Publications by Tag: Energy
Blog
Quality Development Driven by Green Development
Joshua Lanshe, Intern, Guangzhou, BSR
In the recent China 2030 World Bank report, China looks to shift from relying heavily on fossil fuels and dated management methods to embracing green technologies and innovative solutions in an effort to improve the quality of future growth. The report indicates that for the next 18 years, China will aim to develop into a more “modern, harmonious, and creative high-tech society.” Fittingly, this phrase also is used in China’s current five-year plan, and perfectly captures the commitment of the country’s government to improve the balance and quality of its growth. Read more
Davos 2012: Easy Decisions, Hard Decisions
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
Davos 2012 opens against the backdrop of some pretty ominous numbers. European debt figures are high, and projections for growth in the mature economies are low. Income equality is declining in emerging markets like China and in the home of the 99 percent, the United States. 2011 was yet another year of record-setting warmth, with more summer melting in the Arctic. And this year’s Edelman Trust Barometer reports poor levels of trust, with faith in government tumbling to all-time lows in the West. Read more
Why Solar Should Care About Sustainability
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
Solar power is a poster child of sustainability, at least from the standpoint of energy users. It provides a clean alternative to GHG-emitting fossil fuels and runs indefinitely on free energy from the sun. What more, then, is there to the sustainability of solar energy? Read more
Calling Port in Oakland in a Hybrid
Eva Dienel, Communications Manager
I pull into the Port of Oakland’s Global Gateway Central terminal following a silver Honda Insight that looks microscopic next to the Singapore, an APL container ship at berth nearby. But the 14-foot car and the 900-foot ship have something in common: They’re both hybrids. Read more
Japan: Tragedy to Turning Point?
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
I arrived in Japan for a week of meetings to find Tokyo more deserted than ever before. Maybe the economy really had collapsed in the wake of the triple whammy of the earthquake, tsunami, and ongoing nuclear accident at Fukushima-Daiichi. Read more
On Earth Day 2011, Who Will Tell the People?
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
Almost 20 years ago, the journalist William Greider wrote Who Will Tell the People, his account of dysfunctional decision-making in Washington. Greider’s thesis was that Washington officials were preoccupied with perpetuating their own power, with scant regard for the interests of the people they were supposed to represent. Read more
Japan, YouTube Moments, and Energy Policy
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
The earthquake and tsunami in Japan have been a stunning disaster and a terrible human tragedy. We don’t yet know precisely how many lives will be lost or shattered, but the numbers will be immense. My thoughts, like those of people around the world, are with Japan and its people. Read more
More Safety for Offshore Oil and Gas in 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
BSR Insight Articles
Burning at Both Ends: Understanding Energy’s Two Major—and Opposite—Climate Trends
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
Recently, Bank of America and Citigroup were both labeled the “greenest” banks while another group called them the “filthiest.” The first name was for investing in clean energy and reducing emissions from operations, while the latter was for providing financial support to carbon-intensive energy such as coal. Read more
Energy Savings Through BSR’s Energy Efficiency Partnership
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
Since the launch of BSR’s Energy Efficiency Partnership (EEP) in 2010, member companies and their suppliers have developed a range of carbon-reducing, energy-efficiency projects–including in lighting, electrical motors and drives, and heating and cooling–that have achieved significant savings in energy (enough to power 1,000 flat screen televisions for more than 11 years*). Additionally, they have implemented systems to track savings made through existing programs. All told, 100 suppliers have counted savings of 100 million kilowatt hours since 2007. Read more
Bettercoal Launches to Advance CSR in the Coal Supply Chain
Angie Farrag, Manager, Advisory Services
Bettercoal, a global, not-for-profit initiative supporting the continuous improvement of corporate responsibility in the international coal supply chain, launched last week. Read more
Taking Ethics to the Cloud
Dunstan Allison Hope, Managing Director, Advisory Services ; Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
Just a decade ago, it would have been hard for all but the most tech-savvy to imagine the extent of cloud computing today. A complex system of data centers worldwide that store, process, and deliver information on demand over the internet, the cloud provides users with resources, applications, and information that they previously would have stored locally. The cloud—what some are calling “the factory of the 21st century”—is run by a network of IT service companies, internet firms, and telecommunications services providers, and it offers services to all of us: from banks and retailers to individuals like you and me. It is both real—requiring traditional inputs such as electricity—and virtual. Read more
