“I propose that you, the business leaders… and we, the United Nations, initiate a global compact of shared values and principles, which will give a human face to the global market.” – Kofi Annan (1938–2018)
Read the statement by Lise Kingo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, on the passing of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Let me join the UN Secretary-General and all our colleagues around the world in expressing my heartfelt condolences to the wife and family of Kofi Annan, a great leader and visionary.
By Evan Leon, MBA/MS Candidate 2020 Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability
Article
Cobalt is key in emerging low-carbon technologies, specifically lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. It forms part of the cathode active material (for example, lithium cobalt oxide, LiCoO2) that receives positively charged lithium ions during the battery’s discharge (see image on upper-right). (Source: https://sites.psu.edu/hjoisrclbl )
Global supply chains are becoming increasingly complex, leading to a growing risk of Human Rights abuses. These mounting complications mean that even businesses in ‘clean’ sectors such as renewable energy producers and electric car manufacturers are facing questions around the human rights risks and challenges in their supply chains.
As host of the 20th General Assembly of The Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) held last week in New York, Verizon led a discussion focused on the results of GeSI’s new report on the enabling potential for ICT (Information Communications Technology) to support human rights.
Modern Slavery affects an estimated 46 million people around the world and poses a prominent risk for companies. Transparency on human rights in supply chains is becoming increasingly necessary due to rising consumer interest as well as regulatory developments.
Sustainability reporting can help companies comply with legislation, but also to identify and address their impact, and highlight innovative solutions and a path forward.
Standouts discuss risks and opportunities, but few report financial implications
Press Release
May 31, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Ceres and CookESG Research released a new tool for identifying corporate disclosure of human and workers’ rights risks and opportunities in annual financial filings. The tool covers more than 5,000 U.S. and foreign companies’ filings (10-K, 20-F and 40-F) to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
By Allison Torres Burtka and Wren Montgomery, Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability
Article
Is water a human right or a commodity? It’s treated like both.
As water scarcity becomes more pressing, both public and private entities have had to examine their stances on how water resources should be controlled. These issues frequently arise in the developing world, where water resources and sanitation often are inadequate—but are now arising increasingly in U.S. cities, when drinking water gets contaminated or residents can’t pay their water bills.
“Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.” - Walter Cronkite
May 3 was World Press Freedom Day, first proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in December 1993 to raise awareness of the importance of a free press and to remind governments of their duty to uphold the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Per the UN, World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity to:
