An investigation by China Labour Watch (CLW) claims to have found evidence of the exploitation of workers in Apple’s supply chain, to meet demand for iPhone 6 covers. The accusations centre on the supplier Jabil Circuit. A report from CLW details numerous violations at the supplier’s factory in Wuxi, China, including hiring discrimination, hiring fees, lack of safety training, falsified training documents, and unsanitary environment and working conditions. CLW has investigated Jabil Wuxi twice in the last year whilst it produced iPhone covers. It states that when comparing the 2013 and 2014 reports, little has changed and in some cases violations have even worsened while new ones have emerged. For instance, workers are now accumulating even more overtime, of up to 158 hours per month, have shortened breaks and are still unable to earn the average local wage. (Blue and Green Tomorrow)
Tesco tackles child exploitation in tea trade supply chain
UK supermarket Tesco is leading a partnership to support children in tea-growing communities who may be vulnerable to trafficking and abuse. The programme, in alliance with the makers of Tetleys, Typhoo and Yorkshire teas, will initially work with 100 plantations in the Indian state of Assam, where more than one sixth of 30 million citizens live in tea-growing communities. Organised by Unicef and the Ethical Tea Partnership, the coalition is the first of its kind to bring together all key stakeholders in the tea industry – public and private organisations and the supply chain – to tackle child exploitation in the sector. Tesco’s responsible sourcing director Giles Bolton said: “The tea industry is important to Assam, and we all have a responsibility to ensure that the shocking cases of child trafficking and exploitation in some of these communities are ended.” (Edie)
Cargill commits to zero deforestation across entire global supply chain
Cargill, one of the world’s largest agricultural companies, has extended its zero deforestation commitment for palm oil to all commodities it produces. The commitment, announced Tuesday at the United Nations Climate Summit in New York, is the most far-reaching zero deforestation policy ever established, covering Cargill’s sprawling global empire of businesses, including palm oil, sugar, soy, cattle, and cocoa. Cargill has joined a host of other companies, including Kellogg’s, Unilever, Nestlé, Asia Pulp and Paper, General Mills, Danone, Walmart and McDonalds, in committing to the newly announced New York Declaration on Forests. However, Cargill has gone beyond signing the Declaration by making a concrete pledge. “We understand that this sort of commitment cannot be limited to just select commodities or supply chains,” said Cargill CEO David MacLennan. “We know we can do it. Our stakeholders demand it. And it is the right thing to do.” (Mongabay; Grist)
Renewable Energy
Report: $1.6 trillion opportunity for small cleantech businesses in developing countries
Over the next decade, investments in clean technologies in emerging markets are estimated to exceed $6 trillion, of which $1.6 trillion represent business opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), according to a new report by the World Bank Group in collaboration with the Carbon Trust. The report, Building Competitive Green Industries: the Climate and Clean Technology Opportunity for Developing Countries, identifies China, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa as the top three markets in the developing world for clean technology SMEs. The most promising opportunities are in wastewater treatment, onshore wind, solar panels, electric vehicles and small hydro. The report also highlights the important link between competitive green industries and job creation. Clean technology jobs compare favourably to jobs in other sectors, requiring more skill and delivering better pay and on-the-job safety. (Sustainable Brands)
Consumer Health
Soft drink giants pledge to cut calories to fight obesity
Amid growing concerns surrounding the health risks of obesity across the US, the country’s three largest soda manufacturers, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Dr Pepper Snapple, have announced a commitment to cut down the calories in sugary drinks by 20 percent over the next 10 years. The three companies will increase their focus on promoting low- and zero-calorie drinks as well as sell drinks in smaller portions. According a statement released by the American Beverage Association, they will also provide calorie counts and work to improve calorie awareness in the markets where they sell their beverages. The new announcement represents an unprecedented effort by the beverage industry to contribute to the fight against obesity in the US. Susan Neely, president of the American Beverage Association, said that this commitment will help transform the beverage landscape in the country. (Just Means)
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