NFRCSR (Non-Financial Reporting and CSR) Resource Centre >
International section >
Latest News Notes and related content Detailed map of International section Sitemap
Public sector sustainability reporting (and other related themes)
Sustainability performance and reporting of public agencies
Education: Campuses, Colleges, Universities
· GRI Global Reporting Initiative > e.g.
o Current Priorities >
§ The Amsterdam Declaration on Transparency and Reporting (March 2009)
· … Therefore the Board of GRI calls on governments to take leadership by:
o 1. Introducing policy requiring companies to report on ESG factors or publicly explain why they have not done so.
o 2. Requiring ESG reporting by their public bodies – in particular: state owned companies, government pension funds and public investment agencies.
o 3. Integrating sustainability reporting within the emerging global financial regulatory framework being developed by leaders of the G20.
o See also:
§ related news at CSRwire: The Amsterdam Declaration on Transparency and Reporting (10 March 2009) - Leaders from business, labor and civil society call on governments to demand greater transparency from companies in this time of crisis
o Reporting Framework >
§ Sector Supplements >
o Learning & Support >
§ GRI Publications >
· Research & Development Publications >
o Reporting Practices:
§ GRI Reporting in Government Agencies (.pdf, 2010, 16 pp.)
· See also related news:
o 4th European ESG Workshop – Trade unions and public authorities (3 February 2010)
o New research examines GRI reporting in the public agencies sector (2 February 2010)
o Other free publications:
§ Public Agency Sustainability Reporting (.pdf, January 2004, 46 pp.)
· A GRI Resource Document In Support of the Public Agency Sector Supplement Project
§ Tools & Resources >
· Journal Articles > e.g.
o Sustainability Reporting by the Public Sector: Momentum Changes in the Practice, Uptake and Form of Reporting by Public Agencies (.pdf, October 2006, 4 pp.)
o Walking the Talk on Sustainable Development in the Public Sector (.pdf, 2004, 9 pp.)
o News & Events > e.g.
§ Newsletter >>
· The Public Sector falls under the sustainability and transparency spotlight (11 January 2010)
o In a press release on 21 December 2009 the Federation of European Accountants (FEE) calls for action from the public sector to report on sustainability as part of its general accountability activities.
o On 7 January 2010 FEE published a policy statement on sustainability in the public sector (.pdf, 2 pp.).
o On 28 – 29 January 2010, the European Commission continues to explore ESG disclosure from trade unions’ and public authorities’ perspective at its 4th workshop.
· Readers to identify the best sustainability reports worldwide in the GRI Readers’ Choice Awards (30 August 2007)
o ...A special award will be given to the report from a non-business organization with the highest score,...
o Both the Global Readers’ Choice Awards and the survey results will be presented during ‘The Amsterdam Global Conference on Sustainability and Transparency’ (7-9 May 2008)
o Who are you?
§ »Access tailored GRI-resources from your stakeholder-category.«
§ >
· AccountAbility = Institute of Social and Ethical AccountAbility > e.g.
o Our work >
· AccountAbility's standards, the AA1000 Series, are principles-based standards that provide the basis for improving the sustainability performance of organisations.
· They are applicable to organisations in any sector, including the public sector and civil society, of any size and in any region.
· CorporateRegister.com - the world's largest online directory of non-financial reports. These include CSR, sustainability, environmental and social reports. >> e.g.
o Advanced Companies Search & Advanced Reports Search
§ Business Sector:
· Government, Authorities & Agencies
o GRI Guidelines Register (Find reports using the GRI guidelines) > e.g.
§ Search by:
· Business Sector:
o Government, Authorities & Agencies
o AA1000AS Register (Find reports using the AA1000AS assurance standard) > e.g.
§ Search by:
· Business Sector:
o Government, Authorities & Agencies
o Global Compact Register >
§ Search by:
· Business Sector:
o Government, Authorities & Agencies
· UNEP United Nations Environment Programme >
o Other thematic areas > Business & Industry > e.g.
§ Division of Technology, Industry, and Economics (DTIE) > Division of Technology, Industry, and Economics > Branches > Sustainable Consumption and Production > Further information >
· Sustainable Consumption and Production Branch (SCP Branch) > e.g.
o Themes >
o Policies > e.g.
o Initiatives > Global Reporting Initiative >
· UN Global Compact > e.g.
o How to Participate >
§ Cities >>
· Global Compact Cities Programme
o Communicating Progress > e.g.
§ COP Search (Communication on Progress) > e.g.
· Search Mode (advanced)
o Search for: Type of Participant: Other Stakeholders only
§ Option to select a specific Organization type:
· Academic
· Business Association (Global, Local)
· City
· Foundation
· Labour (Global, Local)
· NGO (Global, Local)
· Public Sector Organization
· Claremont McKenna College (USA, California) > Research Institutes >
o Roberts Environmental Center > e.g.
§ Current Sector Data »Graphs display the different categories of PSI scores by industrial sector« >
· Government Institutions
· Government Institutions
· List of all reports analyzed to date
· Short description of all analyzed reports
· (Direct) links to websites from which the scored material was obtained
· Also:
o Government Institutions
· ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability
o ICLEI is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. More than 700 cities, towns, counties, and their associations worldwide comprise ICLEI's growing membership. ICLEI works with these and hundreds of other local governments through international performance-based, results-oriented campaigns and programs.
o > e.g.
