DIGITAL ETHICS

Tech giants targeted in harmful content crackdown

New changes are being made to the UK’s proposed online safety bill which will expect big tech companies to put proactive measures in place to prevent illegal activity. The bill could see social network companies face fines worth 10% of global company turnover if they fail to address harmful content. The recent changes will see three new criminal offences added, such as sending “genuinely threatening communications”, sending “harmful communications”, and sending “knowingly false communications” all of which are designed to inflict harm. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter will be expected to prevent harmful content on their platforms. Big tech companies have welcomed the “clarity” that the online safety bill brings, saying they recognise the need for regulation. (BBC News)

CYBERSECURITY

European oil facilities hit by disruptive cyber-attacks

Multiple oil transport and storage companies across Europe are dealing with cyber-attacks. IT systems at Oiltanking in Germany, SEA-Invest in Belgium and Evos in the Netherlands have all faced disruption. As a result, dozens of terminals with oil storage and transport globally have been affected, with firms reporting the attacks occurred over the weekend. Belgian prosecutors say they are investigating the attack which affected SEA-Invest terminals. A spokesperson for Evos said its IT services caused “delays in execution”, and Oiltanking said it was forced to operate at a limited capacity as it investigates the incident. Cybersecurity experts suggest that the attacks may be the result of the oil sector using similar software, leading to shared cyber vulnerabilities. (BBC News)              

CORPORATE REPUTATION

World’s biggest firms failing over net-zero claims, research suggests

Some of the world’s biggest businesses are failing to live up to claims they will hit net-zero emissions targets, according to research published by the NewClimate Institute. The research reveals that 25 major companies – including Amazon, Ikea, Nestlé, Unilever and E.ON – will only cut their emissions by around 23% on average by 2030, falling far short of the figure of nearly halving emissions in the next decade in order to limit global heating to 1.5°C. The report finds many are relying on carbon offsetting for a large portion of their projected cuts. The report scored companies according to criteria such as targets, volume and reliability of offsets, and progress and transparency around emissions reduction. (The Guardian)

BIODIVERSITY

EU plans to ban use of synthetic pesticides in parks

The use of synthetic pesticides in parks and other green public spaces in urban areas is to be banned in the EU, with member states obliged to cut overall use by 50%. The European Commission says the move is necessary owing to the failure of several EU member states to act on previous guidance on reducing chemical pest control use. Some officials have criticised the draft regulation, saying it will lead to increasing food prices across the EU, which might result in greater imports from countries with less pesticide regulation. However, the EU is expected to examine ways to mitigate the impact adding that the EU needs “to shift to a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system”. Under the regulation, pesticides would also be banned in nature protection areas. (The Guardian)

POLICY & RESEARCH

Methane curbs to 'ultra-emitters' may save USD billions

New research published in the journal Science has discovered  1,800 “ultra-emitters”, major sources of methane related to the exploitation of oil and gas, that disproportionately account for a large percentage of global methane emissions. Using satellite imagery, the researchers mapped large methane plumes across the globe, finding the emissions clouds mostly concentrated in Turkmenistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Algeria and the US. Researchers estimate that these “leaks” have a climate impact equal to the circulation of 20 million vehicles over the course of a year. The report suggests stemming the releases of methane from oil and gas exploitation could save billions of dollars when incorporating recent estimates of the societal costs of methane, and result in faster reductions in atmospheric concentrations, making climate targets more achievable. (Eco-Business)  

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