Surveillance Capitalism

Telecom Company Creates Tool to Assess Supply Chains

March 02, 2016

As pressure rises for corporations to scrutinize their supply chains to ensure they comply with the business and human rights ("BHR") agenda, telecommunications company BT has released a "Better Future Supplier Forum’s Sustainability Assessor tool" to help companies compare their supply-chain reviews with "best practices" advanced by BHR activists.
Businesses Call on EU to Tighten Carbon Cap

February 25, 2016

BusinessGreen reports that some multinational companies operating in the EU are calling on the bloc's officials to place tight limits on the number of "allowances" granted to companies for their carbon emissions in order to fulfill the terms of the December 2015 UN deal on climate change.
Facing Activist Pressure, Ford Halts ALEC Funding

February 24, 2016

As nongovernmental organizations and activists pressure corporations to cease their funding of the American Legislative Exchange Council ("ALEC") due to the group's social and environmental initiatives, Ford has announced that it will no longer fund the organization.
Airline Chief Backs Global Airline Emissions Deal

February 24, 2016

Willie Walsh, the CEO of the parent company of British Airways, has pledged support for and compliance with airplane emissions reduction standards produced by the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation and has called for a "global deal for aviation carbon emissions" to advance sustainability in the airline industry.
IOE Chief Highlights Complexity of Business Supply Chains

February 19, 2016

Secretary-General of the International Organization of Employers ("IOE") Linda Kromjong describes the complications of performing due diligence on often-complex supply chains and calls for support to companies seeking to fulfill supply-chain provisions of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Investor CEO Calls for Focus on ESG Issues

February 12, 2016

CEO of investment management company BlackRock Larry Fink has called for companies to focus on UN-advocated environmental, social, and governance ("ESG") issues to maximize their long-term value and has signaled that the investment company could support activist shareholder proposals that push ESG reforms within corporations.
Apple Shareholder Proposes Racial Diversity Measure

February 11, 2016

A new shareholder proposal at technology company Apple calls for an "accelerated recruitment policy" that would increase the number of non-white directors and members of senior management at the company.
NGO Networks Merge to Push Human Rights in ICT Sector

February 10, 2016

The Global Network Initiative has announced that it is adding seven major telecommunications companies from the Telecommunications Industry Dialogue to its network, which seeks to pressure information and communications technology ("ICT") businesses to adhere to principles of free expression and privacy rights in their dealings with national governments.
Unilever CEO Champions BHR Initiatives

February 09, 2016

Paul Polman, CEO of consumer goods company Unilever and Chairman of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, writes that companies must implement the UN's business and human rights ("BHR") agenda across their operations in order to advance "sustainability" and economic equality.
Tokyo Olympic Committee Pursues UN Sustainability Agenda

February 03, 2016

As it seeks to demonstrate adherence to the UN agenda on social and environmental "sustainability," including in dealing with corporate partners, the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020 has announced that it has established frameworks on sustainable practices in running the games and in sourcing products and services.