Surveillance Capitalism

US Companies Announce Investments in UN Climate Agenda

July 29, 2015

As pressure from environmental activists, international organizations, and the US government for business implementation of the UN climate change agenda ramps up, a group of US companies has joined a pledge produced by the US State Department committing financial and operational support for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Consulting Firm Pushes Fossil Fuel Divestment Agenda

July 28, 2015

The global consulting firm Mercer has joined environmental activists and UN officials in a report warning that investors in companies and assets that are reliant on fossil fuels are taking on large risks as governments and international organizations ramp up efforts to take on climate change.
Unilever Issues First Report under BHR Framework

July 13, 2015

Consumer goods corporation Unilever has become the first company to issue a detailed report under the UN Guiding Principles Reporting Framework, a process of reporting on implementation of the UN business and human rights ("BHR") agenda developed by the nongovernmental organization Shift and the consultancy Mazars.
IKEA, UN Agency Push for Supply Chain Scrutiny

June 12, 2015

In a long-term plan under which companies would be pressured to accept responsibility for the "sustainability" of their forest supply chains, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and furniture retailer IKEA have announced an initiative in which they will explore funding for forest "certification" schemes.
Norway Pursues UN Coal Divestment Campaign

June 10, 2015

The Guardian reports that the Norwegian Parliament has endorsed legislation that seeks to implement the UN's and activists' fossil fuel divestment agenda by removing investments from coal projects around the world, affecting at least 122 companies.
US Oil and Gas Companies Steer Clear of Climate Coalition

June 10, 2015

US oil and gas companies Chevron and Exxon have announced that they will not join a coalition of their counterparts in Europe calling for a tax on carbon emissions because they wish to maintain control of their message in UN negotiations on climate change.
Academic Highlights Influence of NGOs on Businesses

June 03, 2015

Professor Menno Kamminga illustrates how nongovernmental organizations ("NGOs") are placing pressure on companies to accept the UN business and human rights ("BHR") agenda, arguing that businesses that do not respond to NGO human rights reports are not taking their BHR obligations seriously.
UN Summit Pushes Climate Policy Among Businesses

May 28, 2015

At a recent UN Business and Climate Summit hosted by the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization ("UNESCO") in Paris, speakers called for businesses to align their operations with the UN climate change agenda and for governments around the world to place a tax on carbon emissions.
Bank of America Accepts NGO Calls to Cut Coal Investments

May 21, 2015

The Guardian reports that, under pressure from a group of environmental organizations, Bank of America has announced a plan to reduce its exposure to coal extraction projects in a recently published policy statement.
Unilever Pushes Activist Agenda on Climate Change

May 08, 2015

The Chief Executive Officer of Unilever Paul Polman writes in The Guardian that his company has adopted the UN's agenda on sustainability and climate change, in part by forming a new organization of businesses, governments, and activist groups called Tropical Forest Alliance 2020.