All Articles About Energy

BSR Insight Article: Will Old Europe Become the New World of Sustainability in 2011?

Peder Michael Pruzan-Jorgensen, Vice President, 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 →

Posted: February 7, 2011 | Topics: Climate Change, Consumer Products, Energy, Environment, Financial Services, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Health Care, Human Rights, Information & Communications Technology, Media & Entertainment, Mining, Reporting & Communications, Strategy & Integration, Supply Chain, Transportation, Travel & Tourism

BSR Insight Article: 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 →

Posted: February 7, 2011 | Topics: Consumer Products, Energy, Environment, Financial Services, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Health Care, Information & Communications Technology, Media & Entertainment, Mining, Reporting & Communications, Toxicity & Product Design, Transportation, Travel & Tourism, Water

BSR Insight Article: 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 →

Posted: December 14, 2010 | Topics: Climate Change, Energy

BSR Insight Article: Biodiversity Conservation and Human Development

Linda Hwang, Former 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 →

Posted: December 14, 2010 | Topics: Community Engagement & Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Energy, Environment, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Mining, Travel & Tourism

BSR Insight Article: 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 →

Posted: November 23, 2010 | Topics: Economic Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Energy, Human Rights