CSR tit-bits

 

With threats of climate change and urbanisation, residents of big cities are yearning for something green. Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management, recently launched the third edition of “Go Green in the City”, in 10 new countries, including Thailand.

Over the past two years, more than 1,050 teams representing 2,100 candidates from nine countries (Germany, France, Turkey, Poland, US, India, China, Russia and Brazil) participated in the competition. The success shows the global attractiveness of Schneider Electric to a young and increasingly female audience, and their growing interest and involvement in energy issues all over the world. This increasing popularity amongst engineering school students is confirmed by ”The World’s Most Attractive Employers Survey” released by Universum, which ranked Schneider Electric as one of the top-50 most attractive employers in the world in 2012.

Encouraged by the success of the two previous editions of “Go Green in the City”, Schneider Electric decided to open the challenge to 10 more countries, thus bringing the total number of countries covered by this 2013 edition to 19. The new countries will include Mexico, Canada, as well as eight countries from the East Asia region – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Korea and Taiwan.

“By opening ‘Go Green in the City’ to 10 more countries, Schneider Electric wants to respond to the growing concern students show for energy issues and raise awareness of the challenges facing the energy sector in both mature and new economies,” said Karen Ferguson, executive vice president for global human resources at Schneider Electric.

The international competition, which is open until March 3, aims to provide a better understanding of the global energy challenge and to create a strong bond with the young and emerging talents throughout the world, future core players of tomorrow’s energy market. 

It is open to 190 universities in 19 countries. The best proposals should reconcile increased demand for energy, social progress and environmental protection. After a first selection of the 100 most interesting projects in April 2013, the students will have five weeks to develop their idea with the help of Schneider Electric’s mentor assigned to them. After a final selection process, 25 finalist teams will be invited to Paris to present the final project to a jury composed of Schneider Electric managers. The two members of the winning team will be offered a job to start their career with Schneider Electric.

 

 

Companies recognized for good CSR

 

Ten listed companies were recently recognised for developing and committing to continuously operating their businesses with sustainable social responsibility.

Handed by Corporate Social Responsibility Institute (CSRI), under The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), the CSRI Recognition 2012 award-winners are: 

Rising Star Award (given to small- and medium-sized companies prominent in social responsibility): Thai British Securities Printing and Thai Optical Group.

Most Improved CSR Award (for listed companies that have shown outstanding development of their social and responsibility): Charoen Pokphand Foods, Interlink Communication, Minor International, Siam Food Products, Synnex (Thailand), Thai Airways International.

Most Innovative Company Award (for firms with outstanding innovation in social responsibility): Inoue Rubber (Thailand) and S & J International Enterprises

 

“The CSRI Recognition 2012 awards, in addition to CSR Awards, are to honour and inspire Thai listed companies which have shown their commitment to sustainably running their

businesses for society’s benefit as well as that of their shareholders. They have been good role models of corporate social responsibility for other listed firms and have drawn the strong support of investors and the public,” said SET President Charamporn Jotikasthira.

According to CSRI chairman Chaiyawat Wibulswasdi, Thai listed companies have strongly developed their CSR and put CSR as an integral part of their main business processes. “I am confident that this CSRI Recognition 2012 will help encourage and enhance all listed companies to realize the importance of continuously conducting their business with sustainable social responsibility,” Chaiyawat said, adding: “Such conduct is an important part in developing the community, society, and environment to grow with the country’s development.”

 

 

AirAsia’s new A320 aircraft to cut fuel bill

It is another world-first for Asia’s most profitable low-cost carrier AirAsia, as it takes delivery of the first Airbus A320 aircraft installed with the sharklet wing tips and becomes the first operator of the new fuel-saving large wing tip devices.

            The delivery took place at the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France, in December last year.

            The sharklet wing tips will be fitted on previously ordered, newly-built A320s for AirAsia and are scheduled for delivery from December 2012 onwards. These newly designed wing-tip devices reduce fuel burn and emissions by improving the aerodynamics of the aircraft significantly. Cutting fuel bills by around 4 per cent, Sharklets will offer the flexibility of either adding around 100 nautical miles more range or allowing increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

         

Poll: Thais bank on tech

devices for happier life

Suan Dusit Poll’s “Life’s Good Poll”, a collaboration with LG Electronics Thailand Co, showed that 32 per cent of respondents agreed that smart phones were the devices that played the greatest role in making life good, while TVs and notebooks ranked second and third, at 24 per cent and 19 per cent respectively. The poll also revealed that most Bangkokians believe having access to free and reliable Wi-Fi throughout Bangkok would mean they have a happier life.

It was conducted in October and November 2012, using face-to-face surveys with 1,037 respondents aged 20-45 in Bangkok’s central business districts.

The poll also reveals that 35 per cent of respondents believe that technology and gadgets benefit their life by providing convenience, while 36 per cent rank reasonable prices as their highest priority, followed by good quality, durability, and ease of use, at 20 per cent, 18 per cent and 11 per cent respectively. – The Nation