NFRCSR (Non-Financial Reporting and CSR) Resource Centre >
International section >
Notes and related content Detailed map of International section Sitemap
International normative frameworks
Standardization and CSR; Standards for (on) CSR
· York University (Toronto) >>
o CSR = Compendium of Ethics Codes and Instruments of Corporate Responsibility (By Dr. Wesley Cragg and Ran Goel) > e.g.
§ Guide to CSR Instruments profiles 16 leading standards, codes, guidelines and principles of corporate responsibility.
· GRI Global Reporting Initiative >
o Learning > Journal Articles >
§ Executive Briefing: The Future of Corporate Responsibility Codes, Standards and Frameworks (.pdf, April 2005, 4 pp.; By Ernst Ligteringen, GRI and Simon Zadek, AccountAbility)
· The Executive Briefing demystifies the confusion surrounding the various tools on offer to companies wishing to systematically address corporate responsibility as part of their business strategy.
· WBCSD World Business Council for Sustainable Development > e.g.
o Focus Areas > Business Role > Publications >
§ Issue Management Tool : Strategic challenges for business in the use of corporate responsibility codes, standards, and frameworks (October 2004; .pdf has 48 pp.; Prepared by the AccountAbility for WBCSD)
· CSRwire »The Corporate Social Responsibility Newswire« > e.g.
§ A searchable online resource guide listing more than 2,700 organizations working on all aspects of corporate social responsibility in 105 countries.
§ > e.g.
· Search Category:
o Accountability and Monitoring Orgs
o Business Policy Global Networks
o International Business Policy Orgs
o International Orgs
o Labor Orgs & Programs
o National & Local Gov't Programs and Initiatives
o National & Regional Business Orgs
o Parliaments & Networks
o Principles
o Professional & Pro Bono Orgs and Programs
§ See also:
· Business & Society Highlights 2008 (.pdf, 20 October 2008, 14 pp.; Useful links document to business, SRI and CSR highlights from 2008; By Michael Kane; via RI Responsible Investor)
· Business and Society Highlights of 2006
o A round-up of the most important developments in CSR by Michael Kane, editor of CSR Directory (via EthicsWorld)
· UN Global Compact > e.g.
o About Us > e.g.
o Issues > e.g.
§ Human Rights
§ Labour
§ Environment
§ Anti-Corruption
§ Business and Peace
§ Financial Markets > e.g.
· Documents & Standards >
o Promoting Corporate Environmental, Social and Governance Policies with National Governments and Investors (.pdf, Revised 5 February 2008, 10 pp.; By Michael J. Kane)
§ The purpose of this list is to provide examples of environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies promoted by national governments, international organizations, investors, and related organizations worldwide.
· Further Links > e.g.
o Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI; In partnership with UNEP FI - Finance Initiative) > e.g.
§ What's New >
· Media release Global Investors issue US$4 trillion Incentive for Sustainability (.pdf, 27 October 2008, 2 pp.)
o The 52 investors who manage around US$4.4 trillion in assets have written to companies in the MSCI World, FTSE All-World and IFC Emerging Markets Indices to ask them to sign the United Nations Global Compact, which is a set of 10 principles of corporate responsibility.
§ Partnerships for Development
§ UN/Business Partnerships
o News & Events > e.g.
§ Archive >
· News Archive >
o Business Leaders Urge Nations to Seal the Climate Deal in Copenhagen and Build the Green Economy (23 April 2009)
§ Sealing a comprehensive climate deal in 2009 will be crucial for the future health of business and societies across the world, a gathering of senior business leaders said today at the close of the Business for the Environment (B4E) summit in Paris.
§ In a closing 'Manifesto' (.pdf, 3 pp., titled »The Green Imperative«), summit participants urged governments "unlock the potential for sustainable, green innovation and job creation" by forging ahead towards a low-carbon society.
o Global Compact Paper Outlines Priority Actions for Business (29 January 2009) >
§ Global Sustainability in the 21st Century: An Action Plan for Business (January 2009; .pdf has 4 pp.)
· See also
o Related article at SocialFunds: UN Global Compact Calls on Corporations to Address Climate Change (6 February 2009) - Marking the tenth anniversary of its formation, the initiative focuses its corporate sustainability efforts on collaboration for a low-carbon economy.
· Event Archive > Leaders Summit 2007 (5-6 July 2007, Geneva) > e.g.
o Speeches
o New Initiatives >
§ Business Leaders Platform on Climate Change
§ The Principles for Responsible Management Education
o Reports and Material
o News items > e.g.
§ Summary of Ministerial Roundtable on the role of Governments in promoting Responsible Corporate Citizenship (Chairperson's summary document (.pdf) has 2 pp.)
§ Business Leaders Adopt Declaration on Responsible Business Practices (= Geneva Declaration; .pdf has 2 pp.)
§ Business Leaders Call for Climate Action (launched by UN GC in cooperation with UNEP and WBCSD) > e.g.
· Caring for Climate: The Business Leadership Platform >
o Caring for Climate Statement (.pdf, 2 pp.)
· See also, e.g.:
o related article at WBCSD
o related article at Environmental Leader: CEOs Sign Numerous Environmental Pledges At Global Compact Summit
§ CEOs Issue Global Call to Action on Water Crisis >
· CEO Water mandate (= Water Sustainability; Developed in partnership with Government of Sweden; .pdf has 12 pp.)
§ UN and the private sector partner to address Climate Change in China
§ Official Launch of the GLN Global Compact Implementation Tool >
o A tool to promote the integration of responsible business practices into core business strategy (= interactive strategic planning tool and other learning resources to promote corporate citizenship as a key driver of business success.)
§ United Nations Global Compact issues International call for responsible business education
· See also related news: Business Schools to Advance Corporate Citizenship through the Principles for Responsible Management Education (New York, 13 July 2007) >
o PRME The Principles for Responsible Management Education (.pdf, July 2007, 12 pp.)
· See also:
o PRME Principles for Responsible Management Education
o EFMD European Foundation for Management Development > Public Sector, Entrepreneurship and Global Responsibility >
§ The Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative
o GRLI Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative
· AccountAbility = Institute of Social and Ethical AccountAbility (UK) > e.g.
o Our work > e.g.
