Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today issued the Honda Sustainability Report 2022.
For the various Honda stakeholders, the Honda Sustainability Report 2022 comprehensively summarizes Honda’s approach to sustainability and initiatives toward the realization of the Honda 2030 Vision to serve people worldwide with the “joy of expanding their life’s potential,” from the perspective of ESG (Environment, Social and Governance).
In an effort to further enhance the transparency and credibility of its disclosures, starting this year’s report, Honda expanded the scope of third-party assurance to cover disclosures related to societal issues in addition to environmental disclosures. The report also introduces the Honda Human Rights Policy, which Honda newly established to ensure fulfillment of its responsibility to respect the human rights of all stakeholders affected by its business activities, based on Honda’s Fundamental Beliefs that include “Respect for the individual.”
Front cover of Honda Sustainability Report 2022
Top message
This report is in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”)’s “Comprehensive” option which is one of the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards*. The GRI Standards also define the GRI Content Index, which is a sustainability reporting template that offers a quick overview of reported sustainability information. As with previous years, GRI verified the accuracy of the GRI Content Index of this year’s Sustainability Report.
Honda intends to continue reporting to its stakeholders about how the corporate activities of the Honda and its group companies are connected to society in various ways. Moreover, Honda will incorporate stakeholder feedback to Honda’s sustainability-focused management for the future to increase its corporate value and to better contribute to the realization of a sustainable society. With that, Honda will strive to be a company society wants to exist.
* The international non-financial reporting standards published by the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), a global institution and a collaborating center of UNEP (United Nations Environment Program), that develops globally applicable standards for sustainability reporting. Publicity materials relating to this press release are available at the following URL: https://news.honda.co.jp/en/ (The site is intended exclusively for the use of journalists.)
Gulf Air Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi met with a number of his counterparts at the aviation industry during IATA’s Annual General Meeting event taking place at Doha, Qatar. Captain AlAlawi was accompanied by members of the airline’s executive management.
Captain AlAlawi had a number of productive meetings with Boeing President & CEO Mr. Stanley Deal and Senior Vice President Mr. Ihssane Mounir, Thai Airways CEO Mr. Suvadhana Sibunruang, Egypt Air CEO Captain Amr AbuelEnein, Kenya Airways Group MD & CEO Mr. Allan Kilavuka, and Changi Airport CEO Mr. Lee Seow Hiang. The meetings were held to explore means of mutual collaboration, discussing future strategic partnerships, and exchanging insights on the current status of the aviation industry.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) was established in 1945, and is the trade association for the world’s airlines, representing some 290 airlines or 83% of total air traffic. IATA supports many areas of aviation activity and help formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues. This year marks the 78th edition of IATA AGM; a major event for aviation which gathers the top leadership from airlines, the aviation value chain and governments as the aviation industry faces complex and dynamic operating, business and geopolitical environments.
Consumers Go Beyond Just Flavors, Look to Companies’ Promises when Choosing a Snack
The latest U.S. Trend Index from snack leader Frito-Lay polled consumers on their snacking preferences and priorities and found that the 90 percent of consumers who snack daily care – and care deeply – about the companies whose snacks they’re eating.
Snack companies’ attention to sustainability practices (77 percent), community impact around food access (78 percent), and treatment of employees (87 percent) are among the top values driving purchasing decisions.
This is particularly true for younger generations; more than half of 18-34 consumers noted they consider a brand’s ethics and sustainability practices when purchasing. But while younger consumers are more likely than consumers older than 35 to be interested in sustainable production and packaging, ingredient integrity and flavor exploration has more influence over food and snack choice for both demographics. In fact, if they had to choose one snack element, 42 percent of consumers within each demographic stated they would choose flavor combinations such as sweet and spicy, or tangy and salty over familiar, regional flavors (21 percent), texture (21 percent), and international flavors (15 percent).
Beyond What a Company Stands for, Flavor Wins
As consumers shop for snacks, 35 percent stated that innovative flavors are most likely to influence what they select, more than recommendations (28 percent) brand recognition (21 percent), packaging (9 percent), or sustainability efforts (7 percent). They also aren’t afraid to try new things – 40 percent are most excited to find a snack with a flavor they love but have never had in a snack product before.
