Blog

We need business to be willing to boldly tackle the complex challenges that society faces by committing to progress, even without a concrete plan. Increased ambition is not just the way to achieve the SDGs—it’s also the best way to create truly resilient business strategies.

As we enter the decisive decade of the 2020s—when significant steps towards decarbonization have to happen if we are to stave off the worst impacts of climate change—the 2019 UN climate conference in Madrid, COP25, was a poor jumping-off point.

As 2019 comes to an end, we are taking a moment to look back at the news and initiatives that shaped the year. Our six most popular blog posts and reports exemplify the diversity of topics BSR works on, from gender equality to stakeholder engagement.

Today, BSR is releasing a human rights review to inform the governance and operations of the Facebook Oversight Board so that it is consistent with human rights-based approaches, principles, standards, and methodologies.

BSR interviews UPS Director of Sustainability Patrick Browne on the types of new technologies UPS has deployed, the impact they have had so far, and plans to further integrate tech into their sustainability strategy for 2020 and beyond.

As we look ahead to 2020, what are the pivotal human rights issues that businesses should be paying attention to? Here’s what BSR heard at the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights.

The link between the quality of government institutions that implement policies controlling corruption and economic development is clear. However, in many parts of the world, corruption is still one of the biggest obstacles to social and economic development. In the long-term perspective, being a clean company makes it easier to do business.

This blog is the second in a series where BSR and Envisible document their project to support a global brand and its supply chain partners to establish a blockchain-enabled traceable supply chain that delivers sustainability benefits to all the actors in the supply chain.

While women are vital to the Italian luxury sector, gender inequality throughout the supply chain still impacts them in the short- and long-term. However, both brands and suppliers are well placed to lead efforts towards improved gender equality in Italy, in both supply chains and in the country’s overall sociocultural context.

If businesses fail to conduct conflict-sensitive human rights due diligence and integrate their anti-corruption and human rights efforts, they may be linked to human rights abuses conducted by a third party. BSR recommends enhanced human rights due diligence that is both conflict-sensitive and that integrates corruption risk.

To accelerate compliance of supply chains with deforestation-free and responsible sourcing principles, BSR and Transitions are excited to launch a new collaborative initiative for corporate buyers of palm-based derivatives alongside 11 member companies: Action for Sustainable Derivatives (ASD).

At the BSR Conference in 2018, BSR launched CoLab, an incubator and accelerator of private-sector collaboration, to mobilize the collective power of business to solve some of the world’s biggest sustainability challenges. Its 2019 progress report, Mobilizing the Collective Power of Business, highlights its accomplishments over the past year.

BSR President and CEO Aron Cramer addresses the new climate for business and the urgency agenda for the upcoming decisive decade in his first Annual CEO Letter.

As CEOs call for a new capitalism that values purpose alongside profit, today BSR releases the findings of its 11th annual State of Sustainable Business survey, which includes responses from business leaders representing 125 global companies.