Paul Hohnen Sustainability Strategies
Year in Pictures 2010
Through his high level global network and policy expertise, Paul Hohnen offers clients leading edge advice on sustainable development challenges and opportunities.
See also Year in Pictures 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012
December: The OECD consultations on the updated Guidelines were opened by Prof. Dr. Roel Nieuwenkamp (Chair, Netherlands), here with Teresa Fogelberg (Deputy Chief Executive, GRI) and Prof. Mervyn King (Chair, GRI Board and Chair, International Integrated Reporting Committee). Paris, 13 December. Paul addressed the meeting on the need for greater efforts by governments to promote use of the Guidelines to encourage more sustainable business practices.
December: The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) are currently being updated. The Guidelines are the only government-endorsed guidance on responsible business practice. A multi-stakeholder expert consultation involving representatives of business, trade unions and NGOs was held at OECD headquarters to discuss possible improvements. Paris, 13 December.
December: Timed to coincide with the Cancun climate conference, an article on the implications of adapting to climate change in Ethical Corporation, December 7. Adaptation policies will increasingly tend to prefer local solutions, but are not a substitute for globally-agreed mitigation action.
November: While better known for its many ancient ruins, Rome has a long history of innovative building. The hemispheric dome of the Pantheon (127 AD) is still unchallenged as a single concrete casting. The new Eurosky Tower (right), under construction, combines integrated solar power and water treatment. With over half the world's population now living in cities, better building standards can radically lower energy needs and improve people's lives.
November: The world headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome.
November: (l/r) Estelle Fach (Knowledge Management & Governance, REDD, UNDP), Dr Peter Holmgren (Director, Climate, Energy and Tenure Division, UN FAO), PH (chairing the meeting on behalf of Chatham House), Dr Emelyne Cheney (FAO), Rome, 18 November.
“The facilitation by Paul was world-class and he led the meeting to conclusions that we had only hoped for.”
Peter Holmgren, Director Climate, Energy and Tenure Division, FAO, 24 November
November: Nguyen Quang Tan (Center for People and Forests, Vietnam) and Emmy Hafild (KemiTraan, Indonesia) were among participants from forest-rich countries.
November: The UN-REDD Programme and Chatham House convened an expert workshop on monitoring governance for REDD+. The meeting, attended by representatives of forest-rich states from Africa, Asia and Latin America, FAO, UNDP and civil society organisations, was held at FAO Headquarters in Rome on 18-19 November.
November: UK Prime Minister David Cameron told the Department of Energy and Climate Change shortly after the elections that he wants his government to be the ‘greenest ever’.
“I wanted to thank you for your moderation of the event, it was fantastic, you managed to drill down the key issues from each speaker and really delivered a great experience.”
Personal written feedback from conference participant
November: Andre Veneman (Director of Sustainability, Akzo Nobel) spoke on a panel on the role of innovation. Here with (l/r) Jeremy Greenwood (MD, Lafarge), Bettina von Stamm (Director, Innovation & Leadership Forum), Thomas Frey (Ecomagination Program EMEA, General Electric) and (Martin McCann, Head of Sustainability, SAP). The panel provided many examples of how sustainable development was driving development of profitable new products, technologies and management approaches.
November: Ambitious UK government plans for a Green Deal that would see hundreds of billions of pounds invested in new energy-saving measures in the housing sector were outlined by Phil Wynn Owen (Director General, National Climate Change and Consumer Support, Department of Energy and Climate Change). London, 10 November.
“... thank you so much for the professionalism and dynamism you brought to
proceedings. People were very complimentary about your chairing style — you
got the best from people and made sure that tough questions were answered. I
am extremely grateful.”
Ben Patten, Managing Director, Green Business Events, London
November: Yvo de Boer (former Executive Director of the UN Climate Change secretariat and now KPMG Special Global Advisor on Climate Change and Sustainability) told the Green Strategy conference that he expected that markets for energy efficiency and renewable energy would continue to expand rapidly, driven by concerns about climate change, energy security and price instability. London, 10 November.
