Marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 drastically changed the way of life for the planet's more than 7 billion inhabitants. It transformed the way industries operate and companies operate, and urgently required a deeper discussion about the foundations of the global economy. Social inequalities were exacerbated. And the new normal has shown that sustainability can no longer be neglected: it must be the primary benchmark for business.
With all these issues in mind, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Annual Report, released this Wednesday (October 21), presents the impacts caused by the pandemic, links these problems to pressing issues related to sustainability, and shows some of the solutions that the organization has been seeking.
CEBDS is the Brazilian representative of the WBCSD network, which comprises approximately 60 national and regional councils in 36 countries and 22 industrial sectors, as well as 200 business groups operating on all continents. To compile the report, leaders from various organizations around the world wrote about how they have been thinking and reflecting on the current pandemic and sustainability scenario.
CEBDS President Marina Grossi reported on the situation in Latin America, which has been hit so hard by the pandemic, and emphasized the importance of sustainability reports, such as those from the WBCSD, to foster greater engagement among all affected parties. According to her, transparency is a key value in a path toward greater sustainability and combating social inequalities. "For a fairer recovery that promotes social and environmental inclusion, organizations must be mindful of the importance of accurate reporting."
In the Report, the WBCSD presents a strategic approach that encompasses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, the WBCSD's Vision 2050—and the 2050 ReVision led by CEBDS to identify challenges and propose paths for more resilient businesses in the long term—as well as more inclusive practices in the new stakeholder capitalism.
