The big green monster in the closet

The word is out that Wal-Mart, the giant U.S. retailer, will hold talks with hundreds of its Chinese suppliers to discuss significant reductions of the environmental impact of its entire supply chain.

Given the magnitude of Wal-Mart’s activities – according to the Financial Times, Wal-Mart alone is responsible for about 30 percent of foreign purchases in China and close to 10 percent of all US imports from there – this may be a more significant step toward minimizing its ecological foot print than its previous attempts.