Network for Business Sustainability

2023 was a wild ride for business .

Wondering how to make sense of it all?

Andrew Winston's summary might help. Winston is a leading voice in management and sustainability and the coauthor of Net Positive.

He describes 2023 as a year of "duality."

"The forces driving companies toward sustainability are relentless … yet we’re not doing enough, and some powerful counter-pressures are in play. I see duality.

"As a society, we are winning (more companies doing more than ever) AND losing (emissions and inequality still rising). As the clean economy grows, or human rights and equality get more attention, those who do not want these changes also work to slow progress."

Winston identifies 3 key trends that dominated discussions last year:
1. The Anti-ESG Movement
2. China Leads the World to Clean Economy Tipping Points
3. Rising Requirements and Regulations for Reporting

According to Wiston, there's more momentum for the progress toward sustainability action than pushback against it. "There wouldn’t be such powerful backlash if there weren’t real progress," he says. We're not going fast enough, but we are moving in the right direction.

Do you agree?

Read on for Winston's summaries of these 3 key sustainability trends, here: https://hbr.org/2023/12/2023-a-strange-tumultuous-year-in-sustainability

2023: A Strange, Tumultuous Year in Sustainability The year 2023 contained several important sustainability narratives and trends. The author outlines three key ones — the anti-ESG movement, China’s acceleration of a clean economy, and the rise of reporting regulations — and then suggests a series countervailing forces pushing against each. He...

Did you know that December 18th was International Migrants Day?

Migration is an ever important part of our world. It can benefit business and society.

Why is migration so valuable?

Because today, businesses face a “global race for labour.” There are staffing shortages everywhere from your local coffee shop to your accounting department and company leadership.

This is happening partly because of demographic changes, like aging populations in many countries. It means there’s demand for both lower-skilled and high-skilled migrant workers.

Is your company tapping into this talent source?

International migrants offer unique strengths as employees. Because of their international ties, language skills, and ability to navigate different cultures, they are often innovative, entrepreneurial, and well-suited for solving nuanced problems.

But integrating them into company structures and culture isn’t always straightforward.

For managers, it’s important to know that international migrants are a diverse group. Human resources needs can differ depending on what specific types of migrants your company is working with.

In this article, Researchers Milda Žilinskaitė and Aida Hajro describe specific tips for hiring and integrating three groups: High-skilled migrants, Lower-skilled migrants, and Refugees.

Learn more: https://nbs.net/what-migration-means-for-business/

What Migration Means for Business - Network for Business Sustainability (NBS) International migration is part of our world. Businesses have a central role in managing this workforce. Learn more from the experts.

Does your company want to increase your sustainability impact through ?

This article provides concrete circular business models you can integrate into your organization's strategy.

Circularity is more than recycling; there are many ways that companies can pursue it, and some have better environmental outcomes than others.

Researcher and business owner Nancy Bocken describes one particularly impactful set of strategies as "slowing the loop."

Slowing the loop means rethinking business models to keep resources in the economy longer -- consuming fewer materials and creating less waste. Spoiler: you can still be a profitable company with these techniques!

Here are 6 key tactics companies can use to "slow the loop."

1. Design for durability and repair.
2. Provide lifetime warranties and repair services.
3. Support product reuse (ex: through a reselling service).
4. Remanufacture or restore old products
5. Promote "sufficiency" (don't push unnecessary or extra products on consumers)
6. Provide options for customers to rent or lease products rather than buying them (i.e., "product service systems")


https://nbs.net/business-models-for-the-circular-economy-and-which-make-a-difference/

Not all actions have to be new or fancy.

In the circular economy, for example, media often highlights new and complex technological approaches taking place in developed countries.

But there are tons of circular economy initiatives happening in other, less glamorized settings too.

This article showcases the circular economies in low-income settings, emphasising labour and resourcefulness (“making do”) over efficiency and technological solutions.

Featuring research by Angelina Korsunova, Minna Halme, Arno Kourula, Jarkko Levänen, and Maria Lima-Toivanen, who examined poor urban areas in Tanzania, Brazil, and India, the article offers lessons for anyone interested in circularity around the world.

The graphic below provides a preview of how the circular economy varies by income.

In wealthier countries, the circular economy is led by government and business.

In lower-income settings, the circular economy is powered by the “informal sector,” which means workers without formal contracts or government regulations. Very small businesses and entrepreneurial individuals are at the core of the local circular economy.

For example, there are hundreds of “micro-businesses” that either specialize in making different household items or agricultural tools out of recycled materials, or simply sell pieces of wood and metal scrap for similar purposes. Simple ovens are made out of barrels, and water containers are made from regular plastic containers by adding a nozzle.

