Not so Sustainable

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Coca-Cola, Nestle and Mars fail to look after the farmers producing the raw materials they rely on every day to make a big fat profit. Associated British Food (ABF) received the lowest rating with 13 out of 70 points. They produce goods such as Silver Spoon Sugar, Ovaltine and Kingsmill. Shockingly, the cereal shelf favorite Kellogg’s was also pretty poor, scoring 16 out of 70.

These rating are based on how their production impacts the local community, the environment and the welfare of the smallholders at the bottom of the pile. So, how and what are they tested on?

As part of their ‘Behind the Brands’ campaign, Oxfam measure the ‘big 10’ brands in seven categories. 

These categories are:
·         Transparency of their supply chains and general operations
·         How they ensure the rights of workers
·         How they protect women’s rights
·         Their management of water
·         Their management of land
·         Their policies to reduce the impact of climate change
·         How they ensure the rights of the smallholders growing their ingredients

How all of the Big 10 fared

What confuses me is that, when asked to comment on their poor ratings, big companies such as coca-cola recited something as fleetingly satisfying as the very drink they are famed for. The trigger words are rife. ‘Sustainable…..sustainable…..sustainable’.  The meaning of this word has been debated for years. I acknowledge that Oxfam and Coca-cola will have varying ideas on just how ‘to-the-letter’ production can be, however it seems as though the ‘big 10’ have to readdress their definition of sustainability if these results are anything to go by.

In the treatment of women category, the management of land and its climate change policies, ABF scored just 1 out of 10. At a time when the British food industry is suffering from the horsemeat backlash, Oxfam have definitely struck whilst the iron is hot.

Check out the Oxfam - ‘Behind the Brands’campaign here. 

Green Gathering 2012

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Fancy an Eco-holiday this summer? Then why not attend the Green Gathering in Piercefield Park, Chepstow from the 2^nd-5^th August.

View Ticket Prices Here

 The Event:

“The Green Gathering 2012 will promote and platform sustainable lifestyles by combining education with entertainment, and follows the tradition of environmental and ethically conscious events established in the UK for over 30 years. The gatherings have developed into the main ‘green’ events in Britain if not the world, showcasing future technologies and alternative energy and inspiring people to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.”

“We will showcase the latest developments in green technology, with internet cafes, solar showers and extensive entertainment all powered by the wind and the sun. There will be a larger markets area, incorporating ethnic and holistic enterprises of the highest environmental standards with a number of different organic catering establishments.”

The Green Gathering aims to encourage people of all ages to re-think the way they live their day to day lives, to inspire them to become greener by recycling, reusing and reducing. It sounds like a fantastic couple of days out for all the family and should be an all round interesting and invigorating time! 

Students Take Action For A Greener World

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Juggling student life whilst working in the office can be hard at times, but it also comes alongside many benefits. 

For example, working with Green Achiever for the past two years has expanded my knowledge into green issues and has reflected in my actions, as I treat the environment with a new found respect. 

So when I notice other students taking action, no matter how big or how small, I believe more media attention should be drawn to their efforts - (We are campaigning for our future, after all) 

People & Planet  are an example of this. 

They are a large student organisation campaigning to ...'Protect the environment, defend human rights and end world poverty', which I found through The National Union of Students (NUS). 

The website includes how to get involved, information and news on climate change, and how you too can take action by donating here. 

Their organisation also ran a GO GREEN WEEK from 6th-10th February 2012, which you can find information on here. 

So... 

Who are we?

• Founded as Third World First, People & Planet has 40 years’ experience of supporting student activism and campaigns to end world poverty, defend human rights and protect the environment.
• We are about empowering young people to make a differencein the world; inspiring a generation of activists.
• We work with students in schools, colleges and universities. We provide skills training, events, education activities, encouragement and communications to over 25,000 people.
• Our vibrant grassroots network of student groups covers 70 universities, and 79 schools and colleges across the UK with over 1,500 active members.
• People & Planet is distinctive for putting youth leadership at its heart. We are accountable to a Management Committee, the majority of whom are peer-elected students.

Please help Spread the word if you too feel passionate about world poverty & the environment

P&P Twitter Username : @peopleandplanet 

Thanks,

GA TEAM 

GA Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/greenachiever

GA Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/greenachiever

Wolverhampton University does Green Week!

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For many students like myself who are interested in reducing our carbon footprint it came as a nice surprise when I logged on to Wolverhampton University's website this morning to see they are holding a 'Green Week' next week - 6th-10th February 2012.

Unfortunately, my timetable will see me in University for only 4 hours over 2 days next week, with my free time working back in the office, so I will not be able to take part in many activities. However, I thought I would advertise the event as it looks to be very interesting for students and teachers alike, and will hopefully help drive a lot more traffic to the University.

Green Week is taking place in the Students Union at Wolverhampton Campus as well as some activities spreading to Walsall Campus on Monday evening and Tuesday daytime. 

Activites include a green tea party, quizzes, a mobile energy bike, Valentines day card making, talks, debates and stalls.

You can find an agenda for the week on the University website here : http://www.wolvesunion.org/yourunion/environment/greenweek/ 

Green Achiever have enquired with the Union to see if we can provide them with any leaflets throughout the event. We believe that with the help of the University, we can provide students and teachers with information on how to stay green whilst reducing their environmental impacts.

We hope you all had a lovely weekend and are staying wrapped up and warm in this icy weather!

GA Team

Shrewsbury based consultancies establish pilot project

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Press coverage from Shropshire Live, on Green Achiever's joint venture with HEART of ENGLAND fine foods (HEFF).

http://www.shropshirelive.com/2011/12/23/shrewsbury-based-consultancies-establish-pilot-project/ 

Georgina Shanly, project executive at HEFF and Deborah Cairns, Green Achiever operations manager.