§ Programs >
· Local Action 21
· sustainable cities (= Building Sustainable Cities)
· climate protection (= Cities for Climate Protection (CCP))
· water
· biodiversity initiative
· Local Agenda 21 (LA21 Campaign)
· management instruments (=Sustainability Management Instruments)
· procurement (= Sustainable Procurement Program)
o > also
§ ICLEI Worldwide >
· Oceania (Australia & New Zealand) >
o Sustainability Services = Integrated Sustainability Services (ISS)
§ Integrated Sustainability Services aims to increase capacity for integrated sustainability planning, monitoring and reporting, drawing on the resources and skills of ICLEI Sustainability Services and the Centre for Public Agency Reporting (CPASR; historical ??)
· Note: The Centre for Public Agency Sustainability Reporting (CPASR) was launched in March 2005. Its mission was to improve the sustainability performance of public agencies through the practice of reporting. CPASR was a collaboration of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI); ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability; the City of Melbourne; and the State Government of Victoria.
· Australian Government >> e.g.
o Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts > e.g.
§ Human Settlements (= Living sustainably) >
· Government sustainability
o The Australian Government aims to improve the environmental performance of Australian Government departments and agencies, by providing advice, communication networks, and access to best practice environmental management techniques from around the world.
o >
§ Whole-of-Government ICT Sustainability Plan
§ Energy Efficiency in Government Operations (EEGO)
§ Environmental reporting under Section 516A of the EPBC Act
§ Public Sector Environmental reporting
§ Environmental management systems (EMS)
§ Other initiatives:
· Environmental purchasing
· Water efficiency in Government Operations
§ >> e.g.
· Government of South Australia >>
o Department for Environment and Heritage > e.g.
§ >>
· Department of Premier and Cabinet >
o The Department >
§ Sustainability and Workforce Mgmt
· New South Wales Government >>
o Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water >
§ Sustaining our environment >
· Sustainable government > also
o Support for sustainability > also
§ Measuring and reporting on sustainability performance
· GovernmentNews (Australia) >> e.g.
o Green report for the public (23 August 2006; By Jane Garcia)
o Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services (The committee is established by the (ASIC) Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001.) > Completed inquiries >
§ Corporate responsibility: Managing risk and creating value (Date Completed: 21 June 2006) = Inquiry into corporate responsibility and Triple-Bottom-Line reporting, for incorporated entities in Australia > e.g.
· Report > View the report as separate downloadable parts > e.g.
o Chapter Eight - Encouraging corporate responsibility >
§ The role of government >
· Leadership – sustainability in government
o Sustainability reporting by government agencies
o Improving sustainability performance of government agencies
o Supplementary report by Labour members >
§ Sustainable, responsible government activities >
· Government sustainability reporting
· The State of Victoria >> e.g.
o Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability
o Department of Sustainability and Environment
· CIV Community Indicators Victoria aims to establish a sustainable Victorian approach to the development and use of local community wellbeing indicators, with the purpose of improving citizen engagement, community planning and policy making.
· City of Melbourne > e.g.
o Community Services
o Environment & Waste
o About Council >
· Parliament of New South Wales (NSW, Australia) > e.g.
o Committees >
§ Public Accounts > e.g.
· Inquiries > e.g.
o Sustainability Reporting in the New South Wales Public Sector Inquiry > e.g.
§ Reports >
· Sustainability Reporting in NSW Public Sector (17 November 2005; .pdf has 91 pp.)
· Inquiries >
o Inquiry into Environmental Impact Reporting in the NSW Public Sector
§ This inquiry was established on 26 September 2007, to report on environmental impact reporting in the NSW public sector.
· IPAA Institute of Public Administration Australia »is the professional association for people interested in government reform, policy issues, trends, best practice and innovation in public sector management.« > also
o Publications > e.g.
§ Special interest group discussion papers >
o Links > e.g.
§ Public sector special interest issues > also
· The Australian Collaboration is a collaboration of peak national community organisations representing social, cultural and environmental constituencies and interests. > e.g.
o Essays, Books and Reports > e.g.
§ Which Direction? A review of monitoring and reporting in Australia (.pdf, June 2006, 54 pp.)
§ Where are we going: Comprehensive social, cultural, environmental and economic reporting (2001; .pdf has 32 pp.)
· ANAO Australian National Audit Office
· CPA Australia (Certified Public Accountants) >
o Technical Resources > Corporate Governance > Topical Issues >
§ Triple bottom line reporting > e.g.
· Feature Articles >
o The Greening of local councils (2004)
o Industry Sectors >
§ Public Sector > e.g.
· Resources >
o Sustainability reporting in local government: systematic change or greenwash? (December 2007; .pdf has 36 pp.)
· ISA Centre for Integrated Sustainability Analysis (Sydney, Australia)
o We develop leading-edge research and applications for environmental and broader sustainability issues, and offer consultancy to organisations such as companies, government agencies and NGOs in a broad range of areas.
o > e.g.
§ Research > e.g.
· Triple Bottom Line Reporting > e.g.
o In February 2006, the ISA Group has completed work on a 2-year Sustainability Reporting Pilot Program for organisations > e.g.
§ Information sheets > e.g.
· Information Sheet 4: Why should local government report on the Triple Bottom Line and why use the ISA methodology? (.pdf, 2 pp.)
o Some keywords:
§ boundary-free, the full supply chain, input-output analysis (IOA), indirect impacts, ecological footprint
· Collections Council of Australia >
o Projects >
§ Completed >
· Sustainability reporting indicators for the Australian collections sector (11 January 2010) >
o Towards Sustainability Indicators for Museums in Australia (.pdf, 11 January 2010, 85 pp.; By Eleanor Adams)
· New Zealand Government >> e.g.
o Ministry for the Environment New Zealand >
§ The Issues >
· Sustainable Industry >
o Govt3: Towards sustainable practice (Helping government to be a sustainable sector) > also
§ »Govt³ Awards« (Public sector agencies ‘walk the talk’ to sustainability)
o Simply Sustainable: tools & resources >
§ Browse by subject >
· Communication and reporting >
o Reporting >
§ Triple Bottom Line Pilot Report »In 2002 the Ministry set up two pilot groups to investigate the value of triple bottom line reporting in the public sector. Workshops were held with interested central and local government agencies. This report (Triple Bottom Line Reporting in the Public Sector; .pdf, 112 pp.) and additional summaries outline the findings of those investigations.«
o Controller and Auditor-General (New Zealand) > e.g.