“During the summer, people explore new activities, new places and enjoy new flavors of snacks as they attend more outdoor gatherings,” said Mike Del Pozzo, chief customer officer, Frito-Lay North America. “While flavor continues to drive consumers’ food-purchasing behaviors, we know how a company behaves matters and that’s why I’m proud of Frito-Lay’s commitment to sustainability and community impact.”
Additional market trends and U.S. Trend Index highlights show:
What’s on the inside counts:
About two-thirds of people are more likely to purchase products that invest in local communities.
Purchasing sustainable food products is important to consumers (66 percent).
Adults are more interested in naturally sourced ingredients than production-related factors like recycled packaging, compostable packaging, or products made with recycled water (74 percent).
Long-term eating habits are shifting:
Almost everyone enjoys the social aspect of snacking (81 percent), but Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to prefer to eat in solitude (45 percent).
Millennials (19 percent), GenZers (20 percent), and parents (20 percent) are slightly more likely than average to snack on-the-go.
Summer Snacking:
More than two in five of parents will buy or create individually packaged snacks in advance before traveling this summer.
While busy parents are on the move, it’s no surprise that they are more likely than non-parents to replace meals with snacks several times per week or more (52 percent). Sixty percent of consumers are most excited to snack at outdoor gatherings with family and friends now that pandemic restrictions have lifted.
The recipe for a perfect snack:
All about the combo: Americans prioritize a salty/sweet snack combination (42 percent) over texture, international or local flavors.
Gateway snacking: Almost half of all respondents (44 percent) said trying new snack flavors led them to try more foods with those same flavors, while more than half (58%) of 18-34 consumers have eaten more foods featuring a flavor that they had initially experienced in a snack.
Mix and match: Given the choice, people are selecting innovative flavor combinations most often (59 percent), including sweet and salty, spicy and sweet and tangy and salty.
For more information, visit FritoLay.com/Snack-Index.
Survey Methodology
This poll was conducted between May 26-May 27, 2022 among a national sample of 2,200 Adults and an additional 200 Adults ages 18-34. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of Adults based on gender, educational attainment, age, race, and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
About Frito-Lay North America
Frito-Lay North America is the $19 billion convenient foods division of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP), which is headquartered in Purchase, NY. Frito-Lay snacks include Lay’s and Ruffles potato chips, Doritos tortilla chips, Cheetos snacks, Tostitos tortilla chips and branded dips, SunChips multigrain snacks and Fritos corn chips. The company operates 30+ manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Canada, more than 200 distribution centers and services 315,000 retail customers per week through its direct-store-delivery model. Learn more about Frito-Lay at the corporate website, www.fritolay.com, on Twitter (@fritolay), on Instagram (@fritolay) and on Facebook (Frito-Lay).
MCLEAN, Va. – Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HLT) will report second quarter 2022 financial results before the stock market opens on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, followed by a conference call at 10:30 a.m. EST. Christopher J. Nassetta, Hilton’s president & chief executive officer, and Kevin Jacobs, Hilton’s chief financial officer & president, global development, will discuss the company’s performance and lead a question-and-answer session.
Participants may listen to the live webcast by logging onto the Hilton Investor Relations website at https://ir.hilton.com/events-and-presentations. A replay and transcript of the webcast will be available within 24 hours of the live event at https://ir.hilton.com/financial-reporting. Alternatively, participants may listen to the live call by dialing 1-888-317-6003 in the United States or 1-412-317-6061 internationally using the conference ID 6643240. Participants are encouraged to dial into the call or link to the webcast at least fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A telephone replay will be available for seven days following the call. To access the telephone replay, dial 1-877-344-7529 in the United States or 1-412-317-0088 internationally using the conference ID 6537064.
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising nearly 6,900 properties and nearly 1.1 million rooms, in 122 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list and been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for five consecutive years. Hilton has introduced several industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the nearly 133 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
● The Reno7 Series consists of three 5G models, all equipped with Portrait Expert features and ground-breaking technology ● Flagship portrait camera system and powerhouse setup for an exceptional content capture and 5G experience ● The Reno7 Series is available to purchase from selected retail partner stores across the GCC
Dubai, UAE, 15 June 2022 – Offering an outstanding camera configuration and AI-enhanced imaging features, OPPO’s Reno7 5G is the portrait expert capable of capturing DSLR-like portraits through features like Portrait Mode, Bokeh Flare Portrait Video, and more. Together with powerful performance provided by the MediaTek Dimensity 900, and enhanced efficiency and productivity from newly launched ColorOS 12, the Reno7 5G is the ultimate companion for users to unleash their unlimited style in portrait.
