Publications by Tag: Strategy & Integration
Blog
Partners in Sustainable Procurement: Hilton Worldwide and BSR
Guest perspective by William Kornegay, Senior Vice President, Hilton Supply Management, Hilton Worldwide
For some time, we’ve been working to understand the sustainability impact of the goods and services Hilton Worldwide purchases on a yearly basis. Read more
Words Become Action
Steve McCoy-Thompson, Director of Operations
Note: This is the third blog in our series about sustainability and organizational position. Read more
Sustainability Reports: Worth the Effort?
Dunstan Allison Hope, Managing Director, Advisory Services
Sustainability Frames of Reference in New Economies
Guy Morgan, Director, Advisory Services
We all know there is no “one size fits all” approach to corporate sustainability. Management of sustainability is a function of local market dynamics, socioeconomic conditions, national history, and cultural contexts, among other factors. Indeed, the frames of reference for sustainability are dramatically different around the world. Read more
How ESG Works in Private Equity
Virginia Terry, Director, Advisory Services
At a recent New York event that BSR co-hosted with Morrison & Foerster and Private Equity International, speakers from BSR, KKR, The Carlyle Group, Morrison & Foerster, and Generation Investment Management discussed how to integrate ESG considerations into the private equity lifecycle. With its long-term investment horizons and its ability to work directly with portfolio companies to improve performance, private equity is ideally suited for ESG investing. Ultimately, thoughtful management of ESG issues is critical to the success of long-term private equity investment. Read more
Davos 2012: The Bottom-Up Transformation
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
Media coverage of Davos often focuses on the “boldface names,” the CEOs, prime ministers, and globally recognized artists who help to make the annual meeting a worldwide phenomenon. And while their presence in Davos is, without doubt, one of the things that makes this event so unique, it actually obscures another aspect of Davos that tells us a great deal about how the world is changing from the bottom up. Read more
I’d Love to Change the World, But I Don’t Know What to Do
Steve McCoy-Thompson, Director of Operations
Note: This is the second in our series on sustainability and organizational structure. Read the first blog here. Read more
Davos 2012: Easy Decisions, Hard Decisions
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
Davos 2012 opens against the backdrop of some pretty ominous numbers. European debt figures are high, and projections for growth in the mature economies are low. Income equality is declining in emerging markets like China and in the home of the 99 percent, the United States. 2011 was yet another year of record-setting warmth, with more summer melting in the Arctic. And this year’s Edelman Trust Barometer reports poor levels of trust, with faith in government tumbling to all-time lows in the West. Read more
Is the CSO Trapped by Location?
Steve McCoy-Thompson, Director of Operations
To help companies grapple with the question of location and structure of the corporate responsibility office (and its equivalents), BSR is launching a short series of blogs on organizational design and internal branding issues associated with CSR. In the process, we will address deeper issues of corporate strategy and development, as well as where sustainability best fits with respect to compliance, planning, reporting, and the bottom line. Read more
Where BSR Will Be in December
Anisha Malhotra, Communications Intern
As we close out 2011, here is a roundup of a few of the places where BSR will be and what we’re hosting. We hope to see you there! Read more
Follow the BSR Conference on Storify
Follow a real-time stream of content from across social media on what attendees, speakers, and BSR staff are saying at the BSR Conference 2011. Read more
Poll: Sustainability Is Here to Stay
Melanie Janin, Communications Director
For the second straight year, the “BSR/GlobeScan State of Sustainable Business Poll 2011” results show that more than eight in 10 respondents (84 percent) are optimistic that global businesses will embrace CSR/sustainability as part of their core strategies and operations in the next five years. Released at the BSR Conference 2011, the poll resulted from a survey of nearly 500 business leaders drawn from BSR’s global network of nearly 300 member companies. Read more
Where BSR Will Be in November
Anisha Malhotra, Communications Intern
A roundup of where BSR is speaking and events we're hosting this month. Read more
Pushing the Sustainability Conversation Forward at the BSR Conference 2011
Kara Hurst, Vice President
BSR has a reputation for executing a professionally run, interesting, and content-rich event every year. Our annual Conference draws more than 1,000 participants from a wide range of leading global companies and NGOs. As we head into this year’s event, we anticipate that the experience will be a terrific kick off to BSR’s 20th anniversary year. On the first day, we’re joined on the plenary stage by Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Preventative Medicine Research Institute Founder and President Dr. Dean Ornish, and Women’s World Banking President and CEO Mary Ellen Iskenderian—whose collective expertise exemplifies the diversity of urgent sustainability issues on the table for discussion: climate change, business innovation, embedding sustainability into mainstream financial markets, the health and wellness of our growing populace, and women’s empowerment through financial inclusion and literacy. Read more
Discovering the Unexpected Places Where “Good Works”: 2011 Net Impact Conference
Anisha Malhotra, Communications Intern
End results are important, but the journey to successfully incorporating sustainability into your company’s core strategy is equally critical. But this journey can be complex because each company’s path is different and inspiration and success may not come in the form we expect. Read more
Opportunities for Wireless Technology to Improve Environmental Impacts
Vijay Kanal, Director, Information and Communications Technology Practice, Advisory Services
A new report developed by BSR—and commissioned by CTIA- the Wireless Association—explores the impacts of wireless technology on the environment in the United States. To our surprise, we found several innovations occurring with wireless applications that not only reduce costs but also benefit the environment—and the applications are in just about every industry. Read more
Where BSR Will Be in October
Here’s a roundup of where our global staff will be this month. Hope to see you there! Read more
In Your Words: Leadership for a Changing World
Eva Dienel, Communications Manager
Over the last few months at BSR, we’ve been examining the changing nature of leadership today. When we launched the BSR Report 2010, we highlighted four dimensions of leadership we think are essential for business to make a meaningful difference: Set ambitious targets; learn from the margins; invest in infrastructures that support sustainability; and sail fearlessly toward the future. Read more
Investing in the Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
Most years, people are reluctant to see summer fade into fall. But the summer of 2011 was a bit of a bummer, bringing hurricanes and earthquakes in the American Northeast; ongoing political stagnation in the United States, Europe, and Japan; and signs that the world’s mature economies are stuck in neutral—and may remain that way for some time. Leaving this summer behind feels like a relief. Read more
Where BSR Will Be in September
Summer is over for BSR staff in the Northern Hemisphere with September shaping up to be a packed month. Here are a few of the places we’ll be and events we’re hosting. We hope to see you there! Read more
Why Solar Should Care About Sustainability
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
Solar power is a poster child of sustainability, at least from the standpoint of energy users. It provides a clean alternative to GHG-emitting fossil fuels and runs indefinitely on free energy from the sun. What more, then, is there to the sustainability of solar energy? Read more
Pessimism Rules the Day—And Why We Can’t Afford It
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
At dinner following BSR’s Board meeting in London last month, discussion turned quickly to the potential for a looming crash in global markets (no, sadly, this is not a post from 2008). Round and round we went, debating whether the sovereign and consumer debt levels weighing down Europe and the United States were precursors to another crash in the global financial system. Read more
Five Merits of Sustainability Reporting for Management
David Korngold, Associate, Advisory Services
Some think of sustainability reporting as a tack-on to a company’s strategy—that it’s all a bunch of granola that doesn’t matter to meat-and-potatoes management decisions. Yet sustainability reporting offers a tremendous opportunity to generate and communicate management insight, develop a more robust organization, and drive value for the company. This is all in addition to the potential environmental and social benefits that can result from developing a sustainability strategy and report. Read more
Redefining Sustainability in a Time of Austerity
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
A generation ago, the modern corporate responsibility movement emerged just as globalization took hold of the world’s economy and captured our imagination. With the significant exception of the 2008-09 recession, we’ve since experienced a period of relative prosperity in the Western economies and fast-growing economies in much of the rest of the world. During that time, CSR often focused on ways Western companies could improve environmental and labor practices in emerging economies. Read more
Five Powerful Ways Your Company Can Lead the Sustainability Revolution
Melanie Janin, Communications Director
Earlier today, I was invigorated and inspired by the words of Richard Gillies, Director of Plan A at Marks and Spencer. Speaking at our webinar with BSR’s Aron Cramer and the Guardian’s Jo Confino on redefining leadership in 2011 and beyond, Gillies referred to the “Sustainability Revolution” that will transform our global society in the decades to come. Like the Industrial Revolution and the Computer Revolution that followed, Gillies noted the Sustainability Revolution will be observed and experienced by many but led by few. Read more
Lose the Bus
Ted Howes, Director, Advisory Services
Contributor’s note: I love thinking about organizations, leadership, and sustainability. This is the first in a series of posts on "Leadership Next" for sustainability. Step One: Lose the Bus. We’ve all been on the wrong team (or been the wrong teammate) at one point or another and recognize the continuing value of Jim Collins’ Good to Great adage, “Get the right people on the bus and the wrong people off.” In sustainability, businesses often have the wrong bus altogether. They create CSR or sustainability departments to understand and act on the strategic imperative of sustainability. This is well meaning but ultimately flawed. By putting sustainability in an organizational box, three things can happen. Read more
UN Human Rights Council Endorses Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
Faris Natour, Director, Human Rights
Today marks a significant milestone for human rights: The UN Human Rights Council has endorsed the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights proposed by UN Special Representative John Ruggie. We want to congratulate Professor Ruggie and his team on this significant accomplishment. Read more
BSR Report 2010: ‘Redefining Leadership’
Eva Dienel, Communications Manager
Today we are launching the BSR Report 2010, “Redefining Leadership,” which highlights our work over the past year helping global companies define and implement comprehensive sustainability strategies. Read more
GBC Health’s 10th Anniversary: Time to Look at the Big Picture
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
I spoke yesterday at the morning plenary of GBC Health (formerly the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria), along with business leaders like AngloAmerican CEO Cynthia Carroll, Conservation International Founder Peter Seligman, and Sarah Brown, health care activist and wife of former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Read more
Where BSR Will Be in June
June is shaping up to be a busy month for BSR staff around the world. Here’s a few of the place we’ll be—and events we’re hosting. We hope to see you there! Read more
Planning for an Uncertain Future and More at WEC
Mark Little, Director, Health Care, Advisory Services
