ESG goals vs. profitability: a dawning issue for investors
Good morning! TGIF… and Christmas Eve is tomorrow?! Time to feast.
ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance. ESG goals are objectives or targets related to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and corporate governance practices. These goals are often incorporated into a company's business strategy and can influence the way a company operates, makes decisions, and interacts with stakeholders.
While it seemed that companies were scrambling to meet these socially-expected ESG standards… there also has been a major hiccup in its trajectory. Legislators are looking deeper into the legality of some ESG commitments and climate-conscious investors are facing the dawning reality that ESG investing may fly in the face of profitability.
Check out today’s featured article from Oil Price to read about the wobbling ESG trend - will companies continue to invest in net zero projects and goals? Or will they reel it back in order to forge better relationships with the oil and gas industry? ☕️
Featured Article:
The ESG Hype Is Showing Signs Of Fatigue | Oil Price
“The Net Zero Asset Managers alliance, set up just two years ago, brought together asset managers worth a combined $66 trillion.”
Fuel Tech & Sustainability ☢️
Japan extends the lifespan of its nuclear reactors in bid to maximize the fuel tech post-Fukushima
Japan is one of the world's leading users of nuclear energy, with a fleet of 50 reactors that supplied approximately 20% of the country's electricity prior to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011. The majority of these reactors are pressurized water reactors (PWRs), with a smaller number of boiling water reactors (BWRs). Following the Fukushima disaster, Japan shut down all of its nuclear reactors for safety inspections and implemented new regulations to improve safety standards. As a result, the country's reliance on nuclear energy decreased significantly, and many of the reactors have remained offline.
That’s all about to change. Global fuel shortages have forced the country’s leadership to walk back their decision to turn away from nuclear energy and instead embrace it once again. The government is pledging to develop next-generation reactors and improve the lifespan of those that already exist.
Labor & Safety Issues 🦺
Supply chain industry is home to America’s most dangerous jobs
Government data recently listed the profession of logging as the most dangerous job in America due to challenging working conditions and potential safety issues in terms of blunt force trauma. But that infamous list of dangerous jobs has a trend line: they are almost all positions that are essential in the supply chain. Fishers, hunters, truck drivers, and steel workers, all made the list.
It's worth noting that these are the occupations with the highest fatality rates and many other occupations, such as those in the healthcare and emergency response fields, may also involve significant risks and hazards.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
GIF By BBC via The Great British Bake-Off/GIPHY
🇬🇧 More strikes on deck for U.K. train drivers. The Aslef union - representing 96% of the United Kingdom’s train drivers - has announced that workers will stage a walk-out on January 5th. This strike will be the fifth planned in the first week of January by rail workers in the country. The National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers (RMT), another disgruntled union, is also striking over the Christmas holiday. The labor groups are striking over what they’re claiming are uncooperative companies that refuse to negotiate over labor contracts.
🇺🇸 The Reshoring Initiative is reporting the reshoring trend was stronger than ever in Q3. While we’re assuming there’s no conflict of interest in this report, the group is claiming that due to the business decision, 350,000 jobs were announced in 2022. This is a record-breaking number compared to 255,000 in 2021. Re-shoring, also known as "onshoring" or "insourcing," refers to the process of bringing manufacturing or other operations back to a company's home country that had previously been outsourced to another country.
🚢 Blame poor maintenance for the 2020 APL England loss of 50 containers. A final report has finally been issued for the May 24, 2020 incident off the east coast of Australia that resulted in fifty boxes tumbling off the side of a ship and into the depths of the ocean below. Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s (ATSB) chief commissioner, Angus Mitchell, has stated that the investigation into the accident has concluded that the crew members and shore management of this particular ship had not received the proper maintenance one of its age requires.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
👔 Excelling in a supply chain career can reap many rewards. A supply chain career involves working in the field of managing and coordinating the movement of goods, services, and information from the point of origin to the point of consumption. This includes activities such as sourcing raw materials, production and assembly, warehousing, distribution, and delivery. Whether your interest lies in becoming a Supply Chain Analyst, Procurement Specialist, or Logistics Coordinator… supply chain practitioners are stepping up and speaking out as mentors.