REVOLUTIONARY AI ENABLES DSLR-LIKE PORTRAITS ON A SMARTPHONE Leveraging OPPO’s AI capabilities, the Reno7 5G is equipped with powerful portrait functionality that empowers users to express every side of their personality through more professional portraits.
Central to the portrait experience is the Reno7 5G’s AI-enhanced, triple, high-definition camera setup. On the back of the phone, the Reno7 5G features a 64MP HD main camera, a 118-degree Ultra Wide-Angle camera, and a macro camera which can focus on subjects as close as 4cm away. Meanwhile, the front of the phone sees the inclusion of a 32MP ultra-clear camera.
Based on these powerful hardware foundations, the Reno7 5G comes packed with a series of portrait features driven by leading AI technologies: ● Portrait Mode delivers stunning portrait photos with shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh light spots in the background. The advanced AI algorithm is able to simulate different optical focal lengths to create a depth of field effect similar to a wide aperture DSLR lens. Portrait Mode also offers extra photo enhancement features such as detection and preservation of skin texture and skin tone, with retouching effects that deliver high quality, clear images with a natural and professional depth of field effect. ● Bokeh Flare Portrait Video brings exclusive DSLR-like portrait video capabilities to the Reno 7 5G with just a few clicks. Powered by OPPO’s image processing algorithms, Bokeh Flare Portrait Video delivers real-time processing of portrait video while keeping portrait subjects appearing natural and bright. ● AI Highlight Video can capture details in both background and foreground clearly by automatically making optimizations based on the lighting environment. The Live HDR and Ultra Night Video algorithms of AI Highlight Video are enabled automatically when shooting video on the rear camera.
The Reno7 5G is also equipped with a number of creative image features: AI Color Portrait Video can automatically detect the subject in the video and retain its full original color while turning the rest of the image black and white; Dual-View Video helps users tell their stories from different perspectives by shooting video from both front and rear cameras simultaneously; Portrait Retouching detects different people within a video and applies different retouching effects based on identified traits.The Reno7 5G also offers powerful imaging features in different scenarios, including Ultra Steady Video, Focus Tracking, Ultra-Clear 108MP Image, and Flash Snapshot.
ULTRA-SLIM DESIGN FEATURING THE EVER-EVOLVING OPPO GLOW Continuing the iconic design of the Reno series, Reno7 5G demonstrates unlimited style with its ultra-slim body, which is about7.81 mm thick and approximately 173 g in weight. The Reno7 5G also features the Reno Series’ iconic OPPO Glow, this time brought to life through two all-new colors: Startrails Blue and Starry Black.
On the front of the Reno7 5G, the 6.4-inch AMOLED screen with 90 Hz refresh rate and 180 Hz touch sampling rate provides a more vivid, smoother viewing experience. The screen is also SGS Eye Care Display Certified as a low-blue light screen, which can help to reduce eye strain during extended use. Moreover, the Reno7 5G is also Netflix HD and Amazon Prime Video Certified, allowing users to experience high quality streaming content in even greater detail.
UNLIMITED POWER FOR A MORE IMMERSIVE GAMING EXPERIENCE At the heart of the Reno7 5G is the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G SoC. Built using 6 nm process technology, it provides support for both 5G and Wi-Fi 6, ensuring faster connectivity during mobile gaming.
The Reno7 5G also comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage as standard. With RAM Expansion technology developed by OPPO, this 8GB of RAM can be further supplemented with an additional 2GB, 3GB, or 5GB of temporary RAM allocated from unused ROM storage. Additionally, with a large 4,500 mAh battery, 65W SUPERVOOCTM charging, Superpower Saving Mode, and Super Nighttime Standby, the Reno7 5G can be charged to 100% in 31 minutes and used all day even if battery is running low.
