Communicating About Corporate Sustainability The Challenges Some interesting perspectives are shared on corporate sustainability strategies and actions by the famed Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania in its current Knowledge@Wharton essay: lessons learned in how to communicate about corporate sustainability. As managers involved in CR and sustainability know, it is not always easy – whether it is internal or external communication. Of course, it’s important who the audience in focus is when communicating. And, what will interest them most so that they will tune in and receive the message. (And not tune you out!) There are challenges in discussions about “change.” Not all sustainability efforts have immediate financial gain. They may cost more to do early on (with longer-term cost reductions in mind). Need buy-in? Don’t talk about “benefits” to justify a project cost, advises John Frey, Hewlett-Packard sustainability innovation technologist. He observes: “The challenge is to tell the story in a way that is meaningful to someone who does not speak sustainability-ease, to translate our message into a relevant conversation with a customer…” Another approach may be to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the time horizon of a project so that what looks like an increased cost in the short-term may well save money over time, advises Janet Howard, director of facility engagement at non-profit Practice Greenhealth (PGH). Explaining the strategic business advantage of a sustainability program may be a way to gain attention. Shawn Mason, associate director of outcomes research and data analytics at Johnson & Johnson’s Health & Wellness Solutions talks up the metrics developed around employee health and productivity. This could be a strategic business advantage to leverage. For sure, based in the many conversations that the G&A Institute team have with corporate managers, talking about the company’s sustainability journey is not always easy. It’s along the lines of what Joel Makower, publisher of Greenbiz has said: “The real job of the chief sustainability officer is to be a chief translation officer…” There’s more solid advice and perspectives shared by sustainability professionals in our Top Story from Knowledge@Wharton. Top Story of the Week How to Talk about Sustainability When It’s Not a Simple Win-Win
(Thursday - March 05, 2015)
Source: Knowledge@Wharton - It’s not hard to get someone’s attention when you start off talking about cutting costs and strengthening the bottom line. But what about those times when the best environmental move increases costs, at least in the short term?... Sustainability in Focus Six things we learned about business and sustainability policy
(Friday - March 06, 2015)
Source: The Guardian - In his recent article, ‘why whale poo matters’, George Monbiot writes: “In truth it’s not just about whale poo, though that’s an important component. It’s about the remarkable connectivity, on this small and spherical planet, of... MIT’s sustainability community gets to work
(Friday - March 06, 2015)
Source: MIT News - The aim is to make MIT into a living laboratory for exploring, testing, and quantifying ways to make more efficient use of energy, water, buildings, and equipment — and then to disseminate information about the most successful... Designing for Happiness: The Ultimate Sustainability Solution?
(Thursday - March 05, 2015)
Source: Slate - Research is now connecting the dots between sustainability and happiness and the results are promising. In a recent study published in the journal Environment, Development and Sustainability, researchers found that cities with... Sustainability has failed, but will the Green Party save us? (UK)
(Thursday - March 05, 2015)
Source: The Guardian - The sustainable development model has long been doomed to failure, but the Green Party is still in denial, argues John Foster Guide Defines Materiality, Helps with Corporate Sustainability Reports
(Thursday - March 05, 2015) Associated Profiles : UN - Global Reporting Initiative GRI
Source: Environmental Leader - The Global Reporting Initiative and investment firm RobecoSAM have published a guide that explores materiality from a sustainability reporter's perspective, as expounded in GRI reports,... Sustainability in the built environment: Should we invest in renewable energy?
