Thanks to a tip from my student, Ray Ro, I just watched Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott on Charlie Rose. They touch on all of the hot-button issues here, with special emphasis on Wal-Mart's new environmental initiatives.

Speaking of environmental initiatives, Wal-Mart announced today that it will use its purchasing clout to push for packaging changes through the Wal-Mart Sustainable Packaging Value Network:

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. today announced plans to measure its 60,000 worldwide suppliers on their ability to develop packaging and conserve natural resources. This initiative, scheduled to begin in 2008, is projected to reduce overall packaging by five percent.  The announcement came at the conclusion of the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City....

On November 1, 2006, Wal-Mart will introduce a packaging scorecard to more than 2,000 private label suppliers. This is a tool that will allow Wal-Mart buyers to have all the information about packaging alternatives or more sustainable packaging materials in one place, allowing them to make better purchasing decisions.

On February 1, 2007, tools and processes will be made available to all of the company’s global suppliers.  For 12 months, these suppliers will learn and share results within this process.  And beginning in 2008, Wal-Mart will measure and recognize the entire worldwide supply base for using less packaging, utilizing more effective materials in packaging, and sourcing these materials more efficiently through a packaging scorecard.

Richard Branson was at the Clinton Global Initiative, too, committing an estimated $3 billion over 10 years to renewable energy initiatives.

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