Will Dennis

Worth a read 😎 - Why Nestlé and Waitrose & Partners are investing in Regenerative Agriculture, featuring my fantastic colleague Matthew Ryan. The topic is only becoming more important as a way to both reduce the impact of conventional farming on the journey to net zero and to build farm resilience in the face of a changing climate. Great to see more and more businesses playing their role. #RegenerativeAgriculture #Sustainability Interview: Why Nestlé and Waitrose are investing in regenerative farming (grocerygazette.co.uk)

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Our WRAP reports out today reveal the perfect storm facing the UK's textile reuse and recycling industry, as the sector has indeed been warning. 👕 In 2022 UK citizens bought 1.42 million tonnes of clothes & textiles. We also donated and disposed of 1.45 million tonnes. 🧺 We're throwing away 49% of used textiles in the bin - some 35 items per person a year on average going to landfill and incineration. It's a shocker. ♻️ Low-quality fast fashion is devaluing textile donations, putting financial strain on the reuse and recycling sector and impacting countries such as Ghana or Kenya that import second hand clothes. This is undermining some parts of the industry's ambitions to move towards a circular economy. WRAP is calling on brands, retailers, investors and governments to step up support for change. We also need improved designs to make clothes last longer through durability, enabling circular business models to scale and reduce ever increasing consumption. Read all about it 👉 : Textile Market Situation Report https://lnkd.in/ei8T-UWi Post-Consumer Textile Landscape Review https://lnkd.in/eZJX93xF Textile Waste Hotspots Report https://lnkd.in/eiWxyGit Textiles2030 brings the UK fashion industry together to tackle these issues and accelerate a circular clothing. Find out more & maybe get involved 👉: https://lnkd.in/eBzCpBJd

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What a welcome change to previous government inaction! The rapid adoption of DRS will boost three key benefits for UK already enjoyed by many other countries. 1. It will quickly change the mindset of UK consumers that packaging at the end of its first use should be discarded as valueless materials. 2. This will have immediate benefits to the environment on unwanted litter and to those individuals that rescue these materials for recovery. 3. It will reduce our reliance on virgin materials and reduce the carbon footprint of UK via the boost in the recovery rate of packaging materials into the circular economy. Those involved in DRS will know that this is not a simple nor easy nor inexpensive system to administer and there is a need to unify the systems in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England otherwise it opens the door to fraud and exploitation of the differences. On the positive side there is vast experience in many countries and DRS operators that can be used as a template for a successful UK wide DRS system.

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Interesting YouGov survey on consumer perceptions of Shein and Temu. While both of these ultra #fastfashion brands are notorious for their numerous scandals, from worker exploitation to heavy reliance on oil-based synthetic fibres, which are full of toxic chemicals and result in bad quality garments. Not to talk about tax evasion, significant transport emissions and consumer manipulation. All of this results in both brands being perceived as worse than (already low) average for fast fashion brands. However, despite perceptions of low quality and poor value – and even a general dislike of each brand – customers generally aren’t put off SHEIN or Temu: if they aren’t the customers’ first choice, they’re still enjoying overall positive consideration and satisfaction. This probably explains why both brands are taking an ever bigger market share. It also highlights that we can not rely on consumers to "make the right choices". We must regulate #fossilfashion industry with measures like #plastic tax, extended producer responsibility, ban on advertising etc. https://lnkd.in/eDWnHy-f

