The UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee has published a report urging the government to take decisive action in a number of areas to encourage and support a circular economy, which would see an economy less focussed on consumption. The study calls for lower VAT on recycled products, longer warranty periods for consumer goods and a ban on food waste being sent to landfill. Joan Walley MP, Environment Audit Committee chair, said: “We had throwaway economics in the past, but that disposable society simply isn’t sustainable in the twenty-first century”. One proposal outlined in the report suggests that food waste could be collected separately and composted or used in anaerobic digesters, creating a useful resource out of waste. Julian Kirby, campaigner at Friends of the Earth has welcomed the report, saying: “This welcome report shows a different world is within reach, where better product design, smarter government and responsible business combine to ensure that our economy and environment can thrive together”. (Blue & Green Tomorrow)
Technology & Innovation
Corporate giants join forces to harvest more sustainable crops
Walmart and General Mills have announced a collaborative partnership to deliver the Field to Market (FTM) initiative. The companies will work with farmers to examine how nitrogen fertiliser optimisation technologies can help boost crop yields whilst conserving natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The aim is to double the reach of FTM so it covers 2.5 million acres of farmland by 2015. Jerry Lynch, chief sustainability officer, said: “The technologies selected through this challenge will help farmers make sure that every pound of nitrogen they apply is used by their crop as effectively as possible, bringing the greatest yield at the lowest cost and reducing the impact on the environment,”. The initiative highlights Walmart’s approach to accelerating supply chain innovation, committed to in collaboration with other global companies at Walmart’s recent Sustainable Product Expo. (Edie)
Africa ‘missing out on biotech green revolution’
Sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural sector needs to harvest the fruits of biotechnology in order to establish sustainable development, according to a report published by think-tank Chatham House. The report notes how investment in biotechnology projects on staple crops such as cassava has often been ignored by commercial funders because they had a limited market. Rob Bailey, research director for energy, environment and resources at Chatham House, said: “the first thing that Africa has to do is attract and mobilise public sector money to fund research into these sorts of technologies”. He identifies the need to increase resilience to forecasts of a changing climate, highlighting the importance and need for innovation. Biotechnology provides an opportunity to boost yields and increase resilience by improving existing crop varieties. Bailey comments how this growth spark is need in Africa‘s agricultural sector “because it is primarily where most of the poorest people are, and it makes up a significant share of African GDP”. (BBC News)
Community Investment
New platform matches community projects with corporate sponsors
A new platform has launched to help match-make community projects in the UK with relevant corporate sponsors and volunteers. The free networking site, neighbourly.com, is designed to help communities connect with companies that can contribute funding or volunteers to local charitable, environmental or social enterprise projects. Starbucks and Marks & Spencer are among the first to have signed up to the site. Neighbourly.com CEO Nick Davies said: “Expenditure on CSR is no longer seen as a detriment to a company’s profitability… Increasingly investors view such expenditure as essential to a company’s long-term brand and value”. He highlights low levels of corporate philanthropy in the UK and believes the new site can help democratise and increase corporate giving. This view has been echoed by Carmel McQuaid, head of responsible business at Marks & Spencer, adding: “Neighourly.com is a perfect way for us to elevate our level of community involvement. It provides us with an easier and clearer way of understanding what a project is doing at a local level”. (Ethical Performance)
Supply Chain
ASIS International develops new standard for operational risk
Security professional firm ASIS International has released a new standard to help organisations address operational risks in their supply chains. Risks addressed will include tangible measures such as human, physical and financial assets, as well as intangible assets such as brand, reputation, competitive position or intellectual property. The new standard can be applied to any type of organisation and its supply chain regardless of size. Supply chain risk management is vital for organisations that rely on extended operations, both internal and external, for their success. Dr Marc H Siegel, commissioner of the ASIS Global Standards Initiative, said: “to build a resilient organisation it is essential to understand that organisation’s supply chain, and how risks within the organisation and its supply chain impact the achievement of objectives”. (Business Reporter)
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