BSR

Sustainability has moved from being an isolated outpost on the corporate periphery to a professional, structured function central to corporate strategy and governance. And yet today, the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) is at a crossroads.     While more visible and valued than ever before, heightened expectations and pressures are placing the CSO at risk of becoming overly focused on compliance at the expense of innovation and strategic foresight.     Amidst a backdrop of rapid changes in the sustainability landscape, BSR interviewed more than 30 CSOs to hear their perspectives on this dichotomy and understand where success can be found through professionalization and integration of this function.     From these discussions, three potential paths forward emerged through which CSOs can: illuminate new business opportunities; advocate for systemic change; and ensure that sustainability remains a priority at the highest levels of corporate decision-making.      In this latest report, go inside the mind of a CSO and explore avenues for maximum impact in the field of sustainable business: https://lnkd.in/eMSexCbe.     This report was authored by BSR’s Chief Impact Officer Laura Gitman and Managing Director, BSR Innovation Group, David S. Korngold, with additional guidance and insights from President and CEO Aron Cramer and Managing Director, Transformation Christine Diamente.     For direct comments or questions, reach out to web@bsr.org.     #sustainablebusiness #sustainablefuture #businesstransformation #governance  

"Employees and consumers have made it clear—when it comes to social issues, they still expect companies to act," shares Jennifer Stark, Co-Director of BSR’s Center for Business & Social Justice. A new poll based on a survey of 2,204 US adults, conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of BSR, reveals that adults are 4 times more likely to say companies should do more to promote social justice. In contrast, fewer than 20% of adults believe companies should stay out of these critical conversations. Explore other key findings and download the full report and fact sheet: https://lnkd.in/e8SaC-rN. #DEI #sustainablebusiness #humanresources #externalaffairs

What new challenges and opportunities does a just transition pose for stakeholder engagement? As businesses navigate the transition to a low-carbon economy, this NEW report offers ways to establish and engage in proactive, responsive, and ongoing conversations with impacted stakeholders throughout the just transition process. While the approach to stakeholder engagement and social dialogue may differ depending on whether a company is "transitioning out" of high-carbon assets and activities or "transitioning in" to low-carbon opportunities, the goal to integrate diverse stakeholder perspectives into the process remains key as businesses work to ensure a positive outcome for all involved. Read and download the report here: https://lnkd.in/eNgymDVi This guidance is intended for local practitioners at project and country levels involved in engaging the workforce and unions, stakeholders and communities, business partners, and governments within the energy and utilities sectors. It also serves site-level business functions responsible for operational decisions and corporate staff who develop frameworks to support colleagues in the field. While tailored for energy companies, the principles are applicable across various industries. This report was coauthored by BSR’s Andrey Pertsov and Ouida Chichester, with special thanks to all BSR colleagues and The B Team partners for their invaluable insights and contributions to this guidance, particularly Sierra L., Cameron Steagall, Anine Bundgård, Deborah Rigling Gallagher, Paloma Muñoz Quick, and the dedicated EJT participants. #sustainablebusiness #justtransition #regulatoryaffairs #energytransition #cleanenergyfuture 

What actions can business take to ensure that the renewable energy transition is just and responsible, specifically when it comes to minerals sourcing? Check out key takeaways from #ClimateWeekNYC panel featuring BSR Human Rights Associate Director Kayla Winarsky McKenzie and frontline communities directly affected by mining activities: https://lnkd.in/gm9fFet8. As Kayla points out, "Competing priorities can make it difficult for businesses to take actions to respect human rights.” As such, companies must move beyond a tick-box approach to free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) and work with trusted intermediaries to ensure that communities fully understand the implications of mining activities. Emily Iona Stewart, Global Witness, #justtransition, #transitionminerals, #bizhumanrights, #sustainablebusiness

