The WSJ has published a downbeat assessment of CSR. The article cited a study showing that CEOs exiting Fortune 500 companies were 84% more likely to be fired if they invested strongly in good corporate citizenry yet recorded below par financial results than CEOs at poor performing companies that spent less on “do-good” initiatives. This decidedly defensive claim was offset by an upbeat article in the Financial Times. It notes that a survey of 500 pension funds, foundations, endowments, and sovereign wealth funds found that two-thirds of big investors believe sustainable investing will grow in significance by 2022. Further, studies show a “remarkable correlation” between responsible investing and outperforming results. Who to believe? The wise CSR/sustainability professional will collate carefully from such “mainstream” sources to ensure an accurate reading of the pluses and minuses of CSR—and stay tuned to this space, which curates the CSR news.
John Howell, Editorial Director
ReportAlert: Marine Stewardship Council releases 20th Annual Report.
(3BL Media/Justmeans) – Global companies have been widening their scope of corporate responsibility to address a variety of challenges facing humanity. From localized sourcing that supports indigenous growers to selling sustainable products that improve the customers’ well-being as well as the environment, these companies are focusing on sustainability in every aspect of their business.
(3BL Media/Justmeans) Can an industry that creates products from trees be sustainable? The US forest products industry proves it is possible. Accounting for 6 percent of the country’s total manufacturing GDP, the industry places a premium on recycling and using renewable energy. Over 66 percent of the paper consumed in 2011 was recovered. Consisting of about 250 companies, the industry is the leading generator and user of renewable energy.
(3BL Media/Justmeans) - Fact: humanity wastes a huge amount of food and this need to change. According to the USDA, in the U.S. alone approximately 2.7 billion pounds of meat, poultry and fish are lost, totaling $8.8 billion.
With all that food, huge amounts of resources are also wasted. When we remember that to make one pound of beef it takes more than 600 gallons of water, 1.8 pounds of grain and 50 pounds of CO2, we get an idea of how devastating food waste is.
(3BL Media/Justmeans) – The Fair Trade Certified seal is probably one of the most recognizable certifications consumers look for when purchasing ethical goods. There is a wide range of certified products available, most visibly in the garment and food/beverage sectors.
(3BL Media/Justmeans) – In the past two decades, there has been a lot of talk about the transformative power of technology in society, yet little attention has been paid to an emerging digital gap.
(3BL Media/Justmeans) – Two childhood friends have won the top prize at the 2017 Stockholm Junior Water prize sponsored by Xylem.
