PepsiCo Honored With 2008 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award
2nd May 2008 by razchaudary
Pepsico has won an Energy Star Partner of the Year Award for its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiencies
BusinessAssurance.com
The management systems community
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Blogs
Six Steps to an Ethical Business Culture
25th Apr 2008 by Alex Briggs
This blog post takes a look at what it takes for a “for-profit” business to develop and maintain an ethical business culture.
Where there is a will, there is a light
24th Apr 2008 by Alex Briggs
Through the hard work and creativity of Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, and his Grameen Bank, Bangladesh is leading the way on solar energy. This ClimateChangeCorp article explains how Bangladesh is reducing its carbon footprint and creating jobs in the process.
Is anyone watching or listening?
Changes on the way for Medical Device conformity
18th Apr 2008 by Simon Emeny
Changes on the way for Medical Device conformity
The Medical Devices Directive (MDD) 93/42/EEC is well established. As is common with the EU, they decided that it couldn’t be left alone and instituted a review on its functioning. In summary, the conclusions were that the existing legal framework is appropriate, but that its implementation could be improved, including further regulatory clarification.
The Biofuels Debate: Do we feed people or cars?
15th Apr 2008 by Alex Briggs
With the new Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) coming into force today, oil companies are required oil companies to ensure all petrol and diesel they sell in the UK contains a minimum level of biofuel. This article in the Independent takes a closer look at the debate over the use of farm land as a transportation fuel source.
Timberland bringing CSR issues to the forefront
8th Apr 2008 by Alex Briggs
This Neville Hobson blog post highlights Timberland’s CSR efforts, including the strongest sustainability information on product packaging out there.
Public Consultation on Future Regulation in the automotive area
8th Apr 2008 by Simon Emeny
The automotive unit of DG Enterprise and Industry has launched a Public Consultation on Future Regulation in the automotive area.
UK vs US forms of CSR, who is ahead?
19th Feb 2008
John Tepper Marlin posted a blog post looking at CSR in the UK and the US, titled ‘UK vs US forms of CSR, who is ahead?’.
Independent verification key to corporate credibility
14th Feb 2008 by Alex Briggs
This article talks about the the credibility that independent third-party verification of CSR reports brings for companies looking to stand out from the competition.
Climate Change, localised global approach
14th Feb 2008 by Alex Briggs
With climate change dominating headlines around the world, this Wall Street Journal article takes a look at the efforts of nine cities to reduce their carbon footprint and their energy bills.
Co-op Gets Serious: No caged hens, only Fairtrade hot drinks, reduce pesticides + packaging
11th Feb 2008 by Alex Briggs
The Co-operative Group, have announced transparent, detailed plans on addressing stakeholder concerns. They will ban the sale of eggs from caged hens, convert its entire own-brand hot beverage range to Fairtrade, reduce the weight of its wine packaging and add a further 66 pesticides to its prohibited list.
Climate Change’s first victims named, are you on the list?
5th Feb 2008 by Alex Briggs
A team of global climate change experts has ranked the most fragile and vulnerable regions on the planet, and warned they are in danger of sudden and catastrophic collapse before the end of the century.
In a study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the scientists identify the nine areas that are in gravest danger of passing critical thresholds or “tipping points.”
Wal Mart to pay more for sustainably sourced products
4th Feb 2008 by Alex Briggs
Lee Scott, CEO and President of CEO commented,
“The drive will see the retailer favour - and in some cases even pay more - for suppliers that meet our standards and share our commitment to quality and sustainability”.
“Paying more in the short term for quality will mean paying less in the long term as a company. Higher quality products will mean better value, fewer problems, fewer returns and greater trust with our customers,”
What is Product Conformity?
2nd Feb 2008 by Simon Emeny
Product Conformity – The assurance that the totality of a firm’s output satisfies accepted standards. For many, product conformity involves conferring a brand mark to the approved activity.
Complex supply chains
31st Jan 2008 by Gail Van Den Bos
We see a lot in the media about product recalls and product safety scares: these impact on brand reputation and cause customers to lose confidence.
