Two GRI Certified Courses are taking place from Mon 9 – Wed 11 March 2020, which are designed to prepare businesses to start addressing the Sustainable Development Goals, take all round sustainability action ASAP and prepare sustainability reports.

Can I have your comments on this please.

All steps that encourage increased awareness about these issues should be welcomed. Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise wants to be in the lead in this project, as is the case with so many other initiatives around the competitiveness of Icelandic business. A successful approach in this field is just one of the crucial factors regarding competitiveness for the years to come.

SustainCase: How do you think sustainability reporting will help, in practical terms, companies in Iceland achieve business success? Also, how do you think sustainability reporting will impact the economy of Iceland in general?

Sustainable use, waste reduction, better use of resources are critical drivers for success in business-operation in the coming years. Companies that acknowledge these issues and report on how they are doing in this field are more likely to show reliable performance in the future. Excellent performance and increased value-creation of companies are beneficial to all.

SustainCase: There is a growing body of research (Oxford University, Harvard Business School, Mintel, UK’s Chartered Institute of Marketing, Morgan Stanley, Nielsen) that suggests companies need to be part of the sustainable economy to survive. Can I have your comment on this?

The sustainable use of natural resources is one of the fundamental elements of the Icelandic economy. For decades, Iceland has been dedicated to a sustainable approach in both its fisheries and energy sectors. By doing so, Iceland has realized not only tremendous economic value for the companies involved but also long-term benefits for the Icelandic economy.

SustainCase: Millennials, the largest generation ever, are overwhelmingly pro-sustainability and are showing this with their every action on a personal level and as decision makers in businesses. Is this also the case in Iceland?

Yes! That is definitely the case here. Consequently, because of the millennial push, older generations are becoming more aware of the importance of changing how we live our lives in this regard—and they are taking action.

SustainCase: What are, in your view, the most important economic, social, and environmental sustainability challenges Iceland faces today?

In Iceland, we are very fortunate in regards to many of these factors. We benefit from very clean water and air, and we are rich in natural resources. Currently, our main challenge is to understand the scope of these challenges on a global scale and increase awareness for the necessary actions. We need to look beyond Iceland. We need to understand and become aware of what is going on globally.

SustainCase: Global warming is, today, the most important challenge to sustainable development. How do you think Icelandic companies can help fight climate change?

Icelandic society is based on the production of sustainable energy.  All of our electricity and heating is from renewable energy sources such as geothermal and hydroelectric. Iceland has participated in the EU´s climate strategy, including ETS since 2008. By doing so, we can hopefully share our experience in the field, and this could lead to fewer emissions across the EU. Additionally, many companies in Iceland are ambitiously striving to become carbon-neutral by minimising waste and by carbon offset through forestry and soil conservation.

Samtök Atvinnulífsins facilitates GRI Certified Sustainability Training in Iceland

Two GRI Certified Courses are taking place in March. A collaboration of Samtök Atvinnulífsins with London based FBRH Consultants and Navigo:

• 2-day FBRH GRI Standards and ISEP approved course (Mon 9 – Tue 10 March 2020)
  This course prepares all participants to project manage a first-class sustainability report and succeed in taking all round sustainability action ASAP.

• 1-day FBRH GRI Certified “Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into your reporting process”
  Participants are taught the recommended methodology for choosing the right SDGs for action and how these can be addressed using the GRI Standards. It is important to note that the GRI Standards are the only sustainability framework that can address all the SDGs.

The post An interview with Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise on sustainability training appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

The benefits of sustainability reporting with the GRI Standards is that stakeholders are consulted to determine the materiality of the report.  Therefore, the information provided in the report is targeted to their interest, emphasizing transparency.  The standards have also resulted in more focused CSR work within the company e.g. to identify improvements for action.

SustainCase: Isavia was the winner of last year’s award by Festa on sustainability reporting. In view of your sustainability reporting journey, is there any advice you can give to companies who are looking to take positive action on the environment, economy and society through sustainability actions and sustainability reporting?

