The results of the latest Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Salary Survey have revealed that not only is the pay gap between men and women in the sector closing, but women are now occupying more of the top jobs. The survey, conducted by Acre, a sustainability recruiter, Carnstone, a CSR consultancy and Flag, a sustainability communications firm, is now in its sixth edition and the largest of its kind. While global average salaries for men have dropped by one percent this year, women’s salaries have risen by 5.6 percent. Analysis of gender distribution by job title has also revealed that an increasing number of senior roles are now occupied by women. “Diversity has been a big topic within the sustainability community over the past two years, and the discussion appears to be having an impact,” said Andy Cartland, founder and managing director of Acre. The report also found in-house sustainability professionals earn more than their counterparts in consultancy firms. (The CR & Sustainability Salary Survey 2016)
Responsible Investment
Singapore Exchange launches its first Sustainability Index
The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has announced its first ever set of equity indices focused on sustainability, underscoring the growing importance of environment, social and governance (ESG) issues in the region. “SGX Sustainability Indices provide a transparent avenue through which investors can assess the sustainability practices of SGX-listed companies and identify ESG leaders in Singapore. They will also help to further profile SGX-listed companies with strong relevant credentials among a growing pool of ESG-aware international investors,” said SGX chief executive officer Loh Boon Chye. Junice Yeo, director for Southeast Asia at Corporate Citizenship, said that the launch of the index “is timely” and will “enable institutional investors to get a clearer picture of the Singapore companies managing their ESG risks”. (Eco-business)
Technology & Innovation
Volvo’s innovative concept truck cuts fuel consumption by 30 percent
Heavy commercial vehicle manufacturer Volvo Group has developed a new concept truck which can make 30 percent savings in fuel consumption, with the vehicle forming part of a five-year long research project aiming to improve the efficiency of long-haul transportation by 50 percent. With support from the Swedish Energy Agency, the Volvo Concept Truck will benefit from low fuel consumption through a 40 percent improvement in aerodynamic efficiency, optimised air flow for the engine’s cooling system and minimised air resistance in both the trailer and tractor. The research project is a bilateral joint venture between Sweden and the USA which aims to produce more energy-efficient vehicles on the North American market. ” This is a high-priority area both out of environmental concern and in order to reduce our customers’ costs. We’re proud to be able to drive this development,” said Volvo Trucks chief executive Claes Nilsson. (edie)
Procter & Gamble to phase out phosphates from dishwasher tablets
Procter & Gamble (P&G) has announced plans to completely phase out the use of phosphates from its dishwasher tablets by 2017, following a similar announcement on laundry detergent in 2014. The move has been made possible thanks to a breakthrough chemical innovation that means tablets’ cleaning power is just as effective without the inclusion of phosphates. Phosphates can damage aquatic life and contaminate drinking water. But when used in automatic dishwashing detergents, they help to remove food and grease, reducing filming and controlling water hardness. P&G claims its innovation – the details of which are being kept tightly under wraps – will save 21 billion litres of water every year by removing the need for consumers to pre-rinse items. Virginie Helias, P&G’s global director of sustainability, said it has taken years of research to make a phosphate-free pledge without compromising product quality. (Business Green)
Corporate Reputation
Big Pharma and governments are ‘turning a blind eye to corruption’, report claims
World governments and big pharma companies are “turning a blind eye” to bribery and corruption, allowing a few to make vast profits while damaging the health of many of the poorest people, a new report by Transparency International has claimed. The anti-corruption advocacy group said there were dangerous loopholes across the drug supply chain, from lack of publicly available research data to underhand marketing practices to poor enforcement of manufacturing standards. The report found that despite as much as $300 million of annual global health expenditure being lost to corruption and errors: “Genuine commitment to anti-corruption policies… is currently absent in many countries.” Part of the problem, the report said, was the huge power of the pharmaceutical industry in a world where global spend on medicines is expected to grow to $1.3 trillion by 2018. (Independent; Reuters)
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