The company's board is tasked with guiding the organisation through the numerous legislative and environmental changes on the horizon. Its disconcerting that only 54% of the interviewed board members believe that ESG is integrated into the company's strategy. Furthermore, while there has been a notable improvement from the previous survey, just over 50% of board directors feel adequately prepared to oversee ESG disclosures. So, where does this lead us? Undoubtedly, it underscores the significance of providing training to ensure that board members grasp the various facets of the ESG landscape and accord it the importance it deserves. Moreover, it is essential to enhance engagement with experts in this field to steer the companies in the right direction effectively. How does this impact others? We, as stakeholders, are directly or indirectly affected by the board's lack of knowledge, which significantly hampers their capacity to make informed decisions and provide proper guidance to the company. The risks multiply as the absence of clear direction diminishes the company's resilience, potentially affecting employees, shareholders, customers, and suppliers, not to mention the broader community. The need for education is widespread, extending to our boardrooms. We strongly encourage you to peruse the PWC study by following this link.

As we pursue the adoption of renewable energy, it's crucial not to overlook the potential for improving the environmental friendliness of our existing energy sources. This may appear to be a mere play on words, but HIF Global and Empresas Gasco have achieved something remarkable: the production of carbon-neutral liquefied gas. Though the concept might seem difficult to grasp, it turns out that what seems contradictory at first actually has a straightforward explanation. This gas is extracted from the Earth using renewable energy, specifically wind power. Furthermore, it's a byproduct of the synthetic gasoline production process and needs to be blended with traditional liquefied gas. This unique product is commonly referred to as eLG. In our unrelenting pursuit of a more positive global outlook and a sustainable future, this presents another viable option. As we transition from heavily polluting energy sources towards renewables, we should also focus on decarbonising our production processes at various sites. For more information about eLG, we recommend reading the press release issued by HIF Global.

Lately, the spotlight has been firmly on electric cars, with statistics often serving as a global benchmark to gauge our progress towards more sustainable mobility. While there have been other alternatives, they appeared somewhat out of reach. However, it now seems we are shattering that barrier and making strides in the realm of hydrogen-powered vehicles. While hydrogen-powered cars themselves are not a new concept, the fact that they are becoming increasingly commercialised is making them a more viable option. This progress is exemplified by the introduction of a city bus that combines hybrid and hydrogen power. This city bus is a standard low-floor model measuring 12 meters in length. It boasts a hydrogen storage capacity of up to 7.8kg and is equipped with a 69kWh battery pack. Equally important is its impressive driving range of 450km, a crucial feature for a city bus. To wrap up this article, it is worth noting the words of Ken Ramirez, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Commercial Vehicle and hydrogen Business at Hyundai Motor Company: "Today's unveiling is yet another tangible example of our strong partnership and commitment to accelerating the industry's transition to net-zero emissions while advancing our mission of progress for humanity." For more detailed information, we encourage you to read the press release from Iveco Group.

We have long held the mistaken belief that the ocean is boundless, with endless resources. However, the reality may be surprising: it is not inexhaustible. Our responsibility should extend to the seas, just as it does on land. This was the central theme of the MedFish4Ever conference, which convened some of the most influential figures in the blue economy. This gathering included scientists, managers, fishermen, and officials from no fewer than 20 countries. Approximately six years ago, the MedFish4Ever Declaration was formally endorsed. This document addressed a range of critical areas, including: Enhance data collection and scientific evaluation Establish an ecosystem-based fisheries management framework Develop a culture of compliance and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing Support sustainable small-scale fisheries and aquaculture Greater solidarity and coordination in the Mediterranean We encourage you to read the document in detail to remind us of the steps that we are still to look into.

