Governance Focus: January 2015

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Friday, January 30, 2015

Australia temperatures rising faster than rest of the world: official report

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/27/us-australia-climatechange-idUSKBN0KZ2KI20150127

Study: Global warming 'doubles risk' of extreme weather

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30985039

Smart climate change adaptation in practice

¿Está la igualdad en el debate? | Purificación Causapié Lopesino

http://www.huffingtonpost.es/purificacion-causapie-lopesino/esta-la-igualdad-en-el_b_6349176.html?utm_hp_ref=es-economia

3 ways to cut carbon: creative lessons in corporate citizenship

http://corporatecitizenship.bc.edu/three-ways-to-cut-carbon-creative-lessons-in-corporate-ctizenship?utm_campaign=Blog+Post&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=15701879&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_lcs-8KFlicW4y9N-Gl4Q0R5eD8J2JSj1MVUtZQ60Gog74_LBlTpHs7bHy10aHpVo2H-Nko7bCLXAf5zdd3IImoSE-1A&_hsmi=15701879

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Putting a green twist on food packaging | euronews, hi-tech

http://www.euronews.com/2014/12/17/putting-a-green-twist-on-food-packaging/

Australian Super calls on banks to assess climate change risk

http://m.theage.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/australian-super-calls-on-banks-to-assess-climate-change-risk-20141224-12d16q.html?skin=smart-phone

Why diversity matters | McKinsey & Company

New research makes it increasingly clear that companies with more diverse workforces perform better financially.

We know intuitively that diversity matters. It’s also increasingly clear that it makes sense in purely business terms. Our latest research finds that companies in the top quartile for gender or racial and ethnic diversity are more likely to have financial returns above their national industry medians. Companies in the bottom quartile in these dimensions are statistically less likely to achieve above-average returns. And diversity is probably a competitive differentiator that shifts market share toward more diverse companies over time.

While correlation does not equal causation (greater gender and ethnic diversity in corporate leadership doesn’t automatically translate into more profit), the correlation does indicate that when companies commit themselves to diverse leadership, they are more successful. More diverse companies, we believe, are better able to win top talent and improve their customer orientation, employee satisfaction, and decision making, and all that leads to a virtuous cycle of increasing returns. This in turn suggests that other kinds of diversity—for example, in age, sexual orientation, and experience (such as a global mind-set and cultural fluency)—are also likely to bring some level of competitive advantage for companies that can attract and retain such diverse talent.

See full Article: Why diversity matters | McKinsey & Company

Consilium - Council reaches political agreements on CO2 emissions from ships and plastic bag use

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/council-reaches-political-agreements-on-co2-emissions-from-ships-and-plastic-bag-use?lang=en

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Australia records biggest emissions drop in a decade as carbon tax kicks in | Environment | The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/dec/24/australia-records-biggest-emissions-drop-in-a-decade-as-carbon-tax-kicks-in

Radical Goals for Sustainable Development by Barbara Unmuessig - Project Syndicate

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/radical-sustainable-development-goals-by-barbara-unmuessig-2014-12

Measuring the Next Global Development Goals by Bjørn Lomborg - Project Syndicate

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/post-2015-development-goals-measurement-by-bj-rn-lomborg-2014-12

The Productivity of Trust by Ricardo Hausmann - Project Syndicate

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/government-private-sector-cooperation-by-ricardo-hausmann-2014-12

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Pharrell Williams and Al Gore launch Live Earth climate action concert

Monday, January 26, 2015

Rescued scientists bring back a warning from the Antarctic | Science | The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/25/rescued-scientists-warning-from-antarctica

Thinktank sounds warning over female workers stuck on ‘mummy track’ | Business | The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/dec/26/thinktank-sounds-warning-over-female-workers-stuck-on-mummy-track

The curse of abundant fossil fuel | European Voice

Emma Watson Speech for HeForShe IMPACT 10x10x10 Program at World Economic Forum 2015

Much of world's fossil fuel reserve must stay buried to prevent climate change, study says | Environment | The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/07/much-worlds-fossil-fuel-reserve-must-stay-buried-prevent-climate-change-study-says

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Chinese solar sector under scrutiny again | European Voice

Economics of forced labour: ILO says forced labour generates annual profits of US$ 150 billion

Financing Climate Safety by Jeffrey D. Sachs - Project Syndicate

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/fossil-fuels-carbon-pricing-tax-by-jeffrey-d-sachs-2014-12

UK accused of hypocrisy over plans to limit enforcement of EU climate goals | EurActiv

British lobbying to reduce monitoring of EU countries’ action on climate change has sparked outrage among MEPs and environmentalists. EU states agreed last October to cut their carbon emissions 40% by 2030, but a UK plan co-authored with the Czech Republic proposes that countries’ emissions cuts should only be overseen with a ‘light touch’ regime with a diminished role for Brussels. The unpublished paper places equal emphasis on business competitiveness and greenhouse gas reductions. It also calls for nuclear power and experimental carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to be given the same status as renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, and energy efficiency.

