Policy, Fast Food, Delta, Gigs & Waste

1. Variety is the best policy

This week’s news reminds us (if we needed reminding) that there is no silver bullet to solving climate change. A study analysing 1,500 policies across 41 countries found that only a small fraction – just 63 – were effective at significantly reducing emissions. The research reveals a sobering truth: many policies are too narrowly focused or poorly designed to drive the systemic changes needed to hit global climate targets.

However, the effective cases do offer a blueprint for success, demonstrating that policy combinations – mixing financial measures with regulations – are far more impactful than single policy measures. A key example of this is the decarbonisation of the UK’s electricity sector, which was achieved through a combination of a carbon price floor, renewable energy subsidies, and a coal phase-out. By contrast, single policies, like bans or pricing mechanisms without additional measures fell short in many jurisdictions. Taxation was the ‘notable exception’ in causing large falls in emissions without the support of other policies.

Critics argue that the study overlooked key policies that cause gradual change without clear impacts on emissions trends. For example, attributing the UK’s electricity decarbonisation solely to the 2013 carbon price floor neglects the impacts of the 2008 Climate Change Act, for example. But the study nevertheless offers valuable insight into how regulation can be more effective when delivered through a policy mix.

As we march toward 2030, the world faces a 23 billion ton emissions gap. Scaling up success stories will require not just more policies, but better ones – innovative combinations that tackle multiple angles of the problem at once. While it's clear we’ve made some strides, much more remains to be done.

2. (Fast) Food for thought

The sugar tax turned resistance into innovation - can Labour’s fast-food crackdown do the same?

When the sugar tax was first introduced in 2018, it was met with significant resistance from soft drink manufacturers, who feared it would cripple the beverage industry. But it sparked an era of innovation. Rather than absorbing or passing on the tax, many companies began reformulating their products, reducing sugar content and opting for healthier ingredients.

This shift met regulatory demands and led to the creation of premium, craft-like soft drinks. Take Cawston Press | B-Corp? : they chose to up the amount of fruit juice, rather than adding artificial sweeteners to try to reduce the sugar content of their drinks. Not only did this appeal to a more health-conscious market, but it also improved the taste (according to Cawston’s Head of Marketing). Through innovation, companies responded to the sugar tax and were able to stay competitive, and consumers enjoyed a healthier product range. It also led to a decrease in obesity rates, particularly among children in deprived areas.

Now, under the new government, a similar transformation may be on the horizon. After years of delays under the Conservatives (who delayed a ban on pre-watershed junk food advertising, which was due to come into force in January 2023), Labour is pushing forward with measures to tackle child obesity, consulting on measures to limit the proliferation of fast-food outlets near schools and ban junk food advertising before 9 p.m. These steps, if implemented (and this is a big if, given the delays we have seen in the past), could push fast-food giants to innovate once again.

Critics argue that these proposed measures are too ‘nanny state’ and restrictive, but if history is any guide, they could serve as a catalyst for positive change. Just as the sugar tax led to healthier drink options, Labour’s proposed policies could push fast-food companies to rethink their menus, offering healthier, more balanced meals that could have a lasting impact on child health. As with the sugar tax, the key lies in making the healthy choice the easy—and delicious—choice.

3. Massive Attack (on carbon)

Many climate-conscious readers will recall a moment of self-reflection that led to a feeling of guilt or even panic. Rapper and singer @Robert Del Naja experienced a similar moment of crisis while touring with the band Massive Attack in 2019, questioning if he could justify flying from show to show. However, while most of us respond to eco-anxiety by remembering to turn off lights or reducing meat consumption, De Naja had the opportunity to set an example and tackle carbon emissions at scale, working with climate scientists to develop a touring model that makes as little climate impact as possible.

On Sunday, Massive Attack hosted a 35,000-person festival in Bristol to showcase how gigs can be made more sustainable. De Naja made clear that if efforts were not in line with a 1.5 °C reduction in global warming, they were irrelevant (we suspect he’s looking at eye-catching stunts such as Coldplay’s electricity-generating bikes).

The Bristol festival, powered entirely by wind and solar-charged batteries, featured electric vehicles for equipment transport, compost toilets and vegan catering. The band also encouraged sustainable travel for fans including local ticketing incentives, increased train services and electric coaches.

While the event wasn’t perfect – some food stalls relied on gas canisters and some fans did travel from further afield, including one individual who flew in from Miami – the Tyndall Centre will publish a report detailing the climate impact, and lessons learned will be incorporated in future .

With recent headlines of huge emissions from tours of artists such as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé the need for the music industry to act is becoming more urgent, and bands such as Massive Attack could be key in paving the way.

4. Plane and simple?

Delta Air Lines is embarking on a significant yet deceptively complex sustainability initiative: replacing single-use plastic cups with recyclable paper ones on its flights. While cutting 7 million pounds of plastic waste annually is a step forward, it won’t impact decarbonisation – with jet fuel accounting for 90% of Delta’s emissions.?

Delta knows that Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is the most promising lever to reduce emissions and decarbonise their business, but there just isn’t enough supply to meet demand. So, while it seeks to solve that, it’s also focusing on the small wins.

The transition from plastic to paper cups is more complex than it appears. Delta needed cups that could handle hot and cold beverages and be both home and industrially compostable to meet European recycling standards, as well as user-friendly for flight attendants. So, after extensive testing, Delta partnered with Blulabs to produce innovative, "plastic-free" cups with an aqueous liner that makes them recyclable and compostable.

This effort highlights a broader sustainability challenge: balancing environmental goals with operational needs and addressing smaller but still complex issues while working on larger ones like reducing jet fuel emissions. The new cups underscore the efforts required for even small sustainability measures, so let’s see how they fare with SAF soon.

The Goods: Waste No Time

Southwark’s Wonder Day is back on Saturday, 16th September, promising eco-friendly excitement at Veolia ’s Integrated Waste Management Facility as part of the annual Open House London event. This free, family-oriented event offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at how household waste is transformed into valuable resources, showcasing Southwark’s innovative approach to sustainability.

From guided facility tours to interactive activities for children, Wonder Day is designed to engage everyone in the journey of waste management. Visitors can expect to learn about the processes that turn everyday waste into renewable energy and recyclable materials. The event also features talks by environmental experts, who will share insights on tackling climate change and reducing waste footprints.

Wonder Day isn’t just about education — it’s also a celebration of community. With fun games, creative workshops, and even a chance to meet the team behind Southwark’s green initiatives, this event is a perfect blend of learning and leisure.

So, gather the family and join in this celebration of sustainability. Whether you're a curious kid or an eco-conscious adult, Southwark’s Wonder Day is the place to be! More info here