Building on its powerful performance foundations, OPPO has optimized the Reno7 5G to provide a more immersive gaming experience by integrating the upgraded HyperBoost suite of technologies: AI Frame Rate Stabilizer monitors system performance and temperature changes in real time and keeps frame rate drops at optimal values to ensure a smoother gaming experience; Quick Startup keeps frequently played games alive in the background, enabling users to jump into a game instantly.
UNLIMITED CONVENIENCE WITH BRAND-NEW COLOROS 12 As part of the first series to come with all-new ColorOS 12, Reno7 5G offers smart efficiency, unparalleled smoothness, and strengthened privacy for an unlimited smartphone experience.
Thanks to Air Gestures, users can answer and mute phone calls, or control popular apps by gesturing with their hands without touching the phone. PC Connect offers more convenient ways to work between multiple devices by seamlessly connecting the Reno7 5G to a PC. Once connected, files, notifications and more can be controlled between the two devices with ease. Security is also enhanced at the operating system level on the Reno 7 5G. Anti-Peeping for Notifications hides notification content if sensing that someone else is looking at the phone. The ultra-secure user experience has been certified by third-party organizations including ePrivacy, ISO, and TrustArc for data security protocols.
MARKET AVAILABILITY The Reno7 5G is available now on across OPPO’s e-commerce regional websites and retail partner stores, in two finishes: Startrails Blue and Starry Black. Both models will be available for purchase at a retail price of AED 1,799.
The Reno7 Pro 5G can be purchased at a recommended retail price of AED 2,799 and the Reno7 Z 5G for AED 1,499,
New Spicy Lover’s line delivers on top food trend with layers of heat and three trailblazing recipes
Pizza Hut, known for pioneering iconic pizzas like the Original Stuffed Crust® and Original Pan® pizza, is bringing the heat to the masses with one of its biggest bets of the year: Spicy Lover’s Pizza. The new Spicy Lover’s Pizza joins Meat Lover’s®, Pepperoni Lover’s® and Veggie Lover’s® to round out the fan-favorite Lover’s® line of specialty recipes.
Pizza Hut expands its Lover’s line and brings the heat to the masses with its biggest launch of the year: Spicy Lover’s Pizza and its three trailblazing recipes.
The intentionally crafted Spicy Lover’s Pizza, with its perfectly balanced and flavorful layers of spicy ingredients, is Pizza Hut’s take on one of the hottest food trends out there – an increased hankering for heat. This love of spice – coupled with a spicy void in the pizza space – inspired Pizza Hut to create the game-changing Spicy Lover’s Pizza.
Spicy Lover’s Pizza features a new spicy marinara sauce that provides a touch of heat and sweetness, sliced red chilis and Fiery Flakes made from a custom blend of herbs and crushed red peppers. Each layer of heat is balanced with full zesty flavor – the carefully crafted combination performs an intricate dance on pizza lovers’ tastebuds and brings the spice of life we all so desperately need – resulting in a masterpiece of piquant that offers a craveable bold taste, not burn.
Spicy Lover’s comes in three bold & balanced recipes, each purposely tailored for consumers with a proclivity for adventurous flavors:
Spicy Double Pepperoni: The Pepperoni Lover’s dream; layered with spicy marinara sauce, two types of pepperonis – classic and crispy cupped – sliced red chilis and Fiery Flakes
Spicy Hawaiian Chicken: A delightful mix of spicy and sweet; spicy marinara sauce, chicken, pineapple, sliced red chilis and Fiery Flakes
Spicy Veggie: A colorfully vibrant sight to behold (and eat); spicy marinara sauce, green bell peppers, red onions, mushrooms, sliced red chilis and Fiery Flakes
“Pizza Hut has been making iconic pizzas for generations, and that requires adapting for each new wave of pizza lovers,” said Georgeanne Erickson, chief brand officer, Pizza Hut. “As consumer tastes continue getting more adventurous, the launch of Spicy Lover’s Pizza allows Pizza Hut to satisfy the growing craving for well-balanced, spicy flavor. No other national pizza QSR is offering spicy pizza in the space, and we’re excited to bring this thoughtfully crafted spicy pizza to pizza lovers across the country!”
