This week we answer a question from our newest intern, Anais. An MBA student at Jiaotong University, her questions were focused on the alignment between CSR and business, and whether or not firms in China need to have, or benefit from, strategic CSR. ? #About the AsktheCollective Series: The #AskTheCollective series, is a series built entirely on answering your questions, and through that provi…
This week we answer we answer a question about whether or not Chinese firms are investing in CSR (and sustainability), and if so, how are their programs different than Western MNCs ? #About the AsktheCollective Series: The #AskTheCollective series, is a series built entirely on answering your questions, and through that provide a different level of value to the community of those interested in…
On this episode, I answer the question "Why don't all businesses and companies realize that sustainability must be incorporated into their practices to ensure their long term survival and success?" It is an important question, and we hope that you will gain some insights, and inspirations, from the answer. As always, we hope you find this series engaging, and if you do, please remember to li…
This week we answer the question "Is Corporate Responsibility Dead?" It is a question that we have been speaking frequently on lately as many firms look to overhaul their CSR programs, get away from having seperate departments, and are more generally looking to understand the ROI of CSR to the firm as a "non-business" essential. ? #About the AsktheCollective Series: The #AskTheCollective…
Over the last few months, we have been fortunate to be engaged on a number of what we consider to be “best in class” projects. Projects where the opportunity to help our clients change their systems, be it reduce waste or deliver a new product to the market (that solves big problems). Each of these had the support of executives and teams who were engaged on the issues of sustainability, were com…
With China’s recent “plastic ban”, the recent National Geographic Magazine cover, and reports of brands banning straws, the story of plastic is one that is becoming more widely understood in China, and it is the focus this episode of AsktheCollective where I answer the questions of one viewer who would like to know more about China's recent plastic ban, what other regulations are coming, and when…
In this episode I answer a question about whether or not I think corporate social responsibility (CSR) gives companies license to do bad. It is a question with roots in the recent Freakonomics Podcast Does Doing Good Give You License to Be Bad? () and the rebuttal by Chris Jarvis on the Engage for Good Podcast Does Doing Good with CSR Really Give Companies, Employees License to be Bad? As…
Yesterday, we were excited to host our second Shanghai Sustainable Ambassador Appreciation Reception. An event to celebrate the work of sustainability professionals and business leaders who are looking to drive sustainability through their business, participants had a chance to network and share ideas over relaxed drinks and delicious hors-d’œuvres. The guests were a group of passionate and…
The unprecedented speed at which science and technology are advancing has resulted on the development of numerous household chemicals that have slowly become indispensable to people. On the long term, the unsafe use, storage, and disposal of these chemicals may pose a threat to human and animal health. In fact, places like China have seen a rising number of hospitalizations of thousands of childre…
Apologies for the absence, but after 6 months away, we are relaunching the Ask The Collective Series. The goal of this series remains no different than when we launched it: to help answer your questions about sustainability in China (and now Asia), and we are hoping that you will find some time to re-engage with us, let us know what is on your mind, and given us the chance to help you move your…
When building up networks of sustainability leaders and innovators, it often takes the progressive action of a single individual to catalyze real change. These individuals are Sustainability Ambassadors, and they have the capacity and the drive to inspire change at any level of an organization – from the new talent to the visionary executive. ABOUT Zhang Hui As the Director of UT…
In this episode, we speak with Patrick Riley, the former General Manager of Interface China, to discuss the influence of Ray Anderson, the culture of sustainability in China, and leadership. We hope that you will enjoy this episode, and if you do, please remember to like, comment, and share! To learn how to foster similar leaders in your own company, check out our Building a Sustainability A…
In this episode of #AsktheCollective, I talk about the scale of China's market for sustainable products and services, and how to leverage stakeholder engagements and pilot projects. As always, we hope you find this series engaging, and if you do, please remember to like, share, comment, and SUBSCRIBE! #About the AsktheCollective Series: As a way to engage with you, our audienc…
In this episode of Sustainability Ambassadors, we speak with Echo Bao, Sustainability Manager at DSM, about how she developed her career in corporate sustainability. A career path that was unexpected at first, but through which her flexibility, curiosity, and ability to engage her business leaders, has allowed her to drive the value proposition of sustainability further in a company that already h…
In this episode of Sustainability Ambassadors, we speak with Raymond Fang, Sustainability Director at Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) about his career in sustainability and corporate social responsibility. A self proclaimed pioneer in the industry, Raymond offers a lot of great insights for the aspiring young professional about the importance of understanding the business case for sustainability, the…