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Why are Dirteeze Trade Mate Bamboo Pro Wapes the natural choice? 🌍 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Plastic pollution is a growing threat to our planet, impacting wildlife, habitats, and human health. Shockingly, 90% of all wet wipes contain plastic, with the UK using 11 billion annually. Most of these wipes are made from non-biodegradable polypropylene, which can take 100 years to break down, leaving toxins in the environment. 💡 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 Dirteeze, known for its pioneering products since 2007, has launched a 100% biodegradable range made from bamboo fibres. Unlike traditional wipes, Dirteeze Trademate Bamboo wipes biodegrade in just 2-6 months. Bamboo, growing 1-2 feet per day, offers a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-derived products and wood pulp wipes, supporting faster regrowth and reducing deforestation. 🌱 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐨? 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡: Bamboo regenerates quickly, making it a highly sustainable resource. 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Bamboo wipes break down naturally, ensuring a minimal environmental footprint. 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: A renewable resource, bamboo helps meet our everyday needs without depleting our planet’s resources. Join us in embracing sustainable choices for a cleaner, greener world! 🌿 https://lnkd.in/eZgRhEbP #Sustainability #PlasticPollution #EcoFriendly #Biodegradable #Bamboo #Dirteeze #GreenInnovation

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Really inspiring session in the innovation showcase on water and land solutions at day one of the Innovation Zero conference. Too often it’s the doom and gloom of the climate impacts that dominate our social media feeds and TV screens. So I love getting out to learn about some of the innovation that’s out there right now to help tackle today’s challenges. Some of the practical solutions I’ve learnt about: ➡️ Showerkap water saving solution ideal for hotels in helping environmentally conscious consumers to reduce water usage. ➡️ WASE LIMITED a modular solution using electro-methanogenic processes to manage waste water, improving traditional AD. Ideal for breweries and manufacturers with advantage of being onsite solution to generate biogas ➡️ CH4Global methane reducing asparagopsis (red algae) feed for beef and dairy cattle with the worlds first scalable plant capable of delivering feed for 100 million cattle by 2030 #climatesolutions #reduceemissions #watersavingsolutions

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👀📺 One election debate I will definitely be tuning into! A brilliant collaboration between the The Wildlife Trusts, Chester Zoo and Wildlife and Countryside Link giving each main party the opportunity to lay out their environmental policies. What I'm hoping to see: 🚜 Consideration for all competing land uses (ie. #NatureRestoration, #FoodProduction, #RenewableEnergy, #CommunityAccess etc.) 💊 Nature as a tool for public health through #SocialPrescribing to support the #NHS 🌊 Emphasis on #MarineEcosystems as well as terrestrial ⚖ Tighter #regulation and #compliance mechanisms for entities causing environmental damage (eg. #PolluterPaysPrinciple) 📈 Strong signalling on the need for corporate and institutional reporting, and project #MRV 🌳 Bold action to boost #PrivateSector involvement in #NatureMarkets and wider payments for #EcosystemServices 💡Support for #innovation in the climate and nature #finance and #tech spaces https://lnkd.in/e_98zvDy Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) #TNFD #CSRD #ClimateTech #NatureFinance Jamie Christon DL Craig Bennett Richard Benwell #Election #Debate #nature #biodiversity #30by30

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Just reading the (recently released) Unilever corporate report 2023. Couple of things jumped out on packaging. 1. Good to see recognition of #recyclable (but tricky) v (readily) recyclable: "In 2023, the ‘actual recyclability’ rate of our plastic packaging portfolio was 53%, compared to 55% in 2022. This decrease was primarily driven by lower sales volume of recyclable rigid packaging formats, such as bottles and jars in North America and Europe. The proportion of our plastic #packaging which was 'technically recyclable' using existing technology, increased marginally to 72% versus 71% in 2022." 2. Look at the #GHGs from 'indirect consumer use' - wow. Only a shade under all the company's other GHGs. 3. Do these figures mean anything without the context of other single-use packaging? (Note. the company has just adjusted its ESG targets to make them more realistic, and one of four areas they are focusing on is plastic (rather than packaging...) Virgin #plastic reduction (% change in tonnes v 2019 baseline): 2023 - 18% 2022 - 13% 2021 - 8% 4. The section on future risks from #carbontaxes and #land-use regulation is also juicy on data. 5. I wonder what progress tables would have looked like if the original ESG targets were still in place...? Showing those may have helped justify the new "realistic" targets.

