ECONOMICS AND TRADE | Achieving growth through open markets
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Foreign Tourists Flock to America
The United States is a favorite vacation spot for foreign visitors. Seizing on opportunities created by the low dollar, they're experiencing Manhattan, Hollywood, Miami, Vegas and other places.
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Presidential Candidates Discuss Trade
U.S. presidential candidates address concerns that international trade does not benefit many Americans.
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The Companies
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advancedmicro
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Advanced Micro Devices Corporation
A maker of microprocessors based in Sunnyvale, California
Corporate Motto: Should you find yourself faced with an opportunity to both save money and the planet, don't let it pass you by.
AMD is a founding member of Green Grid, an industry consortium seeking to improve energy efficiency in data centers and business computing. It strives to design chips that reduce power and cooling costs. The company also implements manufacturing practices that minimize energy use and global-warming emissions. For example, in its manufacturing plant in Dresden, Germany, it uses natural gas-fueled trigeneration technology for electricity, heating and cooling, which is 30 to 45 percent more efficient than conventional systems.
In June 2008, AMD opened in Austin, Texas, its new nonmanufacturing campus, which the company hopes will serve as a model for sustainable development. It features 100 percent renewable energy from local sources, native-plant landscaping and an innovative system for rainwater collection and use. Energy-efficient buildings use day-lighting for energy conservation.
AMD works with partners to connect people in developing countries to the Internet, building a complete system to deliver local content, service and support for computer devices and networks.
Quote from the top: “We believe we're making significant strides to building a sustainable growth engine for the foreseeable future,” Hector Ruiz, executive chairman
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agilent
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Agilent Technologies Incorporated
A provider of measurement and instrumentation equipment, software and services based in Santa Clara, California
Corporate Motto: Our citizenship objective is to be an economic, intellectual and social asset to each nation and community in which we operate.
Agilent not only offers products that help protect and sustain the environment but also excels at environmental, health and safety corporate practices; offers unique employee benefits; and serves communities in which it does business. It has extensive efficiency programs for energy, transportation, water and solid-waste management. The company engages in reuse and recycling of its own products as well as computers and office supplies. Its programs range from installing a one-megawatt solar power system at its Santa Clara campus to using biodegradable dinnerware in company’s cafeterias.
Agilent has reached more than 80,000 pre-university students worldwide through its educational programs. Its latest commitment to social awareness is a diversity project involving women engineers that aims to educate rural residents on environmental and health issues.
Quote from the top: “For me, it’s all about capitalizing on what we do best - measurement science - and addressing global sustainability at the same time,” Bill Sullivan, president and chief executive
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alcoa
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Alcoa Incorporated
A producer of aluminum and aluminum products based in New York and Pittsburgh
Corporate motto: Alcoa is at its best when we keep open lines of communication to all of our stakeholders, and respond decisively when they raise legitimate concerns.
Read related article: Aluminum Giant Attracts Praise for Protecting the Environment
Quote from the top: “Our values guide our behavior at every level of the organization worldwide.” Klaus Kleinfeld, president and chief executive
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aig
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American International Group (AIG) Incorporated
An insurance corporation based in New York
Corporate Motto: We are devoting the resources necessary to manage our [environmental, social and governance] risks while developing innovative solutions to help our clients better manage their own [environmental, social and governance] risks.
AIG creates innovative insurance, risk-management, engineering and financial consulting products and services to help clients respond to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit environmental exposure and mitigate environmental damages. Companies that make up the AIG group also develop and acquire “green” buildings around the world and invest in renewable energy operations. For example, AIG has developed for its offices in Zurich and Hong Kong "green" buildings that set new standards for design and efficiency.
To reduce its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, AIG purchases renewable energy and carbon offsets and reduces its electricity use.
The corporation reaches out to the poor in developing countries with educational programs that explain the value of microfinance and microinsurance. For example, in 2007, it expanded the coverage of microinsurance to include critical and emergency medical care, diagnostics, health care, personal property and livestock insurance. Other social initiatives included investing in industries that contribute to the betterment of the environment in India and in equity financing of infrastructure projects in Malaysia.
Quote from the top: “The spirit of entrepreneurship is helping us seize new markets in critical environmental, social and governance areas,” Martin J. Sullivan, former chief executive and president
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healthcare
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Baxter International Incorporated
A global health care company based in Deerfield, Illinois
Corporate Motto: As a healthcare company dedicated to saving and sustaining lives, the critical nature of our work naturally aligns with sustainability.
This company’s sustainability efforts range from sustainable design during research and development of its products to responsible product promotion to repair, refurbishment and recycling of its medical devices at the end of their product life. Baxter has made great strides in improving efficiency of energy use as well driving down its production of waste and its greenhouse gas emissions. For example, it has increasingly used cogeneration and renewable energy to power its facilities and encouraged suppliers to enhance their environmental performance.
Company headquarters and many of Baxter’s manufacturing facilities have reached a “carbon-neutral” status through a mix of sustainable operational practices and carbon offsets. The latest addition to this group is a plant in Cartago, Costa Rica, which is the first “carbon-neutral” facility in the country.
Baxter also offers an array of programs and resources to help its employees and their families stay well. In addition, with The Baxter International Foundation, the company donates products, cash and grants to communities in developing countries.
Quote from the top: “The most successful companies of tomorrow will be those that develop new technologies that meet a market need while also eliminating a social or environmental problem,” Robert Parkinson, chairman and chief executive
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