Month: April 2019

New Leadership School Strengthens Women Farmers

Stuart Mitchell

Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive. Yet in many of the countries where Fairtrade works, women farmers receive lower pay than men, are often unable to own land and struggle to access loans or training. Fairtrade’s Gender Strategy places special emphasis on training to strengthen women at producer organizations. As part of this, the Fairtrade Network of Asia & Pacific Producers has launched a new gender leadership school. It focuses on business skills which can be a powerful tool for women, providing practical training in skills such…

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Investors with $6.3 trillion in assets call on companies to cut climate, deforestation-related risks in global soybean supply chains

Stuart Mitchell

As global demand for soybean products continues to increase, 57 investors with more than $6.3 trillion in assets under management are calling on companies to disclose and eliminate deforestation risks associated with meeting this demand in their soybean supply chains, with a view towards protecting the long-term value of their investments. “While we recognise the important role of agriculture and soybean production to economic development and the livelihoods of farmers, we are also concerned that the environmental and social issues associated with unsustainable soybean production could have a material impact…

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MorningStar Farms® Announces 100 Percent Plant Based Commitment, Introduces Vegan Cheezeburger

Stuart Mitchell

MorningStar Farms® announces its commitment to convert the entire portfolio to be 100 percent plant-based (vegan) by 2021, further increasing the accessibility of great-tasting plant-based offerings and reducing the use of over 300 million egg whites annually. This conversion also includes products available to 25,0001 restaurants and eating establishments within K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and hospitals. “This is a very exciting opportunity for us – by making this change, MorningStar Farms favorites can be enjoyed by even more people at home and on-the-go who strive to add plant-based proteins…

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Apple releases 13th annual Supplier Responsibility Progress Report

Stuart Mitchell

Apple has released its 13th annual Supplier Responsibility Progress Report detailing how the company is expanding educational opportunities and protecting the planet’s resources. As of 2018, 17.3 million supplier employees have been trained on workplace rights, and 3.6 million have received advanced education and skills training. All final assembly sites for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods and HomePod are now certified Zero Waste to Landfill, while conserving billions of gallons of water and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “In everything we do, people come first,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief…

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Safe to flush: Natracare launches Europe’s first flushable wipe

Stuart Mitchell

In response to a rise in fatbergs and growing concerns over plastic pollution collecting in sewers and oceans, organic personal hygiene company Natracare is launching Europe’s first truly flushable Moist Tissue wipe. This will come as a relief to water and sewerage companies who spend £100m a year to fix over 366,000 sewage blockages; a cost that is inevitably passed on to customers. Many wipes available on the market contain hidden plastics and claim to be flushable when in reality they’re blocking sewers and drains. Water UK recently announced a…

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