Latest news
Shell’s general meeting reveals investor ambivalence on climate risk
The highly anticipated Annual Shareholders' Meeting did not lead to Shell’s adoption of a demanding climate resolution. The resolution called on the company to turn their business objectives into quantifiable targets compatible with the Paris Agreement. But only 5% of shareholders voted for it,...
Five measures for companies to better manage water resources and risks
Water management has become non-negotiable for businesses. Between the global increase in droughts, floods and groundwater pollution, taking greater care of this resource must be at the heart of corporate environmental actions. EpE (Entreprises pour l’environnement) offers some tips to achieve this...
Climate, oil and shareholder influence: the shell test
On 22 May, Shell’s General Assembly will be the centre of a standoff between shareholders who want to push the company towards a climate strategy compatible with the Paris Agreement and those who do not want to oppose the group’s leadership. The outcome of the vote for this climate resolution, which...
Climate change: a political and financial challenge for Europe
Good news : the climate is a priority for the European Union 2021-2027 budget framework, published on 2 May. Climate will represent a quarter of all programs, 5 % more than the previous period (€117 billion over 7 years). However, the framework does not detail any measures for eliminating fossil...
Climate: Allianz turns its back on coal
The insurance leader, Allianz, will no longer insure coal-fired power plants and mines and wants to completely divest from the sector by 2040, the German group announced on 4 May. The insurer will also take immediate action to no longer invest in companies building "large coal plants".
Donald Trump’s withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal boosts oil extraction
Already subject to supply and demand constraints, oil prices are heavily influenced by geopolitical tensions concerning the nuclear deal with Iran, which Donald Trump has threatened to leave. As a result, oil companies are seeing their profits soar as they pump their reserves to full capacity.
Danone gives voice to the group’s 100,000 employees
Danone will begin to involve the Group's 100,000 employees with its long-term governance by implementing the “One Person, One Voice, One Action” principle, inspired by a cooperative business model. This decision was announced by CEO Emmanuel Faber at the company’s Shareholders’ Meeting on 25 April.
Patagonia, Apple, Starbucks, and Delta Airlines : one of those companies which are challenging Donald Trump on CSR field
The American business coalition "We Are Still In", which began mobilising for the climate after Donald Trump announced American withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, just launched a new campaign entitled, "We Are Taking Action". But some companies are not waiting for a collective effort in order to...
Five figures that prove the global fight for carbon pricing is (slightly) progressing
Since the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement, more and more countries have introduced taxes or markets designed to price CO² to push companies into investing more in energy transition. However, these efforts must be continued, according to the think tank I4CE, which recently published a panorama...
Total strengthens its low carbon strategy with Direct Energie aquisition
After acquiring the electricity supplier, Lampiris, and launching its own gas and electricity supply, Total continues its growth with the acquisition of Direct Energie, one of the main clean energy suppliers on the French market. With this win, the oil & gas company more than doubles its production...
Primark, Ferrero, Unilever: large companies accepting more transparency in their supply chains
By refusing to publish the source of palm oil used in their products, multinationals like PepsiCo and Kellogg are not keeping their promise to fight against deforestation, according to a report by Greenpeace. Increasingly under pressure, large companies are becoming increasingly more transparent....
Cobalt: blockchain tested in the DRC in an effort to combat child labor
Global demand for cobalt is exploding amid an era of energy and digital transition. More than half of this mineral’s supply comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where nearly 40,000 children are employed in mines. In an effort to better trace cobalt, major contractors are joining forces to...
Green Funds remain marginal in Europe, while general interest continues to grow
The political push towards green finance in Europe has led to unprecedented momentum in 2017 in terms of green fund growth. Assets reached €32.2 billion, up 49% year-on-year, and two countries are taking the lead: France and Switzerland.
The central banks of France and England call for more regulation against climate change
According to the Banque de France Governor, François Villeroy de Galhau, it is time to penalise brown assets, which are harmful to the climate, rather than just favour the financial sector’s green initiatives. He has even offered carbon stress tests for banks. Bank of England Governor, Mark Carney,...
Danone issues a 300 million-euro pioneer social bond, a first for a multinational corporation
The agribusiness giant has issued a 300 million-euro positive social impact bond. This sum will be used to finance research on food, the emancipation of various populations or the improvement employee protection within the group. This is the first time that a private actor has carried out such an...
Rio tinto: the giant miner sells its last coal mine
The Anglo-Australian mining giant, Rio Tinto, has confirmed its withdrawal from the coal sector through an announcement made on March 27, citing a $2.25 billion-dollar agreement to hand over control of a coal mine in Australia.
Mcdonald's puts science on the menu of its greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan
McDonald's becomes the first restaurant corporation to have its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions approved by a scientific committee (Science Based Targets). By 2030, the group is committed to reducing its emissions across its entire supply chain by more than a third, based 2015 figures,...
[INSIDE STORY] Business confidentiality and slapp laws: legal obstacles to greater business transparency
The Bolloré group's trial against journalists and NGOs concerning damage to the reputation of its brand, raises some questions. Even if the Commercial Court has dismissed their case, the group has managed to avoid countless calls for greater transparency and vigilance concerning company activities...
Artificial Intelligence : Google employees denounce collaboration on Pentagon research project
Google employees are launching a rebellion. And it could hurt the Internet giant’s reputation. The brand's employees are denouncing an artificial intelligence research program conducted with the US military. They fear that this work will be used to improve the effectiveness of combat drones.
[INFOGRAPHIC] Planet Earth facing a man-made mass extinction
All signals are red. According to biodiversity experts, Earth is facing a "mass extinction" of its species, the first since the disappearance of dinosaurs 65 million years ago and the sixth in the last 500 million years. But more importantly, it is the first extinction caused by human activity, and...