Chain of custody

DEFINITION: An unbroken and documented chain of ownership all the way from the supplier to the end user.

See also: Supply chain

 

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Haverkamp claims that firms which do not see supply chains as value chains are worst-placed in both the short and long-term 

WBA: Companies with embedded sustainability best-placed to weather coronavirus storm

EXCLUSIVE: Reports of business failures to safeguard employee livelihoods or the environment amid the coronavirus pandemic are emerging at a near-hourly basis - and those best-placed to avoid the impending storm from consumers and investors are those that have already taken ambitious action.
The webinar will be available to watch on-demand afterwards for those who register

Two weeks left to register: edie's climate-resilient supply chains webinar

edie's latest webinar, taking place on Thursday 16 April, will focus on how businesses can build sustainable, climate-resilient supply chains through engagement methods, carbon reporting and regenerative practices.
Between 1990 and 2016, the world lost 502,000 square miles of forest, according to the World Bank—an area larger than South Africa

Business giants including Tesco urge ministers to end supply chain deforestation by 2030

Tesco, McDonald's and WWF are among the businesses and NGOs urging the UK Government to set a legally binding 2030 target to end deforestation in agriculture and forest product supply chains.
The overall Cocoa Life sourcing programme aims to eventually reach more than 200,000 farmers across six countries and benefit more than a million people by 2022

Mondelēz increases transparency drive to combat supply chain deforestation

Mondelēz International, which owns brands including Cadbury and Dairy Milk, has increased a transparency drive on farms in the world's largest two cocoa-producing countries that are registered under the firm's ethical and sustainable sourcing programme.
2016 figures estimate there are 13,000 victims of modern slavery in the UK

UK Government publishes statement to tackle modern slavery across its supply chain

The UK has become the first country to publish a statement outlining how the Government will tackle modern slavery across its supply chain and spending measures.
The council, hosted by the REA, has called for full reassurance that UK production, imports and transportation remain open

Calls for Government to secure biomass pipeline during coronavirus outbreak

Associations from the UK's biomass fuel supply chain have called for the UK Government to ensure the sector can continue to deliver low-carbon heating to households and business facilities that are still open and under increased pressure due to the coronavirus outbreak.
As of 11am today (25 March), 336,004 cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed globally

In numbers: Tracking coronavirus' impact on energy and the environment

The economic slowdown borne by the Covid-19 pandemic has altered energy demands, impacted emissions from transport and industry and seen key green policy meetings postponed. Here, edie rounds up 19 key stats and facts about the energy and nature context of the outbreak. 
The Investor Alliance for Human Rights has penned a letter to the 95 companies calling for the businesses to take decisive action before the next assessment of the benchmark

Investors write to businesses calling for action on human rights

Hundreds of investors have written to global companies deemed to be performing poorly on human rights indicators, calling for immediate action to improve standards across operations and value chains.
Image: Relux/ CC BY-SA 2.0

Chanel sets 1.5C science-based targets, pledges 100% renewable energy

Luxury fashion and fragrance giant Chanel has committed to halve its carbon emissions by 2030, under a new 1.5C-aligned set of sustainability targets.

TODAY AT 1PM: Join edie's webinar on achieving net-zero

Readers have only a few hours left to register for edie's net-zero webinar, which will outline some of the key elements in the field of setting goals for net-zero carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.
O2 has been certified to the highest possible level of supply chain management to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by Carbon Trust

O2 gives suppliers offer to purchase renewables at reduced rates

Telecommunications giant O2 will extend a reduced rate that is using to purchase renewable energy to power its operations to suppliers in a bid progress against its recently announced net-zero emissions target.
Globally, the built environment accounts for around 40% of emissions

Built environment: Avison Young and St. Modwen set net-zero carbon targets

Real estate advisor Avison Young and housebuilder St. Modwen have become the latest companies in the built environment sector to pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
Lidl GB has pledged that all own-brand plastics packaging will include a minimum of 50% recycled content by 2025

