Attention: Ten Major CSR Events (International) Released In 2020

The new epidemic swept the world, the international supply chain was interrupted, economic development stagnated, and the climate crisis intensified The year 2020 will be marked with disaster. However, with the coexistence of crisis and opportunity, the international community has profoundly reflected on the unsustainable development road in the past, and the transformation belief of toughness, green and low-carbon has been constantly strengthened, and the actions of government and enterprises have been constantly emerging. Sustainable development and corporate social responsibility have become the greatest consensus of all mankind.

The issues that affect all mankind will arouse countless emotions, such as climate change expecting new breakthroughs, technological changes requiring new guidance, corporate laws requiring new adjustments, or the labor world needing new thinking While focusing on the future and determining the supporting point, we should not relax at the moment.

The economic guide for sustainable development (renamed from WTO economic guide) has been selecting and publishing the annual list of ten major events of corporate social responsibility since 2006, which has lasted for 15 years. Today, the top ten corporate social responsibility events 2020 (International part, sorted by time) officially meets with readers as scheduled. Ten international CSR events, one unforgettable moment after another, are the annual record of global social responsibility and also the mark of pursuing sustainable dream.

01. 66 global textile and garment associations issued joint statement on responsible procurement

On April 22, China clothing association, China Household Textile Industry Association and China Council for the promotion of trade in textile industry signed the "joint statement on new epidemic situation industry" with 66 global industry organizations, including clothing, shoes, fashion, tourism commodities, etc., hoping that the government would take three measures to ensure liquidity and ensure employment "Governments should suspend and reduce tariffs to ensure liquidity and cash flow, and keep workers employed," and "governments should avoid imposing new trade restrictions that do not impede the production or delivery of PPE, its intermediate goods and raw materials.".

Reasons for listing:

As the new crown epidemic swept the global market, the retail markets in Europe and the United States were completely suspended. After closing a large number of offline stores, brand stores also cancelled or stopped the production of clothing, shoes and shoes, which led to large-scale losses of foreign trade suppliers including China and many Southeast Asian countries. Industry organizations signed the joint statement to strengthen regional cooperation and risk management, and timely reduce the impact of the epidemic on the Asian textile and clothing industry.

02. The United Nations Global Compact promotes business leaders to reshape global cooperation

On June 15, the 2020 UN Global Compact leaders summit and the 20th anniversary celebration of the organization opened online. The theme of this summit is "better recovery, strong recovery and common recovery". In his opening speech, UN Secretary General Guterres called on global enterprises to "make major decisions on our future", and "we need to comprehensively strengthen environmental, social and governance risk management and control, and adopt innovative business models different from the past." On September 21, Sanda ogibo, director general of the United Nations Global Compact, submitted to Guterres a "statement on business leaders Reshaping Global Cooperation" with the theme of "uniting the power of enterprises to create a better world", which was supported by more than 1000 chief executives of enterprises from more than 100 countries.

Reasons for listing:

More than 1000 CEOs of enterprises signed this statement, which is another important measure for the business community to promote participation in global development and social governance after 181 CEOs of top enterprises signed the declaration of enterprise purpose at the "Business Roundtable Conference" on August 29, 2019. It shows that the business community plays an important role and plays an active role in promoting social progress and promoting ecological environment harmony Use and lead the identification, responsibility and support of front-end thinking.

03. Facebook is boycotted by many well-known enterprises in the world

It was reported on June 30 that several organizations in the United States jointly launched a campaign called "stop making money from hate", calling on companies to suspend advertising on Facebook platform in July, because "Facebook has long allowed racism, violence and verifiable false content to spread on its platform." Subsequently, more than 90 enterprises including Verizon, Honda USA, Patagonia, Unilever, Coca Cola, Hershey and Levis responded to the call. Facebook's share price fell more than 8% after the market value evaporated by about $55.8 billion. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg finally said the company would change its policy to ban hate speech in advertising.

Reasons for listing:

New media relying on Internet technology have frequent problems in public opinion guidance, politically sensitive topics, incitement to discrimination and violence, which has triggered the reflection on how social media and its partners can provide better accountability system and transparency. It plays a warning role in improving the sense of responsibility, standardizing the use and establishing correct guidance for the media in the Internet era.

