Mike Wallace

As new climate disclosure requirements loom, corporate finance teams are increasingly tasked with preparing the data required for reporting. Persefoni partnered with Financial Executives International’s (FEI) Financial Education & Research Foundation to study how the finance function is evolving in response to new demands, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) climate proposal. Based on data collected from our survey of more than 50 finance professionals at some of the largest… Show more

As new climate disclosure requirements loom, corporate finance teams are increasingly tasked with preparing the data required for reporting. Persefoni partnered with Financial Executives International’s (FEI) Financial Education & Research Foundation to study how the finance function is evolving in response to new demands, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) climate proposal. Based on data collected from our survey of more than 50 finance professionals at some of the largest US-headquartered, publicly traded companies, this research report explores:

The ESG frameworks and standards organizations are increasing their focus on in the next year
Preparer readiness for various components of the SEC’s climate proposal
The biggest challenges in the SEC proposal
Best practices from financial and carbon accounting professionals
The key technological adoption trends to meet the proposal’s requirements Show less

With regulated climate disclosure on the imminent horizon in jurisdictions around the world, including the United States, corporate boards are increasingly expected to oversee climate-related risks and opportunities. To provide effective oversight, board directors need to become knowledgeable about the types of climate-related risks their company may be exposed to, and be prepared to advise on the development of a carbon footprint and climate strategy. The basis of all these responsibilities is… Show more

With regulated climate disclosure on the imminent horizon in jurisdictions around the world, including the United States, corporate boards are increasingly expected to oversee climate-related risks and opportunities. To provide effective oversight, board directors need to become knowledgeable about the types of climate-related risks their company may be exposed to, and be prepared to advise on the development of a carbon footprint and climate strategy. The basis of all these responsibilities is to become familiar with the concepts of carbon accounting. Persefoni is proud to have collaborated with NACD to publish this Director’s guide to carbon accounting that explores:

Stakeholder demands for carbon accounting
The current state of carbon reporting, including the SEC climate disclosure proposal and implications for both public and private companies
The types of climate risks all companies may be exposed to
The Board’s role in carbon accounting
Benchmarking of climate practices for S&P 500 companies Show less

Growing stakeholder demands for investor-grade carbon accounting and reporting of climate data have led more companies than ever to report their GHG emissions. However, understanding where to start can be confusing and time-consuming with so many new regulations and frameworks. The Society for Corporate Governance and Persefoni partnered to create a starter guide to enable companies to measure, manage, and disclose emissions-related information more efficiently and effectively.

This… Show more

Growing stakeholder demands for investor-grade carbon accounting and reporting of climate data have led more companies than ever to report their GHG emissions. However, understanding where to start can be confusing and time-consuming with so many new regulations and frameworks. The Society for Corporate Governance and Persefoni partnered to create a starter guide to enable companies to measure, manage, and disclose emissions-related information more efficiently and effectively.

This white paper outlines a simple 5-step process to help business leaders navigate the complicated and complex workstreams of climate management:

Establish organizational boundaries and a governance strategy
Identify emissions sources and collect data
Align with the relevant standards
Create a climate strategy
Report your carbon footprint Show less

This white paper outlines a simple 5-step process to help business leaders navigate the complicated and complex workstreams of climate management:

Establish organizational boundaries and a governance strategy

Identify emissions sources and collect data

Align with the relevant standards

Create a climate strategy

Report your carbon footprint

When it comes to Scope 3 emissions, many schools don't make the grade.

What you need to know about how federal procurement rules will affect companies’ climate strategies.

The congressional and federal climate action of the last few weeks is likely to have a significant impact on the climate movement for years to come. It will also have a snowball effect on American companies’ climate actions. The Inflation Reduction Act has set aside roughly $369 billion for climate and energy projects and tax credits, and the Biden administration has announced a plan to… Show more

What you need to know about how federal procurement rules will affect companies’ climate strategies.

