Is a society guided by sustainability still possible?

April 13th, 2013 by Island Press

(click book cover to go to publisher’s website)

In today’s society, the word “sustainable” has become practically meaningless, with most sustainable products just a step less bad than conventional alternatives.

Because of the power of “sustainababble,” the world has largely ignored the rich spectrum of political, cultural, and technological changes that would set us on the path to a truly sustainable future.

Although the science of sustainability is clearer than ever, we still face the question of whether transforming our society into one guided by sustainability is even possible.

This new volume of State of the World 2013 — which features contributions from experts at the Worldwatch Institute as well as from environmental thought leader David Orr, freshwater Continue reading

Island Analysis compares social, economic, and environmental performance of island jurisdictions

April 12th, 2013 by Island Analysis

Island Analysis has released the first of four 2013 Island Monitor Reports covering 14 of the 100 islands, which it monitors.

The first Report focuses on government income and expenditure trends in 14 islands shown on the map.

(click map to expand – map courtesy of Island Analysis)

The primary aim of the Island Monitor is to review economic, social, and environmental activity in islands around the world and to identify best practice.

The first quarter Report highlights the fact that islands worldwide are currently experiencing some serious challenges impacting on economic performance.

Consequently, for the first time, Island Analysis is developing an economic life cycle for islands which will assess where islands are on this life cycle and what progress islands are making in terms of sustainable economic development and diversification. Continue reading

Beneficial to integrate sustainability into SMEs’ core business strategy

March 29th, 2013 by HW Fisher & Company

SMEs are a vital part of the value chain where there is a growing demand for sustainability management both from customers and suppliers (click image to expand – ©RLLord)

These days, the word ‘sustainability’ is ubiquitous, appearing on corporate agendas, in government policy and across current affairs.

Despite this, it is a term that is still often fundamentally misunderstood and therefore often avoided as a concept.

Sustainability is coming to everyday business and mainstream accountancy. It is to be embraced and not feared.

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) might consider sustainability a topic for large corporations, but as SMEs account for over 98% of all business in the developed world then collectively they could effect a greater impact than multinationals.

SMEs are also a vital part of the value chain where there is a growing demand for sustainability management both from customers and suppliers, especially for those businesses who Continue reading

Political & economic short-termism driving civilisation to destruction

March 29th, 2013 by University West

Climate scientists have shown through their research that the ongoing rise in global temperature will cause the sea level to rise, which will drown coastal communities, and cause severe weather, which will kill many people.

So why don’t politicians act on these findings?

Social scientist Stellan Vinthagen shows that today’s power relations prohibit change.

The world is heading towards a catastrophic global average temperature increase of 4°Celsius.

The consequences are a rising sea level, droughts, floods and lethal heat waves.

Stellan Vinthagen, Associate Professor of Sociology at University West in Sweden, states that it is the prevailing power structures that make politicians paralyzed. And he sees social scientists as a key group for this to change. Continue reading

Skills Guernsey 2012 report and plan for action for 2013

March 18th, 2013 by Skills Guernsey

(click report cover to download report as a PDF file to your computer)

The Skills Guernsey 2012 report outlines the vision and strategy for Skills Guernsey and the plan of action for 2013.

The report and plan, which sets out the vision, aims and future work streams for Skills Guernsey, clearly identifies the key role that Skills will play in Guernsey’s future well-being and prosperity.

It will have a significant impact on the island skills profile in future years.

Skills Guernsey has been in operation, in its current form, for just over a year, and is pleased with the progress that has been made.

A particular success for Skills Guernsey has been the engagement with all sectors of the community, especially businesses.

Feedback on the plan is welcome.

Please email comments to: skillsguernsey@gov.gg

C.I. Co-operative Society Fairtrade product sales continue to grow

March 3rd, 2013 by The Channel Islands Co-operative Society Limited

Fairtrade bananas (click image to expand – image courtesy of the Channel Islands Co-operative Society Ltd.)

The Channel Islands Co-operative Society‘s sales of Fairtrade products have reached £2.5 million as existing products continue to sell well and more products and manufacturers achieve Fairtrade status.

Mark Cox, the Society’s chief operating officer, said that this demonstrates the continuing appeal of Fairtrade products to consumers, despite the economic downturn and squeeze on household spending.

“These tough economic times are making shoppers think carefully about how and where they spend their money and value is important.”

“Some people think Fairtrade means more expensive but in a lot of cases that isn’t true and they are actually very competitively priced. Our customers can also see the benefits of buying Fairtrade and the ethical difference it can make in ensuring a fair price is paid to suppliers around the world,” he said. Continue reading

Guernsey companies invited to participate in CSR projects on Herm

January 26th, 2013 by Herm Island

Shell Beach on Herm's east coast (click image to expand - image courtesy of Herm Island Ltd)

“In 2012 Herm invited Guernsey companies to the island to engage in Corporate Social Responsibility projects,” Jonathan Watson, Director of Hospitality, Herm Island Ltd, said in a presentation to the B4-8 Club.

“Herm Island has a small team that look after the external areas but they cannot do everything that they would like to achieve,” he said.

“We are offering to Guernsey companies the opportunity to undertake projects in Herm’s community as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility programme.”

A number of Guernsey companies participate in 2012. Continue reading

Conscious Capitalism: liberating the heroic spirit of business published on 15 January 2013

January 17th, 2013 by Harvard Business Review Press

(click book cover to go to publisher's website)

Capitalism has been villainised in some quarters because of a multitude of highly publicized corporate scandals and greedy misconduct by many major companies.

But, there is inherent good in capitalism—and if we all participate in it with higher consciousness, argue John Mackey and Rajendra Sisodia— we can renew its inherent power to improve both the lives of people and the long-term success of companies.

Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business published by Harvard Business Review Press on 15 January 2013 by John Mackey, co-CEO and co-founder of Whole Foods Market, and Rajendra Sisodia, business professor and co-founder of the Conscious Capitalism Institute, tells the story of how to do this. Continue reading

Discarded Nylon fishing net litter collected for making carpet tiles

January 9th, 2013 by Interface Inc

Interface, Inc, a global carpet tile manufacturer, and conservation charity the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) are celebrating the successful completion of a pilot project and the start of a commercial venture with both conservation and socio-economic benefits.

The innovative collaboration, called Net-Works™, has been created to tackle the growing environmental problem of discarded fishing nets in some of the world’s poorest coastal communities.

Discarded fishing nets litter the shore at Pinamgo, Philippines. The nylon nets are collected and made into Interface carpet tiles (click image to expand - image courtesy of Dr Nick Hill, ZSL)

Net-Works aims to improve the livelihood of local fishers by establishing a community-based supply chain for discarded nets, while providing Interface with an innovative source of recycled materials for its carpet tiles. Continue reading

Greening the economy is a total necessity say UK Conservative MPs

January 8th, 2013 by RenewableUK

RenewableUK, the trade and professional body representing the wind and marine energy industry, has welcomed a call from an influential group of UK Conservative MPs to support the growth of renewable energy.

Members of the 2020 group, made up of more than 60 Tory MPs, describe themselves as progressive and forward-looking Conservatives.

It includes several high-profile figures such as the Energy Minister Greg Barker, former Transport Secretary Justine Greening and the Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Letwin.

The group has just published a new document “2020 Vision: An Agenda for Transformation” in which two Conservative Continue reading