When walking down a bustling street, it's hard not to notice the numerous restaurants, pubs, and other food-serving establishments that seem to pop up constantly. Amidst the wonder of how they open so swiftly, questions about food wastage naturally arise. According to statistics from WRAP, the amount of redistributed food increased by 27% in 2022, compared to previous years. This is a significant statistic that aligns with SDG 2 – Zero Hunger. However, let's shift our focus from statistics to the impact on meals. This translates to 29,000 tonnes of collected food, equivalent to 70 million meals that have been redistributed. It underscores the idea that maintaining high food quality in eateries doesn't have to result in excessive wastage. It's crucial to remember that every uneaten meal represents someone going to bed hungry. Simultaneously, let's explore innovative solutions to combat food wastage, not only in restaurants but also in our offices and homes. We encourage you to read the full report by following this link.

What could be a more perfect way to kickstart your morning than with a steaming cup of coffee? As a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiasts, we can attest to the sheer delight it brings. This morning, we stumbled upon something that took our coffee experience to a whole new level: sustainable coffee. In a world where greenwashing has become as rampant as a pandemic, and it's becoming increasingly challenging to trust labels despite the plethora of laws and regulations, introducing an official coffee barometer is like a breath of fresh air. Let us clarify that we're not endorsing any specific brand here. Instead, we're leaving it up to you, our readers, to delve into the rankings and make your own judgments. As always, we encourage you to prioritise sustainability along with other factors. For a more comprehensive ranking, you can visit the Coffee Barometer.

Understanding different investment instruments can be challenging for those without a financial background. Even for individuals more familiar with the field, terms like "green bonds" or "sustainability-linked bonds" may remain perplexing. Regardless of one's level of familiarity, describing the sudden emergence of green bonds can be a daunting task. On July 25th, Malta marked a significant milestone by introducing its inaugural green bonds, facilitated through the Water Services Corporation. Rwanda, too, has entered this realm as a newcomer, issuing bonds aimed at bolstering funding for women-led businesses and affordable housing initiatives. What makes green bonds truly remarkable is their ability to fuse financial resources with sustainability objectives, forming an instrument that benefits all involved parties. Keith Hansen, the Director at the World Bank, has expressed confidence that these groundbreaking issuances will serve as a model for numerous other countries in the coming years. Let us remain open to these pioneering examples worldwide, striking a harmonious balance between financial interests and sustainability. We invite you to delve deeper into this specific issuance by visiting following this link.

