ESG Policy Update–Australia
As the modern slavery risks in the supply chains of renewable energy producers and markets come into focus (ABC|GreenBiz), the office of the New South Wales Anti-Slavery Commissioner recently released the discussion paper A Code of Practice on Managing Modern Slavery Risks in Renewable Energy Value-Chains (Discussion Paper). The Discussion Paper outlines, in particular, the risks of forced labour in the supply of polysilicon (which is used in photovoltaics) from Xinjiang, China and evidence of illegal child and forced labour in the mining of cobalt (used in lithium-ion batteries) from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The paper proposes the development of a Code of Practice on Managing Modern Slavery Risks in Renewable Energy Value-Chains (Renewables COP). The Discussion Paper proposes that compliance with the Renewables COP will initially be voluntary. The Paper is currently open for comments and submission, which can be made by emailing [email protected].
ESG consultant and data provider FairSupply has also recently issued a white paper on how to address modern slavery risk in the transition to renewable energy (White Paper). The White Paper provides guidance on addressing the unique modern slavery risks that face this sector.
ASIC’s Greenwashing Action Against Active Super
ASIC announced on 11 August 2023 that it has commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against LGSS Pty Limited trading as Active Super (Active Super) alleging misleading conduct and misrepresentations to the market relating to claims it was an ethical and responsible superannuation fund.
Active Super represented on their website and a variety of other channels including social media that they eliminated investments that posed too great a risk to the environment and the community, including tobacco manufacturing, oil tar sands mining and gambling. Active Super also stated that they had added Russia to their list of excluded countries, following the invasion of Ukraine.
Australia’s least wanted – 8 alien species and diseases we must keep out of our island home
This week’s landmark report on the impact of invasive alien species revealed costs to the global economy exceeded US$423 billion (A$654 billion) a year in 2019. Costs have at least quadrupled every decade since 1970 and that trend is set to continue.
Prevention is better than a cure. Stopping pests and diseases arriving and establishing in Australia is not only better for the environment, it’s much cheaper too.
The biosecurity system is our front line against invasion. Species that pose a significant risk to agriculture have historically received more attention, but we also need to defend our borders against threats to nature.
Here we take a closer look at some pests and diseases we need to keep out at all costs, to protect our biodiversity.
The invasion curve shows the cost of managing an incursion at various stages. Prevention is much cheaper than dealing with invaders after they arrive, and early eradication is much cheaper than longer-term containment or control. Invasive Species Council, CC BY-SA
Read more: The true damage of invasive alien species was just revealed in a landmark report. Here’s how we must act
One of the biggest threats to biodiversity
Alien species are those deliberately or accidentally introduced to areas where they are not native. If they cause problems, we call them invasive.
Invasive alien species include weeds, feral animals, exotic pests and diseases.
Those that have already arrived have taken a huge toll. Introduced predators were largely responsible for most of Australia’s mammal extinctions. And introduced diseases have decimated our frogs.
Invasive species are pushing most (82%) of Australia’s 1,914 nationally listed threatened species closer to extinction.
Imagine if those invasive species had been kept out of Australia. Here are eight of the pests and diseases we really need to keep out.
Read more: 1.7 million foxes, 300 million native animals killed every year: now we know the damage foxes wreak
1. Giant African land snail A giant African snail in Hong Kong, where it is invasive. Thomas Brown/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
Environmental Systems Program
CURRICULUM
The requirements for completion of the Environmental Systems major include a lower-division core, two upper-division courses, a three-course upper-division integrating sequence (ESYS 101, ESYS 102, ESYS 103), an upper-division statistics course, advanced courses in one of four tracks, and the senior integrative project (ESYS 187A/187B) and senior seminar (ESYS 187C). Any questions concerning the requirements should be directed to the Faculty Director or the program advisors. Students completing the advanced tracks in “Earth Sciences,” “Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution,” and “Environmental Chemistry” will be awarded a B.S. in environmental systems. The B.A. In environmental systems will be granted to students completing the “Environmental Policy” track within the major.
A grade-point average of 2.0 or higher in the upper-division major program is required for graduation. Students must receive a grade of C– or better in any course to be counted toward fulfillment of the major requirements. In exceptional cases, students with a grade-point average in the major of 2.5 or greater may petition to have one grade of D accepted. All courses must be taken for Letter Grade (except ESYS 187A and 187B).
Links to printable degree checklists are below.
If you are interested in transferring into UC San Diego as an Environmental Systems (ESYS) major, please see our ESYS Transfer Student Information.
NOTE: The requirements for the ESYS major were updated in Fall 2017. If you entered UC San Diego prior to Fall 2017, your major requirements might be different than those found below. Contact an ESYS advisor if you are unclear of your specific major requirements.