Sustainability Progress Report #21

?? 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 the “Subscribe” button above.?

How is the EU managing its climate stripes this week?

Legend:?

??? climate change?

?? fires?

?? litigation?

???? regulatory/policy changes??

?? financial????

?? waste/pollution?

?? forests/biodiversity

?? water?

?? energy??

?? decarbonization??

?? emissions?

? innovation?

?? reporting?

?? food?

?? fisheries

?? apparel?

?? transport

?? air transport

?? animals/biodiversity

???? labour or human rights?

?? diseases?

?? resource

Regulatory talks.

Belgium proposes a €450 million increase in the turnover threshold for the CSDDD, aiming to balance sustainability goals with practical business considerations, despite challenges from the German Finance Minister and trade-law discussions. (to the source ) ???? ??

The European Commission found that €3.5 billion invested in the LIFE programme has yielded a tenfold return on investment, improving the conservation status of 435 species and reducing greenhouse gas and NOx pollution. The programme directly funds environmental action, supporting 1.167 projects and reducing carbon dioxide and NOx emissions. The Commission calls for increased funding for nature conservation and climate action. (to the source ) ??????

The updated Industrial Emissions Directive, effective August 4, aims to reduce emissions from large industrial installations and poultry farms, with a 40% reduction by 2050, incorporating stricter emission limit values and electronic permitting. (to the source ) ??????

The European Commission is imposing an infringement procedure on 27 EU Member States for failing to meet legally binding collection and recycling targets. (to the source ) ??????

Industry talks.

The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) has ruled that renewable energy project carbon credits, comprising 32% of the voluntary carbon market, do not meet the high-integrity Core Carbon Principles label due to additionality concerns, potentially putting pressure on the market. (to the source ) ????

Swiss firm Climeworks has built the world's largest direct air capture facility, Mammoth, 30km southwest of Reykjavik, capable of capturing 36,000 tons of CO2 annually. The facility plans to reduce the cost of capture to $300- $400 by the end of the decade. (to the source ) ????

Climate Impact Partners has launched a carbon dioxide removal program aiming to remove 10 billion tons of CO2 annually by 2050, accelerating the deployment of high-permanence solutions like direct air capture and ocean alkalinity enhancement. The program aims to overcome high-cost barriers in the sector. (to the source ) ????

A University of Oxford study proposes a 'Carbon Removal Budget' to limit carbon dioxide extraction from the atmosphere, focusing on net zero emissions. The budget would establish a framework for valuing and distributing this limited resource, determining required removal methods and fair allocation among nations, industries, and financial institutions. (to the source ) ????

A new free calculator will help farmers assess their carbon intensity, crucial for ethanol plants in the US government-backed Carbon Intensity Score program. The calculator calculates carbon intensity scores using five factors: corn acres, nitrogen usage, yield, and changes in nitrogen and yield. (to the source ) ????

Air travel, contributing to global carbon emissions, is projected to triple by 2050 without intervention. Alternative low-carbon forms like electric or hydrogen planes are in development but behind schedule due to COVID-19 delays. Sustainable Air Fuel needs to reach 10 to 15% by 2030 for net zero by 2050. Strong climate regulation is needed to stay on track. (to the source ) ????

The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has banned a radio ad for Virgin Atlantic's first transatlantic flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), stating it was misleading. The ASA ruled that future ads referencing SAF must include information about its environmental impact, affecting airlines' ability to promote emissions reduction goals. (to the source ) ????

China's auto market reached a milestone with electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids surpassing 50% of all vehicle sales, with sales reaching 879.000 units in July, despite a 2% drop in overall new-vehicle sales. (to the source ) ????

Tesla canceled plans to build manufacturing plants in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia and it is believed to instead focus on charging facilities. At the same time, Hyundai got an investment in Thailand to build an EV assembly facility amid competition from Chinese and South Korean automakers. Thailand's EV 3.5 scheme aims for 30% electric vehicles by 2030. (to the source ) ????

Nissan and Honda are set to launch new electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. The upcoming EVs will incorporate advanced technologies, green energy solutions, and a focus on sustainability throughout the production process. (to the source ) ????

Italy has introduced legislation to streamline renewable energy project approvals, aiming to increase green power production and meet decarbonisation goals. The new rules outline three procedures for new plants, including permits for small projects in protected areas. (to the source ) ???

EU capitals support provisional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to protect manufacturers from unfair competition. EU members vote on permanent tariff proposals in October. (to the source ) ????

Barclays Bank committed to Net Zero by 2050 by limiting financing to clients with over 50% thermal coal-fired power revenues. At the same time, the bank raised $1.7 billion for companies breaching this threshold, according to the Grantham Research Institute. (to the source ) ????

Mercer Superannuation Australia Ltd. has been fined €6.68 million for greenwashing, marking the end of the first court action by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission against the pension fund. (to the source ) ????

Thailand plans to amend a 2015 fisheries ordinance to boost profitability and ease legal burdens on struggling fishing businesses, but critics argue it could undermine fish populations and international reputation, potentially sending a dangerous signal. (to the source ) ??????

