Climate Change on BusinessAssurance.com

Hong Kong says good bye to plastic bags

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:10:34 +0000

After years of debate, the plastic bag levy finally will be introduced to Hong Kong on July 7th, 2009. Consumers will have to fork out HK$0.50 (or US$0.07) per plastic bag. Some consumers and retailers are concerned with the levy, as they will have to pay more.

Episode 3 LRQA Business Assurance Trust and Transparency Podcast Series

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:14:20 +0000

In Episode 3 of the 10-part LRQA Business Assurance Trust and Transparency Podcast Series, Solitaire Townsend, co-founder and Chief Executive of Futerra Communications, offers insight into what businesses need to do to rebuild consumer trust, as well as the role that 3rd parties have in consumer decision making. Solitaire is one of the UK's leading experts on environmental communications. In recognition of her work on environmental and sustainability issues, Solitaire was named as one of the original 15 "London Leaders" by then Mayor Ken Livingstone.

Danisco sees Sustainability leading Triple Bottom Line

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:20:58 +0000

According to this FoodNavigator.com article, Danisco’s new sustainability chief, Jeffrey Hogue, will look to build more value from company policies and seeing results on the bottom line – as well as for the environment and local communities.

Business Assurance Links of the Day, June 24th 2009 - Social Media

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:30:39 +0000

Follow Business Assurance at our YouTube! page, on our Twitter page , on the video sharing site, Vimeo and another video sharing site, Veoh .

Verification Program Manual - a standardised approach for independent and rigorous verification of GHG emissions

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:00:05 +0000

The Climate Action Reserve has released the final version of the Verification Program Manual. This document provides verification bodies with a standardized approach for the independent and rigorous verification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions and removals.

Episode 2 LRQA Business Assurance Trust and Transparency Podcast Series

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:36:52 +0000

Episode 2 of the 10 part LRQA Business Assurance "Trust and Transparency" Podcast Series. This episode focuses on the "Accountability Gap" that was highlighted in the What Assures Consumers in an Economic Downturn Report. The research for the report was conducted in the UK by YouGov, commissioned by AccountAbility , sponsored by the Co-operative and supported by LRQA. The "AccountAbility Gap" refers to the difference between what consumers think an organisation's responsibility is and how well they are at living up to that responsibility.

Business Assurance Thought of the Day - Guardian Climate Change Summit Notes

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:03:10 +0000

Here is a collection of notes and thoughts from Guardian Climate Change Summit 2009 in London yesterday, most of which were posted yesterday on our www.twitter.com/lrqa page. First session thoughts and notes Quote from Gavin Neath, Senior VP Unilever "Organisations need to learn humility.For the past 30 years, environmental groups were right, businesses were wrong." Mars looking to work with PAS 2050 the carbon Footprinting for products, according to Fiona Dawson, Managing Director, Mars, UK

ISO 14001 and Stakeholder Credibility

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:53:58 +0000

ISO 14001, the environmental management systems standard, is increasingly being seen as a tool to help organisations engage with their stakeholders. VWS has been working since 2006 with a project team drawn from all of the their divisions to implement ISO 14001 and achieve certification. This was awarded following a detailed audit of all five of VWS’s UK sites by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (LRQA).

Live Twitter updates from the Guardian Climate Change Summit 2009

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:50:25 +0000

The Businessassurance.com editor is at the Guardian Climate Change Summit in London today and will be providing live updates from the event on Twitter. Follow the editor here: www.twitter.com/lrqa Businessassurance.com is there as an official media partner.

Guardian Climate Change Summit

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:42:51 +0000

We will be attending the Guardian Climate Change Summit in London on next Monday (June 15th) as an official media partner. Here is a list of speakers scheduled. The complete agenda and further information can be found on the event website. We will be reporting on the event afterwards, including blogs and possibly some podcasts.

Aviation in the EUETS.

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:10:20 +0000

With effect from 2010 the aviation industry will be brought in to the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS).Each aircraft operator will be administered by one Member State only (the state where an operating licence was issued OR the state in which the aircraft operator’s emissions in the base year are most attributable). · From [...]