Lidl to use 'ocean-bound' plastics in seafood packaging

Lidl will begin incorporating "ocean-bound" plastics in packaging used to house 13 of its seafood lines next month, in what it claims is a first for a UK supermarket.
The global palm oil industry generates more than $50bn annually, but traditional plantations have driven widespread destruction of tropical rainforests

Kellogg's revamps deforestation and palm oil policies after environmental protests

Kellogg's has pledged to source 100% physically deforestation-free certified palm oil by 2025, following campaigns by green groups and schoolchildren.
The strategy also commits to a year-on-year reduction of construction waste

Sir Robert McAlpine targets net-zero emissions by 2024

Building and civil engineering company Sir Robert McAlpine has announced a new public commitment to implement carbon reduction initiatives to reach net-zero emissions in the next five years.
The trials will explore how easy it is for baristas and customers to use the collection and drop off systems and how well the recovery of items is delivered

McDonald's and Starbucks back 'smart' reusable cup trials in California

The cities of San Francisco and Palo Alto are set to trial "smart" reusable cup systems developed with support from McDonald's and Starbucks, in a bid to reduce the amount of single-use coffee cups that are being sent to landfill.
Burberry has set a targeted 30% absolute reduction in scope 3 emissions by 2030. Image: Mparweo/Wikipedia

Burberry introduces carbon 'insetting' fund

Luxury fashion firm Burberry will create a "regeneration fund" to support a new portfolio of "carbon insetting projects" that aim to deliver regenerative agriculture practices across its supply chain - a move that will see its Autumn/Winter 2020 runway show at London Fashion Week become carbon-neutral.
Sky will target a 50% absolute reduction in emissions by 2030

Dissecting the challenge: How Sky is approaching its net-zero target

EXCLUSIVE: Sky is facing the daunting task of engaging with 11,000 companies and 24 million customers as part of its new commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. The group's head of responsible business Fiona Ball outlines how Sky is "dissecting" this target to manage the transformation.
Companies assessed have sizeable links to the world's six most at-risk supply chains, in regards to deforestation. 

Report: Half of world's largest businesses haven't pledged to end supply chain deforestation

Of the 350 corporates and 150 investor bodies with the world's highest involvement in supply chains with high deforestation risks, around half have not publicly committed to eliminate deforestation from their value chains.
Sky has recorded a 55% reduction in carbon intensity and a 39% reduction in business travel emissions

'A critical decade': Sky commits to net-zero emissions by 2030

Broadcaster Sky has today (4 February) unveiled a new commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 through strategies to make its products more energy efficient, its film and TV more sustainable and by engaging consumers and the value chain to "go zero".
The sessions are available to watch on-demand

From measurement to action: Five best-practice lessons on going plastic-free

Having taken place on 16 January, edie's Plastic-Free Power Hour webinar included a collection of best-practice examples of sector-leading organisations taking control of their plastics-use - and delivering real organisational change. Here, we reflect on the key takeaways from the session.
Water and emissions targets were found to be particularly lacking, while efforts on climate disclosures remained low. Image: Ceres-FAIRR 

Fast food firms failing to face up to climate challenges, investment giants warn

Some of the world's biggest fast food brands including Domino's, Chipotle and Burger King are failing to take "real" action on environmental issues including climate change and water.
The Partnership has also warned that organisations and investment managers that fail to demonstrate reduced exposure to climate risks could be voted against 

Brunel Pension Partnership launches new finance strategy to align with net-zero future

The group overseeing £30bn worth of investments for 10 local government pension scheme funds has pledged to align its management practices with the Paris Agreement.
Trials of the bags collected a range of debris, from plastic bags to discarded plastic fishing gear, known as ghost gear 

Fishing for Plastic: Asda helps seafood suppliers collect ocean plastic pollution

Asda has unveiled plans to equip all of its seafood suppliers' boats with equipment that will enable workers to collect plastic pollution while bringing in the catch.
Unlike previous ambitions, Microsoft's new target covers Scope 3 emissions. Pictured: Microsoft's flagship UK store on Oxford Street, London. 