UK accused of hypocrisy over plans to limit enforcement of EU climate goals | EurActiv

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Atmospheric record in the Hadean Eon from multiple sulfur isotope measurements in Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt (Nunavik, Quebec)

Attenuation of sinking particulate organic carbon flux through the mesopelagic ocean

United Nations News Centre - COP20: Ban Ki-moon hails delegates for paving way to 'meaningful' climate agreement

Chinese demand for tiger wine and skins puts wild cats in peril

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/03/china-tiger-farms-wildlife-trade

Friday, January 23, 2015

2014: watershed moments in sustainability | Guardian Sustainable Business | The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/gallery/2014/dec/29/2014-watershed-moments-in-sustainability

Un modelo de calculadora de bolsillo predice el clima mejor que el IPCC - Libertad Digital

United Nations News Centre - In India, UN chief commends country’s leadership on climate change

Thursday, January 22, 2015

'Nobody cycles across Mumbai.' But why? | Cities | The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/dec/17/cycling-central-mumbai-traffic-india-megacity

United Nations News Centre - Ban appoints climate change official ahead of December UN climate conference

French climate envoy sees hope in low oil prices

http://www.apnewsarchive.com/2014/AP-Interview-French-climate-envoy-says-low-oil-prices-could-help-produce-global-warming-deal/id-e4140c0406a246f4bbf18c85d713633d

United Nations News Centre - UN agency stresses need for genetic diversity in agriculture to combat climate change

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Davos 2015: inequality and climate change top challenges

BBC News - How do you get women into the workplace?

Davos 2015: 9 ways to pull our planet back from the brink

Aumenta la brecha laboral entre sexos - Vídeo - 20minutos.tv

Where are the women in global leadership?

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

The World Economy Doesn’t Need Fossil Fuels To Prosper

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-world-economy-doesnt-need-fossil-fuels-to-prosper-2014-12

Despite posited ‘threats of extinctions caused by global warming’, 221 new species described by the California Academy of Sciences in 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/12/29/despite-posited-threats-of-extinctions-caused-by-global-warming-221-new-species-described-by-the-california-academy-of-sciences-in-2014/

We must end extreme inequality. Now. | Oxfam International Blogs

blogs.oxfam.org/en/blogs/14-11-10-we-must-end-extreme-inequality-now?utm_source=oxf.am&utm_medium=vNy&utm_content=redirect

Monday, January 19, 2015

2014: The Year Climate Change Undeniably Arrived

http://insideclimatenews.org/news/20141229/2014-year-climate-change-undeniably-arrived

Why there’s more to sustainability than 2015’s big global events | Guardian Sustainable Business | The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/dec/26/more-to-sustainability-2015-global-events

The 14 Most Interesting Stories Of 2014

http://www.fastcoexist.com/3039980/the-14-most-interesting-stories-of-2014?partner=rss

Financing Climate Safety by Jeffrey D. Sachs - Project Syndicate

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/fossil-fuels-carbon-pricing-tax-by-jeffrey-d-sachs-2014-12

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Business review 2014: boardroom dinosaurs and corporate ghosts | Business | The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/dec/26/business-review-of-the-year-dinosaurs-boardroom

Council reaches political agreements on CO2 emissions from ships and plastic bag use

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/highlights/council-reaches-political-agreements-on-co2-emissions-from-ships-and-plastic-bag-use?lang=en

FRC to investigate Tesco accounts and auditor PwC

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/12/23/uk-tesco-accounts-idUKKBN0K00OQ20141223

swissinfo: Study says CO2 emissions need more drastic cuts

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/i.html?cid=36352034&ref=iPhone&chan=eMail

Saturday, January 17, 2015

What trends will we see in humanitarian policy and practice in 2015? | Oxfam GB | Policy & Practice

How our male CEOs will help fight bias against women at work | theage.com.au

http://m.theage.com.au/national/how-our-male-ceos-will-help-fight-bias-against-women-at-work-20141221-12bnum.html

As US Cleans up, It's Exporting More Pollution

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/us-cleans-exporting-pollution-27771574

A new standard for humanitarian action | Oxfam GB | Policy & Practice

China Plans to Dethrone King Coal - Businessweek

Watch Live: Can China Survive a Fracking Revolution? The United States Sure Hopes So. | Mother Jones

Ventas en España de coches y furgonetas eléctricas en 2014

Friday, January 16, 2015

Toyota Embraces Fuel-Cell Cars for Post-Gasoline Future - Businessweek

The Consequences of Increased Population Growth for Climate Change | Reports

How Beijing Is Co-opting China's Environmental Movement | Foreign Affairs

m.foreignaffairs.com/articles/141559/scott-m-moore/pollution-without-revolution

The Bribery Act - PwC UK

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Productivity’s wave goodbye? - OECD Observer

