Climate change dominates G7 agreement as leaders back full decarbonisation vision
The leaders of the G7 group of industrialised nations offered on Monday the clearest indication yet that they support hugely ambitious action to tackle climate change, arguing that the world should strive to deliver full “decarbonisation of the global economy over the course of this century”. The latest G7 Summit in Germany culminated in the release of a lengthy communiqué that was dominated to large extent by environmental issues, featuring sections on climate change, energy reform, food security, resource efficiency, and protection of the marine environment. The document, which was endorsed by the leaders of Germany, the US, the UK, France, Italy, Canada, and Japan, argues that December’s Paris Summit and the planned finalisation of the UN’s sustainable development goals means “2015 is a milestone year for international cooperation and sustainable development issues”. (Business Green)
Strategy
Royal Mail reveals efficiency plans as fleet drives up emissions
The UK’s Royal Mail Group has seen a 3.6% rise in carbon intensity over the past year due to a growing delivery fleet and more delivery miles, but has revealed plans to boost vehicle efficiency. The uptick was revealed in the company’s latest sustainability report. As well as the expanding fleet – which now accounts for two thirds of all emissions – the firm said that changes to emission conversion factors had increased the carbon impact of its electricity use. But the company, which is triple certified by the Carbon Trust, confirmed that it was still on track to cut emissions by 20% by 2020 against a 2004 baseline. Royal Mail pointed to its new driver telemetry programme, which it expects to cut vehicle fuel consumption by 5% next year. The programme uses real-time satellite tracking systems to analyse the drivers’ driving style, and then delivers efficiency recommendations through an in-cab communication system. (Edie)
Technology
Google dismisses artificial intelligence panic
Google’s artificial-intelligence researchers believe that concerns over the potential destruction of humanity at the hands of superintelligent machines are “preposterous”. “Whether it’s Terminator coming to blow us up or mad scientists looking to create quite perverted women robots, this narrative has somehow managed to dominate the entire landscape, which we find really quite remarkable,” said Mustafa Suleyman, head of applied AI at Google DeepMind. “The narrative has shifted from ‘Isn’t it terrible that AI has been such a failure?’ to ‘Isn’t it terrible that AI has been such a success?’” he said. Figures such as astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, Microsoft’s Bill Gates, and Tesla’s Elon Musk – an early investor in DeepMind – have voiced concern over AI’s potential to harm humanity. But Suleyman argued that advances with the potential to solve problems such as food insecurity, global warming and income inequality are being overshadowed by “hype” around AI’s existential threat. (Wall Street Journal)
Inclusive Business
Carnival launches new “voluntourism” brand
Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise ship operator, has launched a new brand called ‘fathom’, defining a new travel category it is calling “social impact travel”. The brand will offer consumers “authentic, meaningful” impact travel experiences to work alongside locals as they tackle community needs. fathom aims for a long-term, systematic partnership approach with its partner countries. Launching in April 2016 with week-long cruises from Miami to the Dominican Republic, passengers will be able to take part in traditional excursions such as windsurfing or hiking, but will also have a chance to participate in “social impact” activities like teaching English, working in a local women’s cooperative and helping build water filters for families in need. “fathom will cater to a growing market of consumers who want to have a positive impact on people’s lives, and aren’t always sure where to begin,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. (3BL Media; IBTimes)
Environment
UK among G7 countries that have increased coal use
Five of the world’s seven richest countries have increased their coal use in the last five years despite demanding that poor countries slash their carbon emissions, new research by Oxfam shows. Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan and France together burned 16% more coal in 2013 than 2009 and are planning to further increase construction of coal-fired power stations. Only the US and Canada of the G7 countries meeting on Monday in Berlin have reduced coal consumption since the Copenhagen climate summit in 2009. The briefing paper comes as nearly 200 countries meet in Bonn ahead of crunch climate talks in Paris later this year, and shows that G7 coal plants emit twice as much CO2 as the entire African continent annually. The UK could feasibly stop burning coal for its energy supply by 2023, according to Oxfam’s report. To do this, it would have to investing in smarter energy storage, reduce energy demand and improve energy efficiency. (Blue & Green Tomorrow; Guardian)
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