Last week, I joined the World Environmental Center’s colloquium on sustainable development as a driver for innovation, which gathered an impressive panel of leaders from both business and civil society. Speakers included Jeff Seabright (Coke), Andrea Thomas (Walmart), Claus Conzelmann (Nestle), Bob Langert (McDonalds), Gavin Neath (Unilever), Albert Cho (Cisco), Jason Clay (WWF), Jane Nelson (Harvard), Peter Schnurrenberger (Roche), and many more. Considering the companies represented on the panels, it was no surprise to see the discussions focus predominantly on food and agriculture. But the key “calls to action” cut across industry lines: Read more
Sustainable Product Design: Closing the Loop on Plastics
Cody Sisco, Manager, Advisory Services
Last week I visited an HP service provider’s facility in Thurnau, Germany where plastic inkjet cartridges are collected and where they take the first step toward reentering the materials stream for HP recycled plastic cartridges. Read more
Jugaad Solutions for Sustainable Design
Virginia Terry, Director, Advisory Services
Jugaad is a Hindi term that means clever and resourceful. It describes a way of getting a job done by using easy-to-find materials, typically in collaboration with others. In Western terms, jugaad could be a kind of crowd-sourced innovation that makes efficient use of scarce resources or reused materials to help improve living conditions. Read more
Technology, Collaboration, and Human Rights: A Slightly Unfair (but Somewhat Useful) Comparison
Dunstan Allison Hope, Managing Director, Advisory Services
How can companies effectively engage with stakeholders? That was the theme of a recent panel I participated in at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s “Sustainable Corporation” conference. Read more
Novo Nordisk’s Blueprint for Changing Diabetes in China
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of blog case studies that look at the sustainability challenges and successes at different pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. For each case study, we’re interviewing a company practitioner to get an insider’s perspective. We will be publishing these perspectives on a monthly basis and look forward to your comments. If you have a case study that you would like to share, please contact Shivani Kannabhiran at web@bsr.org Read more
Experiencing the 8.9 Japan Quake—and the Power of Collective Action
Jesse Nishinaga, Manager, Advisory Services
A little more than 24 hours ago, an unimaginable 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck Japan, unleashing a series of powerful tsunamis that have engulfed entire towns along the eastern coast of this island nation. By morning, early reports indicate that hundreds are dead, hundreds more are missing, tens of thousands are displaced, and millions are still without basic services. Read more
Building Effective Labor Relations in China
On a recent cold and windy day, a select group of labor relations practitioners (LRPs) in China's city of Qingdao gathered for the first of a series of salons BSR has organized with the Federation of China Trade Associations and Chambers of Commerce to discuss "hot topics" in labor relations. Read more
Response to Jeffrey Hollender of Seventh Generation
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
Following is a message I sent to Jeffrey Hollender, Chief Inspired Protagonist of Seventh Generation, in response to a recent blog post of his: Read more
BSR Conference 2009: “Innovation Required”
Diane Osgood, Ph.D.
One clear message coming out of the BSR Conference 2009: Innovation is required."Green is no longer a hobby. It is a necessity, and a driver for innovation and new business models," said Ben Verwaayen, CEO of Alcatel-Lucent, in the closing plenary presentation on Friday. Read more
Climate Leaders: A Break from the Industry Pack
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
Some of this week’s most interesting developments related to business and climate didn’t come from the UN Climate Summit in New York or from Pittsburgh (site of the G20 Summit), but instead from San Francisco and Beaverton, Oregon. Read more
What’s in a Word?
Diane Osgood, Ph.D.
The language used at last week's Sustentável 2009 conference in Brazil highlights hot trends and differing perspectives on global sustainability. Read more
Avoid Greenwashing… but Speak Up!
Eric Olson, Senior Vice President, Advisory Services
Sprint’s launch today of a modestly priced “green” phone—the Reclaim, developed with Samsung—is a good example of getting it right with respect to green products and related communications. I know because I led a small BSR team that provided some of the external review for the phone as part of our ongoing work with the company. Read more
Lobbying, Internal Alignment, and Boosting Your Company’s Sustainability Impact
Diane Osgood, Ph.D.
This week's front page headline in Le Monde, “Industries Against the Greens: The Battle of Lobbying” calls out the growing resources aimed at lobbying on environmental issues in Beijing, Brussels, and Washington. Read more
BSR Conference Session Summaries
I’m From Headquarters and I Am Here to Help: Integrating Human Rights at the Operational Level
BSR Conference 2011
Read moreBSR Conference Session Summaries
BSR Conference Session Summaries
BSR Conference Session Summaries
BSR Conference Session Summaries
BSR Conference Session Summaries
BSR Conference Session Summaries
BSR Conference Session Summaries
BSR Conference Session Summaries
In Conversation With Colin le Duc of Generation Investment Management and Ian Yolles of Recyclebank
BSR Conference 2011
Read moreBSR Conference Session Summaries
In Conversation With Bea Perez, VP and Chief Sustainability Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
BSR Conference 2011
Read moreBSR Conference Session Summaries
How to Embed Sustainability Into R&D Processes for More Responsible Innovation
BSR Conference 2011
Read moreBSR Conference Session Summaries
From Conservation to Restoration: How Investing in Water Can Deliver Concrete Business Value
BSR Conference 2011
Read moreBSR Conference Session Summaries
BSR Conference Session Summaries
BSR Insight Articles
Survey: Help Shape China’s Nonprofit Sector
Cammie Erickson, Associate, Partnership Development
How would you revamp the nonprofit sector in the United States if you could build it from the ground up? What would you do differently? What would you keep the same? Read more
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. Read more
How Partnerships Give Business Power, Prescience, and Potential
Kara Hurst, Vice President
As we celebrate BSR’s 20-year anniversary in 2012, we are reflecting on the dramatic progress that has been made in the sustainability field through partnerships between government, civil society, and the private sector. Read more
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. Read more
Sustainability Leadership in Manufacturing
Raj Sapru, Director, Advisory Services
Despite persistent volatility in the markets, the manufacturing sector is cautiously optimistic about growth. Sustaining this growth will require that sector become a lot more adept at anticipating the future. Read more
Using CSR to Grow Locally, Mind the Talent Gap
At a time when global economies are sputtering, sustainability is a key issue for global business leaders, according to the 15th Annual Global CEO Survey from PricewaterhouseCoopers. Read more
Using Water-Risk Information for Greater Impact
Ryan Flaherty, Manager, Advisory Services
Business continuity depends on access to clean water, a resource that is in higher demand as scarcity increases, quality declines, and distribution remains unequal around the world. As more companies recognize their dependence on clean water, they are turning to different tools to assess risks and provide context for their direct operations and supply chains. Read more
WEF Report Reveals Top Global Risks
Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services
Based on a survey of 469 experts from industry, government, academia, and civil society, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) new “Global Risks 2012” report examines 50 global risks across five categories: economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal, and technological. Read more
Four Key Sustainability Trends in Retail
The Retail Industry Leaders Association’s first sustainability report on the industry’s environmental, social, and community impacts features company case studies and identifies four key trends: Read more
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
Sustainability Predictions for 2012
Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services
The beginning of a new year is the time to look forward at the possible trends, influencers, and opportunities that will affect business. Here is a selection of sustainability-related predictions for 2012. Share your predictions with us at bsrinsight@bsr.org. Read more
When Policy Fails on Climate, What Can Business Do? BSR’s 2012 Climate Initiatives
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
As 2011 draws to a close, we have registered a record year for weather disasters following the largest-ever jump in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the carbon intensity of the world’s fastest-growing economies is only rising. Following the inconclusive end of the UN climate talks in Durban, there is also little reason left to believe that our outmoded international treaty system is going to lead the world away from the ever-worsening state of climate change. Read more
Black Carbon Provides Climate Change Mitigation Opportunities
Raj Sapru, Director, Advisory Services
Black carbon—which includes particles emitted from cars, trucks, stoves, industrial facilities, and some forest fires—is the second-largest contributor to climate change after carbon-dioxide emissions. This happens because when black carbon is suspended in the air, particles absorb sunlight and warm the atmosphere. Also, when black carbon is deposited on ice and snow, it decreases reflectivity and accelerates melting. In addition to accelerating global warming, black carbon has significant impacts on human health and crop yields. Read more
Helping Your Suppliers Improve Their Sustainability Efforts
Jessica Davis Pluess, Manager, Advisory Services
To increase the reach of sustainability efforts, companies are using sophisticated questionnaires, scorecards, and indices as tools for supplier engagement. However, companies often superimpose their own sustainability goals on suppliers without considering how these tools could enable stronger governance structures, systems, and strategies for suppliers. Read more
China Philanthropy Project Update: New Resources for Social Investment
Brooke Avory, Manager, CiYUAN
Launched in 2010, BSR’s three-year CiYuan project aims to build cross-sector partnerships that enhance social investment in China—a critical element in developing the country’s nonprofit sector and addressing its growing social and environmental challenges. Read more
Manifesto for the Corporate Idealist
By Christine Bader, Human Rights Advisor, BSR
Can big business do good in the world? Can corporations contribute to a healthier planet while still turning a profit? With each new headline about bad corporate behavior, it would be easy to assume that the answer to both questions is decidedly “no.” Read more
New Guide to Effective Local Content Programs
Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services
IPIECA—a global oil and gas industry association focused on social and environmental issues—released a guide to help companies design and execute local content strategies in the countries where they operate. Local content is defined by the value that companies bring to host countries by employing and training the local workforce and developing and procuring supplies and services locally. Read more
Implementing a Living Wage Program
Roger McElrath, Manager, Advisory Services
Note: This is the second in a two-part series examining living wage. Part one looked at what constitutes a living wage, who is responsible for ensuring that it is defined, and the role of the company in providing it. Read more
BSR/GlobeScan Survey Reveals Need to Integrate Sustainability Into Core Business
Results from the “BSR/GlobeScan State of Sustainable Business Poll 2011,” released at the BSR Conference 2011, show that the most important leadership challenge facing business today is the integration of sustainability into core business functions. Nearly two thirds of the 500 business leaders from BSR member companies surveyed identified this challenge as their most significant. Read more
The Sustainability Opportunity in Product Obsolescence
Marshall Chase, Manager, Advisory Services
On the last day of the BSR Conference 2011, Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn noted that we have about five years to address the world’s critical sustainability challenges. But to do this, he added, we need new business models. Read more
Reflections From the BSR Conference 2011: We Have the Will—and the Power—to Act
Kara Hurst, Vice President
