This week Ethical Corporation lauded “15 individuals from business, politics and civil society who have done most to push forward the case for responsible business in 2007” www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=5561&newsletter=24 .

At what position on this list would we find the CEO of RioTinto Alcan, after his comment in late October on the consequences of governments who may favour absolute standards for greenhouse gas emission reductions over intensity-based standards:

"If you look at absolute reductions as a solution, the likely consequence is you will drive growth of aluminum production offshore and potentially to other jurisdictions that do not have the same environmental standards, do not have the same commitment to greenhouse gas reductions.'' http://news.therecord.com/Business/article/261435

Likely not very high....this type of comment is reminiscent of the “jobs vs the environment” veiled threats made by industry 30 years ago, in reaction to initial government regulation of the environment - and somewhat surprising for a sustainability leader like Alcan.