This post explores the explosion of social media as a new platform for communication, stakeholder engagement and transparency. It examines how it is a double edged sword for corporations. On the one hand it has to some extent taken the ability to shape the message out of corporate control as the viral nature of the media can quickly spread and corporations can find themselves in a sudden maelstrom as events get out of their control. Social media has also made corporate actions face increasing scrutiny. However social media also presents a big opportunity, enabling small suppliers and traders to promote greater equity in the supply chain for example. It goes on to suggest how the corporations notion of what accountability entails needs to evolve in order to be able to take advantage of the new environment imposed by the rise of social media.
It’s been a big year for corporate responsibility. A huge oil spill, continued ructions in the financial sector, landmark decisions in the courts, and a new dawn for online companies around human rights issues are among the top CSR stories of 2010.
As manufacturers continue incorporating sustainability practices within their product manufacturing processes and supply chains, the retail industry – as the main customer point of contact – bears the responsibility of educating consumers about the sustainability choices available in the market.
Amid a growing call for reducing atmospheric concentrations of CO2 to 350 parts per million, a group of economists maintains that striving to meet that target is a smart investment — and the best insurance policy humanity could buy.
There is an increasing number of women who are in leadership roles in sustainability. As part of Women’s History Month, let’s take a look at ten women who are making strides in sustainability and shaping ethical consumerism. Add women in sustainability that you admire to the list in the comments section.
President Obama forged a political accord with China, India, and South Africa that did not meet the modest expectations for the Copenhagen summit meeting. There was no legally binding treaty to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, but instead countries will be required to list their greenhouse gas reduction targets and a fund will be established to assist poor nations with dealing with climate change.
The world stands to gain 6.9 million jobs by 2030 in the clean energy sector if a strong deal is reached in Copenhagen, according to a report released recently by Greenpeace International and the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC). A switch from coal to renewable electricity generation will not just avoid 10 billion tons of CO2 emissions, but will create 2.7 million more jobs by 2030 than if we continue business as usual. Conversely, the global coal industry – which currently supports about 4.7 million employees worldwide – is likely to contract by more than 1.4 million jobs by 2030, due to rationalization measures in existing coal mines.