As researcher, Angelina Korsunova says: “The simple low-tech solutions can spark ideas and energize us all to value, respect and engage with what we already have at our hands. This informal circular economy can energize us all.”

Learn more: https://nbs.net/lessons-from-the-circular-economy-in-low-income-settings/

Students are a powerful force for sustainability.

From the school strikes to university oil & gas divestment campaigns -- student-driven movements for change are a force to be reckoned with on- and off- campus.

Here are some lessons about how students can drive sustainable change while wearing a slightly different hat -- that of the summer intern.

Based on the experiences of 125 fellows in the Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps program, researchers Soderstrom and Schifeling offer insights into how individuals can achieve change — and how organizations can help them.

Each of these fellows spent the summer working on corporate environmental and sustainability projects on everything from energy efficiency to sustainability strategy.

They found that mentoring, technical expertise, and peer support provided by EDF helped fellows achieve their goals; companies could provide similar support for their employees.

Read more to find tips for students who want to drive sustainable change, and for organizations who want to support them: https://nbs.net/what-840-employees-say-about-creating-change/

Here are 4 Tips on How to Build Community in Your Supply Chain.

You might ask: "Why would I care if my supply chain members are friendly with each other?"

It turns out, community-building in supply chains is one powerful way companies can improve on climate reporting.

Why?

Research shows that when suppliers in the same supply chain have many contracts with one another, the amount of reporting those companies do goes up – a lot.

Supply chains with the greatest number of supplier-to-supplier contracts disclose two times more data than supply chains with the fewest supplier-to-supplier contracts.

So: how do you increase those supplier-supplier relationships?

1. Map your supply chain.
You want a complete list of all your suppliers and customers and of the contracts among them. You can leverage some existing supply chain databases to get started.

2. Help suppliers and customers build relationships.
Facilitate those links! Hold events, or just suggest meet-ups at existing industry gatherings.

3. Encourage connections across "clusters."
Supply chains can get cliquey. Take extra care to connect suppliers that might not organically meet.

4. Evaluate new suppliers.
Select suppliers that already show transparency and willingness to collaborate.

What are you waiting for? If you're aiming to improve your company's scope 3 reporting, put on your community-building hat and get networking.

Learn more: https://nbs.net/build-supply-chain-community-for-better-scope-3-emissions-reporting/

Greenwashing happens when organizations imply that they are acting more sustainably than they really are.

The consequences for greenwashing are growing, with new government regulations and public pressure. For example:

-- Keurig Canada was fined $3 million last year by the Competition Bureau for making misleading or false claims that its K-Cup pods were recyclable.

-- In the U.S., an investment firm controlled by Deutsche Bank must pay $25 million to settle charges over misstatements regarding its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing practices

But greenwashing isn't gone. And researchers are calling attention to "Greenwashing 3.0." That's the new(est) model of greenwashing, in which corporations make environmental commitments that occur in the future rather than the present.

For example, if a company plans for net zero in 2050, it needs a science-based strategy to get there, interim targets, and independent verification. Otherwise, it's greenwashing.

So: how to prevent greenwashing and the damage it causes?

A new research-based report provides guidance, including an assessment tool for companies and regulators to identify and prevent greenwashing. Jump in, and find out how to make your future green -- for real!

Read the press release on the research, from Ivey Business School and the University of Michigan's Erb Institute: https://news.westernu.ca/2023/10/western-report-shows-how-to-combat-corporate-greenwashing/
Read the report: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/175998623/

Greenwashing 3.0 This interactive flipbook is created with FlippingBook, a service for streaming PDFs online. No download, no waiting. Open and start reading right away!

Marina Schmitz teaches about sustainable futures...

And she also embraces the future by experimenting with new technologies, such as ChatGPT!

In this article, you can learn about her course “Future Scenarios for Sustainable Business Solutions” for Master’s students in International Business at CBS International Business School in Cologne, Germany.

You can watch the video, where Schmitz presented her course to the Sustainability Centres Community as part of a Series on How to Engage Students in Sustainability

OR, if you'd rather read a summary, you can find ChatGPT's lively (lightly edited) summary of her presentation.

Here are some lessons learned from the presentation, inspired by Chat's summary:

Explore New Horizons: Encourage students to imagine and design multiple futures. It’s about seeing the world not in terms of “what will be” but “what could be.” This exercise opens minds to a vast spectrum of possibilities.

The Power of Play: To foster engagement, bring improv theater into the classroom. In one exercise Schmitz uses, students envision an alternative future for management in 2035 by telling a future story together. Toni, in the year 2035, wakes up in a world without money or competitiveness, where environmental awareness reigns supreme. This playful approach unleashes creativity and helps students think outside the box.

