Today is Equal Pay Day in the UK, the day of the year on which women effectively stop earning money relative to men. This year, Equal Pay Day is only one day later than last year. It will take 60 years to close at the current rate of progress, according to the Fawcett Society, which has called for more action from the government and employers to tackle pay discrimination and job “segregation”, and to help women into senior posts. The society says that the jobs women do are more likely to be low paid. They are also less likely to receive a bonus or progress to the highest position in their organisation. More than 50,000 women leave their jobs early every year after having a baby or becoming pregnant. (Guardian)
Supply Chain
Primark among first in line for European sustainable clothing push
Clothing retail giant Primark has become one of the first businesses to sign up the European Clothing Action Plan (ECAP), which aims to develop a framework to promote practical actions for tackling carbon, water and waste footprints across the lifecycle of clothes. Primark is one of five businesses to have signed up to the initiative so far, along with Star Sock, OVS, Peak Performance and Bobo Choses. The new ECAP plan aims to help firms better understand the current impact of the fibres used in their clothing ranges and to encourage steps to use more sustainable alternatives. Overall, the initiative aims to help its members collectively divert 90,000 tonnes of clothing waste from landfill and incineration, reduce their climate impact by 1.6 million tonnes of CO2e, and save 588 million cubic metres of water. (Business Green)
Massachusetts voters say no to tight quarters for hens, pigs and calves
A ballot measure approved overwhelmingly by Massachusetts voters will lead to more spacious cages for a few thousand hens in the state. The measure, approved by 78 percent of voters in the state, prohibits farms in the state from confining any egg-laying hen, breeding pig or calf raised for veal in a way that prevents the animal from “lying down, standing up, fully extending its limbs, or turning around freely.” What’s more, any US farm that houses hens in battery cages will not be allowed to sell eggs in Massachusetts. The measure was opposed by farm industry groups that argue the confinement practices are not inhumane, and say efforts to change them are part of a broader mission of the Humane Society of the United States and other groups to end meat-eating. (Washington Post)
Responsible Investment
European Investment Bank backs €150 million green shipping initiative
The European Investment Bank and French financial giant Société Générale have inked a framework agreement to mobilise €150 million of support for shipbuilding projects that promote “sustainable transport and environmental protection”. The deal marks the first time the EU guarantee mechanism has been used to deliver emissions reductions from the shipping industry. The move was backed by the French government, and the European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, added that the project would help build on the progress made at last month’s International Maritime Organisation conference. The €150 million guarantee will support €750 million of potential investment, providing financing for new shipbuilding projects and work to convert and modernise existing ships. (Business Green)
Technology & Innovation
Tesla announces new gigafactory in European expansion
Tesla is making a “significant investment” in expanding its European operations, announcing a new “gigafactory” battery production plant and an automated manufacturing research centre. The expansion follows the purchase of German firm Grohmann Engineering, a company specialised in automated assembly systems serving the automotive, telecommunications, consumer electronics and biotechnology industries. The plant will be used for vehicle production as well as battery manufacture. Grohmann’s technology is expected to help Tesla ramp up production as it attempts to produce 500,000 of its electric vehicles a year by 2018. (Guardian)
COMMENTS