There’s Green wash, and there’s Green Wash. CSR is an important step forward in promoting sustainability, social justice and environmental protection along with economic gain in the so called “Triple Bottom Line” in order to make economic growth more sustainable. While I support anything that would help change the way business is done today and promote sustainably, a lot of the CSR programs implemented these days are unfortunately complete bullshit, not all, but most.

Of course of those that are bullshit, some stand out conspicuously. My favourite? The one I discovered reading this article on BBC on the environmental evils of supermarkets. Apparently weapons manufacturer BAE Systems in 2006 announced they are going to make “environmentally friendly” weapons. Amongst the measures are reduced lead bullets, reduced smoke grenades (you read that right, reduced smoke, I’m assuming to reduce the chance of getting cancer from inhaling a grenade), rockets with reduced toxins and composting waste explosives.

Gee thanks BAE, because I’m sure if I was a soldier getting my guts rearranged by a soft nosed bullet I’d at least be able to thank my lucky stars that I wouldn’t have to worry about the many symptoms of lead poisoning which include nausea, abdominal pain or god forbid irritability (though I assume being shot would make me plenty irritable already). So from the bottom of my torn aorta, thank you BAE!