Balancing the Sustainability Books

Responsibility to the planet
(Our ability to respond to global warming)

20 ways to start making a difference at work and at home

{ This is an excerpt from a booklet of the same name, as referenced in the Sydney Morning Herald 18th April 2007. This booklet is aimed at use in businesses and may adapted to suit various sectors and industries. }

What can I do at work?

Water
1. Provide filtered tap water for staff –
·   Avoid imported or local bottled water
·   Encourage your team to drink water often – a team that is hydrated is a proactive team
·   Use a tap or jug filter and reduce cost, energy, transportation and production of bottles

2. Collect rain water for reuse –
·   Collect rain water from your building’s roof and appropriately reuse as grey water in the office
·   Free water saves considerable costs and reduce the need for dams or recycling/treatment infrastructure

Energy
3. Purchase and monitor equipment with high star rating –
·   Phase out old inefficient equipment and ensure new capital purchases have maximum efficiency
·   Maintain them and turn them off when not in use

4. Choose renewable energy sources –
·   Sign up for ‘green’ power
·   Install solar power on your own building
·   If renting, request that your landlord purchases 100 % renewable energy for the entire building 

Air
5. Phase out synthetic carpets and furniture –
·   Over their lifecycle, synthetic fibres spills noxious gases in to the atmosphere
·   Purchase natural materials for office furnishings/fittings to reduce effects on air quality
·   Place pot plants around office to clean air and improve staff performance 

6. Create natural air flow –
·   Fresh air works best to refresh us
·   Open windows, lock them in position, add screens, create useful, directed draughts  

Light
7. Install latest technology fittings –
·   Achieve minimal heat/maximum output with compact fluoro globes with reflectors/lenses
·   Cut power bills and base load demand

8. Apply light to where it is needed –
·   Use natural light, desk lamps or focussed light only on active work areas
·   Reduce or move partitions and screening or replace them with glass or translucent material 

Food
9. Buy local and organic –
·   Minimise ‘Food Miles’, storage and emissions from transportation
·   Generate local businesses and improve their turn over
·   Help phase out use of chemicals in agriculture and protect environment, rivers and the sea

10. Host staff meals –
·   Set up a staff roster to plan and cater for regular intra-office and inter-office gatherings
·   Introduce Slow Food and Green Drinks for staff – see web site references
·   Create positive in-house and inter-house interaction and cooperation

“Do not underestimate what a thoughtful, committed group of people can do
to change the world.  Indeed it is the only thing that ever has”.
                                                                                               Margaret Mead

Needs
11. Ensure staff training is current –
·   Keep your staff stimulated and educated in their roles - they are your greatest asset
·   Arrange work experience for local youth in order to develop a pipeline of known future staff
·   Establish proactive succession program and procedures

12. Develop flexibility and job sharing –
·   Enable staff to be at their best by arranging their work schedule to better suit their needs
·   Facilitate overlap and job sharing in order to retain valued personnel 

Wants
13. Reward positive actions –
·   Recognise and celebrate initiative and innovation exhibited by staff carrying out normal duties
·   Encourage career based extracurricular activities that fulfil and enhance individuals
·   Build your business with the benefit of goodwill through compassion and tolerance

14. Ask your staff, clients and suppliers for advice –
·   Take ownership of a complaint or problem and seek input from the stakeholders involved
·   Reach a broad consensus on the best resolution rather than dealing with it again 

Wellbeing
15. Evaluate processes and procedures –
·   Remain aware of the current impact of inherited standards and business-as-usual activities
·   If needs, improve or replace procedures to keep workflow and responsibilities in appropriate roles
·   Develop contingency plans for sickness or other short falls in staffing

16. Inform partners and staff of changes –
·   Communicate to your team your plans or needs for adjustments well in advance
·   Gain their cooperation and assistance to achieve the best outcome through trust and delegation 

Community
17. Engage with your peers –
·   Invite tours or visits from other local business sectors and initiate ways of collaborating
·   Network with same industry peers to support each other through innovation 

18. Contribute to your neighbourhood -
·   Give what you can of time and/or money to activities that nurture community spirit
·   Notice how it will be returned in ways that support your business

 Planet
19. Adopt a project –
·   Choose a national or global project for your organisation to get behind
·   Elect a focal person to coordinate your team’s input and share information and updates internally

20. Develop a sense of place –
·   Connect with the history of your region, its geography and demographics, understand its needs
·   Think globally and act locally to optimises your business, its market share and inherent value

And there is more....

