Resource Desk

This site provides extensive information and resources on the business and human rights subject. It reports on company's human rights impacts worldwide, covering over 3000 companies in over 160 countries. Information is available by region/country, sector, individual company, or business organization. Other topics include issues, laws and lawsuits, principles, and the UN and other international organizations. Also available in French and Spanish.

BSR is an organization that promotes social responsibility for companies of all sizes. It provides its members with a wide array of tools to design and successfully implement policies that are in line with social, economic, and environmental responsibility. Additionally, BSR provides news and analysis of current issues as they pertain to sustainable development, and training and advisory services for member companies.

CSR Wires is a newswire service that focuses on the integration of business operations and values by sharing a holistic view of social responsibility that it hopes will translate into a company’s policies and actions. Its core content includes press releases, corporate reports and links, CSR Events Promotion, and CSR Resources.

CSR is hosted by the Institute of Development Studies , at the University of Sussex, a leading center for research and teaching on international development. CSR provides online resources pertaining to sustainable development and corporate social responsibility. The content includes summaries and links to online documents, a directory of websites, databases, library catalogues and email discussion lists. Its news services bring the latest research on sustainable responsibility.

This is a sub-website within the HBS Working Knowledge website. It provides featured research reports by HBS professors on the topic of the social resposibility of enterprises. In addition, it also provides featured links to books and websites that focus on corporate social responsibility topics.

Provided by the International Labor Organization (ILO), “ILOLEX is a trilingual database containing ILO Conventions and Recommendations, ratification information, comments of the Committee of Experts and the Committee on Freedom of Association, representations, complaints, interpretations, General Surveys, and numerous related documents. Available in English, French and Spanish.

Founded in 1992, CMER is a specialized academic research center focused on developing materials relevant to business and public sector social responsibility. Its research is concentrated in four areas: Environmental Economics and Policy, Industrial Ecology, Corporate Strategies for Sustainability, and Sustainable Operations Management. This site provides links to research, teaching, publication and events.

The "KPMG International Survey of Corporate Responsibility Reporting 2005" is a project conducted by the University of Amsterdam and KPMG Global Sustainability Services. This survey documents the reporting trends, on an international level, of nearly 2000 companies.

A site devoted to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) news and resources, MallenBaker provides visitors with up-to-date news, archived content, and other web links. A free monthly mewsletter is offered to voluntary subscribers, which offers a fresh perspective on current topics regarding CSR in the workplace.

GRI is an official collaborating center of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with direct cooperation with the Secretary-General. Its mission is to develop guidelines by which companies can voluntarily report the dimensions of their social, economic, and environmental policies. It offers news, events, forums and reports.

This is a UK government website focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility. It provides UK government definition of corporate social responsibility, discussion on related cases, as well as UK and international policy and legislation that regulate and stimulate corporate social responsibility. It also presents the UK government's approach and activities in corporate social responsibility issues. In addition, it provides news and resource links on corporate social responsibility topics. This website is free and updated frequently.

The goal of BELL is to ensure that business leaders of tomorrow have the skills necessary for making companies more competitive by viewing social and environmental challenges as unmet market needs. BELL activities focus on the long-term growth aspects of sustainability in a business context related to innovation, repositioning, and shared visions. The site offers case studies, reports, and research on the topic of sustainability.

This resource poses some of the arguments against fair trade. It is available in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.

The regional body bringing together all organizations and individuals interested and working in the fair trade movement.

Fair Trade Egypt aims to empower local communities by offering disadvantaged artisans marketing and support services. Fair Trade Egypt promotes the application of fair trade principles as a cultural, social and environmentally responsible business ideal.

The Fair Trade Federation directly links low-income producers with consumer markets and educates consumers about the importance of purchasing fairly traded products which support living wages and safe and healthy conditions for workers in the developing world. This site is also a source for fair trade information resources.

Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International is the leading Fairtrade standard setting and certification body. It regularly inspects and certifies about 508 producer organizations in more than 50 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

This site gives an overall description of fair trade as well as links to many sites where one can become more involved with making a difference in fair trade.

