Insider Studios
- Insider has launched a new biweekly newsletter about sustainability.
- The newsletter will share stories about the culture of sustainability and vital climate choice.
- The first edition discusses Insider's "Act to Impact," event, which was presented by Deloitte.
- Subscribe to Insider Sustainability.
Just over three years ago, Insider launched Better Capitalism, a section focused on how companies are moving beyond financial targets and actively contributing to a better world for their employees, customers, and other stakeholders.
Sustainability has been a key topic we've covered along the way, and it's only gaining momentum in the conversation around stakeholder capitalism. Last year, Microsoft, Apple, Ford, Starbucks, and other major corporations made big pledges to reduce, eliminate, or offset their carbon emissions. In January of this year, GM announced it would only sell electric vehicles by 2035 and pledged to be completely carbon neutral by 2040.
At the same time, the demand for ESG investing – which integrates environmental, social, and governance goals with investment – has skyrocketed, while more companies have agreed to report on their progress on ESG criteria.
Helping to lead this movement is Klaus Schwab, executive chairman and founder of the World Economic Forum, who convenes economic and political leaders annually to discuss innovative ways to reshape and advance industries. During Insider's climate-focused virtual event, Act to Impact, on April 20, Schwab said the surge in interest in ESG means customers, investors, and leaders are focused on accountability. He also noted that there are over 300 ESG proxy issues headed to vote this spring.
"Leaders have a new mindset," Schwab told Insider. "We have a new social consciousness."
He also spoke about how the pandemic has only increased people's alertness and sensitivity to corporate social responsibility, which includes how companies treat the environment.
The event also featured insight from David Sproul, the Global Deputy Chief Executive of Deloitte; Rebecca Marmot, the Chief Sustainability Officer of Unilever; Ruth Davis, the Director of IBM's Call for Code initiative; Alice Sharp, the Artistic Director of Invisible Dust; and more.
Insider is investing more into our sustainability coverage by launching our newsletter, Insider Sustainability. With our new sustainability reporter, Karen K. Ho (who previously wrote for Quartz), at the helm, we're highlighting the ways in which government, businesses, and society are coalescing responsible climate choice with their practices.
We look forward to sharing these stories with you. Subscribe to Insider Sustainability.