[Grovenet] An Inconvenient Common ground

[Steven]

I'm lost. Which side of the fence do I throw this one?

Wal-Mart Warms to Al Gore
Former Vice President and environmental activist Al Gore is planning to
address Wal-Mart Stores Inc. executives next week at the retailer’s
quarterly conference on sustainability, part of the company’s recent efforts
to become an environmental leader, a Wal-Mart spokesman confirmed.

Gore will speak on global warming, the subject of his recently released
documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.” The conference is an outgrowth of
Wal-Mart’s mission, outlined by Chief Executive Lee Scott last November, to
minimize its negative impact on the environment. At the time, Wal-Mart
committed to, among other things, reduce energy use in its stores, improve
the fuel efficiency of its truck fleet and substantially cut down on solid
waste produced by its stores.

Wal-Mart has seized on the issue of sustainability in an effort to bolster
positive public relations at a time when its various business practices have
been heavily criticized, from its worker pay and health benefits to its
effect on smaller retailers. Still, the company has attempted to make
changes. For example, it outfitted its trucks with an alternative power unit
that uses 90% less fuel than its engines do while idling. The company
created 14 internal networks to explore and implement more environmentally
sound business practices. The 14 groups, made up of both Wal-Mart executives
and outside experts, focus on different business areas, including operations
and logistics, food and agriculture, textiles, global greenhouse gas and
jewelry and mining.

Called the sustainable value network, the groups meet individually
throughout the year. They also hold their own conferences. Last month, for
instance, Wal-Mart held a two-day conference on sustainability and textiles.
It brought together Wal-Mart executives, environmental consultants and
members of nonprofit groups to discuss issues surrounding organic textiles,
including certification and standards. Next week’s meeting, held at the
company’s home office in Bentonville, Ark., is one of four where all the
company’s internal groups working on sustainability issues get together to
discuss progress, stumbling blocks and other issues. –Ann Zimmerman