The Role of Business



Wednesday, 11. October 2006 | 10:00 Uhr

Speaker

Jacqueline Coté

Organisation

World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Reporting

The WBCSD, with its secretariat in Geneva, provides a platform of exchange with regional networks for 190 leading multinational companies from different sectors. The Council decides on business activities in unanimity. Sustainability determines the issues surrounding globalization, China/India, climate and energy. The way a company deals with the challenges of sustainability has an impact on its stakeholders. Various publications demonstrate challenges and possibilities for action to the business community. What is the role of the business world, how far can it go, what can it do to spread the message? What are the business agenda and the public policy agenda (trade rules, water, infrastructure/public services, development, poverty, human rights)? In addition to research and analysis, instruments and procedures are also described: reduction of energy costs (primary, secondary, buildings), reduction of CO2 emissions, solar energy, consumer behaviour, the role of markets etc.. The collaboration of stakeholders is needed to clarify important questions. Are the governance systems prepared for the challenges? Is there the political will for change? Jacqueline Coté emphasized that governments and the corporate world must assume a stronger leadership role. Politicians, business leaders and society need to act in concert. Research must show what technologies can be used for energy efficiency by 2050.

Jacqueline Coté (CV nur in Englisch)

Jacqueline Coté is Senior Advisor Advocacy & Partnerships at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, a coalition of approx. 200 international companies united by a shared commitment to sustainable development and whose secretariat is located in Conches-Geneva. International commercial lawyer for a large part of her career, Jacqueline – who is Canadian borne – spent 15 years with the SGS Group in Geneva, first as corporate counsel and then as head of a new corporate unit created to develop product and service certification on a world-wide basis. After 2 years as Business Development Manager with DuPont Safety Resources in Geneva she joined the WBCSD in 2004 to help manage the organization’s outreach activities and partnerships. Jacqueline is a law graduate from McGill University in Montreal and a qualified lawyer in several Canadian provinces.

Donators and Partners

The ETH Board is responsible for the strategic leadership of the ETH domain and assumes the supervision of its institutions. Its close relationship with the ETH Council has contributed to the successful continuation of Academia Engelberg Foundation since 2000.

The Foundation promotes research into the connecting human fundamentals of science. Academia Engelberg Foundation and the Foundation for Basic Research in Human Sciences have entered into a cooperation agreement for the period 2011 to 2015.

Helvetia is a quality-oriented comprehensive insurance company with over 150 years of experience. Academia Engelberg Foundation is convinced it will be able to use important synergies from the partnership starting in 2015.

A partnership with the University of Lucerne has existed since summer 2013. Since 2016 we have also a parthership with the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Lucerne. Through these partnerships, synergies are used and joint projects are tested and realized. The University of Lucerne currently consists of three faculties: the faculties for Theology, Culture and Social Sciences, and Law.