Communications

A majority of the world’s largest companies are either failing to report their greenhouse gas emissions or doing so incorrectly according to a new study from the Environmental Investment Organisation (EIO), a UK-based climate change and finance think tank. Looking at carbon emission reports covering 2011 – the most recent year where a full set of data is available – the EIO found that only 37 percent of the world’s largest 800 companies are reporting complete data and correctly adopting the basic principles of greenhouse gas emissions reporting. Just 21 percent had their data externally verified.

New Zealand's national marketing slogan, “100% Pure”, should be scrapped according to one of its own tourism expert. Professor Michael Hall of the University of Canterbury has said that the country's clean and green image is being eroded.

The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has enjoyed a reasonable bump in responses to its annual Asia ex-Japan survey with 129 of 400 companies in its target sample reporting, representing a 32 percent response rate compared to 27 percent in 2011. As in 2011, PwC Hong Kong undertook an analysis of these submissions – and those made by Asia ex-Japan companies to the CDP Global 500 – to identify the region’s leaders. According to the report,  co-authored and analysed by natural capital research company Trucost Plc, South Korean companies are now the region’s clear leaders with a dozen included among the 20 ranked, along with five from Hong Kong and one each from China, India and Singapore.

RepuTex-ESG, a Hong Kong-based research firm, has launched RepuTex ESG-Connect, Asia’s first platform to provide companies, asset managers and investors with free environment, social and governance (ESG) research, data and content on Asian companies.

The circular from the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 13 August 2012 finally addressed some of the issues that have been raised about recent regulation on extra financial disclosures in Indian capital markets. It comes as a follow-up to the SEBI Board’s landmark decision in November 2011 that mandated ESG disclosures from the Top 100 listed companies. The comply-or-explain stance on revelation of policy and the nine principles laid out in the National Voluntary Guidelines on Social, Environmental and Economic Responsibilities of Business, published by Ministry of Corporate Affairs in July 2011, provides a good starting point

Over fifty countries and 86 private companies have joined forces behind the move to factor the value of natural assets like clean air, clean water, forests and other ecosystems into business decision-making and countries systems of national accounting. Fifty-seven countries and the European Commission are supporting a communiqué that calls on governments, the UN system, international financial institutions and other international organizations to strengthen the implementation of natural capital accounting around the world.

Avoiding the accusation of greenwashing is not easy for businesses. How do we judge whether a business is truly interested in reducing its carbon emissions and waste, or just wanting to look as if they are doing so? One way is to look at what community events a business supports. Running is a popular sport worldwide, with millions of people taking part in marathons all over the globe. These races need sponsors and race organisers across the world are trying to make their events greener. Sponsorship can help race organizers introduce green measures to their races and in turn, helps the sponsor become aligned with enabling sustainability education and action in the community.

The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has begun to solicit public views on a draft amendment to the current regulation of green food labels issued in 1993, according to the ministry yesterday.

WWF has extended its Climate Solver, program to China to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) promote low-carbon innovations.