The congressional and federal climate action of the last few weeks is likely to have a significant impact on the climate movement for years to come. It will also have a snowball effect on American companies’ climate actions. The Inflation Reduction Act has set aside roughly $369 billion for climate and energy projects and tax credits, and the Biden administration has announced a plan to partner with the private sector to tackle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from federal buildings by setting agency emissions reductions targets and investing in energy efficiency. The Department of Defense also came out with a request for information (RFI) asking federal suppliers if they would be capable of providing their GHG accounting data. Show less

A survey commissioned by Persefoni and Ceres and undertaken by ERM, the largest pure-play sustainability consultancy, through the SustainAbility Institute by ERM (together ‘ERM’) has revealed what organizations are currently spending to measure, manage, and disclose climate-related financial information. While these numbers represent a current and historical baseline, the cost of climate change disclosure will decline even further as more organizations move away from manual processes and… Show more

A survey commissioned by Persefoni and Ceres and undertaken by ERM, the largest pure-play sustainability consultancy, through the SustainAbility Institute by ERM (together ‘ERM’) has revealed what organizations are currently spending to measure, manage, and disclose climate-related financial information. While these numbers represent a current and historical baseline, the cost of climate change disclosure will decline even further as more organizations move away from manual processes and leverage carbon accounting software. Show less

Trend analysis is nothing new. If you want to be successful in business, you’re always looking at trends, identifying patterns and following progressions — and doing it better and faster than the next guy.

Understanding the dynamics of influence is crucial to business survival, let alone staying ahead of the pack. Sustainability professionals must learn to master this particularly important skill.

Sustainability managers, directors and even officers constantly make the business… Show more

Trend analysis is nothing new. If you want to be successful in business, you’re always looking at trends, identifying patterns and following progressions — and doing it better and faster than the next guy.

Understanding the dynamics of influence is crucial to business survival, let alone staying ahead of the pack. Sustainability professionals must learn to master this particularly important skill.

Sustainability managers, directors and even officers constantly make the business case for their own position, project scope and budget. Understanding the global financial markets can help do just that.

If you want a powerful tool for predicting where the sustainability field is heading, just look at what’s going on with stock exchanges. They are the machines behind public equity economics, and deeply rewarding sources of trend analysis. Show less

To effectively build a credible and valuable corporate responsibility and sustainability program, it is crucial to look not only inside your organization, but also outside.

The insights and perspectives gained from engaging external stakeholders can strengthen your environmental, social governance (ESG) goals and initiatives while also enabling you to report on what matters most to both internal and external audiences.

According to the world’s most widely used sustainability… Show more

To effectively build a credible and valuable corporate responsibility and sustainability program, it is crucial to look not only inside your organization, but also outside.

The insights and perspectives gained from engaging external stakeholders can strengthen your environmental, social governance (ESG) goals and initiatives while also enabling you to report on what matters most to both internal and external audiences.

According to the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting framework, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), one of four principles for defining report content is stakeholder inclusiveness. Stakeholders are defined as those who affect or are affected by the organization, such as suppliers, labor unions, regulators and local communities. Show less

Cities around the world are growing faster than ever before. From Karachi, Pakistan to Lagos, Nigeria or Shenzhen, China, large urban areas around the world have grown into bonafide megacities in the new millennium.

According to the United Nations, more than 50 percent of the world’s population now resides in urban areas — and that proportion is expected only to grow.

Scrutiny of how companies handle sustainability governance — the “G” in the ESG triad of environmental, social and governance issues — won’t be subsiding anytime soon.

While the United States tunes into presidential debates over the governance of the entire nation, governance of sustainability issues is rapidly increasing as one of the most important business concerns of our time.

More eyes around the globe are watching public and private companies, as well as public agencies, to… Show more

Scrutiny of how companies handle sustainability governance — the “G” in the ESG triad of environmental, social and governance issues — won’t be subsiding anytime soon.

While the United States tunes into presidential debates over the governance of the entire nation, governance of sustainability issues is rapidly increasing as one of the most important business concerns of our time.

More eyes around the globe are watching public and private companies, as well as public agencies, to ensure greater accountability for managing, measuring and reporting their collective ESG impacts. Show less

Back in 2011, one of the world's largest certified Global Reporting Initiative trainings to date took place in Cleveland, drawing nearly 200 business students and college seniors from 14 colleges in Ohio.

The event, held at Cleveland State University and hosted by consultancy BrownFlynn, revolved around a theme that has grown in importance since then: Developing sustainability capacity within a geographic region.

Around the country, cohorts of cities and various regional allies… Show more

Back in 2011, one of the world's largest certified Global Reporting Initiative trainings to date took place in Cleveland, drawing nearly 200 business students and college seniors from 14 colleges in Ohio.

The event, held at Cleveland State University and hosted by consultancy BrownFlynn, revolved around a theme that has grown in importance since then: Developing sustainability capacity within a geographic region.

Around the country, cohorts of cities and various regional allies are tackling sustainability through a variety of mechanisms.