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When you bite into an apple or munch on a carrot, do you consider where it came from? According to a report published last year by the House of Lords Horticultural Select Committee, only half of the vegetables and a mere 17 per cent of fruit consumed in the UK were grown here. Britain is home to hundreds of apple varieties, at least 30 in Sussex alone. Yet even in peak apple season, you are more likely to find apples imported from Europe, New Zealand and South Africa in your local supermarket. https://lnkd.in/eXMJ3WFm Written by Brighton & Hove Food Partnership UK House of Lords Riverford Organic Farmers Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming The Food Foundation Food, Farming and Countryside Commission Food Matters Soil Association Real Farming Trust The Landworkers' Alliance #fruit #vegetables #sustainablefoodplaces #sustainablefoodplace #goodfoodmovement #ukfoodsystem #hotriculture #ukhorticulture #foodsecurity #foodpolicy #ukfoodpolicy

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Cheers to #NetZero! Climate action can be painted as something only urban communities can do. So it is fantastic to see this amazing #RuralBusiness taking action and already achieving net zero! Denbies Wine Estate Limited is close to my heart as I live just up the road from them (and have occasionally bought their lovely sparking English wine). What I think makes their acheivement so impressive is that they've gone better than net zero while still being very successful as a business. There's a narrative being peddled at the moment that net zero is somehow going to make our lives worse, destroy businesses and jobs and limit our wellbeing. Well, if that's the case, somebody at Denbies didn't get the memo! So, I invite you all to raise a glass and celebrate the amazing rural businesses who are putting themselves at the forefront of #ClimateAction and are benefiting from it. #Sustainability #RuralEnterprise https://lnkd.in/esmbS9fK

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Peat land is one of the most effective methods of sequestering carbon. It takes millions of years to make; growing food without it is essential. #carbon #climate #sustainability #risk

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Carbon reporting requirements are changing. What do you need to do about it? In April last year, the NHS made carbon reporting a requirement for their suppliers working on large contracts valued at over £5 million. In April this year, that £5 million threshold was extended to most frameworks, regardless of size. This shift has prompted a significant number of NHS suppliers to get their house in order and begin the sometimes painful journey of measuring their carbon footprint. It’s all great stuff that we really love to see. But there’s a catch. The current reporting requirements only cover scope 1, 2, and a small subset of scope 3 emissions - 5 out of the possible 15 scope 3 categories. The biggest one currently being missed is Purchased Goods and Services, which can often constitute a huge proportion of an organisation’s emissions. It also currently focuses only on UK-based emissions. In short, NHS suppliers are reporting some of their emissions but potentially missing a lot in their calculations. But that’s all about to change. By 2027, suppliers will be expected to report all global emissions. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure these companies are ready to take this on. The remaining scope 3 categories are the hardest to measure. That’s likely why the NHS has phased this in. 2027 might seem like a long way off, but consider this: it’s closer to today than when COVID kicked off, by quite a considerable margin. Time really does fly when you're having fun. If you want to know more, I wrote a blog; the link is in the comments. And if you’re looking for help with scope 3 measurements, give me a message. We make it look easy 😉 #scope3 #nhs #crp #cfree

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🚜 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has revealed stats on the uptake of environmental schemes across England, with Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2023 leading the way. Jack Watts Head of Economics Strategy, and Sarah Baker Head of Economics have compiled 1️⃣0️⃣ facts you need to know. More in-depth analysis to come next week! 👉 https://ow.ly/W7NZ50RvFUr

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*Green Enterprise Grants* Mid Devon District Council has launched a new capital grant scheme to help SMEs to save energy and carbon. Capital grants £500 to £5k for up to 50% of eligible costs, with a maximum project budget of £25k. Projects should be fast to deliver and ready to go. *Applications for the Green Enterprise Grants are open until midday on 10 June 2024.* Details and bid guidance: https://lnkd.in/e-r9wq9t Councillor Natasha Bradshaw, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said: “We know that Mid Devon businesses want to take positive action on climate change, this grant scheme supports them in achieving this.” Councillor Steve Keable, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration, added: “Reducing carbon emissions is good for the planet and for business. Through this scheme we will demonstrate that small changes really do lead to big impacts in terms of reducing a business’ carbon footprint.” #grants #SustainableMidDevon Devon Climate Emergency Mid Devon Network - Business Networking