'Transformation through transparency': How Microsoft will collaborate to meet its carbon-negative goals

EXCLUSIVE: As it strives to meet its boldest sustainability target to date - becoming "carbon-negative" by 2030 - Microsoft will need to forge innovative collaborations with businesses across and beyond its supply chain.
The tree-planting campaign will be launched in partner cities around the world, including London, New York, Stockholm, Helsinki, Ankara and Barcelona

Priceless Planet: Investor coalition pledges to plant 100 million trees

A group of global investors, including Mastercard, Citibank and Santander UK, have launched a new coalition focused on making investments that preserve and restore the environment, starting with a pledge to plant 100 million trees in the next five years.
Palm oil is found in the majority of supermarket goods, but has been cited as a key driver of deforestation in Asia 

Biggest food brands 'failing goals to banish palm oil deforestation'

Some of the world's biggest brands are failing in their commitments to banish deforestation from their supply chains through their use of palm oil, despite making public claims to environmental sustainability, according to two reports.
Microsoft will launch a $1bn climate innovation fund, using its own capital, to help develop carbon reduction and removal technologies

'Neutral is not enough': Microsoft pledges to become carbon-negative by 2030

Tech giant Microsoft has today (16 January) unveiled a bold new plan to reduce its carbon impact to below net-zero by 2030, with an additional goal of removing carbon from the atmosphere that the company has emitted since it was founded in 1975.
The two organisations have called on businesses to turn to staff engagement programmes and pilots of new innovations and setups to change behaviours

Report: One in five UK businesses not motivated by environmental impact of plastics

Keep Britain Tidy and Brita UK have called on UK businesses to explore behaviour change and staff engagement initiatives to accelerate action on single-use plastics, after their survey found that 20% of businesses are 'not at all' motivated by the environmental impacts of the plastics they use.
The Business Leadership Inspiration Sessions are being held during edie's Mission Possible Plastics Week 2020 (13-18 January)

Single-use plastics: Two weeks left to register for free online event

Registration is now open for an afternoon of live, interactive webinar presentations and discussions from companies such as Eurostar, Nestlé and Sky on Thursday 16 January - all dedicated to helping businesses collaborate, innovate and actuate to eliminate single-use plastics.

edie's guides to net-zero carbon continues with construction sector

The fourth report in the series of edie guides on net-zero carbon has launched with a focus on the construction sector.
CDP estimates that the average company's supply chain emissions are 5.5 times that of its direct operations. Stock image of factory in China

CDP: Corporates could save a gigaton of emissions by championing renewables in supply chains

If key suppliers to the world's largest corporations used 20% more renewable energy than they do at present, one billion metric tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions would be mitigated.
Pictured: The Industrie Center in Obernberg, Germany - one of M&S's 23 viscose suppliers. Image: Fritz Geller-Grimm. CC-BY-3.0 SHARE ALIKE  

M&S launches digital viscose map to boost fashion supply chain transparency

Retail giant Marks & Spencer (M&S) has launched a digital map highlighting all textile suppliers through which it sources man-man cellulosic fibres (MMCF) including viscose.
Ikea is aiming to generate more renewable power than it consumes in operations by 2020, and to cover all of its supply chains by 2030. Image: Inter Ikea Group

Ikea to invest £171m in nature and clean power under 'climate positive' pledge

Ikea has today (27 November) unveiled a new €200m (£171m) investment package aimed at helping the retailer deliver on its commitment to become 'climate-positive' by 2030.
The report claims companies to have used CV factories are allowing their manufacturers to deliver viscose-based products with little information on their origin or environmental impact

Fashion retailers delivering mixed progress on 'damaging' viscose supply chains

High-street retailers New Look and Morrisons have joined the likes of Inditex, ASOS, H&M and Tesco in signing up to a new sustainability roadmap to ensure they are sourcing sustainable viscose that doesn't contribute to environmental pollution, but luxury fashion brands have been named as laggards.
The challenge calls for businesses to invest in “nature-based solutions” such as enhancing biodiversity and reforestation to act as carbon sinks

Gucci boss calls on business leaders to deliver net-zero supply chains

Gucci chief executive Marco Bizzarri has called on business leaders to sign up to a Carbon Neutral Challenge that sees businesses deliver greenhouse gas emissions reductions across their entire value chain in order to achieve net-zero emissions.
Pictured: Target's store in Napa Valley, California. Image: Target

Target meets 2020 goal to install 500 rooftop solar arrays ahead of schedule

US-based retail giant Target has met its 2020 goal of installing rooftop solar at 500 locations ahead of schedule, as it strives to source 100% renewable electricity across its global operations by 2030.
Emissions from the livestock sector are estimated to account for 15% of the global total. 