New York City captivates our collective imagination, often seen as an indomitable metropolis that exudes grandeur and resilience. However, when we return to reality, we acknowledge that despite its immense size and power, it is far from impervious when confronted with environmental emergencies. In yesterday’s press release where the current flooding was being tackled, the following effects of the flash flooding currently being experienced have been outlined. Disrupted mass transit systems. Hindered emergency vehicle operations. Impaired the delivery of goods and services. Posed a threat to residential and commercial structures and public infrastructure across the city. Potentially creating unsafe conditions. Further jeopardizing public safety. Commissioner Rohit seizes this moment to remind us that "this evolving weather pattern is a direct consequence of climate change, and the unfortunate truth is that our climate is evolving more rapidly than our infrastructure can adapt." In the Western world, we often relegate problems to others, be it other countries, continents, or future generations. However, today's stark reality underscores that the impacts of climate change are being felt here and now, affecting the entire world. We urge you to stay updated on the situation directly through the New York City Website. Additionally, we encourage you to listen to Commissioner Robt's message.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of our world, it has become increasingly clear that human activities have a significant impact on the environment. This degradation of the environment has led to a renewed focus on sustainable practices and a plethora of sustainability concepts. Two of these are the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). These concepts have influenced how businesses function because they acknowledge the value of producing profits while considering their impact on people and the environment. Profit, people, and the planet (thus the three Ps) are interconnected components from which the TBL analyses sustainability performance, with the planet part focused on the environmental side of sustainable business operations. On the other hand, investors and stakeholders use the environmental component of the ESG framework, which is closely related to the planet aspect, to evaluate a company's sustainability performance. In the series of articles to come, we will dive deeper into the relationship, and differences between the Planet and Environment in the TBL and ESG frameworks, and explore why they are important to businesses. The Relationship The relationship between the planet and the environment is critical in the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) and the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks. In the TBL framework, the planet, as a critical component, represents the natural resources that businesses rely on for their operations. It emphasises the need for sustainable business practices to consider the long-term impact on the environment. The TBL framework encourages businesses to consider their impact on the environment and find ways to minimise their negative impact while promoting positive environmental outcomes. Similarly, in the ESG framework, the environment is one of the three pillars, along with social and governance factors, which investors and stakeholders use to assess a company's sustainability performance. The ESG framework encourages businesses to focus on sustainability practices that promote environmental responsibility, such as reducing carbon emissions, water consumption, and waste generation. Both TBL and ESG frameworks highlight the importance of businesses' impact on the planet and environment and emphasise the need for businesses to operate sustainably to preserve natural resources for future generations. The Difference In the context of sustainable business practices, the term "planet" is often used to refer to the natural environment as a whole, including the earth's ecosystems and resources. The concept of the "planet" in the triple bottom line (TBL) framework emphasizes the need for businesses to consider the long-term impacts of their operations on the natural world and to operate within the limits of the planet's resources. This brings us to what are the Earth’s planetary boundaries. Planetary boundaries are the points at which the Earth's systems are at risk of abrupt and permanent environmental change. The idea, which was first put up in 2009 by a team of scientists led by Johan Rockström, identifies nine crucial facets of the Earth system that must be preserved to keep the planet stable and conducive to the development of human civilization1. These include, among others, freshwater use, biodiversity loss, climate change, and changes in land use. The planetary boundaries framework is used to manage and comprehend how human activity affects the environment and to direct sustainable development initiatives. The Nine Planetary Boundaries (Rockström et al., 2009) On the other hand, the term "environment" in the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) framework is more focused on specific environmental issues that are relevant to a company's operations and stakeholders. This can include issues such as carbon emissions, water use, waste management, and pollution. While both the planet and the environment are important considerations for businesses, the TBL framework takes a more holistic view of sustainability and recognizes the interconnectedness of economic, social, and environmental issues. The ESG framework, on the other hand, provides a more focused set of metrics for evaluating a company's environmental performance and is often used by investors and other stakeholders to assess the company's risk and potential for long-term success. Value Addition for Companies By incorporating both the "E" and "P" factors into sustainability practices, businesses can ensure they are taking a more comprehensive approach to protecting the environment. The planet and environment in TBL and ESG are important to businesses for several reasons. Firstly, the natural resources and ecosystems that businesses rely on are finite, and their depletion or degradation can have significant consequences on a company's operations and profitability. Secondly, environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and resource depletion can also have broader societal and economic impacts, affecting the communities and markets in which businesses operate. Thirdly, there is an increasing demand from investors, consumers, and other stakeholders for companies to demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability, and failure to do so can lead to reputational damage and financial risks. By incorporating the planet and environment into their sustainability strategies and reporting, businesses can better manage risks, reduce costs, and enhance their long-term viability and resilience. Most importantly, businesses need to take sustainability seriously and think about how their actions will affect society and the environment. When it comes to giving people a thorough grasp of sustainability and assisting businesses in measuring their impact, the Triple Bottom Line and ESG frameworks have proven crucial. Important elements that concentrate on a company's environmental impact are "Planet" in TBL and "Environment" in ESG. While these two concepts are similar, they also differ significantly in ways that businesses need to be mindful of how to make sure they are accomplishing their sustainability objectives. In the end, incorporating sustainability practices into business operations is now required, not a choice. Businesses that embrace sustainability have a greater chance of long-term success and of positively influencing society. References Rockström, J. et al. (2009) Planetary Boundaries: Exploring the Safe Operating Space for Humanity, Planetary boundaries - Stockholm Resilience Centre. Available at: https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries.html (Accessed: 17 May 2023).

