Twenty-three North Lanarkshire schools to benefit practical sustainability water usage initiative
As part of its commitment under the Public Sector Scotland (PSS) Framework, water retailer Business Stream has provided free water butts to the schools.
Twenty-three North Lanarkshire schools are set to benefit from a practical sustainability initiative that aims to inspire young minds while helping cut water usage.
As part of its commitment under the Public Sector Scotland (PSS) Framework, water retailer Business Stream has provided free water butts to the schools.
The water butts, which capture and store rainwater for outdoor use, are expected to save up to 2000 litres of water a year in each school.
Sophia Goring, head of environmental, social and governance (ESG) at Business Stream, said: 'This innovative water-saving project, not only helps schools reduce water consumption but also provides a practical, hands-on learning opportunity for young students to understand environmental sustainability.
'By introducing water butts into primary schools, we're empowering the next generation to become environmentally conscious citizens.'
Each school is encouraged to locate and secure their water butt in a safe and practical area, ensuring it supports outdoor learning and gardening activities while adhering to health and safety guidelines.
As part of the rollout, local authorities will also be invited to share feedback and case studies from participating schools, capturing the environmental and educational impact of the initiative for future learning and reporting.
The initiative underlines Business Stream's wider environmental commitment.
Since launching its 'Make A Positive Difference' (MAPD) vision in 2019, the organisation has delivered more than 30 ESG-focused initiatives.
Sophia added: 'This initiative is a perfect example of how small, practical actions can deliver long-term benefits for both people and planet.
'We're committed to helping our public sector customers meet their environmental goals, and this is a fantastic way to encourage sustainable thinking from a young age.
'Our hope is that these water butts become a lasting resource for schools, both as a tool for reducing water usage and as an opportunity to bring sustainability to life for children in a fun and hands-on way.'
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
2 days ago
- Reuters
SEC wins dismissal of lawsuit challenging tighter rules on shareholder proposals
June 5 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit challenging U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule changes that made it harder for shareholders to file proposals at companies' annual meetings, including for reforms on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton in Washington, D.C. rejected arguments that the SEC arbitrarily and capriciously adopted the changes, including on the alleged pretext it supported corporate opposition to reforms on contentious issues such as climate change and workplace diversity. The SEC was required to determine whether the changes would "promote efficiency, competition, and capital formation, and it did so," Walton wrote in a 64-page decision. Adopted in November 2020, late in Republican President Donald Trump's first White House term, the SEC rule changes increased how much stock shareholders had to own, and how long they had to own it, before submitting proposals. The changes also added requirements for resubmitting proposals that shareholders had rejected in the last three years. Plaintiffs in the June 2021 lawsuit included the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, which represents more than 300 faith-based institutional investors, shareholder advocacy group As You Sow and shareholder advocate James McRitchie. They said the SEC, before adopting the rule changes, failed to quantify the benefits of ESG and other shareholder proposals, or address the expected loss of "billions of dollars in long-term shareholder value" by adding restrictions. In a joint statement following Walton's decision, the plaintiffs said the changes "only serve to hurt shareholders and companies alike. Despite this decision, shareholders will continue to engage with corporations on their environmental and social impacts." The SEC declined to comment. In seeking the lawsuit's dismissal, the SEC said the rule changes would help ensure that proposals reflect the interests of all shareholders, and that resubmitted proposals could receive levels of support "likely to lead to company action." SEC commissioners voted 3-2 along party lines for the changes, with Republican appointees in the majority. The regulator defended the changes during Democratic President Joe Biden's administration. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supported the SEC's position. The case is Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility et al v SEC, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, No. 21-01620.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Two new business units at former contaminated Shawfield site now complete
They were completed 'on time and on budget' after a funding boost from the Scottish Government. A pair of new business units have been completed at the former contaminated Shawfield site. The high-value manufacturing industrial units have been built on formerly contaminated land which had been described as one of the most polluted inner-city locations in the UK. They were completed 'on time and on budget' after a funding boost from the Scottish Government. Named Innovation Shawfield, the South Lanarkshire development was visited by the Scottish Government Investment Minister, Tom Arthur on May 27, to inspect the newly-finished commercial spaces that form the first phase of a new £500 million regeneration programme called 'Clyde Gateway Innovation'. Innovation Shawfield has been jointly funded by the UK Government, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Clyde Gateway, with additional funding for further infrastructure works also being provided by South Lanarkshire Council. The works are spearheaded by Clyde Gateway, Scotland's largest regeneration project, which in addition to the