Studies - Sustainability Academy

Sustainability Academy Ambassadors Spread Our Mission

The Sustainability Academy aspires to train 100,000 sustainability practitioners by 2020!

Opportunities for sustainability in corporate and social entrepreneurship are boundless. In-person programs can be financially out of reach and time-consuming. And, “on-the-job” inevitably leads to costly mistakes. The Sustainability Academy provides the same caliber concentrated training online that has reached executives from much of the Fortune Global 500.

Sustainability Academy courses teach the principles of nature and business, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), trends and regulations, SROI, stakeholder engagement, cause-related marketing and materiality, creating a critical mass of Sustainability Practitioners which cross disciplines and industries.

We need your help. We invite all our existing and former Sustainability Practitioners – there are over 5000 of you! – to join us as a Sustainability Academy ambassador.

As an ambassador, you become part of our “Refer and Win” program.

Referrals are the highest compliment for us. We promise that your referrals will receive our high education standards and will gain advanced knowledge on Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility.

When you suggest three (3) members of your professional network, each one will receive a 15% discount for the online course of their choosing. This includes our signature Online Diploma on Corporate Sustainability as well as others on Sustainability Reporting, Carbon Reduction Strategy, ESG Performance for Investors, Social Entrepreneurship, Social Impact Assessment and SROI, Intro to Sustainability Reporting, Intro to Corporate Carbon Footprint Reduction, and How to Find a CSR Job.

When a friend or colleague registers, you will receive a 15% discount for any online course and a $45 Amazon voucher.

Referring us to your colleagues means you’re helping them gain advanced knowledge on Sustainability and CR, take their careers to the next level and make a positive impact for our planet.

Let them see the benefit for themselves with our free first modules for Carbon Reduction Strategy, ESG Performance and Sustainability Reporting.

Help us reach 100,000 Sustainability Practitioners by 2020!

For more information about “Refer and Win”, contact: consulting@cse-net.org

Prepare for the New Year with a special Online Certified course to help you boost your sustainability career!

How about making the most unique and sustainable gift to yourself, by getting one of the world’s top Online Certified Courses in Sustainability?

Upgrade your knowledge and skills and learn all about the latest trends, legislation and best cases from the global market.

Learn how to create value for your company and an effective sustainability strategy.
Get practical knowledge on how to create a Sustainability Report, how to introduce, measure and report carbon reduction strategies, how to meet stakeholder expectations with ESG performance and how to make the most out of Social Return on Investment (SROI)
Get a coaching program tailored to your needs and find a sustainability job.

Don’t forget your colleagues!

Buy this unique gift for your colleagues and spread a little Christmas magic in the office!

For more information, please contact marketing@cse-net.org

The trends that dominated in 2016 in learning behavior, tools and devices show that
E-learning is here to stay

Elearning is rapidly changing the way we learn, our access to information, the place or time of learning, the reasons we choose to learn or the tools and devices we select.

Recent studies have shown 8 global learning trends:

Gamification
Mobile learning
Video-based learning
Social Media learning
blended learning
Micro-learning
Augmented reality
Big data and learner analytics

For the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE), keeping a close eye on the trends is important in order to provide top professional knowledge through its Certified Online Courses on Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility issues.

Click here to view the Online Courses of the Sustainability Academy or contact us at marketing@cse-net.org

Source: https://www.exultcorp.com/top-8-e-learning-trends-infographic/

Much has been made about whether Silicon Valley corporations are or are trying to be role models for sustainability. There is a perception that Silicon Valley corporations, many with high concentrations of Millennials, are inherently sustainable. Yet the likes of Google and Apple are noticeably absent from the top of sustainability indices such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Corporate Knights Global 100. Given the disconnect, the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) has undertaken the first systematic research on the true picture of sustainability efforts in Silicon Valley by analyzing sustainability and corporate sustainability strategies by Silicon Valley-based companies. The findings are available in CSE’s report Sustainability Trends in Silicon Valley upon request.

