VW to build plug-in hybrid cars in China as pollution reforms open the market
Volkswagen plans to make plug-in cars in China, company sources say, seeing a big potential market as the country’s leaders fight hazardous levels of air pollution with measures that include boosting green power. According to the sources, VW will announce its plans at the Beijing auto show on April 19-20 and will build the plug-in hybrids – a combined petrol engine and electric motor that can travel longer distances on battery power than ordinary hybrids – with its Chinese partner First Automotive Works. Volkswagen, Europe’s biggest carmaker, is a late starter in terms of making environmentally-friendly cars in China, even though the country is its number one market and accounted for a third of last year’s record 9.7 million global deliveries. Last month, the government announced a 10 billion yuan ($1.61 billion) fund to help change the way it produces and consumes energy, in an effort to “declare war” on pollution. It aims to promote green and low-carbon technology to cut fossil fuel use and control coal consumption. (Reuters)
Corporate Reputation
Documents reveal Shell and Rio Tinto human rights lobbying
Lobbying conducted by Shell and Rio Tinto in seeking legal support from the UK government over allegations of human rights abuses has been revealed in internal memos released by the Foreign Office. The documents, obtained by the Corporate Responsibility Coalition (Core) and Amnesty International, show that the companies approached government ministries seeking their backing regarding two high-profile court cases at the US supreme court, over alleged complicity in mistreatment of protesters and people who lived near extraction operations. They also show that UK government officials were privately worried about being seen to be promoting business interests over ethical trading principles. Marilyn Croser, of Core, said: “While paying lip-service to corporate responsibility, the government was conniving with multinationals to reduce their exposure to litigation for the worst kind of abuses.” A Shell spokesman said: “Shell companies have the right and the responsibility to make our position known to governments on any matters which affect us, our employees, our customers, our shareholders or local communities in a manner which is in accordance with our values and business principles.” (The Guardian)
BP faces shareholder pressure over Russian stake amid Crimea standoff
BP is expected to come under pressure at its annual meeting this week to explain how its decision to take a 20% stake in Russia’s biggest oil company, Rosneft, will be affected by the country’s standoff with the west over Crimea. BP’s Rosneft stake accounts for a third of its production volume and gives it a stake in Arctic exploration. BP’s annual meeting could see questions from shareholders about Rosneft, continuing legal threats in the US, executive pay and environmental issues. The British oil group has already been drawn into the row over Russia’s annexation of Crimea with calls for Rosneft’s delisting from the London Stock Exchange. According to independent analyst Louise Cooper, there is a risk that the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, could expropriate assets from western companies, including BP. (The Guardian)
Waste
SC Johnson achieves zero landfill status at eighth manufacturing facility
SC Johnson has announced that it has achieved zero waste-to-landfill status at its eighth global manufacturing facility, demonstrating progress toward its ambitious goal of reducing its global manufacturing waste by 70 percent by 2016. The Manaus, Brazil site is the company’s eighth zero landfill facility, following two in China and one each in Pakistan, The Netherlands, the US, Poland and Canada. Over the last several years, the site has implemented several initiatives to increase recycling rates, reduce packaging and expand access to environmental education. “As each of us looks to reduce the amount of waste we generate and increase recycling rates both at home and within our community, SC Johnson is committed to identifying innovative and scalable ways to minimize our global manufacturing footprint,” said Kelly M. Semrau, Chief Sustainability Officer at SC Johnson. “Waste reduction — and achieving zero landfill — is a key role in our business strategy to continuously innovate, making even better products in the most sustainable way possible.” (Sustainable Brands)
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