§ Responsible Competitiveness
§ Accountable organisations & institutions
· AccountAbility works with leading businesses and other organisations that are commited to becoming more accountable. We develop tools and standards for organisational accountability which drive performance and enable people to have a voice in the decisions that affect them.
§ Strategic planning
§ AA1000 Series
§ Stakeholder engagement
§ Collaborative Governance
· Greenleaf Publishing > e.g.
o Journals > AccountAbility Forum
· GRI Global Reporting Initiative
o The GRI's vision is that reporting on economic, environmental, and social performance by all organizations is as routine and comparable as financial reporting.
o The GRI network accomplishes this vision by developing, continuously improving and building capacity around the use of a Sustainability Reporting Framework, the core of which are the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines.
· WBCSD World Business Council for Sustainable Development > e.g.
o Focus Areas >
§ Energy & Climate
§ Development
§ Business Role > e.g.
· Publications > e.g.
o Beyond Reporting: Creating business value and accountability (June 2005)
o Raising the Bar: Creating Value with the UN Global Compact (June 2004)
o Issue Management Tool : Strategic challenges for business in the use of corporate responsibility codes, standards, and frameworks
§ Ecosystems
o Projects/Initiatives >
§ Energy Eff. in Buildings
§ Water
§ Sustainable Value Chain
§ Capacity Building
· »The WBCSD’s Capacity Building program helps member companies and the Regional Network to implement sustainable development policies and practices across their business functions and operations.«
§ Eco-Patent Commons
· IBLF The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum
o The International Business Leaders Forum works with business, governments and civil society to enhance the contribution that companies can make to sustainable development.
o > e.g.
§ Activities >
· Economic Development
· Social Development
o Conflict
o Health
o Human Rights
o Sport
o Corruption
· Environmental Development
· Leadership
o Leadership Visits
o Clinton Global Initiative
· Partnerships
· Business Standards
o Business standards are at the root of IBLF's approach to responsible business.
o Applying sound business standards can contribute directly to improved competitiveness and a better reputation - but the fact is that reputation has to be earned and won through demonstrable action, not just PR and communications.
o >
§ Corruption
§ Millennium Development Goals
§ Conflict
§ Business Call To Action
§ Environment
§ Enterprise
· Networks
o Business Action for Africa
o UK Network of the UN Global Compact
o ENGAGE
o Voluntary Principles on Security on Human Rights
· Youth
· Programmes
o International Tourism Partnership
o Digital Partnership
o The Partnering Initiative
o Youth Business International
o Youth Career Initiative
o >>
§ International Initiatives to Promote Responsible Business – A Navigation Guide for Business (.pdf, October 2008, 21 pp.; By Anna Bohman and Graham Minter)
· This document aims to provide a user-friendly, balanced and impartial guide to help businesses to navigate their way through this maze. It seeks to articulate clearly the key aspects of three cross-industry initiatives:
o The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
o The United Nations Global Compact Principles
o The IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability
· > also
o Annex: International Guidelines (pp. 18-19)
· World Economic Forum (WEF; Geneva, Switzerland) > e.g.
o Initiatives
o Media > Latest Press Releases > e.g.
§ Business leaders urged to take part in greater public-private cooperation to strengthen public governance (25 January 2008) >
· Partnering to Strengthen Public Governance – The Leadership Challenge for CEO’s and Boards (.pdf, 20 pp.)
o See also:
§ related press release at CSRwire: BSR News from Davos: Businesses Urged to Take Part in Greater Public-Private Cooperation to Strengthen Global Governance (25 January 2008)
· ILO (International Labour Organization; Geneva, Switzerland) > Offices, Departments and Programmes > e.g.
o Standards and Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
o Employment > e.g. Job creation and enterprise development > e.g.
§ Management and Corporate Citizenship Programme > e.g.
· Management Systems & Decent Work
· Standards, Management & Enterprises
§ The Multinational Enterprises Programme is responsible for the promotion and follow-up of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) > e.g.
· Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) >
o CSR and Decent Work (CSR Activities at the ILO):
§ Safework
§ Social Dialogue
§ International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
§ Multi
o Global Compact (The ILO and the UN Global Compact)
o ISO
o BASI (database on Business and Social Initiatives) (last updated ??)
§ »The BASI (Business and Social Initiatives) Database includes comprehensive information on private sector initiatives which address labour and social conditions in the workplace and in the community where enterprises operate. The database features corporate policies and reports, codes of conduct, accreditation and certification criteria, and labelling and other programmes. It allows you to undertake customized searches to retrieve information on specific companies and organizations, countries, regions, business sectors and labour and employment issues.«
§ Corporate social responsibility topics are categorized in >
· Implementation and evaluation processes
o (Accreditation / certification; Campaigns; Critiques; Investment screens; Monitoring (by employer; by external organisation; by workers); Shareholder initiatives / resolutions; Social accounting / auditing; Social indicators; Social labels; Social reporting; Training programme (for employers; external monitors; workers); Verification
· Policy initiatives
o (Business ethics / business principles; Code of conduct / policy; Fair trade; Framework Agreement)
· Reference points
o (ILO Conventions & Declarations; Industry standards; International Covenants; National law and regulations; OECD Guidelines on MNEs; Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
· Scope of application
o (Business partners; Parent company)
§ You can combine above categories with ones in these topics:
· Labour & Employment Topics
· Source Organization(s)
o (Organization(s) which generated the information)
· Subject Organizations
o (Organization(s) which are the subject of the information)
· Sectors
· Countries / Regions
o > also
§ ICFTU policy on CSR (ITUC since November 2006)
§ IOE policy on CSR
§ INFORM Resource Guide on CSR
· Promotional Activities and Technical Cooperation:
o Promotional Activities:
§ Tripartite Seminars
o Technical Cooperation:
§ Sustainable Development through the Global Compact
§ Piloting CSR through globally agreed guidelines project
· Research (Publications) > e.g.
o Information note on corporate social responsibility and international labour standards (.pdf, November 2003, 15 pp.)
o ILO homepage > e.g.
