Sustainability is about the long-term wellbeing of society, an issue that encompasses a wide range of aspirational targets including the sustainable development goals (“SDGs”) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by world leaders that went into effect on January 1, 2016.[1] Among other things,...
While many of the steps that companies should and can take relating to diversity and inclusion are largely internal, they can also take actions to address systematic racism in the external business and social contexts in which they operate. Companies should commit to advocating for...
As with all aspects of sustainability reporting, practices of companies regarding their disclosures relating to community engagement and investment have been evolving as time has passed and stakeholder interest in such activities has increased. Although mandatory reporting requirements have been slow to emerge, the need...
Writing in the New York Times in April 2020, David Sax suggested that the Coronavirus pandemic and related public health and economic crises should serve as a reminder of the types of entrepreneurship that truly matter in our society. Sax noted that entrepreneurship has frequently...
Sustainable entrepreneurship is based on the premise that companies need to move beyond focusing exclusively on short-term financial results for their owners and acknowledge and accept responsibilities to other stakeholders including investors, employees, regulators and society in general. In fact, at its core, sustainability really...
Businesses have long been called upon to comply with a range of formal laws and regulations in various areas related to sustainability-related responsibilities including laws and regulations pertaining to the environmental impact of their operations, the employment relationship, working conditions and health and safety standards. ...
Community engagement and investment is a multi-faceted activity that requires formal management and planning. Working with and in the community is part of the broader corporate social responsibility (“CSR”) activities of the company and this means that management should begin at the top of the...
According to ISO 26000 education and culture are foundations for social and economic development and part of community identity and efforts by organizations to preserve and promote culture and promote education are compatible with respect for human rights and important positive contributors to social cohesion...
Communities generally appreciate most of the tangible benefits that companies provide including jobs, support for local businesses and nonprofit organizations and assistance with maintaining the infrastructure upon which all community members depend. However, there is at least one other important thing that companies can do...
Most businesses, once they reach a certain size and level of resources, provide support for activities of organizations in their communities that are dedicated to address social issues or needs in the community. There is no shortage of issues that companies can focus on in...