The UK workforce is ill-prepared to cater for an increasing demand for environmental- related roles, according to a new report. The survey, conducted by engineering consultant Royal Haskoning, interviewed 575 senior executives. The findings revealed that demand for 'green collar' workers - the term used to describe those that work in environmental-related roles or industries - will increase dramatically over the next 12 months. About half (53%) of respondents predicted their company's need for green collar skills and services would increase in the future. But more than a third (37%) said they were concerned about their company's future ability to satisfy those requirements. The top reason for boosting green skills and services was the need to meet government and legislative sustainability targets and criteria (30%), followed by internal environmental policy targets (27%), and customer pressure to be green (21%). Earlier this week the government business secretary John Hutton claimed that one million 'green collar' jobs could be created in low-carbon technology, as part of its manufacturing strategy review. Henry Rowe, member of the Royal Haskoning management board, said: "As pressure mounts for British businesses to implement green strategies and services, the worry remains whether our current and future domestic skills market can service these demands. "We need to encourage the take up of science and engineering degrees and create an environment that fosters home-grown talent to ensure Britain benefits from the forthcoming 'green collar' boom," he added.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has publishes its Sustainability Agenda for Action called Going Concern?, which urges worldwide organizations to put sustainability at the heart of their business activity. Going Concern? also calls for all SD-related regulation to be fair, proportionate and to be on a level playing field so that businesses can still operate in the commercial world. The report offers eight key policy areas to be addressed, from corporate governance to audit and assurance. On a practical level, the report also offers a series of recommendations for business, government and the accountancy profession to take on board, including: Businesses should make sustainability a core part of their strategy and include sustainability key performance indicators in their reward and pay systems for senior managers. Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SMEs) need help from governments to guide them in measuring their key environmental and social impacts. SMEs should become more proactive in the CSR debate and increase their profile and contribution to the growing number of initiatives, guidelines and standards being developed. Governments should encourage organisations to produce sustainability reports and learn from other Governments in this area (eg. Sweden and Hong Kong) to report themselves. Investors should work to adapt investment practices to account for climate change, integrating them into their investment processes and systems. The International Education Standards Board of the International Federation of Accountants should incorporate SD and CSR matters into its basic education requirements. Allen Blewitt, ACCA's chief executive, said: "Our commitment to the sustainability agenda sets a benchmark to which all professional bodies and associations should aspire. Going Concern? challenges influential stakeholders to acknowledge the growing societal and environmental burdens and make the change." "Because the 'business as usual' model is no longer an option, businesses will have to change their entire range of products, services and operations to be truly sustainable. We all have our part to play to make progress towards sustainable development and the accountancy profession has a pivotal role within this." "In increasingly difficult economic circumstances, sustainability reporting may seem like a luxury to be postponed for better times; but the reality of climate change and the magnitude of the challenges it provides for all of humanity means that we cannot delay. Sustainability reporting need not be excessively costly, but it sends very positive signals to employees, customers and suppliers."

According to a poll by networking site BT Tradespace, a quarter of SMEs are helping ease their environmental impact by clamping down on commuting to work. It's long been believed that flexible business practices are the best way of encouraging employees to think about their energy consumption and day-to-day activities. In response to this, more and more businesses are implementing more home or flexible working schemes, or using more business technology such as video or telephone conferencing. Car-pooling and public transport are still encouraged wholeheartedly. The poll also shows that in the workplace, recycling is the most popular individual green initiative, carried out by 25%. 17% of businesses are reducing energy use - also cutting their gas and electricity bills in an effort to survive amidst rising utility prices as well as scrutiny of their sustainability. Jennifer Mowat, director, BT Tradespace, said: "Companies can help the environment in many ways and the size of SMEs allows them to be more flexible in adopting new work patterns. "Key decision-makers are realising that modern technology like broadband cuts the need to travel to work every day of the week because people can work from home. "The vast majority of SMEs are environmentally aware and are trying to do something in the fight against global warming." Hearteningly, the survey on www.bttradespace.com found that only 2% of the UK's SMEs are doing nothing to help the environment. Links: ------ http://www.bttradespace.com/

PepsiCo UK ">www.pepsico.co.uk/environment ). This report has been produced by the company in an effort to show their attempts at sustainability - as it stands right now, and how things will change over the next few years. In terms of current activity, the report focusses on key issues - and ones which are currently newsworthy. It describes the measures put in place by PepsiCo UK "> PepsiCo has long held a policy of caring for the environment as much as possible, insofar as a global FMCG brand can; this report draws attention to less evident environmental costs, like the damage a global supply chain can contribute to, and seeks to reassure its readers that these concerns are being addressed. As well as solutions, the report contains accounts of the difficulties faced by PepsiCo in their endeavours, and feedback from stakeholders. Among the pledges that PepsiCo have made within the document, there are five actions which constitute a long-term plan, to be put into action over the next 10 to 15 years. They vow to use only renewable energy in the manufacturing and distributing process in the next 15 years; the vehicles used in UK distribution will all be replaced by low-emission models within 10 years; landfill waste will be eliminated in the same time period. All packaging in the Walkers and Quaker arms of their business will also be replaced by reusable, recyclable or biodegradable alternatives within the next decade. Corporations of all scales are focussing on their supply chains, and the environmental impact of each; in stating their intentions alongside the reactions of their stakeholders, Pepsi are trying to forge a relationship between sustainable ideals and day-to-day business practices. The report was overseen in part by Deloitte and Forum for the Future. Links: ------ http://www.pepsico.co.uk/environment

The UK government has announced that it is set to begin analysis of carbon emission in certain UK supply chains. It will be carrying this out in conjunction with a number of governmental organisations - including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for Environment, and the London Borough of Islington - and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). The study aims to lead to a better understanding of the risks and opportunities relating to carbon emissions in each participating body's supply chain. After the information has been gathered, the individual participants will be invited to formulate strategies to help tackle climate change. Reducing carbon emissions in the supply chain is regarded as one of the next major steps in corporate environmental responsibility - particularly since it applies to high-yield industries such as fast moving consumer goods. Bodies such as the CDP seek to monitor the impact that industries have on climate change, and monitor emission-reduction strategies. In working with them, the government intends to use findings from individual organisations to extend these strategies to government suppliers, where there is potential for improved energy efficiency. Foreign Secretary David Milliband said: "I am pleased that the FCO is leading government in the area of gaining a better understanding of the impacts of its expenditure decisions on carbon emissions throughout the supply chain. Understanding the carbon emissions and policies of our suppliers will help to embed the sustainability agenda within our procurement decision making." Results from the CDP's related study on companies' carbon emissions and climate change strategies are expected next month.