Top CSR Initiatives for 2012

Many organizations that practice corporate social responsibility (CSR) are expanding their reach in 2012. Corporations are increasingly seeing the value of environmental sustainability. In addition to making more environmentally responsible decisions in 2012, organizations are realizing the value of working with others to achieve their goals and fulfill their CSR potential. Here are some CSR initiatives for 2012.

GM Collaborating with LG to Develop EVs

Consumer electronics leader LG Group, the second largest South Korean conglomerate, is expanding its collaborating with with automotive giant General Motors (GM), the largest US automaker. The new partnership will see the two companies team up to design and build hybrid and fully electric vehicles.

The Crucial Role of Public Private Partnerships in US Battery Technology

Public private collaborations have played a fundamental role advancing the US position in the development of commercial scale energy storage systems for cell phones, laptops, hybrids and electric vehicles. National laboratories conduct vital research that make it possible for the private sector to achieve commercial scale.

According to Jeff Chamberlain, who currently heads up battery research and development for Argonne National Lab, "In the U.S., businesses tend to invest in research that will pay off in the short term. National laboratories are filling a gap by conducting the essential research that will change the game 10 to 20 years down the road."

Ford Collaboration with Zipcar

Ford and Zipcar are collaborating to deploy hundreds of car-sharing vehicles in college campuses. Car sharing is a more environmentally sustainable approach to transportation than ownership. It is an important way of minimizing traffic and emissions.

Ford and Toyota Collaborating on Hybrid Technology and Telematics

Ford and Toyota announced that they are working together on a new more efficient hybrid system and advanced telematics. Ford has developed an excellent reputation for trucks, and Toyota has owned the hybrid car market for a couple decades. So, it stands to reason that the two should be partnering to develop a hybrid system for light trucks and SUVs.

Fisker Buying Engines from BMW for New Cars

Electric vehicle developer California based Fisker Automotive is collaborating with Germany's BMW to procure the engines for upcoming Fisker mid-sized cars. Since its inception in 2007 Fisker has been working on luxury high-performing extended-range electric cars. The current generation of cars is sold under the name Karma, it has an all-electric drive range of more than 50 miles (51.6 miles or 83 km) and a solar roof. The Karma can go from 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds (5.9 seconds).

GM and BMW are Collaborating on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Development

General Motors and BMW are planning to collaborate on hydrogen fuel-cell technology for passenger cars. GM has invested almost $2 billion in development costs of hydrogen fuel-cell systems. GM focuses its fuel-cell R&D in Germany, which lends itself well to the possible collaboration.

Working Cooperatively to Improve Fuel Efficiency in the US

Many have trouble reconciling the seemingly disparate interests of government, automakers and environmentalists, but as the new rules on US cars and light trucks, as well as long-haul trucks and buses reveals, diverse groups can work together to produce the best results for all stakeholders.

"These standards will help spur economic growth, protect the environment, and strengthen our national security by reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Working together, we are setting the stage for a new generation of clean vehicles.”

New Partnerships Manufacturing Greener Cars

Auto companies are pooling their resources to try to gain access to the growing market for hybrid and fully electric vehicles. Research and development partnerships already exist between Renault and Nissan and more recently Toyota and Tesla have agreed to work together.

Now BMW and PSA Peugeot-Citroën are forming a new partnership for the development of electric vehicle components.The partnership has been formed in order to create a standard for electric vehicle technology across the brands to ensure more efficient production and higher quality. Once such a standard is established it is believed that it will allow the electric vehicle market to grow much faster. They will also work together to develop hybrid technology and the software needed to allow a hybrid system to work efficiently.

Daimler AG, bought 10% of Tesla, and is working on a partnership agreement with Renault Nissan to develop small electric cars. Renault Nissan has partnered with Mitsubishi which promises electric versions of all new car models.

These are just a few examples of companies teaming up to share the formidable costs of developing hybrid and fully electric powertrains.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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WWF's Long History of Helping Businesses to be More Sustainable

The WWF has been a leader in cooperative partnerships with business for decades. In 1993 the group was instrumental in the development of the Forest Stewardship Council and in 1996 they co-founded the Marine Stewardship Council.

Through its Corporate Partnerships division, WWF works with private business on multiple levels. The WWF is also actively involved in training business executives for sustainability through its Sustainability Training Program.