§ Site map > Offices, Departments and Programmes > e.g.
· Reporting to the Director-General > e.g.
o Policy Integration Department > e.g.
§ Globalization > e.g.
· Publications > e.g.
o Working Paper No. 27:
§ Corporate social responsibility: an issues paper (.pdf, May 2004, 41 pp.; By: Michael Hopkins)
o Working Paper No. 34:
§ Corporate social responsibility: an overview of principles and practice (.pdf, May 2004, 31 pp.; By: Jill Murray)
· Historical (ICFTU became ITUC in November 2006)
o ICFTU International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (Brussels, Belgium; No longer updated ??) >> e.g.
§ A Trade Union Guide to Globalisation (November 2004, Second Edition; .pdf has 172 pp.) > e.g.
· Chapter 6: The Social Responsibilities of Business (.pdf has 29 pp.)
· OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development > e.g.
o By Topic > Governance >
· Corporate Governance Principles
· Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises > e.g.
o What's new > e.g.
§ OECD-ILO Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (23-24 June 2008; Relating to OECD-ILO Conference on employment and industrial relations: Promoting responsible business conduct in a globalising economy) > e.g.
· Documentation > e.g.
o Background document: Overview of selected initiatives and instruments relevant to corporate social responsibility (.pdf, 32 pp.; Prepared by Paul Hohnen)
§ Private CSR initiatives: Corporate Codes of Conduct, Multi-stakeholder Initiatives, Certification and Labelling, Model Codes, Sectoral Initiatives, International Framework Agreements (IFAs), Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Initiatives
§ Standards endorsed by governments (Although approaches to CSR are for each company to determine, government has an important role to play in helping to shape their understanding of what is generally expected of them. At the international level, governments have adopted standards and principles in conventions and declarations which constitute an international normative framework.)
o By Department >
§ OECD Secreteriat > DAF Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs > International Investment >
· World Bank > e.g.
o Learning > Learning Programs >
§ Business, Competitiveness, & Development > e.g.
o (Articles, Papers, Case studies, Educational tools, Presentations, Reports; Last updated in 2004 ??)
· More Resources = Virtual Resource Centers > e.g.
o Key Corporate Responsibility Codes, Principles and Standards
· IFC (International Finance Corporation) >
o Sectors >
§ Related Departments >
· Financial & Private Sector Development >??>
o Corporate Social Responsibility >??> e.g.
§ Research (Publications) > e.g.
· Diagnostic (and Appraisal) Tool (2003)
o »The purpose of the tool is to aid in the formulation of recommendations on public sector interventions and instruments that can be appropriately deployed in encouraging CSR.«
o > e.g.
§ Annex B: Instruments, Standards, Codes, Guidelines and Company Reports used in Compiling the CSR Categories and Practices (.pdf, 5 pp.; with hypertext links)
· Public Sector Roles in Strengthening CSR
o News > e.g.
§ Press Releases > e.g.
· IFC and AccountAbility to Help Emerging Market Companies Become CSR Leaders (16 October 2008)
· UNIDO UN Industrial Development Organization > e.g.
o Services > e.g.
§ Private Sector Development > e.g.
· Clusters & Business Linkages Unit > e.g.
o CSR - Reaching out to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises > e.g.
§ Projects >
· UNRISD (UN Research Institute for Social Development; Geneva, Switzerland; Also French and Spanish versions of website) »carries out research on the social dimensions of contemporary problems affecting development« > e.g.
o Research > e.g.
§ Markets, Business and Regulation
· UNRISD's work for the Markets, Business and Regulation Programme Area focuses on the following aspects:
o Privatization and commercialization of public services
o Institutional dimensions of business regulation
o Activism, corporate globalization and policy responses
o Business and poverty reduction
· > Research Projects: e.g.
o Business Responsibility for Sustainable Development (2000-2005)
§ The Business Responsibility for Sustainable Development project promotes research and policy dialogue on corporate social and environmental responsibility. It examines whether or not transnational corporations (TNCs) and other companies are taking meaningful steps to improve their social and environmental record, particularly in developing countries.
§ Considerable attention is focused on the effectiveness of "voluntary initiatives" such as codes of conduct, social and environmental reporting, certification, labelling, corporate social investment and improvements in environmental management systems.
§ > This Project's... > e.g.
· Publications > e.g.
o Rethinking Business Regulation: From Self-Regulation to Social Control (1 September 2005, 54 pp.)
o Barricades and Boardrooms: A Contemporary History of the Corporate Accountability Movement (6 June 2004)
· Unpublished Papers > e.g.
o Regulating Corporations: A Resource Guide (July 2004, 51 pp.; By Desiree Abrahams)
· Research Team > e.g.
o Research Co-ordinator(s):
o Social Responses to Inequalities and Policy Changes (2005-2009)
§ This project will examine the nature of social contestation, activism and policy change related to a number of areas of macro-economic policy and institutional reform. These include:
· development aid
· debt relief
· trade and subsidy policy
· privatization
· corporate malpractice
· corporate accountability.
· Or:
o Homepage >
§ Quick links >
o »Advanced Search« might be useful
· Chatham House - The Royal Institute of International Affairs (St James's Square, London) > e.g.
o Research > e.g.
§ Energy, Environment and Development > e.g.
· Reports and Papers > e.g.
o Following up the World Summit on Sustainable Development Commitments on Corporate Social Responsibility: Options for Action by Governments (February 2005; .pdf has 105 pp.)
§ Addendum - International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (May 2006, By Paul Hohnen; .pdf has 18 pp.)
o Following-up the WSSD commitments on Corporate Social Responsibility (February 2004; .pdf has 75 pp.)
· UNEP/Wuppertal Institute Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP) > e.g.
o Our Projects >>
§ Resource Efficiency Instruments (2007)
· The CSCP together with the German Society for Technical Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit – GTZ) and the Wuppertal Institute have jointly published a compendium of policy instruments for resource efficiency.
· Eldis »sharing the best in development policy, practice and research« > e.g.
o Topics > Resource guides >
· Europa >> European Commission >>
o Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities > e.g.
