BSR Insight Articles About Financial Services

KPMG Report Picks 10 Sustainability ‘Megaforces’

Population growth, material resource scarcity, climate change, and energy and fuel are among the issues in sustainability that could have significant impact on the business landscape over the next 20 years, according to a recent report by KPMG International. The “Expect the Unexpected: Building Business Value in a Changing World” report outlines 10 global sustainability “megaforces” that are putting the world on a development trajectory that is “not sustainable.” Others on the list include water scarcity, wealth, urbanization, food security, ecosystem decline, and deforestation. (The report is 180 pages; the executive summary is here.) The report notes that all of these forces are interconnected, and insists that in order to manage the risks, businesses must use a systems thinking approach that addresses the ways megaforces relate to each other. Specific recommendations include: * Companies should turn strategic plans into ambitious targets and actions for sustainability supply chain management. * Companies should seek collaboration with business partners on sustainability issues. * Governments should increase collaboration with the private sector. Read more →

Posted: April 3, 2012 | Topics: Climate Change, Ecosystem Services, Energy, Environment, Financial Services, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Land Use & Biodiversity, Strategy & Integration, Sustainable Consumption, Water

Investor Insights: Improving ESG Disclosure by Chinese Companies

Lindsey Lim, Former Associate, Advisory Services

Cross-sector collaboration is needed to create effective, industry-specific ESG disclosure guidelines for Chinese listed companies. Read more →

Posted: March 20, 2012 | Topics: Financial Services, Investor Perspective, Reporting & Communications

Incorporating the Value of Nature

Linda Hwang, Former Manager, Research

In January 2011, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Dow Chemical launched a five-year collaboration that aims to help Dow and other companies implement models that incorporate the value of nature into business goals. Last week, TNC released the first annual update on this partnership, outlining the activities undertaken to date. Some of the highlights: Read more →

Posted: February 10, 2012 | Topics: Ecosystem Services, Environment, Financial Services

2012: Sustainability Steams Ahead in Uncertain Times

Aron Cramer, President and CEO

History moved fast in 2011, even as the economy was stuck in neutral, and 2012 promises to be a wild ride. Exactly how it will play out is hard to say. 2011 provides ample evidence of how difficult it is to foresee specific changes: Last January, few anticipated the Arab Spring, and Hosni Mubarak was ejected from office before the end of February. And early in 2011, any mention of the "Occupy Movement” was more likely to be considered a good name for a new indie rock band than one of the most potent political forces seen in years. Read more →

Posted: January 10, 2012 | Topics: Consumer Products, Energy, Financial Services, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Health Care, Information & Communications Technology, Media & Entertainment, Mining, Strategy & Integration, Transportation, Travel & Tourism

Climate Change Adaptation: Building Resiliency

Tiffany Finley, Manager, Advisory Services

Today, BSR is releasing the final four industry briefs in its “Climate Change Adaptation” series, which provides insight on climate-related risks and opportunities, actions companies are taking, and recommendations for how companies can lead their industries’ adaptation measures. Read more →

Posted: September 13, 2011 | Topics: Climate Change, Consumer Products, Energy, Financial Services, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Information & Communications Technology, Mining, Transportation