Pico Analytics Fortnightly Newsletter: Lifestyle Edition
As we rapidly head towards Christmas, communities around the world are putting up decorations, wrapping presents, purchasing huge quantities of food and drink, and traveling varying distances to spend the holiday season with family and friends. Though it's important that we all enjoy this opportunity to take a break from the stresses and anxieties that loom over everyday life and to treat ourselves to a minced pie or box of chocolates it is important that we continue to be mindful of the lifestyle choices we make and how they impact upon the planet. This time of year places significant pressure on our supply chains and produces a shocking amount of waste and GHG emissions as we stock our fridges with meats and cheeses and order gifts online for delivery. The Christmas carbon footprint grows larger with every passing year ,yet, there are so many sustainable seasonable options which can change this worsening situation. From new initiatives which allow you to rent, replant and reuse your Christmas tree to using recycled wrapping paper and biodegradable sellotape to supermarkets creating plant based vegan alternatives for Christmas there are no excuses for us to continue producing the exorbitant amount of waste which has defined Christmas for decades. At a time of year when our lifestyles have a significant impact on the planet it is important to take a closer look at new options and innovations that help us to avoid seasonal pitfalls, whether that be renting a Christmas party dress from Vinted instead of buying new or choosing chocolates from a brand which is sustainable and not linked to deforestation, all it takes is for us to utilize our purchasing power in a considerate, sensible way.
According to the United Nations adjusting our lifestyles plays an integral part in tackling the climate crisis as our linked behaviors are currently responsible for two thirds of global emissions. There is a vast inequality between lifestyles in high and low-middle income countries with the amount of primary materials needed to meet our needs in the former cohort being 10 times larger than in the latter. The G20 alone accounts for 78% of global greenhouse gas emissions and yet we continue to over purchase, overuse, and place demands on our planet which it simply cannot endure. It can be easy for consumers to place all the blame at the feet of companies and governments, but it is also important that we take responsibility for our own choices and acknowledge that those decisions put pressure on big industry to both change the way they operate and to make sustainable reforms. This edition seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of our planet at a time when our lifestyles hit a peak in overconsumption whilst providing an insight into the actions of those committed groups and individuals who are determined to ensure a sustainable future for all. From 'ghost gear' choking our oceans to greenwashing in the fashion industry this edition, as always, aims to educate, inform, and promote a more sustainable lifestyle whilst turning your attention to those projects and laws which aim to enforce sustainability at the highest level.
We here at Pico Analytics know that it can be disheartening and at times frustrating to read through the various articles and reports concerning climate change, sustainable development and ESG's but it is important to understand exactly what is happening in our world and how our needs and requirements are being met. In our Sustainability Spotlight we take a look at the Veganuary initiative and the possible benefits of shifting to a more plant based diet, whilst our usual Business Insider video focuses on biogas plants using wastewater from tofu factories to make cooking gas and keep Indonesia's rivers clean. Our newsletter, as usual, will provide a short summary of some of the most notable, informative, and quirky climate stories of the past two weeks in the hope that it provides inspiration and insight into climate news from around the world. Finally, we want to hear from you, our readers, about any topics that interest you, which we can either produce research papers on or include as stories in future newsletters.
OUR
TOP STORIES
Methane Emissions From 15 Meat and Dairy Companies Equate to More Than 80% of the EU's Footprint
by Matt Krupnick 15th November 2022
According to a recent study by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and Changing Markets Foundation it was found that the combined emissions from 15 of the world's largest meat and dairy companies equated to more than 80% of the EU's entire methane footprint and accounts for 11.1% of the world's livestock-related methane emissions.
