BSR Insight Articles About Energy

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 →

Posted: August 2, 2011 | Topics: Consumer Products, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Energy, Financial Services, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Health Care, Mining, Strategy & Integration, Supply Chain, Transportation, Travel & Tourism

Social Impact Assessments Help Companies Manage Risks and Opportunities

Alison Colwell, Associate Director, 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 →

Posted: June 28, 2011 | Topics: Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Energy, Human Rights, Mining, Supply Chain, Water

‘Smart’ Networks Pave the Way for Innovation and Efficiency

Linda Hwang, Former 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 →

Posted: June 28, 2011 | Topics: Energy, Environment, Strategy & Integration, Transportation

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 →

Posted: June 7, 2011 | Topics: Community Engagement & Development, Conflict Minerals, Economic Development, Ecosystem Services, Energy, Investor Perspective, Mining, Strategy & Integration, Supply Chain

Shell Calls for Price on Carbon Emissions to Encourage Alternative Energy Options

Linda Hwang, Former 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 →

Posted: May 17, 2011 | Topics: Energy