ReportSustainable Brands

The CSO at an Inflection Point: Evolving Mandate, Expanding Accountability

Pamela Gill-Alabaster, 2026

https://sustainablebrands.com/view/the-cso-at-an-inflection-point-evolving-mandate-expanding-accountability

What It Is: A 2026 research study led by former Chief Sustainability Officer at Kenvue, with prior CSO roles at Mattel and L'Oréal — produced with Sustainable Brands, examining how the Chief Sustainability Officer role is evolving into a strategic enterprise leadership position spanning risk, financial performance, and value creation.

Why It Matters: Argues that the CSO mandate is "expanding faster than the systems designed to support it," now touching purpose, stakeholders, regulation, and geopolitics rather than environmental performance alone. Accountability requires CSO's to both invest in critical knowledge and competencies and elevate attention when the role cannot keep pace with expectations.

How to Use It: Useful for benchmarking whether your own sustainability or CPR function has the internal authority, reporting lines, and cross-functional integration that this expanded mandate requires — worth revisiting once the full findings are available.

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141 – 160 of 423 results showing

ArticlePenn Carey Law

How Did Corporations Get Stuck in Politics and Can They Escape?

Jill Fisch, Jeff Schwartz, 2024

This paper warns that companies risk backlash when engaging in political debates beyond their core business. It argues for an explicit commitment to “non-posturing” —which requires focusing on transparency, stakeholder alignment, and voluntary initiatives instead of symbolic activism or reactive statements.

ArticleBoston Consulting Group

How Leaders Can Navigate a Polarized World

Pete Engardio, 2024

Amid rising political backlash, most companies are recalibrating—not abandoning—their ESG and DEI agendas. This piece highlights a shift toward quieter, stakeholder-focused strategies rooted in authenticity, measurable impact, and alignment with business goals. It notes how terms like “ESG” are being replaced with less politicized language, and how scenario planning and coalition-building are helping leaders navigate polarized environments without losing credibility.

VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce

How Policy Affects Commercial Determinants of Health

Dr. Nason Maani of University of Edinburgh, 2024

WebsiteEconTalk (Econlib/Liberty Fund)

How the Constitution Can Bring Us Together

2024

What It Is: A 2024 EconTalk podcast conversation between host Russ Roberts and Yuval Levin (American Enterprise Institute), built around Levin's book American Covenant, arguing that the Constitution's design — competition, federalism, the Electoral College, bicameralism — is meant to let a divided society "act together" without requiring everyone to think alike.

Why It Matters: Levin's central reframe offers a broad perspective on the U.S. Constitution as incorporating dilemmas that are never fully resolved, where unity means acting together on a case-by-case basis. He argues that constitutional structures deliberately constrain majorities to protect minority interests. Useful in considering the Responsibility Principle and support for constitutional democracy.

How to Use It: Listen to or read the transcript ahead of internal conversations about polarization or civic-engagement messaging, as a values-neutral primer on why democratic institutions are structured the way they are — useful context before wading into more contested reform debates.

VideoEconTalk

How the Constitution Can Bring Us Together

Yuval Levin with Russ Roberts, 2024

What It Is: A 2024 EconTalk podcast conversation between host Russ Roberts and Yuval Levin (American Enterprise Institute), built around Levin's book American Covenant, arguing that the Constitution's design — competition, federalism, the Electoral College, bicameralism — is meant to let a divided society "act together" without requiring everyone to think alike.

Why It Matters: Levin's central reframe offers a broad perspective on the U.S. Constitution as incorporating dilemmas that are never fully resolved, where unity means acting together on a case-by-case basis. He argues that constitutional structures deliberately constrain majorities to protect minority interests. Useful in considering the Responsibility Principle and support for constitutional democracy.

How to Use It: Listen to or read the transcript ahead of internal conversations about polarization or civic-engagement messaging, as a values-neutral primer on why democratic institutions are structured the way they are — useful context before wading into more contested reform debates.

ArticleAustralian Institute of Corporate Directors

How to navigate controversial issues

Patrick Langrell, 2024

As a company’s engagement in social and political issues becomes increasingly fraught, this article lays out decision-making principles companies can use to determine whether and when to engage in social and political issues.

VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce

Implications for CPR: How Quantification Strengthens the Case for Action (and CPR)

Daniel Aronson of Valutus, 2024

ArticleAnthropic

Introducing the Anthropic National Security and Public Sector Advisory Council

Anthropic, 2024

Anthropic announces a National Security and Public Sector Advisory Council composed of experts in defense, intelligence, government administration, and technology ethics. The council will advise on responsible AI deployment, risk mitigation, interagency coordination, and safeguarding democratic and security institutions amid rapid AI advancement. It reflects rising expectations for accountable AI governance in public-impact domains.

