Greenleaf Publishing invites contributions for a special issue of Greener Management International (GMI) on the topic of “THE BASE OF THE PYRAMID IN LATIN AMERICA”, to be edited by Miguel Angel Gardetti, Center for Study of Corporate Sustainability, Argentina.

Rationale

This special issue will focus on three interrelated themes concerning the the Base of the Pyramid in Latin America:

• The Base of the Pyramid (BoP) not only as a new market for products
  and services, but also as a source for the co-creation of new
  sustainable business ventures highlighting the role of local
  entrepreneurs
• The role of technology and innovation in meeting the needs of BoP customers
• The concept of sustainability within BoP strategies; considering
  the impact of economic growth and social pressures on our planet

Since the appearance of C.K. Prahalad and Stuart L. Hart’s working
paper “Strategies for the Bottom of the Pyramid: Creating Sustainable
Development” in 1999, we have come a long way in the conceptualisation
of BoP. With the objective of serving the needs of the 4 billion poor
at the base of the economic pyramid, real momentum for this agenda has
subsequently built up, with scores of companies, multilateral
institutions, NGOs and academics around the world now working actively
in this area.

In a successful BoP business strategy, incremental design changes and
cost cutbacks associated with these strategies have no place. Yet most
organisations will tend to assume very defensive stances that protect
and nurture that which has served them well in the past, even in the
face of change. That is to say, they react by increasing their commitment to existing products, processes and markets
and their actions therefore serve to maintain the status quo. However,
successful companies are often able to invest or partner in order to
achieve new competences and experience in new untapped markets. The
innovations required for the base of the pyramid are those that quickly
and suddenly eclipse current routines and knowledge – Schumpeter’s
“Disruptive Innovation”.

Moreover, from a regulatory and policy viewpoint, if entering BoP
markets reaps positive rewards both in social development and value
creation for business, what would it take to turn preliminary
individual intiatives into a global movement – to build a reality that
maintains and drives sustainable development? While some projects can
be successfully expedited by individuals or corporations, others will
require collaboration, in concert with a broader set of stakeholders.

Latin America is a key area in the advancement of the BoP concept. This is evidenced by, among other things:

1. The increased development of BoP Learning Labs in the region
2. The number of business strategies focused on the BoP. For example, the first stage of the Mapping the BoP in Latin America,
   conducted in late 2007 by the Inter-American Development Bank in
   collaboration with the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV),
   identified 500 companies working at the BoP all over the region (with
   the potential identification of an additional 500 in a second Mapping
   stage)
3. Increased academic research in recent years
4. NGOs that promote “social entrepreneurs” have their own BoP programmes in place and encourage these entrepreneurs to implement BoP concepts through various projects

Coverage

This special issue of Greener Management International
seeks to explore as many different dimensions of the topic as possible
(while focusing specifically on Latin America), broadly grouped into
the following themes:

1. BoP and entrepreneurship (corporate and local)
• To what extent can entrepreneurship (corporate and local) support or drive BoP?
• What is the link between social entrepreneurship and BoP?
2. BoP and innovation
• What kind of “bottom-up” innovation might support BoP initiatives (and sustainable development)?
• What is the relationship between technological entrepreneurship and BoP?
3. BoP and the role of the state
• What should the role of the state be in the BoP?
• What is the message to and from policy-makers, governments, local and international funding agencies?
• What is the contribution of structural, policy-based or economic subsidies?
4. Local companies vs multinationals (or large companies vs SMEs)
• Some studies show that domestic (local) companies are the main BoP
  drivers. Is there a particular reason for that? And, along the same
  line, why do SMEs sometimes become the drivers of the BoP strategies?
  What are the institutional, strategic or managerial barriers for large
  companies?
5. Impacts of BoP strategies
• What are the (social) individual and collective impacts of BoP strategies? What could be the most suitable measuring structures?
6. Successes and failures of BoP initiatives
• Case studies are welcomed. Examples of both successful and
  unsuccessful entrepreneurial ventures are sought, preferably drawn from
  a variety of industries and geographical regions, and covering both
  small and large firms. What are the lessons learned? How do failure
  rates of BoP projects compare with those of other business start-ups?
7. Sustainability
• How can we balance poverty alleviation and stimulation of economic
  growth without stressing the ecosystem? What is the policy support, and
  how effective is it?

