Book Description

There has been a clear shift in perceptions regarding the relationship between corporate governance and sustainability. Directors now need to acknowledge that sustainability is part of their responsibility in guiding and overseeing corporate activities. As a practical matter, engaging with this wider responsibility is no easy task—an urgent set of challenges superbly met by this incomparable guide. This is the first book to describe how to organize board and senior management activities in order to fulfil the company's goals with respect to operating in a socially responsible manner and acting as a sustainable business. In its step-by-step approach to integrating sustainability principles into corporate governance, this book dramatically shows how policy in such business areas as the following can be redrawn to fit effectively into a sustainability framework: ? audit; ? compensation; ? finance; ? health and safety; ? compliance; ? risk management; ? technology; and ? disclosure and reporting. Numerous valuable suggestions highlight allocation of responsibilities to board committees, preparing and implementing internal governance instruments, and organizing, evaluating, and improving an effective sustainability governance system. Useful tools and resources include annotated forms and checklists, summaries of relevant international and national guidelines, and samples and case studies from companies around the world. The special case of small businesses is covered in a separate chapter. Given the redefinition and expansion of directors' fiduciary duties beyond shareholders to other stakeholders such as employees, customers, and local communities, this book will be welcomed by board members, their professional advisors, policymakers, researchers, and academics involved with issues and initiatives relating to sustainability, employee welfare, social concerns, and environmental stewardship.