Oxfam was one of the pioneers of Fair Trade more than forty years ago. Since then, it has been involved in every aspect of Fair Trade and has contributed to its success in the UK. Oxfam is devoted to finding lasting solutions to poverty around the world.

This is the entrance to an economics book entitled Fairness in International Trade, by Steven M. Suranovic.

The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal. The Fairtrade Foundation licenses the FAIRTRADE Mark to products in the UK which meet FLO standards.

Trade Aid is an organization dedicated to promoting fair trade around the world. Their goal is to move people from poverty to self-reliance by maximizing the sale of fair trade products.

Traidcraft is the UK's leading fair trade organization dedicated to fighting poverty through trade. It combines a pioneering and successful trading company with an innovative development charity specializing in making trade work for the poor.

This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Greece during 2005. This is the most recent record the site has to offer.

This page includes information on labour law in Dubai and the working hours and holidays.

In Spain, the employment of workers is regulated by the government regarding minimum wages, working hours, contracts and the social security system. Site has an introduction to the main points of the employment regulations in Spain.

Information on employment for individuals and organizations. Includes current news on the workplace and employment as well as several current features.

Includes the Canada Labour Code and related regulations and information. Act current to September 17, 2007.

Information on human resources, employment law, pay and job evaluation, and labor regulations. Membership to the site is optional and employment regulation information can be access without a membership.

The broad spectrum of policy of Tamil Nadu Labour and Employment includes maintenance of industrial relations coupled with positive thrust in social security and labour welfare; strict enforcement of labour laws to ensure better working and living conditions of labour; administration of Factories Act, 1948 and providing institutionalized industrial training in modern skills to keep pace with emerging demands in industry to make youth employable and to give placement to job seekers as well as market information on the job situation through a vast network of Employment Exchanges.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region vision is to be a leading labour administrator in the region. The aim is to enhance the well-being of the Hong Kong workforce progressively and promote the safety and health of those at work.

Almost universal in scope. Includes work-related injuries.

The South African Department of Labour publishes legislation that regulates labour practices and activities. The Department of Labour will play a significant role in reducing unemployment, poverty and inequality through a set of policies and programmes developed in consultation with social partners.

The UK government has launched a business support organization, UK Trade and Investment, which incorporates the best elements of Invest.UK and Trade Partners. UK Trade and Investment offers ways to help British and American companies expand the bilateral business relationship.

The text of this Internet version of the Act is published by the Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament and has been prepared to reflect the text as it received Royal Assent.

APCEL researchers traveled to the 10 countries of ASEAN and conducted in-depth studies and investigations into the environmental laws and institutions of Southeast Asia. Some of the laws collected and the main reports prepared pursuant to the Research Project are reproduced on this site.

This survey suggests that there is a need for new steps to be taken in Estonia, Poland and Russia (Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast) to reduce administrative burdens and improve business regulation. Enterprises call for new steps to be taken.

Site includes important South African environmental legislation and information on environmental laws.

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is an international organization established by Canada, Mexico, and the United States to address environmental matters. The site includes many articles providing information on environmental topics such as Environment, Economy, & Trade, Conservation of Biodiversity, Law and Policy, Pollutants and Health, and more. Site also available in Spanish and French.

The paper is part of the United State-Mexico Chamber of Commerce's NAFTA Forum series, which considers general trade issues and sector-specific concerns between the United States and Mexico. The information contained is for informational and educational purposes.

ENTRI provides access to a database of environmental treaties worldwide. In addition to the treaty itself, one can find information on the status of the treaty. The site also provides country profiles, a treaty locator, and a country explorer, which allows access to national data on treaties signed, or treaties which a country, organization, or territory have ratified.

Includes information in the activities of the European legislation in regards to the environment. Managing enterprises’ activities are required to comply with a large number of requirements laid down by European environmental regulations. Users have the option of choosing different languages and the specific country in which they want to find data on environmental regulations and policy.