Click here to contact the author for information about having your version developed.

Author: © Paul Payten 2007

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Can Sustainability Sell? - Conference digest: On Wednesday 20th March 2002, senior figures from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA) met at a London conference hosted by the IPA to discuss how to sell sustainability to business and the public.

Compressed Air Challenge, Get Smart About Compressed Air - The Compressed Air Challenge is made up of the following: Area U.S. Department of Energy, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, National Grid USA, etc..

Corporate Social Responsibility - Contents

I. Introduction

II. CSR standards
1. Human rights
2. Labour
3. Environment
4. Consumer interests
5. Health
6. The fight against corruption
7. Other aspects of CSR

III. Key condition for enabling CSR standards

IV. Operational aspects of CSR
1. Chain accountability
2. Stakeholder involvement
3. Transparency and reporting
4. Independent verification
**********************
I. Introduction

This frame of reference for corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been developed by the “CSR Platform”, a coalition of Dutch Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) actively promoting CSR. The CSR frame of reference lists the relevant standards, agreements and operational aspects involved in CSR internationally. This is done on the basis of treaties, guidelines and instruments enjoying broad international support and leading, either directly or indirectly, to corporate social accountability and responsibility.

The CSR Frame of Reference has the following goals:
• to identify the relevant international treaties, guidelines and instruments
• to help standardise the way in which CSR concepts are expressed and defined
• to promote the vigorous application of internationally recognised CSR standards;
• to respond to the business world’s call on NGOs to provide a coherent vision for CSR
• to guide the members of the CSR Platform – individually as well as collectively – in developing their strategies and launching fresh initiatives with a view to promoting CSR.

The Dutch “Social and Economic Council” (SER) has issued recommendations on CSR in a document entitled “Corporate Social Responsibility – A Dutch Approach”. In this document, the SER (an overarching policy-setting body representing trade unions, employers and the government) has stated that CSR should be a core concern for all companies and should be part and parcel of its operations. According to the Dutch Social and Economic Council (SER), CSR should focus on the three main dimensions of value creation: Profit, People and Planet. As such, CSR is much more than a mere involvement in social affairs (for example through neighbourhood improvement projects) and charity – no matter how praiseworthy such causes may be. Such actions, after all, cannot be seen as an alternative for responsible economic, social and ecological behaviour in a company’s core business. Consequently, corporations should do everything within their power to enable and promote CSR throughout the value-creation chain that they are part of. CSR is a process through which corporations take responsibility for the social, ecological and economic consequences of their actions – throughout their product and service delivery chains –making themselves accountable, and engaging in a dialogue with all those involved.

In this CSR Frame of Reference, Dutch NGOs further specify their definition of corporate social responsibility. This specification is based, where possible, on international treaties, guidelines and instruments– including ILO labour conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED; Rio de Janeiro, 1992), and the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development (2000). While agreed to by national governments, these and other treaties also imply corporate responsibilities and obligations. But they have yet to be spelled out, and a legal framework for enforcing such corporate obligations internationally has yet to be created.

Several developments currently unfolding could help bring about that specification and legal framework. Of major importance, in this respect, are the (draft) “Human Rights Principles and Responsibilities for Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises” developed by the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. This draft document is based on international treaties and guidelines as well as model codes of conduct developed by NGOs, trade unions and corporations. In addition, major initiatives established to define and enforce corporate responsibilities have been taken by the European Parliament.

The voluntary OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises also provide an important new standard, though these guidelines cannot be a substitute for legally binding national and international regulations.

Individual corporations and industries have their own dynamics, implying that the various elements of this Frame of Reference will not be equally relevant to each business or economic sector. Companies should engage – individually or in groups – in a constructive dialogue with stakeholders in order to identify the social issues that may be influenced by their actions. Policies for CSR should, in part, be developed and implemented on the basis of such dialogues. It is very important to complement these general principles of this Frame of Reference by developing industry-specific guidelines, standards and instruments for implementation. Initiatives covering entire sectors or (production) chains would help bring about a systematic implementation of standards and guidelines and the development of ‘best practices’ based on these guidelines.