Report: Food giants must go beyond plant-based products to climate-proof global systems

While one-half of the world's largest food companies are now working to increase investment in plant-based proteins, meat sales are still increasing and action on climate change remains "fragmented and isolated", Forum for the Future has warned.
Each of the companies assessed are exposed to one or more so-called 'Forest Risk Commodities’, including soy, timber, cattle and palm oil (pictured)

CDP: Consumer goods giants won't meet 2020 'net-zero' deforestation targets

Despite work by some leading consumer goods companies to eliminate deforestation from their supply chains, broad failures to deploy ambitious forest and land-use practices mean the sector will not meet its 2020 commitment to 'net-zero' deforestation.
The Benchmark has been published annually since 2016, assessing sectors considered to be the world's most at-risk for human rights failures in supply chains

Report: More than half of corporates not meeting 'basic requirements' on human rights

A study of 200 of the world's biggest apparel, food & drink, tech manufacture and material extraction firms have found that less than half are able to show they are meeting the UN's Guiding Principles on Human Rights.
Kenny spoke on the need to balance consumer demands with scientific environmental considerations

Progress over perfection: Can McDonald's design its way out of single-use plastics?

McDonald's vice president of global sustainability Keith Kenny has claimed that the consumer-facing business needs to couple lifecycle analysis of its packaging with consumer demands in order to phase-out plastics in a secure way and without impacting customer experience.
(L-R) WWF UK’s Dan Murray, Thai Union’s Tracy Cambridge, presenter Sally Uren OBE, chief executive, Forum for the Future, and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet edie's 2019 Sustainable Supply Chain champions: Thai Union and WWF

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winners of our 2019 Sustainable Supply Chains Award, Thai Union and WWF.
Apple’s green bond offerings now total £3.7bn ($4.5bn)

Apple almost doubles green bond offers after £1.7bn fund launch

Apple has issued a new £1.7bn ($2.2bn) green bond offering, nearly doubling its total green bond issuance to almost £3.9bn ($5bn).
the WorldGBC, Landsec and Workspace are forming different but collective paths to net-zero

The collaborative push for net-zero emissions in the built environment

For Net-Zero November, edie sits down with a mainstay sustainability leader, a disruptive new firm and the organisation coordinating an entire sector to see how the built environment can collaboratively transition to a net-zero economy.
Palm oil is found in more than half of the products sold in UK supermarkets, from chocolate biscuits to hair conditioner 

CDP: 80% of companies set to miss 2020 palm oil deforestation goals

Of the 96 corporates currently reporting that they produce, source or use products that contain palm oil from Indonesia to CDP, just one-fifth are set to meet their 2020 deforestation targets surrounding the commodity.
The webinar will be available on-demand afterwards for those who've registered

Available to watch on demand: edie's net-zero business webinar

edie's most recent webinar outlined how businesses can engage staff, consumers, stakeholders and suppliers to inspire a global movement towards net-zero emissions, featuring experts from the UK Green Building Council, ITV and International Airlines Group (IAG).
Regenerative sourcing, in theory, sequesters more carbon than it emits, while also providing a boost for biodiversity. Image: Timberland

Timberland takes first steps towards 'regenerative' leather supply chain

Outdoor clothing brand Timberland has forged a partnership Other Half Processing - an organisation advocating for 'regenerative' animal supply chains - in a bid to bring products incorporating 'net-positive' leather to market during 2020.
The company’s service has grown in popularity over the last couple of years, with an average of £500,000 each week paid out as part of the trade-in service

