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Teach-In on Sustainability 2024

Open Class: Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability

Open Class: Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability

Tuesday, March 5 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. EST

Presenters

  • Eric Hogue, Associate Department Head, Department of Marketing Communication, Emerson College

Description:

Companies are facing rapidly shifting expectations of consumers and their customers. No longer can they ignore public sentiment on the company's stated position (or silence) on political and environmental/sustainability issues, as well as their corporate values. The class will highlight cases where companies are successfully navigating controversy.

Location

Walker Building, Room 206
120 Boylston Street, Boston 

Sustainable Development Goal

Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Sustainable Development Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Sustainable Development Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Sustainable Development Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Sustainable Development Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Books and Media @ Emerson

External Links

Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being

The United Nations describes the importance of this goal stating "Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being at all ages is essential to sustainable development. Urgent and concerted action is needed to set the world back on a trajectory towards achieving Goal 3."

Read more about Goal 3 here.

Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The United Nations describes the purpose of this goal as "making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Today, more than half the world’s population live in cities. By 2050, an estimated 7 out of 10 people will likely live in urban areas. Cities are drivers of economic growth and contribute more than 80 per cent of global GDP. However, they also account for more than 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. If well-planned and managed, urban development can be sustainable and can generate inclusive prosperity. The deep inequalities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other cascading crises highlight the importance of sustainable urban development. Strengthening the preparedness and resilience of cities is crucial in responding to future crises."

Read more about Goal 11 here.

Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action

The United Nations highlights the importance of this goal, stating "The global temperature has already risen 1.1ºC above the pre-industrial level, with glaciers melting and the sea level rising.  Impacts of climate change also includes flooding and drought, displacing millions of people, sinking them into poverty and hunger, denying them access to basic services, such as health and education, expanding inequalities, stifling economic growth and even causing conflict.   By 2030, an estimated 700 million people will be at risk of displacement by drought alone."

Read more about Goal 13 here.

Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The United Nations explains the purpose of this goal is "promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. People everywhere should be free of fear from all forms of violence and feel safe as they go about their lives whatever their ethnicity, faith or sexual orientation. High levels of armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact on a country’s development. Sexual violence, crime, exploitation and torture are prevalent where there is conflict or no rule of law. Governments, civil society and communities need to work together to find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity. Strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights is key to this process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms, combating corruption, and ensuring inclusive participation at all times." 

Read more about Goal 16 here.

Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The United Nations describes this goal as "

revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda is universal and calls for action by all countries – developed and developing – to ensure no one is left behind. It requires partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society. The Sustainable Development Goals can only be realized with a strong commitment to global partnership and cooperation. Significant challenges remain. Official development assistance (ODA) has not reached the targeted level; private investment flows are not well aligned with sustainable development; there continues to be a significant digital divide; and there are on-going trade tensions. To be successful, everyone will need to mobilize both existing and additional resources and developed countries will need to fulfill their official development assistance commitments."

Read more about Goal 17 here.