Qatar World Cup stadium workers earn as little as 45p an hour
Migrant workers building the first stadium for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup have been earning as little as 45p an hour, according to a Guardian investigation. More than 100 workers from some of the world’s poorest countries are labouring in ferocious desert heat on the 40,000 seat al-Wakrah stadium, which has been designed by the British architect Zaha Hadid. Prior to construction the tournament’s organisers vowed to make workers’ rights “our top priority”, yet the pay rate breaches their own rules on worker welfare. Mohamad Ahmad Ali Hussain Hamad, the project manager at Amana Qatar Contracting Company, which employs the workers, said an audit had “identified the need of further clarification with regards to workers’ pay slips and we are working with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy to clear up the same”. Hadid, in a joint statement with fellow design firm Aecom, said that they were “working closely with our clients to ensure that any outstanding issues are resolved”. (The Guardian)
Technology & Innovation
IBM offers free supercomputing power to sustainability researchers
IBM has announced it will provide scientists studying climate change-related issues with free access to dedicated virtual supercomputing and a platform to engage the public in their research. Each approved project will have access to up to 100,000 years of computing time at a value of $60 million. The work will be performed on IBM’s philanthropic World Community Grid platform. Through the contributions of hundreds of thousands of volunteers, the platform has already provided sustainability researchers with several millions of dollars of computing power to date, enabling important advances in scientific inquiry and understanding. Harvard University’s Clean Energy Project is one researching body that has used the supercomputing power. It has identified more than 35,000 materials with the potential to double carbon-based solar cell efficiency, after screening and publicly cataloguing more than two million compounds. The innovative technology has been used to facilitate research into clean energy, clean water and healthy foodstuffs, as well as cures for cancer, AIDS, malaria and other diseases. (Sustainable Brands)
Responsible Investment
SOAS becomes first UK university to join growing divestment movement
SOAS, University of London, has agreed a temporary freeze to fossil fuel investments while it explores the possibilities for full divestment later this year, becoming the first UK university to take this step. 46 People & Planet groups are calling for a stop to investments that promote climate change at universities across the UK, joining a global campaign which has already seen 13 universities and colleges in the US divest from fossil fuels. Though the university does not carry out research funded by fossil fuel companies, campaigners in the Fossil Free UK network hope that divestment at SOAS will help put pressure on other institutions to move in a similar direction. Fossil Free campaign spokesperson Julia Christian said: “SOAS has a reputation for specialist teaching in African and Asian cultures, as well as running an increasing number of courses that focus on the environment and the problem of climate change. This is fundamentally at odds with investing in climate-polluting industries such as oil, gas and extractives”. SOAS will ensure that School’s investments deliver a financial return – but with a duty to invest responsibly. (Fossil Free)
Corporate Reputation
Business ethics breaking down, says Ecclesiastical report
Corporate misconduct and the breakdown of business ethics is destroying shareholder value, according to a report by Ecclesiastical Investment Management. The reportargues that a gradual erosion of ethical behaviour over time has led to a widespread breakdown in business ethics and probity across many developed economies. According to the report, businesses in the US and UK have wasted $150 billion through corporate malfeasance over the past five years. Neville White, head of SRI policy & research at Ecclesiastical, explained; “This is shareholder value destruction on a huge scale… It also represents ongoing risks for shareholders, as poor behaviours and practice will lead to increased legal and regulatory costs, as well as reputational damage to the companies they are invested in”. The insight also provides some potential solutions such as improving engagement with customers, embedding ethics into business practices and incorporating ethics training throughout the management chain. (Blue & Green Tomorrow)
UK councils want ‘Tesco tax’ on big supermarkets
A number of local councils across Britain are requesting powers to tax large supermarkets in order to ensure customer spending is “re-circulated” in local communities. According to a report by the BBC around 19 local authorities back the proposed ‘Tesco tax’. Derby City Council, which submitted the proposal, argues that big supermarkets, despite bringing some benefits, on the whole damage the sustainability of local communities. “Research has shown that 95 per cent of all the money spent in any large supermarket leaves the local economy for good, compared to just 50 per cent from local independent retailers”, the report outlined. The levy, charging up to 8.5 percent, could raise £400 million a year and be used to support small businesses, community centres and parks. However, business leaders have condemned the proposal for failing to address fundamental problems. John Rogers, chief financial officer of Sainsbury’s, said: “Any further increase in business rates paid by supermarkets would inevitably contribute to higher food prices for consumers”. (The Independent) (The Telegraph)
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