Countries which fail to compete responsibly could miss out on their share of a market worth US$750 billion by 2050, or more than 1% of current global GDP. Factors such as climate change, gender, human rights, and anti-corruption will play an important role in shaping this market and in redefining business strategy in the future. [...]

Depuis le retour relatif de la paix civile et les élections présidentielles en République Démocratique du Congo (RD Congo), les échanges commerciaux entre ce pays et le reste du Monde est devenu presque normal, puisque la Communauté in ternationale, et plus particulièrement les pays occidentaux, considèrent que la guerree est presque terminée et que qu’il [...]

Banks show the second best EthicalQuote reputation score from June 2006 to June 2007 compared to nine other industries, states a report released on 29 June 2007 by Geneva-based ethical reputation research firm Covalence, Covalence Banking Industry Report 2007. Over last year the Banking Industry has witnessed a favorable evolution in the areas of Eco-Innovativeness [...]

Within the industry (25 among the largest banks in market capitalization), HSBC is leading the way ahead of ABN AMRO and Bank of America, while US Bancorp and Banco Bilbao occupy the last positions. While global warming offers banks opportunities (carbon emissions reduction plans, investments in renewable energy), it also brings increased scrutiny on their [...]

HSBC, the world’s first major bank to become carbon neutral, has committed a further US$90 million over five years to reduce the bank’s impact on the environment through a series of initiatives, including the introduction of renewable energy technology, water and waste reduction programmes and employee engagement. (…) HSBC has a long-standing commitment to the [...]

Wal-Mart, the largest US retailer, has had to postpone the publication of an online report on its environmental and social sustainability efforts seen by its critics as a test of its commitment to greater corporate transparency on non-financial issues. When Wal-Mart ann­ounced a push to improve its sustainability record in October 2005, it said it [...]

Les principaux creuseurs de coltan se trouvent dans la partie du Sud Kivu à l’Est de la RD Congo. ; principalement à Mwenga, Shabunda et Walikale. Ces principaux creuseurs sont des anciens exploitants artisanaux de l’or. Ils sont essentiellement composés des habitants de cette Région, des groupes rebelles Interahamwe, des groupes Mayi-Mayi [...]

By Robert Stockdill, FOODweek group editor, in Shanghai.The world’s biggest retailers have agreed to adopt a common standard for ensuring suppliers follow fair trade practices. At the annual CIES World Food Business Summit in Shanghai, chairman Roger Corbett, ex Woolworths Australia CEO, said member retailers had unanimously agreed to the drafting of a Global Social [...]

It feels like Apple has been on the cover of every newspaper and magazine this month. People gush about how much they love their iPod and admire Steve Jobs and his company.  Yet very few people ever talk about the fact that Apple is one of the least philanthropic companies in America. To my knowledge, [...]

Espoo, Finland and London, UK – Nokia and Vodafone have launched a new website designed to help share ideas on how to use mobile communications for social and environmental benefits. The site, www.shareideas.org, was created in direct response to NGO calls for better tools and information to help them use mobile services more effectively in [...]