UN report: Agriculture bears brunt of natural disasters
Farmers in developing nations bear the “major brunt” of natural disasters yet only receive a small percentage of post-disaster aid, according to a new UN report. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) assessment said the sector experienced almost a quarter of the cost of damage caused by natural disasters. However, despite being vital for food security and livelihoods, it received less than 5% of post-disaster aid. Between 2003 and 2013, natural disasters and hazards in developing nations affected more than 1.9 billion people and the cost of the damage was estimated to be in excess of $494 billion. Delegates from the FAO announced the launch of a facility that will focus on bringing together technical expertise and financial resources with the aim of building greater resilience within the agriculture sector to natural extreme weather events. (BBC News)
Strategy
88% of sustainability professionals say industry falling short on circular economy
A new survey from the UK’s Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), which polled 400 of its members, found the vast majority of environmental and sustainability professionals think the industry they work in is not doing enough to achieve circular economy goals. A massive 97% said the UK should take a strong leadership role in the EU’s forthcoming circular economy package, while 80% said that more research and action is needed from the next government to publicise the economic case for proper resource management. Not one respondent said the UK government’s current approach to resource management was “well joined-up”. The industry has been forthright in trying to improve this area, with two recent reports – supported by EEF, the Green Alliance, ICE and Friends of the Earth among others – calling for a dedicated resource efficiency office to be established. (Edie)
JetBlue helping small, responsible food companies get off the ground
JetBlue Airways recently launched a business mentoring program, called BlueBud, which will offer small and start-up responsible food companies an opportunity to get their businesses off the ground and their products served onboard commercial aircraft. JetBlue’s business leaders will mentor small food companies, helping them connect with a diverse group of customers and maintain responsible practices. “We haven’t forgotten what it’s like to start as a small company that wants to make a difference,” said Sophia Mendelsohn, JetBlue’s head of sustainability. JetBlue is also working to ensure the wellbeing of its most popular destinations. In December, the airline, with the help of The Ocean Foundation, released a report correlating the health of the company’s bottom line with the long-term health of ecosystems in the Caribbean – the first time a commercial airline has attempted to quantify nature’s wellbeing and directly correlate it to product revenue. (Sustainable Brands)
Supply Chain
Nestlé USA celebrating Easter with expanded commitment to sustainable cocoa
Nestlé USA has announced an expansion of its commitment to sourcing sustainable cocoa through its global Nestlé Cocoa Plan. In partnership with UTZ Certified, Nestlé has purchased enough certified cocoa to produce its entire Easter chocolate collection, marking a first for a major US candy manufacturer. According to the National Confectioners Association, nearly 80 percent of consumers said that they would prefer to purchase chocolate products made with sustainable cocoa if they were easy to find and didn’t cost more. In 2013, Nestlé launched its global Nestlé Cocoa Plan in the US by purchasing sustainable cocoa equal to the amount needed to produce its Crunch bars. Since 2013, the confectionary company has increased its commitment each year and says it will continue to do so until all of its confectionery products in the US are made with sustainable cocoa. (Sustainable Brands)
Technology & Innovation
SolarCity moves into microgrids
As SolarCity, the rooftop solar system provider, has rapidly expanded its reach over the last few years, its executives have pushed hard against the utility industry, criticising it as a hidebound monopoly standing in the way of change. Now, SolarCity officials are trying a different tactic: moving into that business themselves. The company has announced a program aimed at cities, remote communities, campuses and military bases under which they will design and operate small, independent power networks called microgrids. “The microgrid product is basically a culmination of all of the technology that SolarCity’s been developing over the past eight years,” said Peter Rive, the company’s co-founder and chief technical officer, calling it “a template that can be scaled up to basically be the next-generation grid.” (New York Times)
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