Providing insight for investors, business leaders, company boards, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability professionals, NGOs, customers and other stakeholders, this research examines 100 companies ranging from small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to large businesses with 1000 to over 100,000 employees. The research tracks if organizations follow best practices for sustainability, breaking down sustainability practices into six specific categories (Community, Environment, Ethics, Employees, Supply Chain and Philanthropy).

It outlines trends in these focus areas, evaluating if some are emphasized more heavily than others. The report also describes which types of companies generally produce the highest number of comprehensive sustainability practices, have the highest percentage of sustainability and Corporate Responsibility professionals or have thorough sustainability reporting, if any.

Companies examined include global leaders in their sector such as Adobe, AMD, Apple, Cisco, eBay, Facebook, FICO, Google, Intel, PayPal, Oracle, SunPower, Tesla, and Zynga. Industries covered include automotive, computer and internet, entertainment, financial services, medical, renewables and telecommunications.

Surprisingly, the report DID NOT find Silicon Valley companies overwhelmingly sustainable, based on their self-reporting. Of the 100 companies reviewed, only 63% of large companies employ sustainability professional and only 33% of SMBs. Only 29% have sustainability reporting, defined as having issued a sustainability report in a “clear report format”, omitting reports that are strictly online or web-based presentations of quick facts, brief overviews or vague goals. With the exception of those strongest companies at the top of the scale such as Adobe, Applied Materials and Cisco, corporate strategy seems to focus on one or two elements of sustainability, rather than a strategic and systems approach.

With a proliferation of vague displays of sustainability practices, often with slick online promotion, only 21% of the companies studied address all six practices – community, environment, employee, ethics, supply chain and philanthropy. Of the companies studied, 95% report practicing ethical governance, with numbers falling precipitously to 64% for supply chain and 63% for environmental. While the reporting on ethics deserves greater analysis, one can surmise interest in supply chain and the environment reflect current awareness and concern for carbon foot printing.

While many of the companies examined are leaders in their field, they are not necessarily leaders in corporate sustainability, negating the popular perception reported by the likes of Forbes and Environmental Leader. Finding Google on the short list of 23 companies addressing all six sustainability categories is no surprise, while Apple is notably absent. One would expect industry leaders to also lead in sustainability, following best practices in all focus areas to maximize their impact and stakeholder value. Yet, leading brands such as LinkedIn and PayPal did not provide easily accessible evidence of comprehensive sustainability practices and reporting. On the other hand, Adobe, Intel and Oracle have both comprehensive and extensive reporting on a myriad of programs addressing all six practices. The ability and potential certainly exists, but the corporate climate toward sustainability is not pervasive.

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This report is the first of its kind to delve into corporate behavior in Silicon Valley related to Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility. Presumably, this would be the most complete representation of a company’s efforts given how fashionable corporate responsibility has become in the wake of constant reports of corporate misbehavior. Is such a lack of evidence a missed marketing and branding opportunity or is it a true indication that Silicon Valley is not ready to lead?

For more info on the research please contact me at avlonas@cse-net.org

To learn all about successful sustainability reporting, Guidelines, current global and local legislation, recent trends and sustainability practices, join now the Certified Sustainability Practitioner Program, Advanced Edition 2016 in Toronto, March 27-28

Learn more and book online here

Contact us: marketing@cse-net.org

Much discussion is being made in the last years about Social Return on Investment (SROI) and Impact Assessment. But confusion exists: what is it exactly and what does it serve for?

Social Impact Assessment is a way of accounting for the value created by an organization’s activities. It is an analytic tool for measuring and communicating a much broader concept of value, taking into account social, economic and environmental factors. The SROI methodology, which is one of the leading ones in the area of impact assessment, was standardized by the Social Value UK in 2006 and now includes more than 700 members globally.

But why use it? SROI is a powerful management tool for strategic planning and can raise the organization’s profile or make a stronger case for future funding.

Want to learn about impact assessment and SROI? Join the new Online Course on SROI and learn how to apply impact assessment to your CSR activities. Click here to view all Certified Online Courses of the Sustainability Academy or contact us at marketing@cse-net.org

Given the increased popularity of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, a rise in demand for well-trained Sustainability Professionals is evident reflected in the fierce competition in the field. As interest in CSR-related jobs is increasing, we find it useful to discuss how you can find a job in the sector.

