International Institute for Environment and Development 
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| International Institute for Environment and Development |
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IIED Links: |
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Business
& Sustainable Development Research Topics
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Related Links: |
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We are currently engaged in research on the following topics:
Business and sustainable local developmentBusinesses have substantial potential to contribute to sustainable development at the local level. But how should businesses engage with local communities and policy-makers for sustainable development goals? How can corporate social investment strategies meet community development needs? And how can multi-stakeholder partnerships and dialogue be most effective at local level? These key questions guide our project work under this topic. We want to catalyse learning and partnerships that can get businesses working as real ‘local development actors’, or that can see NGOs learning how to apply business skills in market settings – with our goal sustainable development at the local level.
Standards and tools for business and sustainable developmentGetting the right standards and tools in place to support and promote responsible business practices is important. Codes of conduct, ethical management systems, and various kinds of ‘social and environmental responsibility’ standards for businesses are burgeoning. But who wins and who loses as these tools and standards hit real-world markets and impact on producers in poorer countries? IIED works to understand the implications of existing standards and tools for stakeholders based in middle and low-income countries – particularly smaller producers. We want to shape standards and tools that can maximise positive business practices. We aim to do so in ways that are better attuned to sustainable development outcomes and to the concerns of stakeholders based in middle and low income countries.
Direct investment and sustainable developmentDirect investment has the potential to make a major positive contribution to sustainable development. But benefits that are promised at national level are too often not matched by positive contributions to environmental protection, poverty reduction or sustainable livelihoods at the local level. IIED works to find ways to strengthen positive environmental, social and economic outcomes from direct investment.
New Business Models for Sustainable Development This new initiative builds on IIED’s work from across a range of industries, sectors, products and supply chains. It looks at how businesses and enterprises contributions to sustainable development are affected by the business model they adopt - including how they interact with each other in procurement, sub-contracting and other direct business arrangements. It explores how private sector, civil society and government can work together to shape business models that deliver positive economic, environmental and social outcomes as well as business viability.Corporate Social Responsibility: A Step Towards Stronger Involvement of Business in MEA Implementation? Linda Siegele and Halina Ward This article explores the relationship between multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and corporate social responsibility (CSR). It offers an overview of the linkages, a survey of relevant provisions of key MEAs, and a review of the relationship between global trade rules and MEAs. CSR and developing countries: what scope for government action? See also CSR and developing countries: what scope for government action? UNDESA Innovation Brief Number 1, February 2007, which is based on the paper above. Corporate Social Responsibility at a crossroads: Futures for CSR in the UK to 2015 Craig Smith and Halina Ward See also Corporate social responsibility at a crossroads? N. Craig Smith and Halina Ward, Business Strategy Review, Volume 18, Issue 1, Spring 2007. Corporate responsibility and the business of law Copyright © 2005 International Institute for Environment and Development. |
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