A number of articles regarding CSR and the environment were collected. The article “Consumers demand greener products and companies are responding” by KC Jones courtesy of Electronics Supply & Manufacturing wrote that eighty percent of consumers believe it is important to buy from green companies, and most responded that they would spend more on green products. The demographics of people who are most environmentally aware are different in the United States and the United Kingdom. American consumers most inclined to buy green products are younger, female, and earn around $50,000 annually. In the United Kingdom, the most environmentally friendly consumers are generally older, male, and highly educated. A similar study conducted in 2006 found that most U.S. consumers were unfamiliar with the concept of green brands and products, as well as how their behaviors impacted the environment. Russ Meyer, chief strategy officer of Landor Associates, said that consumers are changing behaviors to limit negative impacts on the environment. Even people who do not consider themselves "green" tend to equate "green" products with higher quality, according to the report. Whether it's a matter of survival or ideology among corporate leaders, several technology companies are responding to increasing consumer and shareholder demands for greener products and practices. Some have launched green marketing campaigns, several have touted energy-efficient servers, and many promote take-back programs for recycling and reuse. IBM and Apple Computers have started to modify their manufacturing process to be more environmentally friendly. Also, Lenovo tops the list for environmental performance among technology companies. Rankings are based on measurements of toxic wastes produced and recycling programs. Nokia, Dell, and Sony aren't far behind. Apple ranked at the bottom of the barrel before drawing praise for Jobs' declaration of greater commitment.
“For Future Generations” an article from The Sun dated May 7,2007 was on YTL Corp’s award for "Best Social Reporting in an Annual Report" at the ACCA Malaysia Environmental and Social Reporting Awards 2006. When asked about how YTL introduced CSR to the organization and winning buy-in from all staff , YTL said that its Climate Change activities organized recently has raised awareness among its staff. To achieve that, YTL also consistently improved all operations for example, carbon emission reductions in our water and power businesses. In addition, staffs at all levels are involved in reporting and updating. YTL also believes that doing business and CSR is a mutually exclusive concept where the group has always strived to operate in a sustainable manner and is constantly searching for innovative ways to encourage energy saving and to minimize the risk and glaringly visible effects of climate change.
In Panasonic’s 2005 sustainability report, Panasonic says that the company regards its approach to environmental consciousness throughout its business activities as one of its most important management challenges.In fiscal 2002, Matsushita devised an Environmental Vision and an action plan, the Green Plan 2010, which specify the goals of its environmental initiatives on a global consolidated basis. Each business division is making steady efforts to achieve the group-wide goals. In fiscal 1999, Panasonic completed the establishment of environmental management systems at each of our manufacturing sites around the world, and we are currently introducing these systems at non-manufacturing sites. As of April 2005, 265 sites have acquired ISO14001 certification worldwide. To properly respond to changes in the business climate and in global environmental legislation, we established the Domain Environment Conferences tailored to business domains and the Regional Environment Conferences for each region; both of these conferences perform their work in coordination with the Corporate Environment Conference. This framework is designed to ensure that environmental sustainability management is based on the actual situations at operational fronts. In addition, we discuss relevant issues and formulate strategies at our group-wide management conferences, and implement measures based on swift decision-making, aiming to incorporate environmental sustainability management more fully into business activities.
In Annie Oon’s article “Green Energy Revolution: Energy Saving Devices” she writes that the world today is experiencing energy revolution. Environmental issues are catching up and with the increased emphasis placed on preserving the environment we all need to play our roles in saving energy. By saving energy, we can definitely take a positive step in fighting the climate change and in preserving non-renewable sources of energy. Let us look at some devices and measures that can help us conserve energy and replace non renewable sources with renewable sources of energy. Many companies are now providing customer-focused energy equipments like Energy savers, Utility Instruments, Level Controllers, Control Panels and Process Control Equipments etc. Various products are being sold in stores and that help in energy revolution and conservation. The benefits that can be achieved includes 75%-80% less use of electricity, reduced dependence on coal and petrol, reduction of gas and electricity bills and reduced emissions of green house gasses.
