Research, Reports & Publications : News brief

Eighty-six percent of companies on the Standard and Poor's 100 Index have corporate sustainability websites, compared to 58 percent in 2005, according to the "2008 S&P 100 Sustainability Report Comparison" from the Sustainable Investment Research Analyst Network (SIRAN), a working group of the Social Investment Forum.

Roughly half produced a sustainability report last year, 26 percent higher than in 2005, when 39 companies issued reports.

Keen to cement its position as one of the world's greenest multinationals, Toyota has announced it is to fund a major research project designed to identify the most energy efficient best practices that firms should be embracing.

The company said that it will provide a three year $1.4m grant to the Pew Center on Global Climate Change in Washington to fund the research project.

A survey of graduating MBAs conducted by the Stanford University Graduate School of Business revealed Friday that corporate social responsibility ranks high on their list of values when searching for an employer. The future business leaders ranked intellectual challenge at the top of their desirable job attributes, while money and location virtually tied for second.

A reputation for ethical conduct and caring policies towards employees ranked high as well -- 75 percent as high as intellectual challenge and 95 percent as important as the financial package, the survey indicated. "I was frankly surprised that ethics and caring about people came up so important as they did," Montgomery said.

Other attributes of corporate social responsibility, including environmental sustainability and care for the community and other stakeholders, were weighted with over half the importance of the top job criterion, the research said.

The ASA has published a report on "greenwash" in marketing following a prolific rise in green initiatives that pose a tough challenge for advertisers in ensuring their claims comply with the self-regulatory rules and regulations. It follows the findings of a stakeholder consultation seminar entitled "Environmental claims in advertising: Is green a grey area?" The ASA said it used the seminar to engage with industry, environmental and consumer groups on establishing where problems arise.

Business and political leaders committed to pressing ahead with carbon reduction measures received a boost today in the form of a new poll suggesting public support for green policies and products remains strong.

The Guardian/ICM poll found that despite widespread speculation that economic concerns are undermining the public appetite for environmental measures the majority support the idea that tackling climate change should take priority over addressing the economic downturn.

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CEOs decide to fund US$ 2.2 million additional funding for the study of tire wear particles due to its complexity .