Australia falls further in rankings on progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goals
Australia is now ranked 37th in the world according to the global SDG Index, dropping 11 slots from the previous report last year and falling far behind the other leading countries in the world. The lack of progress in environmental goals and climate change means that the index places Australia worst performing country in the world on climate action (SDG 13). One of the reasons why Australia has slumped so far in the rankings is that the SDG Index is now taking into account the so-called “spill-over” effects that countries have on other nations’ ability to meet the SDGs. These effects may be positive, such as providing development aid; or negative, such as importing or exporting products that create pollution. Australia will need to take targeted action if it wants to meet the 2030 SDG goals. (The Conversation)
Policy
Danone, Mars, Nestlé, Unilever Join Forces to Improve U.S. Public Food Policy
The “Sustainable Food Policy Alliance” developed by leading food companies within the U.S. is purposed to reform public policy by focusing on the citizens health in a sustainable way. The alliance includes major food industry influencers such as Danone North America, Mars, Nestlé USA, and Unilever United States. Their key focus is to move forward with five public policy actions that include; Consumer Transparency, Environment, Food safety, Nutrition, and People and Communities. The CEO’s of the joining corporations made a statement that included their vision for this alliance stating, “With so many pressing food policy opportunities on the horizon, now is the time to help steer America’s food policy and our food system on a better path for long-term success.” They also mentioned how they are eager to specialize in nutrition labelling and carbon emissions with expert help from the best available evidence based science. (Sustainable Brands)
Employees
Businesses must address impact of next industrial revolution, says Siemens boss
With global advancements being made to the workforce industry, Joe Kaeser the global chief executive of Siemens, warns businesses of possible “dip in employment” if employees are not retrained. Technology is the main driving force behind the next Industrial Revolution and Kaeser warns that advancements will lead to a rapid disappearance of traditional jobs in manufacturing. Kaeser believes that new skills need to be taught to both governments and business to move forward together. Already employing 370,000 globally, Siemens is investing EUR500 million a year towards training and plans to invest another EUR200 million in future jobs specifically within the UK. Kaeser, who met Donald Trump in Davos in January, said he had been surprised and alarmed by the pace of the escalating trade tensions between the US and its major trading partners. He added that trade wars had no place in the digital future. (The Guardian)
Energy
IEA warns of ‘worrying trend’ as global investment in renewables falls
According to the International Energy Agency, global investment renewable power generation fell 7% in 2017. Executive director of the IEA, Dr Faith Birol, says the decline is “disappointing.” World leaders’ warm words on renewables and energy efficiency needed to be matched with action, Birol said, urging governments to create less investment uncertainty for green energy.. Fossil fuels’ share of energy investment needs to drop to 40% by 2030 to meet climate targets but instead rose fractionally to 59% in 2017. (The Guardian)
Governance / Privacy
US legislators urge Facebook & Google to store data outside Vietnam
A group of US Congress members has written to Mark Zuckerberg and Sundar Pichai, the chief executives of Facebook and Google, urging them not to store users’ data in Vietnam, as required by the country’s restrictive new cyber security law. The law will require foreign technology companies to open offices in Vietnam, and in some cases compel internet companies to take down posts or hand over users’ data to Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security. “The cyber security law does nothing to protect internet users,” 17 members of both the Republican and Democratic parties wrote in the letter. “Rather, it is a blatant effort by the Vietnamese government to crack down on online expression by enlisting the help of leading technology companies — especially Facebook and Google.” Facebook and Google declined to comment on the letter, referring requests for comment to the Asia Internet Coalition, an industry lobby group. (Financial Times*)
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