In Ed Charles’s article “Hot Air: Carbon Trading aims to control global warming by providing economic incentives. But does it work?” in CPA Australia’s magazine for winter 2007 writes that this concept in its purest form is that through regulation, companies are set targets for reductions in output of greenhouse gasses. If a company is under its target then it can sell part of its allocation to another company. The idea is that companies bettering its targets are rewarded while those failing to meet emission targets are fined. Ed Charles also writes that in April the UN announced that it will run a carbon trading scheme called the International Transaction Log that allows industrialized countries that have signed the Kyoto Protocol to trade allowances. One of the set backs of carbon trading schemes are that they are suffering from a credibility problem as there is little to regulate or audit their actual effectiveness. Critics say that carbon trading is simply an easy way for governments to meet targets and are attractive to financial promoters keen to create new trading markets.
In September 2007 last year, Nike unveiled first of its kind performance shoes designed for Native Americans. The shoe is a result of 2 years collaboration between Nike and the Native American community. This is another milestone in Nike's long-standing commitment to Native American communities. Profits from the sale of the Nike Air Native N7 will to support "Let Me Play" programs on Native American lands that leverage sport to promote an active and healthy lifestyle. The Nike Air Native N7 shoe also embraces Nike's considered design ethos, where details in the development and design of the shoe are geared to deliver sustainable innovation and reduce waste, without compromising product performance. The Considered design ethos also honors the traditional Native American Seventh Generation philosophy, an approach that respects the impact of decisions made today on seven generations. The shoe's design draws inspiration directly from Native American culture. The Nike Air Native N7 shoe also embraces Nike's Considered design ethos, where details in the development and design of the shoe are geared to deliver sustainable innovation and reduce waste, without compromising product performance. The Considered design ethos also honors the traditional Native American Seventh Generation philosophy, an approach that respects the impact of decisions made today on seven generations. The Nike Air Native N7 shoe and "Let Me Play" programs deepen Nike's long-term commitments to challenge and address some of the specific health and wellness issues that exist within Native American communities. A strong emphasis was placed on providing a performance product that would cater to the specific needs of Native American foot shapes and help provide motivation to Native Americans predisposed to, or suffering from, health issues that can be improved by leading physically active lifestyles. Creating a shoe designed in this way is another step in helping to promote and sustain physical activity and address health issues prevalent within the Native American community.
In Timberland’s CSR press release on September 2006, the articles discusses about Timberland’s setting of new standards for product transparency and their increased efforts to minimize environmental impacts. The company introduced new, environmentally-friendlier packaging for its footwear products and a product information label that details aspects of the company's environmental and community footprint. The new packaging and labeling was made available in stores in fall 2006 footwear.The packaging and labeling initiative further reinforces Timberland's environmental leadership among retail companies. The label informs consumers about aspects ofTimberland's environmental and community impact. Footwear boxes made of 100 percent recycled post-consumer waste fibers that use no chemical glues and only soy-based inks for the printing of labels. It also contains messages to consumer like “What kind of footprint will you leave?” .The next evolution in Timberland's labeling will be a "Green Index" hangtag, appearing on five Outdoor Performance products in February 2007. The "Green Index" will indicate to consumers an overall rating of the product based on the average of three specific categories which are climate ratings based on greenhouse gas emissions, chemical ratings based on chemicals and solvents used in production, and material ratings based on use of organic, renewable and recycled products. Each of these categories will be given a rating between zero and 10, with zero being best.