In his opening address at the BSR Conference 2011, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore talked about the “functional insanity” of CEOs and CFOs who choose short-term gains over long-term sustainability. He referenced a study in which these leaders were asked what they would do if they were given a chance to make an investment that would increase their company’s profitability and sustainability—with the catch being that they would miss their quarterly targets. Eighty percent said they would not make the investment. Read more
Doing Business in a Changing Asia
Jeremy Prepscius, Managing Director, Asia
We live in interesting times—times when global changes are permeating societies as issues, institutions, and information begin to collide. Developments in connectivity and access to information are intersecting with changing societal expectations about political participation, environmental stewardship, economic equality, and expectations of governance. Society’s new expectations are being driven by developments in economic growth patterns, education, scandals, and natural disasters. Read more
Using Wireless Technology to Protect the Environment
Peter Nestor, Associate, Advisory Services
A new report by BSR and CTIA —the Wireless Association examines opportunities for companies in the transportation, utilities, agriculture, and government sectors to use wireless technology to help protect the environment. Highlights include: Read more
Integrating Human Rights Into Business Operations
Faris Natour, Director, Human Rights
Integrating human rights considerations into all aspects of business is among the biggest challenges for companies implementing the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. To generate support for a human rights policy or management system at the operational or site level, companies should provide: Read more
Walmart CEO: ‘Holding Women Back Holds Economies Back’
Racheal Yeager, Manager, HERproject
Last week, Walmart made a US$20 billion commitment to increase sourcing from female-owned U.S. businesses and to double the amount it sources from female-owned businesses globally by 2016. Through a broader initiative, the company will also offer women on farms and in factories training, market access, and career opportunities; provide low-income women with job-skills training and access to higher education; increase the gender diversity among its major suppliers; and grant US$100 million to organizations supporting women’s economic empowerment. Read more
The Opportunities and Challenges of ‘Things’ Connected to the Internet
Walmart: The Greatest Sustainability Story of Our Time?
Eva Dienel, Communications Manager
In Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward Humes’ latest book, Force of Nature, Walmart is the unlikely hero in a tale about the environment and sustainability, which Humes calls “the most important story of our age.” I spoke with Humes—who will discuss sustainability storytelling at the BSR Conference 2011—about what makes Walmart’s story so compelling, how to make your business’ sustainability story part of company lore, and how to avoid the trap of “mego” (shorthand for “my eyes glaze over”) when chronicling your own experience. Read more
New BSR Tool Helps Business Identify Strategic Social Investments
Alison Colwell, Manager, Advisory Services
BSR’s new tool helps companies make strategic social investments in communities where they operate, which is a critical aspect of building sustainable local economies. Strategic social investments allow companies to maximize the impact of their resource allocations, increase the long-term sustainability of their efforts, develop productive and mutually beneficial relationships with local stakeholders, and mitigate operational disruptions by strengthening their social license to operate. Read more
The Business Case for Supply Chain Energy Efficiency
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
In this video, learn about the business case for investing in supply chain energy efficiency, which includes three elements: Read more
Best Buy CEO on the Power of Engaged Employees
Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn—a plenary speaker at the BSR Conference 2011—believes inspired and engaged employees are Best Buy’s most valuable assets, especially when it comes to sustainability initiatives. "We're leveraging our people as our competitive advantage," he said during a recent keynote speech at the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship Conference. Dunn encourages executives to: Read more
The Future of Business-NGO Relationships
In my new role as BSR’s Director of Stakeholder Collaboration, I am focused on building relationships with NGO colleagues globally to bring their insights to our member companies and develop next-generation stakeholder engagement approaches that are outcome based and take into account trends in the field. BSR created this position to deepen relationships with civil society and foster collaboration between stakeholders and business. Read more
Investing in Factory Workers’ Mental Health and Well-Being
Jessica Davis Pluess, Manager, Advisory Services
In response to the reported rise of suicides among Chinese factory workers, leading companies are investing in employee-assistance programs (EAPs)—including mental health education, diagnostic services, and counseling—to help workers and their families balance work- and personal-life demands, while also improving productivity. While common in North America, EAPs are emerging as important tools for addressing the root causes of mental health issues among workers in China. Read more
Adapting to China’s Changing Health Care Market
Mark Little, Director, Health Care, Advisory Services; Chloё Poynton, Associate, Advisory Services
The health care landscape in China is quickly changing, with both government and consumers increasingly concerned about the cost and quality of products from multinational pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Read more
The Economic Implications of Resource Scarcity
Linda Hwang, Manager, Research
Last week in Toronto, Canada, the World Economic Forum hosted a roundtable on the role of capital and investment in shaping the future of natural resource availability. Participants from mining, agriculture, government, and the investment community discussed how corporate responsibility—and issues such as transparency and local economic development in particular—have created additional costs associated with resource extraction, distribution, and consumption. In particular, attendees emphasized the importance of investing in people to increase their CSR knowledge. Read more
Why Is Living Wage So Complex?
Roger McElrath, Manager, Advisory Services
Ever since the United Nations adopted its new human rights framework, companies have had an added impetus to ensure that the treatment of their employees, workers in supply chain partners, and people in local communities is just and in accordance with international standards. Read more
Opportunities for Technology in Sustainability: In Conversation With BSR’s New ICT Practice Director
Eva Dienel, Communications Manager; Vijay Kanal, Director, Information and Communications Technology Practice, Advisory Services
Vijay Kanal first began working on sustainability issues in the technology sector several years ago when a client retained his consulting firm to identify market opportunities for sustainable design software. Intrigued by this assignment, Kanal—who began his career in the industry as an electrical engineer, and later held senior roles in marketing, partnership development, and product introductions at Sun Microsystems—made a personal investment in sustainability by educating himself on the opportunities for the ICT industry. Several engagements followed in developing sustainability strategies and identifying best practices for clients. Read more
Transforming the Global Food System
SustainAbility’s “Appetite for Change” explores the transformation needed for a sustainable global food system that is "reliable, resilient, and transparent; produces food within ecological limits; empowers food producers; and ensures accessible, nutritious food for all." While a variety of stakeholders is required for large-scale, systemic change, the report calls on the private sector to become more engaged in the debate and embrace new market opportunities to make this transformation possible. Read more
Traveling in a Changing Climate
Celine Suarez, Manager, Advisory Services
Perhaps no other industry is more dependent on climate than travel and tourism. From warm, sunny, beachfront resorts, to majestic, snowy mountains, and turbulence-free flights, nearly every aspect of the industry is better off and more profitable when the weather is stable and predictable, and travelers can move about safely and without disruption. Read more
Redefining Leadership at the BSR Conference 2011
Kara Hurst, Vice President
The BSR Conference 2011, taking place in San Francisco on November 1 through 4, will showcase ideas, trends, and tools in sustainable business related to the theme of “Redefining Leadership.” Here, we talk with BSR Vice President Kara Hurst about the highlights this year, what “Redefining Leadership” means to her, and the questions she has for plenary speaker Al Gore. Read more
Increasing Costs, Water Scarcity Top Business’ Climate Change Concerns
According to a recent report by the Global Compact, UN Environment Programme, Oxfam, and World Resources Institute, water scarcity and the increasing costs of raw materials and natural resources are business’ two greatest concerns about climate change risks. As the report notes, climate change impacts—including rising temperatures, floods, and extreme weather events—present a variety of risks to companies’ operations and value chains, including: Read more
‘Smart’ Networks Pave the Way for Innovation and Efficiency
Linda Hwang, Manager, Research
At GreenBiz.com's VERGE Roundtable last week in San Francisco, more than four dozen top executives gathered to look at how energy, information, buildings, and vehicle technologies are coming together to enable new waves of innovation and efficiency. Throughout the conversation, speakers discussed how "intelligent" products like electric vehicles, smart buildings, and the smart grid are quickly becoming commoditized. As a result, potential value will be realized in software that links these products together. For example, “intelligent” cities are being conceptualized with smart buildings, electric vehicles, and smart grids all sharing data for better energy management. Read more
Leading Retailers Discover the Power in Numbers
By Adam Siegel, Vice President, Sustainability and Retail Operations, Retail Industry Leaders Association
Retailers today are doing a great deal to engage their employees on sustainability, from hosting sustainability fairs at their headquarters to putting together employee videos, intranet sites, blogs, and volunteer days. Through these efforts, these companies have reaped many benefits: They have generated innovative ideas for running different business segments, brought new products to the shelves, and saved money. Read more
‘Lack of Understanding’ Tops List of Business Hurdles to Human Rights
Although John Ruggie’s mandate ends this month with the UN Human Rights Council’s endorsement of his Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, most companies are still in the nascent stage of embedding human rights throughout their operations. According to an Institute for Human Rights and Business survey of 97 people—including directors of global communications and CEOs from all sectors—the greatest hurdle (56 percent of responses) for companies in doing so is a “lack of understanding among key managers.” Read more
The Future of Well-Being: Cities as Living Laboratories
Linda Hwang, Manager, Research
“Urban wilderness is increasingly at the forefront of change.” These opening remarks at the Institute for the Future’s (IFTF) annual Health Horizons conference last week captured the notion that cities are living laboratories where ideas, imagination, and people gather to find solutions to resource constraints and global imbalances threatening the well-being of people and the planet. IFTF presented its “Map of the Decade: Ecosystems of Well-Being,” a tool that describes the forces shaping the future of well-being not as individual experiences, but as “interconnected ecosystems.” These forces, which IFTF believes will shape health and health care in the next decade, are: Read more
Explore Our Impact: Videos
Take a deeper dive into the BSR Report 2010 and core areas of our work in video clips that provide personal perspective from BSR staff members. Read more
Climate Adaptation Measures to Manage Risks and Create Opportunities
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
With the increasing severity of storms and weather disasters, receding rivers, advancing deserts, and more frequent landslides, floods, and sinkholes, there's no question that the effects of climate change will test business' ability to deliver products and services. Read more
Climate Change Adaptation for the ICT and Consumer Products Sectors