All three Spicy Lover’s Pizza recipes are available now at participating Pizza Hut locations nationwide for a limited time via contactless delivery, carryout, curbside or Hut Lane™ pickup[1]. Click here to find your nearest Pizza Hut location.
About Pizza Hut® Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), has more restaurant locations in the world than any other pizza company. Founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kan., Pizza Hut operates nearly 18,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. With easy order options including the Pizza Hut mobile app, website, and Amazon and Google devices, Pizza Hut is committed to providing an easy pizza experience – from order to delivery – and has Hut Rewards®, the Pizza Hut loyalty program that offers points for every dollar spent on food any way you order.
Now more than ever, restaurants have an important role in helping to safely feed families. As the largest pizza brand in the world by store count, Pizza Hut is committed to doing its part. To help keep team members and customers safe, customers can get their favorite Pizza Hut pizza via three contactless offerings: curbside pickup, delivery, or carryout. After becoming the first national pizza brand to offer contactless curbside pickup, Pizza Hut launched The Hut Lane™, a dedicated digital order pick-up window available at more than 1,500 locations across the country.
Pizza Hut is the creator of The BOOK IT! Program, which is the nation’s longest running corporate supported literacy program. Building on that legacy, the program’s BOOK IT! in the Community Initiative is designed to enable access to books and education resources, empower teachers and inspire a lifelong love of reading. The program is rooted in the foundation set by the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program which impacts more than 14 million students each year.
Pizza Hut is the Official and Only Pizza Sponsor of the NFL and NCAA®.
[1] Limited time only. Additional charge for extra cheese, additional toppings, pan and stuffed crust. Product availability, combinability of discounts and specials, prices, participation, contactless options, delivery areas and charges, and minimal purchase required for delivery may vary. Delivery charge is not a tip.
“At Air Canada, we know every trip is important, even more so today as many are flying for the first time in years to see loved ones or take an eagerly anticipated holiday. We are determined not to disappoint and have been long preparing for a travel surge this summer, including coordinating with our industry partners. As all businesses worldwide are finding, restarting after COVID is an extremely complex task and we deeply appreciate our customers’ understanding and patience during these often-frustrating times. I also thank our dedicated employees who are working hard to serve our customers and transport them safely,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.
Each day, Air Canada currently operates more than 1,000 flights and regularly carries more than 120,000 people, with the vast majority of scheduled flights successfully completed. In recognition of the high importance Canadians place on travel and its value to the Canadian economy, Air Canada has recommitted to keep working alongside its industry partners and with the Federal government to ensure Canadians continue to benefit from a safe, efficient and reliable air transportation system.
Air Canada has been prudently restoring its schedule as it recovers from the effects of COVID-19 and this summer it plans to operate below its pre-pandemic capacity as the industry stabilizes. In support of this, the carrier has recalled employees laid off during the pandemic and continues to hire additional workers. It currently has 32,000 employees, versus approximately 33,000 prior to the pandemic while operating approximately 80 per cent of its June 2019 schedule. To assist customers and better support Canada’s air transport infrastructure, Air Canada is taking a series of steps including:
Customer Initiatives:
New Self-Service Re-accommodation tools will allow customers who have schedule changes, delays, or cancellations to request a refund if eligible or rebook their itineraries in a few minutes through its mobile app or website. This includes getting up to 20 alternative flight options (based on availability), choosing to fly to nearby airports instead, and the ability to search for flights in a three-day window. It will be available for customers regardless of how and where they booked their tickets;
A goodwill policy has been implemented for passengers traveling via Toronto-Pearson to allow them to voluntarily increase their connection time at no cost for more flexibility when travelling. This policy can be applied within 48 hours of the original travel time;
A second new policy will allow customers free, same-day stand-by options for earlier flights within Canada/Transborder regardless of fare brand or booking class;
The airline maintains an updated travel readiness page on aircanada.com with the latest information and advice for those preparing to travel, including information about COVID-19 requirements. Customers are advised to consult this page before travelling.
In Airports:
In addition to the recall of virtually all available employees, more than 2,000 front-line airport employees (and 774 more people to work in call centres) have been hired and extensively trained over the last six months, with additional overtime and ongoing hiring, including drawing upon recently retired employees with special expertise;
Employees have been reassigned from other bases to augment specific airports, including the cross-utilization of cargo employees to assist with airport passenger operations;
The airline has redeployed aircraft from its Jetz charter fleet to move delayed baggage, which has increased in large part due to air transport processing and infrastructure issues outside its control;
The airline is working closely with airport authorities, government and third-party agencies to enhance and expedite the processing of customers throughout their journey;
Additional ground equipment has been acquired to improve airport operations.
