Leadership
Exemplary cases of sustainability leadership and intrapreneurship, and the qualities, ethical principles and/or dilemmas inherent within them.
Outdoor Brands Divided on Attending Retailer Show in Utah
In response to Utah Governor Gary Herbert’s resolution urging the Trump administration to rescind the Bears Ears National Monument, Patagonia announced that it would be opting out of this year’s Outdoor Retailer trade show. Outdoor Retailer (OR) is held every year in Salt Lake City, Utah, and brings in an estimated $50 million to the state according to the Outdoor Industry Association.
SDSN Highlights Youth-Led SDG Innovation Projects in New Solutions Report
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) has released its first edition of the Youth Solutions Report, which identifies 50 youth-led projects that aim to solve the world’s toughest issues, during the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum at the United Nations Headquarters.
Fellowship Program Equips Business Leaders to Drive Impact Through Innovation
With growing demand for business leaders to embrace progressive business practices that respect both people and planet showing no sign of slowing down, it is now more important than ever to empower high-potential professionals to innovate and lead change. Companies already have social intrapreneurs in their midst — accomplished innovators inside companies — whose efforts are helping them meet these new sets of pressures and expectations.
Boy Scouts of America Opens Its Doors to Transgender Boys
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) made history on Monday, announcing that it will begin accepting members based not on the gender listed on their birth certificates, but by the gender indicated on their application. The new policy, which is effective immediately, opens the door for transgender boys to join both the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts programs. With communities and state laws interpreting gender identity differently, BSA felt the practice of determining eligibility based on an individual’s birth certificate — which they have done for more than a century — was no longer sufficient.
New Finance Platform Aims to Scale Up Circular Economy in Europe
One year after adopting an ambitious Circular Economy Package, the European Commission has partnered with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to establish the Circular Economy Finance Support Platform, to help bring investors and innovators together and keep up the momentum in the transition to a circular economy.
China, Auto Industry Stride Forward with Clean Energy Transition
As the Obama administration’s climate change pages disappear from the White House website, scientists scramble to backup precious climate data and resources, and a new world order starts taking shape in the United States, China and the auto industry continue to push forward with clean energy initiatives.
RE100 Annual Report: Corporate Sourcing of Renewables Transforming Global Energy Economy
Cross-Posted from Cleantech. Corporate sourcing of renewable electricity can be a major driver of the transition to a robust, zero-emissions economy, according to the RE100 Annual Report, released last week to coincide with the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.
WEF: Reports Provide Glimpses Into the Minds of CEOs, 'Uncompromising Customers'
Cross-Posted from Organizational Change. This week at the action-packed World Economic Forum in Davos, Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) launched its 2017 Trends Report, which highlights the ‘uncompromising’ nature of today’s customer, who increasingly expects brands to deliver experienc
USDA Transitional Certification Program Makes It Easier for Farmers to Go Organic
According to the USDA, demand for organic foods and products have grown significantly every year since the 1990s. But despite increasing popularity, organic acreage hasn’t been able to keep up. Only one percent of US farmland is currently dedicated to organic farming, and those looking to make the transition to organic face real barriers.
Over 80 Major Companies Across the UK Urge PM to Deliver on UN SDGs
In an open letter to the Prime Minister, more than 80 leading companies have united in a call on the government to demonstrate its commitment to delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Purpose-Driven Storytelling: 12 Tips for Embracing Opportunity, Challenge and Change
In a world where consumers are increasingly buying into brands that stand for more than just positive gains in profit, having the ability to clearly communicate your company’s social good efforts is more important than ever. From educating consumers on how to make better consumption and lifestyle choices, to inspiring other business leaders and decision makers to follow suit, the opportunities that come with being a purpose-driven company (and being able to effectively communicate this differentiating factor) extend far beyond the sales numbers. As with most things in life, however, these opportunities don’t come without challenges – challenges which tend to stem from the lack of both strategic and creative communication knowledge and leadership skills.
Europe Needs to Cut Transport Emissions by 94% to Keep Climate Commitments
According to a new report by Germany’s Öko-Institut, Europe has its work cut out for it if it intends to stop the planet’s temperature rising above the two-degree limit agreed upon by world leaders at COP21. As it stands, the EU will need to cut global warming transport emissions by 94% by 2050 — a lofty goal that will require significant efforts be undertaken by all Member States. The Paris Agreement, which came into effect in November 2016, sets the cap at two agrees above pre-industrial levels, with an aspirational goal of 1.5%. But climate experts warn that even a two-degree rise could have catastrophic impacts.
New Gold Standard Framework to Unlock Billions for High-Impact Sustainable Development
In collaboration with Climate-KIC, South Pole Group and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, Gold Standard — a global benchmark for climate and development initiatives — has announced a new framework designed to unlock billions of dollars needed to scale-up clean technology and sustainable development in cities around the globe.
117 Orgs, 70k People Urge Obama to Fulfill Pledge to Fund Climate Action Before Inauguration
Just one month from the inauguration of Donald Trump and the appointment of his cabinet of climate deniers, an international coalition of human rights and environmental groups is appealing to President Obama to take one final action to advance justice and action on climate change in spite of Trump.
When the Board Is on Board: Steering the Organization Towards Sustainability Leadership
Boards are the last great sustainability frontier. They set the sustainability tone at the top, which then cascades throughout the company. It is essential for boards of directors to be engaged in the sustainability agenda. They define the long-term view, anticipating and addressing risks from social and environmental impacts. Progressive boards recruit and incentivize leaders to build sustainability into the company’s business model and value chains. And now that the sustainability ROI has been proven, sustainability has become part of the board’s fiduciary responsibility.
Fast Retailing Applies Unique SPA Business Model to Help Forge Brighter Future in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is no longer one of the world’s poorest nations. Today, this emerging nation is steadily growing as one of the world’s leading apparel manufacturers. However, the country’s economic structure remains fragile due to its heavy dependence on textile exports and overseas remittances from emigrant workers, and the country’s manufacturing base and infrastructure require urgent improvement.
Cross-Party Group of MPs Launches Campaign to Divest Pension Funds from Fossil Fuels
A cross-party group of British MPs has launched the ‘Divest Parliament’ campaign, with the help of environmental group 350.org. ‘Divest Parliament’ aims for greater transparency on the Parliamentary Pension Fund’s £589 million investments and demanding a commitment to divest from fossil fuels to tackle climate change.
Trending: Business, Other Countries Still Plowing Forward on Renewables
Despite uncertainty as to whether the U.S. will continue to play a part in global renewable energy adoption and fossil fuel reduction, business and other countries’ governments continue to ride the wave of commitments that have arisen from COP22 last month.
For Conscious Customers, Every Day Is Election Day
In the aftermath of the U.S. presidential election, the Facebook pages of most people who care about sustainability read like a grief or suicide support group. Amidst the weeping and gnashing of teeth, there is a sense of everyone looking forward to the next election in two or four years. While I understand the sentiment, it is important to remember that election cycles are always at the whim of a small group of swing voters, whereas every person who cares about sustainability and social justice has a chance to vote many times every single day and that vote might ultimately have as much, or even more impact on the future (and present) as elections do.
Can Empathy Survive the Echo Chamber?
Note: In the aftermath of last week’s Presidential election, we at Sustainable Brands were struck by the parallels to a recent, similarly polarizing political situation abroad with an equally shocking result – the UK’s Brexit referendum – and how Andy Last’s astute observations at the time, about the breakdowns in communication that led just over half of Brits to vote to leave the EU, seem applicable to us here in the States now. We share it with you below – enjoy.
