All Articles About Information & Communications Technology

Blog: New Opportunities for ICT and Human Rights

Cody Sisco, Former Manager, Advisory Services

Last week, BSR hosted a meeting for information and communications technology (ICT) companies in our Paris office to discuss the current state of human rights in the industry. Companies from the telecommunications, software, semiconductor, and industrial equipment sectors, among others, attended. It was fascinating to hear diverse companies from across the whole ICT value chain come together to discuss similar issues that they are facing related to human rights. Read more →

Posted: February 16, 2010 | Topics: Human Rights, Information & Communications Technology

BSR Insight Article: 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 →

Posted: February 9, 2010 | Topics: Consumer Products, Energy, Environment, Governance & Accountability, Information & Communications Technology, Supply Chain, Toxicity & Product Design, Transportation

Report: Sustainable Business Models: Time for Innovation

Business leaders face not only the economic fallout of the financial crisis, they face the substantial challenge of transitioning to a low-carbon economy that is constrained by dwindling natural resources. These pressures also represent opportunities to innovate new business models—including ones that help consumers make sustainable choices. Read about four categories of innovation that, with more development and experimentation, will ensure business success in a reset world. Read more →

Posted: November 28, 2009 | Topics: Ecosystem Services, Environment, Financial Services, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Information & Communications Technology, Materiality, Media & Entertainment, Mining, Strategy & Integration, Supply Chain, Water | Download (PDF)

BSR Insight Article: Sustainable Business Models: Time for Innovation

Imagine that when you buy a pair of jeans you’re offered an agreement to sign before you pay: “I hereby promise to cold-wash, line-dry this clothing item, and own it for at least three years or ensure it is given away for someone else to enjoy.” When you sign, you are rewarded instantly with a coupon for cash back. The rebate is the estimated financial value of the carbon-dioxide emissions you save by avoiding hot-water washing, and by machine drying your jeans over the lifespan of the item. The clothing company is able to provide this discount by aggregating its consumers’ carbon credits and selling them on the open market. This model provides financial incentives for both the clothing company and the consumer to alter behavior. Read more →

Posted: November 3, 2009 | Topics: Consumer Products, Ecosystem Services, Environment, Financial Services, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Information & Communications Technology, Materiality, Media & Entertainment, Mining, Strategy & Integration, Water

BSR Insight Article: Not Just for Heavy Emitters: Why Climate Change Matters to Every Company

Marshall Chase, Associate Director, 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 →

Posted: October 6, 2009 | Topics: Climate Change, Consumer Products, Energy, Environment, Financial Services, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Information & Communications Technology, Media & Entertainment, Mining, Transportation