The Sustainability Learning Forum

Standards & Audits

Standards and audits are helpful instruments to bring sustainability forward and protect the environment as well as society. They function as regulations or as guidelines, as they define the minimum goals. Standards also create the ability to set benchmarks that measure the success of an organization’s sustainability approaches. Regarding the results, it is possible to generate and apply auditing systems. These are very helpful to compare organization processes, progress, and plans for a more sustainable future. more[...]

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The Meta-Governance of Voluntary Sustainability Standards

Prof. Dr. Pieter Glasbergen, Maastricht University
Boudewijn Derkx

There has been a surge in the popularity of the private standards-setting approach to social and environmental governance in recent decades. A single economic sector may now literally feature dozens of competing voluntary sustainability standards. Emerging gradually as a result of the uncoordinated efforts of various independently operating (coalitions of) actors, the rise of voluntary standards-setting has been largely spontaneous and unplanned. more[...]

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The Objectives of Standards and How Firms Use Them

Dr. Daniele Giovannucci, The Committee on Sustainability Assessment (COSA)
Joseph Wozniak, The International Trade Centre (ITC)

Although often lumped together, the many voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) used today are not at all alike. As a whole they do tend to deal with the areas not functionally addressed by most firms and global trading structures. more[...] login_required

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Different Kinds of Voluntary Sustainability Standards

This section introduces the relevant principles from the Rio Declaration, and highlights elements of subsequent UN declarations that have developed or expanded on these principles. From National vs. International Standards, LCA standards vs. sector-specific standards up to Management system vs. performance standards. more[...]

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Evolution of the Voluntary Sustainability Standards

Voluntary sustainability standards have the potential to generate significant environmental, economic and social benefits in developing countries. However, decision makers from developing countries frequently express concern about the lack of credible information about standards, the considerable compliance costs, the risk of marginalization of small-scale producers, the lack of harmonization and equivalence, resulting in the need to comply with multiple standards for a single product,and the lack of transparent governance. more[...]

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Communicating Integrity

Volkswagen AG
Dr. Frank Fabian, Volkswagen
Dr. Thomas Steg, Volkswagen

Internal and external communication features prominently in risk management and compliance activities at Volkswagen – the company is convinced that communication is just as essential for the successful implementation of the code of conduct and anti-corruption rules as it is for corporate success in general. more[...]

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Participatory Communication with Employees

Pierina Amayo, Copeinca
Copeinca

CFG Investment and COPEINCA are Peruvian fishing companies that belong to the Pacific Andes Group. They are engaged in the extraction, processing, and production of fishmeal and fish oil for indirect human consumption. Also, they aim for direct human consumption through the production of canned mackerel and anchovy. Since september 2013 the integration process of these companies started and in the near future we expect to conclude this fusion process. Both companies are committed to sustainable development as a smart way to do business, considering that to ensure sustainability is an essential requirement to ensure that ethical principles, respect for people and the environment meet the challenges of acting on social responsibility and environmental, the Millennium Development Goals and Global Compact principles. more[...]

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The Transparency Agenda: Section 1504 and Beyond

Amy K. Lehr, Foley Hoag

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Responsible Investment in Burma (Myanmar): An Experiment that Cannot Afford to Fail

Amy K. Lehr, Foley Hoag

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Good Governance: A risk-based management systems approach to internal control

David Smith, iMS Risk Solutions

This guide shows how organizations can identify and manage their risks for good governance. Since the publication of PD 6668:2000, Managing Risk for Corporate Governance , upon which this book is based, there is a greater appreciation of the importance of risk management in organizations and society at large. more[...] login_required

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