Day: 7 July 2019

National Trust announces it will divest from all fossil fuel companies

Stuart Mitchell

The National Trust has announced it will cease any investment in fossil fuel companies. The charity will introduce a series of new measures to ensure its investment strategy continues to support its aims as a conservation charity.  Previously the Trust had required that no investment be made directly in companies which derived more than 10 per cent of their turnover from the extraction of thermal coal or oil from oil sands.  Fossil fuel investments comprise just 4 per cent of its current portfolio. Hilary McGrady, Director General of the National…

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HSBC UK provides support for survivors of human trafficking

Stuart Mitchell

HSBC UK has launched a scheme to provide bank accounts for victims of human trafficking and modern slavery as they work to rebuild their lives after the trauma of trafficking, forced labour, sexual exploitation or domestic servitude. HSBC UK is working closely with a number of charities, including the Salvation Army, Kalayaan and Migrant Help, to provide Basic Bank Accounts to survivors via a tailored application process that is aligned to the National Referral Mechanism, the UK Government framework for identifying and referring potential victims and ensuring they receive appropriate…

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IFC Partners with Levi Strauss and Co. to Reduce Emissions, Water Use in Textile Factories

Stuart Mitchell

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.), one of the world’s leading brand name apparel companies, signed a cooperation agreement that will help LS&Co. meet its corporate sustainability objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water use in its supply chain. IFC will work with 42 designated LS&Co. suppliers and mills in 10 countries to identify and implement appropriate renewable energy and water-saving interventions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The work, which will take place in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Mexico,…

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London Climate Action Week: big business aims for 100% renewable power and electric transport

Stuart Mitchell

As the Mayor of London’s inaugural London Climate Action Week (1-8 July) gets under way today, five major companies are leading by example, by making ambitious new commitments on clean energy and transport. The UK’s leading sportswear retailer JD Sports Fashion plc, The City of London Corporation and innovative property investor Derwent London have committed to source 100% renewable electricity by joining RE100 – the global corporate leadership initiative toward zero carbon grids, led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP. Europe’s longest established car park management company APCOA PARKING Group…

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UNESCO and G7 countries raise the alarm about bullying and join forces against violence in education

Stuart Mitchell

During their ministerial meeting in Sèvres (France), under the French presidency of the G7 and with the participation of the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, education ministers of the G7 countries adopted a declaration to “unite against bullying in all of its forms, proclaim respect as a fundamental principle for all, and help ensure that our schools are safe and welcoming for all students.” “Bullying is unacceptable and is getting even worse online. UNESCO is committed to combat this educational scourge, which costs lives, ruins childhoods, and jeopardizes the future.…

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