COP28 ends and the festive season begins – will it be a vegan Christmas?

By Robin Struber, PhD student, Business School COP28 is coming to an end just at the festive season begins. With the climate emergency back in the spotlight, does this mean more of us are opting for a vegan Christmas? It doesn’t look that way. While national institutions are discussing ways to gradually ‘phase out’ emissions, … Continue reading “COP28 ends and the festive season begins – will it be a vegan Christmas?”

Are climate-related financial disclosures making a difference to business behaviour or the climate?

By Dr Mayya Konovalova & Dr Salma Ashour, Department of Accounting In his speech in Dubai, Chair of the IFRS Foundation Trustees, Erkki Liikanen, announced that COP28 marks the official end of the work of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). This achievement is hailed as a key milestone in information sharing, potentially … Continue reading “Are climate-related financial disclosures making a difference to business behaviour or the climate?”

How can accountants help to stabilise the climate and drive nature recovery?

By Professor Thomas Cuckston, Professor of Accounting and Ecology – Birmingham Business School Climate change and nature loss are urgent global crises threatening our societies.  Humanity must find a way to transition from a global economy that drives climate change and nature loss to one that stabilises the climate and drives nature recovery.  International initiatives … Continue reading “How can accountants help to stabilise the climate and drive nature recovery?”

How will the Autumn Statement impact households, businesses and public services?

By Alice Pugh, Policy and Data Analyst – City-REDI On the 22 November the UK Government announced the Autumn Statement, potentially the last Autumn Statement before the next general election. The purpose of the Autumn Statement is to update the Commons on the state of the economy, as forecast by the independent public finance forecaster … Continue reading “How will the Autumn Statement impact households, businesses and public services?”

Saluting our Sisters – beyond a month

By Jeannyfar Gelpcke, Senior Executive Advisor to CEO of The E.ON SE Group & Birmingham Business School Advisory Board Member Dear [insert your name here, yes – this is for you], When it comes to things like “Black History Month” I tend to avoid engagement. This is the bitter truth. Although I understand and appreciate … Continue reading “Saluting our Sisters – beyond a month”

Why are the Commonwealth Games struggling to find hosts?

By Dr Matthew Lyons, City-REDI July saw Ozzy the giant mechanical bull and symbol of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games unveiled in Birmingham New Street. The buzz about the station was high and served as a reminder of the success of last year’s Games. Almost at the same time we saw Victoria, Australia the planned … Continue reading “Why are the Commonwealth Games struggling to find hosts?”

How the scars of past wars continue to shape UK society

By Edward Pinchbeck (University of Birmingham), Dr Felipe Carozzi (London School of Economics) and Dr Luca Repetto (Uppsala University) The two world wars of the early 20th century are an indelible part of Britain’s public consciousness, cultural identity, and shared memory. One way in which past wars endure in social and political discourse is through commemorative … Continue reading “How the scars of past wars continue to shape UK society”

Supermarkets are under fire for rising food costs, is there any sign of prices falling?

By Dr Sarah Montano and Dr Inci Toral Department of Marketing We have all seen and felt the rising costs of groceries in our wallets. It has felt like every time we have been to the supermarket that prices have jumped once again. This steep rise in prices has concerned the Government, and so recently … Continue reading “Supermarkets are under fire for rising food costs, is there any sign of prices falling?”

Necessity is the mother of invention – Women as Retail Pioneers and Innovators

By Dr Sarah Montano and Dr Inci Toral Department of Marketing, University of Birmingham Kybele, the mother of Earth, is one of the most ancient goddesses still celebrated in many cultures, although she might have different names and powers. Even today in most cultures, people celebrate the arrival of spring (Kybele’s awakening) as it is … Continue reading “Necessity is the mother of invention – Women as Retail Pioneers and Innovators”