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This Wednesday, I will be alongside representatives from Boohoo Group PLC, H&M and Oxfam on a panel in front of the Environmental Audit Committee. We will be discussing "what the environmental impact of UK fashion is likely to look like in years to come, and what progress the industry has made towards sustainability". My aim will be to highlight... >>> 1 <<< How resale is already contributing to circularity at scale, powered by: ⚡ Over 10,000 high street charity shops ⚡ £bn+ peer-to-peer apps like Vinted, Depop & eBay ⚡ Rapidly growing managed marketplaces like Thrift+ Together, we are recirculating huge volumes of clothing for a second life here in the UK. >>> 2 <<< How pre-loved / second-hand has the incredible ability to compete directly with (ultra) fast fashion - on price, choice & speed. Recently, the Sustainability Director of a fast fashion retailer told me that "Vinted is now our biggest competitor". Now *THAT* is progress. *** To the other circular economy superheroes out there - what other important messages should I try to land with our MPs? ***

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Over my time at WRAP I've been involved in the research and delivery of our most recent Textiles Market Situation Report 2024. The report includes market data on clothing and textile consumption rates, household expenditure on clothing, average clothing prices, UK textiles imports and exports, UK textiles manufacturing, the post-consumer textiles market, and upcoming innovation and developments. Since the last Textiles Market Situation Report was published in 2019, the textiles industry has faced several challenges, such as the UK’s exit from the EU, the covid-19 pandemic, and a cost-of-living crisis. These macroeconomic developments, coupled with growing concerns about climate change and the environmental impact of fashion, have questioned established market knowledge and necessitated business practice shifts. For more info: https://lnkd.in/ej2TPggX It's been great working on this report, and took a real group effort to get it over the line. It's been a pleasure working with Amy-Grace Enzer, Polly Davies, Alberto Iranzo, and Griff Palmer.

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Mandatory food waste collections, for businesses as well as households, are coming! Are you preparing to take action? Food waste has hit the news headlines a few times in recent weeks, from Parliamentary debates and Government announcements to Awareness Days. Are you up to speed on the latest developments? Starting next March, businesses and organisations with 10+ employees will need to segregate their food waste and have it separately collected. Within 3 years, ALL businesses will need to make similar arrangements. Our latest blog shares the key information you need to know, whatever size business or organisation you manage. Read it here: https://buff.ly/3K8IwOA If you’d like to explore your options for food waste collection, talk to us. You might even save money compared to using your general waste bin for waste food.

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We are certainly in some weird paradigm right now where Greenpeace is working against ensuring private capital can internalise the cost of its carbon emissions and that we develop a system of protecting nature at scale. Perhaps we need to ask why Greenpeace et al. are unable to follow the science? Or at the very least formalise a constructive narrative beyond what is clearly an ideological and incorrect assumption. All I know for sure, is that without serious finance for nature, we will lose it. Great work The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society et al.

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As someone who is competitive by nature, I love a good league table – especially when the project I worked on is at the top. Volans worked with Unilever on its first Climate Policy Engagement Review and it’s now official that the review has set a new best practice. According to InfluenceMap’s assessment, it is the first such review to fully meet the expectations of The Global Standard on Responsible Climate Lobbying, which is backed by investor groups such as Principles for Responsible Investment, Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), Ceres, Inc. and Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR). What we need now is a race to the top. We’ve demonstrated it’s possible to score 100% for ‘robustness of corporate climate policy engagement review’, so I hope we’ll soon see more green at the top of this table. Who’s up for it? Danone Facundo Etchebehere Nestlé Rob Cameron Procter & Gamble Virginie Helias ... https://lnkd.in/eWZDJYp9

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