Sustainability Progress Report #9

First published May 10, 2024.

How is the EU managing its climate stripes?

Legend:

??? climate change

?? litigation

???? regulatory/policy changes

?? green energy

?? financing

?? emissions

?? decarbonization

???? labour rights

?? animals

? innovation

?? apparel

? gender rights

Regulatory talks.

The Council has approved a directive to give companies more time to apply ESRS. This will postpone the adoption of sector-specific sustainability reporting standards for EU companies and general sustainability reporting standards for non-EU companies to 30 June 2026. (to the source) ???????

EU consumer authorities have sent letters to 20 airlines identifying misleading green claims and inviting them to align their practices with EU consumer law within 30 days. The misleading practices include the claimed benefits of additional fees for climate projects or alternative aviation fuels, using vague terms like "sustainable aviation fuels," claiming net-zero emissions without clear commitments or targets, and providing inaccurate information on CO2 emissions calculations and comparisons between flights. (to the source) ??????

The EU has passed a law criminalizing actions such as ecocide, and excessive harm causing severe environmental damage, which creates legal grounds for carbon criminal prosecution, bridging a gap in legislation, and exposes CEOs and board members to up to ten years in jail. Member states have two years to adopt the law or face financial sanctions. However, it might not be easy for prosecutors to prove the criminal intent nor for the court to rule excessive damage. (to the source) ????????

The UK High Court has ruled the government's Climate Action Plan unlawful for the second time, following a similar challenge in July 2022. The energy secretary is expected to draft a revised plan within 12 months. (to the source) ???????

The EPA has issued a rule to enhance methane emissions reporting requirements for oil and natural gas facility owners and operators. The rule aims to improve data quality and address reporting gaps in the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. (to the source) ??????

Italy's right-wing coalition has passed rules to restrict solar panel installation on agricultural land, sparking criticism as it could undermine decarbonisation goals. The ban, part of measures to protect farming and fisheries, is subject to Parliament's scrutiny and amendment. (to the source) ??????

The World Bank recommends EU member states and other high-income countries to shift subsidies from emissions-heavy foods to poultry, fruits, and vegetables, potentially helping the developed world achieve net zero emissions. The report suggests that repurposing public farming support could increase national incomes, reduce healthy diet costs, and decrease agricultural emissions. (to the source) ???????

Industry talks.

Renewable energy accounted for over 30% of global electricity in 2023, thanks to a surge in wind and solar power. This growth has slowed fossil fuel growth by nearly two-thirds in the past decade, with solar being the main contributor. (to the source) ????

Researchers in Malaysia and Japan are testing a method to convert felled palm trees into biomass for renewable energy. The process involves stacking tree trunks, washing, drying, and converting fibers into fuel pellets. The liquid wrung from fibers contains sap, which can be recycled into fuel. (to the source) ???

Siemens plans to appoint a new CEO in its wind power division following a €4.6 billion loss in 2023 due to engineering defects. The restructuring will involve job cuts and manufacturing capacity reductions. (to the source) ????

Climate change is causing a doubled increase in olive oil prices in Spain, causing droughts and reduced output by 30% to 50%. Farmers are calling for government action to combat climate change, while demand is insufficient to meet existing customers. (to the source) ?????

BP is the only major oil company with reduction targets, and the pledge has raised concerns among investors. On the other hand, to increase stock prices this year, Shell softened the company's emission reduction goals, citing high gas demand forecasts and uncertainty surrounding the energy transition. BP's shares are currently lagging behind rivals Shell, TotalEnergies, Exxon Mobil, and Chevron. The company's energy transition strategy is to focus on returns, reducing emphasis on volume. (to the source) ?????

Australia plans to increase gas extraction and use until 2050, despite global calls for fossil fuel phase-out. Critics argue this is a rejection of science and a rejection of climate targets. (to the source) ??????

Climeworks has opened the Mammoth plant in Iceland, the world's largest operational direct air capture plant. The plant, powered by Iceland's renewable geothermal power plants, aims to reduce technology costs to $400-600 per ton by 2030 and $200-350 per ton by 2040. (to the source) ????

SBTi finds voluntary carbon offsets ineffective. The market, around $2 billion, is used by major companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Amazon.com. SBTi's board has not changed its policy, but financial backers like Bezos Earth Fund advocate for adoption. (to the source) ?????

EasyJet, Ryanair, and WizzAir have put their rivalry aside to criticize the EU's plan to monitor aircraft vapour trails, arguing that restricting the inquiry to flights within Europe would undermine the study's focus on non-carbon aircraft emissions' impact on global warming. (to the source) ????

Vietnam is implementing environmental rules to encourage businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices. Major polluters are required to detail their plans to cut emissions, while companies request tax breaks and sustainability reporting standards.? This might eliminate unfair advantages that certain businesses have used such as depending on inexpensive fossil fuels rather than making investments in clean technology. (to the source) ????

The International Union of Forest Research Organizations study reveals that market-based forest conservation methods, like carbon offsets and certification schemes, have limited progress in reducing deforestation and exacerbated economic disparities, urging for a more nuanced approach. Ghana's deforestation rates increased despite sustainable cocoa standards and carbon offset projects, while farmers' incomes declined. And wealthy nations' green trade policies overlook local consequences, disproportionately burdening local communities. (to the source) ??????

Between 2015 and 2021, Shell sold millions of carbon credits for emissions reductions that never occurred, profiting from its carbon capture and storage project. The taxpayer funding and subsidies have covered nearly all carbon capture initiatives that have been promoted as a way to reduce pollution in the oilsands. (to the source) ????

