UK companies urged to improve lobbying transparency
Many of the UK’s largest companies shroud their lobbying efforts in secrecy, leaving them exposed to a greater risk of corruption or other scandal, research has found. None of the 40 FTSE 100-listed companies reviewed by Transparency International UK provide a breakdown of their global lobbying spending, and only a third said they had a specific policy on lobbying. The campaign group’s new Corporate Political Engagement Index is part of its efforts to encourage transparency from big business, whether about direct lobbying, political donations, how much they pay membership groups that lobby on their behalf, or how many people they second to government agencies or hire from them. “The public are mistrustful of companies’ interaction with politicians and civil servants in general,” said Peter van Veen, head of business integrity at Transparency International UK. “The only way companies can build or rebuild trust with stakeholders is through a responsible, honest and transparent approach to political engagement.” (FT)*
Campaign targets ‘climate criminals’ at Paris summit
Global citizens movement Avaaz has published a dossier naming the “seven most insidious fossil fuel lobbyists” at the Paris Climate Summit. Activists pasted more than 1,000 “Wanted” posters outside luxury hotels overnight, calling seven people who have ties to the fossil fuel industry or are skeptics of climate change “criminals.” Emma Ruby-Sachs, Acting Executive-Director of Avaaz, said: “These lobbyists have come to Paris to sabotage a global deal for ambitious climate action… Ministers must listen to their people, not polluters, and refuse meetings with climate criminals who want to derail a deal the whole world wants.” Those who made the group’s list include Marc Morano, who runs the website Climate Depot, Benjamin Sporton, chief executive of the World Coal Association, and Fiona Wild, a chemist who is the vice president of mining group BHP Billiton. In response, Morano tweeted a picture of himself looking mock-terrified. “The posters are an exercise in silliness,” he said. “Climate skeptics are here promoting open debate and arguing to allow dissent”. A BHP Billiton spokesperson said the company had no comment. (Avaaz; New York Times)
Tax
Cadbury owner paid no UK corporation tax last year
Mondelēz, which owns British chocolate brand Cadbury, is facing controversy over its tax arrangements after it was reported that it had not paid UK corporation tax last year. An investigation by the Sunday Times found the company was wiping out tax bills using interest payments on an unsecured debt, which is listed as a bond on the Channel Islands’ stock exchange. The arrangement, which is legal, meant Mondelēz was able to pay no UK corporation tax despite accounts showing that Cadbury UK, its subsidiary, made profits of £96.5 million in 2014 and £83.6 million in 2013. Margaret Hodge, chairwoman of the Commons all-party group on responsible tax, said: “The founders of Cadbury who set it up as an ethical company will be turning in their graves.” An FT report after Cadbury’s purchase five years ago claimed Cadbury already had tax avoidance schemes in place when it was bought that allowed it to reduce its UK tax bill to just £6.4 million a year on a profit of £100 million. (Guardian)
Environment
Beijing issues first pollution red alert as smog engulfs capital
Beijing has issued its first ever pollution red alert as acrid smog enveloped the Chinese capital for the second time this month. The alert should see millions of vehicles forced off the roads, factories and construction sites shut down and schools and nurseries advised to close. “It is history – this is a precedent set,” said Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs in Beijing. “This is extremely important to stop children from being exposed to such a high level of pollution.” Chinese authorities faced fierce criticism last week when they failed to issue a red alert even as Beijing’s residents choked on smog levels that in some areas rose to 40 times those considered safe by the World Health Organisation. Ma Jun said it would have been a “very tough decision” for China’s leaders to declare the red alert in a city of about 23 million inhabitants. (Guardian)
Top environmental consulting firms ranked
The global environmental consulting market reached $27.5 billion in 2014 – a 4.1 percent decline from the previous year, according to Environment Analyst’s annual assessment of the market. Environment Analyst projects a flat market for 2015, reflecting a downgrading of growth expected from the emerging economies. “There are still specific segments and markets that are still growing – it is a highly complex and fragmented industry, with green legislation the key underlying driving force,” said Liz Trew, co-author of the report. “Demand within the EIA and ecology sectors have been particularly strong here over the last couple of years.” The analysis found the top ten players, ranked by gross global revenues in 2014, to be: AECOM, CH2M, Tetra Tech, Arcadis, Environmental Resources Management, Golder Associates, AMEC Foster Wheeler, Ramboll Environ, and WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff and GHD in joint ninth place. (Environmental Leader)
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Image Source: Beijing smog by Kevin Dooley / CC BY 2.0
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