News & Views

Waste from electronics, such as cell phones, computers and other digital devices, represents the world’s fastest-growing waste stream, increasing at an alarming pace of 2Mt per year. Additionally, 80-85% of e-waste is not formally collected, and that which is, is usually sent to developing countries, intensifying human rights issues. Research from EY suggests that Current economic systems assume a constant supply of natural resources, resulting in a “take-make-use-dispose” linear model (Centre 2015). Circular business models, on the other hand, focus on redesigning product-service systems to enhance business capabilities and market competitiveness. A shift toward circular economy models can help companies not only access untapped financial and business opportunities but also lower their overall environmental impact. See their analysis HERE

Following the Law Society of England and Wales publication of Climate Change Guidance notes, 'Legal Charter 1.5' has also been launched.  Legal Charter 1.5 has been developed collaboratively – by a group of large commercial/corporate law firms, including signatories and dialogue partner firms who are AusLSA members. 

The launch of this Charter comes at a crucial time for the legal sector, where a credible, integrated approach to sustainability and commitments to mitigate the impacts of climate change have never been more important. See the website HERE.

The Law Society of England and Wales has published guidance notes for all it's members which can be used to pre-empt the climate change risks to their own firms and clients which will enable them to do business competently and compliantly. Climate change issues no longer just apply to environmental lawyers - it needs to be considered for every client and every matter that a firm will open. The guidance notes, divided into firm side and client side advice, has lessons that can be applied to Australian firms as well as UK firms, and is well worth reading HERE.

As many countries are implementing legislation to try and eradicate false or over-exaggerated green claims, trying to put the stopper back in this bottle has uncovered a whole host of different types of 'greening'.

See an article that describes at least 6 greenwashing terms, plus a couple of other quick Climate Change stories from Thomson Reuters HERE.

A recent survey has shown that less than 10 percent of companies report on disability in their demographics and even less in company surveys, and that disabled employees see themselves as being less productive and less likely to achieve career progression.

Key to addressing this and to create a safe space for disabled employees is to nominate a disability champion who can publicly advocate for themselves and others across the company. See a discussion about this from HR Leader HERE

Given that up to 90% of a company's carbon emissions come from the supply chain, join this Sustainable Brands webinar to find out how to mitigate risks and unlock potential in the supply chain to meet sustainability targets. Learn why the supply chain is crucial to meeting sustainability goals and how to engage suppliers. Note this Webinar is on 25 April (Anzac Day), however if you register, you can get a recording of the session.

The World Economic Forum recently held its inaugural meeting of Advanced Energy Solutions – a community that aims to speed up deployment of energy solutions, such as clean fuels, hydrogen and new nuclear.

Four CEOs at the forefront of the energy transition area speak about the innovative work their companies are doing in these areas, and what we need to go globally to meet the 1.5 degree challenge in this article and podcast.

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has welcomed the passage of the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023 in Federal Parliament on 30 March 2023.

The package of reforms will allow employees to have access to the key indicator of how their organisation is performing on gender equality and provides an opportunity for employers who may have been slow to prioritise gender equality to get serious about change. See the WGEA press release HERE.

While many firms already have effective measures in place to deal with diversity, equality and other affirmative action measures, many still may have an element of unconscious bias when it comes to the recruitment processes. Consulting firm ASPL suggest that by improving workplace diversity through minimising unconscious bias can have significant benefits for employers. See five ways that organisations can help remove bias in their recruitment process in their discussion with HR leader magazine HERE.

Smurfit Kappa, a world leader in paper based packaging, recently conducted a survey in conjunction with the Financial Times which reveals that despite more than 50% of businesses believing that sustainability is changing the way they measure financial performance only 11% believe they have a robust sustainability strategy. The survey highlights the importance of transparency underscoring how it is central to building confidence among stakeholders. See the article and the survey HERE