Surveillance Capitalism

Microsoft Launches BHR Education Program

December 21, 2016

As part of its announcement of an updated "global human rights statement" on how it plans to contribute to the business and human rights (BHR) agenda, the technology company Microsoft launched a partnership with UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and the nongovernmental organization Humanity United to "embed" BHR issues in business education.
Investor Guide Pushes Energy Companies on Climate

December 12, 2016

A group of activist investor organizations have published an updated version of their guidelines on how oil and gas companies must adapt their business practices to comply with the UN's Paris deal on climate change and other instruments setting out global climate policies.
UN Business Gathering Promotes "Resource Efficiency"

December 09, 2016

A recent meeting hosted by the UN Environment Programme's International Resource Panel of businesses, governments, and scientists on "the economic potential of resource efficiency" highlights the UN's efforts to use industry representatives to push their business colleagues to advance the organization's climate and "sustainability" agenda.
Businesses Express Concern on Future of Swiss Tax

December 09, 2016

A survey by auditor KPMG reveals the concern of businesses operating in Switzerland that the country will lose its competitive edge as a favorable jurisdiction for corporate tax planning as it adopts global, harmonized tax standards developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the EU.
Companies Call on Trump to Support UN Climate Oversight

December 07, 2016

NPR reports that a group of companies has published a letter to US President-elect Donald Trump urging him to accept UN oversight of US actions reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris climate deal agreed by the Obama Administration earlier this year.
Corporate Group Supports Agricultural Climate Action

December 07, 2016

Nongovernmental organization Ceres has signaled the growing support of businesses for the global agenda on climate change, based on pressure and outreach from the UN and activists, with a statement from food and beverage company leaders calling for more worldwide action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural practices.
Business Group Outlines Expanding Action on UNGPs

December 07, 2016

A report from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development praises business implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights since their adoption by the UN Human Rights Council five years ago and analyzes trends toward BHR reporting and contributions toward the UN's "sustainable development" agenda.
Microsoft Pledges End to Greenhouse Gas Impacts

December 07, 2016

In a new publication, technology giant Microsoft highlights how it is responding to pressure from activists and international organizations on reducing its climate impacts by pledging to go "beyond carbon neutral" by working toward a world in which there are no greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere.
WEF Experts Seek "Values" in Tech Products

December 01, 2016

At the first meeting of its elite Network of Global Future Councils in Dubai, hundreds of nongovernmental, business, government, and international organization representatives convened by the World Economic Forum discussed how technology companies must embed "values," such as health and education, in their products to avoid widening economic disparities.
Bank Publishes Assessment of Labor Rights Impacts

November 30, 2016

A "social impact assessment" by the Netherlands-based ASN Bank and Impact Centre Erasmus exploring how the financial institution could, in line with the global business and human rights agenda, use its investments to promote the concept of the "living wage" includes a set of scorecards for apparel companies on wages in their supply chains.