The development, further detailing and specification of CSR will be influenced by experienced gained, and by the ongoing debate in society, and thus will be dynamic in character. This dynamic nature is evident in the various initiatives launched by social organisations and corporations, on occasion working hand in hand with governments. Examples of such initiatives are the international negotiations between trade unions and businesses on fundamental labour standards, multi-stakeholder dialogues such as the Round Table discussions with Dutch multinationals that have been initiated by Amnesty International, initiatives such as the Fair Wear Foundation, Max Havelaar and Fair Trade. A number of principles listed in this frame of reference have already been included in model codes of conduct such as the ICFTU Basic Code of Labour Practice and industry-specific codes such as those entertained by the Clean Clothes Campaign. Such initiatives help raise the quality of the design, implementation and enforcement of standards. They may also help adjust standards and even help bring about new standards.

Given the dynamic nature of CSR in both debate and practice, the CSR Platform regards this Frame of Reference as a ‘living document’, to be adjusted as and when major developments with regard to CSR occur. International governmental collaboration, international legislation and regulation, and CSR initiatives by corporations and NGOs will contribute to the ongoing elaboration of this CSR Frame of Reference

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II. CSR standards

1. Human rights

Corporations have an obligation to observe, respect and promote human rights. This responsibility is set out in the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted on 10 December 1948, shortly after World War II, was based on the notion that a recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and undeniable rights of all members of the global community of people constitutes the basis for freedom, justice and peace across the world. The UNDHR’s articles have been specified in separate UN treaties.

The preamble to the UNDHR calls on “every organ of society” to guarantee “by progressive measures” that human rights will be recognised and complied with. Corporations are responsible for honouring internationally accepted human rights and promoting these within the fields of their activities and influence. Consequently, corporations have the following obligations:

1. Corporations must do whatever they can to promote human rights in those countries where they operate. In areas of conflict, where gross violations of human rights occur, extra care should be taken with respect to honouring basic human rights.
2. Corporations should investigate how human rights might be affected by the various types of business operations in a given country before launching business activities there.
3. Corporations should include an explicit reference to the UNDHR or other international treaties on human rights in a code of conduct guaranteeing human rights. This code of conduct will uphold the human rights of employees and protect the human rights of all members of the community in which the corporation operates.

2. Labour

The International Labour Organisation (ILO), a tripartite UN organisation founded in 1919 and representing governments, businesses and workers, has set up a legal and policy framework for Labour issues. Since its inception, the ILO has issued almost 200 conventions on working conditions. Eight of these ILO conventions specify the four fundamental labour rights. These four labour standards are as follows:

§ Freedom of organisation and the right to collective bargaining (ILO conventions 87, 98, complemented by 135)
§ A ban on forced labour (ILO conventions 29 and 105)
§ A ban on child labour (ILO conventions 138 and 182)
§ A ban on discrimination in the workplace and in professions (ILO conventions 100 and 111).

The ILO conventions focus in particular on governments’ responsibilities with respect to labour rights. The Tripartite declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy extends the ILO conventions, listing corporate responsibilities with regard to labour issues and also including a number of additional labour standards falling under the specific responsibility of corporations:

§ The right to job security (Tripartite Declaration, Art. 24-28)
§ The right to a living wage (ILO conventions 26 and 131)
§ The right to safe and sound working conditions (ILO convention 155)
§ Compliance with the maximum number of working hours (48+12) (ILO convention 1).

The 1976 ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy and the OECD Guidelines (Chapter IV, Employment and Labour Relations) include important clauses on employment policy in general. Specifically:

§ Training (Tripartite declaration, Art. 29-32)
§ Handling of complaints (Tripartite declaration, Art. 57-58)
§ Prior notice and maximum mitigation in cases with major o livelihood of employees, like collective lay-offs or dismissals, (OECD Guidelines IV, Art. 6)
§ No threat of transferral for exercising the right to organise (OECD Guidelines, IV, Art. 7).
§ No practice of double standards (OECD Guidelines, IV, Art. 5).
§ Employing and training staff locally as much as possible (OECD Guidelines, IV, Art. 5).
§ Allowing workers’ representatives to negotiate and confer with decision makers (OECD Guidelines, IV, Art. 8).

