Never let it be said that those in the CSR industry don’t have a sense of humour – I heard this story last week and it really made me smile (full disclosure: it probably shouldn’t have but it was a Friday evening and we try not to take life too seriously!).  So the story goes: a group of bankers and in-house lawyers in Asia are on a conference call, they are responsible for ensuring the bank’s compliance to its environmental policies.  Projects and deals get discussed in turn and consensus is reached. At one point the in-house lawyer based in Singapore (the location is important!) raises the Equator Principles, to which a banker based in Mumbai replies “well that’s all very well for you, but we’ve never heard of them and we would have to abide by the Sub-continent Principles…………!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Green Electronics Council has expanded its registry that shows how computers and monitors measure up when it comes to environmental attributes. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) registry helps purchasers evaluate, compare and select electronic products based on their environmental attributes (see registry here. The system currently covers desktop and laptop computers, thin clients, workstations and computer monitors. Desktops, laptops and monitors that meet 23 required environmental performance criteria may be registered in EPEAT by their manufacturers in 40 countries worldwide. Registered products are rated Gold, Silver or Bronze depending on the percentage of 28 optional criteria they meet above the baseline criteria. EPEAT operates an ongoing verification program to assure the credibility of the registry.

Here are some interesting figures: there are 1,315 products registered in the US, but only 76 in China, 109 in Japan, and 62 in Taiwan (the only three countries in Asia so far included in the registry). The registry will expand over the coming months so I look forward to seeing how it shapes up in Asia.

A new report on the activities of Asian oil companies in Africa exposes the flaws in many general assumptions about Asian engagement with Africa. The report, Thirst for African Oil, analyses the impact of these companies in two leading oil producing countries. The report finds that fears about an Asian takeover in African oil sectors are 'highly exaggerated' - the oil majors still dominate production and hold the majority of reserves. Interstingly, the report concludes that neither Nigeria nor Angola fits the stereotype of weak African states being ruthlessly exploited by Asian tigers. The report also assesses the growing competition between China and India where China's deeper pockets have put a brake on India's ambitions.

Climate change is set to hit badly the poorest women in developing nations unless radical action is now taken. It is important not to consider climate change as a purely environmental issue. Those with the least options have the least ability to adapt to climate change. Gender-based roles and responsibilities often result in limited options for women because women, as primary caregivers still have a reduced ability to earn a living, have less access to land and natural resources and have less of a voice in decision making. Currently, up to two billion people live in extreme poverty worldwide. Two-thirds of these are women. The reality is that climate change will worsen existing poverty, particularly in developing nations that are heavily dependent on natural resources. It is expected that agricultural yields will decrease by 50 percent by 2050, more people exposed to increased water stress, millions of people facing the risk of coastal flooding because of sea level rises, and there will be a significant increase in health impacts. It is clear that the most vulnerable women will bear the brunt of these impacts, says this report.

A bold statement and the headline of a report on the Adoption of  ESG Analysis by Asian Government Pension Funds by ASrIA and the ADB out yesterday. The premise being that pension funds in Asia are set to post unprecedented growth in the coming years as they seek to meet the retirement income needs of rapidly growing and ageing populations. It is estimated that the number of people in the region aged 65 and over will more than double between 1995 and 2050, putting huge pressure on governments and funds to provide for the elderly. The report argues that a number of Asian pension funds have already adopted ESG guidelines, but most are lagging.  Nevertheless since most Asian pension fund assets are invested largely in domestic government or corporate bonds, they can incorporate ESG strategies into their equity investment processes more easily than their global peers. One to watch. (More detail to follow when the report is available). 

Update 24 July: The full report is now available here