The need for sustainability within our economy has been hammered into our minds for quite some time. However, it has yet to translate into evident change within our business models and processes. We sometimes need help understanding how to reflect sustainability within our day-to-day business without severely impacting our bottom line. The truth is that sustainability and profitability can be something other than a tug-of-war. Oppositely striving to achieve one will contribute to the other side of the coin, creating a win-win situation. However, this may not be easy to achieve, but it’s never too late to kick-start the process. There are so many different areas of sustainability that it’s very easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer level of information. Given this, we thought of tackling one area at a time, starting with Human Rights, which is particularly close to the heart of society. Let’s start by asking whether it is so close to heart. Watching the news and criticising some gruesome shots is one thing, but reviewing our human rights impact as a business may not come as naturally. As the first of a series of articles, today we’d like to outline some areas that human rights delve into, as it’s a hugely diverse topic. Child Labour Child labour is the first on the list. The united nations estimate that around 218 million children are working full-time. As many of us have helped our parents and relatives and their jobs, let us define child labour as it may be a bit of a blur. The international labour o rganisation defines child labour as: “work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development.” The impacts that we are looking at would be: Mental, Physical, and Social Impacts Interference with their schooling Any work deemed to be morally dangerous and harmful Health and Safety Another key aspect of human rights is the right to health and safety within our job. The European Commission, in its strategic strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027 , has determined that “ Protecting people from health and safety hazards on the job is a key element of achieving sustained decent working conditions for all workers.” When tackling health and safety, we are moving beyond basic safety physical features and delving into the psychological risks related to the job. Forced Labour Another hot potato within human rights is forced labour. Many may deem Malta relatively free from forced labour, but we may have to re-think this. The ILO defines forced labour as: “Forced or compulsory labour is all work or service which is exacted from any person under the threat of a penalty and for which the person has not offered himself or herself voluntarily.” Moreover, the anti-slavery organisation believes that the industries where forced labour is most commonly found are: Agriculture and fishing Domestic work Construction, mining, quarrying and brick kilns Manufacturing, processing and packaging Prostitution and sexual exploitation Market trading and illegal activities If we had to go back to our favourite news portals, we would find several articles that have enquired about this issue within our country. Migrants are particularly at high risk of experiencing forced labour. However, it doesn’t stop there. Numerous vulnerable groups are at a higher risk of experiencing forced labour. Women’s Rights Rather than defining women’s rights, as at times, they may be taken for granted, let’s focus on the five key areas which the UN and EU, through the document Empowering Women at W ork, have determined to be of particular importance for companies Achievement of equal pay for work of equal value Prevention and elimination of violence and harassment Creating a harmonious work-life balance for both women and men Equal representation of women in business and management roles Investment in a future of work that works for women When looking into each area, it may be hard not to identify at least a couple of them where we may still need to catch up. My workplace does not have any issues….. We need to explore other areas that will be delved into in the upcoming articles. So far, we have yet to explore the practical side of it all, and the areas covered may not seem particularly important for our work due to the nature of the industry we are involved in. However, in terms of sustainability, we need to shift our focus. For a business to be truly sustainable, we cannot just focus on the four walls of our place of work. Oppositely there are other areas that we have to look into, such as: Our Supply Chains The consumers The community members In this light, we recommend backtracking on our conclusions and having a more holistic look at our business, moving beyond our office or production line and genuinely looking at the impact we are potentially having on human rights. The final question we must ask is: What can I do better?

