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Why work with companies and finance?
WWF-UK's work with companies and finance
WWF network's work with companies and finance
Why work with companies and finance?
The world's top 100 corporations - based almost exclusively in developed countries - have a very substantial impact on society and the environment.
Yet this contribution to sustainable development can be both positive... and negative.
On the one hand, its investments can reduce poverty, contribute to increased productivity and resource efficiency, and better working practices.
Yet on the other, business malpractice lies behind much of the destruction of the world's ecosystems. The pollution of rivers as a result of mining activities, and the contamination of wildlife through the production of hazardous man-made chemicals, are just two examples.
WWF-UK
What are we setting out to achieve?
WWF-UK is working to promote sustainable development in the corporate sector, thereby reducing its negative impact on the natural world.
Working with the Financial Sector
"Financial markets are key to the pursuit of sustainable development ... if financial institutions don't understand and reward sustainable behaviour, progress in developing more sustainable business practices will be slow" - Bjorn Stigson, President of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
The financial markets control the lifeblood of companies - finance.
WWF engages with a number of banks, such as HSBC, Citigroup and Barclays, on individual projects and general corporate policies. And we also work with government-backed international financial institutions such as the World Bank/International Finance Corporation and the UK government's Export Credit Guarantee Department.
Working on corporate accountability
WWF has been instrumental in pioneering a number of voluntary global initiatives, such as the Forest Stewardship Council, the Marine Stewardship Council and the Forest & Trade Network. Yet while these initiatives are immensely valuable, on their own they are not enough.
WWF believes that we need international legal frameworks to complement progressive practices of transnational corporations, and ensure they adopt minimum acceptable levels of responsible corporate behaviour and practices. For example, companies should be working towards standardising the way they report on their environmental performance.
What else are we doing in the WWF Global network?
Within the WWF network, WWF-UK is regarded as a centre of excellence for working on issues concerning corporate social responsibility, corporate accountability and the oil and gas sectors.
Elsewhere in the WWF network, other offices are also working on key business sectors. For example, for some time WWF-Sweden has been active in corporate accountability, and WWF-Switzerland in banking. |
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WWF-UK > Research > Companies and finance
