Surveillance Capitalism

NGOs Use US Law to Challenge Business Supply Chains

April 22, 2016

Tim Fernholz writes that nongovernmental organizations ("NGOs") are preparing to use new US legislation to force federal authorities to halt the importation of products whose often-complex supply chains include what these NGOs assert to be forced labor.
Exxon Strikes Back Against Legal Pressure over Climate Science

April 21, 2016

The New York Times reports that, facing investigations from US state attorneys general and allegations from activist organizations that it knew of the climate change risks of its activities since 1957, energy company Exxon Mobil has struck back against a court filing by the US Virgin Islands attorney general by asserting that the filing constituted an abuse of process.
IFC, Puma Push Suppliers on Environmental, Social Standards

April 21, 2016

The International Finance Corporation ("IFC") and sports apparel company Puma have launched an initiative providing financial incentives for companies in Puma's supply chain to abide by global social and environmental standards.
Ericsson Report Describes Support for SDGs

April 20, 2016

In its latest Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Report, communications technology company Ericsson summarizes how it has worked to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs") and other aspects of the UN's environmental and social agenda in its operations.
UN-backed Initiative Targets Businesswomen on Climate Change

April 18, 2016

The Guardian reports that a new, UN-supported initiative called "Two Degrees of Change" is calling on women in business leadership roles to promote the UN's climate change agenda on their corporate boards.
Institutional Investors Back ExxonMobil Climate Scrutiny

April 18, 2016

Reuters reports that the Church Commissioners for England has announced support among institutional investors for a shareholder resolution it recently proposed that would require energy company ExxonMobil to disclose the impacts of climate change policies on its business.
Study Indicates Influence of CEO Activism

April 15, 2016

As international organizations and activists seek support among corporate leaders for their business and human rights and environmental agendas, a new study by two business school professors finds that CEO activism on these and similar issues can have a significant influence on public opinion.
Mining Company Touts BHR, Sustainability Reporting

April 14, 2016

Newmont Mining Corporation has announced that it has become the first mining company to use the Reporting Framework for the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ("BHR") to publicize its implementation of the global BHR agenda, and has also reported on its "sustainability" efforts using standards produced by the Global Reporting Initiative.
HP Pledges 100 Percent Renewable Energy

April 13, 2016

Demonstrating the pressure on businesses from activists and international organizations to commit to goals to prevent climate change, technology company HP has pledged to implement the UN climate change and sustainability agendas through a move to 100 percent renewable electricity in its operations.
Paper Examines Effects of Social Movements on Companies

April 07, 2016

An article by Panayiotis Georgallis of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor examines how social movements can influence the behavior of corporate leaders and cause them to advance social initiatives, including by making such initiatives more attractive by modifying the expectations of businesses' stakeholders.