Study shows major companies use lobby groups to dilute EU climate policy
Three quarters of major multinational companies are using lobby groups to dilute European Union climate policy, according to a study by the Policy Studies Institute (PSI), a British think-tank. Data collected by CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), shows that 61% of all companies and 77% of the world’s 500 largest companies get trade associations to speak for them on climate. Many of these trade associations use the threat of de-industrialisation to argue against effective EU action on climate change. Both Unilever and Google have in the past year cut ties with respective trade associations Business Europe and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) due to differences of opinion regarding the environment. Ben Fagan-Watson, lead researcher at PSI, said: “Companies which are making strong commitments to deal with climate change need to ensure that their trade associations are singing from the same hymn sheet.” (RTCC)
Mexico first to unveil national strategy ahead of Paris climate talks
Mexico on Friday said it will cap its greenhouse gas emissions by 2026, becoming one of the first countries to formally submit its national climate plan to the United Nations ahead of a key climate summit in Paris in December. Mexico’s Foreign and Environment Ministries has unveiled a strategy to begin reducing emissions by 2026, leading to a 22 percent reduction in greenhouse gases below business-as-usual levels by 2030. Mexican Foreign Minister, José Antonio Meade, hopes the UN climate summit in Paris will help the world meet the UN goal to avoid a 2°C rise in temperatures. After Mexico unveiled the targets, President Enrique Pena Nieto and US President Barack Obama announced a new joint climate policy task force to strengthen policy and regulatory coordination in areas such as vehicle fuel efficiency, appliance standards and electricity grid modernisation. The United States is expected to submit its own plan early next week. (Reuters)
Supply Chain
Nestlé, SAB Miller increase revenue up to 20% with supply chain improvements
A report by the World Economic Forum and Accenture details how 25 businesses have increased their revenue by as much as 20 percent and cut supply chain costs up to 16 percent by implementing sustainable supply chain practices. Food and beverage companies Nestlé and SABMiller and global logistics company UPS are among the list. Beyond Supply Chains – Empowering Value Chains identifies 31 practices to help companies achieve a “triple supply chain advantage” of increased revenue, a reduction in supply chain cost and added brand value. The practices, which span product design, sourcing, production and distribution through to the end of the product lifecycle, can help companies shrink their carbon footprints by 13 to 22 percent. More than two-thirds of supply chain executives say sustainability will play an important role in managing supply chains through 2015 due to the potential to improve resilience, reduce costs and support growth. (Environmental leader)
Human Rights
Thai junta leader to fight forced labour in fish industry
Thailand’s junta leader has vowed to take legal action against companies using forced labour, after an Associated Pressinvestigation revealed that fish caught by enslaved migrant workers were exported from Thai ports to global markets. The AP reported that captains on fishing boats forced workers to drink unclean water and work 20 to 22 hour shifts with no days off. Many workers were kicked, whipped with toxic stingray tails or beaten if they complained or tried to rest. Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, said his government was stepping up efforts to control the situation and prosecute those responsible. The investigation prompted the US government and major business leaders to renew their calls on the Thai government to crack down on slavery in its fishing fleets. Thailand’s biggest seafood company, Thai Union Frozen Products, announced that it immediately cut ties with a supplier after determining it might be involved with forced labour and other abuses. (ABC News; Eco Business)
Tax
New social investment tax breaks could aid UK charities
A UK cabinet minister, Francis Maude, launched a global campaign to promote the UK social economy. He highlighted the introduction last year of social investment tax relief (SITR), a 30% tax break for investors in shares or unsecured debt issued by certain types of charities and social enterprises. Organisations can currently receive investment of up to £290,000 over three years that benefit from the tax break; under government plans, this may rise to £5 million per year, with an overall cap of £15 million. The SITR is unique in as it applies to charities borrowing money on an unsecured basis, which could help charities attract new types of investor. There are strict rules around which kind of organisations are eligible: energy schemes that benefit their communities can join but co-operatives, which make money only for their members, cannot. (The Guardian)
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