The Pittsburgh region exemplifies one strategic approach to regionally tackling sustainability issues. Show less

Webinar: The Transparency Triumph: Use existing systems to enhance operational awareness, track progress, and manage sustainability.

NASDAQ is part of the World Federation of Exchanges and is the co-chair of the WFE’s Sustainability Working Group. Of the roughly 65 global stock exchanges who are members of the WFE, almost a third are part of this Working Group and the Working Group is collectively exploring how the entire WFE should adopt sustainability reporting listing guidelines… Show more

Webinar: The Transparency Triumph: Use existing systems to enhance operational awareness, track progress, and manage sustainability.

NASDAQ is part of the World Federation of Exchanges and is the co-chair of the WFE’s Sustainability Working Group. Of the roughly 65 global stock exchanges who are members of the WFE, almost a third are part of this Working Group and the Working Group is collectively exploring how the entire WFE should adopt sustainability reporting listing guidelines and/or requirements.

NASDAQ explains how these developments are unfolding across the global markets, as well as highlights how listed companies can prepare for such listing rule changes. Microsoft, a Nasdaq listed company explains why and how they see sustainability and reporting as a key part of doing business, as well as how they are working with their suppliers to manage risks and promote sustainability and transparency.
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.....Few people realize the actual size of health care, including the sectors that it encompasses, or the extent of its supply chain. Recent economic data identifies the health care sector consisting of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies, healthcare delivery, healthcare services and supply chain, and managed care, which in turn represents close to 20 percent of the U.S. GDP. Given the obvious influence of this sector on the economy as a whole, it is important to not… Show more

.....Few people realize the actual size of health care, including the sectors that it encompasses, or the extent of its supply chain. Recent economic data identifies the health care sector consisting of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies, healthcare delivery, healthcare services and supply chain, and managed care, which in turn represents close to 20 percent of the U.S. GDP. Given the obvious influence of this sector on the economy as a whole, it is important to not only understand how and why these health care systems are managing their own operational footprints, but also where they are heading with respect to sustainable procurement. Show less

Something interesting is happening within governments around the world: Sustainability is taking hold. Governments are increasingly writing sustainability into law, developing new national guidelines around sustainability and even beginning to examine sustainability within their own supply chains.
For example, the European Union (EU) just adopted the Directive for Disclosure of Non-financial and Diversity Information. And the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an updated version… Show more

Something interesting is happening within governments around the world: Sustainability is taking hold. Governments are increasingly writing sustainability into law, developing new national guidelines around sustainability and even beginning to examine sustainability within their own supply chains.
For example, the European Union (EU) just adopted the Directive for Disclosure of Non-financial and Diversity Information. And the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an updated version of the Report on the Environment, outlining indicators that help the organization monitor trends in U.S. air, water, land, ecological systems, human exposure and health and — newly added this year — sustainability. Show less

An improved reporting process is helping companies identify gaps in their sustainability practices, which, when closed, can lead to big savings

....Anyone and everyone who examines his own sustainability performance, or footprint, quickly realizes that suppliers make up a big part of that footprint. This, in turn, leads the organization to realize that some sort of action on the supply chain is needed. This generally takes the shape of supplier codes of conduct, questionnaires, scorecards, surveys and/or supplier audit programs. Because everyone is in someone's supply chain, we create a "circular loop" for ourselves. While complaining… Show more

....Anyone and everyone who examines his own sustainability performance, or footprint, quickly realizes that suppliers make up a big part of that footprint. This, in turn, leads the organization to realize that some sort of action on the supply chain is needed. This generally takes the shape of supplier codes of conduct, questionnaires, scorecards, surveys and/or supplier audit programs. Because everyone is in someone's supply chain, we create a "circular loop" for ourselves. While complaining about survey fatigue, many companies turn around and subject suppliers to the very thing they complain about..... Show less

LMU's Center for Accounting Ethics, Governance, and the Public Interest welcomed Mike Wallace, director of the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) Focal Point USA & Canada, on the evening of October 2nd as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series. His lecture, titled "Sustainability Performance: Measuring, Managing and Reporting," gave an in-depth overview of the current state of corporate sustainability reporting across the world.

Conclusion: Whether you are a public or private company, large or small, you are undoubtedly in someone’s supply chain. Given that all corners of the global economy are increasingly measuring, managing and reporting sustainability performance, you inevitably will find yourself facing the question, “What is your footprint?” You will need to report something. Are you ready?

