The Sustainability Learning Forum

Findings Show Endowments Doing Less Than Expected Given History as ESG Pioneers

IRRC Institue

A new report finds the college and university endowments’ environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) investments are less prevalent than often believed, particularly given their history as sustainable investing pioneers dating back to 1970s anti-apartheid campaigns. These findings are particularly surprising at a time when active incorporation of ESG factors into investment decisions is increasingly widespread among mainstream investors. 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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Scheubel, Veronica

Editorial Team

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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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Maurice F. Strong

Experience has demonstrated that those countries that have been most successful in improving their environments are those, like Japan, that have been most efficient in managing their economies and reducing the energy, resources, and materials used to generate their GDPs. Rio+20 must provide for special measures to assist developing countries in the efficiency of their economies. more[...] login_required

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Achim Steiner

Achim Steiner, UNEP

Rio+20 – as the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development has come to be known – provides an unprecedented opportunity for the world to transform the current economic paradigm into one that enhances human well-being while respecting planetary boundaries and environmental limits. This will require changes in the way we perceive progress, make financial decisions, and do business in order to ensure that social and environmental considerations are fully integrated into decision-making. As the driving forces of economic growth, business and industry will have a leading role to play. more[...] login_required

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Georg Kell

Georg Kell, United Nations Global Compact

Never before in recent history has there been such widespread uncertainty about the future. Major developments are shaping our world, raising important questions about the proper role of business and the legitimacy of markets. more[...] login_required

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Andrei Galaev

Andrei Galaev, Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd.

Decisions made at global conferences have great effects on CSR and sustainable development progress and concept advancement. I believe that the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development will be the next milestone in international efforts to accelerate progress toward achieving sustainable development globally. It is an opportunity for participants to honestly and openly discuss what has been achieved in the last 20 years since Agenda 21 at the Earth Summit in Rio; what the biggest challenges and issues have been; and whether governments, business, the UN system, and other parties have managed to address them effectively. more[...] login_required

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Douglas Tompkins

The Rio+20 conference in June 2012 has been generating concern and a lack of confidence on the part of many environmentalists and conservationists I know and work with. Although the first Rio conference ignited hopes for millions and was in fact an historical launching point for united government action on environmental issues, it still fell far short of expectations. Those with optimistic visions – and what I consider to be often Pollyanna characterizations of these unwieldy and multination world conferences – perhaps can see it in a positive light. One hears all the excuses that this or that was better than nothing, or that “perfection is the enemy of the good” and similar aphorisms. more[...] login_required

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Strong, Maurice F.

Editorial Team

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Tompkins, Douglas

Editorial Team

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Frost, Roger

Editorial Team

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Corruption: Shining a light on the world’s biggest companies

The world’s 105 biggest companies are worth more than US$11 trillion. They touch the lives of people across the globe. But just how much do we know about their impact on daily lives? Too often, citizens experience little benefit from global economic activity while suffering the consequences of unethical corporate activity. Transparency in Corporate Reporting assesses the disclosure of steps these companies have in place to fight corruption. It also looks at companies’ transparency footprint across 177 countries: to what extent are earnings and taxes in specific countries made public. more[...]

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Mining companies committed to UN Human Rights principles, new survey reveals

Mazars

New research released today indicates that listed mining and resources companies across the world are keen to comply with the UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which were officially adopted one year ago, but must keep up the momentum in order to maintain public confidence in their efforts. more[...] login_required

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