Ethical and eco fashion have become big news in recent years with plenty of coverage of the environmental and ethical impacts of clothes manufacture and waste. But shoes and their sustainability is something that is not considered so often.

Have you ever considered how sustainable your shoes are? As a fashion item, whilst we expect our shoes to look great and be comfortable and functional, they are often considered throw away products which are discarded after just a few wears purely because they have gone out of fashion. The most sustainable shoes are not only incredibly comfortable but are also well made so that they will last for a long time. Classic and versatile styles are also the most sustainable as they won’t go out of fashion.

No matter how long lasting a pair of shoes is, it will eventually reach the end of its useful life and will need to be disposed of. Synthetic materials pose the biggest problems for disposal as they do not easily biodegrade so will remain in landfill for years to come. But even natural materials will cause carbon dioxide emissions as they decompose which contributes to global warming.

Another key factor in deciding how sustainable you shoes are which materials are used to make them and how they are made. Synthetic materials use non renewable fossil fuels in an energy intensive manufacturing process and can also create significant pollution. Leather has environmental impacts as the rearing of livestock creates carbon dioxide emissions and the process of tanning the leather is damaging to the health of the workers and the environment.

Finally the manufacturing of shoes often creates waste and pollution and the glue used to hold the shoes together is highly toxic for people and the environment.

Some of the most sustainable and ethical shoes are made using natural materials like organic hemp and cork, both of which are biodegradable, sustainable and grown without the use of chemical pesticides. Leather has been tanned with natural chemicals which are not toxic is also a better alternative than conventional leather. Organic wool is also another potential material for sustainable shoes, it better for the environment than conventional wool and possibly other synthetic alternatives. Shoes can also be sewn together with natural fibres for a less toxic alternative to glue.

When buying shoes you should try and buy shoes to last. Think how well they will go with the clothes in your wardrobe and be sure that they are really comfortable before buying.

This article was written by Ceri Heathcote. Ceri is a fashion writer with a particular interest in ethical and eco fashion. She enjoys writing about a variety of topics from vegan shoes and natural footwear to sustainable accessories.

Po-Zu Ecological Shoes is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Sustainable Development is on the Government’s agenda for the long-term.

Although climate change is the most serious global environmental threat, promoting a clear and transparent sustainable strategy throughout organisations can lead to cost savings – whilst also facilitating the firm to develop a competitive advantage that enables them to capitalise on environmental and energy efficiency opportunities.   The NHS has already been set the challenge of making efficiency savings of between £15 billion and £20 billion across 2011 to 2014 to reinvest in year-on-year improvements in quality.

One way the NHS can make savings is by becoming more sustainable.

The NHS is the largest single estate in Europe, employing 5 per cent of the UK workforce, with a very large carbon footprint of 18 million tonnes of CO2 per year. This is composed of energy (22%), travel (18%) and procurement (60%). This means that meeting the Climate Change Act targets of 26% reduction by 2020 and 80% reduction by 2050 will be a challenge.  In order to meet its obligations under the Climate Change Act, the NHS needs to embed sustainable practices across the sector – people, procurement and processes. The development of the NHS Sustainable Development Unit helps the NHS fulfil its potential as a leading sustainable and low carbon healthcare service.

With a keen interest is leading change to a low carbon economy; International Sustainability Recruitment Consultancy, Allen & York have interviewed

Sonia Roschnik, the Operational Director at the NHS Development Unit:

A&Y: What are the current measures the NHS is making toward a sustainable future?

SR: Firstly it might be helpful to give some context for clarity; the NHS isn’t one organisation it is made up of around 400 organisations all of which are going through a period of profound change. The NHS Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) for England is a small unit which works in close collaboration with NHS organisations, the Department of Health, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and environmental groups.  We provide leadership, support and policy input to ensure the NHS is leading the public sector in sustainable development and mitigating climate change.  

We offer support and advice and provide tools to create a more sustainable business model and raise awareness throughout the organisation, from ground to board level, of the key issues.  