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3. Environment

At the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the United Nations for the first time recognised sustainable development as a universal goal. This Summit meeting adopted the Rio Declaration on the environment and development, and Agenda 21. In addition, there are several other important treaties and conventions specifying the responsibilities of corporations with regard to the effects of their processes, products and services on the quality of air, water, soil, climate, bio-diversity and bio-safety and health. These are, among others, the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), the Cartagena Protocol on Bio-safety (2000), the Kyoto Protocol, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs; 2001), the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PICs; 1998) and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The Aarhus Convention (1998) for the first time linked human rights with environmental rights. This Convention includes important clauses on stakeholder participation, transparency and access to justice. Finally, a number of general principles have been stated in the EC treaty and the RIO Declaration, designed to prevent adverse effects on the environment and safety:

§ The principle of preventive action (Art. 174 (130 R, section 2) EC Treaty)
§ The precautionary principle (Rio Declaration, Art.15 and Art. 174 (130 R, section 2) EC Treaty)
§ Tackling environmental damage at source (Art. 174 (130 R, section 2) EC Treaty)
§ ‘The polluter pays’ principle (Rio Declaration, Art. 16, Art. 174 (130 R, section 2) EC Treaty).


4. Consumer protection

The UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection, revised in 1999, provide international legitimacy to consumer interests. These guidelines are based on the eight principles for consumer protection. Consumers and their organisations expect corporations to respect consumer values, to comply with legal standards, and to take the initiative in making themselves accountable for their actions in the light of these standards. The following standards are relevant:

§ The right to access to necessary goods and services (III.D.)
§ The right to safety (III.A, C, H.)
§ The right to information (III.B.)
§ The right to choose (III.B.)
§ The right to be heard (III.E.)
§ The right to appeal and lodge a complaint (III.E.)
§ The right to consumer education (III.F.)
§ The right to sustainability (III.G.).


5. Health

The universal right to optimum health implies that every human being has a right to the highest possible standard of health. This right is derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Art. 25) and the international treaty on, economic social and cultural human rights (or ESC rights, Art. 12). In its “general comment Nr. 14”, the UN Committee on ESC Rights discusses the obligations of both states and non-state actors, such as corporations. In paragraph 42, the Committee notes that, while only states are parties to the treaty and hence ultimately accountable, all members of society, including the business world, have an obligation to enforce the right to health. Specifically, this means that “it is particularly incumbent on States parties and other actors in a position to assist, to provide ‘international assistance and co-operation, especially economic and technical’ which enable developing countries to fulfil their core and other obligations” (paragraph 45).

This implies that corporations have an obligation to contribute to the following obligations, among others:

§ No discrimination in ensuring the right to access to health facilities, goods and services, especially for vulnerable and marginalized groups in society.
§ Assure access to a minimum of food, a basic level of shelter and sanitation and an adequate supply of safe drinking water.
§ Provide education and access to information on the community’s main health issues, including methods for preventing ill health and checking whether appropriate measures are taken.

In addition, corporations have a special obligation with respect to the right to a sound work environment as part of their employees’ right to health (Art. 12.2b of the ICESCR). According to the Committee, this right includes (among others):

§ The obligation to prevent work-related accidents and illness
§ Minimising the causes of health risks inherent in the work environment
§ Creating safe and hygienic working conditions.

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6. Fighting corruption

Corporate responsibility in the field of corruption is covered by the 1992 OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. This is based on the following legal ruling: 
§ Ban on bribing foreign government officials (Art. 1).

7. Other CSR aspects

As already stated, the further specification and elaboration of CSR is subject to changes in social interaction and will be dynamic in character. Certain topics relating to CSR have been expressed in guidelines, but are still a matter of public debate. In view of the ‘living’ nature of this CSR Frame of Reference, this section lists the topics that will play an important role in the further specification and elaboration of corporate social responsibility. The following CSR aspects are involved:

§ Competition (OECD Guidelines, Chapter IX, and the set of multilaterally agreed equitable principles and rules for the control of restrictive business practices)
§ Taxation (OECD Guidelines, chapter X)
§ Science and technology (OECD Guidelines, chapter VIII)
§ Respect for national sovereignty and local communities.

