Designing a Sustainable Future

A Conversation with Sir Michael Rake, Chairman, BT *

BSR will lead a conversation with Sir Michael Rake about how changing expectations related to transparency and materiality relate to corporate governance and sustainability. Join this discussion for an exploration of how reporting, governance and stakeholder engagement are converging, and how they are being balanced in the boardroom and in operational terms.

From Confrontation to Partnership: Greenpeace and The Coca-Cola Company *

Haven't Greenpeace and the Coca Cola Company always been sworn enemies? These organizations have evolved from being on the opposite sides of most issues to discovering areas of common ground and creating innovative partnerships that tackle some of the tough issues that have divided them in the past. They will discuss specific milestones and lessons learned in working together, and offer observations on what it takes to make partnerships between corporations and NGOs deliver on their promise.

The Front Line of CSR Advocacy: Inside Your Corporation *

Rarely does CSR have the unanimous support of a corporation's executives, employees, shareholders and board members. In order to be effective, advocates for change must possess consulting, political and communications skills that are not only persuasive, but also appropriate for the company’s culture, business and industry. This forum -- led by professionals who have campaigned for CSR within corporations or supported such efforts by providing facts, figures, survey results and winning arguments -- will allow CSR professionals to share their experiences and best practices for building support within large organizations.

Anticipating Climate Legislation

Climate change policy is moving out of its infancy into adolescence. A lattice work of multi-lateral, bilateral and unilateral government efforts is emerging; regulation-driven carbon markets in Europe and Australia; carbon taxes in Norway; renewable portfolio standards in 22 US states; and climate commitments from hundreds of cities around the world. How will questions about Kyoto's Phase II affect national-level targets? Where will carbon be the most expensive? Join us to discuss potential legislative scenarios and how your business can respond to them.

Can Information Technology Solve Climate Change?

Without significant technological innovation, we will not be able to address the challenge of global climate change. Information technology (IT) has arguably been the most significant source of innovation in the last 30 years, and many see this sector as the obvious source of solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This session will explore the role IT can play in generating a response to climate change and other problems, and how corporations can reduce their own carbon footprint through the use of IT.

Carbon Capture and Storage: How Far Away?

Much of the thinking on how to meet the world's energy needs while simultaneously reducing climate impact is predicated on unproven technologies and processes intended to capture and store carbon. BP and Rio Tinto have formed a unique partnership to pilot emerging technologies designed to meet this critical goal. Learn the basic principles behind carbon capture and storage and hear how the joint venture of BP and Rio Tinto, Hydrogen Energy, may be a critical part of the climate puzzle.

Carbon Footprinting Up and Down the Supply Chain

Individual companies can take steps to minimize their direct carbon emissions, but averting dangerous climate change will require reductions throughout the value chain, from production and distribution to end use and disposal. Today's corporate carbon footprints do not provide us with the full picture of emissions, nor do they illuminate the opportunities for collaborative cost-effective reductions. Join us to discuss new approaches to reduce the "embedded" carbon in products and the even distribution of responsibility across value chain actors.

Designing Corporate Response to Climate Change: Adaptation, Mitigation and Policy

Climate change creates diverse business risks, including new regulations, constrained supply chains, technology pressures, litigation and a changing physical environment. Forward-looking companies are preparing by instituting energy efficiency measures that reduce carbon emissions, while a subset of leaders are initiating management paradigm shifts, developing climate-friendly value chains and shaping systems external to the company. Learn about the world's most innovative corporate efforts to develop strategic, systems-oriented approaches that improve internal operations while engaging customers, suppliers, and policy makers to collaborate in leading positive climate change outcomes.

Appropriate By Design: Reducing Our Body Burden

Between legislation in Europe and California, targeted consumer campaigns, and growing awareness among the public, companies are facing pressure to adopt safer chemical principles and practices at home and along their supply chain. This session examines that pressure, along with the response from household product industries, providing shared experience for all sectors -- from building knowledge in the general public and the chemicals industry to technological developments for safer, greener alternatives.