To drive the carbon reduction strategy forward the NHS SDU has put in place a Sustainable Development Management Plan, which has been officially signed off at Board level.  The plan was supported by a consultative process across the NHS and the SDU were cheered that 66% of people agreed that carbon reduction and a sustainable future are of great importance to the NHS.

Each NHS Trust reports annually on their sustainability indicators, including; procurement (59% of carbon emission), travel (17%), building energy usage (24%) and waste. The SDU collate the data, monitor usage and feedback to the trusts.

A&Y:  How have budget cuts affected the efforts towards a more sustainable health service?

SR:  In some ways the budget cuts will act as a catalyst to support the process of creating a more sustainable organisation.  It follows that as energy, waste and procured goods are reduced or organisations act more sustainably in these areas, then money is saved. 

However, the danger is that budget cuts might also mean less effort is focused on sustaining the reductions in the future.  So it is vital for the SDU to keep sustainability on the boardroom agenda.  A large part of our mission is about enabling discussion at board level and supporting strategic debate around saving money, reducing carbon and ultimately achieving government targets of 10% carbon reduction by 2015.

A&Y:   How are trusts audited on environmental compliance issues such as 14001?

SR:  The SDU doesn’t formally audit the trusts, however there is a process of reporting, monitoring and commitment from each trust to achieve its targets. 

A&Y:   In what areas of sustainability has the SDU been most successful – give examples of schemes that have embraced more sustainable practice?

SR:  A recent success has been the agreement and sign-up of NHS organisations to the Sustainable Development Management Plan process, which sets the blueprint from which everything else should follow.  

Specific examples of where the NHS is looking to become more sustainable would include tele-medicine, whereby clinical follow-ups can be carried out over the phone with your doctor and video link access is available for direct contact with specialists.

Emphasis is put on contributing to health, rather than treating sickness.  Home treatment would cut down on the amount of travel to and from surgeries and hospital, thereby saving on carbon miles.

A&Y:   With environmental stewardship being one of the biggest agendas in all industry sectors, what are biggest challenges the NHS face over the next 5 years?

SR:  Primarily the challenge is to maintain momentum in a rapidly changing organisation.  The abolition of primary care trusts, changes to the CRC, the recent public sector cuts all affect the NHS.

Opportunities are also opening up to us, for example the lifting of the ban on public sector organisations to produce renewable energy. 

However, the huge number of challenges and opportunities can’t divert us from our goal of embedding Sustainable Development Management Plans in all NHS organisations.

Our thanks to Sonia Roschnik and if you are interested in taking part in our series of Sustainability Industry Leader Interviews please email – our Communications Team

For more information about Allen & York, please visit www.allen-york.com

Allen & York is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

We were thrilled to receive an invitation to the ‘Join the Revolution’ event which was organised by the Co-operative Group to re-launch their ethics. At the event they revealed a new three-year Ethical Operating Plan, something they have never officially had as part of their business plan. They want to lead the way for other businesses to follow – hence the name ‘Join the Revolution’.

They are doing this now as they feel there is a need for a ‘steep change’ in ethics given the climate we are living, and trading, in. The plan covers many areas including protecting the environment, keeping communities thriving and supporting co-operatives.

We are very pleased that a vital element of the plan is devoted to tackling global poverty through Fairtrade. Subsequently, the Co-operative Group will continue to show their commitment to Fairtrade in the UK, remaining second to none in terms of availability and overtrade, and will now aim that if a primary commodity from the developing world can be Fairtrade, it will be Fairtrade by 2013. They plan that 90% of the primary commodities sourced from the developing world will be certified to Fairtrade standards by 2013.

They will also develop a unique range of projects and initiatives that benefit producers. For example, in Malawi, they are running a three year project to provide water pumps, toilets and fuel-efficient cooking stoves to over 10,000 people in Fairtrade communities with whom they trade.

We fully support this new revolutionary approach to social responsibility. You can view the plan by clicking here.

