CSR briefs

As part of this international initiative, for every LED light bulb purchased in IKEA stores - including IKEA Bangna – from February 1 until March 28, IKEA Foundation will donate €1 (Bt37) to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to support its lighting for refugee camp campaign. 

Funds generated from this campaign will improve access to sustainable lighting, renewable energy sources and primary education in refugee camps in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. 

Sustainable lighting can improve the quality of life in refugee camps in a number of ways. Solar lanterns, for example, allow children to study after dark to enhance their progress in school. Lanterns and solar streetlights also enable refugees to continue working and run small businesses in the evening. 

The campaign was launched for the first time in early 2014. During the campaign period (February and March 2014), customers and co-workers helped raise a remarkable 7.7 million euro. 

The 2015 Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign will also benefit families and schools in Thailand. 

For example, IKEA is making a “light bulb swap” special offer for IKEA FAMILY members. 

Under this initiative, IKEA FAMILY members can bring an old light bulb to IKEA Bangna to exchange for a new IKEA LED light bulb (free of charge). The swap offer is open to the first 3,000 IKEA FAMILY members who visit the store between February 1 and March 28.

Special offers are also provided fortnightly for IKEA FAMILY members with special price of specific LED light bulbs and lamps as enclosed factsheet.

IKEA will also donate more than 1,500 LED light bulbs to local schools in the Bangna area. 

“We are delighted to extend our support for this great campaign in 2015,” said Patrice Dreano, store manager, IKEA Bangna.

 

Room to Read Laos lifts education with 26 new schools

Twenty-six new school buildings and libraries were built in the Lao provinces of Savannakhet and Oudomxay in 2014 thanks to the Room to Read programme.

The organisation reported details of its work over the past year in a press statement.

A total of 21 new school buildings and libraries were built from January to November last year in the districts of Kaysone Phomvihane, Champhone and Songkhone, in Savannakhet province.

Another five buildings and libraries were built for Nahuang, Namad, Beng, Ban Bor and Kornoy schools in Oudomxay province over the same period.

The total cost of construction was more than 6.6 billion kip (Bt2.64 million), with the contribution of local communities amounting to more than 1.5 billion kip.

“Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education,” it said.

Room to Read has two core strategies in Laos: a literacy programme and a girls’ education programme.

The organisation also plans to build another 15 new schools and libraries, as well as providing special support for 200 female pupils this year.

Room to Read Laos builds primary and secondary schools to address the need for a better learning environment. The programme has been partnering schools and communities to build bright, new, well-ventilated classrooms so that all children have a safe and attractive place to learn.

Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organisations and governments, they develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond. – Vientiane Times/Asia News Network

 

P&G reaches waste reduction goal six years early

Procter & Gamble (P&G) has set itself the goals of reducing its environmental footprint and improving the social conditions of those with the greatest need.

The company has released its 16th annual sustainability report, detailing its projects and goals, and underlining its commitment to create industry-leading value with brands and products that consumers prefer, while at the same time conserving resources and protecting the environment.

The report highlights P&G reaching its waste reduction goal six years early and its pulp certification goal a year early. The number of its global facilities delivering zero manufacturing waste to landfill has risen to 70. In addition, P&G delivered its 7 billionth litre of clean drinking water through the P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water Programme (CSDW) and delivered disaster relief to millions of people around the world.

“Our teams are driven to make a significant, positive and lasting impact on the communities we serve through our operations, product designs and innovative partnerships, and this year’s report showcases the results of that dedication,” said Martin Riant, P&G executive sponsor of sustainability and group president, Global Baby and Feminine & Family Care.

“Our work to drive zero manufacturing waste to landfill across our manufacturing facilities has exceeded expectations with nearly 50 per cent of our sites achieving this goal since 2010.”

The report also highlights four new 2020 sustainability goals P&G launched in October including reduced water usage at manufacturing facilities by 20 per cent per unit of production, provide 1 billion people access to water-efficient products, double the use of recycled resin in plastic packaging, and ensure 90 per cent of product packaging is recyclable or that programmes are in place to create the ability to recycle it

 “Our teams, in collaboration with some leading external partners, have delivered high-impact innovations and projects, helping us to exceed goals in two key areas of the business, and closing in on others. We recognise that there is more to be done and are committed to focusing on areas where we can make the biggest positive impact,” Martin said.

 

Toyota seeks scholars for green energy research

The Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA) is seeking proposals from young teachers and scholars pursuing innovative electrochemical research in green energy technology.

TRINA is a division of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing of North America (TEMA) and is working on the project in partnership with the Electrochemical Society (ECS).

The purpose of the ECS Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship is to encourage young teachers and scholars to pursue research in green energy technology that may promote the development of next-generation vehicles capable of utilising alternative fuels.

Electrochemical research has already led to the development and improvement of innovative batteries, electrocatalysts, photovoltaics and fuel cells. Through this fellowship, ECS and TRINA hope to see further innovative and unconventional technologies emerge from electrochemical research.

The fellowship will be awarded to a minimum of one candidate annually. Winners will receive a restricted grant of no less than $50,000 to conduct the research outlined in their proposal within one year. Winners will also receive a one-year complimentary ECS membership as well as the opportunity to present and/or publish their research with ECS.

“Through this extraordinary partnership between ECS and TRINA,” says ECS executive director Roque Calvo, “we hope to see more innovative and unconventional technologies borne from electrochemical research.”

Depending on the research progress and the results at the completion of the award period, Toyota may elect to enter into a research agreement with the recipient to continue the work. The recipient must publish their findings in a relevant ECS journal and/or present at an ECS meeting within 24 months of the end of the research period. 

For application guidelines and proposal requirements, visithttp://www.electrochem.org/toyota.