Backcasting for Success: Students can work backward from long-term goals to identify the steps needed to achieve envisioned futures. This strategic planning method empowers students to chart a course toward their desired future, empowering them to lead change.

https://nbs.net/teaching-business-students-to-create-and-navigate-sustainable-futures/

How are you envisioning and embracing the future?

Teaching Business Students to Create and Navigate Sustainable Futures - Network for Business Sustainability (NBS) Tomorrow’s leaders need new visions of the future. Marina Schmitz shares insights from her course merging futures studies and sustainability.

Have you heard of the "Waste Recovery Hierarchy"?

It might sound boring, but it's an important tool to understand if you care about the Circular Economy.

Why?

Because not all "circular" strategies are made equal.

Usually, it's better to prevent waste altogether than to recycle it, for example.

We often consider these different strategies as they relate to things like plastics, metals, batteries, etc.

But circular strategies from the waste hierarchy are relevant for the food sector, too!

The "Food Recovery Hierarchy" includes strategies like:
-- Prevention
-- Redistribution (or discount selling)
-- Upcycling
-- Material recovery
-- Animal feeding
-- Anaerobic digestion, composting, and incineration

Learn more about each in the slider below.

Understanding these guidleines is useful -- but following them isn't a sure-fire way to maximize your positive environmental impact. To use these tools best, companies need to think in systems. For example: Will upcycling require more transportation and ultimately create more emissions than a strategy "lower" on the hierarchy?

Learn how to assess these trade-offs, and 4 best practices to apply, in this article: https://nbs.net/when-does-the-circular-economy-improve-agrifood-sustainability/

Calling all Business School Educators:

Do you have experience teaching about climate change? Perhaps you:

Have integrated a climate-focused lecture, case, or activity into a core business course;
Teach a sustainability-focused course where climate is a key topic;
Teach a climate-focused elective or certificate.
If so, we want to hear from you.

The Network for Business Sustainability is hosting monthly webinars, starting in January 2024, to showcase examples of teaching climate in business schools.

These webinars will help educators learn from one another and catalyze the adoption of climate content in business curricula. All interested academic faculty and staff are welcome to attend – and to contribute!

We're seeking educators who can provide short (5-10 minute) presentations on a single effective approach they’ve used in teaching climate.

Ultimately, each 1.5-hour virtual session will feature multiple short presentations, as well as Q&A and discussion breakouts.

The call for submissions will be open until November 19.

If you have experience teaching climate, please fill out our short form and apply to share it through this series!

Learn more and find the submission form here: https://nbs.net/teaching-climate-change-in-business-schools-nbs-virtual-event-series/

We all want to believe we're headed for a better future.

Sometimes, reading the news can make that belief hard to maintain.

But the latest projections from the International Energy Agency on the growing renewable energy sector paint a better picture.

The World Energy Outlook 2023 report projects that by 2030:

-- Nearly half of the world's electricity supply will come from energy.
-- Ten times as many electric cars will be on the road.
-- Heat pumps and other electric heating systems will outsell boilers.
-- There will be three times as much investment in new offshore wind projects than coal- and gas-fired power plants.

However, all these positive trends do not mean that we -- goverments, businesses, investors, NGOs and individuals -- can stop pushing.

The report emphasizes that "much stronger policies are needed to limit fossil fuel emissions to keep warming to 1.5C by the end of the century."

is an opportunity for governments and other stakeholders to advance that goal.

Along with the meetings between government leaders, COP comes with many "side events" with other stakeholders with the potential to make meaningful change.

How is your organization responding to the need for stronger policies? How will it fit into the new, greener, energy future that the IEA describes?

Let us know in the comments below, and read more about the IEA's announcements here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/climate/iea-report-world-energy-outlook-2023-1.7005194

The fast-changing world of AI can be scary — for business, people, and the environment.

Can a nonprofit organizational structure make it safer?

To answer this question, Prof Tima Bansal looked at Open AI — one of the leading organizations driving AI technology today.

Open AI is a nonprofit — but it owns a for-profit organization: “Open AI LLC.”

Open AI’s leadership points to this nonprofit ownership as assurance that the organization will foster openness and safety and ensure benefits are distributed widely.

But, according to Bansal, there is little evidence to show that is the case.

Instead, there are several indicators that OpenAI’s non-profit ownership structure has very little influence on its current operations.

