Welcome to Sancroft’s July 2022 newsletter! Just as the UK is recovering from the hottest temperatures on record, the Met office publishes their State of the Climate report. Reiterating that these temperatures are going to become more and more common, and that the UK is actually warming faster than the global average. We can no longer talk about climate change effects as only a future prediction but a current reality, and the consequences of them are already being felt. Consultant Rachel Weller explores how these extreme weather events are having and will continue to have profound implications for people and societies. Climate solutions such as renewable energy production are not beyond human rights violations. The concept of the Just Transition encapsulates this recognising the need for the transition to net zero to be fair and to address transitional challenges for workers, communities, and countries. Rachel calls companies to take an integrated approach to understand their human rights risk and to prevent and mitigate these adverse impacts now.
In a slightly tangent but related topic, is the festival industry, which is always closely watching the weather. Although some colleagues who attended Glastonbury pointed out that while hot sunny days sound ideal for an outdoor festival, the intense heat we have experienced recently can be even more challenging to deal with than the heavy rain! Bhumika Pruthi looks into the festival industry to see how it is responding to the increase scrutiny on the environmental damage it is causing. Bhumika finds that change is in the air and festival organisers, participating businesses, talent, and festivalgoers alike are driving improved performance.
Finally, a topic which can never be ignored at the moment, new European legislation. This time Erika Furbet turns the spotlight on the latest Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, which builds on the 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan. The strategy aims to draw up the pathway to transition to a sustainable textiles sector in 2030, with comprehensive actions for business. Concepts such as ecodesign, digital product passport and extended producer responsibility are tackled. Business in the textiles sector will need to take the time now to understand how the Strategy will affect them in order to prepare and develop a proactive approach.
As ever, we love to hear from you – what you are working on, and what excites you. If Sancroft can be a partner to your sustainable success, please get in touch.
