BSR Insight Archives: 2011 11
November 29, 2011
The Future of Fuels
Over the past two years, we have seen both the largest oil spill and one of the deadliest nuclear accidents in history, highlighting the costs of satisfying our growing energy demands with current sources and technologies. At the same time, the recession and concerns about national security have made new energy options more attractive, especially if they promise local jobs and supply, whether those be in renewable sources such as wind and solar, or “unconventional” fossil fuels in the United States and Canada.
In This Issue
November 22, 2011
How to Start a Living Wage Program
Earlier this year, BSR Advisory Services Manager Roger McElrath outlined some of the trickier issues with offering a living wage—beginning with how to define it, who is responsible for ensuring that it is defined, and the role of the company. In that article, McElrath argued that a fundamental part of any company’s CSR efforts should be ensuring that the wage level is adequate to support, at minimum, the purchase of basic necessities.
In This Issue
November 15, 2011
The Opportunity in Product Obsolescence
Today, products with titles like “2.0” follow closely on the heels of their 1.0 predecessors. Often, these products are retired before they have reached the end of their functional life, which can promote environmental degradation through resource consumption, pollution, and waste. Whether the driver for such obsolescence is technological progress, consumer taste, or company strategies to increase sales, these effects are the same.
In This Issue
November 8, 2011
Reflections From the BSR Conference 2011
Last week’s BSR Conference 2011, which drew more than 1,000 people from 37 countries, was a whirlwind of inspirational addresses, practical advice, and the exchange of new ideas.
In This Issue
November 1, 2011
Redefining Leadership
As you read this week’s newsletter, we are just about to kick off the BSR Conference 2011. Many of you may even be gathered with us in San Francisco to explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities in sustainable business.