(Wednesday - March 04, 2015)
Source: The California Aggie - With the rise of renewable energy sources, the question of whether or not to invest is becoming necessary. The initial idea one must consider when thinking about investment within a renewable energy is the risk versus the return.... Employees: A Powerful Force in Sustainability
(Wednesday - March 04, 2015)
Source: Knowledge @Wharton - Sustainability often begins with passionate employees. “Health care is full of passionate people. The place is teeming with individuals who want to do this work,” said Janet Howard, director of facility engagement at Practice... Europe still off mark on sustainability goals: report
(Tuesday - March 03, 2015)
Source: Business Insider - Paris - Europe could miss several key targets for safeguarding its species, water, air and land, said a study Tuesday that warned economic recovery would add to the pressure on natural resources. An Epicenter for Sustainability
(Tuesday - March 03, 2015)
Source: Yale School of Management - There are plenty of sustainability practitioners coming out of business schools around the world. In fact, from my personal experience, it seems that sustainability is the most significant trending topic in business school,.. Redefining Sustainability
(Tuesday - March 03, 2015)
Source: Instead Knowledge - We’ve heard the word sustainability a lot lately. Climate change scientists warn countries and companies of the dangers of current levels of carbon emissions. Board directors are being called upon to be more transparent and... General Mills Supply Chain Sustainability: Three Lessons Learned
(Tuesday - March 03, 2015) Associated Profiles : CSRwire
Source: - CSR Wire - As a global food company, General Mills is positioned not only to create economic value in the countries where we operate, but to create social and environmental value. In pursuit of our goal, strengthening our... BNEF publishes Sustainable Energy in America Factbook
(Monday - March 02, 2015) Associated Profiles : Bloomberg New Energy Finance
Source: Biomass Magazine - Bloomberg New Energy Finance recently released the 2015 edition of its Sustainable Energy in America Factbook. The report includes information on biomass, biogas, waste-to-energy, and a variety of... Cocoa Supply Chain Sustainability
(Monday - March 02, 2015) Associated Profiles : CSRwire
Source: CSR Wire - I have yet to meet a person who dislikes the taste of chocolate. We buy chocolate when we want to boost our spirit, and we give it to others to show love and affection. If not a vital part of life, it is for many... 71% of Investors Seek Sustainability: Morgan Stanley
(Monday - March 02, 2015)
Source: Think Advisor - Seventy-one percent of active individual investors in the study described themselves as interested in sustainable investing, and 65% expected sustainable investing to become more prevalent over the next five years. ESG Issues & Players Rewriting the Corporate Social Responsibility Equation
(Friday - March 06, 2015)
Source: Forbes - Every company has at least one good opportunity that would yield healthy business and social outcomes, Mission Measurement’s Perry Yeatman recently told a group of business and nonprofit executives. Many of these efforts fail,... Air pollution will kill thousands in Europe, EEA warns
(Wednesday - March 04, 2015)
Source: The Guardian - Hundreds of thousands of Europeans will suffer a premature death in the next two decades as the result of governments’ failure to act on air pollution, Europe’s environmental watchdog has warned. Climate change linked to solar ‘cooling periods’
(Wednesday - March 04, 2015)
Source: Science Recorder - Researchers involved with the study learned that during the past 4,000 years, both solar activity and even the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean are strongly linked together Women-led companies perform three times better than the S&P 500
(Wednesday - March 04, 2015)
Source: Fortune - Boston-based Quantopian looked at how well Fortune 1000 companies led by women performed compared to the S&P 500 over a 12-year period Wal-Mart's pay hike will have massive ripple effects in America
(Monday - March 02, 2015)
Source: Business Insider - After decades of shop floor and political campaigning, US retailers are finally beginning to increase their minimum wages. While the increase is benefiting millions of workers across the country, its driving force is market... Is America a ‘Clean Energy’ Laggard?