ReportAI Now Institute

Lessons from the FDA for AI

2024

Ex ante regulation modeled on the FDA enhances public safety by rigorously assessing AI systems before deployment to prevent harm, while providing industry with clear, consistent standards that build consumer trust, reduce costly post-release failures, and foster sustainable innovation.

ReportCenter for Political Accountability

Mason-Dixon/CPA Shareholder National Poll Findings

2024

Surveys of a national sample of investors revealed that 87% believe companies should adopt a code of conduct for political spending. Additionally, 91% support measures to ensure that political contributions are lawful and consistent with the company’s public policies and objectives.

ReportNational Association of Corporate Directors

Navigating a New Wave of Reputational Risks

2024

This report details the increasing complexity of reputational risks in today’s business environment, highlighting how political, societal, and environmental issues are challenging corporate reputations. It emphasizes the need for boards to adopt adaptive governance strategies and stay ahead of public and regulatory pressures to avoid brand damage.

VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce

Navigating Diverse Views on Sustainability Policy

Renee Henze of IFF and Nathan Sell of the ACI, 2024

ArticleHarvard Business Review

Negotiate Like a Pro: Tips from a Crisis Veteran

Scott Walker, 2024

A crisis negotiations veteran explains how building rapport and trust help avert dangerous outcomes, even in very high threat situations. Includes firsthand experience to show how respect and listening can help save lives, and offers detailed suggestions for listening to understand underlying needs and interests.

ArticleCivic Alliance

Politics and Polarization in the Workplace: An Employer Guide to Bridge Building

2024

This guide provides concrete ways that companies can integrate civic activities into its talent management and other processes.

ReportInstitute for Economics & Peace

Positive Peace Report 2024

2024

This report demonstrates that countries investing in stable, healthy systems and norms—such as resilient institutions, inclusive economies, and social trust—are more likely to flourish, while those that don’t face increased risk of future violent conflict.

BookHarper Business

Possible: How We Survive (and Thrive) in an Age of Conflict

William Ury, 2024

A far-reaching account of how intractable conflicts can be transformed, and the mindset that enables breakthroughs. Outlines specific approaches from conflict resolutin and peace-building, including how to leverage a "third side."

ArticlePerkins Coie LLP

Public Company Handbook Chapter 2: Corporate Governance: Best Practices in the Boardroom

Perkins Coie LLP, 2024

This handbook chapter from Perkins Coie LLP outlines governance best practices for public company boards, covering fiduciary duties, oversight structures, committee responsibilities, compliance systems, and disclosure obligations. It emphasizes risk oversight, transparency, and evolving regulatory expectations affecting board accountability in complex operating environments.

Why this resource matters
It provides operational grounding for CPR governance by clarifying how boards oversee risk, disclosure, and fiduciary responsibilities in politically and socially complex systems. In particular, it provides the legal and conceptual basis for the governance of public affairs.

ReportBusiness for Social Responsibility (BSR)

Redesigning Sustainable Business Amid Global Realignment

David Korngold, Aron Cramer, 2024

This report explores how geopolitical fragmentation, shifting alliances, and economic realignment are reshaping corporate sustainability strategies. It argues that companies must redesign governance structures, partnerships, and operating models to remain resilient while balancing sustainability commitments with rising political, regulatory, and market uncertainty across regions and sectors.

ReportRhodium Group

Rhodium Climate Outlook 2024: Probabilistic Global Emissions and Energy Projections

Kate Larsen et al., 2024

The Rhodium Climate Outlook 2024 provides a probabilistic assessment of global emissions and energy trajectories through 2100, integrating uncertainty across economic, policy, and technology variables. It projects likely warming of 2.2–3.2°C under current policies but shows that if countries fulfill mid-century and expanded net-zero commitments, the probability of staying below 2°C rises to 96%. The report highlights innovation, equity, and policy acceleration as essential for achieving 2035 NDCs.

Shape

ReportOxfam

Right-Sizing Corporate Voice: A Briefing for Business on Responsible Political Engagement

Andrew Slight, 2024

This article outlines a new approach to corporate political engagement that builds on human rights frameworks to help combat corporate short-termism and enable companies to align their political engagement with longer-term priorities. The article outlines specific action steps that companies can use to align their political engagement with longer-term environmental, institutional stability, and human rights considerations.

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