§ Working for you > Partners >
o We promote the Social Dialogue between the representatives of the European trade unions and employers' organisations – the social partners.
· Non-governmental organisations > Related Links:
o Social Platform = Platform of European Social NGOs > e.g.
§ Policy and Action > e.g.
· Corporate Social Responsibility >
o News
· Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) > e.g.
o Further Information >
§ Events > Events Archive > e.g.
· Partnership and transparency at the heart of European Corporate Social Responsibility (30 October 2008)
o Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a rapidly developing area in Europe and this dynamic is an integral part of the fight for social cohesion, economic growth and sustainable development on our continent.
o See also:
§ Related article at GRI: How can governments play a role in promoting sustainability? (25 November 2008)
· Corporate Social Responsibility - CSR at the global level: what role for the EU? (7 December 2007)
o The international dimension of Corporate Social Responsibility is a main pillar of the CSR strategy of the European Commission, with the ambition to make Europe a pole of excellence in CSR.
o Related Documents >
§ Corporate social responsibility - National public policies in the European Union (.pdf, September 2007, 100 pp.)
o >> (historical): Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) website > also
§ CSR at national level > Compendium on national public policies on CSR in the European Union
· See also:
o RIMAS Research Institute for Managing Sustainability (Vienna, Austria; also here) > Projects > EU projects >
§ CSR policies in Europe = Analysis of national public policies on CSR, in support of a structured exchange of information on national CSR policies and initiatives
o Enterprise and Industry >
§ Policy highlights > Corporate social responsibility > e.g.
o Communication on CSR titled »Implementing the Partnership for Growth and Jobs: Making Europe a pole of excellence on CSR« (see also at PreLex)
§ Published: 22 March 2006
§ Related Press Release
· See also:
o critical Briefing Paper (22 March 2006; at Business & Human Rights Resource Centre) on this Communication by Richard Howitt (MEP, European Parliament Rapporteur on the CSR Green Paper and MEP representative on the European Commission Multi-Stakeholder Forum)
§ »This paper shows how the European Commission's 2006 Communication on CSR exactly repeats past commitments from its previous Green and White Papers and the final report of its Multi-Stakeholder Forum - failing to build on past progress and commit itself to more specific actions or timetables.
§ In addition it shows how the European Commission in this Communication is retreating from ten key commitments from the past, which it fails to address in this Communication.«
o related articles at EurActiv:
§ Open dispute between Commission and NGOs on CSR (23 March 2006)
§ CSR initiative provokes NGO protests (21 March 2006)
§ Friends of the Earth Europe: Commissioner Verheugen hijacks EU process on CSR (13 March 2006)
o Communication of July 2002
o Green Paper of July 2001
· CSR and SMEs > e.g.
o EU funded projects that support CSR amongst SMEs (= Mainstreaming CSR among SMEs; From 2005 to 2008)
§ The work of the group is structured around 7 key topics > also
· Toolkits and management systems, including reporting
· European Multi-stakeholder Forum on CSR >
o Forum Meeting, February 2009 = “CSR Review meeting” CSR Multi-Stakeholder Forum (10 February 2009, Brussels) >
§ Speech by Vice-President Verheugen (.pdf has 5 pp.)
§ Watch recorded highlights of the CSR Forum meeting
§ European Commission activities to promote CSR 2007 - 2008 (.pdf has 24 pp.)
· This document is structured according to the 8 priority areas for action outlined in the Commission’s Communication on CSR adopted in March 2006 (COM(2006)136 final).
o 1. Awareness-raising and best practice exchange.
o 2. Support for multistakeholder initiatives.
o 3. Cooperation with Member States.
o 4. Consumer information and transparency.
o 5. Research.
o 6. Education.
o 7. Small and medium-sized enterprises.
o 8. The international dimension of CSR.
§ CSR policies of EU Member States (2007 publication, DG Employment and Social Affairs) (.pdf has 100 pp.)
§ Review and recommendations from stakeholder organisations:
· BUSINESSEUROPE (.pdf has 6 pp.)
· CSR Europe (.pdf has 9 pp.)
· European Academy of Business in Society (EABIS) (.pdf has 6 pp.)
· European Bahá’í Business Forum (EBBF) (.pdf has 4 pp.)
· European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public services (CEEP) (.pdf has 4 pp.)
· EUROCHAMBRES (.pdf has 5 pp.)
· European Coalition for Corporate Justice (ECCJ) (.pdf has 5 pp.)
· European Savings Banks Group (ESBG) (.pdf has 3 pp.)
· European Sustainable Investment Forum (Eurosif) (.pdf has 6 pp.)
· Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE) (.pdf has 2 pp.)
· International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) (.pdf has 4 pp.)
· International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (.pdf has 5 pp.)
· Research Group for an Alternative Economic Strategy (GRESEA) (.pdf has 2 pp.)
· VADEREGIO (.pdf has 5 pp.)
· UEAPME (European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) (.pdf has 5 pp.)
o Forum review meeting 2006 = European Multistakeholder Forum on CSR: Review Meeting (7 December 2006) >
§ Review of recommendations by stakeholders:
· Compendium of actions by stakeholders (.pdf has 154 pp.)
· Detailed descriptions of actions taken by different organisations (= Initiative descriptions submitted by):
o Business Social Compliance Initiative (.pdf has 12 pp.)
o Cooperatives Europe (.pdf has 8 pp.)
o CSR Europe (.pdf has 148 pp.)
o EABIS (.pdf has 75 pp.)
o Eurocadres/CEC (.pdf has 3 pp.)
o EUROCHAMBRES (.pdf has 46 pp.)
o EuroCommerce (.pdf has 6 pp.)
o European Savings Banks Group (.pdf has 12 pp.)
o EUROSIF (.pdf has 11 pp.)
o Industrial Minerals Association – Europe (.pdf has 5 pp.)
o UEAPME (.pdf has 16 pp.)
o UNICE (.pdf has 31 pp.)
· Review of recommendations by European Commission (.pdf has 65 pp.)
o = Compendium of actions by European Commission
· Update on CSR policies of EU Member States (.pdf has 145 pp.)
