Developing countries close to leading in clean energy race
Renewable energy investments in developing countries are close to overtaking those in the developed world for the first time, research from the UN Environment Programme shows. The study estimates that wind and solar, along with biomass and waste-to-power, geothermal, small hydro and marine power contributed 9.1 percent of the world’s electricity supply in 2014, up from 8.5 percent in 2013. US$270 billion was invested in clean energy technologies, a 17 percent increase from the 2013 figure. Of that, $139 billion was directed from industrialised countries and $131billion in emerging or developing economies. China experienced a 39 percent increase from 2013, with one in every three dollars spent on renewables around the world now invested in the country. Among developed countries the US remains the leader. Falling technology costs and increased urgency to address the world’s carbon emissions problem are some reasons behind the growth, according to the report. (RTCC)
Human Rights
New report analyses human rights conduct of UK companies, making recommendations for next government
The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, a UK NGO, has today released a new briefing analysing the conduct of UK companies, including 13 recommendations for the next British government. The Resource Centre has contacted 303 UK-based companies since 2005 regarding allegations of human rights abuse, the majority of which concerned the impacts of companies abroad, particularly in the Global South. 47% of approaches were made to the extractive sector, with labour abuses emerging as the most common issue. The report says that while some advances in policy have been made, such as the Modern Slavery Act passed last month, more can be done by the government to improve transparency and accountability, provide access to justice for workers, incentivise companies with strong human rights records and promote labour rights and living wages. (Business & Human Rights Resource Centre)
Community Investment
Accenture to equip 3 million with workplace and entrepreneurial skills by 2020
Accenture will equip more than 3 million people with the skills to get a job or build a business by the end of fiscal 2020 through its Skills to Succeed initiative. Accenture released its 2014 Corporate Citizenship Report, “Making a Measurable Difference,” which announces a series of 2020 goals and highlights the company’s efforts to collaborate with others to improve the way the world works and lives. As a part of this, the company will increase its focus on the successful transition of individuals from skill-building programs to sustainable jobs and businesses, and bring together more organisations across sectors to create large scale, lasting solutions aimed at closing global unemployment gaps. Since 2011, Accenture has equipped more than 800,000 people with workplace and entrepreneurial skills. (CSR Wire)
Employees
Study connects employee productivity and well-being to office design
The Human Spaces, an organisation exploring how built environments affect health and wellbeing, has revealed in its latest report that employees who work in environments with natural elements report a 15 percent higher level of well-being, are 6 percent more productive and 15 per cent more creative overall. The Human Spaces global study of 7,600 office workers, in 16 countries, examined the impact of the physical office environment on employee well-being. It found that lack of natural light was linked to increased levels of employee stress. Globally, 47 percent of office employees have no natural light in their working environment, and almost 57 percent have no live plants in their workspace. Workers that reported highest levels of light and space also reported some of the lowest levels of unhappiness. Commenting on the research findings, Chip DeGrace, Executive Creative Director at Interface, calls for an “ongoing evolution of the traditional office space.” (Eco-Business)
Environment
Aldi commits to hazardous chemical detox
European discount retailer Aldi has signed up to Greenpeace’s Detox campaign, committing to the zero discharge of hazardous chemicals from the lifecycle and production of all its textile and footwear goods by 2020. As part of the commitment, Aldi has pledged to provide full transparency of its audit process and will establish full public disclosure of discharges of hazardous chemicals in its supply chain. The four-year Greenpeace Detox campaign requires fashion retailers to clean up production and eliminate dangerous pollutants contaminating water supplies worldwide. Aldi has agreed to ban dangerous pollutants such APEOs by the end of June 2016. The retailer had initially scored poorly when Greenpeace tested children’s clothing and shoes from various discounters for hazardous chemicals last year. In order to fulfil its commitment to the campaign, the retailer will require 80 percent of its suppliers to disclose their wastewater data by the end of March 2016. (Edie)
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