For decades the global focus has been on carbon emissions and rightly so, however, there is another dangerous form of emissions which is far more potent than carbon. Methane, which is expelled by cows and their manure traps heat 80 times more effectively than carbon and methane emissions are accelerating rapidly. Though researchers involved in the study admitted that due to a lack of transparency in the industry it is difficult to accurately measure greenhouse gas emissions the results were estimated based on publicly available data on meat and milk production and regional livestock practices. If we were to treat these companies as a country it would be the 10th largest greenhouse gas-emitting jurisdiction in the world. "Their combined emissions outpace those of oil companies such as ExxonMobil, BP and Shell, researchers found". The world's second largest meat company, Tyson, produces approximately as much methane as Russia whilst Dairy Farmers of America are producing as much as the UK. Naturally, the majority of these industry leaders are either unwilling or hesitant to comment on the findings of the study. Only a spokesperson for Dairy Farmers of America spoke out claiming that the reports' comparisons of methane emissions "is not an apples to apples comparison and is clearly an attempt to make sensationalistic headlines", adding that their company is committed to being part of climate solutions. On the other hand it could be argued that the comparisons were only made to aid in the reader's understanding and comprehension of the data and the report is on some level an attempt to publicly shame these companies into making changes. The report has offered up some suggestions for reform in the industry which could help to curb emissions such as governments requiring companies to report greenhouse gas emissions and fostering a “just transition” away from factory farming by reducing the number of animals per farm. Companies also need to set out clear and transparent targets for emissions reductions as well as being honest about their current levels of methane production. Enforcement of such aims may become difficult in certain nations such as the US where there is significant resistance to regulating emissions from farming, instead they have opted for a scheme which offers voluntary incentives to companies and farms which reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. These types of incentives fit within the current framework which is paying people to find solutions to the climate crisis instead of requiring them too which will simply not work according to Cathy Day, climate policy coordinator with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Shefali Sharma, director of the IATP’s European office has stated that though it is helpful for people to reduce their meat and dairy consumption "the true solution to curbing methane emissions was to end factory farming".
Lithuanian Second-Hand Fashion App Vinted Thrives in Shift to Sustainability
by Richard Milne 28th November 2022
Lithuania, a country known for its beautiful scenery, rich history and a struggling post-communist economy has struggled to find its place in the business world. Until Vinted, an online marketplace for second-hand fashion founded in 2008 by Milda Mitkutė and Justas Janauskas, blew onto the scene proving that fashion can be recycled, repurposed and reloved to the tune of €3.5bn. This is Lithuania's first billion dollar company, as of 2019 and is now Europe's biggest app for buying and selling used clothes and now it has the US in its sights. As the cost of living crisis settles in and sustainability makes its way to the top of the consumer checklist Vinted is one of the last companies standing who are still hiring whilst others slash jobs left, right and center. Thomas Plantenga, Vinted’s chief executive is more than aware that second-hand fashion still only represents 3-4% of the total apparel market meaning that Vinted is fighting for an already limited market share in opposition to settled brands such as Depop and Ebay. The real challenge will be "to convert people to a mindset to first look at second-hand before looking at new".
Vinted has put Lithuania on the map and has gone from strength to strength. "It has more than 75mn registered users in 18 countries... Revenues in 2021 were up 65 per cent from the previous year to €245mn. In the first nine months of this year, they increased another 37 per cent, to €238mn". Now Vinted is innovating and branching out to make its shipping easier and more sustainable for customers by creating a Pan-European network of lockers. Almost like the vanishing cabinet in Harry Potter the aim is to put clothes and possibly other items from outside distributors into a locker in Germany and take them out of a locker in the Netherlands. Looking beyond Europe the company will need to be far more careful as the US and Canada present new challenges. In advance of this Vinted has started to buy into the luxury fashion market after a $30mn dollar takeover of Rebelle, a Swedish online marketplace for luxury fashion. Though Vinted generally focuses on "regular clothes for regular people" the decision to take on Rebelle came with two main reasons… to move into higher-end fashion; and to improve Vinted’s trust and safety performance so that customers can be sure that the clothes being sold are what the sellers claim they are. Vinted has huge potential to grow as young consumers "care about waste, about value, about something that is flexible. Vinted is unlocking the power of everyone’s closet, and that is very powerful.”
Motherhood in a Climate Crisis; Bristol Based Project Tackles Difficult Conversations
By Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley 19th November 2022
The project, Motherhood in a Climate Crisis, has set up a safe space for the empowerment of women to share difficult conversations around "experiencing, considering or wanting to question motherhood due to climate issues". Sophia Cheng, who started the project tailors group sessions around what the participants wish to discuss and uses the information to create monologues for collective theater pieces whilst providing access to a therapist for support. The women who are actively taking part in the project mirror a larger group of young people who are now questioning whether or not to have children in light of the climate crisis. For many members the experience has been cathartic as they have been able to discuss; choosing adoption in place of having children, struggling with the guilt and feeling of being unable to look children in the eye in the future and have the climate conversation with them, being unable to discuss having children in a climate crisis with friends and family, having more than one or two children just because we can is not ok and that we should think about the consequences of our actions. All of these areas and more have been up for discussion during the workshops which have been smashing through the taboos which surround motherhood and climate change. Providing an open forum was important for the workshop facilitator and director Elizabeth Mytton who saw an increasing number of women struggling with climate crisis anxieties but who had nowhere to go and nobody to talk to. Though the discussions were empowering and important it has been made clear that this is just phase one of the project. After it became apparent that the participants were largely a homogeneous group of middle class white women the project is looking to do more to engage a wider audience whose voices were missing from the initial discussions. "Organizers are fundraising to start the next phase of the project that will continue to work with women across the UK to tell their stories".
