Rishi, Apple, TNFD, Heineken, Design

1. The net zero gamble

The fact that Rishi Sunak has reneged on some of the key policy proposals to meet the UK’s net zero target has quickly become the big news of the week.

And understandably so. It includes unsubstantiated claims, the economic rationale is about 180 degrees off, and even politically it’s a huge gamble – while everything points to the fact that the government has identified this as a short term vote winner, its own data show that three-quarters of the British public are at least ‘fairly concerned’ about climate change, and only 12% think the Government is doing ‘too much’ on climate. Net zero is being used as a political football and, as if to illustrate the point, the announcement even included ‘scrapping’ a non-existent meat tax.

The announcements have been roundly criticised by politicians across the spectrum, civil society and business leaders, with suggestions that this will be Rishi Sunak’s ‘Liz Truss moment’. The response from business has been notable. There has been a backlash that reflects the uncertainty that results from shifting goalposts for business decision making, and concern from investors who have flagged concerns about whether the UK remains a good bet for the green industrial transition.

The scale and tone of the backlash to this announcement suggests that while UK legislation may be rolled back, it won’t necessarily stop action, with businesses getting on with phasing out fossil-based transport and heating regardless. Although the UK may be an island geographically, it sells to, and imports from, companies based in countries that will remain committed to moving fast towards net zero. Carmakers are investing heavily in EVs to meet regulations and demand in the EU, US and globally, for example, and there are other factors that will incentivise the shift to low-carbon technologies.

And let’s not forget that the UK has a legally binding net zero target, which (currently) isn’t being revoked. The truth is that while some of the measures that had been proposed may have been expensive in the short term, the longer-term costs of not doing them in a timely way are much higher. For a government driven by the electoral cycle that may not seem like much of a problem. For the rest of us, and the planet, it really is. If ever there was a moment for the business sector to stand up and lead, it’s now. We’re delighted it’s showing all the signs of doing so.

2. Apple's latest launch: IGreen?

Unless you had your head in the sand, you’ll have heard about Apple's new product launch. The iPhone 15 is not what caught our attention, however. Rather, it was the new line of Apple watches, which are being marketed as carbon neutral.

There is lots to commend. The new watches boast an impressive 75% reductions in lifecycle emissions compared to the 2015 model, as well as increased use of recycled materials for the internal workings of the watch. And it’s leaning into its reputation as a master communicator with an entertaining and informative short film that seeks to engage and educate on what it’s doing. That’s never an easy task, but they’ve nailed it with the Mother Nature short.

And yet, we can’t help wondering whether branding the new watches ‘carbon neutral’ is a misstep. Apple is committing to ensure that by 2030 all devices will have a net zero climate impact, and that’s a big claim. And yet that’s overshadowed by its use of carbon neutral –? it’s a phrase that comes with a lot of baggage these days, and new EU regulations may even ban the use of this phrase. Why didn’t the great communicating brand think a little harder now, rather create the need to rebrand its products later?

Furthermore, it turns out Apple has been making its phones increasingly difficult to repair in non-Apple repair shops, which are always much cheaper than repairs in Apple stores, thus nudging consumers towards buying new phones rather than replacing parts in older phones when they fail. So while Apple’s watches are moving in a more sustainable direction, with the promise of more to come, any halo from this is being tarnished by some less than sustainable behaviour in its other products.

All in all, we really do want to commend Apple, which took a while to get out of the starting blocks where sustainability is concerned. That said, while it’s encouraging to see such a great communicator finally embrace sustainability, it’s not a perfect A for Apple on the sustainability scorecard just yet.

3. TNFD: Revealing nature's price tag

After much anticipation, the final recommendations for the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) have been released this week, after a period of consultation on the draft. TNFD responds to the urgent need for businesses and financial institutions to address biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. It recognises that nature is a valuable, finite resource which we are entirely dependent upon. Six of our nine planetary boundaries have already been surpassed, so business as usual is not an option.