Shared Interest Society Ltd is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

There’s more support than ever before from consumers for environmentally-friendly policy. This can be seen simply from the ever-growing number of news articles about global warming to the amount of advertising promoting green products. From this, one would think that the market itself would be enough to change the current standards to ones with higher-efficiency.

However, in a a 2011 report from Bloomberg Businessweek Research Services funded by ABB, a power and automation technologies corporation, they found that, “Only 14% of energy industry stakeholders indicate that governments should leave development of alternative energy sources to market forces.” ¹

The research from Bloomberg Businessweek is based on a survey of over 450 energy industry leaders and stakeholders, focusing the questions on all areas of the energy industry, from generation to distribution to policy. The following chart from their study is an extremely informative look into the mindset of the energy industry.

All policies related to improving environmental standards and renewable energy easily had the majority in favor of implementing them. The only policy that did not have majority support was for relaxed environmental standards.

Based on this chart, the first things to happen are grid improvement programs. After that, support fell mostly for implementing standards for both the industry and consumer’s energy use. This also follows later evidence from the ABB funded report that 80% of energy experts believe both consumers and the energy industry are responsible for improving and reducing their energy use. ²

Bloomfield Businessweek also reports that, “when it comes to adopting energy efficient practices the energy industry stakeholders believe they need to be incentivized to change their behavior.”³

With a predicted 30% increase in energy use over the next 20 years, ⁴ policies are sure to come into play to ensure that this energy is available. The groundwork is already being laid in countries around the world, and, as energy industry leaders think that it shouldn’t be left up to market forces, new and improved energy policy is sure to come.

To learn more about the future of the energy industry and policy, visit ABB’s research site and watch the video below.

Citations

1, 2, 3. Bloomberg Businessweek Research Services (2011). “Lowering Emissions (or Minimizing Climate Impact): Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy” p.5

4. International Energy Agency (2010). “World Energy Outlook 2010 Factsheet: What will the global energy outlook to 2035 look like?” p. 1

Bio

Jeremy Jones is a eco web designer and committed activist for environmental change. He is the cofounder of the nonprofit The Kirksville Permaculture Education Center and writes for ABB.

Syndication Information:

Content syndicated by Nathan Brown, the sustainable building careers recruiter for Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage and provider of information on building your own solar energy systems for your home.

Photo Credits

1. Energy Policy Opinions Chart: Bloomberg Businessweek Research Services (2011). “Lowering Emissions (or Minimizing Climate Impact): Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy” p.6

2. Power Lines. http://www.freefoto.com/preview/13-09-57?ffid=13-09-57

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

According to a new report from green website Treehugger, it just might be possible to commercially produce Algae oil in enough quantity to replace diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and solvents. The wonder of algae oil is that is can be produced and burned without the harmful global warming effects of petroleum. Farming and producing algae oil as a replacement for petroleum does not take away vital land from rainforests and farmland in the same way as other replacement oil like corn or palm oil can do.

According to Treehugger a company based in California, OriginOil have been contracted by the Mexican Government to produce 1% of the nations jet fuel from algae over the next 5 years. Their aims are much higher however as they plan to produce 20times that amount by the end of the decade!

Treehugger explains:

What’s significant here is a move to demonstrate industrial algae production. If it succeeds, Mexico may invest in large-scale jet fuels production. OriginOil is seen as a leader in the algae biofuel industry, and had success last year in an algae pilot project with MBD Energy of Australia.

“Much of the world’s oil and gas is made up of ancient algae deposits,” OriginOil reps explain.

“Today, our technology will produce ‘new oil’ from algae, through a cost-effective, high-speed manufacturing process. This endless supply of new oil can be used for many products such as diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and solvents without the global warming effects of petroleum.

We wish OriginOil well in this exciting and earth saving endeavour

Gecco Interiors Limited is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Scientists Zoubida Charrouf and Dominique Guillaume have recently stated that Argan Oil ’should readily find a place of choice amid the most profitable oils for human health’. Organic Argan Oil is available online from Organic Argan Oil UK. 