§ see also
· related press release (8 December 2006)
o Final report and roundtable reports, July 2004
o Forum meetings 2002- 2004
· European Alliance for CSR
· European Parliament >>
o EMPL Committee on Employment and Social Affairs > e.g.
§ Activities > e.g.
· Adopted reports > e.g.
o Richard Howitt: 21 December 2006
§ Report on corporate social responsibility: a new partnership
· See also, e.g.:
o related article at EurActiv: Parliament criticises Commission on CSR (13 March 2007)
o Procedure file at Legislative Observatory
o related article at Norwich Union Risk Services: 'Time to test' corporate social responsibility claims (13 March 2007)
o Report on the Communication from the Commission concerning Corporate Social Responsibility: A business contribution to Sustainable Development (28 April 2003; Rapporteur: Philip Bushill-Matthews)
o Report on the Commission Green Paper on Promoting a European framework for Corporate Social Responsibility (30 April 2002; Rapporteur: Richard Howitt)
· EESC European Economic and Social Committee »A bridge between Europe and organised civil society« > e.g.
o Documents > e.g.
§ Opinions >
· Section: SOC – Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship >
o SOC/244: Social Responsibility of Business COM(2006) 136 final (14 December 2006; Rapporteur: Pichenot)
o SOC/192: Opinion of the EESC on Information and measurement instruments for corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a globalised economy (8 June 2005)
§ »The EESC adopted an opinion by 135 votes to 2 with 18 abstentions. The text gives an overview of developments in the field of CSR transparency and makes proposals to extending the use of CSR instruments and make the measurement of CSR more reliable and more transparent.«
o (Or) Sections >
§ SOC Section (Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship) >
· Areas of Activity >
· Europa > Documents > European law > Summaries of legislation > e.g.
o Enterprise >
§ Business environment > Improving the business environment >
· Corporate social responsibility (CSR) > e.g.
o Promoting corporate social responsibility
· EurActiv >
o Policy Sections >
§ Social Europe >
· CSR >> e.g.
· CSR Europe »The European business network for CSR«
o CSR Europe is the leading European business network for corporate social responsibility with around 70 multinational corporations and 25 national partner organisations as members.
o > e.g.
§ Activities > e.g.
· CSR Europe's Toolbox >
o Integrated Workplace
o Human Capital
o R(E)volutionary Business Models
o Sustainable Production & Consumption
o Communication & Transparency
· CSR Laboratories
· B2B Working Groups
· EU and Stakeholder Dialogue >
§ In 2005 CSR Europe and its national partner organisations led an open initiative for all enterprises across Europe titled the "European Roadmap for Businesses - Towards a Sustainable and Competitive Enterprise".
§ European Council
§ European Parliament
§ European Commission
§ The European Alliance for CSR
§ The European Multi-Stakeholder Forum on CSR
§ Integration of CSR within European Policy
§ CSR Europe's Dialogue and Engagement with Other European Stakeholders
· Information Services >
o Links > Search Links > e.g.
§ Select CSR Theme: Leadership and Governance
· CSR Solutions >
§ Membership > e.g.
· National Partner Network > e.g.
§ News > e.g.
· Search News > e.g.
o Select CSR Theme: Leadership and Governance
§ Events
· BUSINESSEUROPE »The Confederation of European Business«
o = ex UNICE »Union des Industries de la Communauté européenne« (name was changed in January 2007)
o > e.g.
§ >>
§ Documentation >
· Archives >> e.g.
o Making Europe a pole of excellence on CSR - The European Alliance for CSR, progress review 2007 (4 March 2008; .pdf has 53 pp.)
§ See also
· related news: European Alliance on CSR: strong business engagement
· download .pdf at CSR Europe
· ECCJ European Coalition for Corporate Justice brings together national platforms of civil society organizations including NGOs, trade unions, consumers’ organizations and academic institutions promoting Corporate Accountability (CA) from all over Europe. ECCJ represents over 250 civil society organisations present in 16 different countries around Europe is an initiative from 16 European organisations. > e.g.
o Thematic priorities > e.g.
§ Reforming the liability framework
o Corporate Justice at European Level >
o See also, e.g.:
§ EurActiv >>
· Study calls for more accountability of EU corporations (30 May 2008)
· SOMO »Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations« > e.g.
o Publications >> e.g.
§ Corporate Social Responsibility at EU level (November 2006; .pdf has 12 pp.)
· This paper outlines the perspective of the European Coalition for Corporate Justice (ECCJ) on recent CSR policy developments at the EU level. A number of CSR policy recommendations are made to the European Commission.
· Creating Sustainable Value (Blog by Milena Moraru) >
· UNDP UN Development Programme >
o Regions > Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States > News >>
§ EC, UNDP to promote responsible business in new and prospective EU members (11 January 2007) >>
· Special website: Accelerating CSR in New Europe > CSR Database > Supplementary Part >
o EU and national level policy on CSR
o CSR Vaderegio is a platform for public policies for promotion of CSR at regional level. This European platform reflects the need for sharing as widely as possible the experience and good practices of CSR policies promoted by regional and local authorities.
o Regions (by July 2006):
§ Andalusia, Estonia, Flanders, London, Nord Pas De Calais, North Rhine-Westphalia, Scotland, Sicily region, The Banska Bystrica region, The Basque Country, The South Danish region, Tuscany, Yorkshire and Humber
· LIUC The Università Carlo Cattaneo > Ricerca > Centri >
o CELE Centre for Ethics, Law and Economics (has founded the Q-RES Project in 1999) >?>
§ Convergence of CSR management standards in Italy, Germany, France and the UK by developing and promoting a common CSR framework, terminology and management tools (.pdf, March 2005, 137 pp.; Final research report; Editor: Simone de Colle; At Corporate Accountability website (Last updated in September 2007 ??))
· Project partners:
o AFNOR (France; has produced SD21000 Standard)
o Zentrum für Wirtschaftsethik (ZfW, Germany; has founded ValuesManagementSystem)
o AccountAbility (UK; AA1000)
o The SIGMA Project (UK)
o FORGE Group
· ESADE Business School (Spain) > e.g.
o Faculty & Research > Research > Research units >
§ Social Innovation Institute > e.g.
