Obama and CSR - a reality?

You won’t have missed that Barack Obama was voted the first black

president this week, after a record turnout. But with many months of campaigns, comes many policy promises, so will the ones that matter be kept?

Americans don’t do things by halves, but his energy plans are super-sized. Obama wants to: save more oil than the US currently imports, put 1 million hybrid cars on the road, ensure 10% of US’ electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012 and implement an economy-wide cap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050.

Greenbang.com, a business blogging site, said: “He could really accelerate funding and promotion of clean tech projects…President Obama backs a big nationwide plan to boost financing for alternative energy. And if the US does it, so will the UK.”

Although not everyone is hopeful that CR will top the agenda. Hill & Knowlton’s blog, ResponsAbility, admits that Obama is, “advocating a much more aggressive climate change platform. But with the election year, there’s very little chance that much will get done in terms of environmental policy.”

It is uncertain how quick CR will be addressed, come January, with the current uneasy economy. But he is facing the right direction – forward, also promising to fight for a trade policy that opens up foreign markets to support jobs, which could influence standards around the world.

We watch this space.

For more please visit:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/newenergy

http://www.greenbang.com/6250/well-done-barack/

http://blogs.hillandknowlton.com/blogs/responsability/default.aspx

KU freshens up

A behaviour change to erase the carbon footprint of Kingston University is getting ready to start this week, with a scheme overseen by The Carbon Trust.

As one of 17 universities to be accepted for the Higher Education Carbon Management Programme, Kingston University will install energy measuring devices in every building to find out the total of energy used and its efficiency, to target efforts to reduce energy consumption.

Nicola Corrigan, the University's Sustainability Facilitator, who is taking on the role of Project manager said: “The University has made a commitment to reduce its impact on the environment...for at least a couple of years. It will be behaviour change, actually getting people to think about using energy more wisely.”

Kingston students welcome the scheme, as many consider the University to be wasteful. English and Journalism student, Jo Cotterell, says: “There are loads of unnecessary lights turned on around university all the time. It would be a good start by keeping these off as they seem to be for appearance only.”

This has been confirmed by the results of a recent energy audit report at Penrhyn Road campus, covered by journalism students' newspaper, The River. The report revealed that “a third of the total energy used throughout the daytime is wasted throughout the night.”
The Carbon Trust is a government funded independent body helping organisations reduce carbon emissions and develop low carbon technologies, by offering insight and drive to change lifetime habits and better the climate change situation.

Donald Beaton, the University Secretary, will become the Project sponsor and is excited for the University's commitment but proud that it is no stranger to energy saving with its development of energy efficient buildings, bus services and its promotion of car sharing.

“Our successful application to join the Carbon Management scheme demonstrates the University’s commitment to cut carbon emissions associated to our organisations operations.”

A 'Turn it Off' campaign will also run with this scheme within the University to remind everyone of the simple steps to save energy. Nicola said: “I’m looking forward to leading this project and making some positive changes.”