November: The opening panel of the Green Strategy 2010 Conference discussed the macro factors driving the sustainable economy. (l/r) David Kennedy (CEO, UK Committee on Climate Change), David Metcalfe (MD, Verdantix), Paul Simpson (CEO, The Carbon Disclosure Project) and Seamus Keating (CFO, Logica & Green Investment Bank). PH chaired the conference. London, 10 November.
November: Others who spoke at the ISO 26000 launch were UNCTAD's Anthony Miller and AccountAbility's David Simpson, both of whom were involved in the development of the new standard.
November: Speaking at the launch of ISO 26000. The new standard provides the most authoritative, up-to-date and comprehensive definition of what it means for any organisation to be ‘socially responsible’.
November: On 1 November, Paul represented the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) at the official launch of the ISO 26000 Guidance on social responsibility. To help promote the new standard, GRI took the opportunity to release a guidance document showing how to use the GRI Guidelines in conjunction with ISO 26000. Paul presented a copy of the paper to Rob Steele, Secretary-General of ISO.
November: Jonathon Hanks describing the broad scope and value of ISO 26000. Here, with Staffan Söderberg.
November: ISO Secretary-General Rob Steele (far right) presented expressions of thanks to the leadership of the ISO Social Responsibility Working Group on successful completion of the ISO 26000 guidance standard. The standard was developed in a five year process involving hundreds of experts from around the world. Geneva, 1 November.
October: On 27-28 October, Paul was invited to participate in brainstorming sessions hosted by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.
October: The sculpture ‘Broken Chair’ looks increasingly ironic outside Geneva's UN Palais de Nations. The UN Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012 will have international environmental governance as a key theme. It will provide governments with a not-to-be-missed opportunity to effectively address related issues such as climate change and sustainable development. Geneva, October 27.
October: On October 19 Paul led a CSR session for a Paris-listed multinational, Paris. Leading companies are using CSR to better understand and respond to societal expectations and identify related business opportunities.
“Paul ran a CSR session for our global communications directors that was sharply focused, engaging and witty. He's absolutely fabulous to work with.”
Cressida Ward (Communications Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, sanofi-aventis)
October: Paris by night. The view from the top floor of the Pompidou Centre, 18 October.
October: Paul was opening speaker at the Rotterdam School of Management Reputation Institute meeting held at Huis ter Duin, Noordwijk, 6 October
“It was a pleasure having you at the RfN summit. All participants were very impressed and inspired by your contribution.”
Prof.dr. Cees B.M. van Riel, Corporate Communication Centre, Rotterdam School of Management
October: Sunset over the North Sea, Noordwijk, 6 October. As the oil reserves of the North Sea are being depleted, a major issue is what to do with the over 500 rigs. A 1998 intergovernmental agreement requires that all offshore oil and gas installations be removed once they have become redundant. However arguments are now being made for other approaches.
October: The Outback in Paris. Paul was invited to consultations with the OECD and UNEP, 4-5 October
September: Speaking with Dr Lahra Liberti (Head of Project, OECD Secretariat) about how GRI indicators can be useful to companies wanting to identify key risk issues and measure progress on economic, social and environmental aspects of their supply chain. Paul addressed the conference on behalf of GRI. Nairobi, 29 September.
September: The ICGLR and OECD Secretariat consultation on responsible supply chains of minerals from conflict-affected and high risk areas saw broad support from government, business and civil societies for a Model Supply Chain Policy. The Policy addresses the need to find ways of helping consumers of key metals in the electronic industry from sourcing them from illegal and abusive mining operations. Nairobi, 29 September
August: Consultations with UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on the 2012 Conference on Sustainable Development, to be held in Rio de Janeiro. Paul has been engaged by UNEP to assist with preparations. Paris, September 14-15, 26 August
August: Nostalgia isn't what it used to be. The ‘Strolling Bones’ add an impromptu vintage edge to the local community festival, Amsterdam, 4 September, 26 August
August: Response to comments generated by article on green growth, 26 August
August: Cycling, Holland. In anticipation of more frequent and serious floods as a result of climate change, areas of the country are already being designated for controlled flooding. The residents of the picturesque Ronde Hoep area are understandably opposed to the idea (“Under water? Never!”), but options are limited.