· Resources >
o CSR & SME Electronic Database
§ The distinguishing and essential trait of this tool is its legibility and navigation. It is based on two principle classifications or filters:
· resource typology (tool, initiative, document or organisation) and
· its degree of relevance for SMEs (general CSR, partially addressing SMEs, centred on SMEs, or others).
§ > e.g.
· Search
· CSRQuest project (updated ??)
o This website is dedicated to supporting learning and knowledge development in the field of corporate responsibility and strategic management. The focus is on the 4CR framework which has been designed to integrate the various strands of corporate responsibility and to support their integration in strategic management and mainstream business operation.
o The Network is co-ordinated by the Economics department of Athens University of Economics and Business
· EUROCHAMBRES > e.g.
o What we do > e.g.
§ European Affairs > e.g.
· Competitive Europe > e.g.
· Education & Training > e.g.
o Corporate Social Responsibility - CSR
o Publications > e.g.
· Corporate Social Responsibility in SMEs - Practical examples to foster SMEs' competitiveness
o Lead organisation: KMU Forschung Austria (Austrian Research Institute for SME research; Project title: CSR and competitiveness – European SMEs good practice)
o The project is funded by the European Commission
o Project duration: May 2006 - April 2008
o > e.g.
§ Downloads >
· Consolidated European Report
· Reports for: Austria, Finland, Germany, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain
· In each report there is also chapter on »(Semi-) Public Actors and Their Strategies with Regard to CSR«
§ Additional Information on CSR
· For the seven analysed countries as well at the European level names and internet links of (public) authorities active in the field of CSR, specific CSR organisations exclusively dealing with CSR and prize awards for enterprises engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility can be found. Furthermore, an overview on the most important national and supra-national publications and research studies dealing with CSR can be retrieved.
· TCC The Copenhagen Centre > e.g.
o Campaign Report on European CSR Excellence 2003-2004 – It simply works better! (.pdf, December 2003, 79 pp.)
o The Rule of CSR and the Role of Law – Re-defining the role of policy in CSR (.pdf, 2006, 4 pp.)
· The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) is the representative organisation of more than 700,000 European lawyers through its member bars and law societies from 31 full member countries, and 6 further observer countries.
o Activities > CCBE Committees & working groups > Working groups >
§ CSR (Corporate Social Responsibilities)
o Documents > Position Papers >
§ Corporate Social Responsibility and the role of the legal profession - a guide for European lawyers advising on corporate social responsibility issues (.pdf, 29 April 2005, 27 pp.)
· EABIS European Academy of Business in Society > e.g.
o Research > e.g.
§ CSR Platform > e.g.
· Latest Information > Recent Events >
o EABIS 5th Annual Colloquium: Corporate Sustainability, Strategic Management & the Stakeholder View of the Firm (11-12 September 2006; SDA Bocconi, Milan, Italy) > e.g.
§ Proceedings (publicly available, login required)
· Multistakeholder Colloquium (Annually; Proceedings available, login required)
§ Role of government - The changing role of government: The Relational State and its Implications for Corporate Responsibility (March 2005 – June 2006)
o Events > e.g.
§ Past EABIS events > e.g.
· EABIS 4th Annual Colloquium “Corporate Responsibility & Competitiveness: Developing Human Capital for Sustainable Growth” (5-6 December, 2005 in Warsaw, Poland) > e.g.
o Proceedings (freely available, login required)
o CG Journal Special Edition >
§ Corporate Responsibility and Competitiveness at the Macro Level (6 articles) > e.g.
· Corporate social responsibility as a new paradigm in European policy: how CSR legitimises the European regulatory process (.pdf has 16 pp.)
· The political economy of CSR in Western Europe (.pdf has 24 pp.)
· The Government’s role in promoting corporate responsibility: a comparative analysis of Italy and UK from the relational state perspective (.pdf has 20 pp.)
· 3rd Annual Colloquium 2004 “The Challenge of Sustainable Growth: Integrating Societal Expectations in Business” (Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School, September 2004) > e.g.
o 7. Policy Making and the Role of Government
o The Business in Society Gateway > e.g.
§ Resources >
· Search Resources:
o Category:
§ Corporate Responsibility and Public Policy
§ Managing Corporate Responsibility
o Discipline:
o Content Type:
o >>
§ See also, e.g.:
· ESADE Business School (Spain; Also English version of website) >>
o EABIS
· Ashridge Business School (UK) >
o Research & Faculty >
§ Ashridge Centre for Business and Society > e.g.
· Current Corporate Responsibility Research >
§ Publications >
· Research Publications Database >
o Subject Area: Corporate Social Responsibility
· FEEM Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei, Milano (Italy) »is a no-profit, no-partisan research institution established to carry out research in the field of sustainable development.« >
o Programmes >
§ Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Management >
· Research projects > e.g.
o FROM FEEM Responsible Organisations’ Monitor
§ Strumenti di reponsabilità sociale (strumenti di autoregolamentazione (codici) e di comunicazione di sostenibilità)
o CORE - The potential of Corporate Social Responsibility to Contribute to the Implementation and Integration of EU Strategies
o RARE – Rhetoric And Realities. Analysing CSR in Europe.
· Università Bocconi (Milan; Italy) >>
o Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) >??>
§ People in Bocconi > e.g.
· IPAS/DAP - Public policy Framework for CSR
o Research activity on CSR is undertaken at two different levels:
§ The first aims at defining how public administrations can adopt in their core practices a CSR approach; this is clearly stated in the European Commission Communication on CSR;
§ The second relies in the role the public sector has got in terms of defining policies in order to sustain, stimulate and regulate private sector activities.
· Harvard University >> John F. Kennedy School of Government > Research > Programs > Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government > Programs > Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative >
o Publications > Working Papers > e.g.
