Newsletter from the Council for Inclusive Capitalism

As the world continues to endure extreme weather—including June’s record-breaking temperatures affecting over 100 million people in the US alone—it’s clear that adapting to climate change requires urgent, cross-sector partnerships. As members of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, we face these challenges head-on in our businesses, value chains, and communities.

This newsletter highlights innovations from our Council Stewards and Allies in climate adaptation, community resilience, and just transition. The success of these pursuits and our shared future will depend on collaboration across business networks, the investment chain, and civil society.  Bayer’s ForwardFarming initiative demonstrates the potential of this approach in agriculture, setting new standards in reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting farmers with cutting-edge digital solutions.

Embracing both sustainability and inclusion, the Council also recognizes June’s World Refugee Awareness Month by proudly spotlighting membership initiatives supporting refugee aid, integration and empowerment.  Welcome.US is making significant strides in mobilizing individuals, businesses, and organizations to create welcoming communities for refugees in the United States.

Together, through our commitments, resources, and actions, the Council will continue to champion innovation and collaboration.  We invite you to engage with the stories in this newsletter and consider how you and your organization can amplify its impact. Remember, every action counts in our collective journey towards a more sustainable and inclusive world.

All my best,

Lynn Forester de Rothschild
Founder and CEO

The Council in Action For
Climate Adaptation

In our ongoing efforts to highlight inclusive capitalism best practices, we are excited to feature an exemplary initiative in climate adaptation. This work showcases how inclusive capitalism is driving innovative solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

Read on to discover how Bayer is making a difference.

Bayer is leading the charge in sustainable agriculture with their ambitious 2050 net-zero target and innovative initiatives like ForwardFarming. From reducing carbon emissions and enhancing biodiversity to supporting farmers with digital solutions, Bayer’s commitment to a just transition is setting new standards.

Click here to read our full story highlighting Bayer’s just transition in agriculture.

Beyond Awareness: Refugee Aid, Integration, & Empowerment

As we reflect on World Refugee Awareness Month in June, we’re highlighting two inspiring Council members that demonstrate the power of inclusive capitalism in supporting refugees:

Innocent Havyarimana’s soap business in Kakuma Refugee Camp challenges our notions of refugee potential and aid. His company, GLAP Enterprises, employs 44 people, mostly women, and demonstrates how empowering refugees fosters self-reliance. Despite challenges, Havyarimana’s success compels us to rethink how we can best empower refugees to build their own futures while maintaining necessary aid systems, expanding beyond traditional refugee aid to include entrepreneurship support.

Read our full story.

Welcome.US is making significant strides in supporting refugees in the United States. This national initiative mobilizes individuals, businesses, and organizations to create welcoming communities for refugees. Rebecca Fontes, VP of Corporate Relations, shares insights on how businesses can create inclusive workplaces and support newcomers. From removing hiring barriers to creating mentoring opportunities, businesses play a crucial role in refugee integration.

Read our full story.

This comprehensive resource, developed in collaboration with bp, BCG, and other industry leaders, offers a wealth of best practices, case studies, and research to support companies in achieving an equitable energy transition. At its core is the Just Transition Framework for Company Action, built on four key pillars: Universal Net-Zero Energy, Workforce Evolution, Community Resilience, and Collaboration & Transparency. Whether you’re just starting your just transition journey or looking to enhance your existing efforts, this microsite provides practical guidance and inspiration. We encourage you to visit this resource and consider how it can inform your organization’s approach to climate action and inclusive economic growth. Explore Now

Upcoming Events

TISFD – INTRODUCTORY SESSIONS
July 10, 2024 | Online (via Zoom)

The Council for Inclusive Capitalism invites all to participate in an Introduction Session on the Taskforce on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures (TISFD).

Launching in September 2024, TISFD is a multi-stakeholder initiative that will establish a global framework and recommendations. This initiative has the potential to enable companies and investors to identify, assess, and report on their inequality and social-related risks, opportunities, and impacts, making a significant difference in our society. You can learn more at www.tisfd.org.

We encourage you to register for one of the introduction sessions using the links below. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about TISFD and its potential impact.

Session Details:
Wednesday, July 10, 2024

8:30-10:00am CEST / 2:30-4:00pm SGT
[Register here]

11:00am-12:30pm EDT / 5:00-6:30pm CEST
[Register here]

LAUNCH OF THE WBA’S 2024 SOCIAL BENCHMARK
July 16, 2024 | Online

The Council for Inclusive Capitalism invites all to participate in the virtual launch of the 2024 Social Benchmark by the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), a member of our Council.

The inaugural Social Benchmark assesses 2,000 of the most influential companies in the world, providing insights into corporate performance on fundamental social expectations: respect for human rights, the provision and promotion of decent work, and ethical business conduct.

On Tuesday, July 16, WBA will hold two 30-minute webinars (to accommodate different time zones) where they will share the key insights of this new benchmark followed by a brief Q&A session.

Session Details:

Webinar A:
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
9:00 Amsterdam / 12:30 New Delhi / 16:00 Tokyo / 17:00 Sydney
[Register here]

Webinar B:
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
17:00 Amsterdam / 16:00 London / 11:00 New York / 8:00 San Francisco
[Register here]

Welcome New Council Members