Network/Schedule:
Minimum Connection Times for flights from international and transborder destinations connecting to domestic destinations have been increased by 30 minutes for new bookings in Toronto and Montreal, giving customers (and their baggage) additional time to connect;
The schedule has been refined to reduce peak times at the Toronto-Pearson and Montreal-Trudeau airports by retiming and cancelling certain flights, or reducing frequencies, where protection is available to customers the same day. This will conserve resources and reduce stress on third-party service providers by smoothing passenger flows and be more convenient for customers;
Aircraft gating at airports has been reconfigured. For example, widebody aircraft in Montreal travelling internationally and to the U.S. are being more conveniently located to achieve efficiencies during peak hours for added operational flexibility.
The airline continues to evaluate other measures to enhance the functioning and stability of the air transport system and it is committed to working with its partners on further improvements.
About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 51 airports in Canada, 51 in the United States and 86 internationally. It is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax, which in 2021 gave Air Canada awards for the Best Airline Staff in North America, Best Airline Staff in Canada, Best Business Class Lounge in North America, and an excellence award for managing COVID-19. Through its leading travel loyalty Aeroplan program, Air Canada offers the ability to earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental rewards. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger flights and cargo-only flights with its fleet of Boeing 767-300 freighters. Air Canada has committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050.
We are introducing a variety of coconut tree and a tech solution for our teams that are set to improve the incomes and livelihoods of smallholder farmers by increasing the productivity of their plantations.
The key ingredient in our popular Bango sweet soy sauce – a staple used every day by millions of Indonesian families – is high-quality coconut sugar.
But as coconut trees typically grow to around 30 metres in height, collecting the sap (which gives us the sugar) requires a lot of effort. Plus, many existing trees are old, which means their productivity is declining. This, in turn, restricts the amount that the farmers can earn from their work.
To tackle these various challenges, we’re introducing an alternative variety of tree.
The Genjah Kuning Bali has a shorter trunk, which means the coconut sap can be collected without climbing the tree, making the process much easier and quicker, and far safer. And since the farmer can collect more sap per day, this increases their output and therefore their income. Also, it enables safer working conditions and incentivises young people – especially women – to join the profession.
Did you know?
Coconut sap comes from the flower of the tree, not the fruit (the hairy coconut). To ‘tap’ the tree for the sap, the farmer climbs to the top, then makes a cut into the stem below the flowers. The sap then drips into a container, ready to be emptied on the next climb. The farmer will typically climb each tree twice a day to collect the sap when it is fresh and then transform it into sugar.
We’re introducing these trees as part of a planting initiative in Indonesia, integral to which is a training and fertiliser distribution programme to equip smallholder farmers with the skills and knowledge they need to care for and nurture the trees. This will enable them to produce an optimum yield per tree – both in terms of volume and quality – and make their plantations more resilient against climate change.
“The way coconut sap is harvested now is difficult. This alternative breed of coconut tree promises to change that,” says Dave Ingram, Chief Procurement Officer at Unilever. “We are seeing smallholders interested in cultivating this new variety of coconut tree, and we expect that this project alone will directly benefit around 5,000 households.”The small coconut trees that are going to be big news
This initiative is the result of years of hard work. We began researching tree varieties in collaboration with the Indonesian Coconut Institute in 2015. Then we started developing seeds and breeding saplings in partnership with a professional coconut nursery in Bali.
In 2017, we established a 100-hectare pilot plantation, and since then we have been progressively scaling up the project in three growing regions: Lampung in South Sumatra, and Sukabumi and Pangandaran in West Java. As of June 2022, we have planted the equivalent of 3,300 hectares in collaboration with 3,600 smallholder farmers.
This planting is being carried out on existing plantations, replacing either existing old coconut trees or other cash crops. All farms and farmers are registered and mapped using digital technology, so we can track and better understand how to improve their productivity.
