Is the Blue Planet Running Dry?

John F. Kennedy once said that whoever solved the world’s water problem should receive two Nobel Prizes–one for science, one for peace. Kennedy’s words still ring true today. One billion people lack access to clean drinking water, and experts say water will become even more scarce in the future.

The UN Climate Report 2007 predicts that global warming will cause precipitation levels in many developing countries to drop further. And demand for water could increase by 50 percent during the next 30 years, mostly in large developing countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, and China.

Companies depending on these emerging markets for revenue growth will first need to address these water challenges...    Read more at Knowledge.Allianz.com

Water increasingly important in Ford sustainability program

Automaker Ford’s corporate sustainability strategy has two big focuses: to reduce the impact of the vehicles it manufactures and to reduce the footprint of the operations that make those products. Boardwalk's research suggests that they have been successful, ranking Ford as the most advanced US automaker on efficiency, process and environmental impact.

“We have really elevated water as a significant issue,” said John Viera, Ford’s global director for sustainability and vehicle environment matters.  The company has already dramatically decreased its consumption — by up to 49 percent per vehicle in some cases...    Read more

SEC Investigates US Firms Over Libyan Connections

The Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and Occidental Petroleum Corp. over their connections to Libya.  The disclosure follows the SEC's investigation into whether Goldman Sachs and other financial firms possibly violated bribery laws in dealings with the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA), which is reportedly controlled by Moammar Gadhafi.

Responsible investors may not be able to identify such issues before they are evident to the public, but scrutiny of corporate governance policies and historic problems can identify patterns of higher risk behavior...  Read more.

Water Wars Threaten Credit of Metro Governments

Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings issued a report last month, warning that it may downgrade the credit scores of metro Atlanta governments if a federal court does not side with Georgia on access to drinking water from Lake Lanier.  On June 28, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals panel did side with Atlanta, and gave the Army Corps of Engineers one year to determine water allocations from the lake.

In 2009, U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson ruled that the metro area did not have legal authority to continue to withdraw water at current levels from Lanier. The judge set a July 2012 deadline for Georgia to settle the issue or lose substantial access to the lake.  That deadline is no longer in effect.

Voters in America’s Auto & Manufacturing Heartland Want 60 MPG Fuel Economy Standard by 2025

A new poll of 1600 likely voters in Michigan and Ohio found overwhelming support for an increase in the automakers' corporate average fuel economy  (CAFE) requirements to 60 miles per gallon by 2025 and to reduce vehicle carbon dioxide pollution.

“The American voter – the American consumer – is speaking loudly in these key states,” said Ceres President Mindy Lubber. “It isn’t just $4-a-gallon fatigue. These voters clearly recognize that our economic, environmental and national security futures are also rolled up in saving money at the pump and making America far more energy independent."   Read more at Ceres.com

ESG Performance Top 100 Brands: Reputation versus Reality

Google, Apple and Honda have earned reputations that far exceed their actual sustainability performance according to a recent report by Brandlogic and CRD Analytics. 

The study of 100 leading brands across nine industries found that 66 had perceived sustainability performance that exceeded their actual performance. Such brands included Visa, AT&T, Starbucks, Yahoo! and Toyota. 

Boardwalk's Capital's own independent research found glaring holes in Apple's supply chain and environmental controls.  On the flip side, we have previously highlighted UPS's efficiency improvements and on Google's commitment to alternative energy sources...

Read more at Environmental Leader and access the Brandlogic report here.

World's biggest companies failing on water risk management

A new report from independent research firm EIRIS has concluded that only a tiny fraction of large global companies are taking action on managing water scarcity. Among the findings are that 54% of 2,000 global companies are exposed to water risks, but only 0.22% have adequate management systems, policies and reporting mechanisms in place to tackle the risks.

"The era of cheap and easy access for water is coming to an end for companies", says the EIRIS analyst. "This poses a potentially greater threat to business than the loss of other natural resources, including oil, yet the majority of companies and investors remain unaware of the risks they face."   Read more

Google creates $280-million solar power fund

In a move that could boost solar energy use in homes, Google Inc. is creating a $280-million fund to help finance rooftop installations -- the largest green investment it has ever made. "Google's leading the way and other companies could follow suit," said Lyndon Rive, chief executive of SolarCity, Google's partner in the project. "It's not just about a dramatic environmental impact, it's also a good return."  Read more at LATimes.com

A Look Inside HP's Social Good Machine

Hewlett Packard is launching three social good campaigns aimed at improving health care technology in developing countries.  Instead of throwing cash at causes, HP is using its technology to help non-profits expand their reach and improve efficiency at the same time. 

Current campaigns focus on Malaria Detection, Counterfeit Drug Identification and Mobile Health Monitoring (all using HP's Palm Pre devices, of course.)  All cynicism aside, these programs will save lives while utilizing HP's unique talents to improve conditions in Africa and Southeast Asia...  Read more at Mashable.com