The WWF has over 5 million members globally and works in over 100 countries. The organization is in the business of protecting nature and has set an ambitious goal: to conserve 19 of the world’s most natural places and change global markets to affect the future of nature, all by 2020.

The WWF works with companies to transform business practices to reduce overall environmental impact and bring about lasting environmental changes. The environmental expertise of the WWF team translates to sector and industry specific programs that are helping companies to implement more sustainable practices.

Some companies choose to partner with WWF through philanthropic efforts while others become partners in marketing, by leveraging the famous Panda logo to stimulate conservation efforts. No matter the scale or depth of collaboration, WWF keeps its doors open to all that are willing to contribute to the ambitious goals the organization has set for itself, and for the planet.

There are numerous examples of successful WWF corporate partnerships including Coca-Cola which has been working on freshwater conservation for almost five years. The WWF has also helps companies with responsible sourcing of materials like the wood and paper products which are part of its Global Forest and Trade Network.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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WWF-UK's Green Game-Changers Initiative for Business

WWF-UK's Green Game-Changers initiative is a "crowd-sourcing exercise" that asks companies to submit examples of green policies, products and business models that lower environmental impact and biodiversity loss.

WWF's Green Business Partnership programs acknowledge the importance of collaborative action to reverse the environmental crisis we are facing. The WWF is working closely with businesses to communicate best practices that ensure an ecologically and economically balanced future. The Green Game-Changers initiative, establishes WWF-UK as a leader in knowledge sharing for business.

If your organization has an innovative product, service or market approach, submit it here. You can also join the community via the Better Business LinkedIn group.

If the submission meets the green criteria established by WWF, then it will be featured on the NGO’s website and online networks. Examples of companies that got involved early include HP, Cisco and Xeros.

For a more complete summary, view the WWF's Game Changer Bank. See summary by sectors: Construction & materials, Consumer goods & healthcare , Energy, Finance, Partnerships/Networks, Transportation, Telecoms & technology, Water. See summary by benefits: Biodiversity & natural resources, Carbon reduction, Energy efficiency , Energy generation, Reduce, reuse and recycle, Water efficiency,

While the Game-Changers program is largely an effort of the WWF-UK, all organizations are welcomed to contribute submissions.

If you wish to share your green business with the WWF click here.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Deal Between Carbon Trust and Siemens Good for UK`s Green Economy

A major new deal between Carbon Trust and Siemens will boost green growth and unlock business investment in the low carbon economy in the UK. According to a deal announced in Germany on March, 4, 2011, Carbon Trust and Siemens have agreed to develop a financing program for green technology and equipment.

The new low carbon finance scheme will enable UK businesses to invest in cost effective energy efficiency equipment or other low carbon technologies. The joint venture will be worth up to £550 million over the next three years, but the financing is expected to pay for itself in cost savings.

The news prompted John Sauven, Executive Director of Greenpeace, to say: “This green finance deal is exactly the sort of initiative that we need to see happening more frequently in the future. A green growth strategy can only work if it is backed by green finance. Deals like this, alongside the development of a green infrastructure bank, could be a tipping point that the UK economy needs to get out of the current doldrums.”

Siemens Financial Services Ltd. in the UK (SFS UK) will provide the financial backing and manage the provision of funding and the Carbon Trust will use its expertise in carbon reduction. The Carbon Trust will also assess the carbon, energy and cost savings of the energy efficiency applications.

Tom Delay, chief executive of the Carbon Trust, commented: “Driving green growth in the UK is key to our economic recovery. A missing ingredient at present is access to affordable finance to enable business to make green investments. This new major finance facility will improve business competitiveness, cut carbon and boost green growth.”

James Gearey, CEO from Siemens Financial Services Ltd. UK commented: “We are delighted to be working with the Carbon Trust, their values very much match our own. Siemens has been reporting the performance of its environmental portfolio since 2002, not just the commercial performance, but also the hundreds of millions of tonnes of carbon emission reduction that has been delivered through Siemens technology. Siemens Financial Services has extensive experience of asset financing and lending to UK business and is particularly successful in the SME sector. This background combined with our ready access to funding means we are well placed to support the scheme and deliver the associated benefits to its future customers.”

This venture will increase the number of energy efficiency projects by offering procurement support to businesses wishing to purchase energy efficiency equipment at scale from a network of accredited suppliers.​

For more information see Siemen's press release.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Innovative Business Models and New Partnerships are Driving the Automotive Sector

There is a new competitive environment emerging in the hybrid-electric automotive market. International partnerships are powering new automotive innovations. A host of unique business models are powering new battery car startups and new partnerships are enhancing their competitive positioning.

