The circular economy aims to benefit the environment, but how can the circular economy also benefit people? By talking to circular leaders in the Netherlands we find that both the environment and people can win from circularity, but only if ethical motives take precedence over economic growth motives.
The VU Business & Society Knowledge Hub aspires to advance research on the role of business in society, driven by the broader question of how businesses are managed, led and organized in order to ensure social and ecological sustainability and contribute to the greater good.
ESG reporting is a mainstream topic among corporations. Standard-setters around the world seem to be trapped into the assumption that ESG reporting not only increases transparency, but also evokes more sustainable behavior. However, research shows that we lack understanding how ESG reporting can lead to real positive impact.
As sustainability reporting has moved from an exception to an expectation, the measurement of sustainability information has become increasingly dominant. While measurement has helped sustainability reporting’s development and strategic relevance, we signal to managers and policy makers that it risks narrowing what is considered valuable and that it can crowd out moral questions.