CSR Minute: Germany to Lead World in Offshore Wind Power, Says Enventi Research; Implementation Guidance Tools Launched by Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights

New research shows that Germany will become the world leader in offshore generated wind power as early as 2015. Enventi, a U.K. consultancy company, reports that German projects have ordered 2,000 kilometers of wind farm-related, submarine power cables. Germany has plans for the installation of an integrated High-voltage Direct-Current—HVDC— network that will allow clusters of offshore of wind farms to be developed in northwest Europe. A group of global organizations has launched a practical guide to help companies maintain operational security while respecting human rights. The Implementation Guidance Tools are targeted especially at companies operating in geographical areas of conflict and weak governance, and address such issues as stakeholder engagement and risk assessment. The Tools are an outgrowth of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, a program developed in 2000 by governments, companies in the extractive and energy sector, and NGOs. The group of sponsors includes the International Council on Mining and Metals, the International Finance Corporation, and the Global Oil and Gas Industry Association for Environmental and Social Issues, with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross. For more information on these and other stories, go to thecsrminute.com