The Global Sociology Blog

According to the Guardian, the retailer B&Q (a kind of British Home Depot) is going to stop selling patio heaters for environmental reasons:

“The company said yesterday it has 20,000 heaters in its stores and expects to sell the last one during 2008. After that it will no longer stock the heaters once branded by ministers as “environmental obscenities.”

The company says it has decided to stop selling the heaters which consume enough energy in an hour to make 400 cups of tea, as part of its plan to put the environment at the heart its business. It also follows a long campaign by against the heaters by environmental groups.”

In that respect, B&Q is following Wyvale garden centre chain who stopped selling gas-powered patio heaters last year. A Friend of the Earth campaigner described the heaters as “carbon-belching monstrosities” (I have nothing to add, I just loved the expression). Furthermore,

“B&Q has also announced that it has signed a three-year partnership to become a One Planet Living business, a global initiative set up by the WWF which commits B&Q to 10 principles of sustainability. These include zero carbon, zero waste, sustainable water, natural habitats and wildlife, culture and heritage and equity and fair trade.”

I think I like B&Q. I had first heard about this company via the slavery video produced by the organization Antislavery, which featured Kevin Bales. B&Q was featured through its ethics officer (what a great title) and its promotion of the rugmark, the label that certifies that rugs were not made by slaves. This officer noted the relatively low cost of ensuring that the products sold in B&Q stores were not tainted by slavery, in addition to the peace of mind, that is.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an important piece of the multi-layered approach that needs to be used to resolve global problems such as slavery or carbon emissions.