Businesses have been prioritizing profit, time to consider people and the environment too.

Will Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s move to create a dedicated Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero be good news for climate policy, or simply open up loopholes for policymakers to ignore non-energy emissions?

Edie

Prioritising net-zero or ignoring non-energy emissions? UK’s green economy reacts to Sunak’s department shake-up

Oil giants for years have said that they'll pave the path toward energy transition, investing in everything from renewable projects to climate tech startups.

Axios

Oil giants slow down their energy transition talk

A mild winter saved Europe this winter from the energy crisis but the coming hotter summer will wreak havoc.

Time

Climate Change Saved Europe From Putin This Winter

Denmark has awarded its first exclusive licenses for full-scale carbon storage exploration in the Danish North Sea to TotalEnergies and a consortium featuring INEOS and Wintershall. 

Carbon Herald

Denmark Grants First Carbon Storage Permits In The North Sea 

The European Union increasingly relies on regional cooperation to govern climate change outside its borders. But what explains the EU’s engagement in climate governance in the European neighbourhood?

Managing climate cooperation in the EU’s neighbourhood

The Maryland/DC chapter of The Nature Conservancy highlights work to more equitably combat climate change and protect the diversity of life from Appalachia to the Atlantic

The Nature Conservancy

Change is Here: 2022 Impact Report

Climate-related events have been confirmed to have a negative effect on mental health, according to new research published this week.

Euronews

Climate extremes: Could high heat and humidity take a toll on mental health?

Is TikTok’s new ‘deinfluencing’ trend genuinely an antidote to our culture of overconsumption, or is it just a symptom of our economically turbulent times?

Dazed

The rise of the deinfluencer

Resolution follows reports on the severe environmental damage caused by armed conflict, including to Ukraine's environment and infrastructure following the Russian invasion.

Environment Analyst 

Council of Europe calls for EU ‘ecocide’ law

The lapwing’s English and scientific names both refer to its distinctive flight: how its wings flash as they pass overhead.

The Guardian

Birdwatch: listening to the lapwing’s ‘peewit’ ring out over Somerset Levels

Sewage, poor sanitation and a lack of regulation give rise to antimicrobial resistance and threaten global health, report says

Farming, pharmaceutical and health pollution fuelling rise in superbugs, UN warns

Chilean authorities on Tuesday warned of a "very complex" situation as a new heat wave in the country's south-central region threatened to further fan the flames of dangerous forest fires that have already left 24 dead.

Reuters

Chile heat wave could further fan the flames of deadly wildfires

BMW, Renault and Peugeot PHEVs all exceeded carbon dioxide output claimed in standard lab tests, on-road tests show

Major plug-in hybrid cars pollute more than official measures suggest

A new report from Carbon Market Watch reveals that there is truth to the scrutiny that intermediaries in the voluntary carbon markets have been subjected to. 

Lately, there has been an increasing amount of criticism directed towards the carbon market middlemen, with accusations of profiteering and lack of transparency, among others. 

New Report Shows Intermediaries Are Profiteering From Carbon Markets

Migration is often framed as a failure of climate adaptation. It’s better seen as an effective and sustainable response to climate change. 

The Diplomat

Why South Asia Should Embrace Climate Migration

Last year every region of the world was hit by severe climate events, and scientists have warned that weather patterns in the coming year will likely result in unprecedented heatwaves and a rise in global temperature. Cities – where more than half of the world’s population live – are disproportionately at risk. The need to adapt to increasing climate impacts is becoming ever more urgent, especially in cities most affected by the crisis.  

C40 Cities

It’s time to rapidly scale up finance for climate adaptation in cities

Climate change has kept Europe warm enough this winter to save it from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s energy crisis, but the respite may prove fleeting if—perhaps when—those same climate changes cause a crisis this summer. A warm and dry winter usually means a hot and dry summer, and Europe’s short-term relief could keep the continent from preparing for the next wave of energy crunches.

Thousands of CEOs say they expect 2023's high prices to rise even more over the course of the year. Their reason: climate change.

CNBC

Costs could rise even more in 2023—and thousands of CEOs blame climate change

The company is investing billions of dollars in zero- and low-carbon energy solutions, but selling oil and gas at record profits is a hard habit to break.