'Ghost Gear' Chokes Our Oceans
by Emma Bryce 7th November 2022
Sailing out into the Pacific Ocean was once a dreamlike experience with sparkling clear waters, vibrant ecosystems and no land as far as the eye could see. Today, there is a new kind of landmass forming… The great Pacific garbage patch filled with meters of netting, ropes and line, luminous orange buoys, crab pots and fish traps are all remnants of the global fishing industry. Ocean Cleanup have been collecting samples from this swirling gyre which suggest that "most of that waste can be traced back to five industrialized fishing nations: the US, Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan". This discovery highlights the contribution of industrialized nations to the plastic pollution problem. Known officially as abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) – and unofficially as “ghost gear”, fishing paraphernalia is made up mostly from durable plastics an estimated 500,000 and 1 m tons a year tumbling into the seas.
"An October survey of 450 fishers from seven big fishing nations estimated that 2% of fishing gear used globally ends up in the ocean". Though there are understandably many who would see this as a very conservative estimate considering the size of global fishing even at this low level 3,000sq km of gill nets, 740,000 km of longline mainlines, and 25m pots and traps continue to find their way into our oceans. If we were to continue this throw away behavior in just 65 years there will be enough stray fishing nets to carpet the surface of the planet. This ghost gear adds up to 20% of marine plastic and poses a very real threat to marine wildlife with 66% of marine animals becoming entangled or entrapped in their lifetimes, including all sea turtle species and 50% of seabirds. The fate that awaits these creatures varies from suffocation to drowning, starving or being left unable to breed or migrate. It is not only the marine flora and fauna which are suffering, small island nations which lie in the path of drifting gear are having their reefs and beaches invaded whilst clean up efforts can cost millions of dollars.
The Global Ghost Gear Initiative is currently drawing together data from government members and fisher surveys to create a global database on ghost gear and the countries or companies from which it originates. They hope to have a comprehensive understanding of the fishing waste problem within the next 5 to 10 years. In the short term they are pushing for innovation in designing biodegradable fishing gear and satellite traceable buoys which will help fishers to find traps that have been lost at sea. Gear recycling schemes are popping up in ports with a handful of buy back schemes for old or damaged gear also making an appearance. Across the pond in the US we are seeing Marine Debris Programmes which fund dozens of prevention and retrieval projects whilst in Canada it is now mandatory to report lost gear and to mark gear to make it easier to trace and to improve accountability. Though any voluntary efforts to reduce the amount of ghost gear entering the ocean is good news these commitments remain piecemeal and simply aren't enough to tackle the wider issue. Hopefully the International Treaty to End Plastic Pollution which is set to be drafted by 2024 with discussions beginning this month will provide measures such as gear-marking, buy-back schemes and designing recyclable gear – mandatory across all nations.
Corporate Interests Dominate 'Solutions' Touted at Cop27
by Nina Lakhani 7th December 2022
Cop27 broke the mold this year as it included the first day dedicated to food and climate. Food insecurity is a topic which has dominated discussions within and outside of Cop27 as extreme weather and dwindling diversity as well as rising food prices exacerbated by Russia’s war in Ukraine and the tight grip of corporate monopolies has made access to basic food sources difficult. Scientists in attendance at the event made clear the connections between climate change, environmental and food crisis will require "bold transformative action" if we want to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to climate change. As our food systems produce one third of human caused greenhouse gas emissions, the industrialisation of our food systems has led to deforestation in the Amazon and a significant loss of biodiversity globally. As food production comes under pressure from all sides, lacks in the majority any semblance of sustainability and transparency and is causing untold destruction to ecosystems across the planet the corporate interests dominating Cop27 was neither a shock nor a sign of a willingness to change the industry. The 'solutions' being touted were heavily influenced by the food industry and are receiving heavy criticism from campaigners and NGO's alike being named 'false solutions' which offer little in the way of productivity and are going to be about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. What is yet more shocking is that experts have been able to compile a list of those solutions which they find most alarming;
The rise of 'climate-smart agriculture' : "Billions of dollars are going into research on so-called climate-smart tech solutions such as robotics, AI, net zero dairy, cultivated meat and precision farming, including drones, GPS and drip-irrigation technologies". There are valid questions around such innovations asking if this is just rebranding harmful farming practices instead of increasing productivity, adapting to climate change and cutting emissions as advertised. Nevertheless, this isn't stopping 40 countries and numerous food companies including PepsiCo, JBS and CropLife from backing the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate initiative (Aim4C), which has promised $4bn in agricultural innovation to reduce emissions. This all sounds wonderful until you realize that they have failed to have a single indigenous community listed among its knowledge partners and are not slowing or reducing activities such as industrial meat production and fertilizer use which scientists say is fundamental to curbing global warming.
