Building a Sustainable Workforce: Reimagining DEI through ESG
How can companies create meaningful, impactful DEI programs and avoid the pitfalls of some traditional programs?
Navigating the Social Pillar: Human Capital and Social Capital Risk
The “S” may be the most misunderstood and overlooked pillar in ESG. Today, we’ll explore the risks that lie behind lagging on the social aspects of ESG and outline real-world examples that may look familiar.
How and Why to Give Back This Holiday Season
The holidays are fast approaching, and in many cultures, this is the season for spending time with loved ones—and the season for giving. What better way to spread the holiday cheer in your community than by giving back?
Case Studies for Cycling Culture
Pursuing green alternatives to driving can seem daunting, but normalizing green transportation, specifically biking, can be beneficial not only for individuals, but for the environment as a whole.
How Global Entities Are Bracing for Climate Change
As an island nation, the Philippines is particularly susceptible to the effects of global climate change, and their example highlights the importance of understanding the long-term environmental and economic benefits of sustainability.
The Philippines & Pathways to Climate Resiliency
Global climate change is heavily disrupting many ecosystems across the world. While some countries fail to acknowledge the importance and urgency of the matter, others are working to prioritize climate change adaptation and resiliency in their policy and planning goals. As it is particularly threatened by global climate change due to its status as one of the world’s largest archipelago nations, the Philippines has made great strides to build global climate change resiliency.
4 Ways Sister Cities are Connecting Global Communities
Chances are, you have seen signs around your city declaring a relationship with a ‘Sister City’ on the other side of the globe. It sounds important, but what is a Sister City, and how do these relationships work in practice?
The Link Between Peace and Sustainable Development
Peace is a key component of sustainable development.
How Businesses Help Address Forced Labor and Slavery
Despite laws and regulations that prohibit their practice, forced labor and slavery are still widespread. According to a 2014 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), roughly 21 million people are currently subject to forced labor. An estimated 68 percent of them are being exploited in the private economy, by individuals or enterprises, primarily in agriculture, construction, domestic work, manufacturing, mining and utilities.
Why Addressing Corruption Is a Key Component of Sustainability
The term “sustainability” is popularly associated with environmental protection. What many people do not know is that eliminating corruption in all its forms is also important in achieving sustainability. Principle 10 of the UN Global Compact is, “Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.” It recognizes the fact that ethical business practices is a key component of sustainability.
How Businesses Can Help Address Workplace Health and Safety Issues
Target 3 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” One hurdle to achieving this target is workplace health and safety. The 2017 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index claimed that US businesses lose at least USD1 billion per week to “serious but nonfatal [workplace] injuries.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2015, absenteeism cost US businesses USD225.8 billion in lost productivity each year. Statistics from the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reveal that more than 4,500 workers lose their lives on the job every year.
How the Business Community Can Help Alleviate Poverty
Poverty can have adverse effects on business operations. Poverty is often associated with illiteracy, which can affect productivity. Employees with poor literacy skills may struggle to fully understand workflow instructions. Consequently, they are prone to making work-related mistakes, resulting in lost profits and reduced customer confidence.
How Companies Can Ensure Responsible Sourcing
‘Responsible sourcing’ refers to companies’ commitment to promote ethical standards and social responsibility when dealing with suppliers.
Environmentally Friendly Practices for the Workplace
Today, there are many ways to live a more sustainable, eco-conscious life. But what about your time spent at work?
The Impact of Conflict Minerals on Business
Minerals are important ingredients in manufacturing. Gold and silver are used in jewelry, currency, computers, electronics and medicine. Copper is used in motors and electrical wiring. Cadmium is a main ingredient of batteries.
The Millennials’ Idea of a Sustainable Business
Millennials (the demographic born between 1980 and 2000) are currently the largest generation of consumers in history. In 2014, Millennials aged between 17 and 34 were expected to spend at least USD 200 billion each year from 2017 onwards. This age demographic is also expected to spend around USD 10 trillion in their lifetimes.
What is Impact Investing?
Conventional wisdom dictates that the goal of businesses is to generate profit — and this goal may come into conflict with objectives such as environmental conservation and responsibly-sourced consumer goods. Impact investing dispels these beliefs by offering opportunities for stakeholders to invest — and, ultimately, profit from — social and environmental solutions.
Why Gender Equality is Key to Addressing Climate Change
The Paris Climate Agreement is groundbreaking because it specifically mentions gender equality. So, why is this significant? How do gender and climate change relate to each other?