Episode 1 LRQA Business Assurance Trust and Transparency Podcast Series

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:05:47 +0000

The 10 part "Trust and Transparency" podcast series is here! Harriet Lamb of The Fairtrade Foundation starts the series with her insight on what it takes for organisations to rebuild consumer trust. She also talks about Fairtrade and how they have done during the current economic downturn. She also shares her thoughts on the What Assures Consumers in an Economic Downturn report, the latest in a series from AccountAbility, sponsored by the Co-operative and supported by LRQA.

June 8, 2009 Thought of the day - Climate Change

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:14:05 +0000

The recession will be big, but climate change will be bigger." Nicholas Stern.

LRQA Business Continuity Podcast Series, Episode 2

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:40:06 +0000

The LRQA Business Continuity in an Economic Downturn Podcast Series continues with Episode 2. This episode also features global Business Continuity expert, David Austin. Following on from his Video Podcast series, this is the second episode of the audio series. In this episode, David talked to us about integrating BS 25999, the business continuity management system standard into your existing management systems framework. He also talked about the ease with which business continuity works with an organisations environmental, quality, health and safety and security management systems

Consumer behaviour to change if British refineries are to reduce carbon emissions

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:15:47 +0000

Dr Holmes said that the major refineries could probably reduce their emissions by 60% while remaining commercially viable, but further cuts would only be made if demand dropped.

New Report - What Assures Consumers in an Economic Downturn?

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:32:24 +0000

This latest research report 'What Assures Consumers in an Economic Downturn?' highlights that consumer attitudes to corporate responsibility have remained fairly stable during the early days of this downturn, comments Barry Clavin, Ethical Policies and Sustainability Reporting Manager, The Co-operative Group. He also says in the foreword of the report that, issues that mattered to consumers back in 2006 remain important today. Download the Full Report.

LRQA Business Assurance “Trust and Transparency” Podcast Series

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:30:11 +0000

The What Assures Consumers in an Economic Downturn report was commissioned by AccountAbility, sponsored by the Co-operative, supported by LRQA, with the online research being conducted by YouGov. In early June, we will be launching a 10-part audio and video podcast series from interviews and presentations from the launch event. Sign up to our subscription updates or our iTunes podcast link at the top right hand corner of www.businessassurance.com .

Business Assurance Thought and Link of the Day, May 21st 2009

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:55:12 +0000

Today's thought of the day comes from one of the world's leading climate change influencers, Yvo de Boer, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): Failing to recognise the urgency of climate change and acting on it would be nothing less than criminally irresponsible.
At The Guardian Climate Change Summit on 15 June 2009, Yvo de Boer is just one of the leading thinkers from the climate change community who will be sharing insight, solutions and strategies to ensure your business can actively reduce impact on our climate. Click here for further info and a speaker programme.

Carbon Disclosure Project - Supply Chain Report 2009

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:07:08 +0000

This Carbon Disclosure Project - Supply Chain Report 2009 looks for the first time at how businesses are responding to the call for action and transparency in managing carbon and climate change in their supply chain.

Climate Change Corp weigh up the competition around carbon labelling

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Thu, 07 May 2009 09:52:43 +0000

For companies looking to get their products carbon labelled, three carbon labels are currently up and running. But which are the most credible and what do you get for your money?

LRQA Management Systems Audio Podcast Episode 1

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 06 May 2009 09:08:53 +0000

Sandy Sutherland is widely recognised as one of the pioneers of Quality Management Systems. He was a part of the team that developed 9001, and currently chairs the drafting group for OHSAS 18001, the Health and Safety Management System standard. In the latest episode of our Management Systems Podcast Series, he talked to www.businessassurance.com about the importance of robust management systems to help organisations survive the current economic downturn.

www.businessassurance.com launches new Asia specific section

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:53:14 +0000

We now have 9 sections in total, with the Asia specific section joining Climate Change, Food, Supply Chain, CSR, Product Conformity, Risk, Management Systems and Business Continuity.

Business Assurance Thought of the Day, April 22, 2009

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:45:35 +0000

www.businessassurance.com is proud to be a media supporter of the upcoming Guardian Climate Change Summit (Monday 15 June 2009, Hotel Russell, London). The Guardian's Climate Change section is our link of the day today and features a wealth of information on all of the issues regarding the environment, both in the UK and around the globe.