Used for centuries by the people of Morocco, Argan Oil is a luxurious, versatile, natural oil produced from the nuts of the rare Argan tree (Argania Spinosa L.), known locally as the ‘Tree of Life’. The Argan tree is native to south-western Morocco and the region where Argan trees grow became a UNESCO international biosphere reserve in 1999. 

There are two main types of natural Argan Oil, both available online from Organic Argan Oil UK.

Cosmetic Argan Oil is used for beautiful and healthy skin, hair and nails. Culinary Argan Oil, with its rich and delicious nutty flavour, is one of the healthiest vegetable oils, packed with essential vitamins and nutrients.

Celebrities as diverse as Sophie Dahl, model and writer, and Heston Blumenthal, Britains leading chef, are both fans of this ‘wonderful’ natural oil, produced in Morocco for centuries. 

A spokesperson for Organic Argan Oil UK explained how Argan Oil can help you look better and feel healthier, inside and out: “Argan Oil is rich in unsaturated fats and in Vitamin E. Research suggests that these can bring health benefits and protect skin. People who use Argan Oil certainly agree. One woman said that Argan Oil was ‘pure gold’, another praised it as an ‘absolute match’ for very sensitive skin.”

Cosmetic Argan Oil: Used as a cosmetic, Argan Oil protects and moisturises the skin, reduces signs of visible ageing and tackles the appearance of wrinkles and damage caused by stress, sun and wind. Argan Oil is ideal for all skin types, including the most sensitive skins. It has been used as a traditional remedy for a range of skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema. It is also used to reduce the scars left behind by adolescent acne, other scars and to reduce and prevent the appearance of stretch marks. Argan Oil adds a beautiful and healthy sheen to hair, leaving it feeling silky soft and smooth. Pure Argan Oil can be used with lemon juice to repair and strengthen damaged and brittle nails. Argan Oil can also be used as part of your shaving routine, moisturising and nourishing the skin and helping to prevent shaving rash, itchiness, cuts and shaving nicks. Argan Oil has also been traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory for conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism.

Argan Food Oil: Used regularly as part of a well-balanced diet, pure and natural Argan Oil can potentially reduce the risk of a range of diseases and help you look and feel healthier. With a wealth of Vitamin E and essential unsaturated fatty acids, Argan Oil has been researched extensively. Studies have been carried out to assess Argan Oil’s potential ability to help in fighting against and preventing a number of conditions, including reducing the risk of obesity, lowering high blood pressure, reducing high cholesterol levels and possibly even helping in the fight against diabetes and cancer. Scientists claim that ‘daily consumption of argan oil is highly likely to be one factor strongly favouring the prevention of urogenital and digestive cancers as well as obesity and cardiovascular diseases.’ 

You can read more about pure, natural and organic Argan Oil on Organic Argan Oil UK’s website: www.organicarganoil.co.uk

Organic Argan Oil UK is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

March 28 – April 8, 2011

Changing the way we live and work on the planet is vital, and to do that we need a whole new set of skills to enable us to act effectively – and urgently. Understanding Ecoliteracy will help students to appreciate and act with a greater ecological awareness in both local and global situations.

Teachers include:

Fritjof Capra (by videolink), Satish Kumar, Gustavo Esteva (by videolink), Stephan Harding, Philip Franses, Julie Richardson, Mark Burton, Jon Rae, Terry Irwin (by videolink), Antonia Spencer, Bethan Stagg, Anne Miller, Hal Gilmore, Emily Ryan (course facilitator)

For more details or to book a place on this course, please visit our website: http://www.schumachercollege.org.uk/courses/ecoliteracy-first-principles-for-radical-change

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Facilitated by Schumacher College, Devon, UK

Course is taking place at Sharpham House, Ashprington, Devon, UK

Cost: £1550.00 all inclusive

“Imagine a home that heats itself, provides its own water, and grows its own food… It needs no expensive technology, recycles its own waste, and has its own power source. And it can be built anywhere, by anyone, out of the things that society throws away.” The words of US architect Michael Reynolds (star of the film Garbage Warrior) sum up the unique features of earthship homes. They are constructed out of natural and recycled materials such as earth-filled tyres, reclaimed timber, and used cans and bottles, and the passive solar design (glass on the south-facing side, thick walls with high thermal mass) means that no extra heating or air-conditioning is required. Water is collected, used and reclaimed using plants and filtration.

