PepsiCo and the Nature Conservancy partner for sustainability
PepsiCo and The Nature Conservancy are joining forces to encourage consumers to recycle more often and to help protect sources of drinking water sources throughout the US. As part of a new five-year partnership called ‘Recycle for Nature’, PepsiCo will expand the availability of recycling bins in the US, beginning at gas stations and convenience stores. In addition, the program will also provide consumers a way to help drinking water conservation efforts via recycling. For every one point increase in the US beverage container recycling rate each year, PepsiCo will make an additional donation to The Nature Conservancy with a goal of reaching $1 million each year for five years. Currently the US beverage container recycling rate is at 42 percent, according to the American Beverage Association. The program’s goal is to save and restore one billion gallons of water over five years in rivers that supply water to over 35 million people across nine states. Earlier this year PepsiCo was cited in an Oxfam report for not doing enough to tackle climate change. (Environmental Leader)
Sustainable shipping making waves
The shipping industry is responsible for 3 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and has traditionally used cheap, polluting fuel, but new standards are forcing it to clean up its act. The shipping industry is responsible for 3% of greenhouse as ship engines are powered by the most polluting form of fuel. “One ship emits the equivalent of 50 million cars’ worth of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions”, says Peter Boyd, chief operating officer of Carbon War Room, which recently published a report on the industry. As a result, the shipping industry is increasingly aware of the need to act. “There have been a lot of changes in the industry over the past eight to 10 years, particularly in relation to regulations,” says Alastair Fischbacher, director of the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI). The industry is heavily focused on reducing the amount of fuel ships burn, whilst owners are facing increasing pressure from charterers who are looking to make their supply chains greener. Technological solutions are now being implemented, ranging from wind power through companies such as Skysails, to the increased use of telemetry to track ships. (Guardian)
Corporate Reputation
Co-operative Group voted most ethical despite scandal and heavy losses
Despite sinking to a £2.5 billion loss and being hit by a scandal inside its bank, the Co-operative Group has been voted the most ethical company over 25 years. The survey asked readers of Ethical Consumer magazine to name the company they regarded as being the most ethical over the past quarter of a century. The survey is published as the UK’s largest mutual attempts to reform the way it is run after the losses caused by problems in its bank. It was hit by a capital shortfall and controversy about its former chairman Paul Flowers, who pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine in May. The Co-op board is expected to meet next month to devise reforms that can win the support of members of the organisation, following recommendations put forward by former City minister Lord Myners. Ethical Consumer co-director Tim Hunt said: “Many commentators have had their knives out for the Co-op Group in recent months. Ethical Consumer’s readers, however, are able to see through the spin and realise that despite the problems the Co-op remains an ethical business at heart – at least for the time being.” (Guardian)
Policy & Research
UN agency pushes use of bioenergy crops in Asia
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is working to promote the use of bioenergy crops in Southeast Asia so that the region may be able to balance the growing need for food and fuel. Such a balance is achievable by sustaining the production of both food and bioenergy crops like sugarcane, tapioca and corn. Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO assistant director general, believes: “Bioenergy can contribute towards achieving wider and more sustainable energy access… The key is to develop bioenergy options sustainably, with the inclusion of small holders and without competition with resources for food production”. As prices of fossil fuel remain high, the development of Southeast Asia’s biomass resources is becoming more attractive. The 10 years until 2024 has been declared the decade of “Sustainable Energy for All” by the UN. “What is needed is a multifaceted approach that will promote rural development, mitigate climate change and ensure energy security”, Konuma added. (Eco-Business)
UK Government launches consultation to compensate heavy industry for green energy costs
The Government has launched a 12-week consultation to work out which energy intensive industries (EIIs) will receive compensation to help with the financial costs of renewables policies. The proposals for the Electricity Market Reform (EMR) policy aim to compensate UK industries for the cost of ‘Contracts for Difference’, the ‘Renewables Obligation’ and ‘Feed-in Tariffs’, which cumulatively could have a negative effect on the competitiveness of certain EIIs in the UK. The added cost of the schemes to energy bills could harm the competitiveness of EIIs due to a lack of global agreement on climate change policy, making business cheaper in countries with less strict carbon policies. The consultation will establish which sectors will be able to claim support worth up to a proposed 85 percent of the added clean energy costs. Business Secretary Vince Cable welcomes the reform: “EMR will ensure that for the long term we can keep the lights on, bills down and the air clean by securing unprecedented investment in our energy infrastructure”. (Edie)
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