The Sustainability Learning Forum

Government support for business must uphold the highest possible standards

At a time when the UK Government is pursuing export led growth, particularly in non-European markets which can present high risks regarding human rights and the environment, the operation of UK Export Finance is both crucial and risky. more[...] login_required

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Preparing Airports for Disasters

Susanne Meier, Deutsche Post DHL
Joachim Keppler, Deutsche Post DHL
Deutsche Post DHL

Deutsche Post DHL has committed itself to continuously support the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact. Equally, Deutsche Post DHL undertakes actions in support of broader UN goals and issues, especially as they relate to disaster management and humanitarian assistance. In this approach Deutsche Post DHL closely cooperates with the United Nations to amplify the efforts of other contributors. more[...] login_required

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Changing the Way Corporations Source Energy

Rasmus M. Schophuus , Vestas Wind Systems A/S
Vestas Wind Systems A/S
WindMade asbl

WindMade™, the first consumer label for wind energy, is moving the discussion from how much energy a product uses during its lifetime to the embodied energy of the product. Created to drive the global adoption of wind energy, WindMade™ is designed to inform consumers about the source of the energy used to make the products they buy and thus encourage corporations to source renewable energy to run their operations and production. Launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2011, WindMade™ is backed by the UN Global Compact, Vestas Wind Systems, WWF, Global Wind Energy Council, Bloomberg, the LEGO Group, and PwC. more[...] login_required

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MTN Nigeria Leads the Way in Environmental Sustainability

MTN Group

No one can miss the rustic ambience of Odo-Eku, a village in Kwara State, northcentral Nigeria. Bounded on all sides by undulating hills and all-year-round lush vegetation, the ecosystem of Odo-Eku and its environs has largely been preserved. To ensure that the environs remain untainted – despite the construction of a Base Transceiver Station under MTN’s Rural Telephony Scheme – MTN has ensured that the site will be powered by solar energy and heavy duty batteries. Odo-Eku is not the only village that will be connected. more[...] login_required

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New ISO 20121 standard for sustainable events management

Roger Frost, International Organization for Standardization

Event sustainability management systems – Requirements with guidance for use, is suitable for ensuring that events, ranging from local celebrations to "mega events" such as the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, leave behind a positive legacy. The standard is relevant to all members of the event industry supply chain including organizers, event managers, stand builders, caterers and logistics suppliers. more[...] login_required

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Cradle to Cradle Certified(CM) Product Program Moves to Independence, Transparency

Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute

A new Certification Standards Board has been created by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute to oversee the ongoing development of the Cradle to Cradle product certification protocol. The board’s responsibility for Cradle to Cradle product certification represents an important step toward transparency for the certification process and independent third-party verification of the protocol, developed over the past 20 years by William McDonough and Dr. Michael Braungart in collaboration with some of the world’s top brands. more[...] login_required

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The Dynamics of Standardisation: Three Perspectives on Standards in Organisation Studies

Prof. Andreas Rasche, Copenhagen Business School

This article suggests that when the phenomenon of standards and standardisation is examined from the perspective of organisation studies three aspects stand out: the standardisation of organisations, standardisation by organisations, and standardisation as (a form of) organisation. Following a comprehensive overview of existing research in these three areas, we argue that the dynamic aspects of standardisation are underrepresented in the scholarly discourse. Furthermore, we identify the main types of tension associated with standardisation and the dynamics they generate in each of those three areas, and show that, while standards and standardisation are typically associated with stability and sameness, they are essentially a dynamic phenomenon. The article highlights the contributions of this special issue to the topic of standards as a dynamic phenomenon in organisation studies and makes suggestions for future research. more[...] login_required

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The FTSE4Good Effect: The Impact of Responsible Investment Indices on Environmental Management

Prof. Bill Rees, University of Edinburgh Business School

What drives corporate activity regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR) in general and environmental management in particular constitutes one of the key questions in both CSR research and the development of CSR initiatives. The interest in the potential drivers of enhanced CSR practices is further fuelled by the rapid development of various private CSR initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact, the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment, responsible investment (RI) indices, different ranking schemes and disclosure tools (e.g. the Toxic Release Inventory, the Carbon Disclosure Project). more[...] login_required

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Eco Labels

In the 33 years since the world’s first eco-label appeared (Germany’s Blue Angel), these labels have proliferated. The Ecolabel Index currently lists 377 schemes in 211 countries and 25 industry sectors. A number of trends indicate it is time to take a closer look: Civil society continues to pressure business to take responsibility for supply chain performance. more[...]

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A Guide to ISO26000

With the design of the ISO 26000 norm, the ISO picked up suggestions proposed by their own consumer organizations pertaining to social responsibility in companies operating in global markets. ISO 26000 is not a management system standard. It is not intended or appropriate for certification purposes or regulatory or contractual use. more[...]

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