Bloomberg

Shell’s Grand Plan to Fight Climate Change (and Continue to Cause It)

When PG&E Corp.’s San Bruno Pipeline exploded in 2010, it triggered Nooshin Behroyan’s entrepreneurial spirit — to measure and limit methane releases, avoiding accidents and minimizing greenhouse gases. After working as a consultant for the San Francisco-based utility, the Iranian immigrant started her company Paxon Energy and Infrastructure in 2016.

Forbes

Young Mother Levers Methane Recapture To Lead Climate Change Challenge

Rating firms flagged problematic anti-deforestation projects before a flurry of media coverage alleging these projects fell short of goals

The Wall Street Journal

Carbon-Credit Raters Aim to Assess a Notoriously Opaque Market

The reduction of humid regions in a warming climate could cause “substantial carbon loss” across the tropics by the end of the century, a new study finds.

Carbon Brief 

Tropical forests face ‘substantial carbon loss’ as humid areas contract

Extreme weather events will undoubtedly continue, but your business does not need to suffer.

Entrepreneur

5 Ways to Protect Your Business from Climate Change Disaster

When Exxon Mobil announced a record $56 billion annual profits last week, it noted that the company had established “one of the largest advanced recycling facilities in North America, capable of processing more than 80 million pounds of plastic waste per year.”

That seems like a lot of recycling muscle, except when you consider another figure. The company produced an estimated 6 million metric tons, or 13.2 billion pounds, of polymers used to make plastic in 2021 alone. 

The New York Times

Guess What? More Plastic Trash.

The value of traded global markets for carbon dioxide (CO2) permits reached a record 850 billion euros ($909 billion) last year, according to analysts at Refinitiv.

Global carbon markets value hit record $909 bln last year

Last November, COP 27 came to a close with a tentative agreement, reached at the last moment, to set up a “loss and damage” climate fund for Africa and other developing countries. For Africans, this was cause for muted celebration, because, for generations, the continent has built its climate change agenda almost exclusively around the pursuit of climate justice, a desire to enforce liability on the industrialized nations responsible for the bulk of global carbon emissions. 

Common Edge

It’s Time for Africa to Chart Its Own Climate Change Agenda

Climate change and antimicrobial resistance are two of the greatest threats to global health, according to a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme.

Climate change is contributing to the rise of superbugs, new UN report says

Wind, water and solar energy is cheap, effective and green. We don’t need experimental or risky energy sources to save our planet

We don’t need ‘miracle’ technologies to fix the climate. We have the tools now

Carbon dioxide removal technologies are gaining prominence in academia, industry and policy, yet the need for substantial funding raises serious challenges. This comment outlines these issues and charts a path for the effective, systematic and fair mobilization of funds for removals.

Nature

Toward the effective and fair funding of CO2 removal technologies

Industry figures show record production in 2021, and almost none of that plastic is getting recycledWhen Exxon Mobil announced a record $56 billion annual profits last week, it noted that the company had established “one of the largest advanced recycling facilities in North America, capable of processing more than 80 million pounds of plastic waste per year.”

Guess What? More Plastic Trash

The value of traded global markets for carbon dioxide (CO2) permits reached a record 850 billion euros ($909 billion) last year, analysts at Refinitiv said on Tuesday.

On Dec. 13 and Dec. 18, 2022, final trilogue discussions between the European Council, European Parliament, and European Commission concluded, and they reached a provisional agreement. While the agreement may undergo minor amendments before it is finalized, the key elements are now known and businesses are advised to plan before the CBAM enters force in October 2023.

Bloomberg Tax

The New EU Carbon Pricing Framework and Its Impact for Business

Spirit Energy announced plans to support the net-zero transition and convert its depleted South Morecambe, North Morecambe gas fields, and Barrow Terminals into a carbon storage cluster.

Spirit Energy To Convert Depleted Gas Fields Into A Carbon Storage Cluster

As a critical component of the global economy, the ocean and its ecosystems provide important goods and services and support numerous activities essential for economic development, such as capture fisheries, maritime transport and ports, coastal tourism, coastal protection, and energy. These sectors collectively contribute to the ocean economy, estimated to be US$2.3 trillion per year in market goods.



UNDP

An Ocean of Opportunities, How the Blue Economy Can Transform Sustainable Development in Small Islands Developing States

“I spend billions of dollars on ... climate innovation,” Gates tells the BBC. “So, you know, should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria?”

