Latest news with #sustainablealternatives
Zawya
7 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Officials discuss challenges of plastic bag ban with manufacturers in Dhofar
Salalah – The Department of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion in Dhofar Governorate, in cooperation with the Environment Authority (EA) and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) – Dhofar branch, held a joint meeting with owners of plastic manufacturing factories to address challenges surrounding the national ban on single-use plastic shopping bags. The meeting aimed to open direct dialogue with industry stakeholders, assess the current impact of the ban, and explore sustainable alternatives that align with Oman's environmental goals while supporting the continuity and adaptability of the local industrial sector. EA had announced the implementation of the third phase of a national initiative to ban single-use plastic shopping bags from July 1, 2025. The latest stage broadens the scope of the ban to include additional segments of the retail and food sectors. Shops selling fruits and vegetables, packaging units, grocery stores, sweet shops, candy factories, bakeries, gift shops and outlets selling bread, pastries and confectionery will be required to stop providing single-use plastic bags and switch to sustainable alternatives such as reusable cloth or paper bags. In January 2024, Decision No 8/2024 set out a phased approach to ban all single-use plastic shopping bags by 2027. The phased rollout is designed to help businesses and consumers adapt gradually, EA stated. The first phase, which began on July 1, 2024, targeted pharmacies, hospitals and clinics. The second phase, effective from January 1, 2025, covered textiles and fabric stores, clothing outlets, tailors, eyewear shops, mobile pho-ne vendors and repair services, watch shops, furniture retailers and household goods suppliers. Businesses found violating the ban face fines between RO50 and RO1,000. Repeat offences within a month will result in doubled penalties. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Independent
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Investors call on chemical firms to phase out toxic substances
A coalition of investors is calling on chemical companies to phase out highly hazardous chemicals and transition to safer alternatives. The group of 43 investors, with four trillion dollars in assets under management, warned that the sector is not acting fast enough to protect vital ecosystems and human health. In a statement released on Thursday, they urged companies, including agrochemical producers, to commit to aligning their business and political strategies with globally agreed targets. This includes the UN Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Global Framework on Chemicals, which focus on protecting nature and tackling environmental harm caused by chemicals and waste. The investors say companies must enhance their sharing of information on how their business impacts biodiversity as well as develop strategies to transition to making products that are safe and sustainable. Failing to address chemical pollution exposes companies and their investors to financial risks, they argued. The group highlighted how increased public awareness and scientific understanding of the long-term health and environmental consequences of chemicals has led to a rise in litigation and regulation. The statement has been co-ordinated by responsible investment group ShareAction, Achmea Investment Management, ChemSec, Erste Asset Management, IEHN of Clean Production Action, Planet Tracker and Mercy Investment Services. Signatories include BNP Paribas Asset Management, Rathbones Group, Caisse des Depots et Consignations, SVVK-ASIR, Swedbank Robur and Impax Asset Management. It comes as Government officials, business leaders, scientists and campaigners gather in Uruguay this week for discussions on the next phase in the UN Global Framework on Chemicals. Alexandra Pinzon, head of biodiversity at ShareAction, said: 'Chemical companies have a huge role to play in curbing pollution, which would help address the interlinked crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. 'The majority of manufactured products, from fertilisers and paints to make-up and clothes, rely on chemicals, but the toxicity and pollution associated with these chemicals is wreaking havoc on ecosystems and damaging human health.' Julie Gorte, senior vice president for sustainable investing at Impax Asset Management, said: 'This statement on the importance of tackling pollution and biodiversity loss has never been more welcome. 'If we want to avoid a planetary catastrophe, we must all act to achieve a circular economy and eliminate the pollution that is one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss.' Arthur van Mansvelt, senior engagement specialist at Achmea Investment Management, said: 'This statement shows investors are deeply concerned that the chemicals sector is not sufficiently mitigating the risks related to biodiversity loss from pollution.' In a separate policy-focused statement, more than 40 investors with nearly four trillion dollars in assets under management also highlighted the crucial role that regulation plays in enabling the transition of the chemicals industry to safe and sustainable products. The group outlined recommendations for governments around the world to strengthen and harmonise global policy frameworks on chemicals to support this transition.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Investors call on chemical firms to phase out toxic substances
A coalition of investors is calling on chemical companies to phase out highly hazardous chemicals and transition to safer alternatives. The group of 43 investors, with four trillion dollars in assets under management, warned that the sector is not acting fast enough to protect vital ecosystems and human health. In a statement released on Thursday, they urged companies, including agrochemical producers, to commit to aligning their business and political strategies with globally agreed targets. This includes the UN Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Global Framework on Chemicals, which focus on protecting nature and tackling environmental harm caused by chemicals and waste. The investors say companies must enhance their sharing of information on how their business impacts biodiversity as well as develop strategies to transition to making products that are safe and sustainable. Failing to address chemical pollution exposes companies and their investors to financial risks, they argued. The group highlighted how increased public awareness and scientific understanding of the long-term health and environmental consequences of chemicals has led to a rise in litigation and regulation. The statement has been co-ordinated by responsible investment group ShareAction, Achmea Investment Management, ChemSec, Erste Asset Management, IEHN of Clean Production Action, Planet Tracker and Mercy Investment Services. Signatories include BNP Paribas Asset Management, Rathbones Group, Caisse des Depots et Consignations, SVVK-ASIR, Swedbank Robur and Impax Asset Management. It comes as Government officials, business leaders, scientists and campaigners gather in Uruguay this week for discussions on the next phase in the UN Global Framework on Chemicals. Alexandra Pinzon, head of biodiversity at ShareAction, said: 'Chemical companies have a huge role to play in curbing pollution, which would help address the interlinked crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. 'The majority of manufactured products, from fertilisers and paints to make-up and clothes, rely on chemicals, but the toxicity and pollution associated with these chemicals is wreaking havoc on ecosystems and damaging human health.' Julie Gorte, senior vice president for sustainable investing at Impax Asset Management, said: 'This statement on the importance of tackling pollution and biodiversity loss has never been more welcome. 'If we want to avoid a planetary catastrophe, we must all act to achieve a circular economy and eliminate the pollution that is one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss.' Arthur van Mansvelt, senior engagement specialist at Achmea Investment Management, said: 'This statement shows investors are deeply concerned that the chemicals sector is not sufficiently mitigating the risks related to biodiversity loss from pollution.' In a separate policy-focused statement, more than 40 investors with nearly four trillion dollars in assets under management also highlighted the crucial role that regulation plays in enabling the transition of the chemicals industry to safe and sustainable products. The group outlined recommendations for governments around the world to strengthen and harmonise global policy frameworks on chemicals to support this transition.
