The recent CSR newsreels put the Middle-East and especially Dubai in the spotlight. According to a recent survey, 70% of respondents in UAE believed that CSR helps capture new markets and market share while 90% said credible CSR programmes can enable companies to build a solid reputation. Over 80% thought that CSR can attract new customers and foster innovation. The annual CSR Middle East Survey was conducted by Sustainability Advisory Group (SAG) and is in its second year.

There is a...

One of the biggest environmental disasters happened around this time last year. The BP oil spill has left undeniable impressions on how we view oil drilling and non-renewable sources of energy. This has had a knock-on effect on CSR, PR and marketing. The BP spill is possibly the most high-profile CSR/PR disaster of recent times.

It is true that BP has had a questionable safety record, but the spill could have happened...

During the past month, the Indian civil aviation industry has been embroiled in shocking revelations about the levels of mismanagement when it comes to hiring pilots. There have been several near misses and pilots from pretty much every major airline have been arrested for falsifying their records.

India's directorate general of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is responsible for pilot examinations and granting licences, has announced it will look into the credentials of 4,000 commercial airline pilots even as...

A quick Google for Earth Hour produces nearly 7000 hits in the news section alone, so why am I adding to the deluge? Earth Hour is probably WWF's most successful campaign. Like most successful campaigns it has become a movement in its own right. Many businesses want to associate themselves with Earth Hour. City councils are eager 'to switch off' for an hour. It has garnered scores of celebrity support.

It has even prompted UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to say, “Let us join together to celebrate this shared...