III. Condition for compliance with CSR standards

Trade and supply conditions, such as prices, supply deadlines and supply conditions, should at least enable compliance with international treaties and national legislation throughout business value chains. These conditions are established in discussions with key stakeholders.

IV. Operational aspects of CSR

Companies are expected to live up to their social responsibilities by adhering to the aforementioned internationally agreed standards and treaties. This responsibility implies that corporations develop specific policies for adopting, honouring and promoting international treaties and guidelines, while guaranteeing that these policies are put into practice in every detail of their operations. Social responsibility also implies that corporations should be accountable for their actions. By making themselves accountable, corporations honour the public’s right to be informed of the ethical, social and environmental effects of a corporation’s operations, products and services. As a result, the public will be able to make an informed assessment of companies’ CSR performance. Introducing social responsibility and accountability implies adhering to the following principles:

1. Chain management responsibilities

CSR should be a key concern of all corporations, and should be part and parcel of their operations. Consequently, a corporation’s social responsibility should cover all of its suppliers, subcontractors, licensees, alliances and anyone serving the company, irrespective of the formal relationship, the nature of the product or service concerned, or of the geographic location. The chain’s definition and the delineation of the exact scope of a given chain should be determined by the stakeholders who are directly involved. Corporations are expected to do everything within their power to enable, promote and implement CSR practices throughout their chain(s) of operation.

2. Stakeholder involvement

Allowing oneself to be held accountable requires a readiness to engage in a dialogue with the stakeholders concerned. These might be individuals or groups who could affect, or be affected by, corporate actions, decisions, policies, practices or goals. Such effects might be indirect or direct. Corporations should, in their social dialogue, address all stakeholders, including workers, suppliers and the local population , consumers, social organisations and public authorities. Such dialogues and consultations should at least be governed by national and international standards for consulting workers, their representatives, works’ councils and trade unions.

The stakeholder process is characterised by an ongoing exchange of information, dialogue, consultation and structural involvement in a company’s CSR policies, including issues not yet covered by treaties or legislation.

Companies are expected to be prepared to participate in a stakeholder dialogue on the basis of an agreement about norms, values, mutual rights and obligations. The dialogue should involve the companies’ ultimate decision-makers. Companies should guarantee that this dialogue with stakeholders takes place by means of transparent and independent verification.

The stakeholder process aims to give shape to the CSR policy of a company through the joint development of objectives, implementation plans, and indicators. Stakeholder involvement will help develop an understanding of the dilemmas faced by corporations. At the same time, corporations develop a clear awareness of the concerns of the stakeholders with regard to the consequences of company behaviour.

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3. Transparency and reporting

Corporations are expected to be open and transparent in their policies, and must account for their social conduct. Reporting plays a crucial role in this respect. At the moment, the guidelines of the 1997 Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) are the most frequently cited sustainability reporting standards. Reporting has the function, among others, of informing stakeholders. Stakeholders should obtain sufficient relevant information on the effects of a company’s conduct, and the consequences of these effects for the various stakeholders, so as to enable them to make informed choices.

Corporations will account for their actions transparently, by timely and regularly providing relevant, clear and reliable information (of their own accord and on request). This information may be made available by the following means:

1. Regular public reports
Companies should provide adequate and timely information on their social, ethical and environmental policies and/or other codes of conduct they subscribe to, and they should specify their performance with respect to such criteria.

2. Provision of information
Companies should provide stakeholders with relevant information, for example by means of impact assessment reports, annual reports, labelling, quality labels, information meetings and trainings. Companies should live up to their chain management responsibilities by informing all relevant stakeholders about their CSR policies, for example by distributing a code of conduct, by translating standards in local languages, and by providing information.

3. Publication of data and consultation
In order to inform themselves of specific CSR risks (related to specific projects), corporations should inform stakeholders about their plans at an early stage. Social and environmental impact reports should inform stakeholders in advance about the possible environmental effects of corporate plans.

