All Articles About Climate Change

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 →

Posted: March 15, 2012 | Topics: Climate Change, Economic Development, Energy, Environment

BSR Insight Article: 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. Pike’s annual Energy and Environment Consumer Survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults found that the average percentage of consumers with an “extremely” or “very” favorable view of 13 clean energy concepts declined from 50 percent in 2009 to 43 percent in 2011. Among the 13 concepts surveyed, biofuels suffered the largest decline in favorability, dropping 17 percentage points to 39 percent in 2011 from 56 percent in 2009. Carbon offsets and nuclear power garnered the highest percentage of unfavorable reactions, scoring 25 and 23 percent, respectively. Other concepts on the interview list included solar energy, wind energy, clean coal, hybrid vehicles, natural gas cars, electric cars, smart grid, smart meters, cap and trade, and LEED certification. Read more →

Posted: March 13, 2012 | Topics: Climate Change, Energy

Blog: A Sustainability Compass for Ocean Issues

Laura Ediger, Associate Director, Advisory Services

Last week at the Economist World Oceans Summit in Singapore, it was widely noted that oceans don’t get much attention, perhaps in part because we humans are (now) a highly terrestrial species. But the topics were clearly relevant to the humans in attendance, who ranged from representatives of conservation NGOs, to leaders of small island states, to people from companies like Google, Tiffany & Co, Shangri-La Hotels, and Electrolux, and ocean-oriented businesses such as Maersk Line, APL, Norpac, and China Fishery Group. Read more →

Posted: February 28, 2012 | Topics: Climate Change, Ecosystem Services, Environment, Water

BSR Insight Article: Sustainability Leadership in Manufacturing

Raj Sapru, Former 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 →

Posted: February 28, 2012 | Topics: Climate Change, Energy, Stakeholder Relations, Strategy & Integration, Transportation

BSR Insight Article: Business: Blue and Green

By Michael Sutton, Vice President, Center for the Future of the Oceans, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Tomorrow, the Economist’s World Ocean Summit in Singapore will highlight for an audience of global business leaders the latest concerns about threats to our oceans, and how business activities are impacting this ecosystem. While all of us can play a role in caring for our ocean resources, perhaps the only force powerful enough to reverse the decline of our global environment is commerce itself. Read more →

Posted: February 21, 2012 | Topics: Climate Change, Ecosystem Services, Environment, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Travel & Tourism, Water