For the consumer products and ICT sectors, climate change has the potential to disrupt supply chains, damage critical assets and infrastructure, and create new customer needs. The latest reports in BSR’s "Climate Change Adaptation" series—which provides insight on climate-related risks and opportunities for a variety of industries—include practical examples of actions companies are already taking, as well as recommendations on how company leaders can improve their business’ resiliency. Read more
The Human Face of Water-Related Risk Assessments
Linda Hwang, Manager, Research
At the CEO Water Mandate meeting in Copenhagen last week—which focused on corporate water disclosure—one participant reminded us of the connections between water, healthy populations, and corporate performance. Despite the growing number of tools to help investors and companies assess water-related risks, companies will miss a critical factor when evaluating their long-term risks if the tools do not link physical-, regulatory-, and reputational-risk frameworks to people’s ability to participate in the growth of healthy economies. Read more
Using CSR to Enter New Markets
Mark Little, Director, Health Care, Advisory Services; Adam Lane, Manager, Advisory Services
When leaders at Novo Nordisk, the world’s largest company focused solely on diabetes, decided to enter the diabetes market in China, they opted to leverage not just products but a long-term CSR strategy focused on health, economic development, and the environment. Read more
WBCSD’s New Guide to Corporate Ecosystem Valuation
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s “Guide to Corporate Ecosystem Valuation” helps business leaders understand the value and benefits of ecosystem services such as fresh water, food, fiber, and natural hazard protection. They can use this data to manage risks and opportunities and make more informed decisions that align financial, ecological, and societal objectives. Read more
CSR Dominant Factor in How People Form Impressions of Companies
Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services
According to GlobeScan’s 2011 “State of Global Public Opinion on CSR” survey, corporate responsibility is a major factor in how people form impressions of companies, particularly in the developing world. In a survey of 25,000 people from 28 countries, GlobeScan asked people to identify what matters most when they form a favorable or unfavorable impression of a company. Read more
Managing Energy by Working Directly With Suppliers
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
With increasing pressure from investors and growing energy constraints, it’s no longer a question for company leaders about whether to address climate change impacts. It’s a priority. One of the surest bets for company managers to do so is to identify opportunities to reduce energy waste, whether through an organized sustainability program or as part of quality management and lean efforts. Read more
BSR’s Olson Calls for Sustainability Investments, Incentives
During the recent Commonwealth Club event “Measure What?” BSR Senior Vice President Eric Olson discussed how companies’ sustainability investments can help them gain new customers and increase market competitiveness. Read more
Improving the Environmental Performance of Ports and Terminals
Raj Sapru, Director, Advisory Services
BSR’s new report—supported by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund—highlights the risks and opportunities associated with improving the sustainability performance of ports and terminal operations, a part of the supply chain often left out of broader supply chain sustainability efforts. Read more
Boards and Sustainability: A Look Ahead
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
In last week’s feature article, I touched on various aspects of the growing debate about board governance of sustainability. In this week’s article, I look at how board engagement is likely to evolve in the years ahead. Read more
Best Buy CEO: Sustainability Will Drive ‘More Robust Outcomes’
Virginia Terry, Director, Advisory Services
In his recent keynote address at the Boston College Corporate Citizenship Conference, Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn discussed the company’s new sustainability strategy, which includes four key elements: creating an inspiring workplace, driving greater product stewardship, developing new solutions for sustainable lifestyles, and creating greater access to digital connections. Read more
Improving Product Sustainability Performance
According to Parametric Technology Corporation's recent white paper, companies must embrace "design-for-the-environment" strategies that allow them to remain competitive—and stay ahead of new sustainability requirements—by improving the environmental performance of their products. Read more
How HR Can Advance Sustainability
About 75 percent of 728 U.S. human resources professionals recently surveyed by the Society for Human Resource Management report that their organizations engage in sustainable workplace or business practices. The survey revealed how company leaders are balancing financial performance with contributions to employees' well-being, society, and environmental initiatives. Read more
CSR in the Boardroom: The Board’s Role in Advancing Sustainability
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
Sustainability today is seen by many company leaders as an important strategy in business success, and that idea has made it into more and more boardrooms in the last several years. In light of that trend, BSR recently completed a paper for the UN Global Compact examining the role of the board in CSR. Based on that work, as well as BSR’s experience working with member companies, this article examines board roles and responsibilities, the three approaches to incorporating sustainability into the board structure, and how the composition of the board influences the company’s approach to sustainability. Read more
Improving the Environmental Performance of Ports and Terminals
Raj Sapru, Director, Advisory Services; Laura Ediger, Environmental Manager
Around the world, the shipping industry accounts for more than a third of the value of all trade, and about 4 percent of global carbon emissions. While ports contribute a relatively small amount of the industry’s climate impacts—and of the overall impacts of supply chains—they often have a significant effect on local communities due to their contribution to air pollution. Emission sources include ships docked at the terminal, fuel used in cargo-handling equipment, and the various modes of transportation, especially trucks, that converge at ports to move goods onto the next leg of their journey. Read more
U.S. ‘Proxy Preview’ Report: Environmental, Social Issues on the Rise
According to As You Sow's "Proxy Preview 2011"—a compendium of the 360 U.S. shareholder resolutions up for vote in 2011—investors now file about 50 percent more resolutions on social and environmental issues than they did 10 years ago. This year’s guide, which provides an overview of the major players, recent regulatory developments, shareholder proposal trends, and new issues, includes highlights such as: Read more
Answering the Call for Mandatory Sustainability Reporting
Chhavi Ghuliani, Manager, Advisory Services
A little over a year ago, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued guidance requiring companies traded publicly in the United States to report on the risks and opportunities their operations face due to climate change. The guidance came after three years of persistent advocacy from a coalition of investors and nonprofits including Ceres, Environmental Defense Fund, and Pax World Management Corporation, and the announcement was hailed as a major breakthrough for investor groups looking to minimize long-term risk in their portfolios. Read more
Maximizing Benefits From Supply Chain Sustainability
Charlotte Bancilhon, Associate, Advisory Services
BSR's new issue brief presents the business case for improving social and environmental performance throughout companies’ supply chains. Through practical case studies, this brief illustrates that by helping suppliers improve their sustainability performance and by investing in opportunities such as energy management or workplace improvements, companies can achieve real benefits such as enhanced supply chain security and reduced costs. Read more
Building Effective Local Content Strategies
Jessica Davis Pluess, Manager, Advisory Services
BSR's new report highlights some of the challenges and opportunities extractives companies face in building local content programs that drive commercial value and deliver sustainable local development benefits in countries where they operate. Read more
Conducting Site-Level Human Rights Impact Assessments
Alejandra Martin, Manager, Advisory Services
Although more than 270 companies have human rights policy statements in place, few have implemented the policies, and even fewer have conducted human rights impact assessments at the site level. These assessments are particularly relevant for companies operating in remote areas where local governments and civil society have limited experience interacting with the private sector. Read more
Operating Locally: BSR’s Three-Step Approach to Delivering Lasting Value
Michael Oxman, Director, Advisory Services
Leading energy and extractive companies continue to develop new approaches to ensuring benefits to local communities and other key stakeholders from large capital projects and ongoing operations. These benefits include economic opportunities such as employment and the procurement of goods and services from local suppliers as well as benefits from social investments in education, health, and other community areas of need. Read more
Climate Change Adaptation in the Middle East
Chhavi Ghuliani, Manager, Advisory Services
In the Middle East and North Africa, where half of the population already lives under water-stressed conditions, climate change and the expected rise in global temperatures will likely intensify persistent issues such as droughts and floods. To avoid the business risks posed by climate change, companies operating in the region need to create targeted adaptation strategies. Read more
Stories From the Field
Interview with Richard Feinberg, Professor, University of California, San Diego, by Terry Nelidov, Manager, Advisory Services, BSR
Terry Nelidov, project manager of BSR's DR-CAFTA Responsible Competitiveness Project, recently talked with University of California, San Diego Professor Richard Feinberg, a senior advisor to the project, about his insights gained from developing the case studies for it in BSR’s new compendium “Stories From the Field.” In excerpts below from the conversation, Professor Feinberg highlights both overall learnings from the three-year project and practical tools that companies anywhere in the world can apply to their labor and competitiveness strategies. Read more
Closer Look: Understanding Land Deals in Africa
The International Institute for Environment and Development's new guide to understanding land deals in Africa explores the significant impacts land contracts have on agriculture and food security in recipient countries. Land contracts define the terms of an investment project, and particularly how risks, costs, and benefits are distributed and who has the authority to sign the contract and through what process. Read more
Waste Not, Want Not—An Overview of Food Waste
Guy Morgan, Director, Advisory Services
As highlighted in BSR's new research brief on food waste—the first in a series exploring different elements of sustainable consumption—there is enough food to feed the world, but 30 percent of all food grown worldwide (approximately US$48.3 billion) is either lost or wasted before it reaches the consumer. Read more
Prosperity on a Crowded Planet: BSR’s Next Phase of Work on Sustainable Consumption
Virginia Terry, Director, Advisory Services
By nearly any measure, our current consumption patterns are not sustainable. The 2010 World Wildlife Fund Living Planet Index—which reflects changes in the health of the planet’s ecosystems—shows a drop by about 30 percent since 1970, and its 2010 Living Planet Report concludes that we are now using 50 percent more natural resources than Earth can sustain. This decline is already stalling progress addressing the needs of the more than 1 billion people who still lack adequate food, clothing, and shelter. As the population continues to grow, from 7 billion today to 9 billion in 2050, we need to shift to a more sustainable form of consumption that meets people’s needs without overtaxing natural resources. Read more
Closing the Gender Gap in Agriculture
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization released a new report on the business case for addressing gender issues in agriculture and rural employment. According to the report, women in all regions face gender-related constraints that reduce their productivity and impose real costs on society. Read more