O2 recycles three million mobile devices in a decade

Telecoms company O2 has received more than three million devices as part of a trade-in scheme to boost the recyclability of smartphones, a move that has stopped more than 450 tonnes of phone-related waste from going to landfill.
Ghost gear is estimated to account for 46-70% of global macroplastic pollution, by weight

World's largest seafood firms pledge to tackle abandoned plastic fishing gear

A coalition of ten of the world's biggest seafood companies have joined a scheme connecting businesses, non-profits, scientists and public sector bodies in a bid to tackle the 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear abandoned in the world's oceans each year.
Landsec needs to ensure that the reduction levels remain the same for the end of Q4

Landsec hits science-based targets 11 years early

Commercial real estate firm Landsec has met its verified science-based target 11 years ahead of schedule, with the company's latest quarterly energy data revealing that carbon intensity has fallen by 40%.
Pictured: Fish caught in The Gambia, where much FMFO originates. Image: Peter van der Sluijs / CC-BY-SA-3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0 

Report: 'Sustainable' seafood in UK supermarkets 'wiping out wild fish stocks'

Farmed seafood sold in British supermarkets is regularly being fed with feed produced using methods which are "stripping the oceans bare and damaging marine ecosystems", a new investigative report has claimed.
Darroch was speaking at a WWF Where the World Turns event to discuss the role of business in combatting climate change

'We're up for it': Sky exploring its role in net-zero future

Sky's chief executive Jeremy Darroch has claimed that the company is "figuring out" how it can help push the UK to net-zero emissions before the 2050 deadline.
Carlsberg will test the barrier technology with the ambition of being able to commercialise a 100% bio-based bottle that doesn’t contain polymers, with other corporates aiming to do the same

Paper beer bottles: Carlsberg's bio-based packaging to be shared with corporate giants

EXCLUSIVE: Danish brewer Carlsberg has unveiled prototypes of the world's first beer bottles made from recyclable and bio-based materials, with the company's sustainability director claiming that the innovation could have "endless impact" if upscaled collaboratively by corporates including Coca-Cola and L'Oreal.
Jackson believes that closed-loop, low-carbon supply chains will be a huge advantage for Apple

How closed-loop supply chains are spurring Apple's decarbonisation efforts

EXCLUSIVE: Apple's vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives Lisa Jackson believes that companies should look at the synergies between the circular economy and decarbonisation in order to create resilient supply chains.
 Since 2005, RJC membership has grown from 14 to more than 1,100 organisations across the jewellery value chain

Responsible Jewellery Council joins UN Global Compact to act on SDGs

The Responsible Jewellery Council has forged a new partnership with the UN Global Compact which will see members such as Swarovski, Tiffany & Co and the De Beers Group, develop actions that align and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

edie's guides to net-zero carbon continues with manufacturing sector

The second report in the series of edie guides on net-zero carbon has launched with a focus on the manufacturing sector.
More than 200,000 farmers across Kenya will benefit from the project. Image: Agrics

Capgemini turns to AI to fix food supply chain sustainability

Business consulting giant Capgemini has launched a project which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to support farmers in improving environmental practices on their land.
Hladin Wolfe suggested that siloed departments couldn't bring around the required change for sustainable business. Image: Patagonia 

Patagonia Action Works: 'Time up' for CSR departments in the climate activism era

EXCLUSIVE: As outdoor company Patagonia issued the next programme in its 45-year history of activism, the company's director of environmental initiatives has claimed that isolated departments overseeing sustainability have no function as more people demand action on the climate emergency.

Mission Possible: Achieving net-zero carbon in Utilities

Following the UK's world-leading commitment to reach net- zero emissions by 2050, this insight report investigates how the utilities sector can radically reduce carbon whilst enabling and empowering its customers to do the same.
Multiplex’s Europe employs 920 people across 19 projects

Multiplex Europe raises carbon ambitions with 1.5C science-based target

Multiplex Europe, the construction firm behind huge London developments including 100 Bishopsgate, has announced that it has increased its science-based target to account for the 1.5C ambition of the Paris Agreement.