The initial batch of short-stemmed coconut trees have started producing sap and we’re now taking delivery of coconut sugar from these farms at our Bango factory.
The output from these plantations will increase year-on-year and peak in 2026. From that point onwards, we’ll be aiming to get half of our coconut sugar supply from this variety of tree.
Using technology to support sustainable farming
This month, we also rolled out a new mobile application to support coconut farmers in Indonesia to increase their yields in a way that’s kinder to the environment.
The app, called Cropin, was uniquely developed for Unilever’s field teams who work directly with coconut farmers. When our teams visit farmers in the areas we buy coconut sugar from, they update the app with information about the plantations. For example, they check how mature the trees are, any issues they are facing and their productivity levels. The app then gathers the data to provide location-specific advice that the teams share with farmers.
In this way, we can track how much coconut sugar we’ll likely be able to receive – strengthening the resilience of Unilever’s supply chain – and more importantly help smallholder farmers become more resilient, get good harvests and care for their land.
Helping to empower those at the heart of this industry
The initiative is part of our wider efforts to help create a more sustainable coconut industry.
We are a signatory to the first Sustainable Coconut Charter, an industry initiative to improve smallholder farmer incomes and livelihoods, enhance supply chain traceability, prevent deforestation and mitigate the climate crisis.
The charter will bring together industry leaders to develop programmes that address the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of smallholder farmers. The aim is to help empower people directly involved and impacted by coconut farming, so they can play a positive role in the sustainable development of their region.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Singapore Airlines (SIA), and Temasek will launch the sale of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) credits in July 2022. The sale of the SAF credits is part of a CAAS-SIA-Temasek pilot announced in November 2021 to advance the use of SAF in Singapore.
A total of 1,000 SAF credits will be available for sale. These are generated from the 1,000 tonnes of neat SAF which are blended, delivered, and uplifted from Singapore Changi Airport, and are expected to cut carbon dioxide emission by 2,500 tonnes. Every credit purchased will help to reduce 2.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
The launch of the SAF credits provides customers including corporate and individual travellers, as well as freight forwarders an avenue to do their part for the environment, and reduce their carbon footprint. By purchasing these credits, they can also help to stimulate demand for SAF, support the development of the nascent SAF industry, and advance the adoption of SAF for aviation sustainability.
The SAF credits will be registered as part of a pilot project within the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)1 Book & Claim System to ensure that the SAF credit transactions are conducted in a trusted and transparent manner, with no double counting of credits. The Book & Claim System is enabled by the RSB which is one of the global leaders in sustainability certification standards.
SIA’s corporate customers and freight forwarders can purchase the SAF credits directly from SIA, mitigating carbon emissions related to their flights. Freight forwarders can in turn also sell the credits to their downstream clients to reduce carbon emissions from their business operations.
From the fourth quarter of 2022, all SIA customers will be able to purchase a mix of SAF credits and carbon offsets, as part of the SIA Group Voluntary Carbon Offset Programme. SIA will also partner Climate Impact X (CIX), a global exchange for quality carbon credits, to introduce a bundled portfolio consisting of SAF credits and carbon credits. The product will be designed to meet corporate demand for SAF while balancing affordability.
Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General, CAAS, said: “The creation of a trusted and vibrant marketplace for the sale and purchase of SAF credits in Singapore will help support the adoption of SAF which is essential for the decarbonisation of the aviation sector and a key element of the Singapore Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint which CAAS is developing.”
Ms Lee Wen Fen, Senior Vice President Corporate Planning, Singapore Airlines, said: “As we progress with the SAF pilot in Singapore, we can now offer more opportunities for our corporate customers and travellers to mitigate their carbon emissions using SAF credits, which are registered and accounted for within the RSB Book & Claim System. This will help to accelerate and scale up the collective adoption of SAF, reinforcing our commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
Mr Frederick Teo, Temasek’s Managing Director, Sustainable Solutions, said: “The SAF pilot laid the foundation for SIA and the broader aviation community to operationalise SAF uptake in Singapore. With SAF credits, we can more effectively crowd in financing from corporates and travellers to reduce the cost premiums of SAF. This can help accelerate the adoption of SAF, which is an important pathway for the decarbonisation of the aviation sector in the medium to long term.”
