Stay connected to sustainability trends this week with our concise news overview.
31/03/23
This past week was filled with interesting sustainability and climate news. Let's start with a look at some good news!
UN adopts landmark climate justice resolution, paving way for legal accountability
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a landmark resolution on climate justice, which could make it easier to hold countries legally accountable for failing to address the climate crisis.
Spearheaded by Vanuatu and youth activists, the resolution seeks a legal opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to clarify states' obligations in tackling climate change and specify any consequences for inaction.
Over 120 countries, including the UK but not the US, co-sponsored the resolution.
The ICJ's opinion will not be binding in domestic courts but could establish international legal rules that influence judges and governments.
This marks the first attempt to establish climate action obligations under international law, potentially strengthening climate-related litigation and helping vulnerable states and advocates hold countries accountable.
Workers place greater importance on employer sustainability, influencing job choices
A recent report by Esker reveals that 48% of workers believe prioritising sustainability practices and values is extremely important for businesses, and around 32% consider it somewhat important.
The study found that 76% of respondents think sustainability practices and values are more important now than they were five years ago.
Furthermore, workers now expect companies to focus on energy efficiency, recycling, minimising carbon footprints, employee training on sustainable practices, and working with sustainable suppliers.
The report also shows that employees are increasingly considering a company's commitment to sustainability when choosing where to work.
Around 58% of respondents plan to take this into account when selecting future employers and 49% of workers have left an employer due to ethical or sustainability concerns.
Now, let's take a look at some of the more disappointing events of the week.
UK's net zero strategy falls short of 2030 emissions reduction target
The UK government's revamped net zero strategy reveals that the country is likely to miss its 2030 emissions reduction target.
According to the strategy, the new policies will achieve only 92% of the required emissions cuts.
The UK has a legally binding commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and has pledged to cut emissions by 68% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
What the strategy includes:
Car manufacturers must ensure 22% of cars and 10% of vans sold are electric vehicles (EVs) by 2024. About £800m in capital funding will be provided for EVs, and there will be a boost to EV charging infrastructure.
The government shortlisted eight carbon capture and storage projects, with £20bn of investment expected over 20 years.
Twenty new hydrogen projects will receive a share of £240m in funding, despite doubts about some applications and sources.
The government plans to generate a quarter of the UK's electricity from nuclear power by 2050 and has created a new organisation, Great British Nuclear, to advance small nuclear projects.
What the strategy misses:
The ban on onshore windfarms in England remains in place, disappointing advocates who argue they could provide more immediate emissions reductions than carbon capture technology.
There is little detail on addressing grid connection issues for renewable power and battery storage facilities.
Agriculture, a significant source of UK emissions, is not addressed in the strategy, but a land use strategy is expected by the end of June.
Civil society groups demand revoking JBS's climate score amid greenwashing concerns
A coalition of 20 civil society groups is urging the environmental disclosure group CDP to revoke the A- score and "Leadership" status it awarded to meat giant JBS for its climate efforts, citing concerns about greenwashing.
The groups argue that JBS is a significant greenhouse gas emitter in the animal agriculture sector, has an ongoing record of contributing to deforestation in Brazil, and underreports its emissions.
According to the coalition, JBS's emissions surpassed those of Spain in 2021, and its methane emissions are higher than the combined livestock methane emissions of France, Germany, Canada, and New Zealand.
Furthermore, the company has been accused of greenwashing and is being investigated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
In light of JBS’s scoring, the civil society groups have called for a reassessment of CDP's environmental disclosure and scoring system, suggesting a more transparent and performance-oriented approach.