§ Publications > 2007 > Sustainable development: Implementing the Programme of Action
o CCMAU Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit > e.g.
§ Key Documents >
· State-owned enterprises (SOE) >
o 2007: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Framework for SOEs (October 2007)
§ >>
· Corporate Social Responsibility
o The Quality of Life Project was established in 1999 to provide social, economic and environmental indicators of quality of life in New Zealand’s six largest cities.
· NZICA New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants >>
o Sustainability > e.g.
§ The Annual Report Awards, including the Sustainability Reporting award (also category: Best Sustainability Reporting by a Crown or Local Authority Organisation)
· GovHK is the one-stop portal of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. >>
o Environmental Protection Department (EPD) > How You Can Help > Environmental Management Tools >
§ Environmental Performance Reporting >
· Cyber helpdesk for Environmental Performance Reporting
o »This website provides useful information to assist public sector organizations to report on their environmental performance. While this site is primarily designed for public sector users, private sector organizations are also welcome to make use of any relevant information provided.«
o »In the 1998 Policy Objectives, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government committed to a government-wide environmental reporting initiative, requiring all bureaux and departments to produce annual environmental reports, and encouraging quasi-governmental organizations to do likewise.«
· FReM UK Government Financial Reporting Manual
o »The Financial Reporting Manual is the technical accounting guide that complements guidance on the handling of public funds published separately by the relevant authorities.«
o > e.g.
§ Sustainability and Environmental Reporting
· »As part of its sustainable development strategy the Government encourages both companies and public bodies to disclose their sustainability and environmental performance via their annual reports and accounts.«
· »The purpose of this web page is to provide examples of good practice and sources of further information on sustainability and environmental reporting from private and public sector.«
· BPTA Building Public Trust Awards »celebrates the commitment of the UK's largest corporations and public sector bodies to build public trust through their communication of the key building blocks of sustainable performance.«
· UK NAO National Audit Office
· United Kingdom House of Commons >>
o EAC Environmental Audit Committee > e.g.
§ Reports & Publications >> e.g.
· UK Government Response to Environmental Audit Committee Report (October 2006)
o The Environmental Audit Committee of the House of Commons released Sustainable Development Reporting by Government Departments on 28 June 2006.
o Among a range of recommendations to improve reporting, the Environmental Audit Committee strongly recommended that Departments that had not yet taken steps to improve the quality of their sustainability reporting should do so as soon as possible. The UK Government noted in its response on 16 October 2006 that further reporting improvements were planned for the 2006-07 reporting cycle.
· Sustainable Development Reporting by Government Departments (28 June 2006; .pdf has 62 pp.)
· Greening Government: the 2004 Sustainable Development in Government Report (24 November 2005; .pdf has 36 pp.)
· Audit Commission (UK) > e.g.
o Sectors > Local Government > Environment
§ We help councils to improve environmental services, including planning, waste management and food safety.
§ As well as reporting on environmental services, we are also concerned with the wider environmental concerns of local communities.
· CIPFA (UK) The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy > e.g.
o Technical >
§ Sustainability > e.g.
· What does it mean?
· What are CIPFA doing? > e.g.
o Sustainability Conference 2008 (27 February 2008, London): Challenging public service organisations to effectively develop long-term sustainability performance and reporting (Chair: Ian Carruthers, Director of Policy & Technical, CIPFA)
o Sustainability Conference 2007
o Sustainability of Public Services - Policy and Practice (1 June 2007)
· CIPFA Publications & Articles > e.g.
o Sustainability: A Reporting Framework for the Public Services (2006; Launched in June 2006; To purchase??; Foreword and Contents available for download)
§ »CIPFA’s framework, developed in conjunction with Forum for the Future, enables UK public sector organisations to put sustainability reporting into practice. This framework takes you through the practical steps you need to make to deliver a meaningful sustainability report.«
o Advancing Sustainability Accounting and Reporting: An Agenda for Public Service Organisations, including local authorities (.pdf, 2004, 40 pp.) »offers a working definition of sustainability accounting and reporting in public service organisations as:
§ A public account of an organisation's sustainability performance achieved through a combination of:
· leadership; strategic partnering; stakeholder engagement; policy outcomes; and the management of the organisations impacts on the local environment, social well being and economic prosperity.«
§ »The report was written to highlight the fact that while there is much sustainability activity taking place in these organisations, public reporting on sustainability lags behind the example set by the private sector. CIPFA hopes to raise awareness of the issues and help PSO's improve sustainability reporting.«
· Key Stakeholders
· IFAC Sustainability Framework
· Documents
· Sustainable Development in Action (examples from the public sector)
· ACCA Association of Chartered Certified Accountants > e.g.
o General public > Technical activities >
§ Research programme >
· Published research > Sustainability research >
o RR78 - Sustainability Accounting in UK Local Government: An Agenda for Research (2002)
§ The report examins the state of social and environmental reporting in the UK local government sector. It includes a case study of social and environmental reporting in a county council, and consideration is given to the future development of sustainability reporting in the sector.