Much like the @Taskforce on Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), TNFD’s partner in crime which focuses on climate impacts and dependencies, TNFD aims to enhance transparency and understanding of nature-related risks and opportunities. It provides a consistent framework for businesses and financial institutions to measure, assess and disclose their dependencies and impacts on nature, incorporating issues such as biodiversity, land use, and water use. TNFD is based on the same four pillars as TCFD (governance, strategy, risk and impact management, and metrics and targets) and seven of the disclosures are identical to those required by TCFD. ?By using the two frameworks together, organisations can think holistically and consider both climate and nature in their strategic decision making.

For now, TNFD is not a mandatory reporting requirement. Countries will need to adopt it into law before companies are required to use it for reporting. However, by implementing TNFD’s framework, organisations can better assess their exposure to nature-related risks such as supply chain disruptions caused by biodiversity loss or regulatory changes related to environmental protection. Simultaneously, it allows organisations to identify opportunities for innovation and investment in nature-positive solutions. So, if you want to contribute to a sustainable future which values nature, with more informed decision-making and greater accountability, what are you waiting for?

If you are looking for support with incorporating nature into your sustainability strategy, get in touch with us, and watch this space for more nature-related updates.

4. Red carding misogyny

The HEINEKEN Company (Heineken) recently orchestrated a social media experiment that had UK football fans scratching their heads. When The Social Swap asked pro-footballers Gary Neville and Jill Scott temporarily trading profiles on “X” (formerly Twitter), they uncovered a startling reality: after Gary slipped into Jill’s social media boots to cover the UEFA Champions League matches, he was met with jabs to ‘get back in the kitchen’ and to ‘leave football to the boys’, not to mention a marriage proposal. Meanwhile, Jill, masquerading as Gary, encountered praise for her football wisdom and objectivity.

Here we see how a brand can use their influence to take on the social issues of today – like tackling gender bias in the world’s favourite sport. Heineken’s mission? To score one for humanity with the help of Arwen, an AI-powered social media referee determined to counter online toxicity and make the internet a more ‘social’ place. This arrives at an interesting moment for “X” as tensions between freedom of speech and the consequences of unfettered freedom of expression once again raise their head.

Heineken’s efforts haven’t stopped here though. The ‘Fresher Football’ page offers football statistics free from gender bias in a similar attempt to counter anti-women attitudes.

The Social Swap experiment cleverly underscores the fact that gender bias in sport persists both on the field and in the stands. But Heineken’s mission to level the gender playing field isn’t just about swapping accounts—it aims to rewrite the rulebook on how we all engage online.

5. Design for Planet Festival 2023

The transition towards a low-carbon economy requires collective action from all sectors of society, including the design industry. Designers wield enormous power to shape the future of our products and built environment. Yet it is collaboration between consumers and brands, and engineering and design sectors, that will pave the way to decarbonisation.?

This is the key message from Cat Drew, chief design officer at the Design Council, who has chosen ‘collaborate’ as the core theme of the Design for Planet Festival 2023, because the climate crisis looms far too large for any designer to confront single-handedly.

The festival – free-to attend online on the 17th and 18th of October or in person if you find yourself in Norwich then – will play host to sixty cross-industry experts who will chair keynote speeches, how-to series and collaborative workshops on all things sustainability and design, including mobility, policy, energy, education, and the built environment. The aim of the festival is to catalyse the shift towards a regenerative future. Rest assured that the festival’s lineup is replete with content that will interest anyone working in this space, thinking about working in this space or simply with an interest in how design supports sustainability.

Day one features panels on energy solutions, materials innovation, collaborative sustainability workshops, and resilience strategies. The how-to series offers insights into decarbonizing local councils, carbon accounting, climate-conscious branding, and carbon literacy for businesses. Day two brings Bas van Abel, Fairphone founder, along for a keynote, along with discussions on future mobility, sustainable food systems, and repairability.

The design industry needs to shift to a more sustainable paradigm, by considering the environmental, social, and economic impacts of their products throughout their lifecycle. And the Design for Planet festival 2023 is the perfect chance for visionaries to come together and create a force for change.

Sign up here to attend virtually. ?