Blog Archives: October 2010
October 25, 2010
More Safety for Offshore Oil and Gas in Europe
Farid Baddache , Director, Europe
Farid Baddache, Director, Europe, and Lucas Braunschvig, Intern
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill is having a ripple effect on energy companies operating in Europe. The European Union is looking at ways to make existing regulation more stringent for offshore operations. In their recent Communication, the EU Commissioner for Energy says the EU needs “to make sure that a disaster similar to the one in the Gulf of Mexico will never happen in European waters.” This Communication will shape the agenda for a comprehensive regulatory framework set to be proposed in early 2011. Read more
October 21, 2010
California Transparency in Supply Chains Act Is Now Law
Diane Osgood, Ph.D.
California once again blazes a new trail and sets an example for the United States and other nations to follow. This week California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a new law that requires retail sellers and manufacturers doing business in California to publicly disclose on their websites the policies and efforts in place to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their direct supply chains. Read more
October 15, 2010
Corporate Complicity in Human Rights Violations: Conflicting Decisions in U.S. Courts
Faris Natour , Director, Human Rights
The question of when a company can be considered complicit in human rights violations that are perpetrated by government has always been a difficult one. Now, a new ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit further muddies the picture. Read more
October 12, 2010
Sustainable Excellence: The Future of Business in a Fast-Changing World
Aron Cramer , President and CEO
The economy continues to limp along, and from the debate in this U.S. election season, it seems as though the path to restoring economic vitality is terra incognita. Over the past generation, economic advances have been jump started by fundamental changes: first, globalization, and then the rise of the internet economy. Read more
October 12, 2010
FTC’s New Anti-Greenwashing, Good-for-Business Green Guides
Ryan Schuchard , Manager, Climate and Energy
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released its long-awaited draft guidance on environmental marketing. The so-called “Green Guides” tell companies how to prevent misleading customers—and avoid FTC actions against them. Read more
October 12, 2010
Migration in the Middle East: On the Ground in the UAE
Guy Morgan , Director, Advisory Services
On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, I was given the great honor of delivering a presentation on CSR and employees at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi. The presentation was part of a seminar sponsored by Eta Ascom Star Group, UAE to look at the issue of mental health among migrant workers in the Emirates and intended to offer insights into what leading companies around the globe are doing to support and protect their employees. The seminar was eye opening for a number of reasons. Read more
October 8, 2010
The Future of Carbon Disclosure
Laura Ediger , Associate Director, Advisory Services
At this week’s launch of the Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP) regional report for Asia (excluding Japan) in Hong Kong, CDP’s Sue Howells showed a video message reflecting on the CDP’s achievements over the last 10 years and what the CDP sees for the future. As with most organizations focused on mitigating climate change, CDP’s view of the future “if we don’t succeed…” was rather grim, with glimpses of not just melting glaciers and increasing storms, but also resource conflicts and armed violence. When the lights came on, though, the discussion focused on the opportunities for improvement in corporate performance. Read more
October 7, 2010
When Business Works With Women
Racheal Meiers (née Yeager) , Director, HERproject
This Tuesday in London, BSR held a workshop to explore the intersections of women and business in emerging economies and the resulting opportunities and responsibilities for business. As companies expand their operations, improve their supply chains, and grow their markets around the world, sustainable growth will require investments in and recognition of women as consumers, employees, supply chain workforces, and community members. Read more
