Governance
Description
Integrate into governance: incorporate fundamental considerations of environmental and social factors into the governance of the organization
Question
To what extent do you incorporate fundamental considerations of environmental and social factors into the governance of the organization?
Resources
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New Next Generation Governance: Developing Position Statements on Sustainability Issues
Author: Embedding ProjectThere is growing pressure among companies to link social and environmental limits to corporate strategy and goal-setting. However, the result is often a lengthy document that fails to make strategic connections between specific issues and their implications on business decision-making. We developed this guidebook to help you articulate a concise and transparent board level position on key environmental, social, and governance issues. Drawing upon in-depth analyses of over 3000 board position statements; over 300 interviews with CEOs, directors, and board chairs; and concepts outlined in our series on the Road to Context, this guidebook provides a checklist for crafting a contextual board position statement and includes examples from a range of industries and global settings. -
Governance for Sustainability: The CERES Roadmap for Sustainability
This resource offers short explanations of sustainability in the context of board oversight, management accountability, executive compensation, corporate policies and management systems, and public policy. This is part of The CERES Roadmap for Sustainability. -
Sustainability in the Boardroom
This article explores flaws in how corporate boards oversee sustainability initiatives, and takes a look at how the role of the corporate responsibility committee at Nike has evolved over time, from firefighting on individual issues to playing an integral role in the company’s innovation efforts. Written by Jill Ker Conway, a board member at Nike for over twenty years, this article highlights the value of board-level corporate responsibility committees that engage the board on labour, health, and environmental issues, as well as other emerging concerns that were not being raised to the attention of key leadership personnel. -
Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century
This report offers insight into the debate around whether or not fiduciary duty is a legitimate barrier to investors integrating sustainability into their investment processes. It was produced by Principles for Responsible Investing in collaboration with UNEP and the UN Global Compact. The report is based on interviews with over fifty investors, policy makers, lawyers, and regulators. -
21st Century Engagement: Investor Strategies for Incorporating ESG Considerations into Corporate Interactions
This guide from Ceres and Black Rock aims to empower investors who are engaging companies on sustainability issues. It explores different tactics (such as shareholder proposals and proxy votes) and outlines methods for asking the 'right' questions. It also includes sample questions investors can ask companies to better understand their approach to sustainability. -
Climate Change Briefing: Questions for Directors to Ask
This brief is a good primer on climate change for directors. It offers 20 questions they can ask management about how they are adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Part of Chartered Accountants of Canada’s 20 Questions Series, it includes specific questions related to risk, strategy, financial performance, external reporting systems, and controls and governance.
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