Being proactive

A recent case on pollution that came under the spotlight involved the shoe-making giant, Timberland.

Since 2004 residents in Shanghai's Baoshan district had been complaining to the city government about a foul smell coming from the Shanghai Richina Factory, which had been targeted by pollution watchdogs for exceeding emissions limits. The factory, however, ignored all petitions.

Ma found the Shanghai factory had breached regulations for six years in a row. "We then found that this factory was listed as one of Timberland's suppliers."