(Monday - March 02, 2015)
Source: National Review - Of the myriad claims being made about energy, the one most in need of debunking is this: The U.S. is losing out to countries such as China and Germany when it comes to “clean energy.” Asset Managers, US Pension Funds, Sovereign Wealth Funds Where sovereign wealth funds are stashing their cash
(Tuesday - March 03, 2015) Associated Profiles : Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
Source: Yahoo Finance - The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), the world's second largest sovereign wealth fund with $773 billion assets under management (AUM) according to SWFI has recently purchased a string of luxury... Kansas moves ahead on pension bonds
(Thursday - March 05, 2015) Associated Profiles : Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS)
Source: benefitspro.com - Last week in Kansas, the state Senate passed a bill, by a vote of 21-17, that would authorize the sale of $1 billion in POBs, the proceeds of which would be infused in the Kansas Public Employees'... Federal Reserve survey finds U.S. economy growing at moderate pace
(Thursday - March 05, 2015)
Source: Denver Post - The U.S. economy was growing at a moderate pace through mid-February despite severe winter storms that had disrupted activity in some regions, the Federal Reserve reported Wednesday. Watching the Watchers  World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland, with offices in Washington, DC, USA, and Brussels, Belgium
Established: 1992, as Business Council for Sustainable Development KEY PARTNERS
Collaborations with International Union for the Conservation of Nature, World Resources Institute, World Economic Forum, International Institute for Sustainable Development, among others.
OVERVIEW / MISSION
WBCSD describes itself as "a CEO-led, global association of some 200 companies" located in over 30 countries and 20 major industrial sectors. WBCSD focuses on business and sustainable development, and its network includes almost 60 [national and regional] business councils and partners. The mission statement for the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is: “Our mission is to provide business leadership as a catalyst for change toward sustainable development, and to support the business license to operate, innovate and grow in a world increasingly shaped by sustainable development issues.” WBCSD’s strategy emphasizes collaboration between government, business, and civil society, and concentrates its work on four areas: energy and climate, development, the business role, and ecosystems. WBCSD produces numerous varied publications: two titles from summer 2011, when we updated this profile were “Inclusive Business: Creating Value in Latin America” and “WBCSD Guide to Corporate Ecosystem Valuation - Japanese 2011.” Membership is invitation-only, and members are generally CEOs, chairmen, or similar ranking corporate officers; vice presidents of companies often serve as liaison delegates. There is also a regional network of affiliated organizations, most in developing/emerging countries. WBCSD sees itself as making “the business case on the world stage,” leaving the regional network to “shape the sustainable development agenda at the local and regional levels.” News Sweeps
Report: Incentives, new policy will help city reach energy efficiency goals
(Thursday - March 05, 2015) Associated Profiles : World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
- Houston Chronicle - Incentive and financing programs will help encourage more Houston business owners to invest in green technologies, concludes a report issued Wednesday from the World Business Council for Sustainable...
Business Councils Help Houston Build for Energy Efficiency
(Thursday - March 05, 2015) Associated Profiles : World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
- Environment News Service - HOUSTON, Texas, March 4, 2015 (ENS) â An action plan designed to improve the market competitiveness of Houston's buildings and attract energy efficiency investments was released today by the...
In discussion: Philippe Fonta, Cement Sustainability Initiative
(Saturday - February 28, 2015) Associated Profiles : World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
- Global Cement - The Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI), which operates under the auspices of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), is a global voluntary initiative consisting of 23... | Check It Out...
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 Measuring, managing and reporting on the progress of the organization's Sustainability Journey – ensuring that ESG market players, corporate reputation influencers, shareholders and stakeholders understand the strategies, goals, program elements of the journey and accomplishments and recognitions earned. Learn more About G&A's Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility Reporting _______________________________ Corporate ESG Performance Factors & SustainabilityHQ Corporate ESG Performance Factors are important to financial analysts, asset owners and managers, and many stakeholders. The ESG framework or approach considers environmental issues and impacts, the company’s positioning and actions on social/societal issues, and important aspects of corporate governance. ESG key performance indicators are considered by investors as proxies for effective governance and management. Increasing numbers of of independent research and financial analysis firms monitor and measure these and advisie investors. The Sustainability HQ™ platform is an important profiling and monitoring resource for the G&A team, and for our clients and subscribers. ESG market players and corporate reputation influencers are profiled and monitored by G&A Institute. In these Highlights we provide some results of our continuous global scanning for ESG, sustainability and corporate responsibility news. The Associated Profiles indicated are in our Sustainability HQ™ platforms. For more information, please email us at info@sustainabilityhq.com
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