Business

Companies Must Protect Nature to Avoid Extinction, Report Warns

Businesses are being urged by experts to take immediate action to preserve the natural systems that support their operations.

The survival of businesses is inextricably linked to the health of the natural world, according to a global community of scientists, who are sounding the alarm about the urgent need for protection and restoration.

The photo shows a small herd of dark-coloured cattle grazing on a grassy field. The landscape is flat, with rough grass and a low wire fence running along the edge of the field. Behind the cattle, a large electricity pylon rises against a cloudy sky. Flocks of birds are flying in formation across the sky. — Experts are calling for urgent action to restore the natural systems that keep the economy running

A newly released report outlines a roadmap for companies to transition from practices that harm the environment to those that promote the restoration of nature, a move that is particularly crucial in the UK, where concerns about nature loss are mounting.

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (Ipbes) has compiled an assessment based on input from top scientists, which has been endorsed by 150 governments worldwide.

According to Matt Jones, a co-author of the report and researcher at the UN World Conservation Monitoring Centre in Cambridge, companies have a choice to make: they can either take the lead in preserving the natural world or face the possibility of their own extinction, along with the species that depend on it.

Ipbes has found that all businesses, regardless of their industry or sector, rely heavily on the free services provided by nature, including access to clean water and fertile soil.

Prof Stephen Polasky, co-chair of Ipbes, noted that the loss of biodiversity poses a significant threat to businesses, yet many companies find it more profitable to degrade the natural world than to protect it, highlighting a critical disconnect.

In response to the report, Leigh Morris, International Director of The Wildlife Trusts, a consortium of UK wildlife charities, emphasized the need for clear guidelines and tools to help businesses assess and improve their impact on biodiversity.

A wide expanse of saltmarsh with a winding gully cutting through the muddy ground. Dark-coloured cattle cluster on higher, greener ground to the right, surrounded by open marshland. — A herd of cattle stands near a muddy channel cutting through coastal wetlands at Steart, Somerset

For many UK businesses, protecting nature has evolved from a desirable goal to a necessary one, according to Morris.

A notable example of successful collaboration between businesses and conservationists can be seen at Steart Marshes in Somerset, where farmers and environmentalists are working together to manage the land in a way that supports both agriculture and wildlife.

By grazing cattle across the marshes, farmers are creating healthy habitats for a variety of species, including birds, insects, and plants, demonstrating a mutually beneficial approach to land management.

Local farmer Andy Darch observed that the cattle are playing a crucial role in conservation efforts by eating a diverse range of grasses and trampling areas that are essential for wildlife, resulting in high-quality beef as a byproduct.

The cattle's varied diet not only aids in conservation but also produces a premium product, highlighting the potential for sustainable farming practices to yield economic benefits.

The Steart Marshes project also showcases the benefits of restoring nature for local communities, including enhanced flood protection and reduced pollution.

A group of cattle walk through a wet, marshy field. The animals have a mixture of black and brown coats. Water splashes up their legs as they move. Rough grasses and reeds fill the foreground, with a soft green field in the background. — Steart Marshes – one of the UK's largest new wetland reserves – creates habitat for wildlife and agriculture

The newly engineered flood banks at Steart Marshes not only safeguard nearby villages from rising waters but also help to absorb carbon and minimize pollution, demonstrating the potential for nature-based solutions to address multiple challenges.

Alys Laver, from the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, which manages the nature reserve, noted that farming and conservation are no longer mutually exclusive, but rather complementary approaches that can yield benefits for both the environment and local communities.

The flood banks, according to Laver, are a testament to the potential for engineering and conservation to work together, providing vital protection for local villages while also supporting sustainable farming practices.

Rather than viewing conservation as a threat to farming, Laver emphasized that it can be a means of adapting and evolving farming practices to prioritize both environmental stewardship and economic viability.

The report highlights the everyday incentives that are driving the decline of nature, underscoring the need for a fundamental shift in how businesses approach environmental sustainability.

A flock of wigeon take flight over wet grassland. The small ducks are chestnut-coloured with outstretched brown wings. — A flock of wigeon take flight over wet grassland at Steart marshes

According to the report, the responsible management of nature is not a peripheral issue, but a core challenge that should be addressed in every boardroom, as it has significant implications for the long-term viability of businesses.

Despite the urgency of the issue, less than 1% of publicly traded companies mention their impact on biodiversity in their reports, highlighting a critical gap in corporate accountability and transparency.

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Veteran Designer of Hello Kitty Retires After 46-Year Tenure

Under Yuko Yamaguchi’s guidance, the feline character achieved global icon status.

After a 46-year tenure, the creator of Hello Kitty is relinquishing her design role, marking the end of an era for the beloved character that has become a global phenomenon.

A woman holds up a Hello Kitty soft toy to take a photo with her phone. Behind the toy there is a large pink Hello Kitty head — Hello Kitty is a globally recognised brand

In 1980, Yuko Yamaguchi assumed design responsibilities for Hello Kitty, a character that, despite being commonly perceived as a feline, is actually a little girl from London, five years after the character's initial launch.

During Yamaguchi's four-decade stewardship, Hello Kitty has evolved into one of the most successful franchises worldwide, with its popularity extending far beyond its origins in Japan.

Sanrio, the company behind Hello Kitty, has expressed its gratitude to Yamaguchi, stating that she has "passed the torch" to the next generation of designers.

The launch of Hello Kitty coincided with the rising global popularity of Japanese 'kawaii' culture, a distinctively feminine and youthful aesthetic that has become a cultural phenomenon.

Yamaguchi often embodied the Hello Kitty spirit by wearing dresses inspired by the character and styling her hair in buns, reflecting her deep connection to the brand.

Now 70, Yamaguchi has been credited by Sanrio with transforming Hello Kitty into a universally beloved character, as noted on the company's website.