§ Encouraging CSI in Italy: The Enabling Role of Government in Mandating, Motivating, and Supporting Responsible Business Practices (.pdf, April 2007, 33 pp.; By: Francesco Perrini, Bocconi University)
· Impronta Etica »Un'associazione per la responsabilità sociale d'impresa« (Italy, Bologna) >
o Norme >
§ Leggi, Standard, Bandi
· Slovensko društvo za inovativno politologijo (SDIP) = Slovenian Association for Innovative Political Science (SIDIP) >> e.g.
o IIASS Innovative Issues and Approaches in Social Sciences >
§ Volume 1 Number (3 September 2008) >
· Corporate social responsibility and the role of the State (.pdf; Dolores Modic; pp. 7-42)
· BERR Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (UK) > e.g.
o Publications > Reports & Publications > Browse by subject >
§ Business Sectors >
· Corporate Responsibility > e.g.
o Corporate Responsibility Report (.pdf, February 2009, 37 pp.) >
§ Section 2: Shaping a new environment for Corporate Responsibility
§ Section 3: Corporate Responsibility activity across Government
· Ethical Corporation > e.g.
o Blog > e.g.
§ UK Government shakeup on corporate responsibility probably does not bode well (27 February 2008)
o By Invitation >>
§ UK Budget 2008: Darling’s hot air trick (28 March 2008) - Alistair Darling failed in trying to pull a green budget from a plastic bag, argues Peter Young, chairman of the Aldersgate Group
o Greenwasher >>
§ Greenwasher – April 2008: The UK’s corporate responsibility spending black hole and marketing the indefensible
o EC Institute >
§ Reports >
· Conservative Party Working Group on Responsible Business (??)
o See also:
§ Conservatives > News >>
· Responsible Business (17 March 2008) - Report launched on Responsible Business to look at ways companies can play a central role in securing a better future for British society. >
o A light but effective touch - Final report of the Conservative Party working group on responsible business (March 2008; .pdf has 24 pp.)
§ See also related post by Mallen Baker: Dealing in responsibility (19 March 2008)
§ Ethical Corporation >
· Politics: Rebalancing the market – How government can better encourage responsible business (10 April 2008) - Ethical Corporation Institute directors Toby Webb and Peter Davis describe how responsible business could be enhanced by a future Conservative government in the UK
· FT.com Financial Times > e.g.
o Special Reports >> e.g.
§ Responsible Business (3 July 2007)
· BITC Business in the Community (UK) > e.g.
o About us > Our Jubilee year >
§ Business-led corporate responsibility coalitions: Learning from the example of Business in the Community in the UK - An Insider’s Perspective from David Grayson (2007; .pdf has 78 pp.)
o Programmes >
§ Prince's Programmes
§ Community
§ Environment
§ Marketplace
§ Workplace
§ Recognition and Management >
· CR index = Corporate Responsibility (CR) index
o Business in the Community's CR Index is the UK’s leading voluntary benchmark of responsible business. It helps companies to integrate and improve responsibility throughout their operations by providing a systematic approach to managing, measuring and reporting on business impacts in society and on the environment.
o Resources >
· Our public affairs micro-site gives decision-makers, academics, the media and other stakeholders easy access to how we can help in campaigns, development of public policy and keep you up-to-date on responsible business in the UK legislatures and internationally.
· > also
o APPG on CR = All Party Parliamentary Group on Corporate Responsibility
o Responsible Business E-newsletter
§ Monthly summary of responsible business news from Whitehall, Brussels and globally.
§ Business in the Community produces a monthly parliamentary newsletter on behalf of the APPG on CR, summarising major relevant legislative or Government policy developments in the UK and Europe related to responsible business practice, as well as key media coverage.
· HRH The Prince of Wales (UK) >> e.g.
o HRH launches Accounting for Sustainability at St James's Palace, London (6 December 2006; See related news) >>
§ Sustainability at Work (website launched on 12 December 2007)
· This website provides guidance, tools, links and case studies to help you integrate sustainability into your organisation's decision making.
· It also provides a framework to enable organisations to report on their performance in a more consistent manner.
· This website is designed to provide practical and accessible advice for any public, private, or third sector organisation.
o The Prince of Wales's Business & the Environment Programme (BEP) (The BEP is developed and run by the University of Cambridge Programme for Industry.)
· Tomorrow’s Company (London, UK) »is a not-for-profit research and agenda-setting organisation committed to creating a future for business which makes equal sense to staff, shareholders, and society.« > e.g.
o News > e.g.
§ Tomorrow's Global Company: Challenges and Choices - launch of the findings (18 June 2007)
· See also related article at BusinessGreen blog: Business call for stronger green regulations (19 June 2007)
o According to a new report released yesterday firms should be subject to "stronger frameworks of law and regulation", multinationals should use their political influence to demand more stringent legislation, and businesses should redefine success to include social, environmental and human aspects of their operations alongside purely financial considerations.
· Aldersgate Group (London, UK)
o The Group is a broad coalition of environmental agencies, NGOs, think tanks and industry representatives who believe that high environmental standards will be a major part of future economic growth and international competitiveness.
o We believe that there is no inherent contradiction between regulating for high environmental standards at the same time as maintaining economic growth and stimulating wealth creation.
· CORE COrporate REsponsibility coalition (UK)
o CORE believe the only way corporate accountability will become a reality is through new laws that make companies value people and the planet, as much as they value making a profit. CORE is campaigning for new laws in 3 key areas:
§ Mandatory Sustainability Reporting
§ Directors' Duties
§ Access to Justice
o > e.g.
§ News
· Forum for the Future (UK)
· Corporate Citizenship (London, New York) was formed by the merger of leading CR consultancies The Smart Company and The Corporate Citizenship Company at the end of 2007. > e.g.
o Publications
o >>
§ Corporate Citizenship Briefing (or directly) > e.g.
· Index / Categories >
o CSR management
o Public policy
· Rat für Nachhaltige Entwicklung = The German Council for Sustainable Development (English version of website) > e.g.
o Projects > Projects of the Council >
§ Corporate Social Responsibility
· Corporate Social Responsibility > e.g.
o Recommendations of the Council: "Corporate Responsibility in a Globalised World — A German Profile of Corporate Social Responsibility" (.pdf, September 2006, 76 pp.; German/English)
· Deutscher Bundestag > e.g.
o Parlament >
§ Gremien >
· Parlamentarischer Beirat für nachhaltige Entwicklung
o »Der Bundestag hat am 6. April 2006 beschlossen, einen Parlamentarischen Beirat für nachhaltige Entwicklung einzurichten.«
o Suche >> e.g.