The article “Motorola Mobilizes 11,000 Employees to Volunteer in Their Communities on Global Day of Service” dated October 9th 2007 discusses about more than 11,000 Motorola employees in 47 countries joined forces to improve their local communities on the company’s second annual Global Day of Service. These employees took a half day off work to volunteer at more than 300 projects that address a variety of community concerns, including education, environmental sustainability and social services. Projects ranged from visiting a school for migrant workers' children in Chengdu, China, to manning a food bank in Fort Worth, Texas, United States, and landscaping at an orphanage in Krakow, Poland, to painting a school for the disabled in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At schools around the world, Motorola employees delivered an "introduction to engineering" course created by the company’s Women's Business Council with the aim of inspiring young people to pursue careers in science and technology. This clearly shows that Motorola cares about the communities it serves, and is using both their minds and muscles to show it. Thousands of employees also participated in in-office projects such as a global giving drive to benefit the United Nation Children's Fund's (UNICEF) School-in-a-Box program, which is used around the world to get children back to school in the first 72 hours of an emergency. Each kit contains supplies for a teacher and up to 80 students. Motorola’s efforts are certainly very socially responsible.
An article from Dell’s CSR news entitled “Dell Ahead of Schedule to Achieve Multi-Year Product Recycling Goal” discusses about Dell’s announcement about its ahead of schedule to achieve a multi-year goal of recovering 125 million kilograms (about 275 million pounds) of computer equipment by 2009. The company also renewed its worldwide challenge to computer manufacturers to offer free recycling to consumers. "Protecting the environment is too important an issue for one company to be leading alone," said Dell Chairman and CEO Michael Dell. Dell says that customers should not be forced into improper disposal due to a lack of environmentally responsible options. Therefore, to that end, Dell is renewing its challenge to every computer manufacturer, regardless of size or location, to join them in offering a free, global consumer recycling program. Among the key initiatives taken by Dell are free consumer recycling, reconnect program where Dell partners with Goodwill Industries to help consumers donate unwanted electronics of any brand for intake at Goodwill sites, asset recovery services and product donations where through a partnership with the National Cristina Foundation (NCF), Dell enables customers to donate any working computer system to non-profit organizations in their areas. NCF matches consumer donations to local not-for-profit organizations, public agencies and schools.
In another article of General Mills’ CSR press release dated May 2005, the article entitled “General Mills Champions(R) Grants Program” discusses about The General Mills Foundation and the American Dietetic Association Foundation, in partnership with the President's Challenge, have awarded 50 community groups and schools across the country with $10,000 grants that support innovative programs to help children develop lifelong nutrition and physical fitness habits. The program takes a grassroots approach that calls on community groups and schools to champion the future health of our young people by focusing on nutrition and fitness programs that can have a life-long impact. All 50 programs for the community groups have a fitness and nutrition component, and operate with the guidance of a dietetic professional. Since 2002, the General Mills Champions® Grants Program has invested more than six-million dollars in youth nutrition and fitness programs that have served more than 100,000 children across the country. This shows General Mills’ effort towards being socially responsible.
“For Future Generations” an article from The Sun dated May 7,2007 was on YTL Corp’s award for "Best Social Reporting in an Annual Report" at the ACCA Malaysia Environmental and Social Reporting Awards 2006. When asked about how YTL introduced CSR to the organization and winning buy-in from all staff , YTL said that its Climate Change activities organized recently has raised awareness among its staff. To achieve that, YTL also consistently improved all operations for example, carbon emission reductions in our water and power businesses. In addition, staffs at all levels are involved in reporting and updating. YTL also believes that doing business and CSR is a mutually exclusive concept where the group has always strived to operate in a sustainable manner and is constantly searching for innovative ways to encourage energy saving and to minimize the risk and glaringly visible effects of climate change.
