What a statue of the G7 leaders tells you about sustainable investing

Firms need to look at environmental impact

The G7 Summit was held in Cornwall recently, with leaders promising to focus on climate change. While most of the talking appears to take place in the run-up to these events rather than during them, they do offer a focal point for campaigners on various issues.

One issue which did capture our attention was around e-waste, with musicMagpie commissioning sculptor Joe Rush to make a statue of the G7 leaders out of old electronics. The UN estimates that 53 million tonnes of e-waste are generated each year, with that figure expected to double by 2050. Throwing away your old phone or laptop is a problem because they contain toxic materials such as lead or mercury. These can leak into the soil or create toxic fumes over time, proving hazardous for people and planet. Recycling old electronics may also have benefits in terms of reduced carbon emissions,...