Be focused and choose the materiality well based on the type of business the company is in.  It is very important to connect the work and emphasize in the report to the corporate strategy.  Sustainability actions and reporting should be looked at as a continuous improvement process – just by starting the journey companies are already taking positive actions.

SustainCase: There is a growing body of research (Oxford University, Harvard Business School, Mintel, UK’s Chartered Institute of Marketing, Morgan Stanley, Nielsen) that strongly suggests companies need to be part of the sustainable economy to survive. Can I have your comment on this?

There has been a growing demand from our stakeholders for social responsibility.  Customers require companies to be responsible and employees want to work for companies that are responsible.  This trend will only increase with new generations entering the workforce.

SustainCase: Millennials, the largest generation ever, are overwhelmingly pro-sustainability and are showing this with their every action on a personal level and as decision makers in businesses. Is this also the case in Iceland?

Yes, we see the same trend in Iceland.

SustainCase: What are, in your view, the most important economic, social, and environmental sustainability challenges Iceland faces today?

The most important challenge is the effect of climate change and the unforeseen consequences that will have on the life of people.

SustainCase: Global warming is, today, the most important challenge to sustainable development. How do you think Icelandic companies can help fight climate change?

The most important action Icelandic companies can do is reducing and then eliminate carbon emissions from their operation in any way they can and as fast as they can.

Samtök Atvinnulífsins facilitates GRI Certified Sustainability Training in Iceland

Two GRI Certified Courses are taking place in March. A collaboration of Samtök Atvinnulífsins with London based FBRH Consultants and Navigo:

• 2-day FBRH GRI Standards and ISEP approved course (Mon 9 – Tue 10 March 2020)
  This course prepares all participants to project manage a first-class sustainability report and succeed in taking all round sustainability action ASAP.

• 1-day FBRH GRI Certified “Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into your reporting process”
  Participants are taught the recommended methodology for choosing the right SDGs for action and how these can be addressed using the GRI Standards. It is important to note that the GRI Standards are the only sustainability framework that can address all the SDGs.

The post Interview with Hrönn Ingólfsdóttir, Isavia appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

The report was published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and includes some key messages. “The first is that limiting warming to 1.5C brings a lot of benefits compared with limiting it to two degrees. It really reduces the impacts of climate change in very important ways,” according to Prof Jim Skea, who co-chairs the IPCC.

“The second is the unprecedented nature of the changes that are required if we are to limit warming to 1.5C – changes to energy systems, changes to the way we manage land, changes to the way we move around with transportation.” Urgent, large-scale changes from governments and individuals are thus necessary, along with massive investments every year, approximately 2.5 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP).

What can I do?

According to the report, rapid and significant changes in four big global systems – energy, land use, cities and industry – are required. In addition, lifestyle changes by individuals are also highly important, and the study urges people to:

• buy less meat, milk, cheese and butter and more locally sourced seasonal food – and throw less of it away
• drive electric cars but walk or cycle short distances
• take trains and buses instead of planes
• use videoconferencing instead of business travel
• use a washing line instead of a tumble dryer
• insulate homes
• demand low carbon in every consumer product

Five steps to keep global warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius

• By 2030, global CO2 emissions need to decline by 45 per cent from 2010 levels
• Renewables are estimated to provide up to 85 per cent of global electricity by 2050
• Coal is expected to reduce to near zero
• Up to seven million sq km of land will be needed for energy crops (a bit less than the size of Australia)
• Global net zero emissions by 2050

What will happen if we do not take action?

According to the researchers, if we fail to keep temperature rises below 1.5 Celsius and reach two degrees of warming:

• coral reefs would be essentially wiped out
• global sea-level will rise about 10cm more
• there will be significant impacts on ocean temperatures and acidity, and the ability to grow crops such as rice, maize and wheat

Hard decisions are needed

Political leaders and governments around the globe, will have to take hard decisions. If the nations of the world do not act soon, they will have to rely even more on unproven technologies to take carbon out of the air – a both expensive and uncertain means of limiting global warming.

