Increasingly, apparel designers and buyers are asking “What is the source of our raw materials?" "Where were the materials harvested, processed, produced?" "What went into the process (inputs) and what came out (impacts)?" This mindset shift goes beyond sustainable agriculture and fair labor practices; if you're currently in the clothing business - be it design, production, or purchasing - expect carbon footprint to soon emerge as another key consideration. By Coral Rose

San Francisco's proposed "cost recovery fee" for the region's biggest corporate carbon emitters may have some unsettling regulatory consequences for business. By Will Sarni

The FTC's inquiry into corporate carbon offset claims may have consequences the reach far beyond the marketing department, says climate expert and SLM commentator Will Sarni.

As we round the corner into 2008, its worth taking a look back on what might easily be considered the year climate change got really, well, hot. From Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth to the Nobel Peace Prize to the Bali roadmap, global warming picked up a lot of press, often from unexpected quarters. So what were the key climate stories of 2007? For me, the real winners are the stories that foreshadow new developments in science, technology, politics, and innovation. Here are my top five picks , and why they still deserve your attention. By Will Sarni

What do Nestle, Proctor & Gamble, Unilever, and Dell have in common? Theyve all put their suppliers on notice to provide concrete, meaningful data on their carbon footprint. Why? These companies are seeing real business value in measuring energy use and carbon emissions upstream to gain business efficiencies, reduce costs, forge closer links with supply chain partners, and make the most cost-effective reductions in their total carbon emissions. By Phil Berry

Last week's Bali Communique, in which the world's top business leaders called for a legally binding framework on climate action, has netted media attention aplenty both positive and negative. SLM climate expert Will Sarni says both sides might be missing the point.