Sustainability in Troubled Times
We live in times of uncertainty and global (dis)order. „Understanding global mega-trends is crucial. We live in times of multiple, evolving and mutually-reinforcing shifts“, says UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He adds: „These dynamics, of geopolitical, demographic, climatic, technological, social and economic nature, enhance threats and opportunities on an unprecedented scale.“ Therefore sustainability in troubled times is the key topic of this Sustainability Yearbook 2017, edited by macondo publishing. In the opening essay, Elmer Lenzen takes a critical look at the relationship between democracy and globalization. For decades this combination was a formula for success. Now both are experiencing troubled times. UN Global Compact founding director Georg Kell and Princeton professor Larry Diamond, who are well- known figures in this field, explain some of the reasons why in a profound interview. One reason is that today’s world is becoming more fragmented. So how can sustainability work in these times? It can work if we focus on the needs of the present without compromising the abilities of the future, says Global Compact Action Platform fellow Richard Roberts, and by utilizing the advantages of tomorrow. But doing the right thing in critical times is also a question of attitude. The entrepreneur Richard Branson and the actor Colin Firth both show in their own ways that sustainability means authenticity.
We live in times of uncertainty and global (dis)order. „Understanding global mega-trends is crucial. We live in times of multiple, evolving and mutually-reinforcing shifts“, says UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He adds: „These dynamics, of geopolitical, demographic, climatic, technological, social and economic nature, enhance threats and opportunities on an unprecedented scale.“ Therefore sustainability in troubled times is the key topic of this Sustainability Yearbook 2017, edited by macondo publishing.
In the opening essay, Elmer Lenzen takes a critical look at the relationship between democracy and globalization. For decades this combination was a formula for success. Now both are experiencing troubled times. UN Global Compact founding director Georg Kell and Princeton professor Larry Diamond, who are well- known figures in this field, explain some of the reasons why in a profound interview. One reason is that today’s world is becoming more fragmented. So how can sustainability work in these times?
It can work if we focus on the needs of the present without compromising the abilities of the future, says Global Compact Action Platform fellow Richard Roberts, and by utilizing the advantages of tomorrow. But doing the right thing in critical times is also a question of attitude. The entrepreneur Richard Branson and the actor Colin Firth both show in their own ways that sustainability means authenticity.
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BRINGING SUSTAINABLE<br />
CHANGE TO THE GARMENT<br />
SUPPLY CHAIN<br />
The global presence of Inditex gives us a real opportunity to br<strong>in</strong>g positive and last<strong>in</strong>g change<br />
to the garment supply cha<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> a way that fully aligns with our commitment to the UN Guid<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Pr<strong>in</strong>ciples on Bus<strong>in</strong>ess and Human Rights. We work with more than 1,700 suppliers and more<br />
than 6,000 factories globally, each supply<strong>in</strong>g to one or more of our eight brands, which <strong>in</strong>clude<br />
Zara, Massimo Dutti, and Bershka. This presence places us close to the heart of communities<br />
<strong>in</strong> numerous different countries.<br />
By Félix Poza Peña, Inditex<br />
It is this reach that motivates us to br<strong>in</strong>g<br />
susta<strong>in</strong>able improvements to work<strong>in</strong>g<br />
conditions and the lives of the more than<br />
one million workers employed at these<br />
factories. It also provides an important<br />
opportunity to recognize our role <strong>in</strong> support<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the United Nations’ Susta<strong>in</strong>able<br />
Development Goals by ensur<strong>in</strong>g decent<br />
work for all alongside economic development<br />
and responsible production.<br />
We recognize that we cannot achieve<br />
susta<strong>in</strong>able progress <strong>in</strong> the supply cha<strong>in</strong><br />
alone, and that we need to work <strong>in</strong><br />
partnership – partnerships with other<br />
organizations and, crucially, with workers<br />
themselves. These partnerships are<br />
vital to creat<strong>in</strong>g new models and new<br />
approaches to improve standards. It is<br />
this philosophy that laid the foundation<br />
for our global framework agreement<br />
with IndustriALL Global Union, signed<br />
10 years ago. This was to become the<br />
first agreement of its k<strong>in</strong>d to encompass<br />
a retailer’s entire garment supply cha<strong>in</strong>.<br />
It protects the <strong>in</strong>terests of all workers<br />
throughout the supply cha<strong>in</strong>, whether<br />
the factory they are work<strong>in</strong>g for is supply<strong>in</strong>g<br />
directly to Inditex or further<br />
down the cha<strong>in</strong>. It marked a radical<br />
step <strong>in</strong> the <strong>in</strong>dustry by creat<strong>in</strong>g a space<br />
where there can be a free exchange of<br />
ideas on workers’ rights and collective<br />
barga<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g as a way to improve conditions<br />
and wages.<br />
“I feel proud of gett<strong>in</strong>g nom<strong>in</strong>ated to be<br />
a worker representative and to be able<br />
to express the needs of my colleagues<br />
to the management team. We have<br />
learned how to hold a dialogue with<br />
the management, know<strong>in</strong>g what our<br />
rights are as workers, and <strong>in</strong> which<br />
areas we need to raise awareness. This<br />
has helped me feel proud and accom-<br />
122<br />
Global Compact International Yearbook 2017
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