Bill Gates on why he’ll carry on using private jets and campaigning on climate change

Why ESG investors, financial firms in India must form a shared intellectual framework to measure efficacy of financial inclusion.

BQ Prime

The Problem Of Greenwashing In ESG Investments In Finance

"Singing" ice, a seal that sounds like it is in space, and a seismic airgun thundering like a bomb are some of the noises released by two marine acoustic labs.

The Antarctic and Arctic sounds rarely heard before

The Net Zero Roadmap for Copper and Nickel Mining was prepared by International Finance Corporation (IFC) as part of the World Bank Group’s Climate Smart Mining Initiative.

World Bank

Net Zero Roadmap To 2050 For Copper & Nickel Mining Value Chains

Carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestered from the atmosphere via direct air capture (DAC) has been permanently stored in concrete for the first time.

Concrete made from captured CO2 could cut need for costly underground storage

Here, we use a global computable general equilibrium model, C3IAM/GEEPA, to estimate CO2 emission and gross domestic product (GDP) impact of embargoing fossil fuels from Russia. 

Carbon emissions and economic impacts of an EU embargo on Russian fossil fuels

A joint study from McKinsey and NielsenIQ examines sales growth for products that claim to be environmentally and socially responsible.

McKinsey & Company

Consumers care about sustainability—and back it up with their wallets

"We cannot win against the climate crisis, [with] each country working on its own," Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, told 60 Minutes.

CBS News

IMF using policy to combat climate change

Malaysia is falling behind in Southeast Asia's green energy push, and may miss its own climate targets unless it offers incentives for large-scale renewables projects.

Eco-Business

Malaysia lags on renewable energy, threatening climate goals

Chris Skidmore says inaction on climate change could send ‘a perfect storm’ heading for the Conservatives’ electoral coalition.

Politico

UK’s net-zero czar warns of climate leadership ‘vacuum’

The academic debates over the possibility of a future green growth vs degrowth economy continue; but the orthodox assumption that technological developments can maintain and even grow current levels and patterns of consumption while staying within safe environmental limits faces major issues.

The Lancet 

Less is more

Chilean firefighters were battling to hold back forest fires on Monday as authorities said hot and dry weather would continue this week, potentially exacerbating what are already the deadliest blazes in the country's recent history.

Chile battles deadliest wildfires on record as heatwave grips

European Union lawmakers will vote next week on plans to auction carbon permits early to raise cash for countries to quit Russian gas, soothing concerns of a postponed vote that some analysts said helped to drive up carbon prices last week.

EU lawmakers to vote next week on early CO2 market auctions

The EU’s newly agreed carbon border levy may act as an ‘external incentive’ to motivate China’s carbon market to grow

China Dialogue

How will EU’s ‘green tariff’ impact China’s carbon market?

A Harvard Business Review study suggests just 11% of suppliers are fully prepared for weather-related disruption. The study also found half (49%) of the surveyed US companies had experienced an increase in climate volatility, with this figure jumping in China and Taiwan to a massive 93%.

Supply Chain Digital

Climate change an ill wind for supply chain risk management

This weekly round-up brings you key climate crisis stories from the past seven days.

Top climate crisis and environment news: Scientists say 40% of animals in the US are at risk of extinction; China warns of more extreme weather in 2023; Under half of natural disasters in 2022 were insured.

World Economic Forum

This is how many animals in the US are at risk of extinction, and other climate crisis stories 

ESG | Environmental Sustainability

Italy has become the latest country to join the U.S.-led Mineral Security Partnership that promotes ethical mining.

Italy Joins US-Led Mineral Security Partnership for Ethical Mining

In an important opinion, Vice Chancellor Laster denied a motion to dismiss a derivative lawsuit alleging that the former head of human resources for global fast food company McDonald’s breached his fiduciary duties by 
(i) consciously ignoring red flags regarding sexual harassment and misconduct at the company and 
(ii) personally engaging in sexual harassment.

Harvard Law School

Corporate Officers, Not Just Directors, Can Be Liable for Duty of Oversight Violations

In December of this year, it will be 75 years since Eleanor Roosevelt presented the fledgling United Nations with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Both the UN, and the Declaration itself, were the product of a global determination not to repeat the horrors of the Second World War.

swissinfo

75 years of human rights – where are we?

