EU vote on sustainability law: "Changes the image of Sweden as a leading country"

Julia Carlzon works at Oxfam Sweden. She believes that Sweden's opposition to the EU bill on corporate responsibility worsens the image of Sweden as a leading country in climate and human rights. Photo (left): Alexey Larionov. Source: Unsplash. Image (right): Julia Carlzon.

Of: Fleur Riller Loins

Sweden recently announced that it will vote against the EU bill that will increase companies' responsibility for human rights and the environment, despite the fact that the bill has strong support from both civil society and companies. The bill has now been revised and a vote will take place on Friday. - What Sweden does, other countries listen to, says Julia Carlzon, communicator at Oxfam, about the upcoming vote.

March 14, 2024, Interview

Sweden must vote for increased corporate responsibility regarding human rights and the environment

The organization Fair Action calls on the Swedish government to consider the advantages of the EU draft law on corporate responsibility and the broad support the directive has among major Swedish actors in both business and civil society. Pictured: The collapse of Rana Plaza in Dhaka, Bangladesh, when over a thousand people died and 2 people were injured. Photo: Pieter van de Boogert/Canva.

Of: Ebba Eriksson

In the ongoing process of a new EU directive for increased corporate responsibility for human rights and the environment, Sweden has become one of the member states that risks overturning the entire legislation. Sweden must vote yes to the law to ensure that companies are held responsible for their impact on people and the environment throughout the supply chain. This is written by Ebba Eriksson, project associate at Fair Action.  

March 14, 2024, Debate

Fast fashion: "Manufacturers should raise the price of clothes"

Fast fashion is often associated with large amounts of waste and negative impact on the environment. But there are several ideas for how the textile industry could become more sustainable. Photo: Bicanski. Source: Pixnio.

Of: Cecilia Bergh and Felizia Livskog

Fast fashion contributes to climate change, pollution and unfair working conditions for those who produce the clothes. Despite that, many people collect new clothes at a furious pace, while the old ones are not too rarely dumped in landfills in Africa or Asia. But with the EU's recently voted textile strategy, this is to change - and fashion companies take more responsibility for clothing production.

July 12, 2023, Reportage

The deforestation of the Amazon breaks a new record

The Amazon rainforest is important for animals, plants and people - yet the deforestation of the rainforest continues at an ever faster pace. Photo: David Riano Cortés. Source: Pexels.

Of: Cecilia Bergh

The Amazon is the largest and most species-rich rainforest in the world. It is vital for animal and plant species, but also for humans. Despite that, the deforestation of the Amazon continues and in February the devastation hit a new record.

March 22, 2023, Development magazine explains

Environmental work in Lima collides with the city's vulnerable residents

In Lima, the capital of Peru, several ecosystems are threatened by the growing shantytowns. This has caused marginalized groups to be portrayed as a threat to biological diversity, writes Chakad Ojani, postdoctoral fellow in social anthropology at Uppsala University. Pictured: Improvised housing in southern Lima. Photo: Chakad Ojani.

Of: Chakad Ojani

In Peru's capital Lima, biodiversity is threatened by urbanization and the rapidly growing number of shantytowns. At the same time, the protection of unique ecosystems becomes a threat to the city's economically vulnerable residents. Environmental work must therefore cooperate with an uncompromising fight for equality and inclusion. It writes Chakad Ojani, postdoctoral fellow in social anthropology at Uppsala University. 

February 2, 2023, Guest analysis

Independence from fossil fuels is crucial for human security

Nations today are faced with the Energy Trilemma; how to achieve energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability – at the same time. And transitioning towards renewable forms of energy is essential to achieve human security worldwide, according to Marie Stjernquist Desatnik at Naturskyddsföreningen (the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, SSNC). Image: A military attack on energy infrastructure. Photo by: Ecoaction.

Of: Marie Stjernquist Desatnik

The world's addiction to fossils fuel is the main contributor to the climate crisis, and it impacts peace and security worldwide. This was clearly demonstrated in 2022 by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But why is it so difficult for nations to move away from fossil fuels? Part of it can be explained by the so-called energy trilemma, according to Marie Stjernquist desatnik, Senior Climate Policy Advisor at The Nature Conservation Society (the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, SSNC). She I argues that ttransitioning towards renewable forms of energy is essential to Achieve human security worldwide. 

January 17, 2023, English, Guest analysis, Guest piece, Magazine

Infrastructure and climate adaptations promote women's work in Kenya

Diversification, i.e. having several different income-generating activities, is vital for many poor women in rural Kenya. Various actors should therefore take measures to promote diversification. That's what Ella Ihre, master's student in rural development and natural resource management at SLU, writes in a guest analysis. Photo: Ella Ihre. Location: Kitui, Kenya.

Of: Ella Ihre

Att have several income-generating activities have become an increasingly important survival strategy for women in rural Kenya. Improved infrastructure, climate adaptations and self-help groups can promote women's work and thus their own livelihood.

December 13, 2022, Guest analysis

Solway's mining industry in Guatemala - a repeat of colonial times

The company Solways' mining industry on Lake Izabal in Guatemala has devastating consequences for the environment and people in the area. Photo: NELO Mijangos. Source: Flickr.

Of: Villemo Warnerfjord

Is the colonial era over or has it just changed shape? Are the companies that ruthlessly exploit other countries' natural resources in the pursuit of greater riches the colonialism of our time? The company's Solway's mining industry in Guatemala has devastating consequences for the environment and for local communities.

April 27, 2022, Chronicle

Agricultural reform in Peru raises both hope and criticism

Peru has developed an agricultural reform that will serve as a support package for small farmers and to modernize agriculture in the country. But the reform has received both positive and negative reactions. Pictured: Potato harvest in Viraco. Photo: Leo Berggren-Lagercrantz.

Of: Leo Berggren-Lagercrantz

One in four Peruvians live on agriculture and many small producers in rural Peru struggle daily to survive. Now the government is starting the implementation of the new agricultural reform in the country - an initiative that has aroused both enthusiasm and criticism.

March 11, 2022, FUF-correspondents

We do not buy ourselves into a sustainable world

On Kungsgatan, one of Gothenburg's most popular shopping streets, shopping people often meet recruiters from various organizations. Photo: News Øresund / Jenny Andersson. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Von Unge

Today, non-profit organizations often use member recruiters in the city to raise money for their businesses. At the same time, the change needed in the consumer society requires that organizations also change their fundraising strategies.

March 10, 2022, Chronicle