Benefit Corporation Model Likely to Grow in 2011
Kai Robertson, Director, Food, Beverage & Agriculture Practice, Advisory Services
Rethinking corporate law was on the agenda at last week's GreenBiz State of Green Business Forum in Washington, D.C. Jay Coen Gilbert, co-founder of B Lab—a nonprofit organization that promotes and certifies benefit corporations—presented on the need for a corporate framework that supports the creation of both shareholder and societal value. Read more
Top Global Risks of the Next Decade
According to the World Economic Forum's "Global Risks 2011" report—which analyzes the global risk landscape in the coming decade—economic disparity and global governance failures are the two most significant risks given their high degrees of impact and interconnectedness. The report also identifies three main clusters of risks: the "macroeconomic imbalances" nexus (currency volatility, fiscal crises, and asset price collapse); the "illegal economy" nexus (state fragility, illicit trade, organized crime, and corruption); and the "water-food-energy" nexus (rising global population and resource shortages). Additionally, the report includes a series of risk-response strategies that can help all stakeholders take advantage of opportunities for innovation that emerge from risk mitigation. Read more
Trends in Sustainable Investment
Laura Commike Gitman, Managing Director, Advisory Services
Despite the recent economic downturn, sustainable investment is extending beyond the United States and Europe, and into countries where it was previously not widely practiced. Nearly one out of every eight U.S. dollars under professional management in the United States is represented by socially responsible investment (SRI) assets. SRI approaches integrate social and environmental criteria into investment decisions with the goal of aligning financial activities with social and environmental objectives, values, or beliefs, and can include the incorporation of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria by money managers, shareholder advocacy, and community investment. According to a 2010 report by the Social Investment Forum, at the start of 2010, professionally managed assets in the United States following SRI strategies amounted to US$3.07 trillion—an increase of more than 34 percent since 2005, compared to 3 percent growth for total assets under management (AUM). The growth in Europe is even more pronounced, with total SRI AUM increasing 87 percent in just two years, from €2.7 trillion to €5 trillion at the end of 2009, according to Eurosif. Read more
Will Old Europe Become the New World of Sustainability in 2011?
Peder Michael Pruzan-Jorgensen, Managing Director, Europe, Middle East, and Africa
European companies, government officials, and civil society representatives have tended to scoff at their American cousins’ approach to sustainability, and also at the perceived fundamental disregard for the environment and human rights in BRIC countries. But as we make our way into 2011, I sense a shift in Europe toward a more somber mood, similar to the sobriety that comes to a soccer team the day after an unexpected defeat by a mignon competitor: heads down, feet dragging, and a realization that something different has to be done. Read more
The Business Case for Water
Linda Hwang, Manager, Research
Last week, BSR and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development co-hosted a forum in Washington, D.C. on corporate water strategies. JPMorgan Chase's James Fuschetti delivered the event's keynote address on the business case for investing time and resources into activities linked to water stewardship. He noted that having a clear understanding of the physical water risks for global facilities and meeting local stakeholders' expectations for water use are just two benefits of a proactive water strategy. Read more
Bringing Pro Bono Services to China: Tapping Business to Build NGO Capacity
Adam Lane, Manager, Advisory Services
The nonprofit sector in China is evolving rapidly. To overcome its most immediate challenge—a lack of technical expertise—BSR is supporting a new, cross-sector partnership among a multinational company (HP), a U.S.-based nonprofit (the Taproot Foundation), a local nonprofit (Huizeren), and a local foundation (the Narada Foundation) to harness business’ human capital to build the capacity of emerging nonprofit organizations. This partnership is part of BSR’s CiYuan initiative, (http://ciyuan.bsr.org) a multi-year effort launched in 2010 to support the development of China’s nascent philanthropic sector. Read more
Back to the Future of CSR
By Allen L. White, Ph.D., Senior Advisor, BSR, and Senior Fellow, Tellus Institute
Where is CSR headed in the coming decade? Read more
BSR Comments on Draft Human Rights Principles
This week, BSR submitted a commentary on the draft "Guiding Principles for the Implementation of the United Nations 'Protect, Respect, and Remedy' Framework" proposed by Professor John Ruggie, Special Representative to the UN Secretary General for Human Rights and Business. Read more
Linking Sustainability Performance to Employee Rewards and Incentives
A new report by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s explores the business case for incorporating sustainable development measures into employee rewards and incentives structures. Read more
Adapting to Climate Change: BSR’s New Industry Series
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
As climate change sets in, its impacts—such as increasing severity of storms and weather disasters, receding snow and rivers, advancing deserts, and more frequently occurring landslides, floods, and sinkholes—will test companies’ ability to effectively deliver products and services. Read more
What to Look for in 2011
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
Over the past couple of years, relentless focus on the basic vitality of the world’s economy has distracted attention from important underlying trends. As we go into 2011, the market meltdowns of 2008 are receding from view. This means that structural changes in the world are—thankfully—again capturing the world’s attention. These longer-term developments are again shaping the business environment—and pointing to an even greater focus on sustainability as one of the defining characteristics of business success. Here are five key trends that will shape our world in 2011. Read more
ESG Integration in Emerging Markets
Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services
Eurosif's "Emerging Markets Report</a>" explores the integration of ESG factors into business operations and reporting by companies in emerging markets, which is on the rise but still lower than in developed markets Read more
Draft Guiding Principles for the Implementation of the UN ‘Protect, Respect, and Remedy’ Framework
Dunstan Allison Hope, Managing Director, Advisory Services
Last month, UN Special Representative for Business and Human Rights John Ruggie published a draft of "Guiding Principles for the Implementation of the UN 'Protect, Respect, and Remedy' Framework." This framework is quickly emerging as the global standard for managing corporate human rights impacts. Read more
Giving Risk Management a Positive Twist at the WEF Meeting in Dubai
Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services
BSR President and CEO Aron Cramer joined more than 600 thought leaders from academia, business, government, and society at the World Economic Forum's Summit on the Global Agenda last week in Dubai to discuss the latest trends, risks, and innovative solutions for the world's challenges. Read more
Water in the 21st Century: Shared Risks Demand Shared Action
By Gavin Power, Deputy Director, UN Global Compact, and Jason Morrison, Program Director, Pacific Institute
Today, people around the world identify water issues as the most serious sustainability challenges facing our planet. Read more
Social Purpose Drives Consumers’ Purchasing Decisions
Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services
According to the fourth annual Edelman goodpurpose® study, social purpose is more important than design and innovation or brand loyalty as a purchase trigger when quality and price are the same (see graph below). The survey—conducted annually in 13 countries among more than 7,000 adults—explores consumer attitudes around social purpose, including their commitment to specific social issues and their expectations of companies. Social purpose, according to the survey, is critical to marketing because it allows companies to engage with consumers on a deeper level. Read more
Actress and Activist Challenges Us to ‘Engage When the Going Gets Rough’
The BSR Conference 2010 plenary and I³ sessions featured global experts who shared ideas on how to integrate innovation into strategy and core business. Read more
BSR Conference 2010 Highlights: ‘Sustainability Is Core Business’ and More
Eric Olson, Senior Vice President, Advisory Services
We just wrapped up a great week in New York at the BSR Conference 2010, where our chosen theme of “Innovate. Integrate. Inspire.” (or I³) played out on the plenary stage and in dozens of breakout sessions with more than 1,100 participants on topics ranging from the future of food to the role of business in promoting human rights. Read more
Back to Basics for Tackling Consumption—With a Twist
Linda Hwang, Manager, Research
All of us buy, use, and dispose of a wide variety of products every day. Some products we buy out of habit, and others are purchased only after extensive deliberation. Some of our purchases are made daily—like grabbing that double shot of espresso at 3 p.m.—while others occur only once a year or once in a lifetime. What this means is that consumers’ decision-making varies tremendously depending on the context. For companies, recognizing the unique contexts in which people make purchasing decisions can increase the likelihood of affecting those decisions, and ultimately steering people toward more sustainable choices. Read more
Demonstration Projects Link Responsible Labor and Competitiveness
Jessica Hyman, Associate, Operations
BSR's DR-CAFTA Responsible Competitiveness project released 14 case studies showcasing the link between responsible labor and competitiveness from successful projects throughout Central America. The studies document the successes and challenges of the projects and provide practical solutions for responsible labor practices. Read more
Partnering With Suppliers on Sustainability Management Systems
Cody Sisco, Manager, Advisory Services
BSR's Beyond Monitoring Working Group released a new guide to help companies effectively partner with their suppliers to improve sustainability management practices. BSR recommends a continuous improvement approach that includes three components: Read more
Sustainable Excellence: The Future of Business in a Fast-Changing World
Aron Cramer, President and CEO
The world stands at a unique inflection point. On the one hand, the rise of emerging markets and technological innovation present the opportunity for historic social and economic progress. At the same time, natural resources constraints, climate change, and the distrust of the private sector mean that “business as usual” will no longer suffice. In this context, it is clear that sustainable, responsible business is more important than ever, and the businesses that embrace “sustainable excellence” will be the ones that survive and thrive in the years to come. This is the central theme of the new book by BSR President and CEO Aron Cramer, Sustainable Excellence: The Future of Business in a Fast-Changing World (Rodale Books). Cramer spoke about why he wrote the book, the meaning of the term sustainable excellence—and why companies should embrace the concept—in a discussion with Mats Lederhausen, BSR’s chairman, and founder and CEO of Be-Cause. Read more
Building Inclusive Business Models to Support the MDGs
Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services
During the recent Millennium Development Goals summit in New York, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released a new report highlighting the roles of business and other key actors—including policymakers, researchers, and advocates—in developing business models that include the poor in value chains as producers, employees, and consumers. Read more
Building Strategic Philanthropy in China
The number of private foundations in China has been growing rapidly, from just a few hundred four years ago to well over a thousand today. Some of these foundations have become a driving force in the nonprofit sector, where grassroots NGOs are providing innovative solutions to challenges ranging from sustainable livelihoods to rural health at the community level. At the same time, companies have gained an increasing awareness of the role of foundations in society, partly due to increasing public expectations and pressure. The result is a significant growth in corporate philanthropy, with nearly 60 percent of total charitable donations in 2009 coming from companies. Read more
Where Do You Stand on the Case Against CSR?