Technical report outlining current trends and developments in corporate reporting and ranking. This report was requested by the European Parliament in order to help assess the possible role of corporate environmental reporting in helping to promote public access to information, eco-efficiency and sustainable development. (Opens as a PDF file)

The goal of the Hong Kong Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance is promoting urban development with closer attention to the environment. The site is used for large-scale development projects that are to be implemented, to research, forecast, and evaluate the impact of business operations on the environment, and for implementing measures to minimize this impact on the environment.

Includes current news articles pertaining to the Environmental Laws, Regulations, and Policies as well as links to earlier articles.

Site includes links to environmental / sustainability reports of Japanese companies. The reports disclose their policies, strategies and performance in environmental, social and/or sustainability management.

The Environmental Code came into force on 1 January 1999. It replaced fifteen previous environmental acts, which were amalgamated into the Code. The Environmental Code constitutes a modernized, broadened and more stringent environmental legislation aimed at promoting sustainable development. Site includes information on this code as well as a link to the code itself. (In English but also available in Swedish).

Produced by the Energy Information Administration in Turkey, the site contains information on marine pollution, air pollution, energy consumption, carbon emissions, energy and carbon intensity, renewable energy and the environmental outlook.

With global warming rapidly becoming a hot topic on the world stage, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change offers a broad range of resources to answer the many questions concerning issues surrounding this situation. In addition to daily updates and information about what kind of action is being taken, the site offers an extensive background about global warming, a detailed outline of the Kyoto Agreement, and national reports of emissions data. Also available in Spanish and French.

The World Resources Institute provides a wealth of interesting information related to the environment and business, and how to successfully manage the two of them. Their content covering such topics as climate, energy, and transport, governance and access, markets and enterprise, and people and ecosystems. There is also a link to their project, EarthTrends, which provides in-depth environmental, social, and economic statistical information.

Sponsored by the International Institution for Sustainable Development (IISD), practical tools are offered for companies to use in implementing strategies that will allow them to focus on sustainable development and sound economic practices. Among other things, one can find worldwide case studies, briefs about current issues, and various tools and strategies.

The mission of the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL) is to promote sustainable societies and the protection of ecosystems by advancing the understanding, development and implementation of international sustainable development law. (Available in English, French, and Spanish)

The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development provides news on topics pertaining to trade, sustainable development and the environment. Also available is information on series of special topics like Africa, Agriculture, Intellectual Property, and the Environment.

The main task of IISD is the integration of environmental policy, economic development, and the well-being of people. This site offers research, standards and guidelines, publications, and commentary on various sustainability issues.

The Sustainable Development section provides statistics on a variety of topics such as 'Key Environmental Indicators 2007.' Also, publications are available on issues like ‘technology and climate change.’

The SD Gateway integrates the on-line information developed by members of the Sustainable Development Communications Network. In addition to over 1,200 documents available in SD Topics, SD Gateway provides services such as a calendar of events, a job bank, the Sustainability Web Ring, a roster of mailing lists (listservs) and news sites dealing with sustainable development.

Provided by the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, this site offers general information on sustainable development, as well as information on the European Union, the United Nations, the environment, and tourism in relation to sustainable development.

Sustainable Development International exists to provide unique publishing services for business to raise awareness about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in practice to influence effective sustainable development policy.

SDIC was created to help governments, companies, and other organizations become more ecologically sustainable. It identifies, develops, and implements best green practices in those areas of our lives and work that threaten the health of ecological systems on local, regional, and global scales. SDIC's work is based primarily on its research in ecology, anthropology, organizational greening, and green design.

GDRC's programme on Sustainable Business takes its genesis from the ongoing paradigm shift from curative and remedial solutions to preventive and management solutions, encompassing pollution prevention, LCA/material flows, industrial symbiosis, consumer education and related issues.

SDN is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting debate on the issues pertaining to social responsibility. This site contains conference announcements and recaps, briefing and analysis papers on a wide range of social responsibility topics, and press releases.

WBCSD is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and environmental stewardship through providing business leadership. This website contains speeches, news articles, case studies, book suggestions, and a newsletter that examines the topic of sustainable development. Its mission focuses on three major aspects with respect to social responsibility: economic growth, ecological balance, and social progress.