Companies worldwide are facing a growing demand from a range of stakeholders for greater transparency on their sustainability performance. Non-financial reports meet this demand by providing a detailed look into the company's efforts around social responsibility, environmental sustainability, corporate governance, and other non-financial performance indicators.

View this complimentary webinar to explore this trend and the future of non-financial reporting.

Mike Wallace, Director… Show more

Companies worldwide are facing a growing demand from a range of stakeholders for greater transparency on their sustainability performance. Non-financial reports meet this demand by providing a detailed look into the company's efforts around social responsibility, environmental sustainability, corporate governance, and other non-financial performance indicators.

View this complimentary webinar to explore this trend and the future of non-financial reporting.

Mike Wallace, Director at the Global Reporting Initiative, the world's most widely-used sustainability reporting framework, will discuss global trends and the next generation of non-financial reporting. He will inform you about the demand for more transparency, who is demanding it, and how integrating sustainability into a company's operations is the key to success.

Watch to discover:

Who is watching your sustainability performance and how
How to use company integration to address complex issues
The market evolution in the area of assurance and quality of reports
The next stage in non-financial reporting Show less

From a distance—the idealized “30,000 feet” that separates oversight from operations—sustainability exists in a harmonious world. It’s one where companies operate in tune with their stakeholders and the environment, and they report on their actions in inspiring detail. Viewed more closely, however—at the arm’s length of those responsible for meeting this challenge—sustainability can look very different. For the unwary, it can become a battlefield of trade-offs among stakeholders and a minefield… Show more

From a distance—the idealized “30,000 feet” that separates oversight from operations—sustainability exists in a harmonious world. It’s one where companies operate in tune with their stakeholders and the environment, and they report on their actions in inspiring detail. Viewed more closely, however—at the arm’s length of those responsible for meeting this challenge—sustainability can look very different. For the unwary, it can become a battlefield of trade-offs among stakeholders and a minefield of disclosure risks. Show less

Beyond Green, Beyond the Public Equity Markets
The word “sustainability” (often associated with being “green”) has become
ubiquitous in the last few years, with nearly every provider of goods and
services claiming to have some sort of skin in the sustainability game. Rigorous
scrutiny of these claims is becoming an increasingly important part of the
sustainability disclosure field, which now goes far beyond claims of “green” practices,
such as reducing carbon emissions, to… Show more

Beyond Green, Beyond the Public Equity Markets
The word “sustainability” (often associated with being “green”) has become
ubiquitous in the last few years, with nearly every provider of goods and
services claiming to have some sort of skin in the sustainability game. Rigorous
scrutiny of these claims is becoming an increasingly important part of the
sustainability disclosure field, which now goes far beyond claims of “green” practices,
such as reducing carbon emissions, to include an encompassing set of critical
environmental, social, and governance topics across an organization’s value
chain. The flood of sustainability claims and information, coupled with modern
due diligence techniques and tools, quickly overlaps into traditional legal, compliance,
and risk management practices. Show less

‘Tis the season for politics, and this year’s COMMIT!Forum is bringing together all sides in what is being billed as the Right-Left Unconvention. Having partnered closely with the forum organizers (i.e., this magazine) since GRI re-opened its doors in the United States, we are very excited to play a part in this year’s event. In fact, we’re incredibly honored to not only have the magazine’s parent company (SharedXpertise) as one of our GRI Organizational Stakeholders (OS), but also grateful for… Show more

‘Tis the season for politics, and this year’s COMMIT!Forum is bringing together all sides in what is being billed as the Right-Left Unconvention. Having partnered closely with the forum organizers (i.e., this magazine) since GRI re-opened its doors in the United States, we are very excited to play a part in this year’s event. In fact, we’re incredibly honored to not only have the magazine’s parent company (SharedXpertise) as one of our GRI Organizational Stakeholders (OS), but also grateful for all their added support around transparency. Show less

People often assume that nonprofit jobs have greater impact than private-sector jobs due to motives focusing more on impact than profits. Mike Wallace is director of the Global Reporting Initiative’s Focal Point USA. Its mission around corporate transparency is daunting, and has the potential for tremendous impact in how companies operate. I recently sat down with Wallace for a conversation about impact, and to compare this and other nonprofit jobs to positions he has held in the private sector.

Story explaining how industry and professional associations are embracing sustainability issues and supporting their members interests.

Update on GRI's progress in the US after re-establishing a formal operation in NY in Fall 2010.

Why is there a sudden interest in sustainability performance among board members and governance professionals?

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/five-questions-with-gri-2011-11#ixzz1gVu0ENHV