4. Independent verification

The quality, use and credibility of a corporation’s reports and the underlying management systems and processes will be enhanced by independent verification. An independent process of verification is the key to effective implementation. This includes among other things that corporations monitor whether they themselves are complying with CSR policies (implementation plans, goals and indicators). They do so by setting up internal monitoring systems aligned with others in the value chain. Compliance with CSR policies will then have to be monitored independently. This verification should be carried out by organisations not linked to the companies in question, and should have the full trust of the stakeholders involved. Finally, the outcome of the verification procedure must be made public in a reliable manner.

Ultimately, the goal of corporate social responsibility is to bring about a real change for the better in the lives of both current and future stakeholders. That is why it is important – as part of the monitoring and verification processes – that workers and other stakeholders are provided with opportunities to lodge complaints when their rights have been violated. Providing information on a corporation’s social conduct should not lead to disciplinary measures, discharge or discrimination. In addition, companies should offer fair compensation in the case of breaches of CSR policies. In cases of non-compliance, the mistakes in question should be corrected and improvement plans should be drafted and implemented.

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This CSR frame of reference is subscribed to by the following organisations that are part of the CSR Platform:

Amnesty International Netherlands
CLAT Netherlands
CNV (National Federation of Christian Trade Unions in the Netherlands)
Consumentenbond (Dutch Consumers Union)
Cordaid (Catholic Organisation for Relief and Development)
DISK
Evert Vermeer Foundation
Fair Trade Organisation
FNV (Netherlands Trade Union Confederation)
Goede Waar & Co
Hivos (Humanistic Institute for Development Co-operation)
ICCO (Interchurch Organisation for Development Co-operation)
IRENE (International Restructuring Education Network Europe)
Coffee Coalition
India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN)
National Association of World Shops
Friends of the Earth Netherlands
Netherlands Committee for IUCN
Netherlands Institute for Southern Africa
Novib (Oxfam Netherlands )
Pax Christi Netherlands
Plan Netherlands
Clean Clothes Campaign
SOMO (Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations)
Max Havelaar Foundation
Netherlands Society for Nature and Environment
VBDO (Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development)
Wemos – Health For all
South-North Federation
Source: SVN - Social Venture Network Europe.

'Don't be fooled' on Greenwash - Earthday Resources and ecopledge.com celebrated April Fool's Day by releasing their 10th annual "Don't Be Fooled" report, documenting "misleading advertising by companies polluting the planet."  This year's report names 10 companies and coalitions, ranging from oil to biotechnology companies. Greenbiz .http://www.earthdayresources.org/publications/dbf2002.html

Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes - The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes are focused on meeting the financial market's demands for: 1/ Rational, consistent, flexible and, most importantly, investable indexes to benchmark the performance of investments in sustainability companies and funds. 2/ Independent reliable indexes as a basis for derivatives and funds focused on sustainability companies

Earth Dreams -  Now, when there's an inconsistency between human economics and the laws of planet Earth, which do you think is going to win?" (Donella Meadows, February 2001) Donella Meadows died recently.  She was a clear, compelling and articulate voice which will be sadly missed.  She authored a number of books, including: The Limits to Growth (1972),The Global Citizen (1991), Beyond the Limits (1992).  Some of her insightful articles are posted at:

Earth Policy - Lester R Brown sets out to describe how to restructure the global economy to make it compatible with the earth's ecosystem so that economic progress can continue. Download for free at: http://www.earth-policy.org/Books/Eco_contents.htm

Econeerdesign.com - Econeerdesign.com is a resource for Environmentally Sustainable and innovative Art, Design and Construction, Australia-wide.

Emissions Trading launched in Europe - The first national scheme in the world for trading greenhouse gas emissions has opened in the UK, giving companies financial reasons to cut the amount of carbon dioxide they produce.

Emotional Intelligence Quotient - Take the E-IQ Test -- no high IQ required. We'll calculate your score for you.

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Everybody's Business - New Book on CSR - Traditionally viewed as 'soft' issues or even distractions to the job of doing business, issues such as the environment, diversity and human rights
are now the relevant mainstream concern of all viable, progressive businesses, according to a new handbook for managers. Business Impact News.