Contributions

The above list is by no means restrictive, and contributions on other
relevant topics will also be considered. This project is an attempt to
develop a comprehensive understanding of this field, and as such
welcomes submissions based on a variety of approaches, be they
reflective, empirical, practical or applied theoretical work. Given the
intended practical nature of these publications, contributions from
practitioners in businesses, NGOs and government are very welcome.
Theoretical papers should be between 4,000 and 6,000 words and case
studies between 2,500 and 4,000 words in length. The paper submissions
should follow editorial guidelines, which can be obtained from the Greenleaf Publishing website.

Schedule for the themed issue

The submission deadline for initial expressions of interest in the form
of abstracts of approximately 300 words is 16 October 2009. Abstracts
should ideally be sent as email attachments to the Guest Editor for the
review process (see “Contact details” below).

A selection process will then be put into motion. Contributors whose
abstracts are felt appropriate for the themed issue will then be asked
to submit full papers by early February 2010. Contributors will be
informed of the acceptance of their contributions or be invited to
submit final revised papers by 5 April 2010. It is intended that the
special issue of Greener Management International will be published in June 2010.

• Call for contributions: 18 June 2009
• Abstract submissions: 16 October 2009
• The selection of papers (abstracts) and contacting selected authors is planned to take place between 13 and 20 November 2009
• Full paper submissions: 3 February 2010
• Revised paper submissions: 5 April 2010

All papers will be peer-reviewed by an international panel of BoP experts.

The editor and the publisher plan to make this issue available at the
sixth multi-sector activity of the Argentina BoP Learning Lab (Buenos
Aires, 23 June 2010 [to be confirmed]).

Contact details

For further information,
to discuss ideas for contributions, and to submit
abstracts/manuscripts, please contact the Guest Editor:
Miguel Angel Gardetti
Center for Study of Corporate Sustainability, Head
Argentina Base of the Pyramid Learning Lab, Founder and Coordinator
Av. Córdoba 6502, 1er piso “B”
C1427BZS Buenos Aires
Argentina
Tel and Fax: +54.11.4554.9482

mag@sustentabilidad.org.ar

www.sustentabilidad.org.ar

www.basedelapiramide.org.ar

The experience and enthusiasm of people who have installed renewable
energy (such as solar panels, biomass boilers or wind turbines) in
their home is at the heart of YouGen’s remit of helping make it easy
for people to navigate a complex new market and choose wisely.

Research1 shows that people have difficulty in finding impartial,
informed advice about renewable energy; that 91 per cent look at the
internet for advice; and that they want an installer who is
knowledgeable, trustworthy, reliable and preferably local. YouGen uses
social media to provide a one stop shop for renewable energy.

‘We’re calling on people who have installed renewable energy or made
their house more energy efficient to register on the site now, and help
others by sharing their tips and experiences, and, if they’ve had a
good experience, recommend their installer,’ says founder Cathy
Debenham.

‘Renewable energy is a really confusing market, and most of the early
adopters have a story to tell. While their original motivation may have
been to reduce energy bills, or for energy security or environmental
protection, renewable energy often fascinates people in a way they
don’t expect. It engages you with the energy you use and brings you
closer to nature, making you more aware of its power.’

Companies serving the domestic renewable energy, microgeneration and
energy efficiency markets are also invited to add a free company
profile and describe the services they offer and how they operate.

As well as the user generated sections, YouGen site also contains
independently researched information, which prides itself in giving
practical information, cutting through the jargon and making it easy
for people to see if a technology is suitable for their home. The blog
has regular contributions from YouGen Energy Experts who are
professionals in their field, and are happy to answer questions. It
covers energy efficiency as well as renewable energy.

To encourage people to recommend their supplier YouGen is giving away a wattson (the stylish energy meter from DIY Kyoto http://www.diykyoto.com/uk) every month. Everyone who recommends a supplier is entered into the monthly draw.

For more information contact:
Cathy Debenham, e: cathy@yougen.co.uk, t: 01395 597879
YouGen – renewable energy made easy – http://www.yougen.co.uk

This briefing paper provides general information only and should not be used as the sole basis for investment decisions. Unless you are an experienced investor it is important to take advice from a suitably qualified professional.

The price of cleaning up
It seems that environmental issues are everywhere today. Whereas a short time ago subjects such as carbon emissions, clean energy, recycling and access to water were peripheral to the business and Government policy agendas; they have in recent years risen significantly in importance.

According to research from Ernst and Young $100 billion of investors capital flowed into the environmental technology sector as a whole during 2006, they expect this to increase to $750 billion by 2016, an increase of 650%

So what are the main economic drivers for this surge in investment?
The EU has set the goal of cutting emissions by 20% before 2020. In Britain the UK climate bill announced a target 60% emission reduction by the year 2050. These regulatory steps build on the 19997 Kyoto protocols which have been signed by 169 companies.