45-minute masterclass: Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting (SECR) for business

This live, online masterclass helps sustainability and energy professionals get to grips with Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR), which came into force in April 2019 and affects almost 12,000 businesses across the country.

The 15-page guide can now be downloaded for free 

edie launches new guide to sustainable supply chains

Those wishing to help make their organisation's supply chains more sustainable now have access to a new edie guide on the topic, launched in association with pallet manufacturer PALLITE.
The announcement will build into a wider initiative across Western Europe that will remove 4,000 tonnes of plastic from circulation across the region

Coca-Cola to replace plastic shrink wrap across can multipacks sold in Great Britain

Europe's largest independent Coca-Cola bottler has announced it will end the use of shrink-wrapped plastics across all can multipacks it sells in Great Britain, in a move that will replace plastic used on 30 million packs annually with sustainably sourced cardboard.

Sustainable Supply Chains: 5 key areas for sustainability professionals

This new report, sponsored by alternative pallet company PALLITE, offers sustainability professionals insight into the key areas of sustainable supply chain management.
The global fashion sector is estimated to employ one in seven working-age people globally. Image: Better Buying

UK suppliers among recipients of 'world's worst' fashion purchasing practices

UK suppliers experience some of the "worse" purchasing practices of brands and retailers sourcing apparel, footwear and household textiles compared to suppliers from other nations in the world.
The strategy launch was timed to coincide with World Water Week

Context, community and collaboration: Inside Levi Strauss' updated water action strategy

EXCLUSIVE: In revamping the water strategy for its global supply chain, Levi Strauss hopes to further embed a science-based and community-focused approach to its sustainability work, the firm's vice president for sustainability Michael Kobori has revealed.
The report warns that climate change is already impacting farmers in the UK and Europe, as well as those further afield 

Climate change threatening security of UK's food and medicine supply, MPs warn

The UK's failure to tackle climate challenges in food supply chains overseas is risking national food security and the NHS is "not sufficiently resourced" to deal with global warming, a new report from MPs has warned.
The world's 500 million smallholder farmers are estimated to produce 80% of the food and beverages consumed in developing nations. Image: Unilever

Blockchain-enabled supply chain sustainability scheme hailed 'successful' by business giants

A blockchain-based experiment aimed at improving social and environmental practices in tea supply chains has proven successful, according to businesses having taken part, including Unilever and Sainsbury's.
The announcement builds on Unilever’s target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030

Unilever powered by 100% renewable electricity across five continents

Unilever has revealed that all its buildings across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America are now powered by 100% renewable electricity.
The ODP, which is hosting the map, provides a global platform for the voluntary disclosure of seafood sourcing. Image: Tiia Monto

Asda unveils digital seafood supply chain map

Asda has unveiled a digital map which gives consumers access to information regarding all supply chain of the seafood used in its own-brand products.
Gucci’s carbon-neutral strategy stretches from its supply chain to its fashion shows. Image: Gucci/Kering

Gucci goes carbon neutral in attempt to tackle climate crisis

As the fashion industry continues to address its role in the climate crisis, Italy's most valuable luxury brand has said it has become an entirely carbon-neutral company.
Around 3.6m hectares of tropical forest are estimated to have been cleared in 2018 – equivalent to the size of Belgium

Report: Deforestation booming due to weak policy and corporate inaction

A lack of policy support or ambitious action from corporates involved in agriculture has led to an area of tree cover the size of the UK being lost globally each year between 2014 and 2018, a new report has concluded.
Unilever estimates that more than one million people are supported financially by its tea supply chains. Image: Unilever

Unilever turns to interactive mapping to boost tea supply chain transparency

Unilever has publicly published a full list of its global tea suppliers for the first time, along with a new interactive map to help customers understand its supply chain processes.
Nestlé Headquarters in Vevey, Switzerland. Image: Nestle flickr

Nestlé sets net-zero climate goal for 2050

Nestlé has today (12 September) unveiled wide-sweeping plans to enhance carbon sequestration, procure 100% renewable electricity and launch more food and drink products that have improved environmental footprints, as part of an overall goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The campaign covers three key sustainability issues: greenhouse gas emissions, supply chain transparency and the circular economy. Image: ACI

Consumer goods giants team up in bid to lower environmental impacts

Clorox, Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Henkel are among a group of consumer goods businesses selling cleaning products to have co-launched a campaign aimed at driving the sector towards "net-positive" environmental and social impact.