And the items concerned come from supply chains that are a network of many unrelated organisations. These operate locally, nationally or internationally, all contributing to the delivery of a product or service to the end user, the consumer.
And these supply chains can be very complex. You may not realises it but:
Sustainability in the Food Supply Chain: Hype or Trend?
25th Jan 2008 by Cor Groenveld
A roundtable discussion was recently organised by LRQA’s Netherlands office. The focus was on sustainability in the Food Supply Chain.
Here is a brief synopsis of the topics covered and the key points raised.
Cancer research threatened by too much management and excessive regulation
15th Jan 2008
The fundamental ethos and creativity of cancer research is threatened by too much management and excessive regulation, says a Keynote Comment in The Lancet Oncology, January 2008 issue. The Comment also adds that there is a serious lack of regulation harmonization between countries, a recent blog reports.
Where power resides - EU green legislation
14th Jan 2008
A blog by Richard on http://eureferendum.blogspot.com reviews the recent Financial Times story headed, “Industry attacks EU green legislation”.
TerraPass join the Federal Trade Commission hearing on carbon offsets
13th Jan 2008
TerraPass joined industry experts, environmental and consumer groups, and academics at a Federal Trade Commission hearing on carbon offsets, reports a blog written by Adam Stern.
Sustaining competitive advantage within the medical device industry
8th Jan 2008
Regulations controlling the manufacturing, marketing and usage of medical devices in the EU are forcing manufacturers to incorporate language translation. Read the full blog by Shy Avni, posted 8th january 2008.
Carbon, a new asset class?
12th Dec 2007
Investors are already testing the potential of markets in greenhouse gas emissions, but what are the risks and how can they be avoided?
by Charles Longden, December 3rd, 2007.
Health claims on food products often not used correctly
5th Dec 2007 by Cor Groenveld
Research from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority in the Netherlands showed that many food products do not meet the EU regulations towards health claims on food products. The Authorities analysed 79 products and found 44 non compliances on 22 products against the regulations. The new EU Directive 1924/2006 towards claims is effective since July 2007 and it also covers health claims.
Health claims on food products often not used correctly
5th Dec 2007 by Cor Groenveld
Research from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority in the Netherlands showed that many food products do not meet the EU regulations towards health claims on food products. The Authorities analysed 79 products and found 44 non compliances on 22 products against the regulations. The new EU Directive 1924/2006 towards claims is effective since July 2007 and it also covers health claims.
TAPA Supply Chain Standard
30th Nov 2007 by Alex Briggs
The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) is an association of security professionals and related business partners from various high technology manufacturing and transportation companies who have come together for the purpose of addressing the emerging security threats that are common to the relevant industries. The TAPA EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) brochure contains relevant information on the organisation, the TAPA FSR Standard and a list of the members and associate members.
VCS to help eliminate double counting of carbon credits
27th Nov 2007 by Alex Briggs
The new Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) is already starting to raise the credibility of the voluntary carbon market. Clearly stated in the VCS is that a registry will be established to ensure that voluntary carbon units (VCU’s) will not be double counted.
This National Review article highlights the fact that Kyoto Protocol signatory nations will no longer be able to count their carbon credits in both the regulatory and voluntary market.
Work life balance directive
26th Nov 2007
Regardless of the political attitude: setting a limit on working hours is an essential employees’ right. In 1993 the European Union introduced the “Working Time Directive” - designed to protect the health and safety of workers.
Supplier of a supplier still the problem of the manufacturer
30th Oct 2007 by Gail Van Den Bos
A recent article in The Observer newspaper in the UK, highlighted how a supplier to Gap Inc. had sub-contracted their work to another supplier where child labour was apparently found in use.
Fake food and drink on the rise
30th Oct 2007 by Alex Briggs
Counterfeiting costs the food and drinks industry an estimated $75 million, not to mention the damage to brand reputation and consumer confidence. With an increase between 2003 and 2005 of 250% in the volume of counterfeited food and drink items, there is a clear need for collaboration between industries and governments to fight the problem.