The first step is to understand the organization you wish to work for and its stakeholders. Evaluate the company’s performance through benchmarking and identify risks and opportunities. You need to be ready to answer the following questions:

How does the business earn profit?

Who is affected by the organization’s operations and how?

What are the characteristics and issues of the environment/society in which it operates?

Remember the “triple bottom line” approach to sustainability: planet, people AND profit. CSR is supposed to benefit the company as well and lead the way to success. So, knowing how the organization operates is crucial in order to combat competition. This is the key to using the organization’s resources wisely and efficiently.

But you may wonder what the required qualifications are…

The CR and Sustainability Salary Survey 2014 conducted by Acre, Flag and Carnstone showed that the majority of professional qualifications are not restricted to CSR-related subjects since the sector is an emerging one. For that reason, such positions are often filled through internal promotions and are appointed to professionals with more than 5 years of experience as subtly stressed by an ECO Canada study. In such situations, on-the-job training is expected.

However, you do not have to be discouraged. Even though entry-level positions are limited, you can still enter the sector. As we said, direct experience is not a prerequisite. Therefore, if you are not currently working for the organization of your preference and looking for a job, you can differentiate through a strong online present. Go beyond demonstrating a good CV. Share your knowledge and thoughts on relative subjects and show you have done your research. Getting involved in CSR communities and staying up to date with CSR and sustainability issues via dedicated websites (CSRwire, Triple Pundit, 3BL) can prove your commitment. Also, participation in online discussions, webinars and conferences will facilitate the networking process with key people, which is of utmost importance for finding a job. On the other hand, if you are already an employee, joining the company’s volunteering or green initiatives is a smart move.

Provided that priority is given to existing personnel, greater emphasis is given to transferable skills and knowledge.

Work on your communications skills. First of all, you will need departments with which you will collaborate to be fully supportive. You want all employees involved to espouse your ideas. Being influential to such an extent implies that you are capable of tailoring your message based on the target audience and effectively communicate your ideas. Use their language in order to change any negative perceptions and associations related to CSR and sustainability. For many employees, these terms are synonymous to rules and conformity.

Undoubtedly, you will need to successfully practice such essential skills when interacting with top management since there may be conflict of interest. Sustainable practice should be aligned with the commercial success of the organization. Communication effectiveness paired with good sales skills is a powerful combination. They may seem irrelevant, but they are the key. You may not have to promote a product or a service, but you still have to sell your idea to top management. You have to act as a salesperson, being ready to predict and handle any objections.

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Finally, a major test for your skills will be the development of relationships with stakeholders. Trust is the ultimate goal and a great challenge. The secret to building trust is interpersonal skills, such as active listening and empathy, and will hopefully result in stakeholder engagement. To this end, a powerful communication tool, reporting, is used. Knowledge on data analysis and metrics is imperative as well as finding common ground among multiple audiences.

It holds true that CR and Sustainability professionals can provide a competitive advantage for companies and specialized education can make you a more attractive applicant.

The Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) as a global leader in professional Sustainability training and coaching has already trained more than 5,000 professionals worldwide and over 35% of these stated that after the training were able to find Sustainability related job or been promoted within their company.

DePaul University (CPE) is hosting the Sustainability Practitioner Workshop in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainability & Excellence (CSE) and invites you to join this June a unique sustainability event in Chicago! Continue reading “Workshop by DePaul University (CPE) in collaboration with CSE”

The practice of sustainability reporting is now embedded in businesses DNA, as it enables best practice in engaging with stakeholders, preparing to manage risk and measure sustainable economic growth in the long-term. So, if the question is whether your organization should invest in producing a sustainability report or not, the answer, in today’s vastly increasing demand for transparency, is that number speak for themselves! According to Marjella Alma, manager of external relations for the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), 95 percent of the world’s 250 largest companies today disclose sustainability performance information. Why? Simply placed: “What gets measured gets managed”, which of course in turn enables you to gradually improve your performance whilst addressing the triple bottom line! Now if the question within your organization is why publish a CSR report? Again simply placed, a CSR report acts as a vehicle to engage and communicate with stakeholders as it can ensure that a company is acting in a responsible manner! Yet to be credible, among many reasons, external assurance is vital for the integrity of data…No wonder 50 percent of companies internationally use external assurance for their reports!

