Latest news with #17SustainableDevelopmentGoals
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Sustainability conference in Germany urges action despite conflicts
A major conference on sustainability and development opened in the northern Germany city of Hamburg on Monday, as participants warned that global environmental issues are being sidelined by conflicts. Around 1,600 people from some 110 countries are expected to attend the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, which is centred on the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The two-day event, first held last October, is being jointly organized by the German Development Ministry and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) along with local foundations. Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher said "in recent years, the world has changed." "Crisis, wars, and conflicts increasingly overshadow the focus on climate change and the global pressures on nature and the environment," he argued. Tschentscher said the SDGs "aim to give 8 billion people worldwide a good life and a secure future with access to education, to health, participation, peace, security, and prosperity." "Implementing this is a mandate and a great responsibility for the international community of states, because global developments can only be achieved through cooperation and joint efforts," the mayor added. UNDP head Achim Steiner admitted that "the world has not exactly moved forward" since the last conference in October, and that "this is not a good moment to encourage people to believe in the scope, value, and potential of international cooperation." "My hope is that here, out of Hamburg, out of this Hamburg Sustainability Conference, emerges a new way to actually think about the future and not only to think, but to act on it," Steiner added.
Kuwait Times
05-05-2025
- Health
- Kuwait Times
Chronic disease is a global challenge - Dr Khalid Al-Saleh
Chronic disease is a global challenge Chronic or non-communicable diseases - namely cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory illnesses and diabetes - are among the leading causes of death globally. These conditions, which develop over long periods, are responsible for over 60 percent of all deaths worldwide, claiming approximately 36 million lives annually, including nearly a quarter of victims under the age of 60. Recognizing the gravity of this threat, world leaders convened in New York in September 2011 and adopted a political declaration to address the growing burden of chronic diseases. The World Health Organization followed with a global action plan for 2013–2020. However, by the end of the decade, it became evident that most countries had not fulfilled their commitments. In response, the global community adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, aiming for completion by 2030 - a target that now also appears at risk. Each country's response reflects its regard for the health and dignity of its people. Some nations have demonstrated earnest dedication, allocating resources and mobilizing efforts to implement international recommendations. Others have made partial progress, while some have produced plans on paper with little action on the ground. A few remain indifferent, disengaged from the collective responsibility to address this global crisis. A critical question The Gulf plan to combat chronic diseases was unveiled in Kuwait during the GCC Health Ministers' meeting in January 2014. That moment presented a promising opportunity for GCC nations to align with global health advancements. Unfortunately, the region, including Kuwait, has missed several opportunities to demonstrate a firm commitment to public health. Kuwait has established the Higher Committee for Chronic Diseases and maintains an active Chronic Diseases Department, along with the IMAN Network, which plays a vital role in surveillance, monitoring and evaluation - key pillars of the international framework. Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Financial backing for chronic disease initiatives remains insufficient. The implementation of recommendations often lacks the necessary flexibility and support. However, notable progress has been made in preventive measures. The Nutrition Department's efforts to reduce salt intake, the CAN campaign's cancer awareness programs, and breastfeeding promotion initiatives by the Mother and Child Welfare Department all serve as commendable examples. Kuwait has also taken important steps in healthcare provision, particularly with the establishment of a palliative care center - an essential service that supports the goals of sustainable health development. While the center faces administrative and staffing challenges, it fills a significant gap in the country's healthcare landscape. Positive cooperation is also evident among the Primary Care, Dental and Nursing departments and the CAN campaign, which have jointly trained physicians in cancer screening and early detection. The Diabetes Center, recently accredited as a regional reference facility, requires further support, and cancer treatment services must be upgraded with advanced technologies to keep pace with rapid medical developments. Kuwait thus finds itself at a crossroads - with promising indicators and significant gaps. To advance, the Chronic Diseases Department and the Supreme Committee need dedicated budgets, empowered teams and clear performance metrics to monitor progress in alignment with the national strategy. Effective action demands a structured framework, flexible planning and a culture of accountability. If Kuwait's administrative institutions rise to the occasion, the country - and others in the region following similar paths - could join the ranks of global health leaders by 2030. But without serious commitment, we risk falling behind - not the worst globally, but certainly far from the best. True leaders do not measure progress by those trailing behind, but by aspiring toward the top. Let us hope that by 2030, Kuwait and its Gulf counterparts will be counted among the nations that chose to lead, not follow, in the global fight against chronic disease.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Green Washing'
