Business news round-up: food retail, circular economy, flying less, graduate optimism, Plan A, awards

In search of the retail business case for sustainable diets

WWF-UK is working with government, retailers and producers to understand and reduce the impacts of food consumption on the environment. Selling Sustainability?, a report produced with Brook Lyndhurst explores the retail business case for promoting sustainable diets, and present key recommendations that would enable retailers to play their part. More from WWF…

Circular economy could transform global economic growth

A new Chatham House paper, A Global Redesign? Shaping the Circular Economy, suggests the ‘circular economy’ offers huge business opportunities by transforming the way resources are used. The paper argues that in a world of volatile resource prices, efficient use of resources is critical to future economic competitiveness – for countries and companies alike. More from Chatham House…

WWF One in Five Challenge help companies fly less

WWF’s One in Five Challenge helps companies and government cut their costs as well as their carbon emissions from business travel, with participants committing to cut 20% of their business flights within five years. New figures released in the One in Five Challenge annual report 2010/11 show that some of the UK’s leading companies, including Lloyds TSB, BSkyB, and Marks & Spencer have reduced their business flights by 41% through involvement in the scheme. More from WWF…

Green graduates optimistic about the future

A survey commissioned for Change Agents UK has found that 80 per cent of environmental graduates believe the number of green jobs will continue to rise in the future, despite the current economic downturn. However many are dissatisfied in their current role, feel under-employed or are also experiencing widespread structural unemployment. Despite this, most feel they are still making a contribution towards sustainability and say working for a sustainable future is more important than even financial reward and job security. More from Change Agents UK…

Marks & Spencer reports on first five years of Plan A

Marks & Spencer has published its 2012 How We Do Business Report, reporting on the first five years of progress of its 180 commitment eco and ethical programme, Plan A. More from M&S…

Awards, awards, awards

The MT Sky Future Leaders Awards, for the rising stars of sustainability, are open to entries until 13 July. Winners have been announced for the Observer Ethical Awards 2012, Footprint Awards 2012, Guardian Sustainable Business Awards and Finance for the Future Awards.