Consequently, a CSR report is of significant importance to organizations performance, but what in fact drives towards success? The two most important values are based upon the influences and motivations behind CSR as well as how decisions are made! For instance a resent research report conducted by Julia Bonner (New York University student) and Professor Adam Friedman on the influences and motivations of CSR in 77 Fortune 1000 companies, found that whilst CSR is more than often integrated within business strategies, thus doing the right thing, it is actually being done for the wrong reasons. According to the report’s results, environmental issues manifested the list as the most important focus for CSR efforts (96 percent), followed by health issues (68 percent), education (59 percent) and human rights (55 percent). Yet the reasons why the above pillars are addressed are motivated on reputation groundings by 88 percent of the respondents! On top of that, approximately two-thirds of these respondents stated that not engaging in CSR would have harmful effects on the company’s reputation.

Such motivations in turn indicate that CSR is not always altruistically driven, but the moral of the “story” is that if business motivations are built with such weak foundations and unsustainable principles, a collapse is bound to occur in the near future. Therefore before a company begins to engage in the philosophy of “What gets measured gets managed” and in turn produce a CSR report, it must embrace that acting in a responsible manner, needs to be done for the right reasons and represent the organization’s vision, mission and values holistically. There are many ways and guidelines on producing a sustainability report. To date the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the world’s most widely used framework to effectively disclose environmental, social and governance data. Its guidelines aim to ensure Sustainability Reporting encloses valuable information about organizations material issues to stakeholders and it is currently used by more than 5,000 organizations worldwide.

Discover what it’s all about..here

According to the MIT Sloan Management Review Report corporate sustainability programs grew in 2011. Two thirds of the executives surveyed have responded that CSR has been part of their strategic agenda and is more likely to remain in the preceding years. Another issue being raised is also the necessity of CSR in order to increase business competitiveness in the dynamic business environment. However, although 70% of those surveyed realize the aforementioned importance of CSR strategies in the corporate agenda, only 24% have embraced such long term strategies and a 31% has started to realize the sustainability business case but have not yet integrated it in the organizational culture.

A further interesting finding of the study is the nature of corporate motivators to embrace sustainable business strategies: Consumer preference of the offered product or service seems to be to the most highly appreciated factor, with political pressure, resource scarcity/price volatility, competitors’ sustainability programs and stricter requirements from customers along value chain following.

And while businesses need to make a decision on establishing CSR strategies, it is also important that they understand the augmented value such strategies would offer. Apart from increased, businesses can gain a great competitive advantage, develop an ideal working environment and achieve high levels of risk and reputation management. Organizations therefore face a great challenge, now more than ever: Embrace Sustainability in their Corporate Strategy and form a solid sustainable business case.

Sustainability issues are at the forefront of corporate agendas across the world. Investors, board members and consumers are all curious as to what practices companies are using to remain sustainable.

“Twenty years ago, there were very few businesses that even knew what sustainability was,” says Bill Ford, executive chairman at Ford Motor Company told The Guardian. “If they did, they were pretty much against it. Today, you’d be hard-pressed to find a business that doesn’t understand the importance of it.”

A new survey, released by Accenture and the United Nations Global Compact, showed that 93% of CEOs realize that sustainability issues are important to the future success of the companies that they lead. Additionally. 81% of CEOs surveyed believe that sustainability issues are fully embedded into their companies’ strategy and operations, with many moving focus to their supply chains.

Are these companies really implementing processes in their everyday practices?

John Elkington, founder of SustainAbility and Volans, explained to The Guardian that while CEOs have appointed CSOs and complete annual reports, they are not looking at sustainability as a transformative agenda.

Where does your company stand on this? Do you go beyond annual reports?