EU climate targets inadequate says action network

Climate campaigners Climate Action Network Europe and the Global Legal Action Network have filed a lawsuit against the European Commission, arguing that the EU's climate targets are insufficient to meet the 1.5C goal of the Paris Agreement. The legal challenge focuses on the EU’s 2030 emissions reduction targets, which the NGOs claim are inadequate and violate environmental law. They argue that the targets do not properly address global emissions reductions or consider the impact of climate change on fundamental rights. The case, which has been prioritised by the General Court of the EU, could have significant implications for future climate policy in Europe, with a ruling expected in 2025.

Food and beverage giant Nestlé has announced new paper packaging innovations for its brands, including Nescafé and Vital Proteins, as part of its commitment to sustainable packaging. The company aims to reduce its environmental footprint by designing 95% of its plastic packaging for recycling, and cutting virgin plastic use by a third by 2025. Recent initiatives include a high-barrier paper refill pack for Nescafé in the UK, and recyclable paper-body packaging for Nescafé Cappuccino in Europe. In the US, Vital Proteins now uses paperboard canisters that reduce plastic use by 90%. These efforts reflect, the company says, Nestlé's broader strategy to reduce packaging waste and carbon emissions.

The Swedish furniture company Ikea is launching a new second-hand online marketplace called Ikea Preowned. This platform, currently being trialled in Madrid and Oslo, allows customers to buy and sell used Ikea items directly to each other, eliminating the need for third-party websites such as eBay or Gumtree. The initiative is part of Ikea's broader strategy to promote a circular economy by encouraging the reuse and recycling of its products, thus reducing waste and extending the life of its furniture. The company plans to roll out Ikea Preowned globally by December, marking a significant shift in its approach to retail.

One of the standout features is its zero-commission policy, which allows sellers to keep 100% of their earnings, with a 15% bonus when paid in Ikea vouchers. Some criticise this bonus encourages Ikea’s traditional retail model which raises questions about balancing economic incentives with genuine sustainability efforts.

Despite these concerns, Ikea's new initiative is seen as a forward-thinking step in the right direction, especially as more companies, including fashion brands, explore second-hand business models. The company acknowledges that this is just a pilot phase and is open to making adjustments based on customer feedback and the results of the trial, ensuring that the model is both viable and desirable for consumers looking to make more environmentally conscious choices.

The online marketplace eBay is launching its first Pre-Loved Fashion Week in collaboration with the British Fashion Council and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Taking place in London and New York, the event will feature a live, shoppable runway show, Endless Runway, spotlighting pre-loved designs from high-profile brands, such as Off-White, Christopher Kane and Simone Rocha. 

The initiative aligns with Second Hand September, a campaign by the NGO Oxfam, that encourages shoppers to buy second-hand clothing or organise clothes swaps for 30 days. This year, Oxfam have teamed up with online marketplace Vinted to make second-hand fashion mainstream and encourage a shift towards more circular behaviours. 

The sugar industry in India is facing intense scrutiny, after an investigation by the New York Times and the Fuller Project exposed widespread labour abuse among female workers in sugar cane fields. The investigation revealed that women were forced into illegal child marriages to work alongside their husbands and pressured to undergo unnecessary surgeries, such as hysterectomies for minor health issues, to remain in the fields. 

These surgeries often left them with severe health consequences and trapped in a cycle of debt to their employers. In response to the report, labour leaders in India staged a three-day hunger strike demanding better working conditions, and major companies such as Coca-Cola have begun discussions with local government and suppliers to promote responsible practices. 

Meanwhile, Bonsucro, an industry body that sets standards for sugar production, has announced the creation of a human rights task force to investigate these abuses and improve oversight. However, labour activists argue that more decisive action is needed from the companies benefiting from this exploitative system to ensure fair treatment for workers in the sugar supply chain.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), a major Japanese bank, is under fire for issuing $630m in sustainability-linked loans to Royal Golden Eagle (RGE), a palm oil and pulp and paper company accused of deforestation in Indonesia. A recent report by NGO Rainforest Action Network includes satellite images that are said to reveal ongoing deforestation on Royal Golden Eagle’s lands, which RGE denies, blaming local communities for the tree loss instead. 

While Royal Golden Eagle states that its sustainability targets are verified by independent auditors, Rainforest Action Network argues these targets are vague and inadequate. The controversy has sparked broader concerns about the effectiveness of sustainability-linked loans, with critics labelling them as greenwashing harmful practices. This issue could affect RGE’s ability to sell palm oil in the European Union, which is tightening its anti- deforestation regulation. Despite these concerns, MUFG maintains that it conducts rigorous assessments of its clients' environmental practices. 

The chair of global plastics treaty negotiations is pushing for faster consensus, as time runs out to finalise a treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution. Despite three years of talks, officials are still struggling to agree on key elements of the treaty, which must be finalised by the end of 2024. The current draft still contains significant disagreements, including whether to reduce plastic production and how to finance efforts in developing countries. The Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution emphasises the need for compromise, aiming to have a final text ready by the November 2024 talks in Busan, South Korea.