Business leaders call for net-zero emissions by 2050
A group of twenty-two major business and civil society leaders, including Sir Richard Branson and Unilever CEO, Paul Polman, have signed a letter to heads of state requesting that an “actionable” long-term emissions goal be included in a Paris climate agreement. The letter, which was arranged by business-led environmental coalition The B Team, called for any Paris deal to include a global commitment to achieve a net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions economy by 2050. “We know this is ambitious, but it is ambition that will generate the global momentum and focus that is critical to success,” the letter said. “The science, economic costs and social risks of climate change are becoming increasingly clear… Now it’s time for world leaders to take a stand and COP21 is that opportunity,” said Branson in a statement. The signatories also pledged to stand by political leaders in driving forward an ambitious agenda, while urging them to “clarify” their vision. (Business Green)
Employees
Survey: Companies fear employing people with learning disabilities
A new survey by the charity Mencap reveals that many employers remain uneasy about the role they are expected to play in hiring people with disabilities. UK work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith has said he aims to halve the employment gap between disabled and non-disabled people, but only 16 percent of UK employers feel confident this could be achieved. The survey also reveals nervousness about how customers and staff might interact with people with learning disabilities, a group still facing considerable exclusion. Almost a quarter of employers feel their colleagues would not be happy working with someone with a learning disability, and 45 percent fear it might be difficult for the public to deal with them. “People are often scared of the unknown. But once we actually support people with learning disabilities into work we find employers have a positive reaction and tell us about positive impacts,” says Mark Capper, head of employment at Mencap. Although 65 percent of adults with learning disabilities in the UK want to work, just 7 percent have been able to find paid employment. (Guardian)
Corporate Reputation
Vale and BHP fined for deadly Brazilian dam burst
The Brazilian government is fining the mining giants Vale and BHP Billiton for a dam burst at their jointly owned iron ore mine in southern Brazil, resulting in a deadly mudslide earlier this month. The companies face preliminary fines of 250 million Brazilian reais (£43.6 million). President Dilma Rousseff said the country was “committed in the first place to blame those who are responsible.” Authorities have confirmed that eight people died and 19 people are still missing. The mud is also being tested for potential toxins from the mine. The companies could face even higher fines from environmental regulators for water pollution and damage to local areas. State prosecutors are also considering whether to pursue criminal charges. At a press conference on Wednesday chief executive of BHP, Andrew Mackenzie, apologised for the incident. The head of the Anglo-Australian company said: “We are 100 percent committed to do everything we can do to support Samarco and make this right.” (BBC)
London Science Museum ends sponsorship deal with Shell
The London Science Museum will not renew a controversial sponsorship deal with Shell in which the oil company provided significant funding for its high-profile climate change exhibition. Critics have previously attacked the choice of a fossil fuel company as a funder for the museum’s Atmosphere gallery on climate science and said emails show Shell sought to influence the programme. However, current and former directors of the museum have rejected the charges, saying no curatorial changes had been made on Shell’s behalf. Former director Chris Rapley has robustly defended the sponsorship, saying the museum needed the funding and that disengagement from oil companies was “too simplistic” because society still relied on their products. The lapsing of the deal will be seen as a blow to Shell after it was forced out of the Prince of Wales’s climate change project earlier this year. Chris Garrard, of campaign group BP or not BP?, which discovered the deal would not be renewed, called on the museum to end its relationship with BP as well. (The Guardian)
Conservation
Zimbabwe blames disgruntled rangers and villagers for elephant poisonings
Zimbabwe’s environment minister has blamed the poisoning of at least 71 elephants in recent months on disgruntled game rangers and local communities who do not benefit from wildlife revenues. “It was noted that a number of issues such as low staff morale, lack of community benefits and hunting quota anomalies are fuelling poaching in Zimbabwe,” Oppah Muchinguri told a meeting of conservationists, government and security officials. “We have all heard the devastating news of the cyanide poisoning that has claimed the lives of 71 elephants at Hwange national park in recent weeks,” she said. Muchinguri said, calling for improvements in their working conditions. Last week, police arrested three journalists at a weekly newspaper over a story implicating park rangers, police chiefs and an Asian businessman in the poisoning of the elephants. Muchinguri also called for increased efforts to fight poaching by ensuring that villagers who live near game reserves benefit from revenue generated by wildlife tourism. (Guardian)
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