News
Shell and BHP Billiton join companies leaving lobby groups over lax climate action
Enough is enough! After BHP Billiton, Shell is now turning away from lobbies and professional organisations, due in large part to their lack of an ambitious climate agenda. Such abrupt action is intended to send a message to stakeholders and shareholders alike that are increasingly concerned with...
Job cuts and a falling stock market: bayer in turmoil after purchasing monsanto
How will Bayer come out of this crisis? Since its merger with Monsanto, Bayer’s stock has decreased by 38%. The 9,300 glyphosate-related complaints against the firm have investors fearful of hefty fines. To minimise damage, Bayer announced 12,000 new job cuts. But employees do not want to be the...
[Inside story] COP24 highlights limits to financial engagement on coal-related emissions
At COP24, which is taking place in Katowice, Poland until 14 December, 415 major global investors are calling on states to be more ambitious about reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. This is a puzzling message considering that many management company funds have increased the quantity of...
Shell to link executive compensation to climate targets
Shell has announced several ambitious climate engagements amidst growing pressure from its investors. The oil company wants to link executive compensation to the achievement of specific climate targets. In addition, the Anglo-Dutch giant agrees to disassociate from lobbying groups that are...
Human Rights: less than 5% of global corporations show tangible action
The Declaration of human rights is 70 years old this December 10th. However, despite international texts and local regulations, the issue of human rights remains poorly apprehended by large companies worldwide, according to a study published by the extra-financial rating agency Vigeo Eiris.
Companies vulnerable to climate change risks yet to reflect them in their business models
While climate negotiations resume at COP24 in Poland to implement the Paris Agreement objectives, a report highlights the lack of consideration companies give to climate risks. This is especially true for so-called transition risks, or risks related to forthcoming climate regulations.
[Focus CSR ] Air Liquide accelerates its carbon intensity reduction with 2025 objectives
How can companies better diffuse CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) internally and throughout its ecosystem? This is the question all committed companies are asking. Novethic has identified solid, achievable, and proven practices that have been put in place by major economic leaders. During this...
L’Oreal, Michelin, Orange…Those companies are going forward circular economy
In February 2017, 33 French major companies committed to the circular economy. Almost two years later, 95% of promises are on schedule or ahead of schedule. Five examples show that the mobilization is well under way.
States must triple efforts to keep global warming under 2°C
It is extremely unlikely that global warming will be kept under 2°C if the gap between the current levels of greenhouse gas emissions and the level required does not close by 2030. However, only 57 countries are set to reach peak emissions by this deadline, warns a new report from the UNEP (United...
Sustainable finance, a growing sector
An international mobilization for a sustainable finance has taken place in Paris this week. The major players in the sector took stock of their actions and made new green commitments. To this day, while sustainable finance is still a small business, a real movement seems to have begun to build a...
A green CAC40 index, for what?
It is now possible to invest in the largest, most transparent French listed companies on environmental criteria, or so is Goldman Sach’s promise with their new "green" financial product. The bank is relying on data from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) to choose the 40 most advanced French...
Ghosn scandal sheds light on the growing power of corporate whistle-blowers
Similar to UBS, Danske Bank, and Cambridge Analytica, the Carlos Ghosn affair was uncovered by a whistle-blower. This recent scandal demonstrates the rise of whistle-blowers in the corporate world, against a backdrop of increased demands on companies for transparency.
Emmanuel Macron launches “Paris call” in fight against cyber warfare
The increasing number of cyberattacks in the world is pushing states and companies to organise against the rise of an internet warzone. This was the purpose of the “Paris Call”, a high-level declaration initiated by Emmanuel Macron, which includes 370 States, NGOs and corporations…with Washington,...
Environmental risks pose short-term threats for oil, chemical and transportation sectors
Moody’s evaluated 84 sectors’ exposure to environmental risks. Those most under threat include construction, steel, chemical, automotive and logistics sectors. According to the rating agency, environmental factors could diminish the credit quality of the sectors concerned in the next three to five...
Fossil energy: do the investors has to make a choice between dialogue and divestment ?
For investors around the world, coal is no longer good press. It is difficult for banks, insurers and well-established pension funds to keep this global warming symbol in their portfolios. Should divestment now expand to other polluting energy sources or should dialogue with companies be...
The UN pressures business to protect human rights defenders
Local communities, workers and unionists can be at risk of corporate retaliation when defending their land, union rights or working conditions. The growing power of multinationals makes these actors increasingly vulnerable. In addition to existing and developing international texts, new actions must...
Lithium: a vulnerable resource pushing the power of electric vehicles
Lithium is abundant on Earth. This is good news because the metal is essential for manufacturing the batteries found in electric vehicles. Nevertheless, the concentration of geological deposits and production tools in countries with uncertain economic policies poses a risk to lithium availability...
From chocolate to hazelnut, Ferrero wants 100% sustainable certification and traceability plan by 2020
Sustainable chocolate and a traceability plan for hazelnuts. The Ferrero Group has announced its intention to achieve complete traceability of these raw materials for which it is the primary global consumer. The group also announced a sustainable certification plan for all of its cocoa.
Companies call for more ESG engagement
The investor-business dialogue is a lever for sustainable creation, according to the companies that attended Novethic’s Positive Investors Forum on 6 November. This was a heartfelt cry that came from both sustainable development directors and engaged CFOs. Today, however, conventional investors are...
[Focus CSR] Veolia’s "critical friends" committee challenges company strategy
How can companies better diffuse CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) internally and throughout its ecosystem? This is the question all committed companies are asking. Novethic has identified good, achievable, and proven practices that have been put in place by major economic leaders. This week,...