Indian Corporate Affairs Ministry unlikely to heed calls for mandatory CSR in Companies Bill
The Corporate Affairs Ministry in India is unlikely to yield to pressure from some political parties to make 2% CSR spending mandatory for corporations under the new Companies Bill, which is currently being scrutinised by a parliamentary committee. According to sources, some members of the parliamentary standing committee that scanned the Companies Bill, 2011, have been seeking mandatory CSR activities under the Bill. At present, the clause suggests that large companies would have to earmark 2% of their three-year average profit on CSR activities.
Use Rio+20 to overhaul idea of growth, urges EU climate chief
The world must use a landmark environmental summit this year to change forever the current damaging model of economic growth, Europe’s climate chief, Connie Hedegaard,
has warned, or face future crises as severe as the one currently enveloping the eurozone. Overconsumption of critical resources, and the rising prices of key commodities and natural materials as a result, risk derailing the world economy – but these problems will not be tackled unless today’s economic models are overhauled.
Kraft Foods cuts global manufacturing waste by half
Kraft Foods has undertaken a huge recycling programme across all of its global operations, reducing manufacturing waste by 50% since 2005 with 36 of its facilities now sending zero waste to landfill. The manufacturer’s approach is to “wage war on waste, one plant at a time” according to its vice president of global sustainability, Christine McGrath. Engaging staff is central to the company’s corporate sustainability strategy. Employees are encouraged to find new ways to improve efficiency by changing their behaviour, business practices and culture. As a result, around 90% of manufacturing waste is being recovered with many by-products being turned into sources of renewable energy.
Edie http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?src=dnl&id=21816
Partnerships
UNESCO and IEEE sign partnership to promote engineering education in Africa
UNESCO and the world’s largest technical professional association, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), signed an agreement to implement projects to support the engineering community in Africa. The agreement outlines initiatives that support the common goal of mobilising engineering education outreach for both students and educators in Africa. UNESCO and IEEE agreed to collaborate on several projects including accreditation programmes, faculty training and initiatives encouraging the participation of women in engineering.
CSR Africa http://csrdaily.csrafrica.net/education/3701-ieee-and-unesco-sign-partnership-to-promote-engineering-education-in-africa.html
Employees
National Apprenticeships Week: Starbucks launches its first UK apprenticeship scheme
At the start of National Apprenticeships Week, coffee chain Starbucks has unveiled plans to offer apprenticeships for the very first time to young people in England. The company will offer up to 45 apprenticeships, in barista skills and customer service, each month in 2012, beginning in London this spring. The move will help hundreds of young people, with a passion for coffee and customer service, to secure paid employment and acquire new transferable skills. With a real need to help the young into work, these apprenticeships will have a positive impact on the individuals involved and the local communities that will benefit directly.
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