§ Nationale CSR-Strategie der Bundesregierung (.pdf, 8 pp.) - Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Kleine Anfrage der Abgeordneten Rainer Brüderle, Michael Kauch, Jens Ackermann, weiterer Abgeordneter und der Fraktion der FDP, Drucksache 16/9661 (11 July 2008)
· See also:
o related news at Rat für Nachhaltige Entwicklung: CSR: Bundesregierung bald im Boot der Berichterstatter? (31 July 2008)
· Bertelsmann Stiftung > e.g.
o Wirtschaft >
§ Gesellschaftliche Verantwortung von Unternehmen > e.g.
· Projekt: Gesellschaftliche Verantwortung von Unternehmen >
o CSR International >
· The CSR Navigator - Public Policies in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas (October 2007; In English)
o Profiling and Navigating CSR public policies in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe: Brazil, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Mozambique, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA, Vietnam
§ See also related news (22 October 2007)
o Service >
§ Downloads >
o Government as Partner? CSR policies in Europe (.pdf, November 2006, 43 pp.; English translation)
§ Weblinks (Deutschland, International) >
· Staatliche Informationen, Initiativen und Projekte
o (Also English version of website):
§ Economy >
· Corporate social responsibility (CSR) >
o Project: Corporate social responsibility >
§ International CSR >
§ Service >
· Downloads >
· HDE Hauptverband des Deutschen Einzelhandels (Germany) >
o Themen / Inhalte > Verantwortlich handeln - CSR > Links >
§ CSR in Deutschland - Regierung
· econsense »Forum Nachaltige Entwicklung der Deutschen Wirtschaft« (Berlin) > e.g.
o CSR Links >
§ Politik: Deutschland (Regierung, Behörden, staatsnahe Institutionen)
§ Politik: Internationales, Multinationale Organisationen
§ Unternehmensinitiativen/CSR-Netzwerke/Verbände
· CSR Welweit (Germany) – Deutsche Unternehmen – Global Engagiert
o Mit dem Ziel, das gesellschaftliche Engagement deutscher Unternehmen im Ausland zu fördern und die sozial und ökologisch verantwortlichen Aktivitäten deutscher Unternehmen sichtbar zu machen, ist in 2008 auf Initiative des Auswärtigen Amtes und der Bertelsmann Stiftung und in Zusammenarbeit mit Partnern aus Politik und Wirtschaft das Informationsportal „CSR WeltWeit – Deutsche Unternehmen Global Engagiert“ entstanden.
o >
· Übergeordnete Referenztexte
· Internationale Konventionen
· Initiativen der Wirtschaft
· Multi - Stakeholder - Initiativen
· CSR News (Based in Hückeswagen, Germany) >> e.g.
o CSR: A Multifaceted Concept (28 April 2008; By Sabine Braun)
· Die Kampagne "Verantwortliche Unternehmensführung" > e.g.
o Aktuelles > e.g.
§ Nachrichten > e.g.
· Erweiterte Fassung des Arbeitspapiers zu Leitfäden und Instrumenten Verantwortlicher Unternehmensführung erschienen (27 August 2007)
· Neue Publikation stellt Handwerkszeug zu Verantwortlicher Unternehmensführung vor
o »Im neuen Arbeitspapier „Verantwortliche Unternehmensführung im Mittelstand: Ausgewählte nationale und internationale Leitfäden und Instrumente“ (.pdf, August 2006, 26 pp.; In German) werden insgesamt 30 Leitfäden und Instrumente präsentiert, die mittelständische Unternehmen dabei unterstützen, CSR als Managementansatz und ganzheitliche Strategie zu verstehen und umzusetzen.«
· respACT »austrian business council for sustainable development« (Austria) >
o Projekte >
· Am 23. September 2009 wird das neue CSR-Leitbild der österreichischen Wirtschaft beim CSR-Tag 2009 präsentiert.
· See also
o Related news at CSR Europe: Austria: respACT hosts stakeholder dialogue on future of CSR (30 April 2009)
o Service > Dokumente > Erfolgreich wirtschaften. Verantwortungsvoll handeln - Das CSR Leitbild der österreichischen Wirtschaft >
§ Dokumente >
· CSR Guiding Vision (In English)
· Samfundsansvar.dk (Denmark) udvikles og drives af Center for Samfundsansvar. Centeret er en del af Erhvervs- og Selskabsstyrelsen under Økonomi- og Erhvervsministeriet.
o See also:
§ related press release from the Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs:
· Minister Bendtsen: Social responsibility pays off (14 May 2008) - Minister for Economic and Business Affairs Bendt Bendtsen now presents the action plan for companies’ and investors’ social responsibility
o related article at UN-Business Focal Point: Great Danish impetus to the Global Compact: the UNDP Nordic Office Guiding Danish CSR (August 2008 issue; By Anne Sofie Schroeder, UNDP Nordic Office)
o related news at CSRinfo: CSR strategy for Denmark (23 July 2008)
o related news at CSR Europe: Danish government publishes action plan for CSR (28 May 2008)
§ DCCA Danish Commerce and Companies Agency >
· In English >
o Corporate Social Responsibility >
§ Publications >
· Action Plan for Corporate Social Reponsibility (September 2008; .pdf has 44 pp., dated May 2008)
· Europa >> European Commission >>
o Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities >
§ Working for you > Partners > Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) > Events > Events Archive >>
· Partnerships and transparency at the heart of European Corporate Social Responsibility (Paris, 30 October 2008) >> e.g.
o Presentations: The Danish policy for CSR (.ppt, 17 slides; By: Victor Kjær, Deputy Director General, Danish Commerce and Companies Agency)
· Ministerie van Economische Zaken (The Netherlands) >>
o MVO Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen (In Dutch only) >> e.g.
§ Making a Difference – The Dutch National Research Program on Corporate Social Responsibility 2003 - 2004 (Spring 2005; .pdf