Hello, I’m Emily Polk, and these are your CSR Minute headlines for Friday, March 12th:

Microsoft and the Telecentre.org Foundation are teaming up to provide free Internet access and computers to one billion people by 2015. Their plan is to set up “telecentres” in underserved rural areas around the world, with resident mangers on-site to train community members. The Telecentre.org Foundation, launched as an independent NGO last week, has over 200 organizational partners in 70 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. It is a project of Microsoft, Canada’s International Development Research Center, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. 

The Tompkins Supply Chain Consortium has published a survey on facility sustainability that shows more companies are including triple bottom line principles in their design and building decisions. The Facility Sustainability Survey notes that techniques significantly reducing the amount of water needed for operation, and locating a site so that it does not disturb nearby wetlands, soil, or streams are now major elements in green building planning. The report also details how advancements in controls technology have led to large increases in energy efficiencies in buildings and facilities. 

For more information on these and other stories, go to thecsrminute.com.

For more information on today's sponsor, go to We Can End This.