Archive for the ‘Green Movements’ Category
Instep Carbon & Sustainability Programme Brochure
Microsoft to Require Sustainability Reporting by Vendors
From PROCUREMENT LEADERS:
“Microsoft has announced that it will require its vendors to file annual sustainability reports.
“Starting in 2013, the software company will require a ‘cross section’ of its suppliers to provide reports on their adherence to the requirements listed in the existing Microsoft Vendor Code of Conduct.
“The new reporting mechanism will work alongside Microsoft’s existing auditing and assurance programmes, which include third-party monitoring of its contract hardware manufacturers. The reporting requirement will also drive sustainability improvements in Microsoft’s supply chain, according to the company.
“Microsoft said it will begin informing a dozen of its key vendors about the new reporting process in the coming months. Starting 2013, Microsoft will include a summary of information from the vendor reports in its annual Citizenship Report. Vendors also will be encouraged to make their reports public. The programme will continue to be evaluated in subsequent years to identify options to expand it and provide further visibility to shareholders.”
So, businesses of Singapore. Would you like to be a “key vendor” to Microsoft? I know I would. Start sustainability reporting now.
Have I mentioned I am a PC user? Ha!
Clean and Green Singapore 2012 theme song – World Without Fences (90sec)
Composer: Lee Fengheng (Top winner of NEA’s Eco-Music Challenge 2011)
Clean & Green Singapore 2012 music video “World Without Fences” depicts the development of Singapore’s beautiful, clean and green environment through the eyes of a female protagonist, as she grows progressively younger. The video hopes to inspire every individual to play a part to safeguard and cherish this environment for future generations.
PRESS RELEASE: 3M Offers ‘Greener’ Rides to Taxi Drivers and Passengers
From: Press Release (Singapore, October 20, 2011)
Fifty lucky taxi drivers and their passengers can look forward to more comfortable rides, while at the same time, participate in an exciting initiative to reduce carbon footprint and contribute to environmental sustainability. 3M is sponsoring the installation of 3M™ Crystalline Solar Films in a fleet of 50 taxis, which will result in a natural reduction in temperature of up to 2.8 degrees Celsius in the vehicles.
“3M™ Crystalline Solar Films feature a proprietary, multi-layer optical film technology that combines over 200 layers in a film that is thinner than a Post-it® Note. Each optical layer is specially designed to reflect the infrared and UV rays while allowing visible light to pass through. This technology is the reason a clear film can reject more heat than darker films, without changing a car’s appearance. The premium product combines technology with clarity and is eco-friendly too,” said Mr Edmund Tan, General Manager of 3M Singapore’s Industrial & Transportation Business.
Solar heat comes from two primary sources, the visible light that one sees and the infrared light that one feels. Crystalline solar films reject up to 97% of the sun’s heat-producing infrared light and block up to 60% of the heat coming through the windows. These industry-leading, spectrally-selective films are designed to keep one cool, comfortable and protected. Each degree Celsius less will save about 10% on energy use.
To comply with the Land Transport Authority’s car tint law, crystalline films allow up to 90% of the natural light into the vehicle. As these films are non-metallized, there is zero interference with GPS and cell phone signals. Some 8,000 sq ft of the solar films, costing $75,000, will be used in this exercise.
“3M’s technologies are being applied by customers worldwide to enable them to meet their own environmental challenges. A vital component of 3M’s sustainability strategy is to develop product solutions, and our portfolio of hundreds of products, is a living example of our expertise in inventing products for a better tomorrow,” Mr Tan elaborated.
This green initiative is in conjunction with the launch of the 3M eCommerce Platform (www.3Mmarketplace.com.sg), where car owners can directly purchase solar films from 3M online. Members of the public can recognised the 50 designated taxis as they will carry 3M advertising with the taxi wrap media, in addition to being installed with the crystalline solar films.
Mr Soh Piak San, 54, who has been driving a Comfort Delgro cab for 11years and one of the 50 at the wheel of the designated 3M taxis, said, “Singapore is so hot and humid. We are in our taxis for at least eight hours a day. With the 3M™ Crystalline Solar Films installed, we can feel the difference – it is much cooler and helps us save energy as we don’t have to turn up the air-conditioning. Add to that, it also protects us from harmful UV rays!”
Mr Lim Ser Teck, 39, concurred, “I’ve been driving a taxi since I was 25 and 3M window films do stand out. Not only do they make the cab cooler when it’s really hot, they also do not affect radio signals and GPS unlike some other films!”
Climate change not factored into companies’ value, warns UN chief
“As long as these companies [that emit large quantities of greenhouse gases] have a high value, we are giving out the wrong signals,” said Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the UN framework convention on climate change, told an audience of carbon finance specialists in London. “It has got to be that those companies that are investing in the technologies of the future are recognised.”
World’s Major Stock Exchanges Demanding Sustainability Reporting
In Asia, the Singapore Stock Exchange was the first exchange to encourage listed companies to start reporting their sustainability performance, by issuing guidelines in August 2010. According to the Guide to Sustainability Reporting for Listed Companies, “The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines provides a valuable framework to assist listed companies with sustainability reporting. Companies may adopt an approach best suited to their industry and location.”
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Get in step with your organisation’s carbon footprint
The Pollution Filtering Power of a Tree
SEC’s call to action on the National Climate Change Strategy 2012 Public Consultation
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What are you waiting for?? Click on the image to visit the NCCS portal.
Companies Get New Tools for Calculating Emissions
New York Times: In 2004 the World Resources Institute, a Washington-based environmental organization, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development released a final standard for Scope 1 and Scope 2. Scope 1 covers emissions from direct operations like running a factory. Scope 2 covers emissions from energy-related, indirect sources of emissions like the coal or natural gas burned to make the electricity that powers the lights at headquarters.
Scope 3 measures the emissions linked to the “value chain” of a company’s products as a whole. The life cycle emissions of individual products, including Scope 3 emissions, can be estimated using the second tool.
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Get in step with your organisation’s Carbon Footprint.