August: Lead article on green growth in Ethical Corporation magazine, 11 August
July: Andrew Logan, Director of Oil and Insurance Programs at CERES, addressing the expert group meeting held at Chatham House on Investor Risk in Frontier Oil Fields, London, 29 July. Paul chaired the meeting in his capacity as Associate Fellow.
“... thanks SO much for your wonderful chairing and skillful hosting ... The whole event went excellently I felt.”
James Marriott, Co-Director, Platform London
July: Article in Ethical Corporation on UN Global Compact and GRI, 21 July.
July: Client sustainability summit, Weggis, Switzerland, 21-23 July
July: On vacation, Lorgues, France.
June: With former Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers and Ama van Dantzig at the closing ceremony of the Earth Charter +10 event, The Hague, 29 June.
June: Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende gave a closing keynote address in which he complemented the 200 plus participants on the achievements of the Earth Charter, The Hague, 29 June.
June: World Connector and Earth Charter Adviser Herman Mulder makes a point in response to a question by co-moderator Ama von Dantzig, The Hague, 29 June.
June: Mirian Vilela (Earth Charter Executive Director) thanks participants for their suggestions and contributions to improving the ways that the business and youth sectors can benefit from using the Earth Charter, The Hague, 29 June.
June: With Alide Roerink (Earth Charter International Council member, NCDO International Relations Adviser) at a consultative meeting of Earth Charter office holders held in the Peace Palace, 28 June. Alide oversaw organisation of the EC10 celebration, which was attended by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix.
June: Ama van Dantzig and Paul co-moderated the Earth +10 celebration, held at the Peace Palace, The Hague on 29 28-29 June. The Earth Charter is holding a series of meetings around the world in 2010 to develop its strategy for the coming decade.
June: Describing how private equity investors can use international standards to improve their understanding of ESG issues, London, 10 June. (Photo: Josh Chong)
June: PEI Responsible Investment panel discussion on the role of ESG international standards, London, 10 June. (l/r) Tom Rotherham (moderator, Hermes), PH, Richard Burrett (Earth Capital Partners), Mike Taylor (LPFA & IIGCC) and Rob Lake (APG). (Photo: Josh Chong)
June: Chair of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), Donald MacDonald, addresses over 250 representatives from the private equity sector on the issue of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting at the PEI Responsible Investment Forum, London, 10 June. Participants discussed how ESG issues were increasingly becoming mainstream issues for business around the world.
May: The occasion marked the beginning of the Bioneers Global conference on the huge potential of bio-mimicry engineering technologies for sustainable development. Paul reported on the recent GRI meeting.
May: The Progressio Foundation held a gala opening dinner at Amerongen Castle on 30 May. Guests, including Kenny Ausubel, Nina Simons and Dutch State Secretary Tineke Huizinga-Hernga, were welcomed by Marcello Palazzi.
May: In her closing presentation, UNEP Deputy Director General Angela Cropper underlined the importance of The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) study in providing a basis for a shift to a green economy, Amsterdam, 28 May.
May: GRI Deputy-Executive Director Teresa Fogelberg listens to Dumisani Nioni (Earth Charter Network and International Council, Zimbabwe) welcome the closer partnership between GRI and the Earth Charter, 27 May, Amsterdam. GRI and the Earth Charter concluded a memorandum of understanding at the conference aimed at strengthening synergies between the two global initiatives.