KPMG Report Picks 10 Sustainability ‘Megaforces’
Population growth, material resource scarcity, climate change, and energy and fuel are among the issues in sustainability that could have significant impact on the business landscape over the next 20 years, according to a recent report by KPMG International. Read more
Report: U.S. Consumer Support for Clean Energy Waning
In the United States, consumer support for clean energy declined significantly between 2009 and 2011, according to a report released last month by Pike Research, a sustainability market research company. Read more
Sustainability Leadership in Manufacturing
Raj Sapru, Director, Advisory Services
Despite persistent volatility in the markets, the manufacturing sector is cautiously optimistic about growth. Sustaining this growth will require that sector become a lot more adept at anticipating the future. Read more
How Business Can Support Access to Energy
The first report in the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD) new Access to Energy initiative highlights how business can help expand and transform national energy systems to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy to poor countries—a critical development challenge. Read more
2012: Sustainability Steams Ahead in Uncertain Times
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
History moved fast in 2011, even as the economy was stuck in neutral, and 2012 promises to be a wild ride. Exactly how it will play out is hard to say. 2011 provides ample evidence of how difficult it is to foresee specific changes: Last January, few anticipated the Arab Spring, and Hosni Mubarak was ejected from office before the end of February. And early in 2011, any mention of the "Occupy Movement” was more likely to be considered a good name for a new indie rock band than one of the most potent political forces seen in years. Read more
New Guide to Effective Local Content Programs
Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services
IPIECA—a global oil and gas industry association focused on social and environmental issues—released a guide to help companies design and execute local content strategies in the countries where they operate. Local content is defined by the value that companies bring to host countries by employing and training the local workforce and developing and procuring supplies and services locally. Read more
The Future of Fuels
Eric Olson, Senior Vice President, Advisory Services
The recent public actions and debate around the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which is designed to transport increasing amounts of fuel produced from Alberta’s oil sands into the United States, have demonstrated just how important—and complicated—the questions about our common energy future have become. Read more
Climate and Energy Highlights From the BSR Conference
The BSR Conference 2011 featured several sessions highlighting some key themes and issues that will be important for business in the near future: Read more
Managing Biodiversity in the Extractives Sector
A new report by the Natural Value Initiative details the potential risks facing the extractives industry as a result of its reliance on natural resources. Read more
Re-Scaling for the New Local
Linda Hwang, Manager, Research
In the next decade, rapidly growing urban regions will need redesigned infrastructure, goods, and services to match peoples’ needs and work within planetary constraints. New efforts to track well-being and happiness, ecological systems under stress, and community and culture shocks like forced water restrictions and food-safety scares are driving people to pursue more resilient solutions such as low-impact housing, off-grid water and energy, seed-sharing programs, and community-supported agriculture. Read more
Using Wireless Technology to Protect the Environment
Peter Nestor, Associate, Advisory Services
A new report by BSR and CTIA —the Wireless Association examines opportunities for companies in the transportation, utilities, agriculture, and government sectors to use wireless technology to help protect the environment. Highlights include: Read more
Climate Change Adaptation: Building Resiliency
Tiffany Finley, Associate, Advisory Services
Today, BSR is releasing the final four industry briefs in its “Climate Change Adaptation” series, which provides insight on climate-related risks and opportunities, actions companies are taking, and recommendations for how companies can lead their industries’ adaptation measures. Read more
The Future of Business-NGO Relationships
In my new role as BSR’s Director of Stakeholder Collaboration, I am focused on building relationships with NGO colleagues globally to bring their insights to our member companies and develop next-generation stakeholder engagement approaches that are outcome based and take into account trends in the field. BSR created this position to deepen relationships with civil society and foster collaboration between stakeholders and business. Read more
Why Is Living Wage So Complex?
