Business Respect - CSR Dispatches No#157 - 21 Jul 2009
An email newsletter with news and discussion focusing on corporate social responsibility globally, looking at the companies in the news and the emerging issues. Linked to the website at http://www.businessrespect.net and produced every two weeks.
This web page provides news stories and articles from the newsletters. Newsletters also include links to features on the internet, Mallen's blog, and other resources.
In this issue, we consider Wal-Mart's Sustainability Index.
Welcome
We are now reaching the season where every edition of Business Respect is greeted by the thunderous response of hundreds, if not thousands, of 'I am on holiday' auto-response messages! If you're away somewhere on holiday and you're reading this on your blackberry, put it away now and go and find something more relaxing to do!
This message provided by the department of do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do!
In the mean time, Wal-Mart has caused a small stir with the launch of its sustainability index. It makes up the focus of this edition's lead article.
Have a fun fortnight.
News
Dole Food takes film makers to court for defamation
A film about a 2007 trial brought against Dole Food alleging harm to workers from pesticide use is 'blatantly false', according to the company. It is taking the film makers to court after they refused to amend or withdraw the film in light of more recent court findings that evidence in similar cases had been falsified.
Kenya: GlaxoSmithKline agrees HIV royalty-free licensing to get medicines to the poor
Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has said that it is to give South African firm Aspen the rights to manufacture HIV drug abacavir royalty-free as part of its drive to get medicines more accessible to the poor.
China: Sinopec chief convicted of bribery
A court in Beijing has found the former chairman on China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation, Sinopec, guilty of taking $28.7m in bribes. He was given a suspended death sentence which, in practice, is likely to mean a life term in prison.
Iran: Nokia Siemens Networks fights back against collusion claims
An ongoing controversy over the role of Nokia Siemens Networks in Iran threatens to cost parent company Siemens dearly, with recent suggestions that the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority might remove hundreds of millions of dollars of business from the company.
US: Exxon faces $1bn fine for 'malicious sabotage' of oil wells
Exxon Mobil could be liable for significant penalties, said the Texas General Land Office, if allegations of intentionally damaging oil wells are proven. The company has been accused of aiming to prevent other producers from using the wells.
Article
What Wal-Mart's Sustainability Index is ... and isn't
Author: Mallen Baker, dated 21 Jul 2009
Wal-Mart has released details of its Sustainability Index - its tool to engage its suppliers on key steps it is taking towards sustainability.
The Business Respect email newsletter has been produced since 2001 to give news and commentary on CSR worldwide
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Special Feature
Social responsibility and finance - on the precipice
In a recent article, the BBC's economics editor Robert Peston highlighted the fact that in 2012 the chances are that the economy - punch drunk as it is from the various flavours of debt crisis it has been pummelled with over the course of the year - will be hit by the collapse of a major bank and / or government.
Currently most popular articles
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Former Yukos executives to complain to human rights court (22 Mar 2006)
