November Corporate Citizenship Highlights

Dec 1, 2014 1:25 PM ET

Corporate citizenship professionals know the business and social value that can be achieved by furthering their efforts through strategic and thoughtful partnerships. Many environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues are widespread and pervasive, and can only be tackled through the active involvement of a multitude of people and organizations, each bringing their own unique skillsets. Earlier this month, a historic partnership was created to tackle of the most pressing issues of our time, as Chinese leader Xi Jinping and President Obama committed to limit greenhouse gases. As part of the deal, China agreed to cap its rapidly growing carbon emissions by 2030 or earlier, and will attempt to increase its share of non-fossil fuels to 20 percent of the country’s energy mix by 2030. The United States plans to cut emissions 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.

In November, Center for Corporate Citizenship members worked to create positive change through partnerships as well. In an effort to fight the Ebola virus in West Africa, Google pledged to give $2 for every $1 donated to its nonprofit partners: Network for Good—a fund that will distribute the money to Doctors Without Borders—the International Rescue Committee, Partners in Health, and Save the Children.

As the holiday season descends, many member companies, including Kenneth Cole and Microsoft, are ramping up their partnerships with #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. Meanwhile, some companies, like Costco and TJX, are getting in the holiday spirit by staying closed on Thanksgiving to ensure their employees spend time with their families.

If you’d like to learn more about the power of partnerships, consider joining the Center from December 10-12, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA for our Leveraging Partnerships class. In addition, be sure to check out these great Center resources:

> Read the rest of the post here