Roger McElrath, Manager, Advisory Services
Ever since the United Nations adopted its new human rights framework, companies have had an added impetus to ensure that the treatment of their employees, workers in supply chain partners, and people in local communities is just and in accordance with international standards. Read more
Social Impact Assessments Help Companies Manage Risks and Opportunities
Alison Colwell, Manager, Advisory Services
With growing stakeholder expectations and increasingly complex operating environments, leading companies recognize the need for a more comprehensive approach to understanding and managing project risks and opportunities that moves beyond regulatory requirements. Social impact assessments (SIA)—the process of analyzing, monitoring, and managing social issues such as resettlement and access to water—can help companies reduce risks, enhance operational decision-making, improve stakeholder relations, maximize community benefits, and secure a company’s license to operate. Read more
‘Smart’ Networks Pave the Way for Innovation and Efficiency
Linda Hwang, Manager, Research
At GreenBiz.com's VERGE Roundtable last week in San Francisco, more than four dozen top executives gathered to look at how energy, information, buildings, and vehicle technologies are coming together to enable new waves of innovation and efficiency. Throughout the conversation, speakers discussed how "intelligent" products like electric vehicles, smart buildings, and the smart grid are quickly becoming commoditized. As a result, potential value will be realized in software that links these products together. For example, “intelligent” cities are being conceptualized with smart buildings, electric vehicles, and smart grids all sharing data for better energy management. Read more
Explore Our Impact: Videos
Take a deeper dive into the BSR Report 2010 and core areas of our work in video clips that provide personal perspective from BSR staff members. Read more
Shell Calls for Price on Carbon Emissions to Encourage Alternative Energy Options
Linda Hwang, Manager, Research
During Shell’s recent public "webchat" on the company’s energy scenarios, several company representatives discussed developments in the world’s energy systems. The panel addressed questions ranging from the price of carbon to energy security and climate science. Read more
Managing Energy by Working Directly With Suppliers
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
With increasing pressure from investors and growing energy constraints, it’s no longer a question for company leaders about whether to address climate change impacts. It’s a priority. One of the surest bets for company managers to do so is to identify opportunities to reduce energy waste, whether through an organized sustainability program or as part of quality management and lean efforts. Read more
Energy Buzz at Fortune’s Brainstorm Green
Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services
Last week, sustainability thought leaders and business executives gathered at Fortune's Brainstorm Green in Laguna Niguel, California, to focus on emerging environmental trends and innovative ways to advance sustainability. Read more
Maximizing Benefits From Supply Chain Sustainability
Charlotte Bancilhon, Associate, Advisory Services
BSR's new issue brief presents the business case for improving social and environmental performance throughout companies’ supply chains. Through practical case studies, this brief illustrates that by helping suppliers improve their sustainability performance and by investing in opportunities such as energy management or workplace improvements, companies can achieve real benefits such as enhanced supply chain security and reduced costs. Read more
Building Effective Local Content Strategies
Jessica Davis Pluess, Manager, Advisory Services
BSR's new report highlights some of the challenges and opportunities extractives companies face in building local content programs that drive commercial value and deliver sustainable local development benefits in countries where they operate. Read more
Conducting Site-Level Human Rights Impact Assessments
Alejandra Martin, Manager, Advisory Services
Although more than 270 companies have human rights policy statements in place, few have implemented the policies, and even fewer have conducted human rights impact assessments at the site level. These assessments are particularly relevant for companies operating in remote areas where local governments and civil society have limited experience interacting with the private sector. Read more
Operating Locally: BSR’s Three-Step Approach to Delivering Lasting Value
Michael Oxman, Director, Advisory Services
Leading energy and extractive companies continue to develop new approaches to ensuring benefits to local communities and other key stakeholders from large capital projects and ongoing operations. These benefits include economic opportunities such as employment and the procurement of goods and services from local suppliers as well as benefits from social investments in education, health, and other community areas of need. Read more
Closer Look: Understanding Land Deals in Africa
The International Institute for Environment and Development's new guide to understanding land deals in Africa explores the significant impacts land contracts have on agriculture and food security in recipient countries. Land contracts define the terms of an investment project, and particularly how risks, costs, and benefits are distributed and who has the authority to sign the contract and through what process. Read more
Women and Sustainability: Integrating Women Into Your Business and Sustainability Strategies
Racheal Yeager, Manager, HERproject
Growth in women’s income, education levels, and labor participation rates makes them essential participants in the global economy, and engagement with women and girls increasingly critical to sustainable growth for every industry. Women contribute to the private sector’s social license to operate; market, crop, and supply chain stability; a talented and stable employee base; and market growth and innovation. Additionally, investments in women have a multiplier effect, as women are more likely to reinvest in education, health, and economic activities at the community level. Read more
Will Old Europe Become the New World of Sustainability in 2011?
Peder Michael Pruzan-Jorgensen, Managing Director, Europe, Middle East, and Africa
European companies, government officials, and civil society representatives have tended to scoff at their American cousins’ approach to sustainability, and also at the perceived fundamental disregard for the environment and human rights in BRIC countries. But as we make our way into 2011, I sense a shift in Europe toward a more somber mood, similar to the sobriety that comes to a soccer team the day after an unexpected defeat by a mignon competitor: heads down, feet dragging, and a realization that something different has to be done. Read more
State of Green Business 2011
GreenBiz's fourth annual "State of Green Business" report presents the top 10 trends and 20 indices for measuring how well companies are improving their environmental performance. According to the report, green business did not die during the recession; rather, companies are diving deeper and investing in longer-term sustainability initiatives. Read more
UN Climate Chief Calls on Business to Lead a Global Solution
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
Last week, the UN finished its 16th annual climate negotiations in Cancun, Mexico. As observers grew frustrated by the continually slow progress, negotiators started paying greater attention to business’ role in taking the lead. Read more
Biodiversity Conservation and Human Development
Linda Hwang, Manager, Research
The private sector is recognized as an essential actor in supporting development and poverty reduction, and companies themselves are increasingly recognizing the business opportunities associated with engaging in development challenges. However, the complex interrelationship between poverty and biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) requires that companies take an integrated perspective to these issues in order to make a positive contribution to the sustainable development of host communities. Yet, today many companies have programs that support biodiversity conservation and separate programs that support local economic development, and in some cases these programs are in conflict. To make positive contributions to sustainable development, companies need to integrate the objectives of these programs and unlock the synergies among business, conservation, and poverty reduction. Read more
Global Government Affairs: The Importance of Strengthening Civil Society
Faris Natour, Director, Human Rights
At BSR’s roundtable discussion in Washington, D.C. last week, government affairs and CSR executives from business, along with representatives from civil society and government, discussed the convergence of the CSR and global government affairs agendas, the need for sustainability to be part of the DNA of a company, and the challenges of operating in countries where rule of law is compromised. Read more
Measuring Environmental Performance: The Business Case for New Tools
Linda Hwang, Manager, Research; Sissel Waage, Senior Advisor
For years, environment and natural resource managers have been tracking individual parameters linked to air pollution, water, and energy consumption. Specific indicators are identified, measured, and trends tracked. Private, public, and nonprofit organizations have been diligently measuring water used, greenhouse gases emitted, waste averted or recycled, and many other individual metrics. Yet, academic, nonprofit, and public sectors are now placing greater attention on ecological systems. A set of tools to help companies take a systems approach is evolving, but to achieve significant uptake, the business case for these tools needs to be clearly demonstrated. BSR’s Environmental Services, Tools & Markets (ESTM) Working Group is working with member companies to define and articulate this case. Read more
Getting Started on Supply Chain Energy Efficiency in China
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
Late in 2008, following Walmart Vice Chairman (now CEO) Mike Duke’s announcement that the company would improve the energy efficiency of its top 200 China-based suppliers by 20 percent by 2012, Walmart enlisted BSR to help launch its first supply chain energy-efficiency effort in China. Read more
Building Effective Local Content Programs in the Extractives Industry
At a recent event in Paris, BSR brought global oil and gas companies and industry service providers together to share emerging best practices in the management of "local content"—the procurement of materials, goods, and services made in-country rather than imported. Local content is one of the most important contributions the extractives industry can make to economic development and to maintaining a secure social operating license. Read more
Considering the Big Picture
By Linda Hwang, Manager, Research & Innovation, BSR; Kit Armstrong, Senior Advisor, BSR; and Sissel Waage, Senior Advisor, BSR
In its 2008 corporate responsibility report, the Walt Disney Company made a pioneering commitment that the company will have a “net positive impact on ecosystems.” As part of this strategy, Disney will develop habitat and restoration solutions based on ecosystem impacts identified during the design-review process of new projects. In a similar fashion, some government agencies have begun to place more emphasis on ecosystems as a whole, as opposed to single environmental issues such as greenhouse gas emissions: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for example, has oriented its research agenda around ecosystem services, and the European Environment Agency began investing heavily in ecosystem services research and tools to aid its decision-making for management of environmental issues. Read more
Guest Perspective: GreenBiz on Ten Trends Shaping the State of Green Business
By Joel Makower, Executive Editor, GreenBiz.com
“We’re still here.” Read more
Climate Corps Fellows Design Customized Energy-Efficiency Plans
Environmental Defense Fund's Climate Corps program provides U.S. companies with fellows—students from prominent business schools who have received training in energy-efficiency technologies, energy pricing, and financial models—for 10 to 12 weeks between May and September to help companies save money by developing and implementing individualized energy-efficiency plans. Fellows analyze energy use and map out investments in areas such as lighting, computer equipment, and ventilation systems. Last year, 26 fellows—who worked with companies including HP and Sodexo—revealed energy efficiencies that could help companies save a total of more than US$54 million. These projects would reduce energy use by 160 million kilowatt hours and avoid more than 100,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year. Read more