Exclusive: PwC to hit Mission Possible pledge target

Accountancy firm PwC has revealed to edie that it is only 1% off its Mission Possible target following extensive work on sustainable, healthy food options within its staff restaurant facilities.
H&M Group owns eight brands - including the world's second-largest fashion retailer H&M. Image: Nissy-KITAQ 

H&M Group pauses Brazilian leather sourcing as forest fires continue

H&M Group has today (6 September) announced that it will suspend the purchase of all leather originating in Brazil, amid a huge increase in the number of forest fires in Amazonia.
77% of the firms surveyed for the Index do not measure their GHG emissions. Image: PETA 

Report: Food giants 'sourcing from suppliers flouting climate commitments'

Companies supplying meat and dairy to some of the world's biggest food firms, including Nestle, McDonalds and Walmart, are failing to act in line with their key clients' environmental ambitions.
Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) states that there has been a total of 72,843 fires in Brazil this year

VF Corp suspends sourcing of Brazilian leather due to Amazon fires concerns

VF Corporation, the owner of brands such as The North Face, Timberland and Vans, has announced that it will stop sourcing leather from Brazil, highlighting concerns over the environmental impact of cattle ranchers that have caused the vast majority of fires plaguing the Amazon rainforest.
The investors forming the coalition noted that 13 of the 17 banks that financed the Dakota Access Pipeline project were also signatories to the Equator Principles

Equator Principles: Global banks failing to uphold environmental and social risk agreements

An investor coalition representing more than $2.9trn has urged global banks to strengthen efforts that protect the rights of indigenous people and the environment that they rely on.
Boots UK has a van fleet of around 900 vehicles that cover more than 9,500 routes a week

Boots purchases electric vans for prescription deliveries

Boots has announced it has purchased its first electric vans and will trial them in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire as part of its prescription delivery service.
More male and female farmers will be added to the India and Pakistan programmes

Primark to enrol 160,000 farmers under its sustainable cotton initiative

Retailer Primark has expanded its Sustainable Cotton Programme into China, assisting with overall plans to train more than 160,000 independent cotton farmers in sustainable farming methods across key sourcing countries by 2022.
Olivia started at Fashion Lab before joining Whitbread

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 class of 2019: Olivia Murphy, Whitbread

This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Olivia Murphy, sustainability manager at hospitality giant Whitbread.

About half of the paper produced in Europe comes from recycled material, according to the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI)

EU paper recyclers 'in crisis' as China waste import ban bites

China's ban on waste imports has thrown Europe's paper recycling sector "in a crisis situation," leading to a chronic oversupply of recovered paper that sent prices plummeting by 300% over the past two years, according to trade group EuRIC.
Research from the United Nations University (UNU) found that more than 44 million metric tonnes of electronic waste were generated globally in 2016

Sky Mobile to offer 'ethical and modular' Fairphone in UK

Sky Mobile has announced that it will offer the Fairphone, a modular and repairable smartphone consisting of recycled materials, in the UK.
Abuses uncovered by the WRC go against both Levi's workplace code of conduct and worker rights laws in South Africa. Image: Levi Strauss

Levi Strauss takes fresh steps to eliminate gender-based violence, water misuse, in supply chains

Fashion giant Levi Strauss Co. has launched two new supply chain initiatives - one focused on protecting female supply chain workers, and the other centred around water stewardship - after an investigation uncovered systemic gender-based harassment at supplier facilities.
Iceland was criticised by Feedback for failing to stock any meat sourced through sustainable certification schemes

UK supermarkets accused of over-producing low-quality meat

Anti-hunger charity Feedback is calling for big-name UK supermarkets such as Iceland, Lidl and Asda to offer "less and better" meat, in order to minimise their climate impacts.
Young women make up the majority of tea estate workers, but face challenges such as forced marriage and poor access to education and reproductive healthcare. Image: Abbie Trayler-Smith/Panos/Ethical Tea Partnership

