IPCCclimate change report warns huge risk if global warming exceeds 1.5C
The world’s leading climate scientists have warned there is only a dozen years for global warming to be kept to a maximum of 1.5C, beyond which even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people. Authors of the landmark report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released today (8 October) say urgent and unprecedented changes are needed to reach the target, which they say is affordable and feasible although it lies at the most ambitious end of the Paris agreement pledge to keep temperatures between 1.5C and 2C. “Scientists might want to write in capital letters, ‘ACT NOW IDIOTS’, but they need to say that with facts and numbers,” said Kaisa Kosonen, from Greenpeace, who was an observer at the negotiations. “And they have.” (BBC; Edie)
Corporate Reputation
Zuckerberg faces anger over Facebook executive’s Kavanaugh support
Hundreds of Facebook employees have expressed outrage about a top global policy executive’s decision to support Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and appear at his hearing last week, according to reports by the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. The appearance of Joel Kaplan at the Supreme Court nominee’s Senate hearing prompted anger and shock among many Facebook employees, some of whom said they took his action as a tacit show of support for Judge Kavanaugh. The unrest quickly spilled over onto Facebook’s internal message boards, where hundreds of workers have since posted about their concerns, according to current and former employees. (New York Times; Wall Street Journal)*
Human Rights
UK watchdog to move faster when charities accused of wrongdoing
Britain’s charity watchdog vowed on Thursday (4 October) to move faster when charities are accused of wrongdoing, following a year in which sex abuse scandals have rocked the sector. Humanitarian charities have been shaken by reports of Oxfam staff using prostitutes in Haiti, the exploitation of Syrian women in return for aid, and the harassment of women in the head offices of global aid agencies. The Charity Commission, which regulates charities in England and Wales, said tackling poor practice and improving public trust would be priorities as it unveiled a five-year strategy. “We will use our voice more strongly to encourage the behaviour that people expect of charities,” it said. (Thomson Reuters Foundation)
Technology / Corporate Reputation
Apple and Amazon deny reports of Chinese hardware hack
US tech giants such as Apple and Amazon have denied reports of a Chinese hack on their hardware systems, after a Bloomberginvestigation claimed malicious computer chips were placed inside equipment by foreign agents. Bloomberg cited 17 anonymous sources across US intelligence agencies and company insiders, who stipulated Chinese intelligence officials had infiltrated around 30 US businesses to hack their way into internal company networks. In statements published by Bloomberg, Amazon said the report was untrue, and had “found no evidence to support claims of malicious chips or hardware modifications.” (CityA.M.)
Supply Chain
UK fashion firms quizzed on supply chains
MPs are asking clothing retailers questions around working conditions in supply chains and recycling as part of an inquiry into the sustainability of the UK fashion industry. The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has written to 10 retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Primark, Next and Sports Direct, requesting information on how long clothes are kept, whether they use recycled materials and encourage recycling, and what steps they are taking to reduce microplastics contaminating the ocean. MPs said there were “concerns that the demand for fast fashion is fuelling the need for quick turnarounds in the supply chain, leading to poor working conditions in UK garment factories.” (Supply Chain Management)
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External Event
3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands – The Long View
23-25th October | Maryland, USA
With the theme Brands Taking Stands – The Long View, 3BL Forum features engaging sessions with 50+ speakers, interactive “issues tables” for peer-to-peer discussion, the annual CR Magazine awards dinner to honor the Responsible CEO of the Year. This year’s Forum will also include a Town Hall on Brands Taking Stands: A Moment or a Movement? with journalists from the Los Angeles Times and NPR and leaders from MSL U.S., Univision, and National Basketball Players Association Foundation.
3BL Forum will showcase corporate voices on bridging the divide between investor relations and corporate responsibility, and the “why” and “how” as companies seek to align their purpose, values and voice.
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