What strategies are being used to advance affordable and sustainable innovation to infrastructure in the United States? Join us for the next episode of ESG Influencers where Susan Mac Cormac, Co-chair of the ESG Sustainability and Social Enterprise + Impact Investing Practice at Morrison Foerster and Lara Birkes, Managing Director, Climate and Nature at BSR will be joined by Jonah Goldman, Head of External Affairs and Impact at Generate to discuss strategies for accelerating sustainable infrastructure finance and development and how companies like Generate are leading the charge towards an “Infrastructure Revolution” through a broad set of sustainable infrastructure projects designed to adapt to our changing climate, such as sustainable energy, sustainable mobility, and sustainable water, waste, and agriculture. Tuesday, October 15  9-10am PT Register: https://lnkd.in/e8Nfh_D4 Learn more about ESG Influencers – Leading Transformative Change, a monthly conversation series co-hosted by BSR and Morrison Foerster: https://lnkd.in/gAUJi7YC #sustainablebusiness #externalaffairs #sustainablefinance  

Want to use your talent and ambition to make a positive impact in the world? Curious about what a career at BSR looks like? https://lnkd.in/eUFJuYn5 Join us for an informative presentation and Q&A with BSR staff on Monday, November 4 from 2:00pm – 2:45pm EST to learn more about working at BSR and advice for building a career in the sustainability field. Be sure to check out our careers page for all current openings. For students enrolled in a graduate/Master program at a Danish institution, we are looking for two interns to join our Nature and Climate team, and Sustainability Management team for the Spring semester (starting January 2025). Apply today: https://lnkd.in/drtV3Wm #sustainabilityjobs #sustainablebusiness #sustainability #internship Keyana H.

Members of BSR’s technology and human rights teams recommend five key considerations to effectively manage the social and environmental impacts of AI. https://lnkd.in/e8-XjiyH While business leaders recognize the risks associated with AI, companies are largely unprepared to address them. In response, many companies have adopted “Responsible AI” concepts that focus on AI principles and governance, liability reduction, and avoidance of immediate risks. While a step in the right direction, these approaches are insufficient to manage the profound impacts, risks, and opportunities posed by AI. BSR’s Lale Tekişalp, Brett Landau, MBA, and David S. Korngold discuss five key considerations for sustainability teams to understand and manage social and environmental issues as they navigate AI’s evolving landscape responsibly. To learn more about how BSR helps companies adopt an impact-based approach to Responsible AI, and to discuss what’s right for your organization, please reach out to us at web@bsr.org.  #responsibletech #sustainablebusiness #responsibleAI

What steps can your business take to implement climate tech solutions that support a low-carbon future? Join BSR at VERGE 24 on October 29-31 in San Jose, CA to explore emerging trends, take stock of new technologies, and work to accelerate the speed and scale of impact. Are you a BSR member who is planning to attend VERGE 24? If so, connect with BSR Climate and Technology experts Ameer Hamza Azim and Kelly Gallo over coffee and croissants on October 30th from 8:00am – 9:00am PST. This informal gathering provides a space to network with peers, share successes, and discuss challenges in meeting corporate climate goals and navigating the latest climate regulations. BSR members receive a 20% discount when registering with code V24BSR. Register for the full event to access the BSR session: https://buff.ly/3XmfvFn #responsibletech #sustainablebusiness #businesstransformation #verge24 Trellis Group 

Roughly 35 percent of time-bound sustainability goals set by BSR’s members are set to expire in 2025; another 40 percent are pegged to 2030. The world has faced profound changes since many companies established their sustainability commitments for 2025 and 2030, and as these horizons grow closer, it’s time to reflect on what they’ve learned and start thinking about what’s next. BSR’s Beth Richmond, Jacob Park, and Margot Brent discuss how companies can seize this moment to develop goals that are ambitious, credible, and flexible enough to be fit for the future, and analyze key trends that may impact or disrupt their attempts to do so. #sustainablebusiness #sustainabilityreporting #businesstransformation #corporatesustainability 

How can financial institutions prepare for compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)? CSDDD is requiring financial institutions (FIs) to change their approach to human rights and environmental due diligence within their business. In practice, banks, asset managers, and others must know and show that they manage the impacts of their operations on their workforce, on the individuals they serve, and on the environment. BSR’s Paloma Muñoz Quick, Kindra Mohr, Esq., and Bridgett Fisher discuss the implications CSDDD will have on the finance industry and how FIs should prepare for downstream due diligence in compliance with the law.   #sustainablefinance #csddd #compliance #duediligence