Is your beer safe?
30th Oct 2007 by Alex Briggs
Anheuser Busch has denied serious allegations by Greenpeace that their Budweiser beer contains traces of a genetically engineered strain of rice known as “Liberty Link”.
Liberty Link is a series of strains of GM rice from Bayer CropScience. Some of the strains are banned in a number of markets around the world for human consumption, but not in the US.
Due to Anheuser Busch’s position as the largest single purchaser of American rice, Greenpeace claims that the group had a responsibility to ensure it was fully aware of how it is sourcing ingredients.
Is the Kyoto protocol already outdated?
29th Oct 2007 by Anne-Marie Warris
Yet another report about the ‘failure’ of Kyoto Protocol. Whether it is right or not, my concern is that we are so busy complaining and repudiating Kyoto that we forget to look at what are the serious and sustainable options to achieve the reduction in GHG emissions we need.
Climate Change, Consumers and Verification
18th Oct 2007 by Alex Briggs
A new consumer research study has reiterated the results of the What Assures Consumers report.
Companies are currently winning interest and admiration (from a distance) but not trust and loyalty (closeness). Again, the need for independent, third-party verification of corporate green claims is a key point for business as it seeks to build consumer trust.
Supply Chain metrics and benchmarking
18th Oct 2007 by Gail Van Den Bos
Is there any value to benchmarking in supply chains? And how reliable is the information? Is the only organisation that benefits the one that does the number crunching and writes a report?
Where a set of metrics is issued to a company showing how they sit against their competitors, do they do anything with the information? From my experience, I’m not sure that they do.
What’s new for Supply Chains?
10th Oct 2007 by Gail Van Den Bos
There’s a great deal of information available about supply chains. And increasingly, it’s highlighting new areas. No longer limited to product safety recalls and logistical headaches, we’re now hearing more about green supply chains, ethical supply chains, carbon management in supply chains, reverse outsourcing, supply chain security and so on.
The Stern Report: One year on
9th Oct 2007 by Alex Briggs
An Ethical Corp story focuses on the effect the Stern Report has had on UK businesses. The articles describes the issue of the report as a “eureka moment” and provides the example of Cadbury-Schweppes as being a brand that responded to the report at the boardroom level.
Changes in supply chain collaboration, management and security
9th Oct 2007
The @ Supply Chain Management blog points to a new supply chain report, which presents the results of comprehensive longitudinal research into supply chain management and supply chain security.
Is local food safer?
9th Oct 2007
A new report from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University suggests that US consumers believe that local food is safer than that from further afield.
Green credentials vs. Environmental values, any difference?
5th Oct 2007 by Alex Briggs
A survey back in June, showed that only 9% of respondents said that a company’s “environmental values” were important, while 58% of respondents stated that a company’s “green credentials” were important.
This begs the question, what is the difference and how was that difference communicated to the survey participants?
And how would those numbers have changed over […]
China cracks down on food producers
2nd Oct 2007 by Cor Groenveld
An article in the Sydney Morning Herald addresses the food safety concerns in China. The Chinese Government revoked the production licenses of hundreds of companies. It is known that food safety is very high on the agenda of China’s government. Reasons for that are the coming Olympics and the negative publicity from several food scandals. […]
New Food Safety Website for smaller firms
2nd Oct 2007 by Cor Groenveld
Small and medium food companies often struggle with food safety requirements. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has created a website to help small and medium size firms better manage their food safety.
Greenpeace, politics and football
28th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
Those were the key elements of last night’s Powering the UK event in Manchester. Greenpeace hosted the event at Manchester City’s stadium. The club is set to unveil a very large wind turbine just outside the stadium in the coming months, working with Ecotricity and the Manchester City Council to provide power to the stadium as well the surrounding neighborhoods.
