Study: sustainable forestry policies may lead to increased deforestation
Policies aimed at protecting tropical forests may lead to increased deforestation and timber production, according to new research. Jodi Brandt, an assistant professor at Boise State University, and her colleagues conducted two studies to examined deforestation rates and sustainable forestry policies in the Congo and globally. The first study, published last year, found that European companies had the highest deforestation rates in the Congo compared to Asian and Congolese companies, despite being far more compliant with sustainable forestry policies. The new study directly compares timber production and deforestation rates, finding these were up to two times higher in leases that implemented sustainability policies versus those that did not. The findings suggest that selective logging spreads out logging activities over larger areas and into interior forests. Evidence also showed that legal timber operations lead to growth in nearby settlements, increasing human presence in remote, interior forest regions, creating further “indirect deforestation.”(Sustainable Brands)
‘Devastating’ impact of climate change on cocoa can’t be ignored, says Rainforest Alliance
The chocolate industry must embrace climate-smart agriculture to mitigate the shattering effects of rising temperatures on millions of cocoa farmers in the developing world, says non-profit certifier Rainforest Alliance. The certification organisation says companies such as Nestlé, Mars and Barry Callebaut were present at the recent COP21 conference in Paris and acknowledge climate change’s harsh impact on agricultural crops. However, it says scaled-up efforts are needed as many cocoa farmers’ yields have already plummeted. Martin Noponen, senior manager on climate for Rainforest Alliance, said: “It’s something no one should be ignoring… a much greater emphasis needs to be placed on reducing the impact at smallholder farmer level. There’s billions of livelihoods dependent on it.” He says the effects rang true during a recent trip to Indonesia when he spoke to smallholder farmers who have been growing cocoa for the past 15 years, many of whom have seen their yields halved by droughts and other weather impacts. (Confectionery News)
Strategy
Research: what consumers and employees want from UK businesses
New research conducted by facilities management specialists Direct365 reveals that people want clean, green, safe, and responsible environments. More than one in four UK employees want their company to introduce more eco-friendly policies, while 18% said they wanted more first aid training. Meanwhile, 27% of consumers said that any business they deal with needs to have strong corporate social responsibility policies. Emma Gilroy, Brand Development Manager at Direct365, commented on the research: “Our research shows that businesses simply must take their social and environmental responsibilities seriously if they are to be successful… It’s clear that consumers are increasingly conscious of who they buy products and services from, and with so many businesses competing for our money, those that earn a positive reputation for being a caring, ethical company that looks after its employees and local community will ultimately fare the best.” (Blue and Green Tomorrow)
Broadband adverts have been criticised by UK charity Citizens Advice for misleading potential customers. More than half of people would be unable to choose the cheapest deals when comparing the information in adverts, the charity said. Three quarters of those in the research said information in the adverts was too complicated to make an easy comparison. In particular, line rental costs were often not included in the advertised headline cost. Earlier this year, Citizens Advice said that teaser deals in adverts were masking the long-term cost of broadband packages. Gillian Guy, the chief executive of Citizens Advice, said the continuing problem with broadband adverts meant that potential customers were often left unable to make an informed decision. “Broadband providers need to make the costs of a contract clear in their advertising and the Advertising Standards Authority should also review the code of practice to make sure it works well for consumers.” (BBC)
Tax
Amazon and eBay face crackdown over VAT fraud by overseas sellers
Top tax officials are exploring whether Amazon and eBay can be forced to foot the bill for ballooning VAT fraud associated with an army of small overseas sellers who are rapidly coming to dominate sales of many popular items on Britain’s leading shopping websites. A Guardian investigation has found that hundreds of high-value gifts are being sold on Amazon’s UK website without VAT being charged. In recent months, record numbers of small overseas sellers have imported goods into Britain in advance of the Christmas rush, arranging for Amazon to dispatch the stock from its UK warehouses. Many of these VAT-free sellers give virtual office or residential addresses in China, Hong Kong and the US, with little of it being known by HM Revenue & Customs. Last month, eBay said it would report a number of sellers on its site to HMRC after the Guardian showed it evidence of Chinese traders giving invalid VAT numbers as well as sharing, or cloning, numbers belonging to other businesses. A Treasury spokesman told the House of Lords that HMRC had set up a taskforce to investigate VAT evasion by overseas internet sellers. (Guardian)
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