Climate Change Blogs

Is price driving the sustainability debate?

29th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

Food manufacturers have begun a massive repackaging effort to address the environmental concerns of consumers. This article takes a look at the way that some global brands are addressing the issue, as well as how they are attempting to balance environmental concerns with consumer health concerns.

“Good for you” will increasingly be faced off with “good for the environment,” and food companies will find themselves redefining how their food products will retain appeal, according to Mintel International in Chicago.

Clarity and Transparency Needed for Green Claims

18th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

Brands making green claims about their products need clarity on what they can and cannot say. This Ethical Corp. article highlights the difficulty for corporations in proving their green claims. The use of language, including sustainability and “low-carbon” were highlighted as terms that are difficult to prove and could potentially leave global brands open to criticism.

Are Standards the answer to the Biofuels Debate?

15th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

The Gallagher Review, commissioned by the UK government and released in July, concluded the EU’s biofuels target of 10% of all fuels by 2020 could not be met sustainably and advised that targets be scaled back.

The report concluded that, while the current targets are not realistic under the existing regulations,

if robust, comprehensive and mandatory sustainability standards are implemented now, a genuinely sustainable industry could evolve.

This ClimateChangeCorp.com article goes on to discuss existing standards, as well as introducing the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels “Version Zero” proposed standard.

Japanese Government Launches Carbon Labelling Initiative

31st Aug 2008 by Alex Briggs

Japan is the latest country to commit to carbon labelling retail products. According to this Guardian article, about 30 companies will display their labeled items at an eco-products fair in Tokyo in December, and the first batches are expected to appear in shops at the beginning of April 2009.

The 3 M’s in CSR reporting

11th Jul 2008

The 3 Keys To CSR Reporting Are Materiality, Materiality And Materiality by Alex Hausman, CSR Reporting Manager, The Timberland Company.

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Money driving IT decisions, not environment

7th Jul 2008 by Alex Briggs

A new IT survey from Rackspace has revealed that corporations are less likely in 2008 than in 2007 to base decisions on the environmental impact.

Check-out Carbon report leads to Carbon Labelling debate

3rd Jul 2008 by Alex Briggs

Blog posts on events are supposed to be written immediately following the event or not at all. I am going to break that rule and write about a great Carbon Labelling event that took place on Monday, June 30th at the Lloyd’s Register HQ in London.
Forum for the Future, the sustainability charity in the UK, […]

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Transparency increases for Carbon Footprint reporting

3rd Jul 2008 by Alex Briggs

Six years ago, not many of us were discussing climate change, carbon footprinting, carbon labelling. Global warming was starting to be discussed, and a few cutting edge companies were promoting their CSR activities.
Scientists reports, celebrity efforts and government/corporate commitments have significantly changed that landscape.
The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has also played a major role in […]

Carbon labelling – crunch time

2nd Jul 2008

Has the credit crunch begun to affect what you put in your shopping basket? How about the Carbon crunch?

Are good intentions enough?

2nd Jul 2008

Telling customers about your environmental targets is all well and good but, as Paul Thomas argues, they are meaningless if you do not know how they are to be achieved.

Talking to kids about climate change

19th May 2008 by Alex Briggs

Talking to kids about climate change Stonesfield Primary School in my village in the UK recently celebrated Eco-week, a week of activities centred around environmental issues, ranging from recycling to greenhouse gases. When I heard about it, I approached the lead teacher in the campaign, Miss Eastwood about getting more information. On this site, we have podcasts, as well as articles […]

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?

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

Timberland bringing CSR issues to the forefront This Neville Hobson blog post highlights Timberland’s CSR efforts, including the strongest sustainability information on product packaging out there.

Clouds on the horizon - aviation and the EU ETS

19th Feb 2008

A recent blog looks at the current situation in avaiation and the EU ETS.

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

Climate Change's first victims named, are you on the list? 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,”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

Is local food safer?

9th Oct 2007

Is local food safer? 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 […]

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.

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.

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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:

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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.

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 […]

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…

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 […]

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 .

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?

“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.

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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.

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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.

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.

Simon Zadek talks about carbon trading in China

14th Feb 2007

Simon Zadek talks about carbon trading in China RTHK reports about the changes to legislation in Guangdong which introduces emissions trading for large power stations.

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McKinsey downplays carbon cost

2nd Feb 2007 by Tim Kitchin

McKinsey downplays carbon cost 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.

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

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.

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.

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