Day: 21 May 2026

Helping kids open up – one LEGO brick at a time

Stuart Mitchell

For young children especially, big emotions don’t always come with the words to match. We know play is integral to family happiness and wellbeing, and new research shows that play can open the door to conversations about the things that matter most, from global issues to safety and sustainability*. That’s why we are bringing back Build Big Feelings for 2026. It’s a guided, play-based building activity that helps children share how they’re feeling, even when they aren’t sure how to say it. If they can’t say it, build it By…

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Program Delivers Path to 1.6 Million tCO2e Reduction for Consumer Goods Manufacturers

Stuart Mitchell

Cascale has announced a major milestone for its Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP), celebrating the recent graduation of 52 textile, apparel, and footwear manufacturers, following completion of the program. MCAP Graduation, At A Glance: 52 manufacturers graduated from MCAP in March 2026. 8 Cascale Brand and Retailer members are actively supporting their manufacturers. They are the first participants to complete Cascale’s 18-month decarbonization program. All graduates have set validated Scope 1 and 2 targets and begun implementation. Their commitments reflect a collective reduction potential of 1.6M tCO2e emissions. “Huge congratulations…

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Moving from Energy Crisis to Energy Security with Renewables

Stuart Mitchell

The strategic deployment of renewables has provided enhanced resilience in the face of the current energy crisis by a number of countries, according to a new policy advisory from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The brief, aimed at policy makers responding to the disruption in international energy markets, suggests a set of immediate and longer-term actions to insulate countries and communities from the worst effects of the crisis, and steer their economic recovery toward greater energy security and resilience. Renewables are already reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports across…

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‘Gender mainstreaming’ urged as just 0.4% of grants reach women’s organisations

Stuart Mitchell

Philanthropic organisations and charities must embed gender considerations across their work, urges a new report which highlights a significant rise in ‘anti-gender’ spending. Proven Practices in Gender Mainstreaming: Foundations in Conversation, a publication by Philea’s Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Network, notes that only 0.42% of foundation grants reach women’s rights organisations, and 1% of development aid reaches feminist organisations led by marginalised groups. The report argues that funders should treat gender not as a standalone issue but as a lens that improves outcomes across all areas of work, from…

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Fairtrade announces new Living Income Reference Prices for cocoa after extensive industry review

Stuart Mitchell

New Living Income Reference Prices for cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana are now available and will enter into force at the start of the harvest season in autumn 2026, according to Fairtrade International. The voluntary Living Income Reference Prices have increased for both origins, which together produce two-thirds of the world’s cocoa. In Côte d’Ivoire, the new Living Income Reference Price at farmgate is 1,758 CFA francs per kilo, or $3.11, while in Ghana it is 45.40 cedi per kilo, or $3.95 at the applied exchange rate.  “The volatility of global prices is one of the reasons it’s so difficult for…

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