DIGITAL ETHICS

Australia passes new law requiring Facebook and Google to pay for news 

Australia has passed a new law that will force tech companies like Facebook and Google to pay publishers for news content, setting the stage for potential similar action in other countries. The new law will ensure that news media businesses are “fairly remunerated” for the content they generate. After shutting down news pages in Australia in opposition to the legislation, Facebook announced it would restore them after the country included a provision in the law that must consider "whether a digital platform has made a significant contribution to the sustainability of the Australian news industry through reaching commercial agreements with news media businesses." Google has already announced partnerships with media outlets. Similar cases may soon emerge elsewhere, as pressure mounts on the US and EU to adopt such measures. (CNN) 

STRATEGY

Food and drink businesses meet carbon reduction goals five years early 

The UK's food and drinks sector has collectively curbed carbon emissions by 55% since 1990, surpassing a target set for 2025. The latest research from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), which represents more than 300 companies from the sector nationwide, notes that the sector achieved the FDF’s ‘Ambition 2025’ targets five years ahead of schedule, including a 55% reduction of CO2 emissions against a 1990 baseline. On food waste, all FDF members have contributed to the UK’s Food Waste Reduction Roadmap, committing to support year-on-year reductions with the eventual aim of sending zero waste to landfill. Additionally, between 2007 and 2019, members reduced absolute water consumption by more than 41%, while also reducing the amount of water consumed per tonne of product by 44.5%. (Edie) 

DEFORESTATION 

Deforestation for palm oil reduced ten-fold in Southeast Asia in 2020 

New deforestation data has revealed progress in combating forest clearances across Southeast Asia throughout 2020, marking a ten-fold reduction in deforestation rates associated with palm oil plantations. At 93,800 acres, the level of deforestation stands at just a tenth of historically high levels seen in the region, according to the figures from deforestation think-tank Chain Reaction Research, while Indonesia experienced the lowest overall deforestation rates in two decades. The progress also appears to be part of a trend with 2020 marking the fourth year that deforestation for palm oil in Southeast Asia was less than 250,0000 acres. If sustained over the next decade, the palm oil industry will have avoided 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide pollution over 10 years compared to business as usual rates. (Business Green)

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Boost for biofuels as E10 petrol given green light across UK 

The UK government has given the green light for the introduction of E10 fuel at petrol stations across the UK from September, in a move aimed at curbing the climate impact of road transport. The biofuel is largely made from traditional petrol but contains a 10% share of ethanol from materials such as low-grade grains, sugars, and waste wood. Its introduction to fuel UK vehicles could cut transport emissions by 750,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, the equivalent of removing 350,000 cars from the roads. While shifting towards electric vehicles remains key to the UK reaching its climate goals, the government regards using bioethanol in place of traditional petrol for existing cars as an additional measure aligned with that goal. (Business Green) 

ETHICAL BUSINESS

Scottish craft brewer BrewDog announces B Corp certification 

Scottish craft brewer BrewDog is the latest company to achieve B Corp certification, highlighting the company's dedication to upholding social, governance and environmental standards. BrewDog is now offsetting more emissions than it generates across Scope 1, Scope 2 and upstream Scope 3 sources. The brewer has made a commitment to remove twice as much carbon from the air each year as it emits, starting from August 2020. The company is also planning to plant more than one million trees by 2022. The B Corp certification is a popular marker of purpose-led brands, with applying companies required to complete an in-depth assessment of their governance, worker treatment, community sustainability and environmental impact. (Edie)