1. It has not made its research “open,” — contrasting with the original value and emphasis on transparency

2. It uses web content without permission from (or compensation for) those who own the data — contrasting with the original value of distributing benefits broadly

3. It is not contributing much of its profits back to the nonprofit owner

Learn more about Open AI’s structure and why nonprofit ownership might not guarantee organizational behaviour that’s good for the world: https://www.forbes.com/sites/timabansal/2023/10/13/does-openais-non-profit-ownership-structure-actually-matter/?sh=95cd087d18a6

Does OpenAI’s Non-Profit Ownership Structure Actually Matter? There is little evidence to show that OpenAI's non-profit ownership structure influences OpenAI's operations.

Have you been hearing about "regenerative agriculture"?

Especially following yesterday's , this is an important climate solution to be aware of.

But what is does it really mean?

The “regenerative” concept has been growing in popularity over the last few years, and some say that's because it can take “sustainability” to the next level.

processes can be sustained in the long term: they meet today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. processes aim to improve the systems they operate in.

Here’s how this applies to agriculture:

Regenerative agriculture is a way of farming that seeks to actively improve the health of the environment, as opposed to simply maintaining it (or worse, degrading it).

It’s not a single standard or certification (yet); it’s a collection of farm management practices. At the core is an emphasis on soil health.

– or dirt – may not be glamorous.

But it’s the foundation of agriculture. Healthy soil stores essential nutrients like carbon and phosphorus, critical for healthy plants -- and food! Healthy soil and regenerative practices create benefits from biodiversity to cleaner water to healthier workers and more productive land.

So, what are the farming practices that enable soil health? Find out in the graphic below, and seek out these practices in your suppliers to support healthy humans and a healthy planet.

Learn more about regenerative agriculture and how it applies to business sustainability: https://nbs.net/how-does-regenerative-agriculture-work/

Today is World Mental Health Day.

What's that got to do with sustainability? A whole lot!

For companies, supporting employee mental health through fair labour practices is a core pillar of social sustainability. Strong Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives can also improve employees' mental health.

For individuals working in sustainability, taking care of personal mental health is also important.

That's because sustainability jobs can be emotionally challenging.

We're faced with big challenges like climate change every day, and sometimes, it's hard to feel optimistic. All this can take a toll!

In this article, NBS Community Manager Abby Litchfield writes about her personal experience with making sense of the emotions that come with working in sustainability.

Her strategy for processing them?

Making .

Read Abby's story and listen to her original song about climate grief here: https://nbs.net/how-music-can-support-sustainability-work/

As you listen, ask yourself: "What's my strategy for processing emotions about climate and sustainability?"

Let us know your answers in the comments below!

Learn more about social sustainability for business: https://nbs.net/what-is-social-sustainability/

Are you ready to revolutionize education and drive sustainable change?

That's the goal of the 2023 Higher Education Summit.

What makes this event special? This year features a "Student Takeover."

According to conference organizers Copernicus Alliance and Oikos International, preparing for a sustainable future requires shifting toward more learner-driven education. That means students, teachers and other stakeholders learn together -- by doing.

The 3-day online summit embodies this idea.

It aims to bring together different audiences including students and educators to pursue sustainable development within higher education

The program is interactive, with different formats including keynotes, workshops, and spaces for informal exchange among participants.

Registration is open now, and it's free. The conference takes place online from November 23-25 2023.

Got ideas?

There's still time to contribute a session to the agenda, too. Short proposals are due on the 6th.

Learn more https://www.higher-education-summit.com/about-2023

Wondering how to report on Scope 3 Emissions?

Often, the challenge begins with supply chain .

"Scope 3" refers to greenhouse gases emitted throughout a company's whole value chain: from suppliers to customers.

Scope 3 reporting is increasingly demanded by investors, shareholders, and regulatory agencies -- but it can be tough for companies to do.

If your suppliers aren't reporting emissions from their operations (their scope 1 and 2), then how are you supposed to include them in your scope 3 assessment?

Luckily, new research shows how to increase reporting within your supply chain -- and therefore improve your scope 3 reporting.

The key? Build community in your supply chain.

When researchers compared supply chains, they found that when suppliers in the same supply chain have many contracts with one another, those companies do a lot more reporting.

Supply chains with the most supplier-to-supplier contracts disclose 2X more data than supply chains with the fewest supplier-to-supplier contracts.

How do you go about building these connections?

Read this article to learn 4 tips you can apply today: https://nbs.net/build-supply-chain-community-for-better-scope-3-emissions-reporting/

Thanks to the researchers: Jury Gualandris and colleagues Annachiara Longoni (ESADE Business School), Davide Luzzini (EADA Business School), and Mark Pagell (University College Dublin), and NBS author Chelsea Hicks Webster.

Today is Canada's "Truth and Reconciliation" Day.

The day focuses on commemorating the painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools in Canada. It's also a chance to reflect on Indigenous-settler relationships more broadly.