Beyond Monitoring: New Visions for Sustainable Supply Chains

The past decade has seen many positive results from companies’ efforts to improve working conditions in their global supply chains. Still, there is a general consensus that current models fall short in achieving the kinds of advances that would cause real, sustainable change in the lives of the millions of people who work in those supply chains. This session will explore the four key pillars of a new vision advanced by BSR and many of its member companies -- internal company alignment, supplier ownership, public policy engagement, and worker empowerment -- that seek to evolve company practices beyond mere monitoring.

Redesigning the American Icons for Sustainability

Product designers are embracing the challenge of sustainability, responding to increased awareness among their customers and suppliers. As a result, they are remaking some of the most iconic products on the market. Hear how Levi Strauss and other timeless name brands are changing the face of the American marketplace.

Responsibility and Sustainability in the Gaming Business? Viva Las Vegas!

Many people see the casino and gaming industry as the antithesis of responsibility, but these businesses sit at the center of the booming travel and leisure industry, and they're expanding into mainstream entertainment and hospitality. What does responsibility mean to an industry long considered a "business of sin?" Two leaders in casino and gaming have set out to tackle this question. Join MGM/Mirage and Harrah's to discuss the full range of this industry's "footprint" -- from responsible gaming to sustainable site -- selection and building. At last what happens in Vegas no longer stays in Vegas.

Sustainable San Francisco Building Tour

OFFSITE: San Francisco is best known today for the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and the Transamerica Pyramid, but this is about to change. In the near future, San Francisco will be known for Green Building: architecture and building practices that minimize environmental impact through material selection, as well as efficient energy and water use. Join this tour of some of the most innovative buildings in the city.

Are Global Companies a Thing of the Past?

Sam Palmisano, the CEO of IBM, says the era of the global multinational is over�replaced by multinationals that embrace a multi-local model. Bob Corcoran of GE identifies emerging markets as one of four strategic areas in corporate citizenship relevant to GE's strategy for delivering reliable growth. As the very concept of the global enterprise undergoes rapid change, many questions arise: Does the conversation about globalization signal diversification or fragmentation? What are the implications for CSR, which often promotes unified global operating principles? Or for environmental sustainability, which calls for global solutions to problems that affect the global commons?

Asian Values: New Models for a New Century

If the 20th century was the American century, the 21st is shaping up as the Asian century. A diverse set of Asian values has already begun shaping the global economy -- and global culture -- in new and unforeseen ways. Participate in an exploration of these different approaches to seeing, thinking, and organizing business as Asia's rise reshapes our world.

China's Rising Influence in Africa: Is there Room for CSR?

China and Africa are growing more and more intertwined, with their growing economic relationship, brings forward new intersections of global standards and local impacts. This presents new questions about the relationship between economic development and CSR, reflecting new "south-south" trade patterns whose importance will only increase in the years to come. This session will explore these developing political relationships, how CSR is being integrated into the new trade, and how it all affects western companies that do business in Africa.

Meta-cities Take The Lead: Lessons from Leading Cities

For the first time in human history, more than half of the people in the world live in cities. Much of this growth comes from meta-cities -- metropolitan areas whose inhabitants number more than ten million. Two cities that exemplify the explosion of meta-cities in emerging economies, Tianjin, China, and Sao Paulo, will provide a glimpse into the future of the largest human populations will aim to live together. How will these new centers of economic activity, humanity, and political influence shape the future? Are they creating a new sustainable urbanism, or are they simply making the crowded, decaying dystopia of Blade Runner a reality?

At the Crest of a Wave: Building a Corporate Water Strategy

Floods, droughts, groundwater contamination, wastewater effluent... water is hitting the radar screen as a material issue for many industries. But as leading companies solve these problems by setting goals to reduce their water consumption, they find themselves bumping up against more problems: data quality concerns, perverse incentives, and watershed management issues. Join us to discuss the challenges of -- and opportunities for -- developing a strategic plan for managing your water footprint.

