Newsletter – Insights for CSR Workshops – Forum China-Europa


					#6 – 4th August 2010

Dear 2010 CSR Workshops Prime Movers:

Herewith is the 6th Newsletter.

Please do not hesitate to give me your feedback, as well as indicate possible items for the next newsletter.

Feel free to forward this newsletter to other participants of your workshops.

Thank you very much.

Joelle Brohier

Research including China and Europe

Corporate Law Project – John Ruggie (Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General) – Trends based on analysis of 40 countries’ corporate and securities juridictions with respect to human rights – Includes China and several European countries

China	Europe
Working conditions Several provinces increase legal minimum wage – Wen Jiabao calls upon companies to implement « Harmonious Labour Relationships » (French) High-risk workplaces: The State Council has issued a circular urging local governments and companies to enhance safety – Sanctions may be taken against wrong-doing companies including factory shut-down and blacklisting communicated to financial institutions ACFTU advocates for collective labour contracts – Points out the need for a law mandating companies to negotiate such contracts (French) Maplecroft (risk analysis firm) ranks China 7th in 196 countries on Working Conditions Risks
Responsible Finance Hang Seng launches its SRI Index and releases the 30 constitutents of the Index	Report: argues that financial speculation on food commodities causes food prices soaring – Urges UK government to take action
Environmental Management Carbon inventory is taking off in China – But still limited: Only over 400 companies in China, Hong-Kong and Taiwan have their carbon footprint certified by SGS Ministry of Environmental Protection: Environmental review of polluting industries are of low-quality	European Food industry close to agree on Principles for product environmental impact assessement – But EU says price sensitivity may impede green move UNEP Report, with EU funding: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) – The EU predicts big opportunities for biodiversity businesses
Outreach	UK government wants to boost trade with Sudan despite human rights concerns – Media report says move could bring more jobs to the Sudanese NGO Global Witness takes British government to court for failing to list UK companies trading Congo conflict minerals for UN sanctions
Diversity	The EU is considering introducing gender quotas in companies’ boards to tackle imbalance – Only 10% of women currently
Good practices APP (Asia Pulp & Paper) has so far invested RMB 5 billion to produce greener paper in its plants	Allianz report on micro-insurance for people in poverty – Includes Allianz initiatives

Contact: Joelle.brohier@rse-et-ped.info – Anakout – +65 82 82 36 17

Newsletter – Insights for CSR Workshops – Forum China-Europa – #6