The president of the World Bank, Jim Kim, has urged the international community to help developing nations cope with a warming planet as the first day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland was dominated by calls to make 2015 a year of action on climate change. Jim Kim called for rich and poor countries to put aside their differences over tackling climate change as he warned that the hottest year on record in 2014 was evidence of accelerating global warming. Much hinges on the UN-based talks in Paris, attendees at the Davos meeting were told. “There is a huge challenge ahead for the rest of this year,” Kim told the Guardian. However, he noted there had been progress over the last 12 months, including the UN general assembly’s commitment to set a carbon price, the agreement between the US and China on carbon emissions and the steps being made by big developing countries such as India to invest in renewable energy. (The Guardian)
Carpet-maker Desso joins world leaders to discuss circular economy
Carpet company Desso, part of the Tarkett Group, is attending Davos to engage in the debate on the future shape of the world economy. Desso has been a member of the steering board of the WEF’s Project MainStream, a cross-industry collaborative project searching for practical routes to upscale the shift to the circular economy. Remco Teulings, CEO of Desso and President of Tarkett EMEA, will participate as a discussion leader at the latest Project MainStream session, to be held in Davos on Saturday. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and McKinsey & Co., industry could save as much as a trillion dollars a year through cost savings on materials as a result of going circular. “We are excited to see how discussions on this critical subject have taken root within the World Economic Forum,” says Remco. “It helps to engage new business and political leaders and build momentum for positive change.” (Eco-Business)
Supply Chain
REI, adidas, Timberland and more commit to sourcing down responsibly
Six new, global brands have committed to the Textile Exchange’s Responsible Down Standard (RDS). The adidas Group, Black Diamond, Kathmandu, NAU, REI and Timberland have agreed to bring certified, responsible duck and goose down to the marketplace. The RDS, released last January, is now working with more than 350 farms that are raising more than 100 million birds. Since taking over RDS from The North Face, Textile Exchange has driven an open revision process to bring in broad input from brands, suppliers, industry organizations and animal welfare groups such as Humane Society International. Meanwhile, outdoor apparel company Patagonia has released its own, separate Global Traceable Down Standard, audited by NSF International. (Sustainable Brands)
Energy
Report: consumer products, manufacturing sectors enjoying best financial returns on solar
Consumer products, manufacturing and heavy industry sectors are getting the best financial returns on solar power according to a new report by RE100, an initiative of The Climate Group in partnership with CDP. The report found that heavy industry, construction and manufacturing sectors are the biggest investors in renewable energy, led by those in Europe. RE100 was launched at Climate Week NYC in September 2014. Fifteen companies have now joined the campaign and made a public commitment to going 100 percent renewable. In addition to IKEA Group and Nestlé, RE100 brings together BT Group, Commerzbank, Formula E, H&M, KPN, Mars, Philips, Reed Elsevier Group, J. Safra Sarasin Bank, SAP, SGS,Swiss Re and YOOX Group. (Sustainable Brands)
Policy
Supermarkets must help shoppers choose sustainable food, UK MPs say
Shoppers need more help from retailers and the government if they are to choose healthy food from sustainable sources, UK MPs will say today. Encouraging purchases of British products can strengthen the security of food supply chains at a time when environmental impacts are constraining food production, a report by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee concludes. The MPs suggest that the government should commission research to support improved labelling, while supermarkets must be more pro-active in providing information on product sourcing. Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, defended the sector’s record, adding that British food may not be the most sustainable option when all environmental impacts are taken into consideration. (BusinessGreen)
COMMENTS