WALKING THE TALK -
As governments and public entities remain slow-moving, companies backing their values with action matters more than ever. But for those unsure how to respond to shifting expectations, how do they know they’re leading in a responsible way?
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
The Index ranks 144 countries based on their ICT infrastructures and ecosystems, including how well they are utilizing ICT to create more sustainable economies. For Tau Institute founder Roger Strukhoff, what sets the nations that will succeed apart is “a certain willingness to think beyond their front door.”
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Global recycling rates are at a discouragingly low 13.5%. But who, or what, is to blame? Finger-pointing won’t help:
Policy, consumer demand and companies must work in tandem to close the loop in a still-lacking US recycling system.
WASTE NOT -
The Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM), run by Atlanta-based nonprofit Live Thrive, not only helps to safely divert a wide array of hazardous
household materials from local landfills, it educates residents on the critical role of recycling in creating jobs and stimulating our economy.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
The SMI Insurance Task Force commits to provide climate-positive financing and risk-management solutions to support and encourage individuals and businesses around the world to accelerate their transition to a sustainable future.
COLLABORATION -
This year’s International Forum on SDGs for Regional Revitalization examined the
acceleration of sustainable development initiatives in and outside Japan, through corporate and government cooperation, and the positive ripple effects on communities around the world.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
The online flower shop’s bouquets — which include The Unpaid Work Bouquet and The
Lack of Childcare Bouquet — cost up to $800B,
reflecting the true value of mothers' work and the true economic cost of adequately thanking them.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
We are at the very beginning of the most challenging leg of the climate journey; many companies have yet to commit to zeroing out their emissions. Still, a few at the cutting edge are responding to the call for a higher bar to be set and are staking their reputations on achieving it.
WALKING THE TALK -
It’s becoming more common for companies to put their weight behind a range of urgent social issues. This isn’t about partisanship or “wokeness” — it’s about the core values held by many Americans and a desire among forward-thinking corporate leaders to prove they share them.
COLLABORATION -
As the US formally rejoins the Paris Agreement, a coalition of communities, businesses and institutions will play critical role in supporting an ambitious new US climate target and mobilizing whole-of-society climate action.
WALKING THE TALK -
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.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
A regional coalition, led by UNEP, will support access to financing by the public and private sector, with special emphasis on SMEs — to foster innovation and the implementation of specific projects in the region.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
The UK Government commissioned an independent, global Review on the Economics of
Biodiversity in Spring 2019. The report urges policymakers to start valuing ecosystems and says GDP encourages unsustainable growth.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
COVID-19 showed us that we can respond quickly to a crisis, and that industry collaboration is an achievable goal. Looking ahead, we have an opportunity to redefine our planet’s future by setting more ambitious sustainability goals and shortening the timeframe in which we deliver on them.
WASTE NOT -
While zero-waste initiatives in the US gained momentum in 2019 and early 2020, myriad complications related to the pandemic brought many to a screeching halt. But as we transition from emergency mode, there have been restarts.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Urban mobility has continued to evolve along with humans’ changing need for transport. Here are a few emerging technologies, public-private
partnerships and city design initiatives fueling the transition to a sustainable future for urban mobility.
COLLABORATION -
As Congress signs off for Thanksgiving, roughly 12 million Americans could soon lose jobless benefits. The hope is that people and companies continue to step up; government programs continue, and the flexibility the food supply chain has gained during COVID will enable a nimbler switch to accommodate future need.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
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 of increasing concern to investors.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
The monthly Green Jobs Report shows that “greener” enterprises align with more resilient jobs, higher pay for workers, fewer job losses, and the potential for
better overall company and investor portfolio performance.