Climate Change Action Who and How
27th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
Only through clear strategies that are informative and transparent to both business and consumers, backed by full government support and pressure, communicated by all types of media can there be a concerted global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses having systems to measure data in place that are credible and verifiable will lead to the consumer trust that will change their buying habits.
Wal-Mart addresses climate change and supply chain
25th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
The key issues of risk management, supply chain and climate change have made their way to the top of media and corporate agendas recently.
A Wal-Mart and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) joint effort will measure the climate change effects across the Wal-Mart supply chain.
Mattel apology to China not the end of it
25th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
When big brands started to manufacture their products in “cheap labour” markets, it was believed that the brands had all the power, with governments doing everything they could to create favourable economic incentives to those brands.
The latest in the Mattel “lead paint” story seems to have indicated that the situation has drastically changed.
Majority of big brands addressing climate change issues
25th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
A recent CDP study has shown that the majority of large global companies have gotten the climate change message. The report highlighted the actions and views of those companies concerning climate change. 95% of those companies viewing climate change as a risk having already implemented a greenhouse gas reduction programme.
How organic is organic? More bad news for British farmers
24th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
This Times article has raised a difficult topic for organic farmers.
The article reveals that Helen Browning, the director of food and farming at the Soil Association, sends pig shoulders from Wiltshire, England to Germany for processing into sausages and imports pork loins from Sweden to make bacon.
Vegetarian Society launch Climate Change ads
24th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
The Vegetarian Society has launched a new ad campaign on climate change. The ads are aimed at educating the public as to the carbon emitted by livestock.
This often overlooked issue was addressed by Rowland Hill, the Sustainability Manager at Marks and Spencer, in one of our podcasts as he talked about measuring the carbon footprint of their top selling ready meal, Beef Lasagne:
Climate Change letter to heads of state
21st Sep 2007 by Anne-Marie Warris
Climate change issues remain on the agenda of major business organisations such as IETA (International Emission Trading Association). In preparation for the upcoming key meetings to negotiate the climate targets and processes beyond 2012, IETA has issued an open letter (see below next paragraph).
It is a positive to see that member led organisations with a substantial number of carbon emitters in its membership from across the world takes this type of initiative.
More consumer calls for transparency
21st Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
In a food safety environment that is being increasingly driven by consumer awareness and outcry, soft drink manufacturers are taking steps to assure consumers that they are reducing additives in their products.
This Foodqualitynews.com article
A recent Food Standards Agency (FSA) report stated:
“eating or drinking certain mixes of additives together with the preservative sodium benzoate, could be linked to a negative effect on children’s behaviour.”
Supply Chain Risks, One Year Later
21st Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
A Forbes article on growing supply chain risks, published a year ago this week, stated:
The three most cited disruptions to their supply chains were the supply of raw materials, the performance of supply chain partners (specifically in delivery and quality) and volatile fuel prices.
Green Supply Chains and consumer pressure
20th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
Successful consumer led campaigns against companies using cheap labour may be the blueprint for upcoming campaigns aimed at brands not paying enough attention to the “greenness” of their global supply chain.
This Supply Chain Digest article once again shows that brands cannot afford to get their supply chain wrong.
It is no longer enough for a brand […]
Import Supply Chain Checklist
20th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
Despina Keegen of JP Morgan Global Trade Services has written a guest column for Supply and Demand Chain which features a supply chain checklist. Interestingly, the column talks about a possible “import czar” position being created at the cabinet level of the US government. A sign as to how important supply chain safety, supply […]
Harmonisation of food standards: a step closer
20th Sep 2007 by Cor Groenveld
Will we ever have a “one size fits all” food safety management system? The Food Safety section editor, Cor Groenveld, provides an informative update on the initiatives that are all trying to bring some uniformity to the food industry. This blog post makes sense of a very complex situation.
Thoughts from the Chicago Carbon Footprint Conference
18th Sep 2007 by Andy Ritchie
Just got back from the two-day Carbon Footprint Consumer Products Summit in Chicago…
A bit of good news on food safety
18th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
Andrew Wadge, The UK Food Standards Agency’s Chief Scientist has a blog. In his latest post, he writes about some good news on lower salmonella contamination levels in eggs.
