BSR Insight

A Weekly Newsletter for BSR Members | July 20, 2010

   
 

In This Issue

Editor's Note

The Big Responsibilities of Big Business

In the book Big Business, Big Responsibilities (Palgrave Macmillan 2010), three CSR veterans discuss their combined 30 years of work experience in sustainable business. In this week's feature, the authors share their thoughts on how the BP oil spill could impact NGO-private sector collaboration, what gives them the most cause for optimism, and the importance of "everyday champions" in sustainability.

BSR Managing Director Dunstan Allison Hope, one of the authors, notes: "Over the years, I've noticed the impact that NGOs have had on business. It is significant that you now see businesses addressing challenges in a proactive way that you wouldn't have seen 10 or 15 years ago."

One of those challenges lies in identifying and managing a company's impacts and dependencies on biodiversity. In our toolbox, we review a new study on the business case for biodiversity and ecosystem services and share leadership practices suggested by the report.

Finally, we highlight an upcoming BSR Conference session on emerging practices and strategies for communicating about water-related risks and stewardship efforts. Register now for the BSR Conference 2010.

The Big Responsibilities of Big Business Department Icon

In Depth

The Big Responsibilities of Big Business

Interview with Dunstan Allison Hope, Managing Director, ICT Practice, BSR; Andy Wales, Global Head of Sustainable Development, SABMiller; and Matthew Gorman, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Environment, BAA Ltd.; by Eva Dienel, Communications Manager, BSR

The authors of Big Business, Big Responsibilities (Palgrave Macmillan 2010) discuss their combined 30 years working in sustainable business, and share thoughts on how the BP spill could impact NGO-private sector collaboration, what gives them the most cause for optimism, and the importance of “everyday champions” in sustainability.

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Spotlight

The Art and Science of Reporting Water-Related Risks

By

In 2011, S2C Global Systems plans to perform the world's first large-volume export of water in order to distribute water from Alaska to India for pharmaceutical, high-tech manufacturing, and other uses—highlighting the impacts of growing water scarcity on heavy-water users around the world.

At the BSR Conference 2010, we will be dedicating a session to emerging practices related to water disclosure and exploring strategies and tactics for communicating about water-related risks and stewardship efforts. With panelists from Intel, SABMiller, and the CDP’s Water Disclosure Project, we'll discuss the following:

  • When it comes to reporting, what’s the right balance of qualitative and quantitative information?
  • Companies have many ways to manage water-related risks—such as engaging with local communities and suppliers—but what is the best way to report on these activities when there are no relevant indicators?
  • What's the best way to integrate this information into your company’s existing reporting framework on environmental issues?

BSR Conference attendees can suggest additional discussion questions for this session through the event's social networking site.

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Toolbox

Managing Risks and Opportunities of Biodiversity Loss and Ecosystem Degradation

By Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services, BSR

A new study entitled The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) outlines the business risks and opportunities related to biodiversity. It also explores consumers' changing preference for environmentally friendly products; describes new initiatives and tools that enable businesses to measure, value, and report on their ecosystem impacts; and examines new business models that deliver biodiversity benefits.

To take a lead on this issue, the report recommends that companies:

  1. Use existing tools to identify impacts and dependencies on biodiversity and ecosystem services, and work to improve the tools.
  2. Assess the business risks and opportunities associated with these impacts and dependencies.
  3. Develop quantitative targets and performance indicators to measure and report on results.
  4. Look for business opportunities including cost efficiencies, new products, and new markets.
  5. Integrate biodiversity and ecosystem services strategies with broader sustainability efforts such as community engagement.
  6. Work with business, government, NGOs, and civil society to improve policies regarding regulatory reforms and to develop voluntary guidelines.