With oil prices approaching $100 a barrel, Wal-Mart’s customers will be squeezed even further. According to a recent story in the Wall Street Journal, the cost to heat a home in the northeast could more than double, “Between 2000 and 2005, the average cost in New England for a winter's supply of heating oil was about $900 a household. Last year, it hit a record $1,433 and this year it could reach $2,200, said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.”

Wal-Mart does recognize its energy liability and it is trying to reduce its energy consumption in its truck fleet and stores – that’s good business. However, these savings will be overwhelmed by a dramatic rise in energy prices resulting from global warming regulation. Even if the company obtains revenue from selling carbon credits, its customer’s purchasing power will be reduced.

Ironically, by acting “responsibly” Wal-Mart is negligent to its shareholders, employees and customers. Supporting regulations that will decrease their customer’s standard of living and add to its operating costs is an example of corporate irresponsibility.

A responsible company would first investigate the claims about man’s role in climate change and set a business course based on reality despite the prevailing notions of the liberal elite. Such an investigation would lead Wal-Mart to recognize the unproven relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and global warming. In this scenario, Wal-Mart would execute a completely different strategy: lobby for a national policy encouraging domestic energy exploration.

However, conducting this type of due-diligence is counter to the CSR movement whose philosophical underpinning is socialism.

Finally, it will only be a matter of time until the labor unions and environmental activists use Wal-Mart’s immense carbon footprint, which the company has graciously provided on its website, as an argument against building more superstores. In the U.S., its truck fleet emits 1,365,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and its stores release over 15 million tons of carbon dioxide.

Prompted by its critics, many mayors will find it politically expedient to oppose construction of new superstores. With some mayors campaigning against bottled water to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, targeting Wal-Mart is a no-brainer.

It’s amazing that Wal-Mart’s critics have remained quiet so far. But then again, perhaps Wal-Mart’s critics are heeding Napoleon’s advice.