On this course, participants will work on the construction of a small earthship structure – a greenhouse – enabling them to learn the theory and experience the practice of most parts of the construction process. Each day will involve the equivalent of about an hour of theoretical input on various aspects of earthship construction, with the remainder of the morning and the afternoon devoted to the actual building tasks. The timetable will be somewhat weather-dependent – on very wet days there will be more talking and discussion, in fine weather more time outside.

For more information or to book a place please go to our website: http://www.schumachercollege.org.uk/courses/green-design-in-practice-building-an-earthship

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Within this article, Vicky Kenrick at Sustainability Recruitment Specialists, Allen & York provides valuable insight into energy procurement within the public sector and explore energy initiatives such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) and The Pan Government Energy Project, and how these can benefit energy procurement for the public sector, with particular reference to schools. 

Energy procurement represents a significant percentage of public sector expenditure, accounting for some £3.25 billion annually. Clearly, an effective approach to collaborative purchasing offers the scope for real savings for the public purse.

The public sector is potentially a very powerful purchaser and is uniquely placed to play a leading role in sustainable procurement and in helping the UK to meet its targets of reducing CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.  Furthermore, with the UK public sector faced with a growing need to provide greater operational efficiencies as well as demonstrate their commitment to be among the leaders in the European Union (EU) for sustainable procurement, the need to secure best value through collaborative working has also become ever more critical.

Sustainability was recognised by the former government as a core component of good procurement, and in 2008 significant steps were taken by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) and other departments to improve their leadership and governance on the issue. A number of developments since 2008, such as The Pan Government Energy Project (PGEP) have kept sustainability at the forefront of current issues in procurement practice.  

It is schools and higher education establishments that have been one of the last sectors to actively move from a fixed price, fixed term contract to a flexible, risk managed contract as recommended by government.  The Energy Consortium (TEC), whom contract for over 70% of the higher education sector, are actively working with the PGEP to help educational establishments understand the benefits of moving from a fixed price contract to a government recommended flexible solution.  As a result, the PGEP have an excellent understanding of a school’s energy requirements, and allow schools the opportunity to access increased benefits when following their recommendations and working with a central purchasing body. The PGEP, sponsored and chaired by the Ministry of Defence, has developed best practice recommendations for energy procurement in consultation with customers and public sector buying organisations.

If done incorrectly, energy procurement can cost a school thousands of pounds that could have been avoided. For schools, the cost of employing an energy specialist is often not feasible, and this can leave schools open to higher supplier margins and increased costs. In light of this, schools are currently being urged to access the benefits of using this government recommended solution for energy procurement.

By following the two recommendations outlined in the PGEP, schools can firstly benefit from making substantial financial savings through aggregation, for example, because a central purchasing body can purchase larger portfolios of energy and attract lower supplier margins, some by up to 5%.  In addition, schools that follow this government recommendation can also take advantage of market prices throughout the duration of the energy contract and have access to greater transparency of costs that make up the delivered energy price.

Mark Vidler, Energy Group Manager at Allen & York comments that:

“Purchasing energy in this way could also see organisations and schools mitigate against price rises and deliver savings.  Organisations can further benefit from the advice of skilled Energy Managers, who play a vital role in ensuring sustainable cost savings throughout the energy procurement process”

The second recommendation of the PGEP highlights how schools need to reduce their energy consumption.  If the purchasing of energy is carried out by experts in energy procurement then schools are able to benefit from experienced team management of all portfolio needs as well as have access to new products and initiatives, which include tools such as Automated Meter Reading (AMR) and advice, guidance and tool kits which can also assist with their Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC).

