At GreenBiz 2019, the Social & Human Capital Coalition unveiled the updated 2019 Social & Human Capital Protocol. The new Protocol is a framework for businesses to measure and value their impacts and dependencies on people and society. It supports effective business decision-making and communication of the full value business generates for society. Using more than 20 company case studies and feedback from public consultation, the new Protocol is streamlined for use alongside the Natural Capital Protocol, helping to facilitate integrated assessments of business interaction with non-financial capital.

A new release of the India Water Tool 3.0 can help you understand your water risks in the country and plan solutions for water management. Water scarcity is an urgent risk in India and this open online platform makes water data easily and publicly available. The tool is a unique example of companies working together with government and other stakeholders, to create a sustainable future through responsible water management.

New demands for high-quality non-financial information are beginning to drive changes in reporting around the world. In Japan for example, our new study shows that there is a growing market demand for quality information on environmental, social and governance considerations. This joint report by WBCSD and the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB) uses data from the Reporting Exchange and Reporting matters and it shows that sustainability and integrated reporting are growing due to market and investor demand. But how are companies' reports faring?

It's critical that we decarbonize the building sector, which produces around 40% of total global energy-related CO₂ emissions as indicated in the latest Global Status Report. WBCSD recently brought the voice of business to a key meeting of GlobalACE in Ottawa, Canada, for their global Assembly, leading discussion on our new approach to help companies set science-based targets (SBTs) that support their reduction of life-cycle carbon emissions from buildings. Read more in the discussion paper.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) will soon introduce major new updates to enable companies to set greenhouse gas reduction targets that are consistent with the goal to limit average global warming to 1.5°C. New technical resources and an updated set of target validation criteria will be available to companies in April 2019. WBCSD is currently developing SBT guidance for the Electric Utility and the Building and Construction system, but also recently published a framework paper for overall decarbonization of the system.

WBCSD can help your Board stay up to date with the environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues that are becoming everyday concerns for most global businesses. We've partnered with INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre and the Hoffman Institute of Business and Society to hold an interactive two-day board director training on governance and sustainability. Don't miss the opportunity to future-proof your Board and your business.