Two recent columns critiquing CSR in the Wall Street Journal and in the Washington Post sparked a heated debate in the sustainability community: Read more
Gaining a Competitive Edge in the Shipping Industry
Angie Farrag, Manager, Advisory Services
BSR's new report—based on more than 30 interviews with the international container shipping industry’s biggest customers—provides a summary of the sector's key sustainability challenges and explores how leading companies can turn these potential business risks into opportunities to develop new services, improve operating models, and deepen customer loyalty. Read more
Addressing Financial Inclusion: How ANZ is Using CSR to Access New Markets
Chhavi Ghuliani, Manager, Advisory Services
In much of the developing world, where less than half of the population is served by formal financial institutions and people must rely on their own funds or informal services that charge excessive rates, the lack of access to finance is leading to greater income inequality and slower economic growth. Financial institutions and mobile service providers around the world are addressing this problem by investing in financial products and services targeted specifically at underserved markets. India’s ICICI Bank, Brazil’s Bradesco, and South Africa’s Absa (which is majority owned by Barclays) have begun experimenting with innovative branchless banking models that address some of the barriers to financial access. Read more
Preparing for the Unpredictable: Lessons on Adapting to Climate Change
Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy
With managers across industries under pressure to develop sophisticated views about how climate change will impact their company, it might seem natural to look to the insurance industry for guidance on how to act and communicate about risks and opportunities. Read more
Events
BSR’s Great Debates | Facing the Dilemmas of Sustainable Development
On the occasion of its 20th birthday, BSR is hosting a series of debates bringing together leading decision makers and thought leaders to discuss how companies can address the dilemmas and complex issues of sustainable development and CSR. Learn more
Ateliers Perspectives et Solutions RSE | Breakfast Series
The Ateliers Perspectives et Solutions RSE series is an opportunity for CSR practitioners to get together to share insights and tools that address the challenges of CSR and sustainable development. This series is conducted in French. Learn more
BSR Conference 2011: Leadership Required
Leadership in business is changing fast. In today’s global, integrated, and transparent world, business is expected to do more than deliver shareholder returns. At its best, business is a creative force and an integral player in delivering prosperity for 9 billion people, applying game-changing technologies for social benefit, and radically reducing our use of natural resources. Learn more
The State of Sustainable Business: Redefining Leadership in 2011 and Beyond
Leadership in business looks very different in today’s global, integrated, digital, and transparent world. Business aims to deliver more than just rising share prices, and faces a more diverse array of questions than ever before. Meeting these challenges requires finding the right balance of flexibility and commitment, listening and communicating, and a global view that respects diversity. And capturing the business opportunities associated with sustainability requires new kinds of thinking. Learn more
The Business Case for Corporate Water Stewardship
Water has become a key strategic issue for leading global companies: 39 percent of companies are already experiencing detrimental impacts related to water issues, according to the CDP Water Disclosure’s first report. To prepare for increased water scarcity and growing consumption needs, water must be tracked, assessed, reduced, and reused. Companies today must understand their water footprints and develop an appropriate set of responses that address water-related risks within their direct operations as well as in their supply chains and in the watersheds in which they operate. Learn more
Asia Socially Responsible Investment Roundtable
Socially responsible investment (SRI) is the practice of integrating environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and corporate governance (ESG) considerations into the investment process. It is not only a means of risk mitigation for financial institutions, but also a powerful lever for shifting to a more sustainable global economy. Learn more
Reports
BSR Conference 2011: Opening Remarks by Aron Cramer
Download the transcript or watch the video of BSR President and CEO Aron Cramer's address to nearly 1,000 participants from 37 countries at the BSR Conference 2011: Redefining Leadership. Read more
BSR/GlobeScan State of Sustainable Business Poll 2011
Results from the “BSR/GlobeScan State of Sustainable Business Poll 2011,” released at the BSR Conference 2011, show that global businesses remain highly committed to sustainability. For the second straight year, more than eight in 10 respondents are optimistic that global businesses will embrace CSR/sustainability as part of their core strategies and operations in the next five years. The poll resulted from a survey of nearly 500 business leaders drawn from BSR’s global network of nearly 300 member companies. Read more
Adapting to Climate Change: A Guide for the Mining Industry
This primer on climate change adaptation in the mining industry summarizes how mining companies are reporting on climate change risks and opportunities. Key risks and opportunities include disturbance to mine infrastructure and operations, changing access to supply chains and distribution routes, challenges to worker health and safety conditions, challenges to environmental management and mitigation, more pressure points with community relations, exploration, and future growth. The brief outlines current and emerging best practices and guidance for mining companies on how to develop a proactive approach to climate change adaptation, and makes recommendations. Read more
Adapting to Climate Change: A Guide for the Financial Services Industry
This primer on climate change adaptation in the financial services (FS) industry summarizes how FS companies are reporting on climate change risks and opportunities. Key risks and opportunities include disruption to owned assets and operations, investment portfolio exposure, and investor and public confidence. The brief outlines current and emerging best practices and guidance for FS companies on how to develop a proactive approach to climate change adaptation, and makes recommendations. Read more
Adapting to Climate Change: A Guide for the Transportation Industry
This primer on climate change adaptation in the transportation industry summarizes how transportation companies are reporting on climate change risks and opportunities. Key risks and opportunities include disruptions to service operations, threats to assets and infrastructure, and changes to underlying markets. The brief outlines current and emerging best practices and guidance for transportation companies on how to develop a proactive approach to climate change adaptation, and makes recommendations. Read more
Adapting to Climate Change: A Guide for the Energy and Utility Industry
This primer on climate change adaptation in the energy and utility (E&U) industry summarizes how E&U companies are reporting on climate change risks and opportunities. Key risks and opportunities include changing access to energy fuel supplies, greater demand for energy management solutions, water availability, policy and investor pressure, and workforce safety and security. The brief outlines current and emerging best practices and guidance for E&U companies on how to develop a proactive approach to climate change adaptation, and makes recommendations. Read more
Financial Inclusion in the Supply Chain
Approximately 2.5 billion of the world’s adults do not use formal financial services to save or borrow money. About 90 percent of them live in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Without access to formal financial institutions, people must rely on their own funds or risky informal services that charge excessive fees to invest in their health and welfare and that of their families. Read more
Adapting to Climate Change: A Guide for the Consumer Products Industry
This primer on climate change adaptation in the consumer products (CP) industry summarizes how CP companies are reporting on climate change risks and opportunities. It outlines current and emerging best practices and guidance for CP companies on how to develop a proactive approach to climate change adaptation, and makes recommendations. Read more
Extending Supply Chain Sustainability Metrics to Terminal Operations
This report—supported by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund—highlights the risks and opportunities associated with improving the sustainability performance of ports and terminal operations, a part of the supply chain often left out of broader supply chain sustainability efforts. Read more
Board Adoption and Oversight of Corporate Sustainability
This paper gives an introduction to the role of corporate boards in overseeing corporate sustainability and implementing the Global Compact principles, and covers the following dimensions central to the intersection of sustainability and governance: Read more
Women and Sustainability | Employing Women Responsibly: The Emerging Market Context
With post-secondary education and formal workforce participation rates approaching 50 percent, women employees may be just what multinational companies need to overcome labor shortages in emerging markets. At the same time, fair and equal formal-sector employment represents the most powerful contribution to gender equality that a company can provide. Read more
Maximizing Benefits From a Sustainable Supply Chain
Leading companies are working to improve the social and environmental performance of their supply chains by building closer relations with suppliers, developing supplier capacity, and identifying and investing in opportunities for improvements along the supply chain. Read more
Waste Not, Want Not: An Overview of Food Waste
More than 1 billion people (one-sixth of the world’s population) suffer from chronic hunger. It is not a problem of supply, since the food system continues to provide enough food to feed the world. One of the reasons for this disconnect is simply waste. By many estimates, one in three food calories is currently wasted. Read more
Submission to the Special Representative for Business and Human Rights on the Draft Guiding Principles