Sanrio has announced that one of its designers, known by the pseudonym "Aya", who has been working alongside Yamaguchi, will take over as the lead designer by the end of 2026.

Although Yamaguchi is stepping down from her design role, she will remain with Sanrio to offer guidance and support.

Hello Kitty first appeared on a coin purse in 1974, but it was in 1980 that the character began to gain widespread recognition, eventually becoming a global marketing sensation.

The character has been featured on a wide range of products, including clothing, accessories, video games, and even an Airbus plane, and has partnered with notable brands such as Unicef, Nintendo, and Balenciaga, as well as making an appearance as a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Hello Kitty-themed cafes can be found worldwide, and there is a dedicated theme park in Japan, with another park slated to open in China.

Unlike other popular Japanese exports, such as Pokemon, Hello Kitty has a relatively minimal backstory, with Sanrio describing her as "not quite a cat, but not a human either".

According to Sanrio, Hello Kitty was born in London, has a twin sister named Mimmy, and a boyfriend named Dear Daniel, although these details are not widely emphasized in the character's marketing.

A Warner Bros film featuring Hello Kitty is scheduled for release in 2028, marking the character's cinematic debut, although she has previously appeared in several animated series, always without speaking, due to her design lacking a mouth.

Business

US inflation slows as used vehicle prices decline

According to the most recent official data, prices increased by 2.4% over the 12 months ending in January, marking the smallest gain since May.

The US experienced a slowdown in inflation last month, driven by decreases in energy and used car prices.

A person in a black and white striped shirt with a pony tail walks past a parking lot of used cars. There is a large American flag hanging under the sign and a large white truck on display.

According to the Labor Department, the consumer price index increased by 2.4% over the past 12 months, ending in January, marking a decline from the previous month's 2.7% and the slowest rate since May.

This development may support the argument made by US President Donald Trump and others that the central bank has the flexibility to lower interest rates without triggering a surge in prices.

However, analysts caution that progress toward the Federal Reserve's inflation target of 2% may be hindered in the coming months if companies begin to pass on tariff costs to consumers more extensively.

Neil Birrell, chief investment officer at Premier Miton Investors, noted that the impact of tariffs remains uncertain and pointed out other data anomalies that could have influenced the January figures.

Birrell stated that the January report is likely to pave the way for a potential rate cut in the near future.

He added that the US economy appears to be performing well, with strong growth, stable inflation, a robust job market, and a Federal Reserve that has the ability to adjust its policies as needed.

Business

Artist Alleges AirAsia Used His Work Without Permission

A street artist from Penang has reported that one of his artworks has been replicated and featured on the design of an airplane.

A lawsuit has been filed by a Malaysian-based artist against AirAsia and its parent company, Capital A Berhad, alleging unauthorized use of the artist's designs on one of the airline's planes.

A low-resolution image of an AirAsia aircraft with artwork children cycling printed on its side. The passenger plane is pictured parked in an airport — Artist Ernest Zacharevic is sueing AirAsia over the use of a livery on one of its jets in 2024

According to the lawsuit, Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian-born artist residing in Penang, claims that his 2012 street mural, Kids on Bicycle, was reproduced and displayed on an AirAsia aircraft in late 2024 without his permission.

Zacharevic states that the use of his design was unauthorized, and no licensing agreement or consent was obtained, adding that the livery was removed after he publicly expressed concerns about the matter.

The BBC has reached out to AirAsia for a statement regarding the allegations.

In an interview with the BBC on Thursday, Zacharevic recalled that he first became aware of the alleged copyright infringement in October 2024, when he discovered that an AirAsia plane was featuring a livery resembling his artwork.

With over a decade of experience in Malaysia, Zacharevic is known for his roadside murals in Penang, which have become a staple of the local art scene.

One of Zacharevic's notable works is the 2012 street mural Kids on Bicycle, created for a local festival, which features two children on a bicycle integrated into the mural, located in George Town's heritage district.

The mural has become a popular tourist attraction, with many visitors taking photos in front of the iconic artwork.

Zacharevic alleges that his work was reproduced on an AirAsia plane without his knowledge or consent, and he personally witnessed the plane in operation at an airport.

Recalling the incident, Zacharevic expressed his discomfort with the situation, which occurred in 2024.

He took to social media to address the issue, posting a photo of the plane and tagging the airline, suggesting that they needed to discuss the use of his artwork.

A photograph of a wall mural, depicting two children in white tops. The images in painted to show the children seated on a real-life bicycle. — Zacharevic painted Kids on Bicycle, a famous wall mural in Penang, in 2012

Since then, Zacharevic has engaged in discussions with the company, but they have been unable to come to a mutually agreeable resolution.

This is not the first instance of Zacharevic's work being used in connection with AirAsia, as he claims the airline has also used his artwork on a delivery bag for its food services arm.

Court documents reveal that Zacharevic had previously discussed a potential collaboration with AirAsia in 2017, where he would create art for the airline's jets and a mural in one of their offices.

According to the documents, Zacharevic had informed the airline of his work and business rates during these discussions.

The lawsuit asserts that despite being aware of Zacharevic's work and rates, the airline proceeded to reproduce and publicly display one of his notable works, thereby infringing on his copyright and moral rights.

As the largest low-cost carrier in Asia, AirAsia operates over 200 jets to more than 100 destinations, and has recently announced plans to resume flights from Kuala Lumpur to London via Bahrain.

Zacharevic has stated that he will leave it to the court to determine any potential compensation he may be entitled to.

The artist emphasized that he does not consider the use of his artwork to be a mere reference to cultural or geographical associations, but rather a distinct artistic creation.

Zacharevic stressed that his artwork is the result of years of professional training, skill, and labor, and should be recognized as such.