§ Technical library >
· ICAEW (UK) »The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales« > e.g.
o Members > Special interest groups > Public Sector
o Two Tomorrows is the name of the new sustainability consultancy formed by the merger of Csrnetwork and Sd3 on 1 January 2009.
o Two Tomorrows operates globally with offices in Bath (Group HQ), London (EMEA); San Francisco (USA – North America) and Seoul (Korea - Asia).
o >
§ Clients >
· Full client list (By Sector):
o Public sector, non-profits and industry bodies
· Forum for the Future (UK) > e.g.
o Our Projects > e.g.
§ Buying a better world (March 2008)
· The report Buying A Better World explains the importance of incorporating sustainability thinking into buying decisions, and includes case studies and action planning tips for busy procurement officers.
· The Sustainable Procurement Toolkit has been designed to help them identify and prioritise the best opportunities for improving the sustainability on any contract or supply area.
o Partnerships >
o Browse by subject >
§ Built environment >
· Urban
§ Policy >
· Green government
· Local government
· Procurement
· Regional government
· 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)
§ The Prince of Wales originally established an Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) group in the summer of 2004, to research and develop systems that will help both public and private sector organisations account more accurately for the wider social and environmental costs of their activities.
§ > e.g.
· Connected Reporting Framework
· Forum
o Other Forum Participants: also
§ Public Sector:
· Cabinet Office
· Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
· Department of Finance and Personnel, Northern Ireland (DFPNI)
· Department of Health
· Environment Agency
· Highways Agency
· HM Treasury
· Ministry of Defence
· National Audit Office
· Sustainable Development Commission
· The Scottish Government
· The Welsh Assembly Government
· West Sussex County Council
§ >>
· Sustainability at Work (website launched on 12 December 2007)
o This website provides guidance, tools, links and case studies to help you integrate sustainability into your organisation's decision making.
o It also provides a framework to enable organisations to report on their performance in a more consistent manner.
o This website is designed to provide practical and accessible advice for any public, private, or third sector organisation.
o See also related articles at CIPFA: Response to Prince’s Sustainability Report (12 December 2007)
· Defra Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK) > e.g.
o About Defra >
§ Sustainable development > e.g.
· Further information:
o Sustainable development in Defra - Defra's own work on sustainable development
o UK Government - How the Government is working towards sustainable development
§ >??>
· Local government performance framework
· SDC Sustainable Development Commission (UK)
o Through advocacy, advice and appraisal, we help put sustainable development at the heart of Government policy.
o > e.g.
§ Policy areas > e.g.
· Local Government > e.g.
o Publications > e.g.
§ Financing Local Futures >> e.g.
· Sustainability accounting and reporting
· Watchdog >
o Sustainable Development in Government (SDiG) Report
o Sustainable Development Action Plans (SDAPs)
o Sustainable Procurement
o Thematic Reviews
· BIS Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (UK) > e.g.
o Policies >
§ Business Sectors >
· Low Carbon Business Opportunities >
o Corporate Responsibility, Sustainable Development and Waste Policy > also
§ 2009 Corporate Responsibility Report (.pdf, February 2009, 37 pp.) >
· Section 3: Corporate Responsibility activity across Government
· Section 4: Corporate Responsibility values in Government
· Communities and Local Government (UK)
· LGA Local Government Association (UK)
· ASC Academy for Sustainable Communities (Leeds, UK) »is the national centre for delivering the skills & knowledge needed to make better places«
· GovNet Communications (UK) publish the seven top public sector magazines with a combined reach in excess of 100,000 readers. The publications are known for their pragmatic views, sharp editorial and positive interaction with their audiences. >
o Sustainable Development UK - SDUK - is the premier magazine for the Sustainable Development industry. Formerly known as Green Government, the magazine has been the leading title covering sustainable development issues since 1997.
o Events >>
§ SDUK Annual Award for Sustainability
· »The award will offer central and local government and the wider public sector a unique opportunity to demonstrate that environmental responsibility is an integral part of their organisation, and that they recognise the importance of environmental excellence, innovation and leadership.«
§ Sustainable Procurement Conference
· Carbon Trust (UK) >
o Solutions >
§ Public Sector Carbon Management
· Trucost (UK) »is an environmental research organisation working with companies, investors and government agencies to understand the impacts companies have on the environment« >
o Tools for Public Sector
o Published Research
o News
· UKauthorITy.com >
o Green ICT (green technology and the public sector)
· SPIN Sustainability Procurement Information Network (UK)
o is the first and only website dedicated to supporting local authorities in their efforts to procure sustainably, and provides a 'one-stop' website containing the very best information relating to the sustainable procurement agenda.
· Action Sustainability is a Social Enterprise set up to lead and inspire sustainable procurement. We support and facilitate the Strategic Supply Chain group, a leading authority on sustainable procurement whose members are Directors and Senior Managers from the UK's leading private companies, Government departments, professional institutes and academic organisations.
· The Environment Council (London, UK) »works to put environment at the heart of people's choices, decisions and aspirations.«
· IEMA Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (UK) >
o Reading Room >
§ Subject Index:
· Sector (case studies on environmental management, EMAS Environmental Statements, etc.) > e.g.
o National and International Government
· Volunteering England >> Employer Supported Volunteering > Employers > e.g.
· reporting - thoughts and insights about social and environmental responsibility and sustainability reporting (Blog by Elaine Cohen, BeyondBusiness, Israel) >>
o Even Embassies do it (29 November 2009) - ...Two Annual Environmental Reports published by the British Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria...
