Month of July, 2009

Fund managers in emerging markets are increasingly considering environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors in their investment decisions, according to new research conducted by the global consulting firm Mercer and commissioned by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group.

In this report by David Lascelles, a systematic framework for identifying integrity risk is suggested to encourage organisations to employ Ethical Due Diligence (EDD) alongside financial and legal due diligence.

The report provides tools and analysis which are intended to assist companies with the integration of sustainability considerations to better manage the emergence of "mega environmental risks" and increased expectations around transparency and due diligence for their capital decisions.

The report looks at commercial and residential buildings, and new build and retrofitting activities, with a focus on affecting the “in use” sustainability of these buildings through improved resource usage and the health and wellbeing of the building occupants.

The objective of the paper is to build understanding and raise awareness of the European Union's corporate governance directives, regulations, best practices, and guidelines and to help countries access relevant information more efficiently.

This book by IFC highlights corporate governance challenges facing family businesses and proposes structures and practices that can help mitigate them.

The report by IFC and SustainAbility explores whether emerging economy firms are managing to embed sustainability in their business strategies in ways that stand comparison with companies anywhere else in the world.

This report by World Resources Institute offers a step-by-step approach for service sector companies that want to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. It includes information on quantifying emissions and offers recommendations on how to reduce those emissions.

This report pays particular attention to how corporate executives and board directors are addressing the governance systems that will be needed to minimize climate risks while maximizing investments in solutions that mitigate and help society adapt to climate change.

The India Environment Portal is initiated and managed by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) promoted by the National Knowledge Commission (NKC), Government of India. It is a virtual information resource centre to promote informed decision-making and environmentally sustainable practices in India.

A perfect storm has hit the standing of big business. Companies must step up their reputation-management efforts in response.

A series of interviews with 14 CEOs and chairmen of major companies sheds light on the foundations of corporate leadership

This report by the Z/Yen Group examines the two primary market mechanisms available – cap-and-trade schemes, and carbon tax. Both bring the cost of carbon into the market, but by two very different routes.

In this article Silke Goldberg examines some of the legal aspects of the growing European biofuels industry, and looks at some issues relevant to the place of biofuels within a corporate social responsibility strategy.

What is the added value of integrating sustainability criteria into traditional financial valuation models? Can financial performance be enhanced by investing in sustainable companies?

The report pays particular attention to how corporate executives and board directors are addressing  their governance systems to minimize climate-related risks and maximize solution-oriented products and services that will help society mitigate and adapt to climate change.

The research question of this report is "How can corporate sustainability performance be quantified and compared in practice, whilst taking into account the responsibility sharing nature of trading and avoiding double-counting of impacts?"

This report explores the apparent discrepancy between public and academic use of the term ‘carbon footprint’ and suggests a scientific definition based on commonly accepted accounting principles and modelling approaches.

Over the past decade, an increasing number of authors have been examining producer versus consumer responsibility. Recently, a problem has appeared in drafting the standards for the Ecological Footprint

This report examines the results and interpretations of the ECO-Operation online poll. The report also includes content covering best practices and viable solutions in helping companies come to grips with how to begin to insert efficient and environmental practices into strategic supply chain strategies and solutions.

The report explores the need for green ICT, the regulatory and voluntary pressures, and the issues of disclosure, as well as how ICT can be a force for good.

This report  by  the Center for Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at the University of Zurich (CCRS), in cooperation with the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich and the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim, concludes that sustainability does not impede financial performance and can, in certain cases, be shown to make a positive contribution to share performance. 

The aim of this paper is to stimulate discussion on why it is so critical for businesses to take climate change adaptation seriously, to identify key actions that can be taken, and to highlight how these actions can be designed in collaboration with local communities and stakeholders to improve their adaptive capacity.

In this report the authors have identified some of the key challenges for directors and provided questions aimed to ensure that the right steps are being taken towards building business resilience to climate change. Examples of good practice are provided to illustrate the actions corporate leaders are taking.

How e-Media can drive exceptional lead generation in an age where global economic stress meets global climate change.

This annual WRI review highlights the latest major research and innovations in climate change science and technology. It presents a timely synthesis of current understanding of global warming at a critically important time for the United States and the world.

This guide by  Futerra Sustainability Communications reveals the industries most actively greenwashing, and those environmental claims most likely to be greenwash.

Most companies see corporate social responsibility programs as a way to fulfill the contract between business and society. But do they create financial value?

This discussion paper explores the potential for addressing conflict in the forest sector through  the use of company-led tools and mechanisms. The paper offers examples of tools and approaches that are being employed by companies and non-industry players working closely with companies to address conflict-related issues.

By analysing the rationales for sustainability strategies, this book addresses a timely question for managers, academics and MBAs: 'when does it pay to be green?' Based on theoretical foundations and empirical research, it clarifies the elements involved in the formation and evaluation of sustainability strategies in firms.

The focus of this paper is to explore how an organisation can enhance the understanding and practice of responsible leadership by developing managers that have the competencies for integrating social and environmental considerations into business decision making processes.

The Report aims to improve understanding about the linkages between trade and climate change. It shows that trade intersects with climate change in a multitude of ways.

This report provides accessible data on how FT500 companies currently calculate and verify their absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their carbon efficiency. This report is based on in-depth interviews with the corporate executives employing these standards, verifiers and key stakeholders.

Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, John Ruggie

This paper takes a pragmatic look at how globalisation is intensifying the pressures behind social and environmental concerns, and what the Board can do. It outlines the essential steps the Board can take to underpin ethical behaviour in the business. It looks at the support management can provide to the Board in understanding and interpreting the external environment and implementing company-wide strategy.

The who and why of finding your Head of Corporate Responsibility

Business Fights Poverty is the free-to-join international network for professionals passionate about fighting world poverty through good business.

In this uncertain economic climate, downsizing and layoffs are a sadly frequent occurrence. Although bad news is always painful to deliver and to hear, the process of conducting "necessary evils"—such as layoffs or firings—can be managed in a way that is clear yet respectful.