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This week: The 44th Earth Day in Focus And…The European Union Directive Two important focal points for this week’s issue of Sustainability HQ Highlights – we celebrate the 44th Earth Day and the European Union makes a dramatic move, mandating corporate responsibility reporting. The first Earth Day was staged back in 1970, we could say, as pollution in the U.S.A. reached a tipping point, and “something” had to be done. And so U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin gathered colleagues and worked to create a day to call attention to the dangers posed to Mother Earth by growing pollution. That first Earth Day galvanized public opinion and helped to bring about change in the way we treat our planet and its marvelous resources (like our oceans, and air, and land). Senator Nelson corralled bipartisan support and targeted the media for “education” about the great damage by done by all manner of institutions (public and private sector alike) to the Earth with unsustainable practices and policies. That first day did help to launch or at least solidify a social movement – the environmental movement – and helped to pave the way for passage of landmark legislation to stop pollution, mitigate and reverse existing damage and prevent future damage. The National Environmental Policy Act had just been passed by the Congress and signed into law by President Richard Nixon. The US EPA was being organized (it was launched December 2, 1970). Soon after that first Earth Day, the growing pressure of public opinion led to passage of such important legislation as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, CERCLA (the Superfund Act) and much, much more oversight and regulation to protect our land, water, air, and living creatures (including we humans!). It was reported that 20 million or more Americans assembled to demonstrate at rallies and meetings. This was the age of demonstration – there were massive protests against American participation in the Vietnam War, for example. A social and cultural revolution was underway – and the outcome over time helped to bring about cleaner skies, safer drinking water, stopping the wholesale dumping of industrial and civil society wastes into rivers, and much, much more. The idea caught on; soon the Earth Day observation was global and millions of people in 150 or more countries were joining in. We could say this was part celebration (of the progress made) and part protest (how far we still have to go), and part recognition of all that has been accomplished over the years since that first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. And so this week we will once again tune in to Earth Day – and the invitation is out: come be part of the movement, it still needs your help, your energy, your intellect, your commitment to the cause! If you think your efforts are not important – think again – and read our one of Top Stories from Forbes magazine about the waning interest in environmental affairs. There’s more to read below about this important annual celebration. Companies are Doing Better – One of the welcome results of Earth Day celebrations over the years has been a greater public commitment to making the planet more sustainable for future generations. One important aspect to consider is the effort of many public corporations to be more responsible, more sustainable. The effort is voluntary in many countries – such as in the United States – and is also becoming required in certain jurisdictions. Which brings us to the European Union and this week’s momentous decision by the EU Parliament to sign on to the Directive requiring many companies to report on their corporate responsibility efforts. As Sustainable Business reports – Companies must address "policies, risks and results" in relation to "social, environmental and human rights impact, diversity and anti-corruption policies" in their annual report. Right now an estimated 2500 companies voluntarily produce sustainability reports; that could rise to 7000 or more by the year 2017, when the EU law goes takes effect. The G&A Institute is the Data Partner of GRI for the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Republic of Ireland – you can find the roster of corporate responsibility, sustainability and citizenship reports published by corporations, government agencies, colleges & universities, consultants, and other entities on our web site (http://www.ga-institute.com/gri-reporting-data-partner.html). We expect to see a dramatic ramp up of UK and Ireland corporate names in these rosters as the EU Directive is implemented. Read the Top Story from Sustainable Business about the EU decision below. For more information you can read G&A Institute EVP Lou Coppola’s comments on his Sustainability Update blogpost: Does the Draft EU Directive for Mandatory Sustainability Reporting Apply to US Companies? AND – Stock Exchanges Move One Big Step Closer Towards GLOBAL Mandatory Reporting As Well. This is an important week in sustainability affairs and we share the headlines with you below – as we do every week with our Sustainability HQ Highlights newsletter. Top Story of the Week Earth Day 2014: Why The Public Isn't Warming To The Climate Change Debate (Wednesday - April 16, 2014) Source: Sustainable Business - This is a historic day in Europe, where a new law will require its biggest companies to include sustainability factors as part of their annual financial report. In a 599-55 vote, the European Parliament passed the law, which... Sustainability in Focus The List- 7 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Earth Day: April 22, 2014 - Stats Energy Environment Five Things About: Earth Day Earth Day 2014 An Earth Day Resolution | Check It Out... Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Reporting G&A Institute is the Global Reporting _______________________________
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