Energy Efficiency in China Requires Going Back to the Basics
By Daniel Gross
After Copenhagen, attention will switch from government commitments to on-the-ground changes needed now to lower emissions, especially in developing countries. Read more
Not Just for Heavy Emitters: Why Climate Change Matters to Every Company
Marshall Chase, Manager, Advisory Services
Recently, BSR has fielded inquiries from a range of member companies asking how climate change is relevant to their business. The timing of these questions is obvious: With prospective climate change legislation and policy discussions in the United States and elsewhere, intensive international negotiations culminating later this year, and ongoing stakeholder interest, companies are scrambling to develop or boost their climate change strategies, assess their internal and supply chain emissions, and examine the potential risks and opportunities throughout their operations, value chain, and industry. Read more
Hero for Troubled Waters: A Q&A with Sylvia Earle
Interview with Sylvia Earle by Eva Dienel, Communications Manager, BSR
The ringtone for renowned ocean explorer Sylvia Earle’s royal blue mobile phone is the hollow ping of a sonar device, a constant but unnecessary reminder to its owner that the world is mostly ocean, what Earle calls our planet’s “life-support system.” Earle, a 2009 TED Prize winner who will be speaking at the BSR Conference 2009, recently sat down to talk with us about her new book, The World Is Blue (released today by National Geographic Books), and why business should put nature—and especially the world’s water resources—on the balance sheet. Read more
U.S.-China Climate Commitment at WEF Opens Door to Business Opportunities
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
Last week at the World Economic Forum in China, the United States and China announced a commitment to a cooperative clean energy plan that includes a trillion dollar market for low-carbon technology, special economic zones, and research and development to scale up renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, and smart-grid markets. Read more
Responsible Engagement on Water Policy
By Gavin Power, Deputy Director, UN Global Compact
As the CEO Water Mandate prepares for its fourth working conference as part of World Water Week in Stockholm this week, we believe it is important to reflect on the broader context in which water resides—specifically, its role as a global security issue, and its relation to other critical environmental and social issues. Read more
Events
Engaging with local communities through Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)
This workshop is part of the BSR series Global Frameworks and Company Responses: Building Shared Value in a Complex World.
The UN’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognized the need for free, prior and informed consent by Indigenous Peoples in the event of any potential relocation and/or restitution. For example, with over 60% of the gold extracted today found on Indigenous territories, some Indigenous rights organizations have attempted to clarify and operationalize the concept, and fewer companies have attempted to develop a policy around it. Yet, several countries with substantial Indigenous populations have enacted laws requiring FPIC for extractive projects and most recently, the IFC has incorporated it to its revised standards.
Learn moreBuilding Effective Local Content Strategies
This workshop is part of the BSR series Global Frameworks and Company Responses: Building Shared Value in a Complex World.
Delivering local benefits in the communities where energy companies operate is no longer a choice. It is a commercial necessity—and one that is increasingly mandated by law. After nearly two decades working with companies multiple industries and regions, BSR has learned that the key to success is to deliver both development value for the community and commercial value for the company.
Learn moreBSR Conference 2011: Leadership Required
Leadership in business is changing fast. In today’s global, integrated, and transparent world, business is expected to do more than deliver shareholder returns. At its best, business is a creative force and an integral player in delivering prosperity for 9 billion people, applying game-changing technologies for social benefit, and radically reducing our use of natural resources. Learn more
Human Rights and Transnational Enterprises
Practical applications of the UN’s Guiding Principles on Human Rights for companies in the Extractives, Infrastructure and Primary Materials Sectors. This workshop is part of the BSR series Global Frameworks and Company Responses: Building Shared Value in a Complex World. Learn more
ESG Investment and Implications for the Energy and Extractives Sector
Following our Sustainability Matters webinar on integrating ESG issues into investor relations, BSR will host a webinar for energy and extractives members to discuss the implications of these trends on the sector. Given increasing attention from both mainstream and socially responsible investors, there is a critical need to understand investor expectations as well as explore potential impacts on company management. Learn more
Reports
Wireless and the Environment: A Review of Opportunities and Challenges
The world is witnessing tremendous innovation in wireless technologies, leading to significant changes in how humans and machines interact with one another. These new wireless technologies and the changes they support are generating exciting opportunities to address environmental impacts in a range of fields, from agriculture to utilities. Read more
Adapting to Climate Change: A Guide for the Energy and Utility Industry
This primer on climate change adaptation in the energy and utility (E&U) industry summarizes how E&U companies are reporting on climate change risks and opportunities. Key risks and opportunities include changing access to energy fuel supplies, greater demand for energy management solutions, water availability, policy and investor pressure, and workforce safety and security. The brief outlines current and emerging best practices and guidance for E&U companies on how to develop a proactive approach to climate change adaptation, and makes recommendations. Read more
Maximizing Benefits From a Sustainable Supply Chain
Leading companies are working to improve the social and environmental performance of their supply chains by building closer relations with suppliers, developing supplier capacity, and identifying and investing in opportunities for improvements along the supply chain. Read more
Conflict Minerals Reporting Regulations: Who is Covered?
