Sustainability Progress Report #19

?? Welcome to the Sustainability Progress Report! This is a weekly newsletter that explores news in corporate sustainability, corporate best practices, changes in regulation and compliance, EU climate and green energy policies, breakthroughs in technological innovation, worldwide impacts of climate change, government and community response to it,? labour rights, and due diligence. It’s usually published on Fridays (unless vacation ??). If you’re new here and you’d like to stay up-to-date, click on the “Subscribe” button above.?

How is the EU managing its climate stripes this week?

Legend:?

??? climate change??

?? litigation?

???? regulatory/policy changes??

?? waste/pollution?

?? forests/biodiversity

?? water?

?? energy??

?? decarbonization??

?? emissions?

? innovation

?? food

?? fisheries

?? apparel?

?? transport

?? air transport

?? animals/biodiversity

???? labour or human rights?

?? partnership for the goals

?? diseases?

Regulatory talks.

The EU is implementing a CO2 Storage Directive to reduce emissions, but the trade association Carbon Capture and Storage Europe warns it lacks CO2 purity standards. The directive requires storage facilities to pose no significant threat to health or the environment but does not provide an assessment of acceptable standards. Heavy industry believes CCS is cheaper than ETS emissions allowances. (to the source) ??????

Industry talks.

Italy's tax police have seized 121 million euros from Amazon Italia, accusing them of alleged tax fraud and illegal labor practices, citing omission of VAT duties and reduced social security payments. (to the source) ??????

A German court ruled that the government needs to take more action to combat air pollution. The decision emphasizes the importance of environmental protection and public health. (to the source) ????

Stand.earth, a Canadian environmental campaign, has filed a legal complaint against Lululemon for its "Be Planet" ad campaign, alleging it contradicts the company's climate record and calls for industry-wide change. (to the source) ????

New research reveals that toxic PFAS are widely used in pesticides, posing a health threat by contaminating the US's food and water supply. The increased use of PFAS is disturbing and exposes the population to harmful chemicals. (to the source) ?????

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is proposing that airlines must disclose their environmental impact to passengers, starting in early 2025, and include the carbon impact of individual flights and sustainable aviation fuel use. (to the source) ?????

A study finds that cleaner jets are necessary by 2035 to achieve net-zero emissions in the aviation industry. Innovations in aircraft technology and sustainable fuels are crucial for reducing the sector’s carbon footprint. (to the source) ???

An insight report indicates that Britain is not on track to build enough wind and solar farms to meet the Labour government's clean energy targets. The report predicts wind and solar power will supply 44% of Britain's electricity by 2030, but falls short of the 67% consultancy estimates needed to decarbonise the power sector. (to the source) ???

Electric vehicle sales in Europe stalled in the first half of the year due to decreased government incentives and limited affordable models, with hybrid vehicles contributing to the growth, while petrol vehicles saw a 1.5% drop. Policymakers and industry players need to address barriers and promote EV adoption to accelerate the transition to cleaner transportation. (to the source) ????

A report highlights that the meat and dairy industry’s environmental impact is hindering climate action. The industry spends more on advertising than climate solutions and lobbying against regulations, and has lagged in emissions reporting and targets. (to the source) ????

Scientists are discussing the role of negative emissions technologies (NETs) in combating climate change. The conference addressed concerns about CO2 removal’s potential drawbacks in promoting negative emissions technologies. CDR should only be used for hard-to-abate or residual emissions because if society doesn't cut emissions, CDR efforts will only reduce global warming from 2.7°C to 2.6°C by 2100. (to the source) ?????

A study conducted at Kew Botanical Gardens reveals that half of the tree species there are at risk of extinction due to the climate crisis. Urgent conservation efforts are needed to protect biodiversity. (to the source) ?????

North Dakota research project reveals grazing cattle pastures store more carbon than ungrazed ones, potentially benefiting ranchers. The study aims to model the results for other ranches after two years. (to the source) ????

The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that global coal demand will remain broadly flat in the coming years, despite pressures to reduce fossil fuel consumption. While some regions are transitioning to cleaner energy sources, coal remains a significant part of the energy mix in many countries and the consumption is driven by low hydropower output and rising electricity demand. (to the source) ????

New oil and gas exploration in 2024 is predicted to release 12 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, with the US and UK leading the expansion despite climate commitments. An analysis shows that 11.9 billion tonnes of emissions resulting from all current and upcoming oil and gas fields forecasted by the end of 2024 would be greater than the past four years combined. (to the source) ????

Data centres in Ireland increased electricity consumption from 5% to 21% in 2023, posing a threat to the state's transition from fossil fuel-powered generation. The surge is expected to account for 27% of all electricity demand by 2028. Residential electricity consumption decreased in all counties compared to 2022. (to the source) ????

The UK's Labour government plans to introduce a price guarantee for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to encourage producers to increase production. SAF currently accounts for 0.2% of the jet fuel market, and the aviation industry needs 65% by 2050 to achieve "net zero" carbon emissions, more investment and financing could help scale the industry.? (to the source) ????