BSR submitted commentary on the draft "Guiding Principles for the Implementation of the United Nations 'Protect, Respect, and Remedy' Framework" proposed by Professor John Ruggie, Special Representative to the UN Secretary General for Human Rights and Business. Read more
Adapting to Climate Change: A Guide for the Food, Beverage, and Agriculture Industry
This is a primer on climate change adaptation for food, beverage, and agriculture (FBA) executives. It summarizes how FBA companies are reporting on climate change risks and opportunities, which include supply chain security, water scarcity, infrastructure and distribution, evolving consumer demands, and workforce stability. It also outlines common current practices and discusses practices that can be expected to grow in importance. This guide serves as a resource for executives considering material issues tied to climate change and provides guidance on developing a proactive and responsible approach to adaptation. Read more
Back to the Future of CSR: A Retrospective on 'Fade, Integrate, or Transform'
Where is CSR headed in the coming decade? Five years ago, we asked this question and framed a response in the form of three scenarios: fade, integrate, and transform. Today, a picture has emerged that is both encouraging and disappointing. Although CSR has more than survived amid the worst global economic downturn in the post-WWII era, truly disruptive change in mission, strategy, and practice has been limited to relatively few leading companies. Read more
BSR/GlobeScan State of Sustainable Business Poll 2010
Despite continuing uncertainty about the world’s economy, results from the "BSR/GlobeScan State of Sustainable Business Poll 2010" show more than eight in 10 respondents (84 percent) are somewhat or very optimistic that global businesses will embrace CSR/sustainability as part of their core strategies and operations in the next five years. Read more
Continuous Improvement Partnership Approach
This report was prepared by BSR in collaboration with the Beyond Monitoring Working Group for the purpose of defining a practical approach to supply chain partnerships between companies and their suppliers. The report presents initial principles and a process for engagement in this area, along with management systems criteria, which can be used to evaluate suppliers' systems and guide the process of improvement. Read more
Migrant Worker Management Toolkit: A Global Framework
This management tool for multinational companies and employers provides guidance on how to better manage migrant worker issues, from managing risks to better protecting migrant workers’ rights. Read more
Good Practice Guide: Global Migration
This report provides policy guidance on all key international labor migration areas for international companies, employers, and contractors. This collection of what BSR considers “good practice” is not an auditable standard and is not a substitute for company codes of conduct. This document will evolve as the dialogue on international labor migration evolves. Read more
Building Strategic Philanthropy in China
As China experiences a rapid growth in philanthropy, both companies and NGOs can benefit by forming strategic partnerships. Read more
The New Frontier in Sustainability
Framed for years as a limitation on business, sustainable consumption—an economic system that allows all individuals to meet their daily needs without disrupting the planet’s healthy ecosystems—actually represents the new frontier of sustainability for business. In a world where our consumption patterns outpace the planet’s ability to regenerate resources by 30 percent, companies that figure out how to deliver value with radically reduced material inputs will be well-positioned for success. Our new report outlines how business can promote sustainable consumption by addressing parts of the value chain cycle that have been overlooked in first-generation sustainability efforts: product design, consumer engagement and use, and end-of-use. Also included are strategies that will help business redefine core activities through the multiple lenses of innovation, education, collaboration, and measurement to create to systemwide changes to consumption. Read more
Business Opportunities in Sustainable Consumption
The newest frontier in sustainability—sustainable consumption—advocates a system that allows individuals to meet their needs without disrupting the planet’s healthy ecosystems. Read more
Supply Chain Sustainability: A Practical Guide for Continuous Improvement
More and more companies are extending their commitment to responsible business practices to their value chains, from subsidiaries to suppliers. They do so not only because of the inherent social and environmental risks and the governance challenges the supply chain poses, but also because of the many rewards supply chain sustainability can deliver. Indeed, sustainable supply chain management can be a strong driver of value and success--for business as much as for society. Read more
Unlocking Energy Efficiency in China
This guide helps global sustainability professionals establish supply chain energy-efficiency programs, with a focus on China. The report outlines how companies can succeed with a four-step process that includes building foundations for a comprehensive program, helping suppliers take the first steps, facilitating progress over time, and enhancing the program’s impacts. Read more
Investing in Women for a Better World
Our 2010 report on HERproject confirms that our factory-based women's health initiative has provided positive benefits for women and business. The report summarizes the impacts of HERproject programs to date, which have touched approximately 50,000 women in China, Egypt, India, Mexico, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Read more
Communicating on Climate Policy Engagement
Public policy engagement has rapidly become a crucial aspect of reporting on climate change. While reporting on direct climate impacts and on risks and opportunities remains important, environmental advocates and other stakeholders are calling on companies to demonstrate how they are playing a role in climate policy development. In response, a growing number of companies are reporting on their climate policy engagement efforts, and emerging third-party measurement frameworks are providing a basis for comparison Read more
Mandatory Reporting: BSR Debates the Pros and Cons of Requiring Companies to Report on Sustainability
With more industry leaders beginning to ask whether sustainability reporting should be required, two BSR consultants debate what form it might take, whether mandatory reporting would impact innovation, and what would need to happen in order for such a system to work. Read more
Partnering with USAID: A Guide for Companies
Key Performance Indicators for Responsible Sourcing
Responsible sourcing practices have reached an inflection point. Leading companies are evolving their responsible sourcing programs from an approach based on policing compliance to one that goes beyond monitoring to drive continuous improvement through strong supplier management systems and brand-supplier partnerships. Brands are seeking to develop clear goals and metrics aligned around desired supply chain outcomes. Read more
Sustainable Business Models: Time for Innovation
Business leaders face not only the economic fallout of the financial crisis, they face the substantial challenge of transitioning to a low-carbon economy that is constrained by dwindling natural resources. These pressures also represent opportunities to innovate new business models—including ones that help consumers make sustainable choices. Read about four categories of innovation that, with more development and experimentation, will ensure business success in a reset world. Read more
Public Policy and the Promotion of Corporate Social Responsibility
In the past decade, governments have become increasingly proactive in promoting corporate social responsibility (CSR) through their public policies. Most recently, companies have seen increased government involvement in the business sector—partially due to the global financial crisis—and this trend is expected to continue into the future. Keeping this in mind, it is likely that government promotion of corporate responsibility and good governance will continue to grow in the coming years. Read more
Human Rights in a Wired World
Sixty years after the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the world finds itself in a very different place, where almost anyone, anywhere, has the potential to access an endless source of information and communicate directly with the rest of the world. Information and communications technology (ICT) has been one of the most powerful drivers of change in our global society and has greatly shaped how we protect and advance human rights today. Read more
Internal Alignment: An Essential Step to Establishing Sustainable Supply Chains
Software Accelerates Sustainable Development
Find out how software companies—such as Microsoft, Autodesk and SAP—are making waves with innovative products and services that advance the way people, businesses and communities interact to achieve sustainable development in our new report. Read more
Shared Mindset and Supplier Ownership
Aligned for Sustainable Design: An A-B-C-D Approach to Making Better Products
The Leadership Challenge for CEOs and Boards
Over the past 18 months, the World Economic Forum Global Corporate Citizenship Initiative (GCCI) Advisory Committee, which is composed of top corporate citizenship executives of leading Forum member companies, explored how companies can contribute constructively to efforts to improve public policy frameworks and the capacity of public institutions. The project has attempted to improve understanding of the business case for improved public governance and provide guidance on how businesses can engage in public-private efforts to strengthen the effectiveness of such frameworks and institutions. The outcome of these deliberations is a CEO leadership statement and supporting analysis that together provide a roadmap for business leaders seeking to work with governments to improve the enabling environment for sustainable economic growth and development. Read more
BSR/Fleishman-Hillard Corporate Responsibility Survey Fact Sheet 2007 - BSR Conference
At the Crest of a Wave: A Proactive Approach to Corporate Water Strategy
Beyond Monitoring: A New Vision for Sustainable Supply Chain
Addressing Some CSR Questions
Case Studies Report
BSR Conference 2010: ‘Innovate. Integrate. Inspire.’