Calling All Consumers: Sustainable Consumption Patterns

Is sustainable consumption driven by supply or demand? Do we know enough about consumer expectations of sustainability? How successfully do external drivers influence consumer behavior? We will look beyond traditional market research at intimate consumer motivations and external factors which, taken together, shape demand for sustainable goods and services. This session will be highly interactive and feature several different workshops.

Green Human Rights: Do Water and Climate Count?

The rise of interest in global environmental challenges raises questions about how issues such as climate change and water access affect local communities and populations. Can we use the considerations of human rights standards to understand these effects and guide our actions? Join us for a look at how established human rights principles -- or the possible evolution of these principles -- can shape an approach to these pressing questions.

Selling Green: How to Build Consumer Markets

Consumers are barraged by information about environmental challenges. Is this creating a new market opportunity? How do companies translate environmental products and services into new markets, or increase market share? Do they succeed by trumpeting environmental products, or downplaying them? Hear from companies and certificate programs that are finding innovative ways to capture share of mind for their green products

What is the Role of Biofuels in a Sustainable Future?

Biofuels are often touted as the savior of the family farm, and as a silver bullet solution for increased energy security and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Despite the enthusiasm, there are significant economic, political, environmental, and social concerns. This session examines the inherent tradeoffs of first generation bioethanol and biodiesel, and how legislation, consumer companies and the drive for carbon neutrality are shaping worldwide biofuel investments.

Assurance of Reports: How to be Effective and Cost-Effective

Companies are using different models of assurance for their CSR reports, ranging from the accountancy model, which mirrors financial reporting, to a stakeholder model. Each method comes with its own costs, implications, and processes. What lessons have the leading reporters learned? What role does assurance actually play in these reports? This session will feature a dynamic dialogue between reporters and participants of various kinds of assurance practices.

NGOs in the YouTube World: Prepare for the Onslaught

Your company's reputation could be in the hands of Angrygrrl15! As the media continue to decentralize, an ever more viral internet is steadily eroding companies' control over their brands and reputations. At the same time, there are fascinating opportunities to leverage new technological tools for transparency, advancing the sustainability agenda, and dialogue with stakeholders. This session will introduce examples of how stakeholders use emerging media to shape Accountability 2.0 through Web 2.0.

Videos from the session can be seen on YouTube.

Radical Transparency: Throwing Open the Doors

The 21st century has brought new technologies, new models, and new ways of thinking -- all of which turn into new ways of doing business and present new opportunities for increasing transparency. The implications of this have the potential to remake everything from employee relations and reputation management to CSR reports and stakeholder dialogue. What tools, thinking and technologies will succeed when the whole world truly is watching?

The Aspen Principles, Taking the Long View: CSR and Short-termism

How does intense focus on short-term financial results affect a corporation? The impacts of short-termism elicit strong reactions and affect all parties. Over the last two years, an influential group of business leaders met to share their concerns about excessive short-terms pressures in today's capital markets. Out of those discussions came a set of principles known as the Aspen Principles that offer guidelines for long-term value creation for both operating companies and institutional investors. This session will feature the process for creating the Aspen Principles plus next steps and related work.

Voluntary Initiatives: Do They Have a Future?

From conflict diamonds to labor conditions to water use, voluntary multi-stakeholder initiatives have been a defining feature of CSR for the past ten years. All sides are now asking big questions: is it time to scrap the voluntary model? Or should it be refreshed to incorporate the knowledge gathered over ten years? Every issue is on the table -- from transparency to governance, to the fundamental question of whether these mechanisms actually achieve their goals.

With Mainstream Banks in the Game, What is the Role for Socially Responsible Investing (SRI)?

Socially responsible investors have long been at the vanguard of the intersection of investing and sustainability. But now the "big boys" from mainstream finance have gotten in the game. Have they edged the traditional SRI players out of the game? Is the influence of SRI waning, or will new models of engagement remake the community? Join SRI experts and the companies with which they interact for this debate over the future of SRI.