Climate Change and the Future, two possible scenarios
18th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
Dr. Glen Barry, in his Climate Change blog, presents two possible scenarios that could play out over the next 40 plus years.
More proof that business and governments need to change, now. The education level of the consumer is growing and increasingly they are demanding that businesses and governments become more accountable and more responsible. Can […]
Supply Chain Security
17th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
A recent study has shown that 90% of all global exports are transported by shipping. The DTZ study has raised the importance of supply chain security for ports.
So, where is the threat to the security of the supply chain coming from? The research identified four key areas of threat with terrorism becoming increasingly important. This not […]
Choice Editing, the new buzz word?
17th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
Leo Hickman of the Guardian Ethical Living blog has posted an informative, thought provoking article on choice editing. The B & Q story was truly ahead of its time. Have a look at Anne-Marie’s blog posts on choice editing, 1 and 2 .
Supply Chains: Who’s to blame when it all goes wrong?
17th Sep 2007 by Gail Van Den Bos
China’s manufacturing sites come in for a lot of bad press… maybe deservedly, but they are part of a chain of responsibility that starts with the customer at one end of the chain. Quite a few questions need to be asked before identifying culprits who contribute to product failures.
Climate Change Behaviour
17th Sep 2007 by Anne-Marie Warris
Recent research has indicated, as I think we all knew, that as individuals we are very concerned about climate change and its effects but when asked if we would pay more tax or change our behaviour the research indicate that no we will not. So what can we do?
New white paper shows Chinese food exports safest in world
17th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
An article on a new white paper has shown that Chinese food exports are the safest in the world, with the EU accepting 99.8%, the US 99.1% and Japan accepting 99.42% (better than the EU and the US rates of acceptance for Japan).
With the recent food safety scares originating largely in China, the Chinese government watchdog […]
“Shakeout” due on Voluntary Carbon Standards
17th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
Following on from our Friday post on the VCS market, this article talks of a shrinking of the accepted Voluntary Carbon Standards, with just three expected to survive and thrive. The Voluntary Carbon Standard, currently being written, is one of them.
AP article finds little change despite E Coli outbreak
14th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
The Arizona Republic ran a story on a recent Associated Press study indicating that the anticipated wave of government and industry regulation following last year’s E Coli outbreak has not materialised.
AP’s review of data obtained through the Freedom of Information Act found that federal officials inspect companies growing and processing salad greens an average of just once […]
Voluntary Carbon Market tripled in 2006
14th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
The voluntary carbon market tripled in 2006, according to a comprehensive research paper by Ecosystem Marketplace and New Carbon Finance. The need for a standardised methodology for all voluntary carbon schemes has never been more relevant than now. What is being done to bring a stronger sense of confidence to the voluntary market? The Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) is currently being updated, with version 2 due to be published in the coming months.
Updated Climate Change Quotes
13th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
The climate change debate is remaining firmly on the front pages.
Here are some quotes from industry and government and NGO’s that indicate the seriousness of the situation:
“The global threat from climate change is now clearer than ever. The whole economy has to change.”
Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco Chief Executive
“Climate change and the impact that it will […]
The YouTube! ISO14001 video
11th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
For those of you who haven’t seen it, ISO has put a promotional video on YouTube! The video is an overview of the environmental management standard, ISO 14001, and has over 5,400 downloads so far!
Further, there are supply chain videos on YouTube!, including this promotional video from Cisco and Ford, as well as Food Safety videos, including this one on Food Safety and China.
Former President Clinton to help launch 5th CDP Report
11th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
The Carbon Disclosure Project is hosting a series of global launches to announce the results of their fifth written report.
The first one will take place on September 24, 2007 in New York, with former President Bill Clinton scheduled to speak.
The CPD was launched in Dec, 2000, with the 1st CDP report being launched in early 2003, […]
The Difficulty in Measuring Carbon Footprints
11th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
A recent Social Funds article analyses the different methods being used to evaluate a company’s carbon footprint. Socialfunds.com is a personal finance site devoted to socially responsible investing.
