Covid-19 intensifying challenges; sustainability summit

6,772-mn tonnes waste collection in Dehradun

Dehradun-Uttarakhand-based NGO, Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA), has recycled 6,772-million tonnes of plastic waste in the last three years. “Uttarakhand is an ecologically sensitive state where plastic waste is bound to become more problematic in the coming times with increasing urbanisation and tourist activities. Therefore, our efforts are focused on counteracting the future plastic waste estimates," director of IPCA, Ashish Jain, said. Dehradun contributes the highest plastic percentage in the waste generated by the entire state producing 327.9 tonnes of plastic waste per day which is set to increase to 584.051 tonnes per day in the coming years, the NGO said. “Adopting an inclusive model for plastic waste management in Dehradun, we have been able to collect, segregate and recycle 6,772 MT of plastic waste since 2018. Out of this, 3,555 million tonnes were recycled in 2020, recording a growth of 50%," he said.

CSR & Sustainability Summit 2021

The upcoming ICS Summit 2021 (International CSR & Sustainability Summit 2021) aims to gather more than 300 international delegates across Asia to discuss and explore the mobilisation of business leaders to rebuild a world that is sustainable and resilient. The summit promises to offer powerful insights on rebuilding a clean, just, and sustainable future, for both people and the planet. India CSR is the largest tech-led platform for information on CSR and sustainability in India offering diverse content across multi-sectoral issues. It covers sustainable development, corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability, and related issues in India. Founded in 2009, the organisation aspires to become a globally admired media that offers valuable information to its readers through responsible reporting. Details available at https://enterpriseasia.org/area/ics/.

Covid-19 intensifying challenges

New research from GlobeScan and the SustainAbility Institute by ERM finds that sustainability experts believe the global pandemic will help draw attention to environmental issues — but will also deepen socio-economic challenges such as poverty and inequality. The GlobeScan / SustainAbility Leaders Survey has tracked global expert opinions on the evolution of the sustainability agenda since 1997. According to the 25th edition of the report, overall, experts are now more optimistic that the pandemic will not derail action on sustainable development. In 2020, almost half of sustainability professionals predicted a de-prioritisation of corporate sustainability agendas over the coming decade due to the coronavirus; in 2021, just one in four experts believe this will happen. Furthermore, a third of experts believe more attention will be given to the environment due to the pandemic. However, Covid-19 is perceived to be exacerbating socio-economic challenges, with nearly four in ten experts believing that increased poverty and inequality will be one of the most likely effects of the pandemic. When asked to rank the most urgent sustainable development challenges, experts believe that climate change remains the most pressing issue; but issues such as access to energy, food security, diversity and discrimination have increased the most in perceived urgency over the past year.

Mastercard’s corporate sustainability report

Mastercard has released its 2020 Corporate Sustainability report, highlighting how the company has responded to the challenges of the last year through innovation and trusted partnerships and is delivering on its mission to build a more inclusive, sustainable world with a digital economy that works for everyone, everywhere. Michael Miebach, chief executive officer, Mastercard, said, “For us, sustainability means ensuring everyone has the same opportunities to grow and thrive in alignment with the planet. This year’s report is a reflection of all that we have achieved and marks an important moment to share the progress we continue to make together.” In the report, the company committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 across all its operations and value chain, building on our existing science-based targets; issued a USD 600-million sustainability bond to support carbon reduction, supporting environmental choices for customers, and fostering inclusive growth; launched the Priceless Planet Coalition with now more than 60 partners with a goal to restore 100 million trees over five years; and exceeded 10-million cards made from approved sustainable materials using Mastercard’s Sustainable Card Materials Directory.

Samsung’s Galaxy for the Planet

Samsung Electronics has unveiled Galaxy for the Planet, the sustainability platform for its mobile communications business powered by its scale, innovation and spirit of open collaboration, to take tangible climate actions across its business. Samsung has established an initial set of targets to be reached by 2025 to reduce its environmental footprint and decrease resource depletion in a variety of areas ranging from production to the disposal of its Galaxy products. “We believe that everyone has a role to play in providing innovative solutions that protect the planet for generations to come. Samsung understands our efforts need to match our scale, our influence and the magnitude of the entire Galaxy ecosystem around the world,” said TM Roh, president and head of mobile communications business, Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy for the Planet is an important step in our journey toward creating a more sustainable world, and we will do so with the openness, transparency and collaboration that drives everything we do.”