BSR Insight Articles About Governance & Accountability

As U.S. Eases Sanctions in Myanmar, Responsible Investment is Key

Julia Robinson, Communications Associate

"Responsible investment will help facilitate broad-based economic development and help bring Burma out of isolation and into the international community. My administration will continue to support the government of Burma in its efforts to work toward international standards for economic growth, responsible governance, and human rights." Read more →

Posted: July 17, 2012 | Topics: Governance & Accountability, Human Rights, Leadership

Emerging Themes from Rio: The Role of Business in Ensuring Human Rights

Alison Colwell, Associate Director, Advisory Services

At the UN Global Compact's Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum session entitled "Corporate Respect and Support for Human Rights: A Key Foundation for Sustainability," panelists discussed their experiences conducting human rights due diligence, improving workers' well-being, and engaging with indigenous peoples. One panelist specifically highlighted the importance of respect for human rights as the core of all business activities: "Human rights are a critical gene in the make-up of sustainability because it is the foundation of justice and peace, healthy children, and sustainable livelihoods on the planet." Read more →

Posted: July 3, 2012 | Topics: Governance & Accountability, Human Rights, Leadership

Advocating a Shift to Sustainable Capitalism

In the face of climate change, water scarcity, poverty, and other challenges, it’s time for a shift to sustainable capitalism, according to a white paper published last month by Generation Investment Management, a firm cofounded by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. The authors of the paper suggest that the new paradigm maximize long-term value creation by reforming markets to address real needs and consider all costs. They recommend five key actions for businesses to spur adoption and accelerate this framework: * Identify and incorporate risks from stranded assets. * Mandate integrated reporting. * Move away from issuing quarterly earnings guidance. * Align compensation with long-term sustainability performance. * Encourage long-term investing with loyalty-driven securities. The paper also identified additional areas that merit ongoing attention, including reinforcing sustainability as a fiduciary issue, creating advisory services for sustainable asset management, and integrating sustainability into business education at all levels. Read more →

Posted: March 6, 2012 | Topics: Governance & Accountability, Investor Perspective, Reporting & Communications, Strategy & Integration

Increasing Gender Diversity in the Boardroom

A new group of institutional investors, governance experts, and executives from U.S.-based companies including Campbell Soup and the Hopgood Group launched the 30% Coalition last week to promote the idea of securing a minimum of 30 percent women on Fortune 500 company boards by the end of 2015. Read more →

Posted: February 28, 2012 | Topics: Governance & Accountability, Women & Sustainability

UN Report: Government Must Help Align Sustainability

The UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability’s new “Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A Future Worth Choosing” report—which builds on the seminal 1987 Brundtland Report—contains a host of recommendations to put sustainable development into practice worldwide. Recommendations for governments include: Read more →

Posted: February 10, 2012 | Topics: Community Engagement & Development, Governance & Accountability