Fleet sales are key to the strategy of many of new hybrid-electric vehicles. These new vehicles are capable of meeting the daily driving requirements of most fleets they can also reduce fuel costs, proactively respond to emissions regulation and provide add to their marketing allure.

General Electric has announced that it will switch to battery power for half its huge sales and service fleet. General Motors alone stands to pick up orders for at least 12,000 Volt plug-in hybrids.

According to Robbie Diamond, CEO of a trade group known as the Electrification Coalition. Fleet buyers are helping to provide the momentum needed by EV and hybrid producers to reach critical mass. “Fleet owners and operators can lead the way in this transformation…to accelerate the development of electric vehicles.“

Canada’s Azure Dynamics is focusing on fleet sales by converting light and medium-duty trucks, such as the Ford Transit Connect Electric. the firm’s close relationship with Ford Motor Co., which is providing the Transit Connect gliders that are being converted to battery power

Competition is growing with new car companies like Amp, Aptera, Fisker, Tesla, Think, Wheego and others are taking on the behemoths who have long dominated the automotive market.

“It’s the first time where that’s been possible in more than a half-century,” said Jim Taylor, a former General Motors executive who has served as general manager of both the Cadillac and Hummer and is now a board member for Amp.

Amp has a modified version of the Chevrolet Equinox that replaces its fossil fuel engine with its proprietary lithium-powered drive train. Rather than going head to head with the automotive giants, companies like Amp are seeking to exploit the larger SUV niche.

Others like Atlanta-based Wheego, are competing directly with the big boys, while limiting the size of its internal development team by partnering with outside contractors to hold down costs. The name Wheego refers to the ferrous-based lithium-ion batteries that power the car.

Wheego has engaged a small Chinese automaker to provide the unpowered body (glider) for Wheego’s new LiFE.

According to some, traditional automakers may not be sufficiently agile to adopt to such a low-cost business strategy. “This is a market sector that is very much contingent on new technology, unlike the combustion engine segment, where there hasn’t been a truly significant breakthrough in half a century," says Wheego’s firm’s CEO, Mike McQuary.

Tesla Motors, initially came to market with a low-volume, high-priced sports car, the Tesla Roadster. However, starting in 2012, Tesla plans to move more mainstream with the Model S sedan. Tesla is forming a series of alliances including Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz and Smart car brands) and Toyota. These new partnerships, will help to make Tesla much more viable over the long-term.


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Toyota and Tesla Making Electric Sedan

Toyota, the world's largest automotive company is teaming up with Tesla Motors to manufacture a fully electric Sedan. The Tesla Model S sedan in scheduled to launch in 2012.

The Model S is a high performance electric sedan that will compete with cars like the BMW 5-series. The 4 door, 7 seat sedan is powered by an electric 70 kW battery, it accelerates from 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, has a top speed of 120 mph, and a range of 300 miles. Batteries can be quick-charged in 45 minutes. Two additional rear-facing seats in the cargo area give the car its seven seat capacity.

The Model S has a high-tech cockpit with two LCD screens, including a touchscreen panel in the center console. Prototypes of the Model S have sophisticated on-board computer systems with peripheral hardware. Their 17” touch-screen control panel includes HD radio integration, quick GPS navigation, streaming audio and other Internet and cloud-based data and information.

Tesla Motors reported a net loss of $38.5 million in the second quarter of 2010, compared with a loss of $10.8 million in the second quarter of 2009. The company said revenue climbed 5 percent from a year ago, to $28.4 million. Losses were attributed to higher research and development costs associated with the engineering of the Model S.

Tesla went public to raise funds with its IPO in late June. Tesla's IPO raised more than $200 million. The company has said it does not expect to be profitable before mid 2012, when its Model S sedan is slated to reach production. Tesla expects to build about 20,000 units a year when full production is reached after 2012.

The collaboration between Toyota and Tesla is the type of partnership that is driving the greener vehicle market and benefiting all parties. Toyota will benefit from the buzz around Tesla, and this will help the Japanese carmaker to recapture some of the credibility that it lost during its recent wave of recalls. Tesla will benefit from Toyota's $50 million investment and from Toyota's engineering and production systems. The public will benefit from a high performance sedan that has zero emissions.
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