1.5°C – the rise in global temperatures countries have committed to
Five years on from the disaster in Copenhagen, the world finally made a commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2020. At best, the 195 countries signed up want to keep temperature rises within 1.5°C. However, current commitments will result in 3°C, so there is plenty more work to do. B
109g – the amount of soy ‘hidden’ in a 100g chicken breast
WWF-UK is in the thick of its 2016 investigation into the food industry’s soy procurement policies. Foodservice companies had better watch out because the charity has heard the excuses and wants to see action. “It’s time for the foodservice sector to come out of hiding, step up and take responsibility.”
€5.1bn v €0.7bn – US v EU agriculture sector benefits from TTIP
The US Department of Agriculture has calculated that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) would give the US agricultural sector a €5.1bn (£3.8bn) lift, compared with a paltry €0.7bn for the EU. The deal has also raised questions regarding a potential weakening of animal welfare and pesticide use in the bloc.
£0 – the amount of corporation tax paid by Cadbury
Tax avoidance is back on the agenda. Cadbury has been exposed by the Times, while McDonald’s is being investigated by the European Commission. Meanwhile Starbucks is set to pay its biggest corporation tax bill (£8.1m). But when will corporates start to see tax transparency as a measure of sustainability?
57% – recycling of packaging and food waste across the foodservice sector
WRAP’s latest figures from the Hospitality and Foodservice Agreement suggest that there’s plenty more work to be done to hit the 2015 target of recycling 70% of packaging and food waste. The sector has edged much closer to the 5% waste prevention target, though, hitting 3.6% by the end of 2014.