Socially responsible investors cautiously applaud Wal-Mart for committing to social and environmental sustainability, but remain highly skeptical about actual implementation... The very fact Wal-Mart is addressing the issues it has so long avoided or short-shrifted--such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, waste reduction, product sourcing, healthcare, wages, and diversity--sends a loud signal to the market from one of the world's largest companies. [also refers to Home Depot, Coca-Cola, Time Inc. (part of Time Warner)]