Past President of ICAI and Consultant in Non-Financial Reporting & Sustainable Finance Lloyds Banking Group Misleading Ads (UK, 2024) 'We're committed to supporting the energy transition, by continuing to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and putting the weight of our finance into clean and renewable energy. We use 100% renewable energy to power our buildings. We're aiming to halve our own energy consumption by 2030.' These ads were banned by the UK regulator for presenting a misleading picture. While promoting green initiatives, the bank omitted its continued investments in fossil fuels. Shell (Singapore, 2023) Shell was fined $130 million by the Monetary Authority of Singapore for falsely claiming net-zero carbon operations while still investing heavily in fossil fuels. Green Washing refers to the practice of making vague, irrelevant, or misleading environmental claims that exaggerate a company's commitment to sustainability. Many global and multinational companies make lofty promises but deliver very little, thereby misleading stakeholders and manipulating regulatory requirements in their respective countries. Context and Global Action Global warming has emerged as a critical global issue, prompting world leaders to take collective action to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard our planet—Mother Earth—from further environmental damage. In 2015, the United Nations introduced the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a blueprint for a sustainable future. The Paris Agreement set a global target of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C, necessitating a 45% reduction in emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. India, aligning with these international efforts, has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. These initiatives reflect a unified global resolve to combat climate change and secure a sustainable future for coming generations. Examples of Greenwashing: H&M (2022) : Investigated in the Netherlands for unclear sustainability labels. Removed terms like 'Conscious Choice' and donated €400,000 to sustainable causes. HSBC : Ads banned for promoting climate action while financing fossil fuel projects. Coca-Cola : Accused in the US and EU of overstating recyclability. LA County filed a lawsuit in 2024. Volkswagen : Post-Dieselgate, claimed zero-emission vehicles while heavily investing in fossil fuels. Settled multiple lawsuits and paid billions in penalties. Shell : Misleadingly categorized fossil fuel spending as renewable investments. Ads were ruled misleading by the UK ASA. Delta Airlines : Called itself the 'world's first carbon-neutral airline' based on questionable offsets. Sued in California in 2023. Luton Airport (UK, 2024) : Ads claiming environmental responsibility failed to include flight emissions, and were banned. TotalEnergies (South Africa, 2024) : Found guilty of misleading ads while continuing carbon-intensive projects. Recent Developments A 2025 study in Nature from Dartmouth linked emissions to economic damages, showing that heat-related damages from 111 companies cost the world $28 trillion (1991– 2020). Indian Context: India, from ancient times, has embodied sustainability and environmental harmony. Indians have long revered nature—worshipping trees, rivers, seas, and animals as gods and goddesses. The Earth is respected as 'Mother Earth,' and the country is seen as 'Bharat Mata.' Trees are cared for deeply, as they provide life-giving oxygen and absorb harmful CO2. While industrialization and population growth have shifted some focus toward economic development, environmental stewardship remains strong. Government bodies, NGOs, foundations, and citizens actively work to protect the environment. Tree-planting initiatives are widely promoted to restore ecological balance. A recent campaign by the Government of India, titled 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,' has led to the planting of 1.4 billion trees within a year—demonstrating the country's environmental commitment. These efforts position India as a capable and credible leader in the ESG (Environment, Social & Governance) space. Regulatory Landscape Environment Regulators across the Globe has developed Non Financial Reporting Framework like GRI,TCFD,ISSB,SASB,CDP, EU CSRD & B Corp and are very vigil and enforcing Corporates to follow the deadlines by making them accountable In India also SEBI has mandated BRSR (Business Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting) on top 1000 listed Corporates depending on their market the same time they need some parts of 9 principles of NGRBC (National guidelines of responsible business conduct which are part of BRSR) Assurance from third they are not very effective as no penal provisions has been prescribed so far for non-compliances. RBI too has published Discussion Paper on 'Climate Risk and Sustainable Finance' on 27th July 2022 in this regard. Recently Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change has proposed Greenhouse Gas Emission reduction targets for aluminium companies and sought inputs from stakeholders. ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) has also established Sustainability Reporting Standard Board in 2020 which has formulated Sustainability Reporting Standards alongwith Certificate Courses on Non Financial Reporting. Takeaways India needs a unified non-financial reporting framework for listed companies. A Central ESG regulator is essential. Professionals have emerging practice opportunities in ESG and non-financial assurance. References: UN News, 2022: Ethical Consumer: https:// environmental-crisis Marketing Beat, 2024: https:// greenwash Economic Times: forest-and-climate-change Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Scotsman
23-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Agilico empowers businesses to be sustainable with launch of new carbon avoidance calculator
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Workplace technology leader Agilico will launch a carbon footprint calculator, a tool designed to help organisations to measure and reduce their print related carbon emissions. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Launched on Earth Day - April 22, the carbon calculator and audits gives organisations visibility into their carbon impact, enabling them to visualise their carbon data, identify areas for improvement and track progress toward their sustainability goals. Sam Saunders, Head of Marketing of Agilico said: 'You can't manage what you don't measure. Our carbon avoidance calculator and audits give our clients the visibility they need to make informed, greener choices. It's about turning ambition into action, and helping our customers become more accountable, efficient, and sustainable.