Tech fixes for food's giant methane problem : Instead of Cop27 focusing on how humans can change their diets to benefit the planet, the key topic for discussion was how to change the diet of cows - to make their burps slightly less gassy. The food industry was all a buzz with the "methane-reducing feed additives made from ingredients such as seaweed, ozone, enzyme inhibitors, green tea and garlic". The long term benefits of these innovations is once again questionable as they remain unaffordable for everyone except for industrial cattle farmers and food companies that are invested in growing meat and dairy consumption, not reducing it. These technologies appear to be the farming equivalent of greenwashing for large meat and dairy corporations which will allow for the continued overproduction and pollution which we are already seeing from factory farms to go on unchecked.
Increasing access to fossil fuel-based fertilizers as the answer to food insecurity : The heavy use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers produced by energy intensive processes, which is currently responsible for 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, has caused our production levels to boom with horrific consequences for the environment, climate and human/animal health. Instead of looking to curb the use of such fertilizers the industry reps and officials focused on access to fertilizer and efficient use. "The US, EU, Norway, Germany and the Netherlands announced $109m of public funds (plus $26m in private investment) to expand fertilizer access and efficiency to combat food insecurity". Unfortunately, chemical fertilizers are a short term solution for food production which ultimately leaves us reliant on corporations and trade whilst branding fertilizer efficiency as climate action is simply evidence that the industry is trying everything they can to control the narrative. The companies are simply shifting focus to farmers with the knowledge that "the new taxpayer funded subsidies is already booming: nine of the largest companies are expected to make $57bn profits in 2022".
Industrial agriculture is the only way to feed a growing population : The industrial food sector is very much a wolf in sheep's clothing as it pitches itself as the only way to feed the world's rapidly growing population. So are they telling us the truth or are they spreading lies? Well small farmers (with less than two hectares) produce over a third of the world’s food – despite having access to only 12% of agricultural land. Meanwhile, the extremes in diet and access to food have left some populations coping with an obesity crisis whilst others are massively undernourished. This suggests that the way we are currently producing food is seriously inefficient. Almost 90% of the $540bn in global food subsidies have been deemed harmful to the planet, yet these subsidies mold and influence the market, stopping or slowing consumer-driven market changes from occurring. Meanwhile, low impact forms of farming such as agroecology receive little to no subsidy assistance even though it can "produce food sustainably, protect biodiversity and soil quality – (and) offers a viable greener, healthier and fairer alternative to big ag". With Cop27 paying no attention to either subsidies or agroecology it is no wonder that small farmers feel frustrated and left out of the conversation whilst corporate lobbyists continue to set the tone for these discussions and come up with solutions which are in nobodys best interest than their own.
Greenwashing in the Fashion Industry; Is Sustainability a Stumbling Block for Fast Fashion?
by Lucianne Tonti 18th November 2022
In early November the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, a non-profit alliance that makes up over half the global apparel and footwear industry, convened for the annual meeting to discuss their responses to accusations of greenwashing. In June the tool which the coalition had spent a decade building to help measure the industry's environmental impacts was halted after the Norwegian Consumer Authority issued a warning that the Higg tool could not be used to back sustainability claims, this comes after major brands such as Adidas and Kering opted out of using the tool as the accuracy of the data came into question. The final nail in the coffin came when the Stand.earth report showed that the fashion industry's carbon footprint had in fact increased with nine of the ten companies assessed in the report being members of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. The fashion industry is now responsible for between 2-8% of global greenhouse emissions with the sector's environmental footprint expected to grow by 60% by 2030. These figures come as a shock to many as both high street and high end fashion brands flood the market with 'sustainable' clothing and pledges to curb emissions.
