Day: 10 December 2022

Fairtrade producers plant more than 300,000 trees, highlighting urgent need for climate action

Stuart Mitchell

Fairtrade producers across Latin America and the Caribbean have planted more than 300,000 trees in a six-month tree-planting drive, with more than 100 Fairtrade organizations across 20 countries getting involved. The “Plant for the Future” Tree Challenge was launched in May by Fairtrade’s producer network for Latin America and the Caribbean, CLAC. The aim is to plant as many native trees as possible in the run up to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), being held in Egypt this November. “Trees are the symbol of life, the symbol of a…

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Companies are improving as climate policy advocates, but they aren’t holding their trade associations accountable

Stuart Mitchell

As major companies evolve their climate-related corporate and policy engagement practices to meet the demands of investors, the nation’s largest publicly traded companies are increasingly lobbying for policies that will help the U.S. achieve its commitments under the Paris Agreement. However, very few are publicly reckoning with the role of their own trade associations in obstructing climate action, according to a new report released today by the sustainability nonprofit Ceres.  The report, Responsible Policy Engagement Analysis 2022: How Companies Are — and Aren’t — Leading on Climate Policy, examines the climate-related risk…

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AKQA’s founder honoured with the 2022 Spear’s Impact Award

Stuart Mitchell

Ajaz Ahmed, founder and CEO of AKQA, has been honoured with the Spear’s 2022 Impact Award recognising the impact of his philanthropic contribution and charitable fellowship ajaz.org. Edwin Smith, Editor-in-Chief of Spear’s, said: “Ajaz Ahmed has been a steady, quiet philanthropist for some time. With his work and rapid progress on ajaz.org in the last year, he is taking his giving to the next level, in a thoughtful and considered way. Spear’s is delighted to recognise this work with the 2022 Impact Award.” The Spear’s Impact Award is given to…

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Big Issue Group partners with Specsavers to help vendors access vital healthcare

Stuart Mitchell

The Big Issue Group (BIG) and Specsavers have announced a major new partnership which will see the company offer all Big Issue vendors free access to eyecare, as well as becoming the sole sponsor of the iconic red tabards. As part of this partnership, all Big Issue vendors will be offered a £64 Specsavers gift voucher, which will give them access to a sight test, an overall eye health ‘OCT’ scan and eyewear. In addition, all vendors will be offered free ear wax removal. Specsavers’ support of BIG is part…

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The Digital Poverty Alliance, one year on… has grown to 570 community members, built a definitive evidence base, and distributed 1,650 devices to schools in need

Stuart Mitchell

The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA), a charitable initiative representing a broad coalition of third, public and private sector partners working to end digital poverty by the year 2030, today celebrates one year since its launch. The anniversary was celebrated in-person at Brands Hatch in Kent, alongside its trustees, community board members, DPA Ambassadors and corporate partners. The event, kindly sponsored by We Are Digital, included speeches from communities supporting digital inclusion including Moira Thomas, Director of Group Sustainability and ESG at Currys plc, Sally Caughey, Head of Digital Inclusion at…

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