WBCSD Sustain Newsletter | Lessons from North America and Looking Forward to Montreux

WBCSD held its annual Member Meeting in North America earlier this month, welcoming almost 100 professionals from over 50 companies to discuss how “teams of rivals” are changing the sustainability landscape. Held in Phoenix, Arizona ahead of the 10th annual GreenBiz conference, the half-day event put a focus on trust in business, the future of jobs, risk management and the circular economy. During the Greenbiz conference itself, WBCSD ran an in-depth tutorial session on the business implications of the SDGs, highlighting important new developments and showcasing best practice in strategic integration by business of the SDGs. For more information on our Member Meeting in North America, and Greenbiz 2018, read our Insider Perspective.

SPIC and Bain Capital join WBCSD

This month we were delighted to announce China’s State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) and Bain & Company as new members of WBCSD. SPIC is one of China’s leading power generators and becomes WBCSD’s fifth Chinese member company. Bain & Company offers management consultancy services to many of the world's leading business leaders. We are excited to see what each company can achieve by working with like-minded global businesses as part of WBCSD.

Read our latest publications on ESG reporting

WBCSD and the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB) released a new report that maps global and regional Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting trends. Earlier this month we released a case study into China’s sustainability reporting trends and translated the Reporting Exchange into Chinese. We also took a closer look at the reporting landscape in the USA and Canada and published new draft guidance for Applying Enterprise Risk Management to Environmental, Social and Governance-related Risks.

Business Action on the SDGs in Japan

300 business leaders came together in Tokyo in early February for a conference organized by the Fujitsu Research Institute at the headquarters of Keidanren, WBCSD’s Global Network partner in Japan. The event explored how Japanese companies could maximize their potential to contribute to the goals while also using them as a framework to drive forward new business opportunities. WBCSD was represented by Julian Hill-Landolt, Director, Sustainable Lifestyles, who emphasized the opportunities for business as outlined in the CEO Guide to the SDGs.

Delivering a sustainable chemical industry

‘Sustainability’ may not have traditionally been the first thing associated with the chemical industry, but Sumitomo Chemical have changed that by scaling up sustainability in the sector. On Panorama this month, we sat down with Yoshihisa Takasaki and Katleen Buyle of Sumitomo Chemical to discuss how to promote blue sky thinking among staff and deliver a sustainable chemical industry. Listen to the interview on iTunes or on our website.

Nominate a sustainability leader for 30 Under 30

GreenBiz Group, in partnership with WBCSD, is opening nominations for the 2018 class of "30 Under 30" honorees, showcasing the next generation of sustainable business leaders. The annual editorial feature shines a light on up-and-coming young professionals working in sustainability inside large and small companies as well as government and the nonprofit sector. The deadline for nominations is 13 April – nominate a leader in your business today!

Click here to sign up for WBCSD's monthly Sustain newsletter!