Supply Chain Conference in Prague
10th Sep 2007 by Gail Van Den Bos
At the recent Global Food Safety Summit inPrague, a number of key messages emerged. These included the importance of effective risk assessments across all of the supply network, of the need to have processes in place to prevent emergencies (product recalls, security incidents), and also to be prepared to respond if the worst happens. Whilst the […]
Choice Editing
10th Sep 2007 by Anne-Marie Warris
The last few weeks has been full of climate issues on the news front, be it the EC stopping Chinese import of cheap energy efficient light bulbs. How does that square with the need consumers identified in the What assures consumers report for choice editing?
Choice editing is the term used in the report to describe instances […]
Dow Chemical and Union Pacific Railroad Working on Supply Chain Security
7th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
Dow and Union Pacific have joined together with emergency responders across California to improve and test their safety and security skills in chemical rail transportation.The exercises are taking place all over California, as part of a road show.”We take very seriously our obligation to responsibly manufacture and move our oducts,” said Henry Ward, director of transportation safety […]
Being Green means more green?
7th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
A survey released this week by IPSOS focuses on the financial and image benefits of being the greenest (or percieved as the greenest) in your sector. US Online consumers were surveyed on their views towards the world’s largest tech companies. Over half (57%) said that the Energy Star label was an influencing factor in their purchase […]
Supply Chain problems linked directly to financial performance
7th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
Supply Chain Digest, in their graphic of the week have proven a direct link between supply chain disruptions and a negative impact on a company’s stock prices.
The importance of a company being able to effectively manage their supply chain, from beginning to end, has never been more relevant. Recent high-profile media cases, have highlighted the need […]
Thoughts from the Global Food Safety Summit, Prague
7th Sep 2007 by Cor Groenveld
I just got back from the Global Food Safety Summit 2007 in Prague. The event featured stakeholders from the food manufacturers, retail, food services and suppliers of food ingredients. It was a series of presentations, interactive sessions and individual meetings, all based around the issues of food safety in the supply chain. The attendees and […]
Consumers increase call for transparency in food labeling
6th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
A Greener Choice Blog post has highlighted a recent Consumers Report poll has found that 92 percent of Americans want their food products to be labelled with the country of origin.
In line with the recent What Assures Consumers report which focused on UK and US consumers and their attitudes toward climate change, the Consumers Report poll has […]
Trust in the Food Supply Chain
6th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
Canadian Blogger Robert Paterson has linked three key Business Assurance issues into one post: Food Safety, Supply Chain Assurance and the importance of transparency. Have a look at his “know your farmer, trust your farmer” point of view.
Being Green in the US and the UK
4th Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
The US government and media have made 2007 the “year of the environment”. To the general US public, it may seem that the US is leading the way on this one. For the majority of Europeans, particularly Brits, the viewpoint is much different. While they clearly welcome the US interest in “green issues” and the environment, […]
Internal testing reveals latest Salmonella scare in US
3rd Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
Fresh Metz, a California based “grower and shipper specializing in year-round custom-grown spinach” has voluntarily recalled 8,000 cases of its products after an internal test found traces of salmonella on some of their products.
Coming on the back of new guidelines rolled out just five months ago, the latest recall of spinach has shocked the industry and […]
Renault promotes benefits of ISO 14001 in new global ad campaign
3rd Sep 2007 by Alex Briggs
Renault is going beyond the marketing speak in addressing climate change. Their latest ad campaign, sets out clear and measurable targets for their cars to meet in the coming years. In the ads, “Renault introduces its new Eco2 Symbol, clearly proclaiming its commitment to a product offering that is both Economical and Ecological.
This Ecological […]
Think beyond the carbon label
2nd Jul 2007 by Tim Kitchin
If we are to trade our way out of climate change, consumers are going to need to make much better environmental choices.
Realistically, they will need a lot more information; honestly produced and simply presented.