Accountability and greenwashing have been at the top of the priority list for regulators across the fashion industry who are trying their best to address the misleading environmental claims which are sprouting up across the industry. "For example, describing polyester products as “recycled” when the material cannot be reused again at end of life". Australia's ACCC is going further by conducting sweeps to uncover deceptive environmental and sustainability marketing claims. The difficulty for fashion brands is not only marketing themselves as environmentally friendly but living up to those claims to meet the sustainability requirements laid out by the modern consumer. "A recent UK survey by Deloitte found that 34% of shoppers had stopped purchasing products from certain brands due to environmental or ethical concerns". The Norwegian Consumer Authority Guidelines are aimed towards working collaboratively to improve the tool and to make systemic changes, including embracing circularity and renewable energy. Though it will be difficult to make the necessary changes due to the complexity of the supply chain and the availability of data, it remains important that if a business wants to make sustainable claims then they must put in the effort to take control of supply chains and data. It may be possible for this to happen if regulations changed and required companies to report on what was happening in their supply chains which could shift the dynamics within the industry which could offer better data to consumers and strengthen accountability.
"While the coalition waits for regulators to clarify how the industry’s impacts should be measured and communicated to consumers, they have enlisted the accounting firm KPMG to carry out a third-party assessment of the Higg Index. The SAC is also working with standards and certification non-profit Textile Exchange to do more research to create more datasets". Though the industry at large is on a surface level attempting to improve sustainability and avoid being labeled as greenwashing, the time-consuming nature of reorganizing tools such as the Higg Index leaves many consumers in a permanent state of confusion over which companies have genuinely eco-friendly credentials. The difficulty of finding products which are labeled as 'ethical' which are not somehow connected to deforestation or water pollution is a challenge we are all struggling to overcome but it is something we have no choice but to achieve if we want to reform fast fashion.
First Global Study Links 1 Million Stillbirths a Year to Air Pollution
by Damian Carrington 29th November 2022
It is no secret that dirty air increases the risk of stillbirth but the first global analysis of the links between air pollution and fetal deaths has shown that a million stillbirths a year can be attributed to exposure to pollution particles smaller than 2.5 microns. The study covered 137 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, where 98% of stillbirths occur. This study is one of the first to recognize that the heavy toll a stillbirth takes on women and their families is both preventable and could boost women's health and equality. The study did not trace how small particle pollution could cause stillbirths but instead works as a follow up on "the revelation in October that toxic air pollution particles were found in the lungs and brains of fetuses. Air pollution particles were first detected in placentas in 2018 and by then dirty air was known to strongly correlate with increased miscarriages, premature births, low birth weights and disturbed brain development".
Meeting the World Health Organisation's (WHO) air quality targets could prevent a considerable number of stillbirths as seen in nations where clean air acts have been enacted such as in China. The shift away from solely focusing on medical service improvements to environmental risk factors usually goes unseen yet it remains of paramount importance. The research used data on air pollution and stillbirths from 54 low and middle income countries (LMIC) to estimate the number of stillbirths attributable to PM2.5 exposure across the 137 LMIC countries. 99% of the mothers involved in the study had been exposed to PM2.5 levels above the WHO's current 5 micrograms per cubic meter guidelines. "There were 2.09 million stillbirths recorded in the studied countries in 2015, and 950,000 of them (45%) were attributable to exposure above the 5 μg/m3 level, the study estimated". The proportion of stillbirths linked to air pollution was particularly high in Pakistan, Nigeria, India and China with researchers finding that poor air quality was linked to an 11% increase in the chance of stillbirth.
"The total number of stillbirths fell from 2.31 million in 2010 to 1.93 million in 2019". Researchers have suggested that the decline can be attributed to the cuts in air pollution which can be observed in nations such as China which has led them to estimate that a reduction in air pollution could prevent 710,000 stillbirths a year. Though it is not yet understood exactly how air pollution causes stillbirth, researchers believe that pollution particles passing through the placenta could cause “irreversible embryonic damage” and could also harm the placenta itself. Air pollution could also restrict the ability of the mother’s body to pass oxygen to the fetus. Though the number of stillbirths per year is declining there was no decrease in about half of the LMIC nations which were assessed with the decline in mortality for children under five years old rapidly outpacing stillbirths. This suggests that the interventions relevant to stillbirths are inadequate and that if we fail to combat air pollution levels we are not only failing to protect the health of vulnerable individuals but once again allowing LMIC countries to shoulder the brunt of pollution and unsustainable emissions levels.