FAO - Chile and Maternal Nutrition

Return of Coral Reefs Brings Good Fortunes to Coastal Communities in Indonesia

IMF Women In The Workforce: Breaking The Barriers

IMF Podcasts

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

PWC - Megatrends

Megatrends

FIFA ethics prosecutor resigns - SWI swissinfo.ch

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/fifa-ethics-prosecutor-resigns/41175518

Gender pay gap statistics - Statistics Explained

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Gender_pay_gap_statistics

Corporate sustainability: Building our blueprint for better business

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

G20: OECD to help monitor growth and gender commitments

Newsroom - OECD

unctad.org | Biofuels remain an important and growing sector for developing countries, new UNCTAD report says

BBC News - Clean air and recycling laws at risk in EU

SEC.gov | Keynote Address at Columbia Law School Conference on Current Issues in Securities Regulation: The ‘Hot’ Topics

Monday, January 12, 2015

Bank of England | Publications | News Releases | News Release - Bank of England announces measures to bolster transparency and accountability

unctad.org | Las mujeres empresarias son un elemento esencial para la diversificación de la economía rural de los países menos adelantados, según un informe

Top 10 ethical travel destinations for 2015 - CNN.com

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/12/travel/ethical-travel-destinations-2015/index.html?hpt=hp_bn6

SEC.gov | Remarks at 31st International Conference on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Sunday, January 11, 2015

'Spanish firms have to take ethics seriously' - The Local

unctad.org | Women entrepreneurs critical for diversifying rural economies in least developed countries, report says

Latin America's Moment » Taking on Mexico’s Corruption

SEC.gov | Remarks Before the 2014 AICPA National Conference on Current SEC and PCAOB Developments

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Latin America's Moment » Guest Post: Latin America, Energy Matrices, and the Future of Climate Change

unctad.org | Trade and Environment Review Series

Madrid incumple en apenas una semana los niveles de polución por NO2 para todo el año - 20minutos.es

Work-life balance is dead (Opinion) - CNN.com

SEC.gov | SEC Sanctions Eight Audit Firms for Violating Auditor Independence Rules

Friday, January 09, 2015

Earth Could Face Another Mass Extinction in Next 200 Years: Study

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/earth-could-face-another-mass-extinction-next-200-years-study-n268746

La desigualdad económica perjudica el crecimiento, según la OCDE

http://www.elblogsalmon.com/entorno/la-desigualdad-economica-perjudica-el-crecimiento-segun-la-ocde

Activan el protocolo por contaminación atmosférica en 40 municipios del área metropolitana - 20minutos.es

A scientist unlocks one of the mysteries of Arctic ice melt

http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-12-11/scientist-unlocks-one-mysteries-arctic-ice-melt

Your All-Electric Vehicle May Not Be So Green, Study Says

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/your-all-electric-vehicle-may-not-be-so-green-study-n268961?cid=sm_twitter_feed_business

Thursday, January 08, 2015

Scale of international bribery laid bare by new OECD report

Newsroom - OECD

Obesity: A global economic issue | VOX, CEPR’s Policy Portal

http://www.voxeu.org/article/obesity-global-economic-issue

OECD Do environmental policies matter for productivity growth?

Environment - OECD

Fairer taxation for trust: the time is now! - OECD Observer

Wednesday, January 07, 2015

The OECD Green Growth Strategy: Key lessons so far - OECD Observer

Is inequality good or bad for growth? - OECD Observer

Sharing the Wealth -- Finance & Development, December 2014

Economics and policies for biodiversity - OECD Observer

Life cycle air quality impacts of conventional and alternative light-duty transportation in the United States

Biodiversity statistics - Statistics Explained

Tuesday, January 06, 2015

The Shape of Global Health -- Finance & Development, December 2014

Can methanol fuel OPEC's demise? by Erin Amato | Wilson Quarterly

http://wilsonquarterly.com/stories/can-methanol-fuel-opecs-demise/

Debemos subir los impuestos sobre la gasolina y el gasóleo

Como sabemos, los gobiernos están buscando formas de recaudar más para equilibrar las cuentas y para no tener que reducir sus gastos aún más.

Como vemos en el gráfico, en España ya se recauda bastantes impuestos y, como consecuencia, la reacción normal es que ahí no hay que tocar más. Siempre que hablo de este tema, me dejan muy claro los comentaristas que exigir que paguemos más por usar nuestros automóviles no es el camino a seguir. A pesar de las críticas que vendrán, en España vemos, una vez más, que hay cabida para subir los impuestos sobre la gasolina y sobre el gasóleo.

Ver artículo completo: Debemos subir los impuestos sobre la gasolina y el gasóleo