The challenge facing carbon markets
16th May 2007 by Anne-Marie Warris
We are at the beginning of a new era, of a new exciting place to be. But we’re also facing a huge level of challenge.
We as individuals have to start making carbon choices that we’re not prepared to make yet, but that we’re beginning to think about.
Carbon markets and carbon tax - the two can work together
14th May 2007
A letter to the editor of the FT today points out the unnecessary dichotomy which many people perceive between markets and carbon taxing when attempting to fight climate change.
Roundtable on Carbon Integrity at Carbon Expo
10th May 2007 by Alex Briggs
The 4th annual Carbon Expo was a true test of how far up the agenda carbon emissions have come.
An evening roundtable at the end of day one featured Fiona Harvey, the environment editor for the FT and six of the carbon industries leading players discussing the issues facing the credibility of today’s carbon market.
The Political Economy of Carbon Trading
9th May 2007 by Donald MacKenzie
Originally published in the London Review of Books on the 5th April 2007.
Carbon markets in a muddle?
26th Apr 2007
Interesting leader in the FT today for anyone who’s active in the ETS or carbon offsetting space - titled Carbon markets create a muddle, it argues that CO2 needs a price, but that taxes are the best way to set it.
Times highlights need for Food Assurance
16th Apr 2007 by Tim Kitchin
UK newspaper, The Times has highlighted a growing scandal as demand for ‘ethical’ and sustainable products outstrips supply, and unscrupulous suppliers are pushing farms.
Quality compost to reduce landfill
3rd Apr 2007
Under current legislation in the UK, producers of compostable waste may need to apply for a license before they can spread it on land.
According to an article on the IEMA website, he new Quality Protocol proposed by the Environment Agency in England and Wales will mean that compostable products will be easier to dispose.
Deming says ‘adopt the new philosophy’
29th Mar 2007
Deming argues that managers must ‘adopt the new philosophy’ — in this case, his new philosophy — but the rationale is applicable whether or not we examine his approach.
His argument was thus: unless management adopt the reforms they put in place, they shouldn’t expect their workforce to do so; the same goes for management systems.
Investing in change
8th Mar 2007
Gareth Hughes, Climate Change Capital’s head of corporate development, outlined today the growing opportunities for corporations in the capital markets if they can prove they have superior environmental performance.
Why continuous improvement is necessary
6th Mar 2007
The ASQ Quality in Education blog highlights a video by Karl Fisch and Scott Macleod, and shows why any commitment to quality must also include a commitment to continuous improvement .
EU licensing gone mad?
15th Feb 2007 by Simon Emeny
I was reading my BIKE magazine and came across a page about the proposed motorcycling licence changes scheduled for 2012.
Simon Zadek talks about carbon trading in China
14th Feb 2007
RTHK reports about the changes to legislation in Guangdong which introduces emissions trading for large power stations.
McKinsey downplays carbon cost
2nd Feb 2007 by Tim Kitchin
McKinsey has performed its own cost estimate around carbon reduction strategies, and concluded that reforestation and energy saving measures can provide around half of the required adjustments. The analysis significantly downplays perceived threat to economic growth.
Carbon credits spark debate
31st Jan 2007 by Tim Kitchin
A constructive debate is raging over at David Miliband’s blog around the likely effectiveness of consumer carbon credits.
ISO 9000 in Australia - a comparison of the 1994 and 2000 versions
30th Jan 2007
Research conducted by Monash University’s Australian Supply Chain Management Research Unit and supported by JAS-ANZ, the government appointed accreditation body for Australia and New Zealand, explores the transition from ISO 9000:1994 to ISO 9000:2000.
Is IRIS certification a good idea?
24th Jan 2007 by Simon Emeny
In June 2006 the “International Railway Industry Standard” was published. This standard is promoted by UNIFE but is primarily aimed at suppliers to the 4 major European train builders.
Private equity goes good
16th Jan 2007
The Times reports that group of private-equity firms across Europe have come together to start a charitable organisation with £5m in start-up funds.
