About: corporate social responsibility

Half a million people can’t be ignored – it is time for the EU to listen

Momentum is growing among policymakers, civil society and the public in the call to hold businesses accountable for their impacts on human rights and the environment through binding EU laws. Now eyes are on the European Commission to follow through with tangible and effective legislation, writes Jill McArdle.

Big business is ready to provide the leadership Europe needs

Big business has not done enough to address citizens’ concerns – which is why populism and protectionism are increasing risks. European companies are now ready to offer leadership on investment in skills, climate change, diversity and inclusion, writes Carl-Henric Svanberg.

Tackling youth unemployment and the skills gap

EU and business leaders are very keen to address the high levels of youth unemployment and the emerging skills gap across Europe by offering young people opportunities to play an active role in the European economy, writes Stefan Crets.

UN Treaty negotiations: A chance for the EU to champion human rights

Would people still stop for a red traffic light or respect the speed limit if everyone knew they would not be fined? The same applies to corporate accountability, writes Anne van Schaik.

French development chief: ‘SDGs apply to France in same way as Burkina Faso’

Development agencies have to change their dualist approach to Africa, as it does not correspond to the reality the continent is facing, the head of the French Development Agency told EURACTIV France.

Irish vote on same-sex marriage: Why it is (also) the business of business

Many companies have jumped on the bandwagon of supporting marriage equality, but only a select few of them are consistent, plausible, and authentic in their efforts, write Florian Wettstein and Dorothea Baur.

Germany ranked 5th in global human rights violations business index

Hardly any country in the world hosts as many companies accused of severe human rights violations as Germany, according to a recent survey by the University of Maastricht. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Europe must continue to lead on corporate social responsibility

Although Europe has led the way in the corporate social responsibility debate, according to MEP Richard Howitt, but it must now reshape the whole structure of remuneration across markets, to incorporate social and environmental goals.

New EU private sector aid criteria under the microscope

The European Commission has published the first set of guidelines for involving private sector players in delivering overseas aid, a long-standing practice that has generated controversy with some NGOs for its claimed lack of transparency, accountability and potential for corporate profit-taking.

New EU law to help investors pick good corporate citizens

Investors looking for companies with good environmental, social and governance track records will find the job easier, after European politicians ruled that thousands of firms must reveal their performance as corporate citizens.

The EU’s social dimension: True progress or just empty promises?

The European Commission is slowly turning its attention to social aspects of the economic and monetary policies, a recent conference has shown. But EU rhetoric about boosting jobs and growth has made little reference to real social considerations, argues Heather Roy.

Corporate transparency part of the solution

Information on companies’ performance and prospects is of key interest to investors, decision-makers, the citizen and consumer; so why are member states now blocking corporate social responsibility rules, Jérome Chaplier wonders.

Member states backtrack on corporate reporting pledge

SPECIAL REPORT / A pledge made by heads of state and government this summer to beef up corporate social responsibility reporting for European companies is set to be ditched because too few member states are prepared to support it, EURACTIV has learned.

Rabobank, Storebrand boost fossil fuels divestment campaign

The campaign to persuade financial groups to divest shareholdings in fossil fuels firms has won a major victory, with one Dutch bank banning investments in ‘unconventional fuels’ and a Norwegian pension fund divesting from 19 companies.

Plastic pipe industry chief: Banking on a greener future

Growing market requirements for ‘green procurement’ is driving sustainability, but the success of voluntary corporate sustainability initiatives depends on the attitude and enthusiasm of businesses to live up to higher standards, says Tony Calton.

Sustainability leader urges firms to integrate CSR reporting

SPECIAL REPORT / The Commission’s proposals to introduce new corporate social responsibility (CSR) rules must push companies to incorporate non-financial reporting into their accounts, according to a campaigning executive.

Sustainability chair: Going beyond the Commission’s CSR proposals

Fund managers and other institutional investors should be scrutinised for their shareholder voting on social responsibility, says the founder of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Coalition.

Doubts surround corporate ethics on new ‘comply or explain’ regime

SPECIAL REPORT / Those for and against proposals launched this week to tighten corporate social responsibility reporting (CSR) are both suspicious of its “comply or explain” enforcement regime.

Proposed CSR rules too strong for business, too weak for civil society

SPECIAL REPORT / Proposals for disclosure of non-financial information by large companies to beef up corporate social responsibility (CSR) launched by the Commission yesterday (16 April) go too far for business interests, but not far enough for NGOs.

Commission accuses companies of ‘group think’, demands social responsibility

SPECIAL REPORT / The EU executive is due today (16 April) to accuse corporate Europe of lacking innovation and diversity as a result of “group think”, as it unveils new proposals requiring larger companies to disclose information on a range of environmental and social impacts.

Crisis has hit companies’ social responsibility, poll suggests

Many Europeans appear to have lost trust in the corporate world, with a significant proportion believing that companies are paying less attention to their impact on society and the environment than they were 10 years ago, says a Eurobarometer poll.