'Improving Lives': How a 'people-centric' approach is transforming tea supply chains

The tea sector is the largest in India, employing three million workers - but for all the industry's economic benefits, environmental and social issues are rife on tea estates. Here, edie explores how big-name tea brands are adapting their supply chain approaches to change that.
For the gold to be verified, miners have to pledge to use low-impact techniques and restore the local habitat when they are finished at their sites. Image: Apple

Apple to upscale sourcing of 'habitat-positive' gold

Apple has revealed that it sourced 1,000 ounces of gold from miners working to restore natural habitats this year, up from just 25 ounces last year.

UK Resources & Waste Strategy: A blueprint for business leadership

This edie insight guide provides sustainability and environmental professionals with a detailed breakdown of all of the key elements of the UK Government's Resources and Waste Strategy, and what they mean for business.
(L-R) Presenter Chris Large, partner, Global Action Plan,Scottish Power’s Craig Bradley and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Employee Engagement & Behaviour Change - Scottish Power

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Employee Engagement & Behaviour Change Award, Scottish Power.
(L-R) Presenter Chris Large, partner, Global Action Plan,Scottish Power’s Craig Bradley and compere Michaela Strachan

Meet the Sustainability Leader: Employee Engagement & Behaviour Change - Scottish Power

With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Employee Engagement & Behaviour Change Award, Scottish Power.
82% of Ørsted's power generation was classed as 'clean' in H1 of 2019, up from 71% in H1 of 2018. Image: Orsted

Ørsted unveils ambitious new targets on supply chain emissions, fleet electrification

Danish energy giant Ørsted has unveiled new ambitions to reduce emissions from its ground transport fleet and supply chain, after drastically reducing emissions from power generations.
Before moving to Wessex Water in 2017, Olivia worked for EcoSurety while studying part-time for her masters

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Olivia Green, Wessex Water

This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Olivia Green, sustainability coordinator at Wessex Water.

The commitment covers all shipments to and from customers, for whole devices as well as replacement parts and accessories. Image: Alphabet Inc. 

Google targets carbon-neutral hardware deliveries

Tech giant Google has unveiled a new string of sustainability pledges for its hardware, including a commitment to make all customer shipments carbon-neutral by 2020.
edie spoke to ITV's senior manager of Social Purpose Julia Giannini. Image: ITV

More than TV: Can ITV place climate change at the core of its business purpose?

EXCLUSIVE: Following 18 months of radical internal transformation, edie asks how media company ITV is ready to revitalise years of strong CSR work to make environmental stewardship, health and wellbeing and societal change the core purpose of its business model.
ITV had told edie that roadmaps for these targets will be published next year. Image: James West Flickr www.flickr.com/photos/jameswest/ 

ITV commits to 1.5C science-based target after reaching carbon-neutral status

Months after it became a carbon-neutral business, broadcaster ITV has unveiled a plethora of new sustainability pledges, including committing to a 1.5C science-based target, purchasing 100% renewables and removing all single-use plastics in operations, productions and the supply chain.
Pictured: One of Molson Coors' 'showcase barley valleys'

Better Beer: Inside Molson Coors' $20m mission to climate-proof its supply chain

Over the past decade, Molson Coors has spent more than $20m on initiatives to bolster supply chain stability, with the ultimate aim of 'future-proofing' its key resource - barley. Here, edie explores how that funding has redefined best practice for the US-based brewing giant.
Rachel has worked at Selfridges' for more than five years, having gradually added more environmental and ethical responsibilities to her day-to-day duties

Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2019: Rachel Hammond, Selfridges

This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Next up: Rachel Hammond, Selfridges' product and sourcing manager, sustainability.

Virgin Media is known for using fun imagery and interactive features to make its sustainability reports more engaging

Virgin Media targets 100% renewable electricity by 2020

Virgin Media has pledged to source only renewable electricity for the entirety of its operations by 2020, after joining The Climate Group's RE100 initiative.