Articles for discussion: multinational corporations and their role in the environment

Here are two links I’d like you to take a look at:

http://www.bottledlifefilm.com/index.php/the-story.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-brabeckletmathe/addressing-the-water-chal_b_3152926.html?gclid=CJPenrDA_cUCFcOWtAodwl8Agw

I would like to discuss the role of multinational corporations in environmental protection. Furthermore, how are they responsible for their employees and the inhabitants around their plants? Are these companies responsible for the environment and to what extent? Is it a question of ethics or corporate image? Have business practices, in light of the environment, changed in the last 30 years? What course do you think they will take in the future?

Are companies, and in turn their employees, responsible for how their products are used by their customers? What about the activities of their suppliers? Siemens uses a code of conduct and expects its suppliers to adhere to it as well. (http://www.siemens.com/about/sustainability/pool/en/core_topics/code_of_conduct-english.pdf) Should all companies have this policy?

Can't wait to hear you ideas about this topic!