World Business Council for Sustainable Development
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development ( WBCSD) (World Business Council for Sustainable Development) is a guided by corporate boards organization that deals exclusively with the subject "Business and Sustainable Development".
The WBCSD sees himself as a mediator, the parties are close brings the concept of sustainable development and helps them, the way how they operate to change. An important part of the philosophy of the WBCSD is that companies can only operate sustainably if they can make money.
The WBCSD represents corporate interests on the international political stage when it comes to the issue of sustainable development and corporate responsibility. It represents, for example, economic interests at UN climate conferences and organized a global " Business Day" during the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, where the economy governments calling for action, arguing for clear emissions targets.
History
The WBCSD has its origin in the organized in 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, to which the Swiss entrepreneur Stephan Schmidheiny was appointed as a consultant. Schmidheiny founded the " Business Council for Sustainable Development" ( Business Council for Sustainable Development), which. Using the book " change of course Global business perspectives for development and the environment "the concept of eco -founded.
In 1995, the Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Industry Council ( Weltindustrierat ) merged to International Economics Trat for Sustainable Development (WBCSD ). The WBCSD has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland with offices in Washington, DC, United States, Brussels, Belgium.
Activities
The WBCSD provides companies with a forum where they can exchange knowledge and experiences regarding sustainable development and corporate positions in collaboration with governments, NGOs and international organizations can propagate.
The World Business Council has a wide range of projects in the field of sustainable development. While the focus of work on the themes of Energy & Climate, development cooperation, ecosystems and the role of business in society is, there are more tailored to corporate sectors projects, such as cement, mobility, tires, water and energy efficiency in buildings.
The goal of the WBCSD is to:
- To be the leading business organization in the field of sustainable development;
- To influence international policies in order to create an environment that allows businesses to make a positive and effective contribution to sustainable development;
- The "business case" to develop and promote sustainable development;
- To demonstrate the business contribution to sustainable development and to assist members to share experiences;
- The sustainable development of developing countries and emerging markets positively influence.
Influence and importance
In the 90s, some non-governmental organizations have strongly criticized the company close to the WBCSD, and the organization of the CorpWatch GreenWash Award in 1997.
Nevertheless, the WBCSD in 2002 at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg with his sharpest and most influential opponents, Greenpeace, collaborated to bring together governments to do more to take care of the climate.
In 2003, identified a Financed by the World Bank / IFC study, the WBCSD as one of the " most influential forums for companies in the field of social responsibility."
A survey, which was conducted by GlobeScan 2004 saw the WBCSD as the world's second most effective research institution for sustainable development. In a GlobeScan survey in 2006 revealed that 54 percent of the experts that the WBCSD will play in the next five years a major role in the introduction and further development of sustainable development policies - only the European Union average of 69 percent better.
The President of the WBCSD, Björn Stigson was included in a list of the 100 most influential people in business ethics in 2007 in ninth place.
Working with WRI WBCSD the publisher of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol 's standards for carbon accounting.
Membership
Companies can become members of the organization only at the invitation of the Supervisory Board of the WBCSD. Among the members are leading companies such as German Bank, Daimler, Bosch, IBM, Sony, Nokia, and Toyota.
Members agree to contribute their experience and knowledge in the WBCSD and to support the necessary staff. Furthermore, they need to create an environmental report within three years.
An important part of the membership is the personal commitment of the CEOs of the company, also known as "Council member" to act within the WBCSD and direct the activities of the internal working groups. These CEOs are influential advocate of the positions of the WBCSD, their support should also ensure that the results of the various activities of the WBCSD have an impact on the operations of member companies.
Organizational structure
The WBCSD is guided by the "Council members" of the member companies. This " Council members" choose a board with a chairman and four deputies. Chairman were:
Geographical extent
While most member companies are headquartered in OECD countries, the WBCSD has its regional network a strong representation in developing countries. This network comprises organizations in 60 countries.
In German-speaking countries, the WBCSD is represented in Germany by econsense in Austria by respACT and Switzerland through the corporate network Öbu.