In fact, 15% of public sector carbon emissions arise from activities in the English schools system and about a third of this is directly from energy usage in school buildings. In light of this, the Government aims to make all schools, sustainable schools, by 2020, by not just promoting sustainability through teaching methods but also by encouraging schools to participate in local authority carbon reduction commitment opportunities and other initiatives in order to reduce their energy consumption.  There is a clear need for public sector organisations, such as schools, to seek the support of Energy professionals and consultancies in order to work towards sustainability targets. 

Sustainability Recruitment Specialists, Allen & York, are witnessing a large increase in the demand for sustainable Energy professionals and the growing variety of roles within this sector.

Allen & York Energy Group Manager, Mark Vidler, comments:

“It is increasingly necessary for schools to recognise the importance of sustainability and its application in every aspect of energy management.  In particular, the renewable energy sector plays a vital role in this, it is now more important than ever before that we look to alternative sources of energy to meet our demands. By embracing and fulfilling its renewable energy potential, the UK’s public sector has the opportunity to not only demonstrate strong leadership domestically, in the fight against climate change but it also has the opportunity to set the standard for public sector organisations to follow globally.  Here at Allen & York we have almost 20 years of experience within the Sustainability industry, we recruit Energy sector professionals at all levels for both private and public sector organisations, nationally and internationally”.

It is clear that sustainability and environmental considerations are playing a bigger role in outsourcing energy procurement decisions.  Looking at the economic reasons for the move to sustainable energy procurement – large cost savings can be made by establishing a robust and effective energy management policy.  In addition, the development of the CRC scheme and PGEP stresses the importance of reducing carbon emissions and encourages public sector establishments to improve their energy efficiency, and ultimately save money, something which is particularly relevant today, as the public sector cuts begin to take shape.

Allen & York are a leading international Sustainability Recruitment consultancy, offering jobs in Environment, CSR & Sustainability, Renewable Energy and Carbon Management, plus Health and Safety Management. 

To explore the latest career opportunities and Allen & York’s services to employers, please visit the website at: http://www.allen-york.com

Allen & York is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

As the first Christmas tree grower on a global scale, Bols Forstplanteskole has succeeded in achieving membership in the worldwide World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO).

Although most people have removed the Christmas tree decorations and scrapped the tree by now, Christmas is not over yet in Central Jutland. Bols Forstplanteskole has just achieved a much-coveted membership in the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). The achieved membership is a result of the nursery’s long-term focus on improved working conditions and sustainable production of Christmas trees.

“Under the concept of Fair Trees®, we’ve worked hard for many years to improve working and security conditions among the poor Georgian cone pickers, who collect seeds for the European Christmas tree production under perilous conditions,” says Marianne Bols, proprietor of Bols Forstplanteskole.

So far, Fair Trees has been authorised through Fair Trade Denmark, of which Fair Trees is however still a member. Nevertheless, Marianne Bols makes it abundantly clear that the newly-achieved membership, which has been in the pipeline for two years, is a seal of approval that opens the way to future development. This membership is the fi rst of its kind in the Christmas tree business on a global scale.

“There is no doubt that it is of great importance to us to be endorsed by the world’s oldest Fair Trade organisation. It is a well-known logo around the world, and a logo that opens up new export opportunities,” says Marianne Bols, who adds:

“But first and foremost the membership emphasises the importance of the fact that we will continue our work in Georgia and intensify our demands in order to ensure ongoing sustainable Christmas tree production.”

FACTS: Christmas Tree Production and Fair Trees®
More than 80% of the Christmas trees sold in Europe are based on seeds from Ambrolauri-Tlugi provenance in Georgia. Today, Fair Trees has 25 percent of the harvest rights in Tlugi, corresponding to sixteen tons of seeds.

Fair Trees is a concept developed under Fair Trade Denmark, ensuring sustainable production and decent standards of wages and terms of employment. Fair Trees makes use of third-part auditing to inspect working conditions and the gathering and production of cones. Today, Fair Trees is a member of WFTO.

Fairwind is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more