Blog Archives: December 2009
December 23, 2009
What Happened at COP15
Ryan Schuchard , Manager, Climate and Energy
As BSR predicted, COP15 came down to hard bargaining between the United States and China, and the event materialized as much less of an end to climate policy than as a beginning. This turned out to be an understatement: no binding commitment was reached, and it is increasingly clear that an effective agreement will take much more than simply another meeting. Read more
December 23, 2009
Here’s a Plan B
Ryan Schuchard , Manager, Climate and Energy
Our global climate agenda may need a Plan B, but if we are to choose the right one, some popular misconceptions need to be clarified. This post was originally published as a response to The Wall Street Journal Op-Ed, “Time for a Plan B,” by Nigel Lawson on 12/21/09. Read more
December 23, 2009
Was Copenhagen Really a Failure?
Diane Osgood, Ph.D.
At the risk of being considered a Pollyanna, I don't think that Copenhagen was the huge failure the critics are rushing to proclaim. The Copenhagen process delivered two significant outcomes. Read more
December 18, 2009
New Policy to Address Corporate Philanthropy in China
Pei Bin, Former Director, China Partnership Development
Following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, many state-owned enterprises (SOEs) began writing big donation checks and competing for national media attention. This trend quickly increased attention on corporate philanthropy in China. At the time, companies thought that the more they donated, the more socially responsible they were. Very few people questioned the authorization of SOEs to make discretionary donations. Nobody asked if it was legal for SOEs to use state assets for charitable purposes. And nobody questioned whether SOEs had an obligation to disclose information on the use of their donated funds and their funds' impacts. Read more
December 17, 2009
Corporate Climate Leadership at Copenhagen
Ryan Schuchard , Manager, Climate and Energy
On my third day at COP15, I presented at the International Emissions Trading Association panel, "Corporate Climate Leadership," where I said that companies should consider three leadership activities: Read more
December 16, 2009
Information, Please! The Knowledge Crux at Copenhagen
Ryan Schuchard , Manager, Climate and Energy
I spent half of my first day at COP15 in line, mostly outside, in the cold. But I was one of the lucky ones to eventually emerge inside the Bella convention center. Others waited for six hours or more only to be turned away at the door (if they even made it that far). Read more
December 11, 2009
Mountains: The Bellwethers of Climate Change
Ryan Schuchard , Manager, Climate and Energy
Today is International Mountain Day. And in flat Denmark, the role of mountains is getting more attention as part of the international climate negotiations. Some prominent mountain-oriented activities at COP 15 include: Read more
December 11, 2009
Why ‘MSM’ Still Matter
Aron Cramer , President and CEO
Marc Gunther recently posted an excellent entry on his blog celebrating social media as the technology that may save the planet. Read more
December 11, 2009
What China’s Emissions Targets Could Mean for Operations in China
Daniel Gross, former BSR staff
In the run-up to Copenhagen, China's announcement of a plan to reduce carbon emissions per unit of gross domestic product between 40 to 45 percent by 2020 received characteristically mixed reviews by the global press and environmental advocates. Noting that China's aggressive target would still result in an absolute increase in emissions, many decried China for not shouldering enough responsibility as the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide. Read more
December 10, 2009
Policymakers and Protecting Human Rights in Supply Chains
Cody Sisco, Former Manager, Advisory Services
This week I testified before a joint committee hearing (PDF) of the California State Senate. Three senators, including Senate leader Darrel Steinberg, heard testimony from academics, campaigners, social services providers, business, and fair trade organizations on the role of state government in protecting human rights throughout global supply chains. Read more
December 8, 2009
Soggy Pork…and Other Climate Change Choices
Marshall Chase , Associate Director, Advisory Services
The world faces some interesting choices in the next few years. As illustrated by the ongoing Copenhagen negotiations, we have to decide whether and how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a wide range of sectors, from energy generation to transportation and beyond. Read more
