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The Cities & States of the USA Move Ahead on Climate Change -- Mayors & Governors, Leaders in Addressing Challenges & Providing Solutions We've been sharing news and perspectives on recent developments in l'affaires climate change, with the US government [at the Federal level] abandoning the landmark Paris Agreement (the COP 21 accomplishments, with almost 200 nations participating). The mayors and governors and other leaders at the city/municipal and state governments around the United States are individually and collectively committing to continuing to meet what the US government agreed to do...and what the Trump administration has now "dis-agreed" with moving forward. There's good news elsewhere in the public sector, though. The US Conference of Mayors met in Miami Beach recently to address a number of issues that leaders of municipalities are concerned with -- and to develop solutions to address. Often, it is worth noting, the solutions are reached in partnership with the business community. That collaboration -- and innovation -- spells o-p-p-o-r-t-u-n-i-t-y for both public and private sectors. The respective mayors at the conference put climate change high on the agenda and passed a powerful resolution demonstrating their commitment to the nation's commitment in Paris to rigorous address climate change challenges. (A link to the resolution is in the post below.) Good news out of the conference: Cities are purchasing renewable electric energy. 69% of respondents to the Conference survey -- 22% are considering doing so. Green vehicles? 63% of mayoral respondents are doing that for their municipal fleets; 30% more are considering hybrids, electrics, natural gas, biodiesel. In a commentary in G&A Institute's Sustainability-Update blog, Chair Hank Boerner shares more information about the good news from the Conference and goings-on at the city and state level -- in "US Cities Showing the Way on Climate Change Solutions." This is not just about US cities -- the movement is global as noted in the column. It is incredible to think that more than half of the world's population now live in cities, and many of the world's urban centers are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change (rising seas, drought, severe storms, heat waves, and more). And so -- City Fathers and Mothers are awake to the threats and doing something about climate change. There's the Compact of Mayors, with 652 cities in the effort, led by former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg. There's the CDP Cities Initiative, with more than 500 cities now disclosing their climate change initiatives. There's America's Pledge, an effort by 227 US cities and counties, 9 US states and 1,650 businesses and investors...a pledge to uphold the US government's commitment to the Paris Agreement. Read the full text of Hank Boerner's commentary here: http://ga-institute.com/Sustainability-Update/u-s-global-cities-showing-the-way-on-climate-change-solutions/ And for additional information about climate change action at the municipal level, read about the good work going on in Hollywood, Florida; Bozeman, Montana; Loveland, Colorado; Redmond, Washington. These stories and more in the informative American City & County news story -- it's about how cities are enticing their citizens to pitch in and help to create a more sustainable city. There's info here on the National League of Cities' "Sustainable Cities Institute." Incentivizing sustainability News From & About G&A... UNCW and G&A Institute Announce The Certificate & Certification in "Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Strategies" E-Learning Course Offering Dual Credentials Top Stories This Week... And in our Top Story, we bring you news about how a US and Swedish private sector leader in sustainability and corporate responsibility is embracing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to reduce risk and balance economic values and social values. It's an interview by Chris Skroupa, Forbes columnist and CEO of Skytop Strategies (the global conference organizers) with Elaine Weidman-Grunewald of Ericsson (she's a member of the Global Leadership Team and Group Crisis Management Council). She makes the business case for sustainability in this conversation. Source: Forbes - The sustainability area is about balancing the need for social, economic development with the impact on the environment and the nexus between different areas such as energy, water and agriculture or access to electricity and... Important Items for Your Attention: Editors' Sustainability Scans - Progress! DU Alumnae Take Passion for Sustainability into the Workforce Sustainability Investing: A Harmony of Interests for a Better World?
The ELEPHANT in the Room for Sustainability The Threat to America That No One is Talking About Net neutrality supporters say online rally is just the start of the fight to keep tough FCC rules
Uncertain Future for Government-Run Retirement Savings Plans Virginia Retirement System hits historic high of $74 billion (Thursday - July 13, 2017) Associated Profiles : China Investment Corporation Source: New York Times - The fund, the China Investment Corporation, urged American authorities to allow better access to the market, at a time when Chinese deals are facing more scrutiny. “We hope that the U.S. government will provide us with a... News for You From the Corporate Sector - With (+) and (-) Signs AkzoNobel: Sustainability is a Profitable Business Model $142 million settlement in Wells Fargo scandal gets preliminary OK Halliburton hiring 100 per month to meet Texas fracking demand Source: NACS - ?IRVING, Texas – After introducing two Rainforest Alliance Certified coffees in six months, 7-Eleven is making its biggest product commitment to sustainability with the switch to a new Rainforest Alliance Certified single-origin... Cabot Corporation Shares Sustainability Progress with Release of 2016 Sustainability Report Source: CSRWire - Digital transformation isn’t easy. But it is essential. We’re here to lend a hand, with proven key practices that have helped thousands of companies succeed. Eurojersey launches new sustainability campaign
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G&A Institute Sustainability Update™ Conversation with Professor Baruch Lev at NYU: Is Accounting Outmoded? Where Are We Now With Climate Change Solutions After the G20 Meeting and the Trump White House Abandonment of COP 21/Paris Agreement? _________________________________________
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_________________________________________ GRI'S USA, UK & IRELAND
G&A Institute is the exclusive Data Partner for the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) in the USA, UK and Republic of Ireland. We identify, receive, collect, analyze, database, and communicate about every report issued in any of the 3 countries. Over the past 6+ years, G&A analyzed 6,000-plus sustainability reports in this pro bono role and databased 100+ important data points for each report.
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The Sustainability Highlights eNewsletter is prepared by Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. based on continuous monitoring of trends and developments in Sustainability and ESG. Governance & Accountability Instiute is the “Sustainability Headquarters™” for clients in the corporate, investment, public and social sectors. Based in New York, G&A is a for-profit consulting organization providing a range of value-added strategies, services and resources related to ESG & sustainability to clients in the corporate and capital markets communities.For G&A's full range of services, click on each of the links below: For more information, contact Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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