EU Lays Plans to Cut Waste by Nearly a Fifth by 2030
by Alice Hancock 30th November 2022
If you are currently living inside of the EU then you had better prepare yourself for some changes in the years to come. The EU has set out plans to cut waste by almost a fifth by 2030 through new rules on recycling and reuse that will affect everything from plastic bags to coffee cups. The 150 page proposal has made waves across the packaging and plastics industries that claim the rules ignored the practical realities of waste management and failed to recognise the environmental consequences of making more reusable containers. The backlash from these industries was to be expected and has been rejected by environmental experts who say that the only way we can cut waste is by reducing the production of packaging and reusing what we already have or what we purchase in the future. Unfortunately industry pressure did manage to water down some of the reuse targets during the drafting process.
"Packaging waste in the EU has increased about 20 per cent between 2009 and 2020 — a rate much faster than the bloc’s economic growth — to an average of 177kg per capita, despite an increase in recycling". Overpackaging, something we are reminded of around Christmas when parents fight to pull apart the ridiculous quantity of packaging that covers children's toys, is a real problem and not something we can necessarily recycle our way out of even with targets to ensure all packaging is recyclable by 2030. Cutting rubbish in the EU by 5% compared with a 2018 baseline could create a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that would be the equivalent of Croatia's annual emissions. The targets set at Brussels are aimed at packaging which is most likely to end up in the trash. "80% of takeaway drinks containers would need to be refillable by 2040, and 15% of wine bottles would be reused. A list of five types of single-use plastics, including miniature toiletry bottles in hotels, and sauce sachets, would be banned".
Though the aims are admirable it has caused some contention between recycling or reusing. Reuse is not always the best solution from an environmental view as the impact of transporting and washing things like bottles will often result in reused packaging having a higher carbon footprint than other circular systems like recycling. Italy has been one of the loudest voices in this debate as its particularly efficient package management system could be at risk of being replaced by a model whose efficacy is uncertain but instead should support the current system. The EU's flagship Green Deal climate law and its regulations have once again been met with frustration by the EU's manufacturing industry who are struggling to balance high energy costs, reducing production levels and the need to cut waste which is bringing them into direct adversary with environmentalists who believe that manufacturers are making very little effort to reduce waste and "that companies had been given a “free ride” to pollute the planet with single-use plastics". Though this is a good example of the top down approach to waste the onus is both on the industry and the consumer, the former by producing packaging that can be recycled and reused and on the latter to actually carry these actions out.
COP15 Landmark Deal to Protect Nature
by Helen Briggs 19th December 2022
After the mild disappointment of Cop27 environmentalists and climate activists have been watching and waiting to find out if governments across the globe would take the necessary steps to protect the natural world and that they did! Nations have agreed to protect a third of the planet for nature by 2030 in a landmark deal aimed at safeguarding biodiversity. Targets have also been set which will protect ecosystems such as wetlands and rainforests as well as to protect the rights of indigenous peoples. All of this is good news after the proceedings were pushed back due to Covid-19 and moved from China to Canada. China, who chaired the meeting, brought the gavel down on the agreement despite the last minute objections of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The key points of the agreement were;
Maintaining, enhancing and restoring ecosystems, including halting species extinction and maintaining genetic diversity
"Sustainable use" of biodiversity - essentially ensuring that species and habitats can provide the services they provide for humanity, such as food and clean water
Ensuring that the benefits of resources from nature, like medicines that come from plants, are shared fairly and equally and that indigenous peoples' rights are protected
Paying for and putting resources into biodiversity: Ensuring that money and conservation efforts get to where they are needed.
After the Montreal summit was tagged with the label "last chance" to put nature on a path to recovery just like Cop27 there was significant division between the strength of ambition and how to finance the plans. The questions over how conservation efforts would be funded particularly in those parts of the globe which contain some of the most outstanding biodiversity but do not themselves have the necessary funds to protect such spaces caused much of the contention. However, now that the deal is in motion governments, companies and communities must begin to work out exactly how they plan to turn these commitments into a reality. With some already criticizing the agreement saying that it could have gone further to transform humanity's relationship with the natural world, the pressure is on to stop the destruction of ecosystems, habitats and species. Helping to preserve biodiversity will not only help plants and animals but will also stop the collapse of our natural systems and reduce the frequency with which diseases spill over from the animals into human populations.
Climate Change Studies Compulsory in Connecticut
by The Guardian 17th December 2022
There has been much discussion about introducing the study of climate change into schools, however, this has often meant teachers cramming as much information as possible into a single geography or science lesson or covering climate change in a morning assembly. Connecticut has gone one step further and as of July 2024 climate change studies will become a mandatory module in the public school science curriculum. The decision to mandate climate studies into law was taken both to address the absence of climate change studies in classrooms and to safeguard it from budget cuts and climate-denying political views when education has already been dragged into the culture war battleground.
