Latest news with #FutureGenerations
LeMonde
14 hours ago
- Health
- LeMonde
Fish, offal, cereal and eggs are also contaminated by forever chemicals
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), food is the main route of exposure to forever chemicals for the public. Yet, unlike drinking water, there remains a significant lack of data on the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in foodstuffs. A report published on Thursday, June 19, by the advocacy group Future Generations addresses this gap. It reveals near-universal contamination throughout the food chain and found that current regulations are inadequate, allowing PFAS concentrations in food that are far too high compared to risk thresholds established by the EFSA. Other research carried out by the Austrian advocacy group Global 2000 and the Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe) indicated that this is only the tip of the iceberg. The most widespread forever chemical − trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) − is not being monitored, despite strong suspicions of its reproductive toxicity and its presence in commonly consumed foods such as bread, pasta and breakfast cereal − sometimes at astonishing levels. Currently, only three substances (PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS) from the large PFAS family are subject to mandatory monitoring in food (compared to 20 in drinking water), and four (including PFNA) are subject to regulatory limits. Even then, these limits apply only to a small number of foodstuffs that do not cover the entire diet: meat, fish, shellfish, mollusks and eggs. For fruit, vegetables, cereal or dairy products, there are no regulatory limits. More surprisingly, the advocacy group noted, "there are also no regulatory limits concerning food for infants and young children, who are particularly vulnerable."
Forbes
31-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
From Buzzword To Business Model: Nature And Future Generations On The Board
Laptop in the forest. getty The era of sustainability as an easy corporate buzzword is over. Today, companies who have done their sustainability homework are truly beginning to stand out. Investors and consumers can now point to impressive, cutting-edge examples of corporate sustainability. On this score, the luxury interiors brand House of Hackney set a bold precedent in its sector. The British company, renowned for its opulent, nature-inspired designs, is testing the thesis that businesses can champion environmental and social responsibility in tandem with building a strong brand. With their recent addition of a Mother Nature and Future Generations Guardian to their board and an innovative crowdfunding campaign, House of Hackney is not just embracing sustainability. They are redefining it. Putting Nature and Future Generations in the Boardroom Traditionally, corporate boards are made up of directors focused on financial performance and risk management. Given the fundamental impacts and dependencies of business on social and environmental systems, this is a narrow view of a board's fiduciary duty. House of Hackney's appointment of a Mother Nature and Future Generations Guardian is an example of a groundbreaking shift in governance. This board member's primary responsibility is to advocate for the planet and future generations in every strategic decision the company makes. House of Hackney builds on the pioneering work of Faith In Nature, the first company in the world to put Nature on its board of directors. Working closely with legal and conservation experts, Faith In Nature created a comprehensive, open-source toolkit to enable other companies to follow in their footsteps. House of Hackey has given Mother Nature and Future Generations legal personhood as an independent director. The individual fulfilling this role ensures that the impact of all business decisions considers the people and planet – today and tomorrow. By institutionalizing this role, House of Hackney is ensuring that sustainability is not an afterthought, but a strategic pillar of the company. For business leaders, this serves as a powerful lesson: to be more than a buzzword, sustainability must be embedded in the highest levels of decision-making, not relegated to stand-alone corporate social responsibility initiatives. A New Model of Funding: Crowdsourcing Sustainability As pioneering sustainability leaders re-design corporate governance, corporate finance is equally of interest. Another groundbreaking move by House of Hackney is use of crowdfunding. The company worked with Triodos Bank, a global leader in sustainable banking, to design a bespoke approach to fundraising intended to further strengthen their ability to pursue their strategy. Triodos, whose mission is to 'make money work for positive change' is (like House of Hackney and Faith In Nature) a certified B Corp with strong impact credentials. Unlike traditional corporate fundraising, which often relies on investors with relatively short-term financial incentives, Triodos worked with House of Hackney to design a campaign that invites sustainability-minded backers to support the brand's mission directly. By leveraging crowdfunding, House of Hackney also fosters a sense of community, ownership, and personal engagement with their business. Investors including customers, environmental advocates, and others strongly aligned with the brand's values and aesthetic are not merely funding a business; they are investing in redefining the sector. This approach aligns with a growing consumer sentiment: people want to support brands that align with their values and make a tangible impact. Lessons for Business Leaders on the Future of Sustainability House of Hackney's innovative initiatives offer three key takeaways for business leaders looking to future-proof their companies: House of Hackney is proof point that sustainability requires systemic change, from governance structures to financial models. By pioneering these bold initiatives, the brand is not only future-proofing its own operations but also providing a roadmap for businesses to follow.
