How to Activate the Topic of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Despite an increase in diversity policies and trainings offered by companies, organizations are still challenged to activate the topic of diversity and inclusion. This is because current strategies prioritize raising awareness over tangible action. In order to activate the topic of diversity and inclusion, if found to be a material topic for your company, diversity policies & trainings need to go hand in hand with inclusive, hands-on practices.

Job Alert: Communication Professional (24-32 hours)

Finch & Beak is a leading European consulting firm in the field of strategy, ESG and sustainability. Our purpose is to accelerate sustainability. Over the past 25 years, we have worked with more than 150 corporate clients across Europe, trained over 5000 managers, and worked with top-level business schools from around the world. To further expand Finch & Beak’s positioning in this fast-growing market, we are looking for an ambitious hands-on Communication Professional.

Checking Your ESG Blind Spots under the ‘Duty of Care’

We can no longer deny it: no matter the industry, each company faces a wide range of environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks found both within the business operations and throughout the value chain that need to be identified, monitored and managed. Although the benefits of good ESG risk management seem obvious, there are still companies claiming that some of the most important ESG risks such as human rights or climate change do not concern them. What European lawmakers have shown in 2018 through the EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive and the French “Duty of Care” law is that ESG risks affect all companies, albeit to a varying degree. In all cases, it is necessary for them to broaden the scope of ESG risks to avoid potential blind spots, and to be transparent towards stakeholders on the risks that are most prevalent.

Sardex: A Local Currency for a Thriving Community

As part of their round-the-world sailing trip in search of sustainable solutions, the Sailors for Sustainability visited Sardinia. During the financial crisis in 2008, the credit flow dried up and unemployment was on the rise, also in Sardinia. In response, five young men from the Sardinian village of Serramanna set up the Sardex, a local currency for businesses in Sardinia. How does it work?

Circular Economy Training in Barcelona in Review

On 11 October, Finch & Beak hosted the first Accelerating Your Circular Economy Game Plan executive training in Barcelona. Participants included representatives from a wide range of industries across Europe, including food, energy and chemicals. Using established business tools, and a real-life case from circular frontrunner Interface, participants were challenged to develop business cases for the circular economy.

Empowering Smallholder Farmers within the Value Chain

What do the Rana Plaza clothing factory disaster and the Chinese food safety scandal that, according to Reuters, caused a 4.2 percent share price decrease for Yum Brands have on common? They are two of the many examples of the costs and risks that companies can incur when a sustainable and integrated supply chain management is not in place. On the other hand, responsible management comes with many benefits, including greater access to capital and new markets, reducing the cost of material input, energy and transportation, and spurring innovation in order to meet evolving customer and business partner requirements. The business case is clear.

Methodology Changes for the Dow Jones Sustainability Index 2016

On April 5th, RobecoSAM opened its annual Corporate Sustainability Assessment: the base for selecting the best-performing companies for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. More than 3,000 eligible companies have received an invitation to participate in this year’s DJSI assessment. In order to prevent surprises, participating companies are well advised to take changes into account for this year’s methodology before diving into the questionnaire.