LITE-Africa identified human rights abuses, child labor practices, and environmental violations as major issues in Nigeria's extractive industry. The study, focusing on eight local government areas, found mining companies complicity in human rights abuses, under-aged labor, and environmental violations. The findings have led to sectoral recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders. (to the source ) ????????

Bahraini workers filed over 240 labor cases in the first six months of the year, with 198 men and 46 women filing, five dismissed without compensation. (to the source ) ????????

?? The European Commission released FAQs to help companies and auditors implement the EU's CSRD, which requires over 50.000 companies to provide sustainability disclosures. The FAQ covers rules, compliance dates, exemptions, ESRS sets, and auditing requirements. (to the source ) ????

Global talks.

While Brazil's President pledges to combat Amazon deforestation, a study shows human degradation and natural disturbances account for 83% of the carbon emissions, with only 17% coming from deforestation. (to the source ) ????

COP16 in Colombia will focus on 'Peace with Nature' and implementing National Biodiversity Strategies to protect 30% of land and sea areas by 2030 and restore 30% of degraded ecosystems. Negotiations will address resource mobilization, technical cooperation, and fair access. (to the source ) ????

New Zealand's centre-right coalition, led by Prime Minister Luxon, is reversing environmental reforms to boost the economy and meet promises made to voters, despite environmentalists criticizing the decision. (to the source ) ????

Brazil's environment minister called international buyers of carbon credits for caution following alleged fraudulent emissions-offset schemes on stolen Amazon land. These claims could damage the credibility and integrity of the carbon offset mechanism, which is considered a pushback against climate change. (to the source ) ????

China plans to establish 70 national standards this year to reduce carbon emissions and establish 100 pilot programs by 2025, following successful testing of its CarbonBox air capture facility. (to the source ) ?????

China plans to establish a dual-control system for carbon emissions from 2026 to 2030, aiming to limit climate-warming gas emissions, with intensity as the main measure and total emissions controls supplemented. Greenpeace supports this move, aiming to separate climate targets from economic growth. Carbon budgets will be created by provinces and municipalities. (to the source ) ????

The Regional Methane Summit of Latin America and the Caribbean will happen in Bogota on 26th August and it will discuss the impacts of methane, a significant greenhouse gas. (to the source ) ????

Chinese scientists discovered that grassland fires contribute significantly to global carbon emissions, with open biomass burning releasing significant amounts of trace gases and greenhouse gases. Savannah grassland burning accounts for 47% of annual total carbon emissions, with Subequatorial Africa producing the most emissions. (to the source ) ????

Brazil's Amazon rainforest experienced a 33% increase in deforestation in July, mainly due to a strike by IBAMA employees, but a 45.7% decrease in the last 12 months. (to the source ) ????

Climate change poses an "existential threat" to the Great Barrier Reef, with temperatures reaching their highest in 400 years. The UN should consider granting the reef "endangered" status. (to the source ) ?????

South Korean farmers plant subtropical bananas in Seoul, despite initial low expectations. Climate change led to an increased cultivated area of subtropical crops, with 67 farms in the south. Farmers are concerned about the growing trend of warmer and wetter climates, making suitable crop varieties crucial. (to the source ) ?????

A Spanish laboratory is breeding and sterilising tiger mosquitoes to combat climate change-related diseases like dengue fever. The Biological Pest Control Centre in Valencia uses an electron accelerator to release 45.000 sterilised male mosquitoes weekly, reducing mosquito populations. (to the source ) ?????

Southern China is experiencing extreme heat, straining power networks and farmland, and affecting the world's second-biggest economy. Shanghai's electricity demand has reached a record high, but the grid is resilient, supported by coal, solar, and hydroelectric power. (to the source ) ??????

South Korea has experienced 11 heat-related deaths this year, with over 1,500 treated. The heat wave, exacerbated by the end of the rainy monsoon season, is expected to persist for another 10 days. (to the source ) ??????

Futuro Vegetal protesters in Ibiza sprayed Messi's mansion with red and black paint, citing Oxfam's 2023 report on carbon emissions from the richest one percent of the world. (to the source ) ??????

A British couple's holiday photos of the Rh?ne glacier in Switzerland have gone viral, showcasing the rapid retreat of glaciers. Switzerland lost 10% of its glacier ice in two years, and one-third of its glacier volume has melted since 2000. (to the source ) ?????

Chinese researchers found that the melting of pole ice sheets could cause global disruption, with the Northern Hemisphere experiencing faster melting than the Southern Hemisphere. This could trigger another climate event, potentially altering the Earth's cycle between warmer and colder eras. (to the source ) ?????

Climate change-induced torrential rains in India and China have resulted in over 250 deaths, causing landslides, flooding, and crop destruction. Despite government disaster prevention plans, these disasters continue to worsen. (to the source ) ?????

What are your takeaways for the week? What caught your eye?? What was surprising? Comment below, let's discuss sustainability. ??