Soenke Zehle on Tue, 11 Apr 2006 13:34:28 +0200 (CEST) |
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<nettime> Sustainable Channeling at Intel |
Intel's vision of sustainable computing, presented by their NGO Channel Manager (sic). To me, the most interesting aspect of their 'webinar' (!?) was the background section (by their Environment, Health and Safety Director Lew Scarpace) that gives some idea of how Intel approaches sustainability in environmental terms. "Intel expects the same level of EHS performance from our operations in emerging markets as we do of our operations in the U.S." - this is what WTO et al activists have been demanding for a while, let's see if they walk the talk (and if this is what local organizations actually want to happen, given how weak some of the US regulations actually are). But then they are disarmingly honest: "In 2004, we experienced slight increases in our global energy usage, volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions. Although disappointing, these increases can be attributed to ramping our newest manufacturing processes." Just so happens that they are also involved in nanotoxicity research, maybe nanomachines won't smell bad or pollute the water. Also note their interest in working with Chinese environmental groups, a type of alliance that has already made many CSR theorists suggest (somewhat prenaturely, perhaps) that in countries such as China, TNCs and NGOs will walk down Sustainability Road together. That is, anyway, what Simon Zadek (chief executive of accountability.org.uk) has suggested recently: "In a Chinese context, organisations like Amnesty International are likely to see business in the latter role; with, in their view, at least some western multinationals playing the role of honest broker (or perhaps even Trojan horse) in connecting and strengthening global civil society's leverage over Chinese businesses and their work habits. Meanwhile, the Chinese government watches over this strange dance, not reacting with a reflex of horror as in the past, but cautiously engaging in entering a strategic though very indirect engagement"[1], Soenke [1]<http://www.opendemocracy.net/democracy-china/china_business_3076.jsp#= > > <http://www.humaninet.org/globalictconf/webinar060421.shtm> Sustainable Computing for Developing Countries with Jeff Galinovsky, Strategic Initiative Manager, NGO Channel Emerging Market Platform Group (EPMG), Intel Corporation 1:00 PM EST/10:00 AM PST - 90 Minutes Co-hosted by HumaniNet and N-TEN. The Webinar sponsor is ReadyTalk. Last Updated: 4/7/2006 Register Now at the N-TEN registration page. Information Technology and Computer use in emerging markets, including Asia, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, have exploded in recent years. As a result Intel has created a new group whose focus is around developing and delivering unique platforms that address the needs of those in developing countries. Intel has opened four platform definition centers around the world to define locally relevant computing solutions based on Intel=AE technology. These definition centers will identify environmental considerations, local usage models, and marketplace requirements specific to each geographic region, such as inclement weather, intermittent power supply, or specialized content needs for consumers and small businesses. In addition, Intel works with other partners like governments and NGOs to help create a sustainable ecosystem around the platforms to ensure sustainability. Jeff will review Intel's emerging market strategy, as well as the recently-announced "community computer" that was launched in India as part of the =93Jaagruti=94 (=93Awakening=94) initiative, which seeks to p= rovide rural communities in India with greater economic and social opportunities. The speaker: Jeff has been with Intel for over 13 years and has held many different positions in Engineering, Marketing, and Management. Jeff has had the pleasure of helping to develop the strategy and start up operations of Intel=92s new Emerging Markets Platforms Group and brings with him many years of experience from Intel=92s Reseller Channel tha # distributed via <nettime>: no commercial use without permission # <nettime> is a moderated mailing list for net criticism, # collaborative text filtering and cultural politics of the nets # more info: majordomo@bbs.thing.net and "info nettime-l" in the msg body # archive: http://www.nettime.org contact: nettime@bbs.thing.net