The Sustainability Learning Forum

The United Nations and Transnational Corporations

Prof. Andreas Rasche, Copenhagen Business School

When former secretary-general Kofi Annan addressed business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 1999, he not only started to initiate the Global Compact, but also, at the same time, fundamentally redefined the relationship between the private sector and the United Nations (UN) system. After its operational launch in 2000, the Global Compact swiftly emerged as the world’s leading corporate responsibility initiative with currently close to 7,000 business and more than 3,000 nonbusiness participants in nearly 140 countries. more[...]

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Expanding Biofuels May Increase Global Poverty and Decrease Income Inequality

World Bank

In a new working paper, Caesar B. Cororaton and Govinda R. Timilsina analyze the impact of large-scale expansion of biofuels on global income distribution and poverty. A global computable general equilibrium model is used to simulate the effects of the expansion of biofuels on resource allocation, commodity prices, factor prices, and household income. A second model based on worldwide household surveys uses these results to calculate the impacts on poverty and global income inequality. more[...] login_required

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Mozambique Irrigation Project to help achieve UN MDGs

Mitsui & Co.

In cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mitsui is donating a solar power-operated pumping facility for irrigation water to a local farming community in Mozambique, Africa. In 2010, a partnership agreement to build an irrigation system was signed between Mitsui and UNDP, with the project currently at the construction phase. more[...] login_required

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The UN Global Compact in Latin America – Trends and Topics

Labor standards, human rights, environmental conservation, and transparency – the core issues of the United Nations Global Compact are especially vital in the developing economies. Latin America and the Caribbean are remarkable examples. “El Pacto Mundial en América Latina y el Caribe. Memorias 2011: Informe de Gestión,” a publication of the Global Compact Regional Center, gives a detailed view on the present situation of the Global Compact in Latin America and the Caribbean. more[...] login_required

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An Evolving CSR System in Latin America

Prof. Paul Alexander Haslam, University of Ottawa

A decade ago, corporate social responsibility had only just emerged on the agendas of businesses operating in Latin America. Corporate commitments were limited to the largest firms, usually the multinationals; public awareness and demand for corporate responsibility was low; governments were uninvolved; and civil society organizations promoting CSR were still new and, for the most part, funded from elsewhere. more[...] login_required

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CSR in Latin America: A General View

Estrella Peinado-Vara, Inter-American Development Bank

It is difficult to generalize when examining companies’ social and environmental responsibility situations in Latin America, largely due to the economic, social, and cultural differences in the region. Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, the Andean region, and Southern Cone share many similarities but are separated by many differences. In addition, similarities and differences also occur within the countries. more[...] login_required

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Peinado-Vara, Estrella

Editorial Team

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Recapping Rio+20 - Highlights and takeaways for business leaders

Deloitte

In June, several senior leaders and practitioners from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms attended Rio+20 (formally called the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development), the UN Global Compact's Corporate Sustainability Forum, Business Action for Sustainable Development 2012's Business Day, and various side meetings for business and civil society. more[...] login_required

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A Global Shift Toward Strategic Philanthropy

Punleuk Kam, Credit Suisse
Julia Yue, Credit Suisse

We are witnessing an exciting global movement whereby philanthropists from both developed and emerging economies are using targeted and innovative approaches to address sustainable development. Today, strategic philanthropists are responsible for stimulating entrepreneurship and small business development in developing countries. These philanthropists are increasingly recognizing the importance of adopting a more business-like approach to philanthropy to maximize social and environmental returns of their philanthropic investments. Measuring impact is also a crucial component of successful philanthropy and has become more prominent globally. Evaluation helps to focus on results, ensures effective allocation of resources, and upholds accountability. more[...] login_required

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From Corporate Handouts to Corporate Partnerships

Veronica Scheubel

Philanthropy is about donating to charity without expecting a return. Companies have historically contributed to society in this way. Strategic philanthropy, which is a more modern approach, is about directing corporate giving to a cause that is aligned with the core business. Yet in the 21st century, strategic philanthropy does not suffice in providing leadership. There is a growing demand for companies to move beyond strategic philanthropy to modern community partnerships, co-creating solutions to pressing societal and environmental problems by contributing core competencies and truly aiming for impact. In the process, shared value creation for both society and the company is not only desirable for companies, but also to stakeholders. more[...] login_required

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CR & Sustainability Salary Survey Results

Now in its fourth year, the survey provides insight into the individuals employed in this expanding marketplace, from the types of organisations they work for, to their job functions, salaries and career backgrounds. The results indicate a positive outlook for the sector in regard to salary, job security and job satisfaction. On average, those working in the Europe (excluding the UK) earn £69,000 followed by £68,010 for North America and £56,360 in the UK. more[...] login_required

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Make Rio+20 Count

The UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) provides an exceptional opportunity for swift policy action to accelerate and scale business solutions so 9 billion people can live well and within the limits of one planet by 2050. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) today pressed governments to overcome their differences and to take decisive action now. more[...] login_required

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MDGs: Some targets met, but much remains to be done

The 2012 Millennium Development Goals report, published last week, highlights the progress made towards some of these development targets. However, the UN experts pointed out a number of areas that must be addressed urgently, asking world governments to strengthen their efforts to achieve the MDGs while also ensuring that the post-2015 development agenda will be based on human rights obligations. more[...]

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Building an Inclusive Green Economy for All

Poverty-Environment Partnership (PEP)

This joint Poverty-Environment Partnership paper aims to stimulate a dialogue among developing country policymakers, development partners and other stakeholders on how best to support country-led efforts to build inclusive green economies. more[...] login_required

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Rio+20 Summit

At the Rio+20 Conference, world leaders, along with thousands of participants from governments, the private sector, NGOs and other groups, will come together to shape how we can reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection on an ever more crowded planet to get to the future we want. more[...]

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