90 NGOs asking the world to break free from plastic
A network of 90 NGOs from around the world, including Greenpeace, Oceana, the Story of Stuff Project, GAIA, 5Gyres and Clean Water Action, have come together to launch a massive global movement to achieve a “future free from plastic pollution.” Under the banner “Break Free From Plastic”, the group aims to change society’s perception and use of plastics. The group calls plastic “a human rights issue,” arguing that plastic packaging that is sold into markets with inadequate waste management systems can affect vulnerable populations the most. The group is calling on US corporations and governments to “lead the way,” saying that a strong, coordinated policy effort is needed. (Sustainable Brands)
Study estimates 100,000 premature deaths from Indonesia haze
Indonesian forest fires that choked a swath of Southeast Asia with a smoky haze for weeks last year may have caused more than 100,000 premature deaths, according to new research published in the journal Environmental Research Letters. The study has been welcomed as an advance in quantifying the suspected serious public health effects of the fires, which are mostly set to clear land for farming. The estimate of premature deaths linked to respiratory illness that covers Indonesia and its neighbours Singapore and Malaysia dwarves Indonesia’s official toll of 19, which included deaths from illness and the deaths of firefighters. The researchers said the model they developed can be combined with satellite observations to analyse the haze in close to real time and direct fire-fighting efforts in a way that reduces the amount of illness caused. (Bloomberg)
Tax
Australia warns companies against trying to avoid its ‘Google tax’
Australia has warned the big four accountancy firms against undermining its crackdown on multinational tax avoidance by creating “artificial and contrived” schemes to sidestep new laws modelled on the UK’s “Google tax”. Mark Konza, deputy commissioner of the Australian Tax Office, said some accountancy firms were telling clients they could provide them with “inoculation” from the new laws, via a newly devised scheme that uses an “Australian partnership” structure. Chris Evans, professor of tax at the UNSW Business School Australia, said this was a shot across the bows of the big four, which were likely to be providing similar advice to multinational clients in the UK. “It’s a game with billions of dollars at stake,” he said. (Financial Times*)
Corporate Reputation
Many car brands emit more pollution than Volkswagen, report finds
A new in-depth study by campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E) has found that no major diesel car brand complies with the latest “Euro 6” air pollution limits when driven on the road. The research reveals that companies including Fiat, Vauxhall and Suzuki are selling models that emit far higher levels of pollution than the shamed German carmaker Volkswagen. T&E analysed emissions test data from around 230 diesel car models to rank the worst performing brands. Fiat and Suzuki top the list, spewing out 15 times the NOx limit; while Renault-Nissan vehicle emissions were judged to be more than 14 times higher. General Motors’ brands Opel-Vauxhall also fared badly, with emissions found to be 10 times higher than permitted levels. (Guardian)
Google, Microsoft, Yahoo will block Indian gender-selection ads
Google, Yahoo and Microsoft have agreed to block ads for Indian services that help determine a baby’s sex before birth, adhering to laws intended to address one of the world’s worst gender imbalances. Female foeticide and infanticide are serious issues in India, where there were 943 females per 1,000 males in 2011. Google said it has taken action to disable auto-complete predictions for relevant terms on its site, and showing a warning that tells users pre-natal gender screening or testing is illegal in India. (Bloomberg)
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