Alphabet Soup: Time for Multi-Stakeholder Labor Intiatives to Harmonize?

In the 1990s, NGOs and trade unions aimed to develop innovative, collaborative initiatives to improve working conditions in global supply chains. How can the accomplishments of the last decade move towards greater realization of their potential? Are there opportunities to harmonize discrete initiatives? Are new models or mindsets emerging to reshape these efforts?

21st Century Trade Unions: Designing New Models

Advancing technology, dissolving national borders, and a shift to a service economy present a rapidly changing environment for trade unions. How are the workers of the world uniting in the global economy? What steps are the leading thinkers of the labor movement taking to remake their organizations? How are adversarial relationships that pit employers against unions being replaced by models of cooperative labor relations?

Human Rights Impact Assessments

Human rights impact assessments are a powerful tool for companies as they enter new markets, assess risks, and work to maximize positive human rights impacts. These efforts are relatively new, with considerable opportunity for learning. This session will illustrate different assessment models in different contexts -- including examples of the practical value for company staff -- and build on the unique perspective of experts in this complex field.

Suppliers Take The Lead: Bottom-Up Solutions to Sustainable Supply Chains

Until recently, suppliers have more often reacted to rapidly proliferating codes of conduct, rather than taking ownership of the process, or being included in their development. Now this dynamic is beginning to change. Forward-looking suppliers are increasingly developing their own strategies to satisfy changing expectations on the part of their customers, to safeguard their reputations and the working conditions in their factories. This session will explore these trends from a variety of perspectives from all sides of the supply chain.

Women's Health: The Key to Development?

The common assumption in CSR isn't that women are critical to development -- it's that they are development. With global commerce allowing massive numbers of women in developing countries to join the formal economy, there is an opportunity to leverage trade to advance health and development outcomes. BSR has worked on this issue along global supply chains through the prism of women's health, with an emphasis on factory-based models that maximize the physical health and economic well-being of the millions of women who can benefit from economic activity. Join us for a diverse and interactive session including MTV, Levi Strauss, a Rwandan entrepreneur, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, USAID and others to learn more about women's health partnerships that just make sense.

A Public Policy Role for the Private Sector?

Many of the issues companies aim to address through CSR arise from weak governance, bad governance, or underdeveloped global governance systems. It is clear that lasting solutions to issues like climate change, labor standards, and water availability require businesses to work with the public sector and civil society to address those public governance deficiencies. This session will explore a collaborative project between BSR and the World Economic Forum to raise awareness of this emerging aspect of the CSR debate, and to identify practical ways the business community can enhance effective public governance.

CSR is Dead! Long Live CSR!

Seasoned practitioners of CSR have begun to question whether the concept has outlived its usefulness. At the same time, the objective of leveraging business activity to achieve positive social and environmental outcomes and a truly "sustainable" economy is far from being achieved. What does this mean? How do we refresh the original thinking and energy that started the CSR movement? Join an interactive conversation initiated by four women bringing global perspective and leadership to the question: "Is CSR over... or just about to rule the world?"

Superheroes 2.0

What will you need to be a superhero of sustainability over the next ten years? What if you have what it takes right now? Today? Right this very moment? Join us for a session of serious play where we'll explore some of the big themes of this year's conference through a game exercise that will allow you to test your superhero skills. You'll identify your own personal superpowers and combine them with those of your fellow players, completing a unique series of missions by forming dynamic ad hoc teams along the way. You'll immerse yourself in the challenges and opportunities behind designing a sustainable future, honing the talents you'll need to make it a reality.

The X Factor: Personal Leadership in Driving Change

This session seeks to explore the role of individual power in bringing about sustainable change, beginning with the premise that the sustainability of change at the industry or organizational level will be determined by the nature of change in individual people. Can people making small changes in the way they conduct their lives result in big-picture sustainability? This session will be an interactive dialogue, with experts starting the conversation and then being joined by the audience.