Andrew Winston-EcoStrategies
Mr. Winston states “Wal-Mart is the most powerful company the world has ever seen, and in an effort to “green their supply chain” they are putting pressure on their suppliers to provide proof of their sustainability as a litmus test to doing business with Wal-Mart. He says this movement is “the force to watch.”
Winston states, “Wal-Mart is asking some of their biggest suppliers to provide them with “the amount of energy it took to get this product to our shelves”…and that Wal-Mart will “de-select suppliers who do not meet their carbon management criteria.”
Mr. Winston also implies that many major corporations are doing the same. He states “IBM is demanding to its’ suppliers that they share their [sustainability] data” if they want to remain suppliers of IBM. He statesWinston also quotes the CEO of Duke Energy, speaking about the sustainability movement in corporate America as having said, “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” He also asserts that the automotive industry is doing the same.
I guess there is too much at stake for Big Corporate America to resist.
Mr Winston states: “We WANT to raise the price of carbon, which WILL raise the cost of doing business for companies, no doubt.” Why? Because HSBC Bank has estimated the market for Climate Change Solutions will be $2 trillion by 2020. As usual the love of money is the root of all evil!
Winston states, “A cap on carbon, has the same effect as a tax.”
Winston closes by pleading with his audience of industrial manufacturer’s to “Join this movement to help create more sustainable, healthy, and profitable compaines, commuinities, and country.” Now I thought his speech was just about corporations? Why does he close with talking about communities and countries?
Do you understand how ”the most powerful company the world has ever seen” can almost singlehandedly usher in a new world order of sustainabilty? If you don’t ask me. The most important thing right now is that citizen’s of our local communities begin to connect the dots on the sustainability agenda, and begin to fight back.
Please be sure to watch Wal-Mart’s Sustainability 2.0 Introduction Video
Neal Thomas
It’s sickening, Neal! Standing by your principles used to mean something. I did the last twenty-one years of my career in Arkansas. Like other long-term residents of that state, I got to be somewhat familiar with Sam Walton. He was more than simply a household name. He stood by his principles, always, always!
This rabbit hole goes very deep. Unless more States step up and start running ICLEI and all their co-horts out of town freedom loving people will eventually start disapearing. It might even be time to start voting with our feet. I think Texas has a lot more room.