The value of provenance: Part 2
30th Nov 2006 by Tim Wilson
“Degrees of shoparation” is the extent to which I don’t know the provenance of a product — it might be that I don’t have any connection with it at all.
How does this affect brands and branding?
What is Business Assurance?
28th Nov 2006
In his report on the Lloyd’s Register Group annual accounts, David Moorhouse neatly sums up the concept of business assurance.
Viva Management Systems
24th Nov 2006 by David Lawson
I’ll be off to Barcelona at the weekend in time for LRQA’s Business Assurance Summit, “Setting the Agenda for Change”.
We’ve invited a small group of clients to come and share our latest thinking on management systems performance. It promises to be a very interesting gathering indeed.
Effective supply chain management
22nd Nov 2006 by Andrew Kakabadse
One of the most critical applications facing management systems, is their deployment across complex supply-chains, where the same ‘rules and processes’ will need to be adapted into different cultures and risk management frameworks.
The value of provenance: Part 1
21st Nov 2006 by Tim Wilson
The difference in value between a tired, stage-battered, old Fender Stratocaster previously owned by my mate Chas, and one owned by Eric Clapton could be more than £50,000. Why is that?
Competing supply chains are the future
8th Nov 2006
In an article in the FT today, David Barnes, CIO at UPS argues that supply chains will soon overshadow companies in terms of their impact on business success.
EMS making an impact
4th Nov 2006
Results from a three-year European study into the benefits of environmental management systems demonstrate a link between certified systems and improved environmental performance
Risk of unrest increasing in China, say Maplecroft
30th Oct 2006
According to Maplecroft the risk of social unrest in China is on the rise, following the revelation that the poorest 10 per cent of the population in China has actually become worse-off despite the economic boom.
E. coli on the march
6th Oct 2006 by Tim Kitchin
The number of cases of E. coli in spinach continues to multiply in the US, displacing more serious governance concerns like HP’s alleged employee-spying from the front pages of newspapers.
Canada won’t hit emissions targets
6th Oct 2006 by Tim Kitchin
Despite acknowledging that it will not hit its emissions targets, Canada has ruled out carbon credits as a mechanism to meet its Kyoto commitments, claiming such credits are of dubious value, offering no assurance that emissions will actually be reduced.
5840 standards fail to make the grade
6th Oct 2006 by Tim Kitchin
Vietnam has carried out a review of all of its 8000 quality standards, and discovered that just 27% meet the specification of their global equivalents.
Standards proving counterproductive
27th Sep 2006
According to a leading research analyst Bell Potter, reported in The Age, revisions to Accounting Standards have made it more difficult to analyse company performance.
Who assures international development?
20th Sep 2006 by Tim Kitchin
The Clinton Global Initiative is emerging as a purposeful counterpoint to WEF in influencing the operating models of international development.
The Annual gathering this week (20-22 September) is expected to yield a number of new commitments to alleviate poverty and ill-health, but which will actually work.
Organic is no more healthy
20th Sep 2006
The traditional association between organic foods and health is being steadily eroded, and replaced, with greater consumer association with the environmental benefits.
BMS slashes WIP by 75%
19th Sep 2006 by Tim Kitchin
People-centric systems are the key to improved manufacturing performance, according to a survey from solution providers Invistics, profiled at in Pharma Technology.
Their recent research report highlights Bristol-Myers Squibb’s achievement in slashing cycle times by 80 per cent and Work-In-Progress (WIP) by 75 per cent.
G3: Will more transparency help?
19th Sep 2006 by Tim Kitchin
After more than three years of extended and extensive consultation, GRI is less than a fortnight from unveiling its G3 sustainability guidelines.
When Health and Safety really matters…
18th Sep 2006 by Tim Kitchin
Jenny McCartney of the UK’s Daily Telegraph has drawn attention to the chasm emerging between ‘trivial’ health and safety concerns, and the ‘profound’ safety issues prevailing in developing countries, or when individuals are effectively compelled to take inappropriate risks.
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