Climate activist protesters glued themselves to the tarmac at Cologne-Bonn Airport in Germany, causing flight operations to be suspended. The airport resumed flights with expected delays and cancellations throughout the day. Similar protests are planned across Europe and North America. (to the source) ????

Several countries are advocating for a carbon tax on maritime transport, which accounts for 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This tax, based on the "polluter pays" principle, could generate $60 billion in revenue but only reduce shipping emissions by 1.75%, far below the International Maritime Organization's goals. (to the source) ????

Porsche has revised its goal to 80% all-electric vehicles by 2030, focusing on customer demand and electromobility sector developments. The company emphasizes its double strategy, focusing on both combustion engines and electrified cars. (to the source) ????

Porsche issued a profit warning due to flooding at an aluminium supplier, causing production delays and dragging profit margins and revenues below forecasts this year. The company faces declining operating margins, falling sales in China, and a 40% drop in share price over the past year. (to the source) ????

Human rights abuses and environmental concerns are prevalent in fast fashion and luxury firms, forcing them to prioritize human rights commitment, due diligence, and supplier collaboration. Italian judges placed Dior and Armani's subsidiaries under court administration for a year following police raids revealing worker exploitation. (to the source) ????????

Global talks.

Despite global conflicts, the UN calls upon to accelerate efforts toward achieving sustainability goals. Collaborative action is crucial for addressing pressing global challenges. (to the source) ????

The “Princess of the Dump” has launched an alliance to provide fair wages to women waste pickers in Indonesia. Pickers will be able to sell recyclables directly to buyers, thereby increasing their income. (to the source) ????

The UN report highlights overfishing in seafood farming. For the first time in history, we now farm more seafood than we catch from the wild, despite a decline in sustainably fished stocks. The report calls for countries to implement the FAO's "Blue Transformation" road map for livelihoods. (to the source) ????

Climate change is causing mass displacement in Tuvalu and other Pacific islands. Urgent measures are needed to address the impacts of rising sea levels and protect vulnerable communities. (to the source)?????

Climate change is expanding the geographic range of Aedes sp. mosquitoes, that can transmit dengue fever and other viral diseases. Changing weather patterns increase the number of mosquitoes and human exposure. The study predicts a surge in dengue transmission in Asian metropolitan areas under warming scenarios, potentially exposing an average of 2.9 million people annually. (to the source) ?????

The UAE has experienced its heaviest rainfall in three months, leading to widespread warnings about dengue, a tropical disease spread by mosquitoes. The WHO declared it an emergency in December due to tenfold increases in cases. Climate change and an environment conducive to mosquito breeding have led to locally transmitted cases without travel history since 2023. (to the source) ?????

The UN's State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report indicates that climate change and conflict are driving a global hunger crisis, affecting millions worldwide. No progress is seen in reducing chronic food insecurity in three years, putting the plan to end world hunger by 2030 in doubt. With over 2.3 billion people suffering, 582 million are projected to be chronically undernourished by the end of the decade. (to the source) ?????

A Washington Post investigation revealed that private ventures illegally claimed public lands, generating profits without legal rights and failing to share revenue with landowners. Brazilian authorities are investigating the sale of carbon credits to companies halting deforestation projects. (to the source) ????

UN task force criticizes carbon credits for offseting emissions, stating they cannot be counted as emissions reductions in voluntary markets. Google plans to shift its purchasing power to the carbon removal industry, reversing its nature-based approach to carbon credits. (to the source) ????

Indonesia has finalized a regulation for carbon capture and storage, aiming to reduce global emissions by 31.89% by 2030, promoting low-carbon businesses and establishing the first carbon exchange, IDXCarbon. (to the source) ????

Vietnam approved a decree allowing Direct Power Purchase Agreements (DPPAs) for electricity-guzzling factories to buy from wind and solar power producers. This move aims to meet climate targets and alleviate pressure on the country's overstrained grid. The increase in power generation under DPPAs is primarily driven by India, Australia, and Taiwan. (to the source) ????

The Paris Olympic Games have adopted a pre-event carbon budget, reducing 95% of stadiums to existing or temporary structures, and sourcing 100% renewable energy from French wind and solar farms. (to the source) ????

Germany has installed over 500.000 solar systems, primarily on balconies, as part of Europe's energy transition. Solar balconies produce 10% of residential rooftop energy, with 200 MW installed, compared to 16 GW from residential roofs. (to the source)????

The environmental impact of the Paris Olympics is being debated. While the event promotes global unity, it also has associated carbon emissions. Climate change concerns arise from the event, with a third of estimated carbon emissions linked to athlete and spectator travel, particularly flying. A return economy-class ticket from Singapore to Paris generates just over a tonne of CO2 emissions. (to the source) ????

Tree bark microbes effectively remove methane from the atmosphere, contributing to 30% of global heating. Tropical forests have high methane absorption, with natural forest regeneration cost-effective. (to the source) ????

What are your takeaways for the week? What caught your eye??What was surprising? Do you see any news missing?

Comment below, let's discuss sustainability.