· FEE (Federation des Experts Comptables Europeens; The European Federation of Accountants) >
o Our Work >
§ Sustainability = Sustainability Working Party (SWP) and Sustainability Policy Group (SPG) > e.g.
· News > e.g.
o FEE Roundtable on the Public Sector and Sustainability “Accounting, Sustainability and the Public Sector - policy and accountability, a route map” (8 July 2009, Brussels)
§ This roundtable focused on how sustainability in the public sector can be improved and integrated both in terms of policy and reporting with a live audience.
§ Issues that were addressed include non-financial indicators, impact of the crisis, public procurement, and sustainability reporting.
· Publications > e.g.
o Press Release: COP 15: not the success hoped for! FEE continues to communicate its strategies on sustainability to help SMEs, the public sector and accountants drive sustainable change (7 January 2010) >
§ Related links (Policy Stetements):
· Accountants driving sustainable changes in the public sector (7 January 2010; .pdf has 2 pp.)
o Press Release: Public Sector to drive sustainability and lead by example (21 December 2009)
§ Call for Action: The public sector should report on sustainability as part of its normal accountability as this should go beyond financial terms. Government policy needs to be linked to key non financial and to financial indicators in combination. The concept of sustainability and the related reporting concepts need to be better developed in the public sector.
o Press Release: Call to Enhance Sustainability in the Public Sector (8 July 2009)
· NIVRA Koninklijk Nederlands Instituut van Registeraccountants (The Netherlands) >
o Thema's >
§ Publieke sector >
· Dossier NFI (Niet-financiële informatie) >>>
o Non-financial information in progress - A guide to the reporting and assurance of non-financial information in the public sector (.pdf, 2008, 28 pp.)
§ The Committee for the Public Sector (CPS) of Royal NIVRA initiated the project group Reporting and assurance of non-financial information (NFI) in mid-June 2006. The project group consisted of representatives from all sections and disciplines in the public sector. From auditor and controller to policy staff and adviser. The project was completed in May 2008 with the publication of the NIVRA guide Non-financial information in progress. An English summary has been produced to make the publication accessible for an international audience. The summary contains the main findings that are also significant on an international level.
o »ICLEI is a well established and constantly growing Association of Local Governments dedicated to sustainable development with a worldwide presence.«
o »In Europe more than 180 local governments and their associations are members of ICLEI, amongst them 15 European capital cities. More than 60 % of the European members have signed the Charter of European Cities and Towns Towards Sustainability (Aalborg Charter), committing themselves to a Local Agenda 21 process. Over one third of European members are also engaged in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign, and many more are involved in other regional campaigns and projects.« (as of May 2006)
o is an Internet portal established by ICLEI to provide a platform from which European local governments can easily access the wealth of resources available to them in developing, implementing, and monitoring policies in support of local sustainable development.
o Local Sustainability provides you with the most important links to the Aalborg Commitments, the EU Urban Thematic Strategy, and the European Sustainable Cities & Towns Campaign.
o is an initiative designed to help support public authorities across Europe in implementing Sustainable Procurement – and help promote their achievements.
o The Campaign was established in 2004 by ICLEI to help drive the mainstreaming of sustainable public procurement throughout Europe.
· Aarhus Convention »The UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters was adopted on 25th June 1998 in the Danish city of Aarhus at the Fourth Ministerial Conference in the 'Environment for Europe' process.«
· »The Aalborg+10 Conference in June 2004 were a huge success with the adoption of the Aalborg Commitments.« (Aalborg, Denmark)
o »Since the conference more than 290 local governments have signed up to the Aalborg Commitments and the number is still increasing.«
o »Any European local government may sign the Aalborg Commitments, irrespective of whether their country is a member of the European Union. The document must be signed by the Mayor or other authorised local government representative.«
o Conference was
§ organised by:
· City of Aalborg, Council of European Municipalities and Regions and ICLEI in Europe (Local Governments for Sustainability)
§ co-organised by:
· European Sustainable Cities and Towns Campaign
o > e.g.
§ Aalborg+10 Report > e.g.
· Focal session programme > e.g.
o Urban Management towards Sustainability > e.g.
§ Measuring sustainability: Indicators, reporting and tools for monitoring
· Aalborg Commitments > e.g.
· Adriatic Action Plan 2020 > e.g.
o Guidelines > e.g.
§ The management tools: LSD set >
· .pdf, June 2005, 13 pp.
o ASAP Adriatic Sustainable Accounting Procedure
o Environmental Management System in local Authorities
§ The LSD (Local Sustainable Development) set includes:
· Environmental and social Reporting
· Environmental Management Systems
· Integrated Sustainability Accounting
o LSD Utilities > e.g.
§ ASAP Adriatic Sustainable Accounting Procedure >
· Sustainability Reporting (presentation)
· Europa >> European Commission >>
o Energy >> e.g.
§ Covenant of the Mayors Initiative
· The Covenant of Mayors is a commitment by signatory towns and cities to go beyond the objectives of EU energy policy in terms of reduction in CO2 emissions through enhanced energy efficiency and cleaner energy production and use.
o Enterprise and Industry >
§ Policy highlights >
· Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) >
o Good practices in SME policy >
§ European Enterprise Awards - Rewarding excellence in entrepreneurship promotion > e.g.
· Award categories: also
o Responsible and inclusive entrepreneurship - recognises regional or local actions promoting corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices
· Sustainable and responsible business > e.g.
o Corporate social responsibility > e.g.
· Workshops on the disclosure of environmental, social and governance information (September 2009 - March 2010)
o Workshop 4 (27 January 2010): Trade unions, public authorities
§ See also news at GRI Global Reporting Initiative: 4th European ESG Workshop – Trade unions and public authorities (3 February 2010)
§ Multi-stakeholder Forum on CSR > e.g.
