Market Intelligence Report
November/December 2023 Newsletter
A debrief highlighting the most important, impactful and interesting topics affecting the sector.
Market Intelligence Report
After Matthew Gawn was invited to speak on a technology panel discussing new and emerging technologies that can help support and drive the circular economy. Going Tech! Circularities Next Frontier, he felt important to cover what else should have been covered and to highlight critical actions to progress digital transformation and enablement of a technology driven circular economy. The article is set to be published in Circular very soon, but click the link below to read ISB Global’s blog post on the subject.
News we thought was of interest
COP28 – Stiell says it’s “beginning of the end” for fossil fuels in closing speech
In his closing address at COP28, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell lamented the lack of a clear signal to end the fossil fuel era, stating that while a complete turn of the page was not achieved in Dubai, the outcome marks “the beginning of the end” for fossil fuels.
He praised the COP28 outcome for tripling renewable energy targets, doubling energy efficiency goals, establishing a Global Goal on Adaptation framework, and operationalizing the loss and damage fund. He emphasized that these initiatives are a lifeline, not a finish line, and called on governments and businesses to immediately translate pledges into tangible actions.
UKRI Food industry priorities for a sustainable food system – 2023
Our 20th Century UK food system successfully met the need to deliver safe, affordable and available food. Today the food system and wider society face a number of challenges, from ingredient and energy costs to increasing incidence of diet-related disease.
Now, we must create the solutions needed for a 21st Century food system. Crucially, we need to deliver healthier affordable food that meets the changing needs of consumers. Nutrition for long term health as well as short term satiation is key, as is integrating sustainable sources of raw materials and energy, across the whole interdependent and connected food system.
McKinsey – A successful net-zero transition will require achieving not one objective but four. We offer a guide to getting it right.
‘One reason the net-zero transition has been slower than hoped is its unprecedented complexity. It calls for transforming not only energy systems but also materials, land use, and other systems—in short, the global economy—and doing so in a coordinated and integrated way. To successfully meet the global goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement will require a vast increase in total capital spent each year, from $5.7 trillion spent on low- and high-emissions technologies today to as much as $9.2 trillion, on average, spent over the next three decades. During that period, the low-emissions part of that spending would need to grow from approximately $1.5 trillion per year now to about $7.0 trillion, on average.’
Edie – Recycling policy delays hampering crucial investment decisions, UK Government warned
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has warned the UK Government that it risks missing its recycling and waste management goals, as delays to policy packages deter would-be investors in new infrastructure.
It [PAC] has urged Defra to provide more clarity and offer more transparency when it can, noting a trend toward delayed publications of consultation responses – especially relating to Strategy schemes concerning the behaviours of businesses rather than individuals.
The Committee is urging the publication of overdue documents as soon as possible, plus interim statements where applicable. It also wants to see the Government setting out learnings it will take on board from other nations that have already implemented schemes like a DRS.
SAP – The Role of Partnerships in tackling Climate Change
Industrial developments and related technological advancements have been an important determinant in the course of our history. Over the last century and more, industry has revolutionized our economies and helped drive our societies.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that industry plays an even more ineluctable role in scripting the future of humanity, one that involves sustainable social, environmental, and economic development.
As a global challenge, the climate crisis calls for businesses and countries to move beyond their siloed approaches, commitments, and climate pledges to fully embrace sustainability. The 2030 Agenda philosophy of “no one left behind” requires global partnerships.
With more and more countries investing in resilient infrastructure, there is a growing need to improve our existing industrial infrastructure. Here, technological innovation will be key. Technology is no longer the limiting factor for organizations to become sustainable businesses, rather it is the enabling agent in going green.
WRAP – Continue Love Food Hate Waste
WRAP’s latest research shows that food waste costs a four-person household in the UK around £1,000 per year in food bought, but not eaten. Of the 6.4 million tonnes of food and drink thrown away at home during 2021, a huge 4.7 million tonnes could have been eaten.
Potatoes, cooked leftovers (homemade/pre-prepared meals), and bread top the UK’s wasted food table. UK households throw away 300,000t of meat and fish a year, costing £3.2 billion.
It is easy to go overboard when doing the Christmas food shop but here are Love Food Hate Waste’s top tips for preventing food waste this Christmas.
Happy Holidays from all at ISB Global!
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