The bulk of investment is likely to go into clean or low carbon energy.
The Chinese Government is likely to invest $200 billion in water infrastructure by 2028, and has committed $180 billion to its clean energy targets. China 2007 climate change action plan includes a plan to double to use of renewable energy by 2020.

A case study- Wind Power
In November 2005 in the State of Colorado (US) a remarkable thing happened to the price of energy. For the first time in the US 33,000 retail energy customers, homeowners and businesses began paying less for electricity generated by wind turbines than other customers buying conventional power from the burning of coal and gas.

This was the result of hurricanes Katrina and Rita roaring through the Gulf of Mexico, causing Xcel Energy to raise the surcharge for conventional energy customers. The marketplace response was swift with Windsource energy quickly sold out and with the generation sites unable to meet demand.  

In that instance the tipping point had been reached due to extraordinary weather events but energy security is also a problem here in Europe with UK increasingly dependent upon the Global markets for gas.

Big players, big growth
By almost any measure, wind energy is booming. If we look at the overall market size the global wind industry has gone from $11.8 billion in 2005 to $17.9 billion in 2006. In the US in 2006 wind was the second largest source of new energy generating capacity, trailing only natural gas.

The European experience
Europe accounts for about 75% of the world’s installed wind-energy capacity, with more than 40 GW. As it does in solar power, Germany leads the world in wind production with more than 18 GW- 33% more than the US.

But the hottest current growth market in the European Union is Spain, which has vaulted past Denmark and the US to become the world’s second largest wind energy user.

Although the Danes still lead the world in the percentage of domestic power generated by wind at 20%. Other European growth markets for wind include the Netherlands, Portugal and the UK; although Shell has recently withdrawn from Europe’s largest wind energy project the London array.

What are the opportunities for private investors?
There are a range of ways in which small private investors can access these growth markets; through relatively mainstream collective investment funds run by fund management organisations, such as Jupiter asset management or Henderson Global

Investors
There are also opportunities to achieve more direct exposure to environmental technologies via venture capital firms such as Foresight. The major ethical bank Triodos has also recently launched a “fund” which invests in wind and wave power energy generation in the UK.

Sources
“The Clean Tech Revolution”  Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder
Global Eco-trends Investment brochure Allianz Global Investors
John Ditchfield
Barchester Green Investment

The outdoor enthusiast and traveler’s best friend!

Voltaic solar bags are stylish mobile solar power generators designed to charge virtually all handheld electronics and are now available in the UK -  courtesy of Ecotopia. Whether you are an adventurer and visiting the Gobi Dessert, just out for the day trekking in Wales or biking through France then these solar bags are for you.

Embedded in the outside of the bags are lightweight, tough, waterproof solar panels. The new Generator produces up to 14.7 watts, powerful enough to fully charge a typical laptop from a day of direct sunlight. No other solar bag can do this! The smaller bags produce 4 watts of power so 1 hour in direct sun will power over 3 hours of iPod play time or 1.5 hours of cell phone talk time.

All Voltaic bags come with a custom battery pack which stores any surplus power generated, so it is available when you need it – not just when the sun is up. The battery packs can also be charged using the included AC travel charger or car charger, making them just as useful on the grid as off.

All bags include standard adaptors for common cell phones and other handheld devices. The Generator also includes common laptop adaptors. Even without an adaptor, you can charge most devices with a standard car charger or USB charger.

Once you’re in receipt of your backpack or bag, you just need to go for a brisk walk in relative sunlight to get power surging through your appliances. Or you can leave it, with the panels facing towards the sun next to your desk, safe in the knowledge that you have one of the world’s first pieces of sunworshipping luggage.

The Voltaic Messenger at £175 is reinforced and padded to carry and protect a laptop. It has large zipped pockets for documents, and multiple small pockets for electronic devices. Ideal for use in town or as a travel bag.

At £155, The Voltaic Converter is our most versatile model. It is a small light weight day bag with a compartment for a water bladder, so it is ideal for biking and hiking.

Multiple attachment mechanisms mean it can work as a pannier on a bicycle, a tank bag on a motorcycle, a saddle pack, or a day bag attached to a lager rucksack.

The Voltaic Backpack at £195 is the granddaddy of all backpacks. It is built tough for use as a weekend hike bag or as a large daypack. There are pockets and wire channels for multiple electronic devices and 1,850 cubic inches of storage space.