The BSR Conference 2010—“Innovate. Integrate. Inspire.”—brought together more than 1,100 senior business executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders from the public sector and civil society to connect with their peers and define the business models essential for future success. Learn more
Maersk Line: Developing a ‘Future-Proofed’ Sustainability Strategy
We helped Maersk Line set a strong sustainability vision supported by clear objectives: reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by 25 percent by 2015 and striving for zero sulfur-dioxide emissions. Learn more
Hyatt Hotels: Developing an Integrated CSR Strategy
We worked with Hyatt to develop an integrated sustainability strategy that connects corporate responsibility objectives to business goals and engages both senior leadership and the broader employee base. Learn more
Best Buy: A Focus on Delivering Solutions and Sustainability
We analyzed more than 60 issues and conducted more than 60 interviews to create a strategy and goals focused on four Best Buy priorities: Product Stewardship, Sustainability Solutions, Access, and Inspired Workplace. Learn more
IAMGOLD: Integrating Human Rights Management Throughout the Business
BSR’s internal team of human rights and extractives-industry experts worked with key IAMGOLD staff to scope a multilevel training on the full spectrum of human rights relevant to mining operations. BSR developed interactive presentations, as well as facilitators’ guides and reference materials, for two levels of human rights trainings to be incorporated into a formal program for company staff and contractors. Learn more
Pfizer: Focusing, Refining, and Aligning CSR with a New Strategy
In late 2008, Pfizer began a process to refine its CSR strategy to better support the company’s evolving business priorities and organizational changes. This presented a new opportunity to involve senior leaders and functions from across the company in guiding the company’s approach to CSR. The company also wanted to leverage its strong environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs to build a leading environmental sustainability initiative that would connect to and support its other CSR strategies. Pfizer’s CSR leadership and its EHS team asked BSR to help guide the development of these new strategies, to support their global implementation, and to assist with its external reporting. Learn more
Hitachi: A Global Strategy for Social Innovation
In 2006, Japan-based Hitachi Ltd. committed to a new corporate strategy to stabilize business performance and create a foundation for long-term growth based on its vision of contributing to the solution of fundamental global challenges. The company had grown into 900-plus business units, serving diverse sectors, including power systems, appliances, transportation systems, advanced materials, construction equipment, data centers, and much more. Ultimately, Hitachi wanted to ensure that the new strategy aligned its businesses around the common theme of “social innovation,” and provided a platform for innovation and sustained growth. Hitachi asked BSR to help create a strategy for social innovation that would strengthen commercial performance and contribute to solutions to significant global challenges linked to sustainability. Learn more
Visa: Aligning and Strengthening Corporate Responsibility Strategy
Visa Inc. undertook the world’s largest initial public offering (IPO) in March 2008. As one of the world’s foremost brands, Visa sought to “place a stake in the ground” as a leader in responsible business at the time of its IPO. Executives sought to create an integrated and strengthened vision of corporate responsibility to achieve greater impact—building on its existing programs in employee engagement, environmental stewardship, community relations, and philanthropy. They engaged BSR to assess the company’s existing programs, analyze strategic options, and prepare a comprehensive corporate responsibility platform. Learn more
Sustainability Outlook: Forecasting the Future
The fast-changing events of 2008 reinforced how important it is to understand the undercurrents of change that shape our world—and determine the success of business strategy. Companies that anticipate underlying social, economic, technological, and political changes are positioned to win. Learn more
Shenzhen’s ICT Sector Strives for Social and Environmental Leadership
The Foreign Investment Advisory Service (FIAS), a joint initiative of the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation, sought to build the capacity of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Shenzhen, China, to meet international social and environmental requirements and improve the "soft" competitiveness of the industry. This in turn necessitated an innovative multi-stakeholder project approach that included a wide range of industry and public sector players. Learn more
GE’s Citizenship Report Sets the Bar High
GE decided to create a reporting strategy that would communicate a global, companywide approach while also encompassing its diverse business lines: GE Money, Commercial Finance, NBC Universal, Infrastructure, Industrial, and Healthcare. Learn more
Sustainability Matters
Sustainability and the New Global Workforce: A Discussion With BSR and Hitachi Data Systems
Focus of the Forum
How can companies harness the power of their sustainability initiatives to help develop and retain tomorrow’s leaders? Similarly, what role should talent management play in realizing a company’s sustainability objectives?
Learn moreApplying Quality Tools to CSR Challenges
CSR practitioners grapple with numerous issues, including energy efficiency, reduced waste, supplier engagement several tiers away, and a strong focus on customer value. The quality world considers these old challenges put in a new context.
Learn moreMyth-Making and Culture-Changing: Telling Your Sustainability Story
Sustainability is one of our culture's "core stories"—used to define who we are and our purpose in life. Today, more often than not, big brands own those stories and can use them to influence customers by promoting the values of sustainability. Learn more
Business in Society: Trends and Themes in Global Public Opinion
For more than a decade, public opinion and research leader GlobeScan has been tracking the public's changing expectations of the corporate world around social and environmental responsibility. This body of research includes feedback from more than 30 countries and focuses on public perceptions of how well key industry sectors are doing in living up to these expectations. Learn more
China’s 12th Five-Year Plan: What to Expect
China's much-anticipated 12th Five-Year Plan—released in March—includes a clear set of objectives related to strengthening internal markets and domestic demand. It also identifies seven industries—such as biotechnology and "new-generation" information technology—that should see substantial commercial opportunities over the next five years. Learn more
Maximizing Benefits from a Sustainable Supply Chain
Companies across all sectors are working with their suppliers to improve the sustainability performance of their supply chains. By investing in energy efficiency improvements or new employee engagement strategies, companies can achieve real business benefits, including productivity and efficiency gains. Learn more
Stories From the Field: The Business Case for Better Working Conditions
To ensure responsible labor practices—in both farms and factories—business leaders should start by meeting basic government, buyer, and corporate standards. However, companies should also look for how investments in better working conditions can improve their bottom lines. Learn more
Preparing for the 2011 Proxy Voting Season
Proxy voting is an important tool that many investors use to show their support for ESG issues, with a goal of garnering attention for areas they view as critical to a company's business.
Learn moreMoving Beyond the Factory Gates
Global companies are increasingly looking to their supply chains to meet their sustainability goals, including reduced carbon emissions and lower overall lifecycle impacts. The logistics and transportation sector sits at the center of global supply chains, providing services to retailers and manufacturers, and can be a key partner for extending your company's sustainability beyond the factory gates. Learn more
The Future is Today: Are You Ready?
Join BSR's Senior Vice President Eric Olson as he discusses longer-term developments shaping the business environment and how leading companies are responding. From the design of products to addressing rapid obsolescence to delivering commercial value and local-benefit outcomes, this forum will focus on business strategies and practices that are building both competitive advantage and sustainable value for society. Learn more
Building Cross-Sector Partnerships to Maximize Social Impact in China
Given the scale of social and sustainability challenges in China, cross-sector partnerships are becoming increasingly important and have great potential to drive social impact. However, few companies in China know how to partner with NGOs in a way that has positive impacts on the company and the causes that they support. Similarly, few Chinese NGOs have learned how to maximize funding and resources available to them via corporate partnerships to realize their missions. Learn more
Reading the Signs: Preparing for the Future Today
In order to create opportunities and manage risks related to innovation investments that extend long into the future, managers must be willing to look ahead and consider uncertainties. No matter what happens in the future, companies are more likely to be ready for it if they've considered various scenarios and outcomes. Learn more
The State of Sustainable Business: 2010 and Beyond
With the global economic recovery in the balance, and sustainable business in the headlines, it's clear that innovation is more important than ever as a key driver of business success. As we move through an era of immense change, companies that take a fresh look at products, services, and business models will be positioned to create successful—and sustainable—businesses. Learn more
The State of Sustainable Business, Americas & EU
Based on the BSR Report 2008, find out what our sustainability road map means for the state of responsible business—and how your company can use it for 2009 and beyond. Learn more
The State of Sustainable Business, Asia
Based on the BSR Report 2008, find out what our sustainability road map means for the state of responsible business—and how your company can use it for 2009 and beyond. Learn more
BSR Review
Information and Communications Technology
The information and communications technology (ICT) industry is in a unique position to advance the sustainability agenda. With an annual spend of around US$2 trillion and a growth rate faster than other industries, the ICT sector is becoming a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and e-waste. It has also contributed to lesser-known negative social impacts such as poor working conditions in some factories, slavery, child labor, and other human rights abuses. View email publication
Women and Sustainability
In response to a question about Saudi Arabia's economic competitiveness in 2007, Bill Gates famously announced to the gender-segregated audience: "If you're not fully utilizing half the talent in the country, you're not going to get too close to the top." View email publication
Sustainability in the Chinese Context
With China's incredible growth, it will soon become the world's second-largest economy. However, the country strives for more than just economic prosperity—sustainable development is a top priority for the country, as evidenced by the latest 12th Five-Year Development Plan. View email publication
Ecosystem Services
In January 2011, Dow Chemical and the Nature Conservancy committed US$10 million to establish a new approach to resource management. During the announcement, Dow President and CEO Andrew N. Liveris said: "Going forward, the businesses that are best positioned to get ahead will be the ones that truly build a full approach to ecosystem management and biodiversity economics into all of their plans." View email publication
Sustainable Consumption: The Next Frontier for Business
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the BSR Review, our bi-monthly update on issues central to sustainable business. Each edition of the BSR Review features a collection of BSR's best work—including reports, articles, blogs, webinars, and op-eds—on a particular topic. View email publication
Other Publications & Events Tagged, Strategy & Integration
- Blog [ 43 ]
- BSR Conference Session Summaries [ 14 ]
- BSR Insight Articles [ 155 ]
- BSR Review [ 5 ]
- Case Studies [ 7 ]
- Events [ 8 ]
- Research Reports [ 45 ]
- Sustainable Investment in China Article [ 0 ]
- Sustainability Matters [ 15 ]
BSR member-only content; valid login required.