Ms Arianna Baldo, Programme Director, RSB, said: “We are excited to be working with Singapore Airlines on this innovative pilot project, which will enable their customers to access credible claims that are generated through a robust and independent Book & Claim system built by the RSB. Singapore Airlines’ participation highlights how this innovative approach can add value for companies who are serious about decarbonising the aviation sector. We look forward to further supporting Singapore Airlines’ decarbonisation efforts in line with RSB’s trusted sustainability standards.”
Mr Mikkel Larsen, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Impact X (CIX), said: “The current lack of incentives for the adoption of green fuels has meant that prices continue to remain high and economically unviable. SAF credits can help to spur adoption by enabling competitive price discovery, and channelling finance towards projects that can drive the use of sustainable fuels at the scale necessary to support decarbonisation in the aviation sector. Through CIX’s ongoing efforts to curate verified projects for our platforms, we aim to increase access to quality carbon credits worldwide and drive environmental impact at scale.”
Bentley Rotterdam inaugurates its latest state-of-the-art showroom in the Netherlands
Star of the evening Flying Spur Hybrid Odyssean Edition, alongside the S1 Continental Flying Spur from 1958
Bentley is accelerating its Beyond100 plans and preparing Crewe for the future of mobility
Bentley Rotterdam has officially opened its doors in the largest seaport in Europe and second biggest city in the Netherlands.
The new home for Bentley in Rotterdam offers 284 sqm, allowing the display of the full Bentley range and six new models in total. Situated along the A20, in a three storey building, Bentley is situated on the second floor, easily visible and accessible to visitors, while the service centre is located on the ground floor for an easy access. On the top floor of the building is the Rotterdam Carport Hotel, which offers the possibility to owners to valet and store their Bentley. The new building is offering customers a dedicated entrance to drive their vehicle right into the workshop and then get access to the new showroom. An area to the customisation’s department Mulliner is accessible and supports customers and prospects to go through unique samples of colours, leathers and veneers in all different types and forms.
For this occasion, the Flying Spur Hybrid Odyssean Edition is taking the spotlight, present to give a glimpse into Bentley’s future, and its view on luxury mobility, introducing new sustainable materials as part of its Beyond100 strategy. Reflected through the cabin features which include tweed from 100 per cent British wool and open pore veneers. Alongside the S1 Continental Flying Spur from 1958, the first bespoke interpretation of a four-door Continental, and inspiration for the design team to create today’s Flying Spur range.
Earlier this year, Bentley provided an update of its Beyond100 plans, on track to become the leader in luxury sustainable mobility and committed to sustainable investment of £2.5 billion in products and to transform Crewe into a ‘Dream Factory’ – a digital, zero environmental impact, flexible and high-value manufacturing facility. This includes the extension of solar panels from 30,000 to 40,000 and the goal of being end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030. Bentley Rotterdam will see more electrified models in the future with Bentley’s ambitious Five-in-Five plan, which commits Bentley to launch a new electric model each year from 2025 onwards.
Balazs Rooz, Regional Director Bentley Motors Europe, commented: “This is a striking building and I am delighted to inaugurate Bentley Rotterdam in the Netherlands. This is an important market for Bentley Motors and in the last ten years we have seen strong growth and success with the brand. With the Beyond100 strategy we have communicated ambitious plans, while offering the strongest electrified model range today with the Bentayga Hybrid and Flying Spur Hybrid.
“We are proud to be representing Bentley Motors in the Netherlands and excited about Bentley’s future”, adds Robert Doornbos, Dealer Principal of Bentley Rotterdam. “The brand is bringing a strong electrified range offer to the Dutch market and we are looking forward to advise our customers and provide them with the best service and experience possible.”
The new showroom is located at: Bentley Rotterdam Giessenweg 91 3044 AK Rotterdam Phone: +31 (0) 881801919
Further information on the Bentley range and details of the Bentley retail partners can be found on: https://www.bentleymotors.com/
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Notes to editors
Bentley Motors is the most sought-after luxury car brand in the world. The company’s headquarters in Crewe is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering, Mulliner and production of the company’s five model lines, Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible, Flying Spur, Bentayga and Bentayga EWB. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury car brands such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley employs around 3,000 people at Crewe.
