Chap 7 - Global institutions, policies and initiatives Flashcards
Established by the UN in 1988, the organization assesses “the scientific
basis of risk of human-induced climate change and options for adaptation and mitigation.” UNEP and World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) are parent organizations.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Established in 1966 to help countries eradicate poverty, reduce
inequalities, build institutions, and foster resilience “in order to sustain development results.” It works in
concert with other organizations to further progress toward meeting the SDGs and annually publishes a Human
Development Report, assessing challenges and progress.
UN Development Programme (UNDP)
Established as a UN Agency in 1948, it now has 150 country offices worldwide.
It works “side by side with governments and other partners to ensure the highest attainable level of health for
all people” by directing and coordinating health issues across the UN System and within:
World Health Organization (WHO)
UN’s principal judicial organ
International Court of Justice
established in 1961 “to promote
policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Established in 1944 to support global development. Today it is comprised of five institutions:
* International Finance Corporation (IFC)
* International Development Association
* Multilateral Guarantee Agency
* International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
* International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes
World Bank
Established in 1996 and presently has 164 country members. Its primary
purpose is to “help trade flow as freely as possible” through monitoring policies and providing a forum for negoti-
ations and handling disputes
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Established in 1992 and
expanded in the late 1990s to include EU-based corporations and again in the early 2000s to eight global offices
today. It provides sustainable business consulting and research services, such as the annual “State of Sustain-
able Business” survey (with GlobeScan), with the aim to mainstream sustainable business practices in the global
economy by promoting business transformation.
Business for Social Responsibility (BSR)
The measure of biologically productive land and water required to produce all the resources consumed and to absorb the waste generated. The carbon footprint is one part of this measurement.
Ecological Footprint
Dedicated to providing “ecological footprint
Global footprint Network
Since its founding in 1992, it has served as a collaborative partner to the UN’s sustainable development
efforts. An international business membership organization with 200 members and a network of 60 national and regional business councils, its global initiatives have included the SDG Compass (to help companies navigate
the SDGs); promotion of inclusive business practices; periodic reports on business sustainability practices; and
task forces on major business sustainability issues.
In addition, it partnered with the World Resources Institute (WRI) on the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Initiative, which has become the universal standard used for developing and maintaining GHG inventories.
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
A term that refers to sustainable business solutions that expand access to goods, services, and livelihood opportunities for low-income communities in commercially viable ways. Going beyond philanthropy, this type of business melds development and business goals to deliver higher socio-economic value to communities.
Inclusive Business
Developed by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), this protocol provides a global standard for measuring, managing, and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to their Corporate Standard, they provide industry specific guidance on Scope 3, Supply Chain, Product Life Cycle, and reduction Project accounting.
Greenhouse gas protocol
established in 2002, is a partnership of more than 100 national green building
industry councils, which establish green building standards and certifications and provide education for the industry and consumers
World green building council
premier global land-conservation organization, having protected more than 50 million hectares of land and thousands of miles of rivers worldwide.
Nature Conservancy
focused on ocean ecological health, including “solutions”
concerning trash-free seas, sustainable fisheries, restoring the Gulf, confronting ocean acidification, ocean
planning, and protecting the Arctic
Ocean conservancy