construction of the two new units, also includes further site acquisition and remediation works as well as the treatment of contaminants from the old chemical works near the Polmadie Burn. The site has been remediated over a number of years, transforming derelict land that had otherwise lain empty for decades, into an area of investment, growth, opportunity and job creation. It was built on the former J&J Whites Chemical plant, also known as Shawfield Chemical Works, which operated from 1820 to 1967 and at one point produced up to 70 per cent of the UK's chromate products. This activity generated significant volumes of hazardous chromium waste, which continues to be remediated by Clyde Gateway. Remediation works initially commenced in Shawfield in 2013, which led to the construction of 'Red Tree Magenta', a 40,000sq. ft managed office building, which opened in December 2018 and now supports 21 companies and over 180 jobs. This latest £8.75m project is part of a £25m investment programme currently underway on site, which includes a £14.6m contribution in November 2023 from the UK Government (formerly Levelling Up Funding Round 3), £1.2m from Scottish Enterprise and £7.5m from The Scottish Government, with Clyde Gateway and South Lanarkshire Council contributing the remainder. The two industrial units, totalling 2700m2 (29,000sq. ft), received planning permission in March 2024 and have been constructed by Heron Bros. Designed to achieve BREEAM 'Excellent' status in addition to exemplary ESG credentials, they are designed for high-value manufacturing (HVM) use. Mr Arthur said: 'Our significant investment in this project has helped to remove toxic chemicals from the former Shawfield Chemical Works site and transform it into a thriving hub for businesses. 'The completion of these works is welcome news for Glasgow and Rutherglen, creating up to 90 permanent jobs and ultimately reducing pollution in the River Clyde. 'To benefit people throughout Scotland, we are providing £62.15 million for regeneration projects in 2025/26. This will revitalise green spaces, town centres and derelict sites across the country.' Martin McKay, chief executive of Clyde Gateway, said: 'Remediating this land not only removes an eyesore from the local community, it will also bring jobs and economic activity well into the future. Clyde Gateway has remediated the equivalent of over 400 football pitches since our inception and this work has transformed the areas of Rutherglen, Dalmarnock and Bridgeton, with new housing, green spaces and businesses now filling what was dead space. 'With the help of funding from our partners, including the Scottish and UK Governments, we have been able to create these new spaces on time and on budget. This development forms part of our £500m vision for Clyde Gateway that will establish the area as a hub for innovation, green jobs and advanced manufacturing, bringing new homes, hotels and employment opportunities.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
How will the sustainability of the EU's omnibus transform your CSRD journey?
Inspired PLC is a Business Reporter client Earlier this year, the European Commission (EC) published its proposed omnibus legislation that aims to reduce sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements for certain entities. The proposal plans to unify various ESG disclosures into a more streamlined framework. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) are emerging as pivotal standards, paving the way for transparent and comparable ESG reporting. So, what is included in the sustainability omnibus package, what is changing and how can businesses get onboard with driving CSRD efficiencies? What does the omnibus package entail? It amends: CSRD thresholds and reporting requirements Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) thresholds and reporting requirements EU Taxonomy Regulation (EUT) disclosures (subject to public consultation) Taxonomy Climate and Environmental Delegated Acts (subject to public consultation) Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) thresholds InvestEU Regulation What is changing? The omnibus seeks to alleviate administrative burdens on businesses while maintaining the EU's commitment to environmental and social objectives. Narrowed scope: An updated threshold reduces the number of companies captured by CSRD by approximately 80 per cent. Postponed reporting: The omnibus proposes postponing the application for all reporting requirements in the CSRD for companies that have not yet started reporting by two years. Standardised and simplified reporting requirements: The package proposes a significant reduction in the number of data points companies must disclose, substantially streamlining the CSRD requirements. Audit and assurance: The proposal removes the possibility for the EC to introduce stricter requirements under reasonable assurance. What is the six-step roadmap to compliance? Understand the new requirements: Thoroughly review the omnibus package to understand the proposed changes. Conduct a double materiality assessment: Leverage the delayed reporting timeline to conduct a robust assessment. Streamline data collection and reporting processes: Prioritise your material sustainability topics and assess current processes for collecting, monitoring and reporting data. Build internal capacity: Facilitate education sessions to drive efficiencies when it comes to collecting data and developing processes. Prepare for assurance: Conduct pre-assurance exercises to ensure appropriate internal controls and processes are in place to meet audit requirements. Leverage CSRD reporting as a strategic tool: View this as an opportunity to go beyond the minimum requirements and integrate sustainability reporting into your overall business strategy. As the ESG landscape evolves, staying informed is crucial for organisations to mitigate the risks of litigation and protect their reputation. Third-party ESG consultants can help you navigate these complexities, support your internal teams and combat the challenges head-on. Inspired PLC provides market-leading ESG advisory services that help clients thrive in the future low-carbon global economy.
