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CSR Research Digest – February 2012

Summary

Ethical Corporation looks back at 2011 and lays out the future trends for 2012. In particular the article outlines the future fears of 2012.

Key Findings

• The restoration of economic growth within sustainable limits will be an exceptionally tough task.
• The planet’s seven billionth person was born in 2011, while indicators of the health of the global environment continued on their downward path.
• Fortunately, there is some evidence that companies are starting to tackle the grand challenges.
• A vanguard of corporations distinguished themselves during 2011 with innovative planning and ambitious target-setting, which could be the start of a new model of broader business engagement.
• However, perhaps more than ever before, what companies do has to be credible.
• During 2011, scrutiny of the actions of corporations intensified.
• This is unlikely to change in 2012.
• Uncertainty about the world’s prospects is likely to continue into 2012.
• The economic situation will continue to be grim, with a double-dip recession threatened.
• Unemployment will be high and there will be further social unrest. The environment will continue to be over-exploited.
• True sustainable business will remain an aspiration.
• Business is likely to come under multiple pressures in 2012, as governments attempt to continue to clean up after the economic and financial crisis.
• The G20 – which has taken over from the G8 as the main platform for discussions international economic cooperation – will meet in Mexico.
• On the agenda will be issues such as regulation of banks and other financial bodies, dealing with tax havens, streamlining energy markets and fighting corruption.
• Business will have to do a lot of responding in 2012, in fact.
• During 2011, economic, environmental and social questions have become urgent.
• Corporations should contribute constructively and credibly to the search for answers.

Author(s)

Ethical Corporation

Source

PDF report

Tags: Ethical Corporation, future trends