How does the corporate world in Singapore compare with the corporate world in the U.S. regarding sustainability?

Viviana Vazquez
English 11000
Professor Cambridge
9/22/13

Lets compare the corporate tax rates in Singapore to the one's in the United States. Singapore's rates include percentages from 0%-17% while the U.S.'s rates are well above from 15%-39%(federal).
At 39% the United States has the highest corporate tax rate in any of the world's developed countries. So if the United States currently has the greatest corporate tax rate and the many of the worlds biggest corporations, why is our economy not at the top? In fact it is currently the opposite, with Singapore being ranked as the most open in the world, least corrupt, most pro-business, and having one of the highest per-capita GDP in the world.

So which corporations do more for their countries regarding Sustainability? Lets look at one of the most ideal companies in the United States. Apple, for instance, has a very friendly approach towards being eco-friendly compared to other companies in the United States. Apple's manufacturing, including extraction of raw materials and assembly of products, accounts for 61% of Apple's total greenhouse gas emissions. Their reduction in Carbon emissions include a 90% reduction from 2007 to 2010 in their Apple TV manufacturing. Apple has also freed their entire product line from many toxic materials that are commonly used toxic substances, including Arsenic, Lead, and Mercury. In addition to removing toxins and designing eco-friendly products, Apple does a lot of recycling, from using recycled plastics and papers to collecting and controlling e-waste. In fact, Apple's global recycling goal exceeded 70% in 2012.

I am interested in what relationship corporations in Singapore have with sustainability in the country. As stated above, companies in the United States such as Google, Apple, among others, can make a big impact regarding sustainability in the country. Corporations have many legal advantages and can influence sustainability with their power and money. Since the economy in Singapore is very successful, I want to search more about their country's corporations' influence on Sustainability, and compare big companies and corporations from both countries.