Spelman sets out green economy vision for Aldersgate Business Summit
In an article in the Guardian, Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for Defra, has set out her vision for greening the economy in the run up to Rio+20. She says that "I'll take my seat alongside British business leaders at the Aldersgate Rio+20 Business Summit where we'll debate the opportunities and the challenges of transforming our whole economy to one geared towards long-term green growth". To read the article, click here.
Businesses and general public call for mandatory carbon reporting
The Aldersgate Group, an alliance of businesses and environmental groups, backed by public opinion, has called on the Government to ensure large companies report annual information on their greenhouse gas emissions.
The Aldersgate Group has written to Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg (letter adjacent), to push for a positive decision on mandatory carbon reporting and has published a Populus poll which finds that more than 75 percent of 2,044 adults surveyed across the United Kingdom said large businesses should be required to report carbon emissions.
Peter Young, Chairman of the Aldersgate Group, said: “It is exceptional for a policy to have such widespread support from business, civil society and the general public. This reflects the need for greater corporate transparency on environmental and social impacts. The public expects companies to report more than just profits and bonuses.”
For Reuters article, click here and Scotsman article, click here.
AG supports corporate energy survey
The Aldersgate Group is encouraging corporate stakeholders (from FTSE 350 companies) to complete Green Monday's Energy Benchmark Survey (to view, click here).
The Aldersgate Group is the policy partner for the survey. This provides an important platform for the corporate community to respond to a complex energy environment whilst building more sustainable businesses. The results will be published at Green Corporate Energy Summit 2012 on the 27th June (email info@aldersgategroup.org.uk for a discount code) and an Aldersgate Group Pparliamentary debate on the 16th July (more details to follow).
AG launches sustainable procurement initiative
The Aldersgate Group (AG) and Defra recently organised a joint roundtable discussion on sustainable procurement for a range of businesses and public sector bodies to discuss how it can best contribute to sustainable growth.
Defra Minister, Lord Taylor, said: "This is a really important forum. It originates from the AG's report on green growth so it is derived from the work the Group originally did and in which the Government has taken a particular interest. I am pleased we've been able to build on that paper in discussions and what we see is the importance of sustainable public procurement as a driver for the economy."
The first output of the work will be published in the summer. For Defra's overview and more information, click here.
Government should be more transparent on the UK's carbon footprint
The Aldersgate Group (AG) has welcomed a new report by the Energy and Climate Change Committee on 'Consumption-Based Emissions Reporting'.
Chris Tuppen, Director of the AG and a witness to the inquiry, said: "Just as companies are being encouraged to report their carbon emissions across their supply chain, so should governments. This would help to influence the overall purchasing behaviours of organisations and inform policy decisions at all levels. We welcome the Committee’s recommendation that the Government should explore the ways in which it can incorporate consumption-based emissions data into its policy making process."
AG supports sustainability reporting at Rio+20
The Aldersgate Group (AG) has joined the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Coalition which is calling on all United Nations Member States to commit to develop a Convention on Corporate Sustainability Reporting at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). This includes a commitment by UN Member States to develop national regulations, formal codes or listing rules that encourage the integration of material sustainability issues within the annual report of all listed and large private companies. It would include the option for companies to opt out by explaining their rationale for not complying. For more information, click here.
The convention is open to supporters from business, financial institutions, professional bodies and NGOs. For further information, contact William Pomroy, Public Policy Manager, Aviva (william.pomroy@aviva.com).
Disclosure vital to reduce climate risk
Andrew Raingold, Executive Director of the Aldersgate Group, outlines the importance of carbon disclosure to address material business risks in a new pamphlet for Environmental Finance. The report explores the shift in thinking about what risks are apparent to industry, how to measure and report such risks, what frameworks are in place (both voluntary and mandatory) and identifies the main stakeholders in the discourse. Andrew's chapter has been made available for free to AG stakeholders and further details of the full report can be found here.
Government misses 4 year deadline on climate change laws
The Government has announced that "no decision" has been made on regulations to introduce mandatory carbon reporting. The decision to delay effectively means that the Government has met the name but not the intention of the requirements in the Climate Change Act that were introduced four years ago, following a campaign by the Aldersgate Group (AG).
Peter Young, Chairman of the AG, said: “Business has been patiently waiting for a clear signal to level the playing field on carbon reporting. Voluntary systems have run out of road and the UK risks losing its lead in carbon reporting, accounting and reduction. This failure to act now undermines business’ call for much greater transparency and consistency from Government.”
“As Ministers seek to reach an informed decision, urgency is paramount. Businesses cannot be left in the dark for months on end. There is great pressure to introduce mandatory carbon reporting as soon and widely as practical.”
For more information, read our press release. Click here for Guardian article.
Aldersgate Group supports Natural Capital Declaration
In the run up to the Rio+20 Earth Summit, the Aldersgate Group (AG) has supported the Natural Capital Declaration. This is a finance-led initiative to account and embed natural capital within investment, banking and loan decisions, consistent with the recommendations in our Pricing the Priceless report.
For more information, click here.
Budget 2012: Disconnect between growth and environment policies persist
Commenting on the 2012 Budget, Peter Young, Chairman of the Aldersgate Group (AG), said: "The Budget was a missed opportunity to align the reforms to support growth with green policy and so stimulate sustainable growth in reality as well as in name." In the run up to Budget, fifty companies and green groups supported the AG's call for a credible growth strategy that catalyses investment in clean technologies. To see more on this, click here.
Mr Young added: "The propsal to publish a strategy to promote gas generation and tax breaks for oil exploration sits uncomfortably with our statutory carbon budgets which future chancellors may regret. Equivalent tax measures for low carbon investment would have stimulated jobs fit for the future and provided more resilience to our economy."
