ESG

Article Explains Competing BHR Reporting Frameworks

September 01, 2015

In a recent article, attorneys from the law firm Littler Mendelson describe two leading frameworks for corporate reporting on business and human rights ("BHR") issues and explain how companies can face difficulties navigating the competing standards of these frameworks, which go beyond the UN-endorsed Guiding Principles on BHR.
Oil Companies Sign on to UN Methane Plan

August 31, 2015

Demonstrating pressure on businesses from activists and UN officials to implement the UN climate change agenda, a group of oil companies have agreed to a pledge, produced by the UN, to reduce methane emissions.
US Court Panel Re-Topples Conflict Minerals Rule

August 26, 2015

A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit has once again struck down, as a free speech violation, a Securities and Exchange Commission rule requiring the disclosure by businesses whether minerals in their products may have profited those involved in armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Article Pushes Business Case for Environmental, Social Action

August 14, 2015

As companies increasingly face pressure from the UN and activists to show they are implementing the global environmental and human rights agenda, Martin Wrights argues that these companies are finding that there is a business case to push for changes in social and environmental policies.
GRI Develops Corporate Reporting on SDGs

August 12, 2015

In a press release extolling the link between corporate reporting on environmental and social issues and the UN's "sustainability" agenda, the Global Reporting Initiative ("GRI") announced that it was working with a business organization and a UN agency to create a framework to guide corporate reporting on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs").
L'Oréal USA Joins Climate Change Coalition

August 12, 2015

Beauty products company L'Oréal USA has announced that it will join the Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy ("BICEP") group, a coalition of 35 businesses seeking to advance the international climate change agenda and US President Barack Obama's climate plan, as pressure from the UN and activists for corporate action rises.
Insurance Company Commits to ESG Agenda

August 12, 2015

The CEO of UK insurance company Aviva has pledged to remove investments from energy companies it believes are not doing enough to counter climate change and to consider environmental, social, and governance ("ESG") factors, championed by the UN and environmental and human rights activists, in its investment decisions.
GRI Unit Seeks Better NGO Use of Corporate Reporting

August 12, 2015

The Global Reporting Initiative ("GRI") has announced the formation of a "Knowledge Unit" that will use GRI's past experience in corporate reporting to determine, in part, how civil society groups and others can take advantage of companies' "sustainability" reporting to advance their work pushing companies to implement their social and environmental agenda.
Study Indicates Mixed Results of US Conflict Minerals Law

August 12, 2015

According to an article from Cooley LLP, a recent study has shown that despite substantial time and money spent on compliance, approximately 90% of companies filing reports on their use of conflict minerals, as required under US Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules, could not determine if their products are "conflict free."
Exchanges Respond to Pressure on Reporting Standards

August 12, 2015

A press release from the Global Reporting Initiative ("GRI") reports that some stock exchanges are responding to growing pressure from activists, UN agencies, and investors by pushing companies to report on social and environmental issues in their operations using standards issued by GRI and other organizations.