COP21, CADBURY’S pays no corp tax, low carbon farming, Britons eat record treats, Dad’s diet effects unborn kids and call for “responsible use of antibiotics” labelling
COP21 close to agreement
After long negotiations and late nights, there is hope that ministers will reach agreement on how to limit climate change to 1.5-2ºC at COP21 late tonight (Fri 11 Dec).
Business will then be in the spotlight as one of the most prominent themes of COP21 has been the heightened role for business. Business innovation is crucial, say negotiators, because the pledges made by the 185 nations won’t be enough to limit temperatures to a 2ºC rise in isolation.
Cadbury pays no corporation tax
Cadbury UK has come under fire this week from Unite Union for paying no corporation tax, despite making profits of £96.5 million in 2014. Cadbury was taken over in 2010 by Kraft Foods. Kraft has now transmuted into Mondelez International, and Unite claims the company paid no UK corporate tax last year.
Low carbon farming
A new UN report brings hope for how we can feed peak population in the future. The report found that globally, food production is trending up whilst the energy required for each unit of food is trending down. The energy efficiencies are mainly a result of improving systems in developing countries, where installing modern, low carbon energy systems can significantly increase yields cost effectively.
Britons munch record sweet treats
Britons munch through record 1.5 billion sweet bakery and dessert treats each year, according to research by the NPD Group. This is a rise of 5.5% on the previous year and 9.2% more than for the year ending September 2010. The rise is attributed in part to the launch five years ago, and continued popularity, of the BBC’s “Great British Bake Off” television series.
Dad’s diet effects unborn child’s health
New research has shown that a father’s diet before he has kids can affect his children’s future health. Researchers found that a father’s diet and lifestyle significantly impacted sperm’s structural DNA in ways that could alter the next generation’s appetite.
Farmers urged to cut antibiotic use
Despite concerns over the plethora of labels that already exist, a major new report calls for the introduction of a ‘responsible use of antibiotics’ label this week.
The experts at the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance called for new legally-binding targets on the amount of antibiotics used and concluded a label might be the quickest way to reduce the amount of antibiotics used in the livestock industry. This is because the widespread use of antibiotics in livestock farming has contributed to the rise of antibiotic resistance infections.
