Major businesses join new coalition to go ‘net-positive’
Dell, HewlettPackard and Kingfisher are among a host of major businesses to form a cross-sector coalition that aims to increase the number of companies that go beyond reducing negative sustainability impacts to provide “net-positive” contributions to society, the environment and the global economy. The Net Positive Project has been launched by BSR and Forum for the Future to develop practices and tools that companies can use to quantify, communicate and enhance their positive impacts. Other founding members of the scheme include AT&T, Dow Chemicals, Kohler and the Crown Estate. “The Net Positive Project will… help companies enhance their approach to innovation and strategy, brand and reputation, and relationships with stakeholders, while it increases sales and financial success,” said Sally Uren, Forum for the Future’s CEO. (edie)
M&S announces Plan A achievements, launches first human rights report
UK department store Marks & Spencer has reported progress on Plan A, its eco and ethical programme, in its 2016 Plan A Report. The first report under new CEO Steve Rowe pledges to go even further on customer engagement by putting the customer at the heart of the plan. 73 percent of all M&S products now have an eco or ethical quality, while notable progress has been made in improving UK and Ireland store and warehouse energy efficiency (39 percent reduction) and water efficiency (31 percent reduction). In recognition of the growing, global focus on human rights and the role business plays in protecting them, M&S has joined the UN Global Compact and published its first ever Human Rights Report. This makes M&S one of the first organisations to report against the UN Guiding Principles Reporting Framework, joining Unilever, Ericsson and H&M. (M&S)
O2 plans to harness smart technology for sustainable lifestyles push
Telecommunications giant O2 has unveiled the latest phase of its sustainability strategy, the Think Big Blueprint, which sets out an ambitious plan to use technology to help millions of customers live a more sustainable lifestyle. Established in 2012, the plan has to date delivered carbon benefits equivalent to 7.5 times the network’s impact – although the company missed the December 2015 target of delivering ten times its impact. The carbon benefits include SIM-only contracts, phone recycling, smart meters and connected technologies. Under the new phase of the strategy, O2 said it will adopt a more flexible approach to achieving its goals, pledging to help 20 million people live more sustainably by 2020. (Business Green)
Supply Chain
Report: Top brands failing on cotton sustainability
The majority of international companies using most cotton globally are failing to deliver on cotton sustainability according to new research published by Pesticide Action NetworkUK, Solidaridad and WWF. Just eight companies out of 37 made it out of the ‘red zone’ in the ranking. Only home furnishing giant IKEA scores in the green zone, with 12 out of a maximum of 19.5 points. C&A (9), H&M (9) and Adidas (7.75) follow in the yellow zone, while Nike (6.75), M&S (5.5), VF Corporation (3.25), and Kering (3) are in the orange zone. 29 companies fall in the red zone. “IKEA, C&A and H&M are showing how cotton sustainability is good for business but many top companies are failing to deliver”, said Richard Holland, Director, Market Transformation, WWF. “Sourcing more sustainable cotton has never been easier so there is no excuse for companies not to offer more responsible products to customers,” he added. (WWF)
Responsible Investment
FTSE Russell launches green revenue index
Index provider FTSE Russell has launched an investment tool that tracks and measures companies that generate green revenues. The data model measures the green revenues of 13,400 public companies, representing 98.5 percent of total global market capitalisation. Revenues from a broad range of large, mid and small capitalisation companies in 48 developed and emerging markets are mapped to 60 new green industrial subsectors, with FTSE Russell assigning each company in the model a ‘low carbon industrial indicator’ factor, representing the ratio of its green revenues to its total revenues. According to Christiana Figueres, the UN’s top climate official, the data model offers a “potentially powerful” way to help investors switch capital to companies serious about developing green products and services. (Blue & Green Tomorrow; Financial Times*)
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