Japanese human rights groups have called for legislation banning discrimination against sexual minorities after Prime Minister Kishida Fumio dismissed a top aide for offensive comments on same-sex couples.

LGBT equality advocates call for ban on discrimination against sexual minorities

The ICCPR Act, modelled on an international human rights treaty meant to prohibit national, racial and religious hatred, has been distorted in Sri Lanka to punish blasphemy and target minorities

Himal South Asian

How a human rights law became a tool of repression in Sri Lanka

There’s a growing urgency for cities and counties to go green.

American City and County

Residents ask government leaders to show measurable sustainability results and triumphs

Fish welfare legislation is urgently needed to protect farmed fish from cruelty, says Compassion in World Farming as a new scientific study published yesterday (6th February 2023) shows that the number of farmed fish has more than doubled since 2007.

Farmers Review Africa

Fish welfare legislation ‘urgently needed’ says Compassion in World Farming

It is a victory for human rights that the High Court freed Imam and his colleagues. Yet the travails of the accused for four years highlight the risks of carrying out democratic protests in India.

Cato Institute

A Human Rights Victory in India, but with Great Difficulty

Brazil's new government has launched what is being billed as a mega operation to root out illegal miners from an indigenous reserve in the Amazon. The illegal miners have polluted rivers and land in the reserve, leading to widespread hunger and disease.

NPR 

Brazil cracks down on illegal gold miners on an indigenous reserve in the Amazon

Public boards should reflect the diversity of society and welcome a range of skills and experience.

UK Government

UK encouraging diversity in public appointments

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing increasing pressure to demonstrate their commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

Global Banking & Finance Reveiw

SMEs weather the economic storm: How ESGs can help build resilience

It was considered a major environmental victory, back in 2017, when El Salvador’s government announced it would be the first country in the world to issue a total ban on metal mining. But the government today appears to be on the verge of turning back a page.

Mongabay

Is El Salvador preparing to reverse its landmark mining ban?

Experts warn regulators in the region will start to crack down on non-compliance

Financial Times

Asia ESG fund compliance costs expected to soar

The financial regulator pressured banks to improve corporate governance and raise transparency.

Korea JoongAng Daily

FSS pressures banks to improve corporate governance, raise transparency

The 38% cut in funds for minorities in the Union Budget is a cold fact that BJP leaders can’t fudge

Deccan Herald

The real picture behind BJP’s outreach to minorities

As an education professional and a founder of a successful EdTech company, I have often encountered situations where a woman possesses the necessary skills to succeed but something holds her back from moving forward.

How Inspiration Can Play A Key Role In Women’s Empowerment And Self-Confidence

A new billl introduced in the Iowa Legislature would rewrite Iowa's child labor law to allow teens to work in previously prohibited jobs so long as they are part of an approved training program.

Des Moines Register

Child labor bill would bring broad changes to Iowa law

Travel firms could be outlawed from selling animal rides, swimming with dolphins and other exploitative experiences under new legislation that is a step closer to being introduced.

TTG Media

Animal Welfare Law Comes Closer with Big UK Operators Targeted

New research on ESG metrics reveals the five factors that organizations should focus on that show real impact.

Fast Company

ESG investors have good intentions, but there's a better way to measure corporate impact and helath

Religious freedom is under a growing threat by China, Russia, and other totalitarian regimes, activities officials and lawmakers at the summit warned as they worked to confront and expose religious persecution around the globe.

The Weekly Journal

Religious Freedom Summit Highlights Atrocities in China, Russia, Nigeria

ESG investment has taken the financial and corporate world by storm, but an ESG backlash is now gathering steam.

The ESG investment backlash begins to have an impact

The New York Times reports that according to Morningstar, there were 588 sustainable mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. in late 2022, up from 203 in 2017.



How Can Retirees Invest Sustainably?

Proposed legislation to limit the use of sustainable investment factors by fund managers of the U.S. state of Indiana could cut $6.7 billion from the investment returns of a public pension system there over a decade, a fiscal analysis shows.

Anti-ESG bill could cut Indiana pension returns by $6.7 bln 

The platform, which will share information regarding sustainable investment, welcomes as its inaugural members Toyota Motor North America and econnext


Sustainability Magazine

Invest.Green launches sustainable investment platform

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Monday called on Malian authorities to rescind their expulsion order for his top representative in the country.

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