UN-ESG

ISO Publishes Revised "Environmental Management" Standard

March 03, 2016

The International Organization for Standardization ("ISO") has produced a revised standard that provides a framework for businesses and other organizations, regardless of size, to meet the "growing imperative" of establishing a "sound environmental management system," in line with the agenda of the UN and activists on "sustainability" issues.
New York Calls for SEC to Force Exxon Climate Vote

March 02, 2016

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and other shareholders in energy company Exxon Mobil have petitioned the US Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") to force Exxon to permit a vote on a resolution that would require the company to report annually on its response to business risks relating to climate change.
Businesses Face Complications in Creating Climate-Friendly Supply Chains

March 02, 2016

The International Business Times reports that, as they seek to pass on to their suppliers pressure they receive from international organizations, governments, and activists over their contributions to climate change, businesses are finding that it is difficult to change the behavior of, or even receive a response from, their suppliers on the climate impacts of their operations.
NGO Pushes Development Through Corporate Tax Reporting

March 02, 2016

Chris Hegarty has published an article in which he explains how his nongovernmental organization Christian Aid has sought to further the global economic, social, and cultural rights agenda by encouraging transparency in the taxation of companies around the world, including through country-by-country tax reporting by multinational corporations.
Article Pushes Business Transparency in Climate Efforts

February 25, 2016

An article in Time sets out criteria by which climate activists should judge corporate commitments to combat climate change, including whether commitments includes a pledge to publicly report on the companies' ongoing efforts.
Oxfam Expresses Concern on EITI Efforts

February 24, 2016

A press release from Oxfam warns that the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative ("EITI"), an initiative that seeks to increase transparency in the natural resources industry, is risking irrelevance as it fails, in Oxfam's view, to ensure sufficient public reporting on the activities of businesses in this sector.
NGOs Seek Expansive EU Conflict Mineral Rules

February 23, 2016

A coalition of nongovernmental organizations have published a document criticizing a draft proposal, under negotiation among EU institutions, on corporate reporting on the use of "conflict minerals" from war-torn areas of Africa for being limited and voluntary, and calling on EU member states to support rules that require more expansive corporate supply-chain due diligence.
ISO Advances Global Standard on Occupational Safety

February 23, 2016

The International Organization for Standardization ("ISO") has announced that it has secured approval of a worldwide standard on occupational health and safety, which it hopes will provide a "robust and effective set of processes for improving work safety in global supply chains," as a Draft International Standard for public consultation.
UK Plans Reporting on Gender Pay Gaps

February 22, 2016

The Independent reports that the British Government is planning a proposal that would require companies with over 250 employees to publish information on disparities in compensation between male and female employees and that would provide for a table that lists the "worst offenders."
GRI Forms Network to Push SDGs

February 19, 2016

The Global Reporting Initiative ("GRI") has announced a GOLD Community to gather businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and intergovernmental agencies that wish to further the UN's Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs") through GRI's reporting techniques.