In Panasonic’s 2005 sustainability report, Panasonic says that the company regards its approach to environmental consciousness throughout its business activities as one of its most important management challenges.In fiscal 2002, Matsushita devised an Environmental Vision and an action plan, the Green Plan 2010, which specify the goals of its environmental initiatives on a global consolidated basis. Each business division is making steady efforts to achieve the group-wide goals. In fiscal 1999, Panasonic completed the establishment of environmental management systems at each of our manufacturing sites around the world, and we are currently introducing these systems at non-manufacturing sites. As of April 2005, 265 sites have acquired ISO14001 certification worldwide. To properly respond to changes in the business climate and in global environmental legislation, we established the Domain Environment Conferences tailored to business domains and the Regional Environment Conferences for each region; both of these conferences perform their work in coordination with the Corporate Environment Conference. This framework is designed to ensure that environmental sustainability management is based on the actual situations at operational fronts. In addition, we discuss relevant issues and formulate strategies at our group-wide management conferences, and implement measures based on swift decision-making, aiming to incorporate environmental sustainability management more fully into business activities.
In Annie Oon’s article “Green Energy Revolution: Energy Saving Devices” she writes that the world today is experiencing energy revolution. Environmental issues are catching up and with the increased emphasis placed on preserving the environment we all need to play our roles in saving energy. By saving energy, we can definitely take a positive step in fighting the climate change and in preserving non-renewable sources of energy. Let us look at some devices and measures that can help us conserve energy and replace non renewable sources with renewable sources of energy. Many companies are now providing customer-focused energy equipments like Energy savers, Utility Instruments, Level Controllers, Control Panels and Process Control Equipments etc. Various products are being sold in stores and that help in energy revolution and conservation. The benefits that can be achieved includes 75%-80% less use of electricity, reduced dependence on coal and petrol, reduction of gas and electricity bills and reduced emissions of green house gasses.
In Ed Charles’s article “Hot Air: Carbon Trading aims to control global warming by providing economic incentives. But does it work?” in CPA Australia’s magazine for winter 2007 writes that this concept in its purest form is that through regulation, companies are set targets for reductions in output of greenhouse gasses. If a company is under its target then it can sell part of its allocation to another company. The idea is that companies bettering its targets are rewarded while those failing to meet emission targets are fined. Ed Charles also writes that in April the UN announced that it will run a carbon trading scheme called the International Transaction Log that allows industrialized countries that have signed the Kyoto Protocol to trade allowances. One of the set backs of carbon trading schemes are that they are suffering from a credibility problem as there is little to regulate or audit their actual effectiveness. Critics say that carbon trading is simply an easy way for governments to meet targets and are attractive to financial promoters keen to create new trading markets.
In September 2007 last year, Nike unveiled first of its kind performance shoes designed for Native Americans. The shoe is a result of 2 years collaboration between Nike and the Native American community. This is another milestone in Nike's long-standing commitment to Native American communities. Profits from the sale of the Nike Air Native N7 will to support "Let Me Play" programs on Native American lands that leverage sport to promote an active and healthy lifestyle. The Nike Air Native N7 shoe also embraces Nike's considered design ethos, where details in the development and design of the shoe are geared to deliver sustainable innovation and reduce waste, without compromising product performance. The Considered design ethos also honors the traditional Native American Seventh Generation philosophy, an approach that respects the impact of decisions made today on seven generations. The shoe's design draws inspiration directly from Native American culture. The Nike Air Native N7 shoe also embraces Nike's Considered design ethos, where details in the development and design of the shoe are geared to deliver sustainable innovation and reduce waste, without compromising product performance. The Considered design ethos also honors the traditional Native American Seventh Generation philosophy, an approach that respects the impact of decisions made today on seven generations. The Nike Air Native N7 shoe and "Let Me Play" programs deepen Nike's long-term commitments to challenge and address some of the specific health and wellness issues that exist within Native American communities. A strong emphasis was placed on providing a performance product that would cater to the specific needs of Native American foot shapes and help provide motivation to Native Americans predisposed to, or suffering from, health issues that can be improved by leading physically active lifestyles. Creating a shoe designed in this way is another step in helping to promote and sustain physical activity and address health issues prevalent within the Native American community.
