As companies around the globe set social and environmental goals, measure, and publicly report their progress, they are finding the Boston-based Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) -- a project aided by US-AEP -- a critical resource in these efforts.

 Co-sponsored by US-AEP, GRI held its 2^nd International Symposium in Washington DC, November 13-15, to further its work of standardizing non-financial corporate reporting.  During the keynote session, Senator Timothy Wirth, Director of the UN Foundation, pledged continued support for GRI, which is helping the world �make the adjustment to the 21^st century�.  US-AEP�s Brenda Bateman chaired a session entitled �Strengthening GRI in Developing Countries� resulting in a menu of ideas and recommendations for the GRI Secretariat�s consideration.  Proceedings of the Conference can be found at www.globalreporting.org.

 In addition to chairing a panel at the GRI conference, Brenda Bateman published an article in the November 16, 2000 Far Eastern Economic Review on the need for Asia�s businesses and decision-makers to involve themselves in the GRI standard-setting program. For the text of the article, go to the US-AEP website, at www.usaep.org.

US-AEP is working to promote clean energy and environmental awareness through a series of events and conferences in India.

 The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) received a grant from the U. S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) for a feasibility study on industrial waste recycling.  US-AEP was instrumental in helping the TNPCB secure this first award from U.S. sources, enabling the state to begin clean up of its hundreds of tanneries.  US-AEP is pleased to assist this landmark event and partner for Tamil Nadu�s environmental progress.

 US-AEP is also sponsoring, in conjunction with the state of Karnataka, the �Smiles 2000 Millenium Renewable Energy Expo�, November 25^th to 29^th, in Bangalore, India.  The Expo is expected to draw more than 400 delegates from across India, with several US-AEP partners participating with presentations, exhibits, and addresses.  In particular, US-AEP/India is taking the opportunity to offer trade leads and assistance to two U.S. firms, Global Solar and Southwest Windpower, opening new avenues for American firms into the Indian market for clean and renewable energy sources.

 In addition, US-AEP is preparing to participate actively in the International Clean Energy Trade Mission, to Chennai, India, December 1^st and 2^nd.  Seven delegates from U.S. firms will explore business possibilities in the renewable energy source areas of solar, wind, hydro, and gas.  The Mission coincides with the Confederation of Indian Industry�s (CII) Energy Summit Expo and conference, giving U.S. firms the widest possible access to public and private decision-makers in the industrial and energy sectors.  As part of the Mission, US-AEP is facilitating one-on-one meetings between representatives of U.S. firms, Indian businesses, and local and state government officials.

 Finally, US-AEP has played an essential role in facilitating Ford India, Ltd.�s local awards in Ford Motor Company�s worldwide environmental grant program.  US-AEP provided valuable contacts, guidance as the selection process progressed, outreach efforts to appropriate audiences, and forwarding of high-quality applications to the selection committee.

Clean production was the topic of two important conferences in Singapore this month. The Asia Pacific Responsible Care conference �organized by the Singapore Chemical Industry Council � gave the US-AEP�s Singapore Technical Representative, Mr. Chan Yiu Kei, the opportunity to acquaint over 300 participants from the Asian oil and petrochemical industries with US-AEP programs and facilities.  The theme of the conference was �Globalisation of Responsible Care: Drive to World Class Performance�, and followed the annual meeting of ASEAN Chemical Industry Councils, where members were urged to continue their positive and productive collaboration with US-AEP.

US-AEP is working to make the U.S. trade mission to the �Aquatech and Environment Philippines 2000� show in Manila a success for American environmental firms. Working with FCS Manila, US-AEP/Philippines held a successful videoconference with the Export Assistance Center in Trenton, New Jersey on November 13^th.  During the videoconference, several small- to medium-sized firms, who plan to attend the trade show with assistance of US-AEP�s Overseas Program Fund (OPF), presented their company profiles and discussed the technology and services they can provide environmental and municipal customers in the Philippines.  US-AEP and FCS also discussed the firms� one-on-one meeting requirements, their participation in technology demonstrations, and assured them of a full schedule of meetings with project officers of the Asian Development Bank, while they are at the event in Manila.[The Overseas Program Fund is administered by the National Association of State Development Agencies (NASDA)]

The Council of State Governments (CSG) is seeking applications from businesses and groups interested in accompanying a trade mission to India February 15-19, 2001.  The mission is in conjunction with the SEI-supported California/India Greening of the Supply Chain project.  The mission will participate in a CII trade and technology transfer event, and will open access to a wide range of Indian industries interested in clean technology and energy efficiency.  For more information and registration forms, go to the CSG website at www.sei-asia.org/projects/1999/ca_india /events.

The National Association of State Development Agencies (NASDA), a US-AEP partner, has issued an RFP to search for a trade show and logistics consultant to coordinate the US-AEP-sponsored delegation to the 2001 AWMA show in Orlando, Florida.  Applications are due by December 12, 2000.  For a copy of the RFP and more information, contact Julie Pike jpike@nasda.com or see the US-AEP website at www.usaep.org.

The next Policy Forum will meet on December 5^th.  Mr. David Berdish, Corporate Governance Manager for Ford, will discuss �Corporate Responsibility at Ford Motor Company�.  Mr. Berdish will talk about Ford�s Business Principles, which integrate the "triple bottom line" of economics, environmental, and societal performance into current Ford operating processes.  The meeting will be in the US-AEP Office at 1720 Eye Street, NW, Suite 700, from 12:30p.m. to 1:30 p.m.  For more information, contact Brenda Bateman at (202) 835-0333, ext. 104 or bbateman@usaep.org.

New Arrivals

We would like to welcome Dr. Pofen Lin Salem a native of Taiwan as an associate of NASDA.  She has a bachelors degree in Political Science, a masters in Urban Planning and Community Development, and a doctorate in Regional Economic Development and Public Policy.  She will help administer the OPF, as well as tracking and reporting on success stories.

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