· Plenary meeting 2009 = Forum Meeting, February 2009 = “CSR Review meeting” CSR Multi-Stakeholder Forum (10 February 2009, Brussels) > e.g.
o European Commission activities to promote CSR 2007 - 2008 (.pdf, 24 pp.)
o CSR policies of EU Member States (.pdf, 100 pp.) - (2007 publication, DG Employment and Social Affairs)
· Plenary meeting 2006 = Forum Review Meeting (7 December 2006) > e.g.
o Compendium of actions by stakeholders (.pdf, 154 pp.)
o Review of recommendations by European Commission (.pdf, 65 pp.) = Compendium of actions by European Commission
o Update on CSR policies of EU Member States (.pdf, 145 pp.)
§ Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
o Environment >
§ Policies > e.g.
· Industry and Technology >
· Sustainable Development >>>
o European Sustainable Development Strategy (= European Portal on Sustainable Development) > e.g.
§ Civil partners for Sustainable Development > e.g.
o Sustainable Cities (Urban environment)
§ >>
· European Green Capital (… Starting in 2010, one European city will be selected each year as the European Green Capital of the year… )
o Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities > e.g.
§ What we do > Partners >
· Non-governmental organisations > Related Links:
o Social Platform = Platform of European Social NGOs > e.g.
§ Policy and Action > e.g.
· Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) >
o Related Documents > e.g.
§ Corporate social responsibility - National public policies in the European Union (.pdf, September 2007, 100 pp.)
§ Study on the incorporation of Social Considerations in Public Procurement in the EU-Proposed Elements (.pdf, 21 July 2008, 75 pp.)
o >>
§ (historical): Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) website > 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) > Projects > EU projects >
· EABIS European Academy of Business in Society >??>
o The Business in Society Gateway (By EFMD & EABIS) >
§ Resources >
· Search Resources:
o Discipline:
§ Public Sector/Non-Profit Management
· CSR Europe »The European business network for CSR« > e.g.
o News >> e.g.
§ Promoting CSR in public procurement – European perspectives (1 October 2009)
· LIFE is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects throughout the EU, as well as in some candidate, acceding and neighbouring countries.
· EEA European Environment Agency > e.g.
o Themes >
o About EEA > Networks > EnviroWindows >
· EurActiv > e.g.
o Policy Sections >
§ Climate Change >
· News > e.g.
o European cities 'take the lead' in fighting global warming (9 December 2009; Relating to European Green City Index; Published by Siemens, compiled by Economist Intelligence Unit)
§ Environment >
· News > e.g.
o Major EU cities pledge to fight climate change (28 October 2008)
o Cities 'key' to solving world's environmental woes (13 June 2007)
o EU ministers outline 'European City' ideal (24 May 2007)
§ The Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities, signed by European ministers on 24 May, lays the foundation for a new integrated urban policy in Europe, focusing on helping cities tackle problems of social exclusion, structural change, ageing, climate change and mobility.
§ Sustainable Development > e.g.
· News > e.g.
o Cities puzzled by greenhouse gas measurements (7 October 2009)
· LinksDossier >
o Public Procurement: Buying Green? (21 October 2008)
o Sustainable Cities (8 October 2008)
· SER Sustainable European Regions (updated ??) »is a series of regular events providing leadership and bringing together sustainable development expertise on a common platform to discuss best available practice and develop new SD policies and solutions.«
· The European project “Managing Urban Europe-25 (MUE-25)” worked with 25 European local and regional authorities to improve their environmental quality and sustainability performance. The project, which ran from 2006 to 2008, delivered a framework for better implementation of already existing environmental management systems like EMAS, ISO 14001 and ecoBUDGET.
· London Climate Change Action Plan
· Umweltministerium Baden-Württemberg >
o AKTIV > Veranstaltungen >
§ 26.03.2009: Reihe: Nachhaltige Kommunalentwicklung: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - Nachhalitgkeits--Berichterstattung in den Stadt- und Landkreisen und Kommunen
· IHOBE Ingurumen Jarduketarako Sozietate Publikoa (Bilbo, Euskal Herria) = Publicly Owned Environmental Management Company (Bilbao, Basque Country) > e.g.
o English > Municipality (Basque Municipalities towards Environmental Improvement)
· erScp »European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production«
o is a non-profit forum that provides a platform to stimulate, develop and disseminate new initiatives aimed at fostering the implementation of concepts involving sustainable consumption and production and approaches within local and regional sustainable development initiatives.
· 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.
§ Sustainable public procurement
· SOMO »Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations« (Netherlands; English and Dutch versions of website) >
o About SOMO >
§ Organisation >
· Networks > Campaigns coordinated by SOMO >
o Dossiers >
§ CSR >
o Sustainable Procurement in a European Context: practices of IT procurement in five EU countries (11 November 2008; .pdf has 14 pp.)
§ The new ProcureITFair publication compares the implementation processes of the European Procurement Directives in five European countries - Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary and the Netherlands.
· CLEAR City and Local Environmental Accounting and Reporting (Italy; Website in Italian)
· IDEMS Integration and Development of Environmental Management System (Italy; Also English version of website)
o IDEMS project proposes to integrate environmental management systems and environmental accountability and budgeting systems, namely: EMAS, ecoBudget and CLEAR according to the need to adopt an Urban Environmental Management Plan as stated by the European Commission Communication 'Towards a Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment'.