At least traditionally, it has been believed that businesses exist to generate a profit and grow. In the recent world of business, there has been a growing recognition that people matter not just for ethical or moral reasons, but for business reasons as well. This means that companies need to start thinking about their impact on their employees, customers, and communities rather than just the bottom line. The article will explore the importance of people in business and beyond. Why people matter beyond business The moral and ethical arguments are perhaps the most clear ones. Every person is valuable and deserving of respect because of their inherent worth and dignity. This means that companies must make sure that their operations don't damage people, whether those people be their workers, clients, or locals in the communities in which they operate. Beyond business, people matter for a variety of pragmatic reasons as well. For instance, a company's brand value and reputation can be significantly impacted by the way it treats its customers and employees. A corporation may suffer reputational damage and lose the faith of customers if it is known for mistreating its employees, discriminating against customers, or harming the environment. In today's social media age, this can happen quickly and have far-reaching consequences. Moreover, social stability is important for businesses because they depend on people and successful societies to run smoothly. For them to be successful, they require workers who are moral, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and productive, which is only achievable in a culture that respects equality, opportunity, and education. Any business depends on its consumers since they generate the revenue that keeps it operating, thus they need to have clients who can buy their products. Businesses are a part of communities and rely on them for assistance and resources, therefore they do not operate in a vacuum. Therefore, it is in businesses' best interests to put people at the center of their operations rather than treating them as an afterthought. Furthermore, businesses need dependable and effective suppliers to guarantee the prompt delivery of goods and services. Suppliers are more likely to form enduring connections with companies and contribute to their success if they place a high priority on fair labor practices, ethical sourcing, and sustainability. Why people matter for business There are several reasons why businesses should prioritise the well-being of their employees, customers, and communities. First of all, a company needs employees to function. Employees are the lifeblood and soul of any business, and they play a crucial role in its success. Companies with a contented and productive workforce are more willing to invest in their employees through training and development programs, fair compensation, and a positive work environment. Employees who are happier at work are more effective, engaged, and unlikely to quit. As a result, companies can save money on hiring and training expenses operations, and it is necessary to evaluate how they should be treated and compensated. Making sure that suppliers are not mistreated or exploited during the sourcing process is crucial. This not only adheres to moral standards but also promotes the development of robust and enduring relationships. Second, prioritising employees can assist companies in managing risks and averting future issues. For instance, a business with a culture of respect and safety is less likely to experience accidents, lawsuits, or bad press. Also, companies can avoid reputational harm and detrimental effects on their bottom line by being proactive in resolving social and environmental issues. Additionally, giving attention to people can spur innovation and economic expansion. Businesses can unlock the full potential of both their staff and customers when they foster a culture that promotes diversity, inclusion, and creativity. This might result in fresh concepts, goods, and services that would promote the market's expansion and level of competition. Concluding Thought Beyond and for business, people matter. It involves not just ethical and moral thinking but also pragmatism and business sense. Beyond only serving as a source of labor and revenue, people are the backbone of any flourishing company. To promote a culture of respect, safety, and well-being for their employees, customers, and communities, organizations should put people at the center of their operations and initiatives. They can gain the advantages of a more enthusiastic team, devoted clients, and a positive reputation in the industry by doing this.

Listening is a crucial aspect of our society, and possibly the part which still is a work in progress as we hardly push ourselves to listen. This is why the report Securing our Future 100 African and European Voices on Climate Change, Conflict and Security , produced by the European Investment Bank and Debating Europe and Debating Africa, has caught our attention. We will investigate this report over a three-series blog, bringing the perspective of 100 young people. Needless to say that the voice of 100 youths aged 18-35 hailing from all across Europe and Africa is important for various reasons. However, this will become more evident as we explore the report’s takeaways. In this first blog, we will discuss what has been deemed by the youth as the biggest threat. It should be no surprise that it has been clearly defined as Climate Change. The latter has brought other challenges, such as food insecurity or extreme weather events, thus bringing to light the fact that the youths are very conscious of the wide-ranging effects of climate change. A very interesting view was the inaction over climate change that has been highlighted. A critical perspective expressed by participants across the European countries was that climate change was being looked at as a long-term concern raising sometime in the future. Even though the effects are already evident nowadays. However, this view was also shared amongst Africans reflecting on the African continent. The same opinion was echoed, as African countries still undervalued climate change. Comparison to Covid-19 was inevitable. The pandemic brought together the entire European continent, springing the governments and people in power into action. The usual competing governments’ endless arguments and disagreements were suddenly transformed into a cooperative team. This shows that Europe can have a very different future from the divided one usually portrayed on the news. As a conclusion for the first of this series of blogs is a question that we beg to ask: Are significant numbers of deaths the only factor which will bring us together, move away from our disagreements and push us into one force to combat the threats resulting from Climate Change?