Carbon Tanzania, a social enterprise focusing on forest protection and carbon finance, has reported significant progress in social and environmental areas. The company has channeled over $6.9 million in revenue to forest communities, empowering them to manage resources sustainably and invest in health, education, and security infrastructure. (to the source) ????

Canadian enforcement agency is investigating lululemon for alleged misleading green claims. The company claims its public representations are accurate. The complaint follows Stand.earth's February complaint, which highlighted lululemon's doubled Scope 3 emissions since 2020 and the use of fossil fuel-based materials. (to the source) ????

Regenerative fashion is gaining popularity among the ultra-rich, preferring brands that protect natural raw materials like cashmere, silk, and cotton. However, high prices don't guarantee sustainable clothes. (to the source) ????

Global talks.

US and China's climate envoys are holding their first in-person talks in Washington to accelerate climate action. The meeting will focus on energy transition, methane, circular economy, low-carbon, sustainable provinces, and deforestation. Both countries agreed to include methane in their 2035 climate goals and promote cooperative projects in carbon capture, utilization, and storage. (to the source) ?????

UN's leading environment and human rights expert believes that incorporating human rights into the climate crisis can hold governments accountable for their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and phase out fossil fuels. He expects court cases challenging fossil fuel subsidies in the next few years. (to the source) ???????

Climate change in India is causing extreme heat events, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups like the elderly, poor, and marginalized, and surprisingly also those diagnosed with schizophrenia, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. (to the source) ??????

Taiwan's production of litchi has been impacted by climate change, which has resulted in financial losses for litchi producers. By the end of the twenty-first century, yield variation per hectare, or output yield, is predicted to drop by 12 to 35 percent (2071–2100). (to the source) ??????

A report shows 86% of Ugandans acknowledge climate change impacts, primarily due to human activities. The report calls for a shift from firewood as cooking fuel and increased media focus on environmental issues. (to the source) ??????

Venezuela's Humboldt glacier, also known as La Corona, which was expected to last at least another decade, has been reclassified as an ice field after its rapid melting. The loss of La Corona reflects the global climate change impact. (to the source) ??????

A study reveals that Europeans prioritize regulating immigration over climate change, with Germany leading with 44% of people focusing on reducing immigration. Climate change is considered one of the world's three main challenges, but only 14% prioritizes fighting it. (to the source) ??????

Climate scientists predict global temperatures will rise to at least 2.5C above preindustrial levels this century. Almost 80% of respondents from the IPCC foresee at least 2.5C of global heating, while almost half anticipate at least 3C. Only 6% believe the 1.5C limit will be met. Experts express hopelessness and fear over governments' failure to act, highlighting the need for continued climate action. (to the source) ??????

WMO reports that hunger and disease are increasing in Latin America due to record heat, floods, and drought. The climate chaos, caused by human-driven global heating and El Ni?o, is causing acute food insecurity, affecting 13.8 million people. (to the source) ??????

The European Environment Agency has released its first climate risk assessment report, predicting Europe should prepare for 3C warmer temperatures by 2050, warning of financial shocks and migration risks. The report highlights the urgent need for global mitigation action and calls for reform of financial architecture to deal with climate change. (to the source) ??????

A Nature study suggests that as humans affect the environment, diseases may become more prone to spread and multiply. Infection-spreading creatures like mosquitoes and ticks thrive on a planet warmed by fossil fuel emissions, while pollution, hunting, and development push rare organisms to extinction. (to the source) ??????

A study reveals that same-sex couples in the US face greater climate change risks due to poor infrastructure, limited access to resources, and disproportionate location in coastal areas and cities. This research is part of a global push for LGBTQ+ communities to be included in environmental policy discussions, as they are more vulnerable to climate change due to societal inequalities and housing policies. (to the source) ????

Bumblebee nests are overheating, potentially leading to the decline of many species due to global warming. Bumblebees are cool-climate specialists, and the UK may lose about half its bumblebee species in the coming years. (to the source) ?????

Climate change is predicted to cause venomous snake species to migrate into unprepared countries, particularly in low-income regions in Asia and Africa. Tropical and subtropical ecosystem loss will cause range contractions for most venomous snake species, while habitats for some species will increase by up to 250%. (to the source) ?????

IIT Madras researchers have discovered the Indian Ocean could store significant amounts of carbon dioxide, potentially aiding India in achieving its 2070 net-zero target by sequestering hundreds of gigatons equivalent to India's emissions. This will have to be done at greater depths so as not to harm marine life. (to the source) ?????

Cattle Australia is pushing for the red meat industry to abandon its net zero targets and adopt a "climate neutral" goal, requiring modest reductions in methane emissions. Melbourne University professor warns that a climate-neutral target poses a significant threat to the industry, hindering investment in methane reduction technologies and being ignored by global supply chains. (to the source) ?????

Swiss mining company Glencore plans to inject carbon dioxide into the Great Artesian Basin, a major underground water source for farmers and regional towns. The Queensland government is set to decide on the project's approval, with AgForce opposing it. (to the source) ?????

Kenyan largest carbon credit initiative operating across 4.7 million acres has been backed by Meta, Netflix, and NatWest bank but faces opposition from Maasai communities. They are concerned about the disruption of traditional lifestyles, limited ancestral land access, and hazardous working conditions, despite claims of increased income and social impact. (to the source) ?????

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