This reflection matters for everyone, including businesses partnering with Indigenous peoples.

These partnerships can require businesses to reconsider some assumptions, such as the value of "efficiency."

In the right context, efficiency can mean reducing the cost, time, and even complexity of a project.

But sometimes, it can also prevent businesses from developing healthy relationships with community partners.

This article shares insights from two people who’ve explored this challenge:

-- BJ Cruse (Chair of the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council in Australia)
-- Meagan Baker (Researcher and Director of Skills & Education at Western Parkland City Authority, Australia)

Here's a summary of their four tips for avoiding "efficiency culture" and managing time in business-Indigenous partnerships:

1. Be fast to learn, slow to speak. Start your engagement by listening and learning what matters to your partners

2. Walk "On Country." See the place where the partnership’s activities will play out and understand the meaning it has.

3. Question organizational processes. Leverage the freedom you have to do things differently.

4. Don't engage if you can't commit. Partnership initiatives take a long time. Decide if you and your organization are prepared to make the commitment.

Read more about each tip in this article: https://nbs.net/efficiency-culture-harms-indigenous-partnerships/

Today is the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.

Why is this important for business?

Food waste is an important social, environmental, and economic problem.

Globally, 1.3 billion tons of food go to waste, while 1 in 11 people (nearly 690 million) face hunger.

Meanwhile, all the resources that go into producing uneaten food, like labor, natural resources, and fertilizer, are wasted.

So the bad news is there’s a long way to go when it comes to reducing food waste.

But there’s also opportunity for innovation. The market for products from food waste is valued at nearly $47 billion, and companies across sectors are involved in finding solutions.

In this article, Heeseung Kim unpacks:
- the challenge of food waste
- the range of solutions
- some businesses and initiatives making a difference
- tips for implementing change in your organization

Not in the food or agriculture business?

No problem. Every company can take action on food waste -- especially if you're looking for ways to live up to sustainability commitments.

"Food waste is a huge, low-hanging fruit within those businesses even if it’s not their day-to-day operations" according to Alexandria Coari, vice president of capital, innovation, and engagement at food waste nonprofit ReFED.

Learn how you can get started: https://nbs.net/innovative-solutions-to-food-waste/

Innovative Solutions to Food Waste - Network for Business Sustainability (NBS) Food waste is an ethical and an environmental problem. It’s also a business opportunity, ready for innovative solutions.

Do you know of an innovative business school approach to addressing climate change, sustainability, or diversity and inclusion?

The Financial Times is inviting students and faculty at business schools around the world to enter the 2024 Responsible Business Education Awards.

Entries are open until October 14 2023 for examples of initiatives by business schools, teachers and researchers that have had a positive societal and environmental impact.

There are three awards:

1. Best business school cases, pedagogical resources and modules or courses produced in the last three years on sustainability or climate change adaptation — with a special focus on teaching sustainability in finance.

2. Best business school academic addressing societal challenges with associated outreach/engagement in the last three years which has delivered positive impact on policy or practice.

3. Best business school demonstrating -wide responsible business principles integrated throughout teaching, research, operations and student outcomes.

The strongest examples in each of three categories will be assessed by a panel of external and internal judges, and highlighted in a special FT report in January 2024.

Learn more and nominate an initiative here: ft.com/content/ff479abb-c4d7-4616-8deb-5e5adc564566

Call for entries: FT Responsible Business Education Awards 2024 We are again looking for the business schools that are contributing most to a fairer, greener world

Have you signed up to attend the 3rd Annual Economist Impact Summit?

It's one great opportunity to catch up on the latest developments and strategies in the world of climate and business.

And you've still got time to sign up -- the summit is taking place on October 2-5, 2023, in person (London), and virtually.

You can still register for free to attend virtually, or join in person using our discount code, NBS/MP15, for 15% off your ticket.

What can you expect from this year's summit? Topics will include:
- How to work with boards and investors to get to Net Zero
- Decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors
- Integrating climate and nature-based disclosures
- The latest science on the 1.5 degrees of warming goal
- Improving our focus on the 'S' of ESG

Learn more: https://events.economist.com/sustainability-week-countdown-to-cop/?RefID=MediaPartner-NBS&utm_source=mark-partner&utm_medium=NBS&utm_campaign=sustainabilityweekcop28&utm_content=MediaPartner-NBS

Register now: https://events.economist.com/sustainability-week-countdown-to-cop/registration/?RefID=MediaPartner-NBS&utm_source=mark-partner&utm_medium=NBS&utm_campaign=sustainabilityweekcop28&utm_content=MediaPartner-NBS