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Green credentials are a valuable prize in the PR battle to promote eco-friendliness, writes Nick Gibson. But the race for ‘green’ credibility has seen companies make false and unproven claims that undermine efforts to reach net zero with consumers, businesses, investors and regulators now lacking trust in environmental claims. What is the scale of the greenwashing problem, why do organisations make unfounded claims and how can you navigate the maze of regulation to avoid eco-PR disasters? In a survey conducted by Clearly PR almost one in five said their organisations...

Gian Autenrieth, Co-Lead at D-REC argues that funding to help secure net zero and climate adaptation in emerging countries has too long been a slow, sclerotic process typified by a reliance on multilateral funding.   The opening day of COP27 has been marked by emerging economies repeating their calls for financial assistance to enhance adaptation to climate change, or reparation for historic climate damage by mature economies, as existing financing commitments fail to yield results. In a little over a week’s time, we should know whether this summit in Sharm-El-Sheik...

UKFT and IBM Consulting have been nominated for the MCA 2022 Sustainability Award for their project on Sustainable Supply Chain Optimisation. The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) has worked with Tech Data and the Future Fashion Factory to design, prototype and pilot a new technology platform based on IBM technologies, to further transparency within the UK fashion supply chain. MCA rewards consulting efforts as well as projects that can have a positive and sustainable impact on various industries in the UK or overseas. This reflects the aim of the SSCO project, which...

The journey to net zero is accelerating as increasing alignment of regulation and finance drives rising levels of ‘green’ investment, but in the often-opaque world of eco-finance it can be hard for investors to identify ‘real’ sustainable assets. Now, in driving and measuring a company’s commercial resilience, a verifiable net zero transition strategy is considered a valuable asset as it plays a key role in investment decisions. Around $3.5 trillion a year of capital investment will be needed on average between now and 2050 to build a net-zero global economy,...

Hydropower as an enabler of other renewables and provider of firm electricity must be reflected in net zero strategies, the IHA urges. Hydropower can meet increasing demand for renewable sources of electricity and global policymakers and financial decision-makers must support and incentivise sustainable hydropower, says the International Hydropower Association. The IHA believes three clear actions are required, namely: That hydropower’s role as an enabler of other renewables as well as a direct provider of firm electricity is reflected in policymakers’ net zero strategies; That investments in hydropower are incentivised in...

Construction accounts for 34 per cent of global energy demand and will fail to meet decarbonisation pledges by 2050, according to the UN Environment Programme. The global building and construction boom has pushed the sector’s CO2 emissions to an all-time high of 10 gigatonnes, meaning that it is now “off track” to meet decarbonisation pledges by 2050, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said at COP27. Years of warnings about the impacts of climate change have become a reality,” said Inger Andersen, UNEP executive director. “If we do not rapidly cut emissions in line with...

Dr Bruce Lascelles, president of British Society of Soil Science explains that a key solution has been right under our noses, and feet, the entire time: soil. Science has established beyond doubt that the window for action is closing rapidly. As the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27) in Egypt, Sharm El-Sheikh comes to its conclusion, we are all waiting to hear the learnings, actions and outcomes that will be decided to ensure the sustainable future of our planet. This is a golden opportunity for us to rise to the occasion...

The world’s wealthy nations’ green agenda ignores Africa and its unique needs, priorities and challenges, says the African Energy Chamber. Those advocating for African countries to continue using their oil and gas resources are not ‘ignoring’ the world’s green agenda, says NJ Ayuk of the African Energy Chamber, they are simply not willing to embrace the world’s timetable for transitioning to renewable fuels at the expense of their own energy security and economic well-being. The green agenda of developed nations further ignores the tremendous role that Africa’s oil and gas...

Deforestation should be more of a priority among financial institutions in order to tackle climate change, a major new report urges. Deforestation for agricultural commodities, including palm oil, soy, and beef, currently accounts for 10 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, more than the aviation sector.  Action to halt the pillaging of forests is essential for achieving net zero targets but financial institutions are at the starting line when it comes to action, according to Global Canopy’s new Deforestation Action Tracker. The Tracker, which will become an annual accountability mechanism,...

Debbie Shakespeare, senior director, sustainability, compliance and core product line management, RBIS Avery Dennison argues that the fashion industry needs to adopt circularity. Fashion has a dark side. Of the 100 billion garments produced each year, 92 million tonnes are dumped. That is the equivalent of a rubbish truck full of clothes go to landfill sites every second. Should this shocking trend continue, fast fashion waste is expected to rocket up to 134 million tonnes a year by 2030. Thankfully, there is government, industry and consumer acceptance that things must...