Regulation & Public Policy
The increasingly complex landscape of laws aimed at standardizing corporate sustainability efforts and transparency around those efforts
US States Cracking Down on Toxic Chemicals in Processed Food, Cosmetics
California and Washington are the latest states to attempt to fill gaps in public-health safeguards, thanks to a lack of federal protections against certain commonly used chemicals. ... View More
Food Donation Improvement Act Brings Measured Change, Opportunity to Reduce US Food Waste
Updated federal guidelines that reduce donor liability could begin to change the conversation around what is acceptable to consumers, especially as much-needed food begins to make its way to those who need it most. ... View More
Politics and Purpose: The US Consumer Response to Purpose-Driven Marketing Across the Political Spectrum
How does identifying with a certain political party, generation or minority group influence whether consumers think more highly or more disapprovingly of a brand taking on a cause? Here is what we learned. ... View More
UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, Day 3: Responsible Lobbying vs ‘Corporate Capture’
For most readers, bribery or corruption aren’t part of your everyday experience — though they should be part of due diligence processes on your business partners and supply chain. However, the danger that one department says one thing and another... View More
Climate Change in the Divided States: Why Polarization Should Be Sustainability’s Most Important Issue
If we continue to be distracted by our biennial game of political ping-pong, we are unlikely to avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change — unless we fundamentally address the underlying causes of polarization and disinformation as part ... View More
COP27: Focus on Policy and Process, Not Promises
As world leaders prepare to gather for COP27, sharp focus is once again on how governments can tackle the ongoing climate crisis. But there is a danger that retailers and brands will take a ‘wait-and-see’ approach about any resulting policy chang... View More
Brands Walk Their Talk in Support of Women’s Rights
Setbacks such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade offer brands the opportunity to demonstrate their true commitment to supporting a healthy, equitable future for all. ... View More
EU Proposes Plan to Hold Companies Accountable for Human Rights Violations
The Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence would oblige companies to identify, prevent, and mitigate human rights and environmental violations in their value chain. But there is debate over whether companies can be reasonably expected to... View More
Corporate Political Responsibility: The Missing Link in Companies’ ESG Strategies
The disconnect between many companies’ public sustainability ambitions and their non-public lobbying efforts can no longer be excused. The Erb Institute’s Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce is helping companies connect the dots. ... View More
Companies Must Follow Climate Science Straight to Capitol Hill
Setting climate goals and claiming leadership while supporting laws that would oppose the realization of those goals is not just bad for a company’s reputation and the hiring of young talent — such misalignment also poses a systemic risk that is ... View More
300+ Business Leaders Tell Congress: We Can Build Back Better
Last week’s LEAD on Climate 2020 sent a message to Congress that business leaders have not lost sight of the climate crisis — even as they tackle the COVID-19 crisis. Washington should follow their lead. ... View More
Top 5 Tools to Tackle the SDGs
This report highlights the top tools for addressing the SDGs as identified by Sustainable Brands®. All of these tools are free and publicly available. SB provides our own assessment of each tool, and guidance on where it could be most useful on your... View More
Rollback of Dodd-Frank Won’t Stop the Shift Towards Greater Transparency
President Donald Trump issued two executive orders last week geared at scaling back or replacing financial regulations that he deems a burden to commerce and growth. The move signals a big win for Wall Street —whose elite are up for top spots in Tr... View More
