The IMF published its World Economic Outlook 2007 – Globalization and Inequality. The IMF now expects the global economy to grow 4.8% next year, down from its earlier 5.2% forecast. The downgrade follows in the wake of the much-publicised turmoil in the global credit markets which was started by record defaults in the US sub-prime …
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Category:3 The World of Money
How the sub-prime melts …
A good explanation of how mortgages were packaged, sold and then turned to dust from Fortune: Junk mortgages under the microscope -A close-up of one deal shows how subprime mortgages went bad. And here’s the graphic to keep you in the picture.
GRI financial services guidelines for public comment
UNEP Finance Initiative and the Global Reporting Initiative have jointly coordinated a working group to pilot and review the draft versions of the GRI Financial Services Sector Supplement (Environmental and Social Performance). The revised Supplement including all these changes is now available for public comment until 10 January, 2008. The new Supplement and the response …
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WTO rules US cotton subsidies illegal, again
The World Trade Organisation upheld the findings of its interim report released in July saying that subsidies paid to US cotton farmers are illegal. The US is expected to appeal, but if it is upheld, the US could face billions of dollars in trade sanctions for failing to scrap illegal subsidies. The ruling is a …
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Knowing what you can’t see
Geoffrey Miller recently published research which clearly shows that human males can detect whether or not females are fertile. The data support the conclusion that males can detect whether or not females are ovulating, even if they don’t know that that’s what they are detecting. His unusual study took place in lap-dancing clubs and the …
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“Living” Companies Perform Better
We are especially drawn to this title being advocates of anthropomorphic business models and biomimicry. This article, Living Companies Perform Better, outlines the approach discussed in the book Profit For Life. While the specifics may differ from other proponents, the systems approach is common to this big picture way of managing complex organisations. It draws …
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Soften the China lobby (and others)
Beijing recently announced an anti-monopoly law which some observers say could work with rules on technology standards, procurement, taxes and patent transfer requirements to give Chinese firms an unfair boost over foreign competitors. It is part of the call by US and other lobbyists for China to open up but at the same time enforce …
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Lots of talk about Environmental Disclosure, little action among FTSE All-share
The U.K.’s Environment Agency published “Environmental Disclosures,” its second major review of environmental reporting among FTSE companies. Since the last review, in 2004, significant progress has been made in reporting. Almost every single company, 98%, listed on the FTSE All-Share Index now mentions the environment in their annual reports, unfortunately, for some that’s all they …
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Solar demand outstrips supply and raises valuation concerns
China’s solar technology industry has experienced explosive growth in just a few short years as it becomes the principal supply of solar product. But in early October the challenge of getting enough raw material to satisfy demand has caused valuation concerns over listed Chinese solar businesses. At issue plaguing the global industry is an acute …
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Eco-consumption under pressure from economic slowdown and greenwash
The slowing US economy is dragging down several green industries, including demand for green homes, energy-efficient home products and renewable energy, according to Energy Pulse 2007, the third annual national consumer market study conducted by the Shelton Group. For eight different kinds of energy efficient home products, this year’s Energy Pulse survey found that consumers …
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