Surveillance Capitalism

UN, WEF Launch Public-Private Ocean Platform

February 06, 2018

The UN leadership and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have partnered to form a three-year platform called Friends of Ocean Action, through which businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and international organizations will propose policies to fulfill ocean-management targets contained in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
WEF Panelists Seek "Radical" Shift in Climate Policies

February 06, 2018

Business, government, and civil society participants on a recent panel at the World Economic Forum (WEF) warned that there is "insufficient urgency" among companies and governments in addressing the catastrophic impacts of global warming, including the new "reality" of "weather migrants and refugees."
WEF Launches "Circular Economy" Platform with Businesses

February 05, 2018

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced the formation by 40 businesses and government leaders of a Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy that seeks to reduce plastic and electronic waste and promote the reuse and recycling of equipment across the globe.
WEF, Business Initiative Targets Gender Bias

February 05, 2018

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced that the Global Shapers Community youth network and consumer products company Procter & Gamble recently launched an initiative consisting of a social media campaign and support for grassroots efforts aimed broadly at advancing gender equality and "breaking stereotypes."
Companies Embrace Calls to Reduce Climate Impacts

February 02, 2018

Andrew Steer of the World Resources Institute and Grant Reid of food company Mars explain how businesses are responding to global pressure - from the UN, nongovernmental organizations, and governments - to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions in line with the 2015 UN Paris climate accord by signing up to UN climate initiatives and pledging "science-based" emissions targets.
Investors Push for Extension of Bangladesh Factory Accord

February 02, 2018

The Bangladesh Investor Initiative, organized by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility to promote an agreement signed by global fashion brands on fire and building safety in Bangladesh, has published a call for these brands to sign up to a three-year extension of the accord making them responsible for paying for factory safety in the country.
Article: Businesses Have Duty to Promote Civic Rights

February 01, 2018

On the eve of the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a coalition of business leaders called the B Team published an article calling for businesses to accept more responsibility to pressure governments to respect civic rights such as freedom of speech and assembly.
New EU Rules Spur Facebook Action on Data

January 30, 2018

Reuters reports that tech giant Facebook is responding to the upcoming roll-out of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation by publishing its principles for safeguarding users' information, releasing an educational video training users on managing and deleting data on the platform, and creating a new "privacy center" for managing data settings.
UNFCCC Promotes Use of Blockchain for Climate Action

January 29, 2018

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has launched a Climate Chain Coalition encouraging the use of blockchain technology among its member organizations to ramp up public reporting on climate action and promote the diversion of investments into climate-friendly projects.
UN Rights Chief Promotes Corporate LGBTI Standards

January 29, 2018

In remarks at the World Economic Forum, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein has called on businesses around the world to join a growing list of companies that have accepted new standards developed by his UN office on promoting LGBTI equality as part of their employment practices, consumer treatment, and public-relations campaigns.