80 British companies call on Prime Minister to take stronger climate action
Eighty British companies, including two of the Big Six energy companies and high street names including John Lewis and Tesco, have called on UK prime minister, David Cameron, to take stronger action on climate change both at home and abroad. Such action could create jobs and boost the UK’s competitiveness, but failure to address climate change could put economic prosperity at risk, the signatories warn in a letter to the prime minister published in the Financial Times. The intervention comes as nearly 200 countries meet in Bonn to decide on a draft climate text ahead of a crunch summit in Paris later this year. The letter is also signed by Unilever, Ikea, Mars, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Kingfisher, Sky, Diageo and Thames Water, and asks Cameron to seek a “strong climate deal” in Paris that would avoid dangerous global warming. (The Guardian)
Supply Chain
Companies worth trillions tell RSPO to improve standards
Institutional investors managing almost US$5 trillion in assets, along with some of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, have called on the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to close the gaps in its palm oil certification standards. In an open letter, investors and 16 other consumer goods giants such as P&G and Starbucks call on RSPO to ensure that by 2016, its principles and criteria are changed to include measures to protect forests. Suggestions include requirements on the conservation of ‘High Carbon Stock’ areas, peatland protection, reporting greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring that palm oil comes from known sources. The letter’s authors noted that RSPO’s certification scheme is “uniquely positioned to support, promote, and enforce the widespread uptake of responsible and sustainable production practices across the palm oil industry”. But it in its current state, it “does not include protections for some of the most critical externalities of palm oil production.” (Eco-Business)
Circular Economy
Mobile phone contracts model due an upgrade, researchers claim
The ‘frequent upgrades’ business model for mobile phones is not fit for purpose if the industry is to deliver sustainable change, according to new research from the UK’s University of Surrey. The research explored the lifespan of mobile devices from manufacture through to use and disposal; measuring the impact each stage has on the environment. It concluded that the current model – in which frequent upgrades are encouraged and recycling schemes not actively pursued – is costing both the manufacturer and the environment. Author of the research, Dr James Suckling, said: “There are an estimated 85 million unused phones in the UK. Each of these phones has been manufactured using precious metals such as gold, copper and silver which are costly to extract, both in cash-terms and environmental impact.” (Edie)
Human Rights
Amnesty International blocked from visiting Azerbaijan ahead of Baku 2015 European Games
Amnesty International has been blocked from entering Azerbaijan ahead of the inaugural European Games, amid a clampdown on free speech designed to quell critics. The human rights organisation had been planning to launch a new report highlighting the crackdown on free speech, independent media and government critics ahead of the Games. The decision to bar Amnesty came as Emma Hughes, a human rights campaigner with Platform who has previously been critical of BP’s role in co-operating with Azerbaijan, was stopped last week from entering the country. While the German Olympic Committee has spoken out against human rights violations, the British Olympic Association has maintained the line that sport and politics should not mix. Amnesty has said there are at least 20 prisoners of conscience in Azerbaijan, detained solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression. (The Guardian)
Energy Efficiency
EDF Energy partners with specialist abseilers to provide energy efficiency refit to London tower blocks
Dozens of London tower blocks are receiving energy efficiency refits with £500,000 worth of insulation installed by a specialist team of abseilers. To complete the work, EDF Energy is partnering with Essex-based Avalon Sustainable Energy Solutions – a specialist cavity wall insulation contractor who employ abseilers to install the insulation. The cavity wall insulation will help residents in the 820 flats in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham make significant savings every year on their fuel bills. EDF Energy’s partnership with Avalon is part of the Government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) – an initiative designed to help people in low-income areas save energy, thereby saving carbon and money on their energy bills. It is estimated that the insulation will help save around 18,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. (Click Green)
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