04. COFCO international signed sustainable related loan with international consortium

On July 16, COFCO international signed a US $2.1 billion sustainable linked loan agreement with a consortium of 20 banks as the company's core financing mechanism. The margin under the loan mechanism is linked to the performance appraisal of sustainable development of the company. The objectives include: to improve the performance indicators of environment, society and corporate governance (ESG) year on year, which is evaluated by sustainability, the top research and rating agency of ESG; continuously improve the traceability of agricultural products, focusing on soybeans directly purchased from Brazil.

Reasons for listing:

Sustainable business is better business. By introducing sustainability key performance indicators into the core financing tools, COFCO international demonstrated to the world its obligation and responsibility to achieve a high level of transparency in the weak links of the agricultural value chain; financial institutions guided and supported enterprises to carry out sustainable business transformation through innovative financing mechanisms. Such international consensus and innovation cooperation are responsible for the organization and promote sustainability Development has demonstration value.

05. Apple plans to achieve carbon neutrality in its supply chain and products by 2030

On July 21, Apple announced that it plans to achieve "carbon neutrality" in its entire business, production supply chain and product life cycle by 2030, that is, to reduce its net carbon emissions to zero. In the 2020 environmental progress report released on the same day, apple said it would reduce its carbon emissions by 75% by 2030, and the remaining 25% of its carbon emissions would be offset by investment in natural environment protection projects. Apple will achieve its emission reduction goals through low-carbon product design, improving energy efficiency, using renewable energy, process and material innovation, and investing in environmental protection projects. Apple is now "carbon neutral" in its global operations. Tim Cook, Apple's chief executive, said he hopes to influence the whole industry and make greater changes by living up to the carbon neutral promise.

Reasons for listing:

In 2020, a number of global business giants, represented by apple, have announced carbon neutral targets, which shows the ambition and action of the business community in dealing with climate change. Apple's carbon neutral plan not only involves its own production and operation, but also radiates to the whole supply chain. Its strength and scope play an exemplary role.

06. South Africa announced procurement plan to promote gender equality

President ramafossa said in her speech on women's Day 2020 that the government plans to ensure that part of the government's public procurement comes from women owned enterprises, the South African citizen's website reported on August 10. President ramafosa pointed out that the South African government had joined the global movement to achieve gender equality by 2030 and had formed an "Action Alliance" with all sectors of society and the private sector to safeguard women's economic justice and rights, combat gender violence and victimization of women. The South African government will implement a national strategic plan to promote women's economic inclusion, including expanding women's economic participation by ensuring that up to 40% of public procurement comes from women owned enterprises. Other plans include accelerating access to assets such as land for women, and the adoption of an international protocol to reduce gender based violence in the workplace.

Reasons for listing:

In many countries around the world, women still face unfair treatment in family, employment and salary. This is not only a gender issue, but also an economic problem. The South African government's gender equality plan encourages all sectors of society and the private sector to create conditions for women's wider participation in economic, social and international affairs, playing a leading role in Africa and contributing to the development of global gender equality.

07. The world's 30 largest investors have set five-year emission reduction targets for their portfolios

On October 13, the net zero asset owner alliance, which is composed of the world's 30 largest investors, has reached an agreement called the 2025 goal setting protocol. Members of the alliance will achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 16% to 29% between 2019 and 2025. Convened by the United Nations Environment Programme financial Initiative (UNEP FI) and the principles for responsible investment investor network, the "net zero asset owners alliance" manages $5 trillion of assets, and its members commit to shifting their portfolio to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Reasons for listing:

Through the agreement, alliance members first change themselves and cooperate with many companies to change their business model. The net zero emission economy will bring profound changes and opportunities. This action will also force governments to take major actions, which is of practical significance and exemplary role in international cooperation.

08. CSR Europe launched the European Convention on sustainable industries

On October 26, the sustainable development goals 2020 summit held by CSR Europe was held. During the conference, CSR Europe released the 2020 white paper entitled "sustainable industries Convention: making green new deal a success". According to the white paper, ambitious leadership is necessary to achieve green transformation in Europe. There are five key aspects of corporate sustainable development leadership, including purpose, plan, culture, collaboration and advocacy, which will guide business leaders to carry out best practices for the future. At present, CSR Europe is inviting enterprises, industry associations and policy makers from all over Europe to formulate and implement the Convention on sustainable industries, with a view to launching a pan European campaign at the local and international levels to enhance enterprise leadership and participation, and to facilitate the implementation of a new green deal in Europe.

Reasons for listing:

"Green new deal in Europe" has become a new wind standard for sustainable development of EU. With the introduction of a series of specific plans in the fields of industry and transportation, it is urgent for businesses to take practical actions. CSR Europe calls on leading enterprises to strengthen cooperation, which is a beneficial action to promote the implementation of the green new deal, help enterprises cope with challenges and accelerate transformation.

