In This Issue
Editor's Note
BSR’s Climate Initiatives for 2012
The close of 2011 marks the end of a record year for weather disasters and an inconclusive finish to the COP17 climate talks. For 2012, that means climate leadership will rest firmly on the shoulders of business.
For our last edition of the Insight this year, BSR’s Climate and Energy Manager Ryan Schuchard leaves us with parting thoughts that we hope will make you think about next year: the three critical areas BSR will work on with business to solve the climate crisis.
Next, Advisory Services Director Raj Sapru looks at a relatively unreported aspect of climate change, black carbon emissions, and how a focus on this can help climate change mitigation.
Lastly, since the Insight will be on hiatus until January 10, Communications Associate Elissa Goldenberg shares our staff recommendations for other sustainability reading items..
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In Depth
When Policy Fails on Climate, What Can Business Do? BSR’s 2012 Climate Initiatives
By Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy, BSR
With business taking the mantle of leadership on climate in 2012, BSR will work with companies on three critical areas: addressing supply chain emissions, enabling more sustainable energy choices, and adapting to an uncertain future climate.
Read more →
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Spotlight
Black Carbon Provides Climate Change Mitigation Opportunities
By
Black carbon—which includes particles emitted from cars, trucks, stoves, industrial facilities, and some forest fires—is the second-largest contributor to climate change after carbon-dioxide emissions. This happens because when black carbon is suspended in the air, particles absorb sunlight and warm the atmosphere. Also, when black carbon is deposited on ice and snow, it decreases reflectivity and accelerates melting. In addition to accelerating global warming, black carbon has significant impacts on human health and crop yields.
However, black carbon is notably absent from climate reporting frameworks such as the Carbon Disclosure Project, the World Resources Institute’s Scope 3 standards, and the Global Reporting Initiative.
But there’s good news: These emissions are short-lived and efforts to control them are distinct from greenhouse gas emissions, creating opportunities for short-term climate change mitigation. A 2011 UNEP study highlights that efforts to reduce black carbon emissions are among the most cost-effective investments to mitigate climate change.
To help business understand how existing climate-management efforts can be deployed to reduce black carbon emissions, we will continue to include this issue as a significant part of a holistic climate strategy. For more information, contact Raj Sapru.
Toolbox
What We’re Reading
By Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services, BSR
While the Insight takes a short hiatus for the next two weeks, we want to share a collection of books to read this holiday season. The following list includes books recently completed, currently being read, or in the queue for BSR staff. Enjoy.
A Deliberate Pause: Entrepreneurship and its Moment in Human Progress by Larry Robertson
A Journey by Tony Blair
Big Business, Big Responsibilities: From Villains to Visionaries: How Companies are Tackling the World's Greatest Challenges by Andy Wales, Matthew Gorman, and Dunstan Hope (BSR author)
Coltan by Michael Nest
The Consuming Instinct: What Juicy Burgers, Ferraris, Pornography, and Gift Giving Reveal About Human Nature by Gad Saad
Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism by Muhammad Yunus
Dancing in the Glory of Monsters by Jason Stearns
Economics of Social Issues by Ansel Miree Sharp, Charles A. Register, and Paul W. Grimes
Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China by Leslie T. Chang
Googled: The End of the World as we Know It by Ken Auletta
The History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute
The Master Switch by Tim Wu
The Mesh by Lisa Gansky
The Net Delusion by Evgeny Morozov
The New Machiavelli by Jonathan Powell
Poor Economics by Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo
The Prize and The Quest by Daniel Yergin
Supercapitalism by Robert B. Reich
Sustainable Excellence: The Future of Business in a Fast-Changing World by Aron Cramer and Zachary Karabell (BSR author)
Switch by Chip and Dan Heath
The Table Comes First by Adam Gopnik
Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier by Edward L. Glaeser
The Value of Nothing: How to Reshape Market Society and Redefine Democracy by Raj Patel
The World Set Free by H.G. Wells
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