Business Sustainable Development News
Keeping good company in tough times
It's not easy being green or transparent, or an overall good corporate citizen when the global economy appears to be slowing. Management and shareholders scrutinize every dollar a corporation spends; all too often, so-called socially responsible efforts things like reducing the company's carbon footprint or building businesses in developing nations get slashed. But the companies that sit atop our 2008 Accountability Rating don't see sustainability as optional.
Ceres Joins Forces with Five Leading US Companies in New Climate Change Coalition
Five leading US consumer products companies have joined with Ceres, a Boston-based coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest groups, in the formation of a new business coalition that calls for early passage of climate and energy legislation in the US.
Corporate Social Responsibility News
Keeping good company in tough times
It's not easy being green or transparent, or an overall good corporate citizen when the global economy appears to be slowing. Management and shareholders scrutinize every dollar a corporation spends; all too often, so-called socially responsible efforts things like reducing the company's carbon footprint or building businesses in developing nations get slashed. But the companies that sit atop our 2008 Accountability Rating don't see sustainability as optional.
Ceres Joins Forces with Five Leading US Companies in New Climate Change Coalition
Five leading US consumer products companies have joined with Ceres, a Boston-based coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest groups, in the formation of a new business coalition that calls for early passage of climate and energy legislation in the US.
Energy Efficient Building News
New Report Measures the Actual Impacts of Green Buildings for the First Time
Green buildings have saved the U.S. billions of gallons of water and enough energy to avoid the burning of 1.3 million tons of coal for electricity since the development of the LEED standards.
Revamped LEED ratings emphasize climate, energy conservation
The U.S. Green Building Council is remodeling its LEED rating system for buildings, giving greater weight to design elements that reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy & Climate News
Automakers detail electric car plans at LA show
Many of the world's biggest automakers on Wednesday detailed ambitious electric-car plans that promise zero emissions but will demand patience from consumers and subsidies from governments to succeed.
Ceres Joins Forces with Five Leading US Companies in New Climate Change Coalition
Five leading US consumer products companies have joined with Ceres, a Boston-based coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest groups, in the formation of a new business coalition that calls for early passage of climate and energy legislation in the US.
Sustainable Development Case Studies
Saving Through Biodiversity - DuPont
Intensive agriculture had turned Spain's 325-hectare Tamón Valley in Asturias into an area with low biological diversity dominated by two huge monocultures: fields and eucalyptus plantations. In 1990 DuPont started a greenfield project in the Valley so as to both increase local biodiversity and save the company money.
Partnering for Conservation: Gaz de France
Gaz de France's subsidiary, GRTgaz, takes biodiversity into account in all of its activities. Specifically, the company is implementing biodiversity corridors above its underground pipes transporting natural gas, helping to connect and maintain biodiversity areas in Ile-de-France. Thanks to these efforts, GRTgaz and local authorities are consolidating the knowledge of biodiversity corridor implementation and adding environmental value to the land that is crossed by gas pipelines.
Sustainable Development Speeches
"Sustainability is about building a better business"
Speaking at the China Sustainability Summit in Beijing, Wal-Mart's CEO, Lee Scott said that "sustainability in our operations and our supply chain -- selling and making products in an efficient, socially and environmentally responsible way -- will be essential to meeting the expectations of customers in the future."
Clean Water Opportunities & Challenges
"Together, we need to take an integrated approach that goes beyond just technology but includes water usage, management, delivery, infrastructure, finance, and education … the entire supply and delivery chain... And businesses must have the will to create technology solutions that make money, while including 'clean water' in their CSR programs" Said Mike Gambrel Executive Vice President at the Dow Chemical Company.
Sustainable Livelihoods News
Retailer at home in the favelas
Casas Bahia thrives on people like Mr Silva. While no cheaper than many shops aimed at richer customers, it is hugely popular with the poor because it allows them to pay in small instalments - and at hefty rates of interest that average 4.5 per cent a month, or about 70 per cent a year. Customers receive a stack of payment slips and must go into a store to make payments. This keeps them coming back and usually keeps them shopping - unless they are among the 10 per cent who default.
World Bank issues first ‘green' bond
The World Bank has issued its first bond where the proceeds will be directly invested in climate change-related projects. The bond is the first product of a wider Bank effort, in collaboration with large institutional investors, to direct large-scale institutional money to tackling climate change.
Sustainable Mobility News
Automakers detail electric car plans at LA show
Many of the world's biggest automakers on Wednesday detailed ambitious electric-car plans that promise zero emissions but will demand patience from consumers and subsidies from governments to succeed.
European countries merge airspace in bid to cut costs, pollution
In a bid to cut costs and reduce the environmental impact of aviation, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland, which together cover more than half of all flights in Europe, have agreed to merge their airspace and manage traffic irrespective of national borders.
WBCSD News & Updates
The WBCSD's EEB Releases Update on Latest Progress
Buildings are responsible for about 40% of energy use in most countries. The EEB project will determine which combination of recommendations will most effectively result in substantial energy and emission reductions, putting us on a committed path towards zero net energy buildings.
Launch of the Greek Business Council for Sustainable Development
In the presence of 250 people and widely covered by Greek media, the Greek BCSD was launched on 11 November.
WBCSD Publications
The WBCSD's EEB Releases Update on Latest Progress
Buildings are responsible for about 40% of energy use in most countries. The EEB project will determine which combination of recommendations will most effectively result in substantial energy and emission reductions, putting us on a committed path towards zero net energy buildings.
Energy Efficiency in Buildings Executive Brief #2 - Our vision: A world where buildings consume zero net energy
Buildings are responsible for about 40% of energy use in most countries. The EEB project will determine which combination of recommendations will most effectively result in substantial energy and emission reductions, putting us on a committed path towards zero net energy buildings.