Intel vows to stop using ‘conflict minerals’ in new chips
Technology company Intel, the world’s largest chipmaker, has said that it will no longer use minerals mined in conflict zones to build its microprocessors, and urged the rest of the industry to follow suit. Much of the gold, tungsten and other minerals used in electronics manufacturing are mined in sub-Saharan Africa, often in conditions of armed conflict and human rights abuses. The policy comes after increased international pressure for technology firms to investigate the sources of their raw minerals. Intel is already a member of the ‘Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative’ which encourages environmental and ethical responsibility. Brian Krzanich, Intel’s chief executive said that, “we felt an obligation to implement changes in our supply chain to ensure that our business and our products were not inadvertently funding human atrocities.” (BBC)
Employees
Law firm Clifford Chance adopts ‘CV blind’ policy to break Oxbridge recruitment bias
Clifford Chance, one of the big five ‘magic circle’ law firms in the UK, has introduced a ‘CV blind’ policy for final interviews with all potential recruits. Staff conducting the interviews are no longer given any information about which university candidates attended, or whether they come from state or independent schools. In its first year of operation, the scheme saw its annual intake of 100 graduate trainees come from 41 different education institutions, a rise of nearly 30 percent on the number represented in the previous year under the old recruitment system. Tessa Stone, from educational and career charity, the Brightside Trust, said that, “this firm should be applauded for its efforts to truly employ people based on merit.” A spokesperson from Clifford Chance said that, “the overall objective is to make sure we never lose out on talent, wherever it comes from.” (Independent)
According to a survey from charity SharedImpact, impact investment – sustainably supporting charities and social enterprises for the long term – can be used as key way to recruit and retain high quality staff. A survey showed that 95 percent of people would be encouraged to work for a company that acted socially responsibly, and 87 percent would prefer to work for a company if they were told that it placed importance on empowering its employees in its donation decisions. Paul Cheng, chair of SharedImpact, commented saying that, “our research shows that the majority of people are looking to work for a company that embraces a socially responsible corporate purpose. With more and more people looking to become engaged in this process, it is vital for businesses to follow suit in order to win the war for talent.” (Ethical Performance)
Policy
India planning offshore wind energy agency
India is planning to establish an agency to oversee the development of offshore wind farms following expectations that the country has further significant offshore wind power potential. India is already Asia’s second biggest wind-turbine market after China in terms of annual installations. The country has built 20-GW of projects onshore, drawing about $16.5 billion a year in investment. As part of the policy, incentives such a 10 year tax holiday and concessions on duties for equipment purchases are being proposed. Ministers have also called for the tax break for wind farms to be restored; this expired in March 2012, contributing to a 47 percent slump in installations the following financial year. (CleanBiz.Asia)
Singapore government to review environmental sustainability priorities
Singapore’s government is embarking on a national exercise to review its priorities, plans and projects related to environmental sustainability. It will do so in two phases; the first will involve public consultation to set out the country’s vision and common values, the second will involve mapping out projects and programmes, both of which will contribute to the revised ‘Sustainable Singapore Blueprint’. One aim of the exercise is to involve all Singaporeans, with the government working closely with non-government organisations. Minister for the Environment, Vivian Balakrishnan said that, “I believe that we need to get ahead of global climate change, we need to embark on a consultation exercise because the solutions cannot just lie with the government.” A revised Sustainable Singapore Blueprint is expected by the end of the year. (Eco-Business)
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