Stakeholder Capitalism

OECD Launches Outreach Effort for Corporate Tax Initiative

February 24, 2016

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ("OECD") has announced a forum for "associate" countries to work with members of the OECD and G20 groups to shape a global system of financial information sharing, which will seek to limit tax avoidance by multinational corporations.
Facing Activist Pressure, Ford Halts ALEC Funding

February 24, 2016

As nongovernmental organizations and activists pressure corporations to cease their funding of the American Legislative Exchange Council ("ALEC") due to the group's social and environmental initiatives, Ford has announced that it will no longer fund the organization.
OECD Opens Consultation on Garment, Footwear Guidance

February 22, 2016

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ("OECD") has called for contributions to its consultation process on Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector, which will seek to pressure relevant companies to address human rights complaints in their complex, multinational supply chains.
Apple Shareholder Proposes Racial Diversity Measure

February 11, 2016

A new shareholder proposal at technology company Apple calls for an "accelerated recruitment policy" that would increase the number of non-white directors and members of senior management at the company.
Bank Agrees to Terms of OECD Evaluation

February 10, 2016

The Dutch National Contact Point ("NCP") of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's ("OECD") Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises has published an outcome document noting that Rabobank, in response to complaints about its palm oil financing, agreed to adjust its process of accepting supply-chain complaints and to accept future evaluation by the NCP.
UN Calls for Public-Private Partnerships to Achieve SDGs

February 01, 2016

UN officials meeting with business representatives in Davos, Switzerland, during the World Economic Forum called for the establishment of partnerships between the public and private sectors to accomplish the UN's comprehensive environmental and social agenda set out in its Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs").
UN: Businesses Must "Mainstream" SDGs in Operations

January 22, 2016

At a meeting of the UN Global Compact Board, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other UN officials urged business leaders to "mainstream" the UN environmental and social agenda in their operations and to take action to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs").
Apple's Board Rejects Proposal on Management Diversity

January 21, 2016

As activist pressure on companies to adopt policy commitments to equality and diversity ramps up, the board of directors of technology company Apple has rejected a shareholder proposal that seeks a recruitment policy increasing the representation of minorities in its leadership, asserting that the company has already demonstrated its commitment to diversity.
Irish Company Divests from Israeli Cement Firm Amid Pressure

January 20, 2016

Independent.ie reports that, amid pressure and protests from the activist organization Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign at corporate meetings, Irish building materials group CRH has sold its 25-percent stake in an Israeli firm whose cement has been used in the construction of a security wall between Israel and the West Bank.
UN Ramps up BHR Pressure on Australian Companies

January 04, 2016

A recent report details the proceedings of an event hosted by the UN Global Compact Network Australia and the Australian Human Rights Commission that sought to explain to businesses how best to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ("BHR") and that pressed for the development of an Australian national action plan on BHR issues.