After four years of lobbying to introduce a new climate education bill Christine Palm, vice chair of the Connecticut general assembly’s environment committee, finally saw her bill be included in the state budget implementor earlier this year. “In the public schools, the program of instruction offered shall include at least the following subject matter, as taught by legally qualified teachers … science, which shall include the climate change curriculum,” the current requirement reads, marking a change in language from “which may” to “which shall”. This is the difference between climate change studies being optional or mandatory and the benefits which come from this change are manifold. Not only does climate studies push students to demonstrate critical thinking skills and form objective arguments with data and evidence but it also contributes to a generation of young people who understand the links between human behaviour and climate change and can innovate to offer up solutions to the ensuing crisis.
Teaching climate change studies has not come without criticism and anxiety over how to relay information on the human-caused climate crisis to young students. After a global study of 10,000 children and young people found that 59% of respondents were very or extremely worried about the climate crisis whilst "over 50% reported feeling emotions including sadness, anxiousness, anger, powerlessness and guilt. Seventy-five percent of respondents said that they think the future is frightening". Naturally educators want to avoid contributing to the climate anxiety many young people are now feeling by balancing learning about cause and effects with resilience, creativity and most importantly solutions. Meanwhile, climate change studies push for a higher degree of equity surrounding climate conversations and ensuring that young people understand that climate change can affect different communities (i.e. low-income, people of colour, immigrants) disproportionately with the impacts being magnified compared to more affluent or privileged communities. Though nobody is under any illusions as to the backlash educators will experience by integrating climate change education into the curriculum when parents are already pushing back against highly politicized subject matters such as LGBTQ+ right, slavery/ racial inequality and climate change. However, despite vigilante groups of parents entering schools and kicking up a fuss because they 'don't want their children learning about [these subjects]' sometimes it is more important to ignore their delusions and provide children and young people with the tools necessary "to be part of a solution to a problem they had no hand in creating."
European Union Agrees to Ban the Import of Products Linked to Deforestation
by Antoinette Radford 13th December 2022
The European Union has recently introduced a new ban on products linked to deforestation which will effect a range of household goods from coffee to chocolate to furniture, all must now pass strict checks which ensure that forests weren't damaged to create them. With environmental groups calling this a breakthrough and countries saying it will hurt international trade there is no denying that this ban will cut carbon emissions worldwide. The new rules will cover palm oil, cattle, soy, coffee, cacao, timber and rubber as well as anything which is derived from these products. Companies who sell these products will have to work hard to be accountable for their supply chains and prove their goods are not linked to deforestation or they will face fines of up to 4% of their annual EU turnover.
The new law could protect an estimated "71,920 hectares (278 sq miles) of forest annually - around 100,000 football pitches.. It would also reduce annual global carbon emissions by 31.9 million metric tons per year… roughly the same as the carbon emissions of Denmark in 2021, according to World Bank data". The European Council/Parliament are set to ratify the agreement at the beginning of 2023 and will be enforceable 20 days after it is formally accepted. Once it comes into law operators and traders will have 18 months to adhere to the new regulations. Smaller companies will have 24 months to adapt. The companies need to also prove that their products were not produced on land that was deforested after December 2020. Some good news is that even with the extended regulations the costs of these changes will not fall on the consumer even if improving regulation capacity in nations such as Brazil or Indonesia is likely to be burdensome and costly. A feeling shared by Canada's ambassador to the EU, Ailish Campbell, who has criticized the move as the rules could hurt trade with Canada, particularly the timber industry.
Turning Tofu Waste Into Cooking Gas Helps Clean Rivers in Indonesia
by Business Insider 28th November 2022
The runoff from tofu factories pollutes rivers and kills fish. Over the last 40 years, Indonesia has built almost 50,000 biogas plants to convert the wastewater. Business Insider visited Sumedang to see how communities are producing cooking fuel from the waste of this popular food.
Pico Analytics Sustainability Spotlight!
by Kate Martin 25th November 2022
This section of our Newsletter is where we here at Pico Analytics shine a spotlight on one of those businesses, initiatives, positive news stories or people that are paving the way for sustainability and a more eco-friendly future. In this edition we wanted to help those of our readers who are planning to try out the Veganuary initiative or who want to shift to a more plant based diet in the new year. Whether you are trying it out for ethical or environmental reasons it can be daunting to make changes to your diet but it is a great way to make your own contribution to tackling climate change.
