or the environment than conventionally farmed food, and are calling for Europe to strip its obstructive control of GM technology. In a report to the UK government, the scientists warn that European rules blocking GM crops are no longer fit for purpose and Britain should be allowed to decide for itself whether genetically modified crops should be grown in the UK, given the many benefits that they could bring in terms of sustainable food production and preventing food shortages. Sir Mark Walport, the government’s chief scientist, said that, “we take it for granted that because our supermarket shelves are heaving with food that there are no problems with food security, but there are problems with food security around the world. So the challenge is to get more from existing land in a sustainable way.” (Independent)
International Development
Aung San Suu Kyi launches health and education foundation
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has launched the Suu Foundation, a humanitarian organisation dedicated to advancing the health and education of the people of Myanmar.The Foundation is designed to link supporters in the international community with the people of Myanmar and is co-chaired by former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, and former White House first lady Laura Bush. The foundation is also set to become a partner of Public Affairs Asia’s ‘Sharing Value Asia’ forum, an initiative aimed at promoting greater understanding of public private partnership in Asia Pacific. Commenting on the foundation’s launch, Clinton said, “the people are seizing the opportunity to make a better and brighter future for their families, their communities and their country. We know there are tremendous social, political economic and development challenges ahead. But by investing in health and education we can help bridge the social divide to help build the peaceful and prosperous future that the people of this great land so richly deserve.” (Public Affairs Asia)
Supply Chain
Food Lion propels sea change in responsible fish sourcing
Food Lion, one of America’s largest supermarket chains, has announced the adoption of a sustainable seafood policy that will cover approximately 1,000 fresh, frozen, canned or packaged seafood products sold at its stores. The Gulf of Maine Research Institute will work with Food Lion to assess its suppliers in providing full traceability as well as monitoring and compliance. With this new policy, Food Lion joins the efforts of fellow retail giants Whole Foods, Safeway, Trader Joe’s and Target, to help mitigate overfishing and other irresponsible seafood sourcing practices. Karen Fernald, SVP of merchandising at Food Lion, said that through the policy “customers can trust that the seafood products they buy in our stores today are responsibly harvested.” Praising Food Lion’s efforts, Jen Levin, sustainable seafood programme manager at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, said that, “Food Lion has been resolute in following through with its policy’s commitments, which has required a great deal of investment on their part.” (Sustainable Brands)
Only half of UK firms audit suppliers’ ethical behaviour
UK manufacturers could be inadvertently relying upon slave and child labourers in their supply chains because they are not always auditing suppliers and relying only on trust, according to new research. The report, from global supply chain risk management company Achilles, found that only 51 percent of manufacturers are regularly auditing their direct suppliers in terms of ethics, or checking their claims that they do not use child workers, slaves or conflict minerals. In addition, around one in five large manufacturers said they are confident in suppliers’ ethical compliance purely because of personal relationships. Richard Collins, executive director at Achilles, said that, “UK manufacturers may well soon have a legal, as well as moral, duty to tackle the use of slave and child labourers in their supply chains. We would urge large businesses to get ahead and map their supply chains to identify exactly who their suppliers are, and then audit each one in terms of business performance and ethics. This will help protect their reputation, bottom line and ultimately, the people at the heart of UK supply chains.” (Ethical Performance)
Environment
Formula One goes green as first hybrid engine is tested in Australia
The world’s most popular motorsport competition has made significant changes in order to become more energy efficient, and will test the new measures, for the first time, in the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday. Formula One cars have switched from 2.4 litre V8 engines to 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged hybrid power plants for the 2014 season, while an Energy Recovery System (ERS) has also been introduced. The cars’ fuel capacity will decrease, meaning drivers will have to be smarter in saving fuel, or else face retirement from races sooner than expected. The switch to hybrid engines has been pointed to be of the biggest changes in the sport’s history. Paul Hember, motorsport director at tyre manufacturer Pirelli, called the move the “most radical rules shake-up of the modern Formula One era”. Autocar’s Grand Prix editor Joe Saward said that, “these mean-looking racing cars are not burning up the world’s carbon supplies as much as they once did: they are now lean and green.” (Blue and Green Tomorrow)
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