🇺🇸 Looking at you, Congress. Tom Madrecki, VP of supply chain and logistics for the Consumer Brands Association, is speaking out and calling on Congress to take responsibility for supply chain-related investments for the betterment of the United States. In an interview with Food Logistics, Madrecki highlights the importance of government accountability going forward and what Congress could do to support the infrastructure of the country’s supply chain.
✈️ Secretary Buttigieg advocates on behalf of disappointed holiday travelers. The U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary spoke out on CNBC’s Power Launch show, reminding holiday travelers to check in with their airlines and find out if ticket changes are available. A cold front is set to hit the Northeast and Midwest regions of the countries over the holiday weekend and will likely cause many delays and cancellations.
GET SMART 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🔪 Volatility in the supply chain is likely here to stay. Volatility in the supply chain refers to the fluctuation or variation in the availability of raw materials, components, or finished products within a supply chain. It can be caused by a variety of factors such as natural disasters, economic downturns, political instability, and changes in consumer demand. Managing volatility in the supply chain requires identifying and understanding the potential sources of volatility and developing strategies to mitigate their impacts.
♻️ Hydrogen could be the answer to green energy… but what about when it leaks? Scientists are highlighting the lack of data regarding hydrogen leaks and what they could mean for the environment in the long run when they occur. As the industry continues to grow with major government and energy company investment in the new fuel tech, several studies are hoping to close the data gap.
🎄 Efficient supply chains are required for a smooth-lined Christmas. SAP Business Network Head of Marketing & Solutions, Tony Harris is speaking out about the importance of keeping supply chains running effectively during the holiday season. Rising energy prices have been affecting linear supply chains, forcing firms to diversify.
Ports 🚢
From startup to trendsetter: Port X Logistics takes drayage world by storm | Freight Waves
Freight Waves contributor Ashley Coker writes about Port X Logistics, the major industry leaders in translating, trucking, and drayage.
Repair & Maintenance 🧰
How to Manage a Truck Breakdown | Trucking Info
Trucking Info contributor Jack Roberts writes about the difficulties associated with truck breakdowns and how the process can be streamlined for fleets.
Business Strategy 💡
Trucking M&A raged on in 2022 as economy worsened | Transport Dive
Transport Dive contributor Colin Campbell writes about the challenging freight market in 2022 and how some trucking firms made it work in their favor.
Regulations ⚖️
The Hill contributor Zach Schonfeld writes about the collaboration between thirty-four attorney state generals to strengthen regulations pertaining to airlines issuing refunds for canceled and delayed flights.
Safety 🦺
As old man winter lashes nation, preparation, skill needed for winter driving | The Trucker
The Trucker contributor Cliff Abbott writes about what truckers should remember in regard to safety while driving in harsh winter weather.
Tech 📀
How to protect critical infrastructure from costly cyberattacks | Fleet Owner
Fleet Owner contributor Jason McDaniel writes about warning issues from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Trucker’s Lounge 🧢
Top Trucking Stories of 2022 [Video] - Trucking Info
Trucking Info shares a video of its Heavy Duty Trucking panel discussing the top stories of 2022.
Truck Drivers Delivering Wreaths Share Deep Ties to Military | TT News
TT News Staff Reporter Noël Fletcher writes about National Wreaths Across America Day and the important role trucking plays in it.
Industry Forecast 📊
DAT contributor Dean Croke writes about the interview with Tim Denoyer, Vice President and Senior Analyst at ACT Research.
Economy 💸
Dow tumbles after the US economy grew much faster than previously thought in the third quarter | CNN
CNN contributors Chris Isidore and Alicia Wallace write about the Dow Jones plummeting in response to GDP growth reported this quarter by the Commerce Department.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 28, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.