A few key facts about the environmental benefits of a plant based diet;
Veganism saves water: Agricultural production uses gallons of water, with the meat and dairy industry accounting for one-quarter of the total use of freshwater worldwide.
Going plant-based cuts greenhouse gasses and emissions: Did you know livestock, mainly cows and sheep, burp out nearly 3.1 gigatonnes of methane a year!? According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, GHG emissions from livestock and its supply chain equate to 14.5% of total human GHG emissions.
Ditching fish reduces pressure on overfished oceans: Overfishing has led to catastrophic imbalances in the world’s oceans, with one-third of global fish stocks being overfished. 90% of populations are considered fully fished, meaning any further fishing will cause a population decline, which can then lead to extinction.
Going vegan reduces energy consumption: It’s estimated that animal-based protein uses eight times more fossil fuel energy than plant-based proteins.
Stop eating meat to protect rainforests from deforestation: It’s estimated 20% of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed, with 80% of that deforestation occurring to make room for rearing cattle. This deforestation is responsible for releasing 340 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere every year, changing water cycles, causing fluctuating temperatures, altering wildlife and biodiversity.
Going vegan helps preserve wild habitats and natural spaces: Livestock production is the single biggest driver of habitat loss, threatening native animals and human life. By 2050 it’s predicted Asian and African countries will need a 30-50% land increase to support the growing meat industry.
Avoid animal products to combat world hunger: 36% of calories produced by the world’s crops are used to feed livestock, whilst only 12% of those calories are consumed by humans.
So if all these facts have helped to convince you of all the good you could do by changing to a more plant based diet then Veganuary is a great way to start. In the UK and across the globe it has never been easier to take part with supermarkets stocking every imaginable meat and dairy substitute as well as some fabulous unexpectedly vegan products. The 2023 Veganuary initiative has already seen 620,000 people sign up to the campaign from across 220 countries and territories. They have provided a useful ten step guide to help get you started;
It’s all in the planning! : Ahead of time, have a think about your first day’s meals and buy plant milk for your breakfast and coffee or tea, some dairy-free butter for toast or sandwiches, and something tasty for your dinner. Some people find making a weekly meal planner helpful, so they always know what they need to shop for and what they will be eating.
Discover accidentally vegan foods: Common accidentally vegan foods include pasta, rice, peanut butter and Marmite, most breads, tinned tomatoes, chickpeas and kidney beans, jam and marmalade, coconut milk, curry pastes, tomato puree, baked beans, many crisps, crackers and biscuits, herbs and spices, many gravy granules, tea, coffee and fruit juice. There is a good chance that half the foods you already eat are vegan!
Ease yourself in: There’s no need to reinvent all of your eating habits. For this to be a sustainable lifestyle change, you need to do whatever works for you. You might prefer to transition one meal at a time, or even one day at a time.
Veganise your favorite dishes: If your signature dish is lasagne, make a vegan version with soya mince. If you love a morning fry-up, you can make it with vegan bacon and sausages. Whether you cook curries, casseroles, soups, stews, pies and pasties, roast dinners, cakes, desserts or anything else, simply veganise it.
Replace what you won’t miss first: We’re only human and succumbing to cravings is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean there is no point in trying. If you find yourself constantly craving non-vegan foods, try to wean yourself off them instead of quitting overnight.
Learn the basics of nutrition: Although there are many health benefits of eating a plant-based diet, it’s also important to remember that just because something is vegan doesn’t make it healthy. Protein, vitamin B12, Omega fatty acids, iron and iodine are among the most common concerns, but broadly speaking, eating a variety of protein sources, legumes, nuts, fruits and vegetables should be enough.
Find your ‘why’: Do you want to do more to combat the climate crisis? Remind yourself of the impact you’ve already had since you stopped eating animal products.
Find your community: Find your local vegan meetup group and make like-minded friends in real life or search online for vegan groups that interest you.
Be kind to yourself: Everyone makes mistakes. Whether you ate something non-vegan accidentally or simply gave in to temptation, it’s OK. It doesn’t mean you are no longer vegan; it just means you are human! Chalk it up to experience and move forward. Veganism is about doing the best you can in an imperfect world and mistakes are part of the journey.
Have fun! : All too often, veganism is seen as restrictive, but it’s not defined by what we’re ‘not allowed’ to eat. Going vegan is a huge learning curve, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Many people find that becoming vegan opens up a whole new world of recipes and ingredients, and rekindles their love of great food.