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The new Carbon Calculator builds on the company's proven success in helping customers reduce their environmental impact. Agilico's commitment to sustainability goes beyond mere rhetoric; it is deeply ingrained in the fabric of the organisation. Agilico Carbon Footprint Calculator On Earth Day 2023, Agilico pledged to be net zero by 2030, reflecting its dedication to sustainability and responsible business and community practices. Following this, the organisation embarked on a bold initiative in 2024 to align its operations with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since embarking on the road to net zero by 2030, Agilico has made significant reductions of over 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) through its sustainability initiatives. As the UK's pioneering Circular-First Managed Print Services provider, Agilico's refurbished print devices keep resources in use for as long as possible, extracting their maximum value and regenerating them into new products or materials. Over the past two years: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 3,500 refurbished print devices have been deployed, avoiding 1,825 tonnes of CO₂e – the equivalent of planting over 73,000 trees. Over 1,660 tonnes of materials were kept in use or recycled, equivalent to saving over 215 buses of weight from landfill. Connected to this, engineering consultancy Cameron + Ross implemented Agilico Zero Devices, avoiding 1.5 tonnes CO₂e – the equivalent of planting 73 trees – and reducing overall energy consumption by 48%. A Director at Cameron + Ross commented: 'At Cameron + Ross, innovation drives both efficiency and sustainability. Our partnership with Agilico has streamlined our document handling processes while reducing our environmental footprint. This collaboration has equipped our team with scalable, cutting-edge solutions that align with our commitment to growth and sustainability, ensuring we continue delivering exceptional value to our clients across Scotland and the UK.' Furthermore, in line with Earth Day 2025's theme, Our Power, Our Planet, Agilico has made strides in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels over the two years by: Generating 151,000 kWh of solar energy from its Southampton and Gateshead sites – enough to power 38 homes, saving 36 tonnes of CO₂. Embracing electric and hybrid transport fleet, with 1.15 million miles driven in low-emission vehicles, saving 145 tonnes of CO₂– equivalent to planting over 5,800 trees. Sam concluded: 'By actively tracking our emissions and aligning with global sustainability standards, we can make smarter decisions for our future. Our main goal for the upcoming years is to continue the momentum in championing ethical responsibility – creating a more sustainable and resilient future for all. The carbon calculator is the next step – not just for us, but for our customers and the wider business community. It empowers organisations to take real, measurable action toward net zero.' Calculate your organisation's print related carbon footprint here:
Scotsman
23-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Agilico empowers businesses to be sustainable with launch of new carbon avoidance calculator
Workplace technology leader Agilico will launch a carbon footprint calculator, a tool designed to help organisations to measure and reduce their print related carbon emissions. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Launched on Earth Day - 22nd April, the carbon calculator and audits gives organisations visibility into their carbon impact, enabling them to visualise their carbon data, identify areas for improvement and track progress toward their sustainability goals. Sam Saunders, Head of Marketing of Agilico said: 'You can't manage what you don't measure. Our carbon avoidance calculator and audits give our clients the visibility they need to make informed, greener choices. It's about turning ambition into action, and helping our customers become more accountable, efficient, and sustainable.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The new Carbon Calculator builds on the company's proven success in helping customers reduce their environmental impact. Agilico's commitment to sustainability goes beyond mere rhetoric; it is deeply ingrained in the fabric of the organisation. Agilico Carbon Footprint Calculator On Earth Day 2023, Agilico pledged to be net zero by 2030, reflecting its dedication to sustainability and responsible business and community practices. Following this, the organisation embarked on a bold initiative in 2024 to align its operations with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since embarking on the road to net zero by 2030, Agilico has made significant reductions of over 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) through its sustainability initiatives. As the UK's pioneering Circular-First Managed Print Services provider, Agilico's refurbished print devices keep resources in use for as long as possible, extracting their maximum value and regenerating them into new products or materials. Over the past two years: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 3,500 refurbished print devices have been deployed, avoiding 1,825 tonnes of CO₂e – the equivalent of planting over 73,000 trees. Over 1,660 tonnes of materials were kept in use or recycled, equivalent to saving over 215 buses of weight from landfill. Connected to this, engineering consultancy Cameron + Ross implemented Agilico Zero Devices, avoiding 1.5 tonnes CO₂e – the equivalent of planting 73 trees – and reducing overall energy consumption by 48%. A Director at Cameron + Ross commented: 'At Cameron + Ross, innovation drives both efficiency and sustainability. Our partnership with Agilico has streamlined our document handling processes while reducing our environmental footprint. This collaboration has equipped our team with scalable, cutting-edge solutions that align with our commitment to growth and sustainability, ensuring we continue delivering exceptional value to our clients across Scotland and the UK.' Furthermore, in line with Earth Day 2025's theme, Our Power, Our Planet, Agilico has made strides in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels over the two years by: Generating 151,000 kWh of solar energy from its Southampton and Gateshead sites – enough to power 38 homes, saving 36 tonnes of CO₂. Embracing electric and hybrid transport fleet, with 1.15 million miles driven in low-emission vehicles, saving 145 tonnes of CO₂– equivalent to planting over 5,800 trees. Sam concluded: 'By actively tracking our emissions and aligning with global sustainability standards, we can make smarter decisions for our future. Our main goal for the upcoming years is to continue the momentum in championing ethical responsibility – creating a more sustainable and resilient future for all. The carbon calculator is the next step – not just for us, but for our customers and the wider business community. It empowers organisations to take real, measurable action toward net zero.'