“They really need to start work immediately. The report is clear that if governments just fulfil the pledges they made in the Paris agreement for 2030, it is not good enough. It will make it very difficult to consider global warming of 1.5C. If they read the report and decide to increase their ambitions and act more immediately, then 1.5C stays within reach – that’s the nature of the choice they face,” said Prof Jim Skea.

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

FBRH GRI Standards Certified and ISEP approved Sustainability Course | Venue: London LSE

By registering for the next 2-day FBRH GRI-Standards Certified and ISEP approved Course you will be taking the first step in gaining the many benefits of sustainability reporting.

References:

This article is based on published information by BBC. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the publication’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45775309?app=news.science_and_environment.story.45775309.page

The post Climate report: Scientists urge deep rapid change to limit warming appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

Committed to eradicating extreme poverty and supporting shared, sustainable prosperity across the globe, the World Bank takes action to advance UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the same time, the World Bank adopts, in its sustainability reporting, the GRI-G4 guidelines and identifies its most important sustainability issues based on GRI-G4 aspect categories. Examples of such action include:

• The World Bank takes action to measure, manage and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, maximize its energy and water efficiency and promote sustainability in its supply chain. These priorities relate to SDG 12 (“Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”) and to a number of GRI-G4 indicators (for example, G4-EN3, G4-EN5, G4-EN6, G4-EN15, G4-EN19, G4-EN32).

• The World Bank strives to combat climate change by reducing emissions – in 2015, the World Bank reduced its emissions by 5,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) –, implementing energy efficiency improvements at its offices globally and reducing electricity consumption at its headquarters. These goals are in line with SDG 13 (“Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”) and several GRI-G4 indicators (for example, G4-EN6, G4-EN15, G4-EN16, G4-EN17, G4-EN18, G4-EN19).

• Promoting gender equality in the workplace, the World Bank achieved “EDGE Assess” certification for its headquarters in Washington, DC (Economic Dividends for Gender Equality, or EDGE, is the leading global standard for gender equality at work). This target corresponds to SDG 5 (“Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”) and GRI-G4 indicators G4-LA12 and G4-LA13.

• The World Bank created the Open Learning Campus (OLC), offering employees, clients and partners further education opportunities. This initiative is related to SDG 4 (“Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning”) and GRI-G4 indicators G4-LA9 and G4-LA10.

References:

This article was compiled using information published at the links below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses but made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the publication’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the links below:

https://blogs.worldbank.org/voices/committed-sustainability-five-world-bank-corporate-actions-support-sdgs

http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/25110/108335.pdf

http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/annual-report

https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/22723

The post How the World Bank takes action on UN’s Sustainable Development Goals appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

This case study is based on the 2016 Global Responsibility Report by Walmart published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate that CSR/ sustainability reporting done responsibly is achieved by identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment and stakeholders and by measuring, managing and changing. 

Abstract

Committed to joining global efforts to stop global warming, Walmart is actively striving to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions in its operations. In order to succeed in its efforts to reduce its energy intensity and emissions, Walmart took action to:

• Invest in renewable energy sources
• Reduce Walmart’s energy demand through energy efficiency
• Improve refrigeration systems in Walmart’s stores
• Increase the efficiency of Walmart’s U.S. fleet

The post Case study: How Walmart is reducing energy intensity and emissions in its operations appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

This case study is based on the 2014 Sustainability Report by Allianz published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate that CSR/ sustainability reporting done responsibly is achieved by identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment and stakeholders and by measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Among other key material issues, global warming and climate change, as well as the company’s environmental footprint, stand out as of crucial significance for Allianz and its broad spectrum of stakeholders. Prioritizing these issues, Allianz took action – after measuring and setting targets – on reducing its carbon footprint and energy consumption, as well as on engaging its employees and raising their awareness of climate change as a key issue for its business. Additional policies and measures included furthering the integration of sustainability in products and services and reducing total waste production.

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