Top retailers demanded to stop selling ‘unsustainable tuna’
Major retailers Tesco, Asda and Morrisons have been accused of “misleading consumers” by selling “unsustainable tuna” sourced from two Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Campaigners insist that products such as Princes tuna and Tesco’s own brand label are sourced from fisheries that run widespread unsustainable fishing practices, which lead to dangerous bycatch levels. The On The Hook campaign group has warned that “arbitrary” targets set by MSC is leading the organisation to lower its own standards. It has also raised concerns about MSC “developing commercial partnerships” with global retailers. Evidence suggests that Walmart pressured the Council to certify products from larger fisheries to carry the MSC logo in their corporate interest. (Edie)
Human Rights
Half of UK firms ‘have not produced slavery reports’
More than half of UK companies that have had 12 months to publish their modern slavery statements have not yet done so, according to figures released by the online repository TISCreport. Jaya Chakrabarti, CEO of TISCreport, said: “To this point in September, 2,868 have had 12 months or more and are now potentially overdue. 49.4% of those do have statements, so that means that 50.6% of companies who have not yet reported and are probably not aware they should be reporting at this point.” Under the Modern Slavery Act, all companies with a UK footprint and an annual turnover of more than £36 million are required to produce annual reports outlining what they are doing to identify and tackle modern slavery in their supply chains. (Supply Chain Management)
Energy
Velocys and British Airways sign waste-to-fuel deal
Shares in renewable fuels company Velocys jumped 40 per cent on Tuesday after it announced a partnership with British Airways to create jet fuel from waste. Velocys plans to take hundreds of thousands of tonnes of post-recycled waste, destined for landfill, and convert it into clean-burning, sustainable fuels. The jet fuel produced is expected to deliver a more than 60 per cent greenhouse gas reduction and 90 per cent reduction in particulate matter emissions compared with conventional jet fuel. The company said on Tuesday it would lead an initial feasibility stage of the project with the aim of a final investment decision in 2019. Recycling and waste management company Suez will provide technical expertise and manage the supply of feedstock from which the fuel will be made. (Independent)
Leading business speed energy transition at climate week NYC
Announced today at Climate Week NYC 2017, global financial institutions Citi and JPMorgan Chase & Co. have joined The Climate Group’s RE100 campaign with CDP, committing to source 100% renewable power across their global operations by 2020. The announcements follow news last week that The Estée Lauder Companies, Kellogg Company and DBS Bank have also joined RE100. 110 of the world’s most influential companies are now generating demand for over 150 TWh renewable energy annually – more than enough to power New York State. Helen Clarkson, CEO, The Climate Group, said: “Companies joining RE100 recognize that renewable power is a smart business decision. Their leadership will help to shape energy markets away from fossil fuels and deliver on the Paris Agreement at speed.” (The Climate Group)
Policy and Research
Proponents of sex trafficking bill urge tech companies to drop opposition
A bill to combat sex trafficking that has pitted US lawmakers against Silicon Valley was at the center of debate on Tuesday. As the committee on commerce, science and transportation held the first Senate hearing on the bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, proponents of the bill urged tech giants to drop their opposition to legislation that would hold accountable websites that knowingly facilitate online sex trafficking. The bill, which has 30 sponsors from both parties, would hold websites liable for publishing information “designed to facilitate sex trafficking” by amending section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), under which internet companies have been shielded from criminal liability based on user conduct. Major tech companies including Google have lobbied against the bill aggressively. Most internet companies have maintained they support efforts to crack down on sex trafficking and agree bad actors should be held accountable. (Guardian)
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