Chocolatiers to address Supply Chain in battle to reduce waste

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:34:32 +0000

Chocolatiers are set to look beyond the Easter period in their efforts to meet the demands of their stakeholders to reduce waste. In devising new industry measures for retail chains and manufacturers, Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP), a UK government backed programme, says it has begun to look at wider issues of food and material waste across the supply chain.

Guardian Climate Change Summit 2009

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:22:20 +0000

A must attend event for anyone responsible for implementing strategies that impact on their businesses contribution to climate change.

Business Assurance Thought and Link of the Day, March 27th, 2009

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:20:25 +0000

Today's Business Assurance link of the day is to a website that sets out to dispel the myths associated with the paper industry, "There are two sides to every paper." Today's Business Assurance thought of the day is

Modern paper mills producing virgin fibre paper, whose energy source is nuclear, hydro or internally bio-fuelled, may well have a lower carbon footprint than a mill making recycled paper, powered by fossil fuels.

Global Developments in CCS

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:21:55 +0000

Global developments in Carbon Capture and Storage are rapidly progressing. The Sunday Times reports on proposals announced by Scottish Power for the implementation of “carbon capture” technology via liquefaction and burial at sea at the existing coal-fired power station at Longannet, in Fife. Scottish Power believes its 300 megawatt plant could be up and running [...]

China Proposes Importing Nations Should Be Responsible for CO2 Emissions

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:59:45 +0000

In this BBC online article, China's top climate change negotiator, Li Gao, said his country should not pay for cutting emissions caused by the high demands of other countries.

Top 10 highest risk countries for absolute natural disaster, economic losses and hydro-meteorological risks

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:01:18 +0000

The impact of natural disasters was estimated at US$200 billion. China and USA accounted for 90%, globally positioning them most susceptible to economic losses.

Climate change deniers are ‘flat-earthers’

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:56:38 +0000

Economist Nicholas Stern warns of ‘absolute lunacy’ of do-nothing approach of Czech president Václav Klaus and fellow climate change sceptics in an interview with the guardian newspaper he shares his views on taking no action on climate change follow the below link for the full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/mar/10/nicholas-stern-accuses-climate-change-deniers

Carbon Disclosure Project Reports

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:45:09 +0000

The Carbon Disclosure Project has just released two new reports, available at www.cdproject.net/reports.asp The CDP Public Procurement Report, which reveals the power of the public sector to use procurement to transform the UK to a low carbon economy. For the first time, local and central government are collaborating to maintain a resilient and sustainable supply chain by [...]

The Acidic Oceans of Climate Change

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:27:27 +0000

Scientists at Bristol University predict that dangerous levels of acidification in the planet’s oceans, the Guardian reports. This increase is believed to be caused by the increasing quantities of carbon dioxide emitted into our atmosphere. The results of the research will be reported at a climate change conference in Copenhagen this week.

Point Carbon 2009, 17-19 March 2009, Copenhagen

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:18:08 +0000

Country: Denmark City: Copenhagen Event Website: www.pointcarbon.com/events/conferences/cmi09/1.986082/ The Carbon Market Insights 2009 takes place on the 17th - 19th March in Copenhagen In its 6th consecutive year, Point Carbon is hosting the premier event for the world’s carbon markets. Where it will be discussed the way forward for international climate policy in the very same venue as the Copenhagen negotiations will [...]

Navigating the American Carbon World 2009

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:57:32 +0000

The 7th Annual Navigating the American Carbon World conference enjoys a partnership between Point Carbon, California Climate Action Registry and IETA.

Carbon Footprint Sustainable Supply Chain Summit 2009

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:50:43 +0000

The theme of this event is “how carbon management & sustainable development creates competitive advantage”. Delegates will learn from top global brands about strategic survival and development during this economic downturn.

Carbon Expo 2009

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:07:33 +0000

The CARBON EXPO 2009 Conference programme spreads over the three days and will feature debates, in-depth case studies and leadership sessions, providing an in depth overview of the status of the Carbon Market and international negotiations

Ten eco-marketing tips

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:32:29 +0000

Brendan May, Managing Director of Planet 2050, offers 10 eco-marketing tips.

American Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative FAQ’s

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:30:51 +0000

American Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative FAQ's published The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), an initiative of the North East and Mid Atlantic States of the US have published an updated FAQ document. The FAQ document contains useful information for parties interested in submitting a Qualification Application or Intent to Bid for RGGI CO2 Allowance Auctions.

Global Cap-and-Trade still on the cards for Aviation

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:14:46 +0000

Representatives of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) have confirmed that despite the implementation of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme for aircraft operators flying into, out of and intra EU Member States, they will continue to progress plans for a international cap and trade scheme for carbon emissions from aviation.

Aviation soon to enter the EUETS

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:16:52 +0000

Aircraft operators will be brought into the EUETS as of 2010. As progress continues with the European Commission and the European Parliament in the agreement of the Monitoring and Reporting Requirements (MRG) to be placed on aircraft operators within the scheme, the dates for implementation are looming. The directive sets out basic requirements for aircraft operators. Technical reports on baseline Tonne-Kilometer (TKM) data and annual emissions data have been drafted for the Commission, to advise them on issues requiring clarification within the MRG . Furthermore application formats have been drafted for applying for a TKM Monitoring Plan, an Annual Emissions Monitoring Plan and for TKM and Annual Emissions Reports. However, until such time as a draft MRG is issued many operators are unclear of the requirements.

Corporate Governance and Climate Change - Consumer and Technology Companies

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:32:04 +0000

A new report carried out by Ceres where a team of investors and environmentalists studied the climate change policies of a number of the worlds largest tech and consumer companies see what the results were.

2008 Greenhouse Gas Market Report

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:33:38 +0000

The 2008 GHG Market report includes a comprehensive coverage of issues of immediate interest that IETA has been privileged to bring together in one publication.

CropLife Interview

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:13:05 +0000

Following on from the Climate deliberations at Poznan, Keith Jones of CropLife International talks about the contribution of agriculture to climate change mitigation and need to achieve better collaboration among all food chain participants to achieve ever more sustainable productivity.

The Economics of ISO 14001

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:16:30 +0000

BT Germany has just become the 5th BT country to be certified against the global environmental management system standard, ISO 14001, following a four-day external audit by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA). Jens Krause, BT Germany's quality manager commented on the value of ISO 14001 certification, "As well as helping to retain business, we believe the improvements will save more than €900,000 each year, and cut our carbon footprint by 12 tonnes."

Consumers will choose green gadgets in 2009

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:33:14 +0000

In the near future, the "greenness" of a gadget will have a big influence on whether consumers will buy it, suggests research just published.

German Corporate Partnership sets out to answer, “What does sustainable production actually mean?”

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:43:12 +0000

This Food and Drink Europe article talks about the new set of criteria and standards for sustainable fruit and veg production that BASF Corporation is developing for German supermarket chain Rewe. Named Crop Protection, the new standards aim to give sustainability assurances throughout the food chain, right through to consumers.

Ethical Supply Chain Video Podcast Series, Episode 3, Hewlett-Packard Interview

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:50:12 +0000

Episode 3 of the www.businessassurance.com Ethical Supply Chain Video Podcast series features Hewlett-Packard's Karl Daumueller, Program Manager, SC SER Lead Auditor, Global Procurement Services. This interview was conducted at the Ethical Supply Chain Summit, Berlin Germany, October 16, 2008. The video can also be found here .

New EU legislation on climate and energy finalised tomorrow

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:52:32 +0000

The Guardian reports that, tomorrow Ed Miliband, secretary of state for energy and climate change, will meet with ministers in Brussels to finalise new EU legislation on climate and energy.

Climate Change Summit 2009

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:07:25 +0000

Now in its 3rd year, this is the only gathering for corporate responsibility and environmental professionals that offers practical guide to effective environmental strategies that help grow and strengthen businesses in the uncertain times ahead.

Green supply chain, shouldn’t everybody have one?

podcasts@businessassurance.com (BusinessAssurance.com) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:22:24 +0000

A recent article on Manufacturing & Logistics IT website talks about the rapidly rising energy costs and environmental concerns have driven 'green' issues ever higher on the business agenda.