09 and 75 leaders announced new commitments and specific plans for emission reduction

On December 12, the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement, the UN summit on climate ambition was held. 75 leaders from all over the world announced new commitments and specific plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and China further announced a series of new initiatives of national independent contribution. At the summit, countries accounting for about 65% of global carbon dioxide emissions and about 70% of the world's economy committed to achieving net zero emissions or carbon neutrality. On the same day, leading companies, including apple and Amazon, called for a carbon neutral economy. Amazon announced 26 new utility scale wind and solar projects to meet its commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions in its overall business by 2040.

Reasons for listing:

The summit reviewed the achievements of countries in implementing the Paris Agreement, and received positive responses from more than 70 countries and international organizations, including China. In the context of policy trends, the business community is bound to make more extensive and profound commitments and actions to promote green and low-carbon transformation.

10. China EU investment agreement negotiation completed

On December 30, President Xi Jinping held a video meeting in Beijing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Marcon, President Michelle Michelle of the European Council and President von der Laine of the European Commission. Chinese and European leaders jointly announced the completion of the China EU investment agreement negotiations on schedule. Xi Jinping stressed that China and the EU, as the two major global forces, two markets and two civilizations, should show their responsibilities, take positive actions, strengthen dialogue, enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation, properly handle differences, and work together to cultivate new opportunities and new situations. We should coordinate anti epidemic actions, jointly promote economic recovery, align development strategies, accelerate green development, and promote multilateral cooperation. The core content of the agreement mainly includes investment protection, market access, investment supervision and sustainable operation and development.

Reasons for listing:

As a new generation of investment agreement with high standards, forward-looking and sustainable development orientation, the China EU investment agreement is not only a model for the reform and upgrading of the international investment agreement system, but also helps to provide a transparent, stable and predictable business and investment environment for multinational enterprises, enhance their confidence and support the healthy recovery of the global economy after the epidemic.

On the selection of "ten major events of corporate social responsibility"

Selection process:

As the annual record of the annual social responsibility policy and strategic practice, since 2006, the economic guide for sustainable development (renamed by WTO economic guide) has selected and published the annual list of ten major events of corporate social responsibility, which has lasted for 15 years.

In order to ensure that the selection samples are more comprehensive, the events listed on the list are more accurate, and the selection process is more open and transparent, we collect and sort out the daily classification, at the same time, we also consult the external experts from the government, enterprises, universities and research institutions related to corporate social responsibility, so as to ensure the professionalism, authority and transparency of this activity.

The experts who participated in the selection of "ten major events of corporate social responsibility 2020" and put forward opinions and suggestions were as follows——

(regardless of rank)

Guo Xiuming: former deputy inspector of policy and regulation department of MIIT

Chen Yuanqiao: researcher of China Institute of standardization

Zhai Qi: Executive Secretary General of China Business Council for sustainable development (CBCSD)

Cheng duosheng: Director of innovation Department of China Enterprise Federation

Han Bin: executive director of the United Nations Global Compact China Network

Liang Xiaohui: chief researcher, office of social responsibility, China Textile Industry Federation, Ph.D

Zhang Shaoping: Vice President and director general of corporate citizenship Committee of China Federation of social work

Lei Hong: Professor, vice president of the Chinese society of Social Sciences, President of the Institute of corporate social responsibility of golden bee, Huazhong University of science and technology

Qian Xiaojun: Professor and vice president of Su Shimin College of Tsinghua University, director of green economy and sustainable development research center of Tsinghua University

Yin Gefei: founder and chief expert of goldbee think tank and co Secretary General of ISO 26000 stakeholder global network

Yang Dongning: Associate Professor, Guanghua School of management, Peking University

Cui Shengxiang: Professor, China Institute of labor relations

Xue Dayuan: Professor and doctoral supervisor of Central University for Nationalities

Li Li: associate researcher of University of international business and Economics

Guo Yi: Professor, School of international economics and management, Beijing Business University, director of business environment research center

Zhou Weizhong: Director of China Enterprise Research Center, Central University of Finance and economics, Professor of Business School

Guan Zhuzhu: executive director of jinbee Institute of corporate social responsibility, Huazhong University of science and technology

Yu Zhihong: President and chief editor of the Journal of sustainable development economy

(I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the experts who participated in the "ten major events of corporate social responsibility"! )