Sustainability Notice #36 (29 May - 4 June)

World:

Plastic pollution is a multi-faceted threat (Source)

Over 350 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated worldwide every year, a quantity that is expected to triple by 2060 if nothing is done.

Shanghai breaks more than century-old heat record in sweltering May (Source)

Shanghai saw its hottest day in May for more than 100 years on Monday with temperatures hitting 36.1 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit), continuing a brutal trend of unusually hot weather in the country since March.

Paris 2024: The untenable promise of 'climate positive' games (Source)

Behind the objective to reduce the carbon footprint of the Olympics by half compared to London 2012 and Rio 2016, the organizers are facing many uncertainties that put in doubt their statements promoting the image of green Olympics.

EU doubles firefighting fleet in preparation for climate change impacts (Source)

The EU said on Tuesday it is doubling its aerial firefighting fleet for the summer of 2023, citing challenges such as increasing forest fires due to the climate crisis.

Fires, floods and disappearing beaches: can Mediterranean holidays survive? (Source)

Shortly after Easter this year, in the midst of a historic, multi-year drought, temperatures in parts of the western Mediterranean climbed a barely believable 20C higher than seasonal norms, hitting a record-shattering 39C in southern Spain.

‘Another missed opportunity’: EU Commissioner rules out private jet ban says (Source)

As the EU Transport Commission says it won’t be curbing private jet use, campaigners call on countries and airports to step up.

India monsoon advances after stalling for 11 days (Source)

India's monsoon rains advanced into some more parts of southwest Bay of Bengal after stalling for the past 11 days at a far-flung island, weather department said on Tuesday.

'We are creating a monstrous reservoir of plastic particles' (Source)

Nathalie Gontard of the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) stresses the impact of pollution generated by plastic objects throughout their life cycle and cautions against the "illusion" of recycling.

Wildfire burning near Biosphere 2 science facility in southern Arizona 50% contained (Source)

A wildfire in southern Arizona that’s burning about a half-mile (0.80 kilometer) from the Biosphere 2 science facility has been 50% contained, firefighters on Sunday said.

Victory for Erdo?an leaves nation divided: Women and LGBTQ+ will pay the price (Source)

Recep Tayyip Erdo?an will begin another five years as Turkey’s president after winning a divisive election that threatened his hold on power. Especially women’s and LGBTQ+ rights groups find themselves in the immediate line of fire. But they say “they have no other choice than to keep organising, to give voice to reason and to stick together.”

Women’s rights activists in Turkey: Let us not lose hope (Source)

The reactions continue against the victory of Erdo?an in the presidential elections and the increase in male MPs who are known for their discriminatory attitudes towards women and LGBTQs. Women’s rights advocates are calling for stronger organized struggle and saying “Let us not lose hope.”

ESG reporting, tools and services:

KPMG to deliver ESG data and reporting solutions leveraging Workiva, Microsoft Sustainability Platforms (Source)

Global professional services firm KPMG and business data and reporting solutions provider Workiva announced today an expanded collaboration aimed at facilitating ESG reporting, leveraging Microsoft’s sustainability platform, Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability, to help organizations ensure data consistency and meet evolving ESG disclosure requirements.

$29 trillion investor group urges high impact companies to disclose on environmental impact (Source)

A group of nearly 300 financial institutions representing almost $29 trillion in assets are urging some of the world’s highest impact companies, including Exxon, Chevron and Caterpillar, to disclose environmental data on themes including climate change, water and forests, through the CDP environmental disclosure platform.

Fujitsu, Microsoft partner on sustainable transformation solutions (Source)

Fujitsu Limited and Microsoft Corporation announced a strategic partnership, aimed at driving the expansion of Fijitsu’s Uvance business, which focuses on innovative solutions that both address business challenges as well as solving societal issues.

Accenture acquires sustainability consultancy Green Domus (Source)

Global professional services firm Accenture announced today the acquisition of decarbonization strategy-focused consultancy Green Domus, the latest in a string of sustainability-related transactions by the company.

KPMG partners with CoolPlanet to offer carbon accounting, decarbonization solutions (Source)

Professional services firm KPMG in Ireland and climate-focused software provider CoolPlanet announced a new alliance, aimed at delivering end-to-end decarbonization solutions for clients.

Business:?

Chemical makers settle PFAS-related claims for $1.19 billion (Source)

Chemours Co (CC.N), DuPont de Nemours Inc (DD.N) and Corteva Inc (CTVA.N) on Friday said they had reached an agreement in principle to settle claims that they contaminated U.S. public water systems with toxic "forever chemicals" for $1.19 billion.

Hong Kong raises record US$6 billion from green bond offering as city pushes ahead with its sustainable finance hub ambitions (Source)

Combined offering of green bonds in US dollar, euro, offshore yuan topped previous record of US$5.75 billion multicurrency deal in January.

Walmart shifts to paper packaging for online orders (Source)

Walmart announced a series of initiatives aimed at reducing waste and boosting the sustainability of its online and omnichannel business, including shifting nearly all orders currently shipped in plastic mailers to recyclable paper bag mailers.

Delta hit with greenwashing lawsuit over carbon neutrality claims (Source)

Delta Air Lines is facing a class action lawsuit over claims that it misrepresented its environmental impact by presenting itself in advertising and promotional activities as being “carbon neutral.”

Insurers exit net zero insurance alliance as U.S. political pressure builds (Source)

A group of major insurers including Lloyds, AXA, Sompo, Allianz and Scor have announced that they have discontinued their membership in the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA), marking a major setback for the UN Environment Program (UNEP)-backed collaboration aimed at helping insurance companies accelerate the global transition to net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through their underwriting and risk management practices.

Absolut launches paper-based bottle trial in UK supermarkets (Source)

Pernod Ricard spirits brand Absolut Vodka announced the launch of a trial of a new paper-based bottle in the UK, with a lower carbon footprint and significantly lighter weight than its traditional glass bottles.

Solar panels- an eco-disaster waiting to happen? (Source)

While they are being promoted around the world as a crucial weapon in reducing carbon emissions, solar panels only have a lifespan of up to 25 years.