· GBS; Gruppo di Studio per il Bilancio Sociale (In Italian, Italy, Milan)
o Standard GBS per il settore pubblico
· ORSAdata Osservatorio sulla Responsabilita Sociale delle Aziende (In Italian)
o I casi aziendali di Orsadata sono organizzati in 10 categorie >
§ Categoria: Ente locale, istituzione pubblica o scolastica
· ISVI Instituto per i valori d'impresa (Italy) >
o Osservatorio ISVI – ALTIS sul Bilancio Sociale > e.g.
§ Enti Pubblici Territoriali
· Università Bocconi (Milan) >> e.g.
o SDA Bocconi (School of Management) >> e.g.
§ Social and Environmental Reporting in Local Governments: A New Italian Fashion? (.pdf, December 2003, 29 pp.; Working Paper N. 105/03; By Manila Marcuccio and Ileana Steccolini)
· The University of Sydney > Faculty of Economics and Business >>
o Sustainable Management of Organisations Group (SMOG) > e.g.
§ Conference >
· 1st International Conference on Sustainable Management of Public and Not for Profit Organisations Conference - Bologna, Forli Campus, Italy (1-3 July 2009)
o organised by:
§ The University of Bologna, the University of Sydney, the International Research Society for public Management (IRSPM), Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), and the Italian Academic Network for the Development of Management in Public Sector (SIVMAP).
· GRI Global Reporting Initiative > e.g.
o News & Events > Latest Press Releases > e.g.
§ World Governments Take Notice of Sustainability Reporting (March 2008; Or at CSRwire) - The City of Buenos Aires, China and Sweden have all recently announced steps towards sustainable and transparent business practice. All have taken a strong interest in sustainability reporting in their areas of influence.
· The Government and the Government Offices of Sweden > Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications > Press Releases >
o Clearer requirements for information about sustainability for state-owned companies (3 December 2007)
§ The Swedish Government announced new requirements for external reporting by state-owned firms, ordering all of the 55 companies owned by the government to file annual sustainability reports in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 guidelines. As an effort to improve transparency in the use of public funds and to bolster the sustainability performance of state-owned companies, the new measures require companies to file reports annually by 31 March, starting in 2009. Maud Olofsson, the Minister for Enterprise and Energy, expressed interest in ensuring that state-owned firms set an example by staying at the "leading edge" in sustainability performance
§ Sweden is the first country worldwide to mandate sustainability reporting of this nature by its state-owned companies.
§ >
· Guidelines for external reporting by state-owned companies (.pdf, 6 pp.)
· See also:
o Related article at GRI: State-owned companies in Sweden out-do the rest in sustainability reporting (11 January 2010)
o Related article at GRI: Sustainability reporting by state owned companies in Sweden increases dramatically (12 October 2009)
o related article and document at PwC: Sweden introduces state sector Sustainability reporting regulations - All state-owned companies in Sweden will be required to produce annual sustainability reports from 2009.
o related news at GRI: Sweden pioneers a global first in sustainability reporting (20 December 2007)
§ = (In Swedish) Tydligare informationskrav för hållbarhetsinformation för statligt ägda företag > Riktlinjer för extern rapportering för företag med statligt ägande
· SynTao »is a Beijing based organization that aims to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) in China.« > e.g.
o News >>
§ CSR Guideline for State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) (10 January 2008)
· See also related articles at:
o GRI: Reporting by Chinese State-Owned Enterprises set to rise (25 January 2008)
o China Daily: SOEs' new social roles (8 January 2008)
o Business & Human Rights Resource Centre: China's centrally-administered SOEs ordered to play leading role in social responsibility - Some of the country's 152 SOEs directly under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) will start this year to release regular reports for stake holders to evaluate their fulfillment of social duties...
· HK (Hong Kong) BEC Business Environment Council (WBCSD Regional Partner) >
o Events >
§ Presentations and Speeches >
· EnviroSeries 08 - International CSR Experts Forum >
o Guiding Principles for State-owned Enterprises to Implement Corporate Social Responsibility Measures (.pdf, 5 pp.; In Chinese)
§ Mr Peng Hua-Gang, Director of Research Office, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administation Commission (SASAC)
§ Vice President of Research Center, Corporate Social Responsibility of Department of Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)
· Environmental Leader >>
o Chinese CSR Reports Called into Question (22 December 2009)
§ State-owned enterprises perform better than private and multinational companies in corporate social responsibility (CSR), according to a report released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), reports Global Times. However, some analysts have concerns about the report’s methodology and results. …
· CEEP – »European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public services« gathers enterprises and organisations from across Europe, both public and private, at national, regional and local level, which are public employers or providers of services of general interest and is one of the three European cross-sectoral Social Partners.
o >>
§ DISCERNO – Analysing and Fostering CSR Practices
· This project is managed by CEEP (European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation and Enterprises of General Economic Interest) to promote Corporate Social Responsibility to enterprises providing Services of General Interest (SGI).
o See also:
§ Europa >> European Commission >>
· Enterprise and Industry >
o Policy highlights > Sustainable and responsible business > Corporate social responsibility >
§ Multi-stakeholder Forum on CSR >
· Plenary meeting 2009 = Forum Meeting, February 2009 = “CSR Review meeting” CSR Multi-Stakeholder Forum (10 February 2009, Brussels) >
o Review and recommendations from stakeholder organisations:
§ European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public services (CEEP) (.pdf, 4 pp.)
· EPSU European Federation of Public Service Unions > e.g.
o Public Utilities > e.g.
