Corporate social responsibility is no longer an add-on to the businesses and needs to be thought of as such in terms of the company’s governance and culture.
Sharing Best Practices from thought leaders in the corporate, not-for-profit and academic sectors, for improving both the social and business impact of strategic Community Investment:
The importance of corporate governance
Corporate Social Responsibility is a business imperative to a competitive advantage
Our Corporate Governance, Responsibility and Sustainability Initiative, provides a platform for companies to explore sustainable development, share knowledge, experiences and best practices.
Business solutions that are aligned with your business strategy, and that have the greatest impact potential for business.
Innovative frameworks and resources to advance business success measurement, valuation and reporting.
The Sustainable Development Agenda
Corporate Governance, Responsibility and Sustainability Initiative
Harmonising Environmental and Economic Considerations
Problems like climate change, resource depletion, and pollution are beyond the capacity of any individual person, or even corporation, to address. It calls for a shared purpose mindset.
Over the next decade, the economic balance of power is shifting as the Asia economies will surpass those of Europe and America.
As the world’s population increases – anticipated to reach or exceed 8.3 billion – so the demand for food, water and energy demand will almost double, and harnessing resources effectively will be a matter of collaboration for all.
With over 65% of the world’s population being located in urban communities, will place increasing pressures on housing and transport infrastructures, and will speed up the evolution of Smart City concepts, creating new urban centres.
With the changing demographic patterns, the chasm between developed and developing areas is being erased, and as educational attainment in the developing world is enhanced, so will individual empowerment and skillsets for the future.
In this environment, high levels of collaboration is a must for both the private and public sector, to find approaches that will move towards all three goals –
environmental protection, social wellbeing and economic development – in unison with perseverance and cooperation, to achieve the desired sustainability result.
As an engine of economic growth and employment and a source of technology and innovation, business has a key role to play in providing system solutions for a more sustainable world.
Björn Stigson, ex WBCSD President
Our Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Initiative, provides a platform for companies to explore sustainable development, share knowledge, experiences and best practices.
Extending sustainable business development to the world’s natural and human resources as a competitive advantage
Develop and promote the business case for sustainable development and human progress, and share leading edge practices among members.
Business solutions that are aligned with your business strategy, and that have the greatest impact potential for business.
Business solutions related to the Redefining Value pathway contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Innovative frameworks and resources to advance business success measurement, valuation and reporting.
The Sustainable Development Goals will only evolve from good intentions into meaningful action through the participation of governments, incentivised businesses and society as a whole.
Along those guidelines, our research and education insights aim to help organisations, in the areas of corporate governance and responsibility, by focusing into measuring the impact of intangible assets, on organisational effectiveness, and the mutual relationships between the organisation and its key stakeholders ,such as customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders.
The needs of people in developing and emerging markets can provide significant potential for business…It’s about business growth and value creation that truly enhances the quality of people’s lives through social, environmental and financial returns.
Gerard Kleisterlee, President and CEO, Royal Philips Electronics
Our Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Initiative, leans on the work of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and Innovate UK.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agenda.
Professor Klaus Schwab
Founder and Executive Chairman of World Economic Forum
Studied at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, University of Fribourg and Harvard University; degrees include doctorates in Mechanical Engineering and Economics (summa cum laude). 1972-2003, Professor of Business Policy, University of Geneva. 1971, founded the World Economic Forum as a not-for-profit foundation and built it into the foremost international institution for public-private cooperation; 1998, Co-Founder, with wife Hilde, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, supporting social innovation around the world; 2004, Founder, Forum of Young Global Leaders; 2011, Founder, Global Shapers Community. Numerous honorary doctorates. Several honorary professorships. Recipient of international and highest national honours for initiatives undertaken in the spirit of entrepreneurship in the global public interest and for peace and reconciliation efforts in several regions of the world.
Professor Klaus Schwab – Founder and Executive Chairman of World Economic Forum interview
Ahead of the World Economic Forum, CGTN reporter Zhang He had an exclusive interview with the annual meeting’s founder.
Davos 2017 – Welcome Message by the WEF Executive Chairman
A World shaped by Sustainable Development Issues
Peter Bakker, president of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, urges business leaders to take a first step by incorporating sustainability concerns about climate change.
The WBCSD’s Vision 2050 report, exploring viable pathways for sustainability, is a tool for thought leadership and a platform for kick-starting a dialogue to support a new agenda for business to help solve global environmental and social issues and overall contribute to a world in which nine billion people can live well, and within the planet’s resources.
The report was compiled by 29 leading global companies from 14 industries and is the combined effort between CEOs and experts, and dialogues with more than 200 companies and external stakeholders in some 20 countries.
Key Recommendations:
Incorporating the costs of externalities, starting with carbon, ecosystem services and water, into the structure of the marketplace;
Doubling agricultural output without increasing the amount of land or water used;
Halting deforestation and increasing yields from planted forests;
Halving carbon emissions worldwide (based on 2005 levels) by 2050 through a shift to low-carbon energy systems;
Improved demand-side energy efficiency, and providing universal access to low-carbon mobility.
Action2020
WBCSD is a global association dealing with business and sustainable development; a unique network where members learn from other leading companies; interact with the strongest partners and gain access to a one-stop shop for tools and expertise to push their sustainability journey forward.
Peter Bakker
President and CEO of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
Peter Bakker after having been involved as a member for a number of years in his role as CEO of TNT NV, the Netherlands based holding company of TNT Express and Royal TNT Post.
Peter Bakker holds a masters degree in Business Economics from the Erasmus University Rotterdam and a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from the HTS Alkmaar.
He is the recipient of Clinton Global Citizen Award in 2009 and the SAM Sustainability Leadership Award in 2010, and is a UN WFP Ambassador Against Hunger.
In addition to his role at the WBCSD, is the Chairman of War Child Netherlands; a Co-Chair in the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN-LN); Council member for China Council for International Cooperation (CCICED); and Deputy Chairman for International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC).
Sustainability & Circular Economy
Stimulating growth through sustainable innovation that is environmentally, socially and financially sustainable as well helping to improve resource efficiency through new technologies & business models.
