Greenhouse gas emissions by the world’s top 500 companies rose 3.1% from 2010 to 2013, far off the cuts urged by the United Nations to limit global warming. The top 500 firms accounted for 13.8% of world greenhouse gas emissions and 28% of gross domestic product in 2013, according to a report, drawn up by the information provider Thomson Reuters and BSD Consulting, a global sustainability consultancy. Large firms whose emissions rose more than 10% in the period were led by the metals and mining group Glencore, Russia’s Surgutneftegas and Exelon Corp. Tim Nixon, Director of Sustainability at Thomson Reuters said, “This is about transparency. We hope companies will look at the report and engage with their stakeholders to reduce emissions.” (The Guardian)
Corporate Reputation
XTO Energy to pay $3 million to restore fracking areas
XTO Energy, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil and the US’ largest holder of natural gas reserves, will pay an estimated $3 million to restore eight fracking sites. The sites were damaged by unauthorized discharges of fill material into streams and wetlands in connection with hydraulic fracturing operations, according to the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Justice. The company will also pay a civil penalty of $2.3 million for violations of the Clean Water Act.. The settlement requires the company to fully restore the wetlands and streams wherever feasible and monitor the restored sites to assure the success of the restoration. The company will also implement a comprehensive plan to ensure future compliance with federal and state water protection laws at the company’s West Virginia oil and gas extraction facilities. (Environmental Leader)
Waste
Freezing food instead of binning it could save £250 per year
Research released today by Populus reveals that around three-quarters of us do not usually get through all the food we buy over the festive season and much of it ends up in the bin. The research was carried out on behalf of the charity Hubbub, which is launching a new Festive Freeze campaign encouraging more people to use their freezers for leftovers rather than throw them away. According to Hubbub many of us do not use freezers to their full potential. Trewin Restorick, founder of Hubbub, predicted households could save up to £250 per year by using a freezer more effectively. “Our festive freeze campaign is to encourage people to embrace their freezer. It is good for your wallet, waistline and the environment” he said. The campaign is being backed by a range of top chefs and Marks & Spencer, which says it hopes to help customers save money. (Business Green)
Supply Chain
Sainsbury’s and GLA team up to fight supply chain exploitation
Retailer Sainsbury’s is working with the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) to address labour exploitation and modern slavery in the supply chain. The GLA is providing tailored training for suppliers to the supermarket to help them identify hidden exploitative practices at farms, pack houses, processing plants and factories. Paul Broadbent, chief executive of the GLA, said: “There is a real commitment and desire on both sides to identify any practice that subjects workers to exploitation. Judith Batchelar, director of Sainsbury’s brand, said: We’re proud to have carried out the first pilot training for our suppliers in partnership with the GLA, we hope this takes us a step further in tackling hidden labour exploitation. Modern slavery within global supply chains is a serious issue and it is a priority of ours to work with our suppliers to address it.” (Supply Management)
Human Rights
More Villagers Injured in Letpadaung Mine Protests
Three people were injured last Tuesday when police used rubber bullets to suppress an attempt to halt land seizures near the Letpadaung copper mining project, the day after one woman was shot dead by police in the same village. According to Hse Tae residents, more than 17 acres of farmland in the surrounding area had been bulldozed. An official from Myanmar Wanbao Mining Copper Limited, the Chinese company constructing the Letpadaung mine in a joint venture with the military-owned Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings, told the Irrawaddy that the company will continue to fence the area. Dong Yunfei, Wanbao’s administrative manager said “We are just doing our business on the land we leased, and there are some people who are not pleased with what we are doing because of instigation by some political forces.” Dong added that the project had the approval of the majority of local villagers, and the land had been appropriated by the government in 2001 and leased to the company in 2011. (The Irrawaddy : The New York Times)
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