§ Energy
§ Waste
§ Water
§ Social Dialogue >
· Social dialogue in the electricity sector > e.g.
o Describing developments in the European electricity sector: Drivers for change: Corporate Social Responsibility - a report to the sectoral social partners (September 2007)
o Conference: Corporate Social Responsibility, does it make a difference? (12 December 2006, Brussels)
§ »Employers, Trade Unions and stakeholders discussing Corporate Social Responsibility in the European Electricity Sector«
o See also
§ Related news at GRI Global Reporting Initiative: European electricity trade unions and employers endorse GRI Electric Utilities Sector Supplement (June 2009)
· Eurelectric's 's mission is to contribute to the development and competitiveness of the electricity industry and to promote the role of electricity in the advancement of society.
· > also
o Restructuring in the Electricity Industry: A Toolkit for Socially Responsible Restructuring with a Best Practice Guide (December 2008; Also Polish, Romanian, Bulgarian and Croatian translations; A report for EURELECTRIC, EPSU and EMCEF)
· Social dialogue in the gas sector
· PSI Public Services International »Representing Public Sector Unions Globally«
· UN United Nations >>
o Economic and Social Development > Departments > Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) > Division for Sustainable Development >> e.g.
§ Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment.
· Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the Statement of principles for the Sustainable Management of Forests were adopted by more than 178 Governments at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, 3 to 14 June 1992.
· > e.g.
o Section III. Strengthening the Role of Major Groups > e.g.
§ 28. Local authorities' initiatives in support of Agenda 21
· »Each local authority should enter into a dialogue with its citizens, local organizations and private enterprises and adopt "a local Agenda 21".«
· »LA21 is a program that provides a framework for implementing sustainable development at the local level.«
· GRI Global Reporting Initiative > e.g.
o News & Events > Newsletter > News 2008 >
§ Sustainable cities – A concept gaining momentum (21 August 2008)
o Participants & Stakeholders >
§ Cities
· CSR News (Based in Hückeswagen, Germany) > e.g.
o Directory = csr-directory.net >
§ By Organization >
· Cities
· UNEP United Nations Environment Programme > e.g.
o Other thematic areas > e.g.
· UN-Habitat = United Nations Human Settlements Programme
o It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.
· WBCSD World Business Council for Sustainable Development > e.g.
o Initiatives >
· Greenleaf Publishing > e.g.
o Bookshop >
§ Green CITYnomics - The Urban War against Climate Change (October 2009; Edited by Kenny Tang)
· The International Awards for Liveable Communities
o The LivCom Awards were launched in 1997 and are endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme. LivCom is the world’s only Awards Competition focussing on Best Practice regarding the management of the local environment. The objective of LivCom is to improve the quality of life of individual citizens through the creation of ‘liveable communities’.
o LivCom is non-political, embracing all nations and cultures, and over 50 countries are represented within the Awards.
· ULI Urban Land Institute > e.g.
o Discover ULI > Leaders in the Field >
§ Industry Topics >
§ Awards >
· FT ULI Sustainable Cities Award
o Research >
§ Policy and Practice Priority Areas >
· Sustainability/Climate Change
· nrg4SD Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development
· CDP Carbon Disclosure Project >
o Programs >
· CDP Public Procurement provides a proven way for national and local governments to engage with suppliers on energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Using a standardized process, members of the program are able to understand the climate change related risk they face through the supply chain so that they can take action to ensure effective and timely delivery of public services in a warming world.
§ New Initiatives >
· CDP Cities Programme
o CDP has completed a pilot project looking at the greenhouse gas emissions and climate change actions of 18 US cities. >
§ Cities Pilot Project 2008 (.pdf, 48 pp.)
· ISEAL Alliance - The International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling Alliance >
o What We Do >
§ Policy & Advocacy >
o Voluntary social and environmental standards initiatives are being used by a growing number of public authorities (at local, regional and national levels) around the world to deliver on their public policy objectives for: the environment, social justice, poverty alleviation, food safety, and many more.
· Earth Portal > e.g.
o EOE Encyclopedia of Earth >> e.g.
§ Environmental performance indicators for the public sector (By Tomas Barros Ramos)
o Online News > e.g.
§ Global index aims to measure sustainability of cities (4 September 2008) - An initiative to help cities around the world to become more sustainable – the Low-carbon City Index – was launched yesterday by WWF and a group of city representatives from China, India and Denmark...
· Jordan Environment Watch (Blog by Batir Wardam) - Ideas, innovations and trends for environmental sustainability in Jordan and the Arab World. >
o Categories: Sustainable cities
· EL Environmental Leader »Energy & Environmental News for Business« >
o See All Topics >
§ Government > e.g.
· Obama Orders Government To Slash GHG Emissions 28% (29 January 2010)
· Philadelphia Strives to Be America’s No. 1 Green City (29 April 2009)
· NY Publishes Preliminary Guide for State’s Green Purchasing (16 December 2008)
· More than 900 U.S. Mayors Sign Climate Protection Agreement (25 November 2008)
· Green Govt Initiatives Grow, Implementation Lags (28 August 2008; Relating to Government Business Council survey: The State of Green Government)
· The Climate Group > e.g.
o Reducing Emissions >
§ Case Studies (Also: Municipal Government, Regional Government, National Government)
· Cleaner Production International LLC (Burton Hamner) »offers sustainable business consulting services around the world, with specialization in organization sustainability management, developing countries and in design of government programs to promote sustainable business.« > e.g.
o Directory = The Directory for Cleaner Production, Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Business > e.g.
§ Sectors
· »Cleaner Production and Pollution Prevention methods were originally designed to help manufacturing companies reduce their emissions and wastes. Since then the concepts have expanded greatly to apply to several other important sectors.«
· > e.g.
o Cleaner Production and Pollution Prevention for Communities and Local Governments
§ »This page has links to sustainable cities programs around the world.«