In Timberland’s CSR press release on September 2006, the articles discusses about Timberland’s setting of new standards for product transparency and their increased efforts to minimize environmental impacts. The company introduced new, environmentally-friendlier packaging for its footwear products and a product information label that details aspects of the company's environmental and community footprint. The new packaging and labeling was made available in stores in fall 2006 footwear.The packaging and labeling initiative further reinforces Timberland's environmental leadership among retail companies. The label informs consumers about aspects ofTimberland's environmental and community impact. Footwear boxes made of 100 percent recycled post-consumer waste fibers that use no chemical glues and only soy-based inks for the printing of labels. It also contains messages to consumer like “What kind of footprint will you leave?” .The next evolution in Timberland's labeling will be a "Green Index" hangtag, appearing on five Outdoor Performance products in February 2007. The "Green Index" will indicate to consumers an overall rating of the product based on the average of three specific categories which are climate ratings based on greenhouse gas emissions, chemical ratings based on chemicals and solvents used in production, and material ratings based on use of organic, renewable and recycled products. Each of these categories will be given a rating between zero and 10, with zero being best.
The article “Motorola Mobilizes 11,000 Employees to Volunteer in Their Communities on Global Day of Service” dated October 9th 2007 discusses about more than 11,000 Motorola employees in 47 countries joined forces to improve their local communities on the company’s second annual Global Day of Service. These employees took a half day off work to volunteer at more than 300 projects that address a variety of community concerns, including education, environmental sustainability and social services. Projects ranged from visiting a school for migrant workers' children in Chengdu, China, to manning a food bank in Fort Worth, Texas, United States, and landscaping at an orphanage in Krakow, Poland, to painting a school for the disabled in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At schools around the world, Motorola employees delivered an "introduction to engineering" course created by the company’s Women's Business Council with the aim of inspiring young people to pursue careers in science and technology. This clearly shows that Motorola cares about the communities it serves, and is using both their minds and muscles to show it. Thousands of employees also participated in in-office projects such as a global giving drive to benefit the United Nation Children's Fund's (UNICEF) School-in-a-Box program, which is used around the world to get children back to school in the first 72 hours of an emergency. Each kit contains supplies for a teacher and up to 80 students. Motorola’s efforts are certainly very socially responsible.
An article from Dell’s CSR news entitled “Dell Ahead of Schedule to Achieve Multi-Year Product Recycling Goal” discusses about Dell’s announcement about its ahead of schedule to achieve a multi-year goal of recovering 125 million kilograms (about 275 million pounds) of computer equipment by 2009. The company also renewed its worldwide challenge to computer manufacturers to offer free recycling to consumers. "Protecting the environment is too important an issue for one company to be leading alone," said Dell Chairman and CEO Michael Dell. Dell says that customers should not be forced into improper disposal due to a lack of environmentally responsible options. Therefore, to that end, Dell is renewing its challenge to every computer manufacturer, regardless of size or location, to join them in offering a free, global consumer recycling program. Among the key initiatives taken by Dell are free consumer recycling, reconnect program where Dell partners with Goodwill Industries to help consumers donate unwanted electronics of any brand for intake at Goodwill sites, asset recovery services and product donations where through a partnership with the National Cristina Foundation (NCF), Dell enables customers to donate any working computer system to non-profit organizations in their areas. NCF matches consumer donations to local not-for-profit organizations, public agencies and schools.
In another article of General Mills’ CSR press release dated May 2005, the article entitled “General Mills Champions(R) Grants Program” discusses about The General Mills Foundation and the American Dietetic Association Foundation, in partnership with the President's Challenge, have awarded 50 community groups and schools across the country with $10,000 grants that support innovative programs to help children develop lifelong nutrition and physical fitness habits. The program takes a grassroots approach that calls on community groups and schools to champion the future health of our young people by focusing on nutrition and fitness programs that can have a life-long impact. All 50 programs for the community groups have a fitness and nutrition component, and operate with the guidance of a dietetic professional. Since 2002, the General Mills Champions® Grants Program has invested more than six-million dollars in youth nutrition and fitness programs that have served more than 100,000 children across the country. This shows General Mills’ effort towards being socially responsible.
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