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) draft conflict minerals reporting rules will have significant implications for a range of corporate sustainability issues. BSR has prepared this issue brief to help companies understand how they may be affected and whether they may have to respond. Read more
Case Studies Report
BSR Membership: A Global Network of Sustainability Leaders
BSR is proud to support and partner with our powerful network of member companies, who share with us a focus on building a just and sustainable world. We work every day to provide our member companies with value based on the insights, expertise, and relationships we’ve built through years of hands-on work in the field. Learn more
ExxonMobil: Early Planning for Sustainable Economic Development
For the Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas Project, we helped ExxonMobil create sustainable economic development programs focused on workforce and supplier development and strategic community investments. Learn more
Leading Business Action on Conflict Minerals
In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where armed conflict has claimed more than 5.4 million lives over the past 15 years, militant groups controlling most of the region’s mines use the trade in tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold as important sources of funding. At the same time, this trade—which feeds into complex supply chains for products ranging from cell phones and cutting tools to jet engines and jewelry—is an important source of income for a million people in the region. Learn more
Walmart: Improving Supplier Energy Efficiency
In 2008, Walmart committed to improving the energy efficiency of its top 200 suppliers’ factories in China by 20 percent by 2012. With the aim not only to benefit the environment but also to help suppliers become more competitive, Walmart sought to replicate the success it has had in Europe and the United States in increasing supply chain efficiency. In China, however, the company found that its suppliers often prioritize overall growth over increased energy efficiency. As a result, operations managers commonly lack the necessary incentives and know-how to achieve efficiency improvements. An additional challenge in China is the lack of a developed professional energy-efficiency industry to provide equipment and data-measurement tools that make this process easier in other regions. To help overcome these barriers, Walmart enlisted BSR’s help. Learn more
Building the South China Energy Conservation Community
Today, China is one of the world’s largest carbon emitters and consumers of energy, with the average Chinese factory using about 11 times as much energy as its equivalent in Japan. In 2005, the Chinese government began an aggressive five-year plan to improve the energy efficiency of the country’s top 1,000 energy-consuming enterprises. These companies, which together account for one-third of China’s energy use, each emit more than 450,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. The companies include China’s largest power plants, steel mills, petrochemical companies, and paper mills, among others. Learn more
Shell Wind: Community Engagement in a New Era of Energy
Shell Wind Energy is involved in 11 wind-generating facilities across the United States and Europe, with 550 megawatts of owned generating capacity—saving around 1 million tons of carbon dioxide per year compared to conventional energy sources. Shell recognizes that wind projects can have a range of impacts that require community engagement, and that community engagement is central to positive outcomes. For example, while wind developments in rural areas can support the regional economy, important public services also need to be readied for managing revenues, safety, and communications regarding planned construction and operating activities. Shell asked BSR to support community engagement with wind projects in several locations, including New Mexico and Texas. Learn more
Sustainability Matters
Preparing for the 2011 Proxy Voting Season
Proxy voting is an important tool that many investors use to show their support for ESG issues, with a goal of garnering attention for areas they view as critical to a company's business.
Learn moreBSR Review
Sustainability in the Chinese Context
With China's incredible growth, it will soon become the world's second-largest economy. However, the country strives for more than just economic prosperity—sustainable development is a top priority for the country, as evidenced by the latest 12th Five-Year Development Plan. View email publication
Other Publications & Events Tagged, Energy
- Blog [ 8 ]
- BSR Conference Session Summaries [ 0 ]
- BSR Insight Articles [ 46 ]
- BSR Review [ 1 ]
- Case Studies [ 3 ]
- Events [ 6 ]
- Research Reports [ 4 ]
- Sustainable Investment in China Article [ 0 ]
- Sustainability Matters [ 1 ]
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