Global Corporate Citizenship - The business case  Another report worth reading on the business case for and against increased corporate citizenship.  The report concludes that good Corporate Citizenship can bring substantial long-term benefits to business in eight areas from reputation and risk management to investor relations and competitiveness.

Global Reporting Initiative - The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) hopes to break through the fog surrounding "green" and ethical accounting and bring transparency and comparability to this fledgling form of corporate disclosure. If it works, it could become the international standard for non-financial reporting.

Green Volunteers - The World Guide to Voluntary Work In Nature Conservation. Green Volunteers is a guide listing hundreds of conservation and wildlife projects throughout the world where no previous experience is required. Also an Information Network providing a continuous update on new projects, access to an e-mail newsletter with information on conservation volunteering and conservation work opportunities, for exchanging volunteering experiences, and providing several links to humanitarian volunteering organisations

IdealsWorks - IdealsWork was born over a series of coffee shop breakfasts between two old friends — Dan Porter and Will Crosby — who first had the itch to make the world a better place, and then the conviction that it was possible to do so. They've since been joined by many other committed and visionary people — including IdealsWork's third partner, Sam Pierce — and every one of them has been essential in bringing IdealsWork into being.

Research the Issues - Project Vote Smart - Research the Issues Issue Links: Abortion Affirmative Action Agriculture/Farms AIDS Animal Issues Arts, Humanities, and Public Broadcasting Funding Business Campaign Finance Citizen Participation Civil Liberties Civil Rights/ Human Rights Consumer and more.

Responsible Competitiveness Index 2003 - "A nation's competitiveness and underlying productivity is clearly impacted by how its business community deals with social and environmental issues. This report offers for the first time insights into what this relationship might be, and so how to manage it going forward" - Peter Cornelius, Senior economist at Shell and former Director of the Global Competitiveness Programme at the World Economic Forum.

Drawing on two years worth of research by AccountAbility and The Copenhagen Centre, The Responsible Competitiveness Index 2003 explores the potential for corporate responsibility practices and its contribution to national competitiveness. This first attempt to connect micro-level corporate responsibility practices with macro-level productivity and competitiveness effects raises as many questions as it answers. Centrally, however, it indicates the imperative and challenge to ensure that corporate responsibility is amplified through its alignment with a nation's competitiveness. Click here for Free Executive Summary Or Order the Report.

SRI  new approach - Engagement - Socially Responsible Investment - A new approach to ethical investment will help to balance financial and social demands without ignoring companies that do not meet traditional ethical investment standards.  "Engagement" means that senior executives of big public companies are asked new kinds of questions by institutions - questions about pollution, equal opportunities, human rights and other elements of social responsibility.  And it means they come under pressure to do better on these issues. Financial Times.

Sustainable Urban Development - Local Agenda 21 documents.

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Sustainable Development Online - SDO aims to provide access to significant web sites built by organisations supporting the move towards sustainable development. The web site includes
information and web links relating to enterprises, networks, events, tools and training.

Sustainable Product Development - A downloadable version of our magazine ‘Way Beyond’, reports and a Sustainable Development Agenda.

The Business Case For Sustainable Development - The World Business Council on Sustainable Development, a membership organization of 150 global companies, has published a manifesto of sorts on the business case for sustainable development.

Trust Us: The Global Reporters 2002 Survey of Corporate Sustainability Reporting - Trust Us is the second report in the Global Reporters series to put corporate sustainability reporting under the microscope and focus on the emerging trends and hot topics of corporate accountability. SustainAbility / UNEP.

United Nations - Dept for Policy Co-ordination on Sustainability and Development.

Wisdom Media - Your family of media outlets - WISDOM® Internet, WISDOM® Television and WISDOM® Radio - information about personal growth, alternative medicine, social consciousness, spirituality, relationships and global issues.

World Summit for Social Development - Programme of Action.

Choose a climate - An excellent interactive site which explains how potential climate changes can affect the planet. Calculate the damaging effects of aircraft on the environment.

YES Magazine - New awareness magazine covering global issues and topics. Eco-Economy: Building an Economy for the Earth

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