May: Erna Witoelar (Earth Charter International Council, Indonesia) and Paul listen to a presentation by Teresa Fogelberg at the Special Session on GRI and the Earth Charter held at the GRI Global Conference, Amsterdam, 27 May. Paul chaired the session
May: With (l/r) Teresa Fogelberg (Dep. Chief Executive, GRI), Angela Cropper (Dep. Executive Director, UNEP) and Christine Loh (CEO, Civic Exchange) at final plenary session of GRI Conference, Amsterdam, 28 May.
May: A panel chaired by Leeora Black heard presentations by (l/r) Kevin McKinley (Deputy Secretary-General, ISO), Bill Blackburn (GRI expert adviser) and Jonathon Hanks (Incite Sustainability) on the latest developments with the draft ISO 26000 social responsibility standard and its compatibility with the GRI framework, Amsterdam, May 27.
May: Aron Cramer (CEO, BSR) moderated the business panel at the GRI Global Conference, Amsterdam, 27 May. There was broad support among participants for routine sustainability reporting by all large and medium-sized business organisations by 2015, or an explanation as to why they don't report. Support was also expressed for integrated financial and sustainability reporting by 2020.
May: Against the data of rapid deterioration of global ecosystems and the threats of climate change, GRI Chief Executive Ernst Ligteringen called on all large and medium sized companies to produce reporting on their environmental, social and governance performance by 2015, or explain why they don't. Over 1,200 participants attended the opening day of the GRI Amsterdam Global Conference on Sustainability and Transparency, 26 May.
May: With GRI co-founder Allen White (Tellus Institute, Boston) and Leeora Black (ACCSR, Melbourne) at a GRI reception for Organisational Stakeholders, Amsterdam, 26 May. Allen and Bob Massie, GRI's other co-founder, described the GRI multi-stakeholder approach as an emerging model of global decision-making and partnership building.
May: Paul moderated the GRI Organisational Stakeholders Global Assembly, Amsterdam, May 26. The Organisational Stakeholders play a key role in voting for the GRI Stakeholder Council.
May: Charles McNeill (Senior Policy Advisor, Environment & Energy Group, United Nations Development Programme) makes a point at the Chatham House/UN REDD Programme meeting, London, 24 May.
“We could not have had a better moderator than Paul Hohnen”
Charles McNeill, UNDP
May: Moderating a Chatham House/UN-REDD Programme expert workshop on monitoring of safeguards for the proposed climate mechanism to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation, London, 24-25 May.
May: (l/r) IEA's Steve Heinen and David Elzinga at the Smart Grid Workshop, Paris, 20 May.
“Exceptional facilitation.”
Hugo Chandler, Renewable Energy Unit, IEA
May: The International Energy Agency (IEA) hosted an international workshop on Smart Grids, which Paul moderated. Paris, 20 May. Smarter Grids will increasingly play a key role in the better integration of new renewable energy sources, improved access to energy services and the more efficient use of existing energy infrastructure.
May: Rowing on the Guadalquivir, Seville.
May: Interview ‘Why being green is smart’ in The Star (Malaysia), May 1st
April: Sailing with Steve Sawyer (SG, Global Wind Energy Council) on the IJsselmeer, 24 April. Despite Holland's historical connection with windmills, the country has lagged behind EU neighbours in installing modern wind turbines. Germany has the largest installed capacity in Europe, followed by Spain and Italy. In 2009, Don Quixote's home country installed 2,459 MW of new capacity while Holland installed only 39MW. China was world leader in new capacity in 2009 with 13,803MW, more than all of Europe combined.
April: Welcoming Sophie to the family, 15 April.
April: Following the launch of Heineken's 2020 Vision (see below), the company began a comprehensive internal roll-out programme. This was kicked off by a panel discussion which Paul moderated. Amsterdam, 15 April.
April: Panel discussion with (l/r) Toby Webb (MD, Ethical Corporation), Wouter van Dieren (MD, IMSA), Jean-Francois van Boxmeer ( Chairman Executive Board/CEO, Heineken, Peter Lacy (MD, Accenture Sustainability Services), PH. Amsterdam, 13 April. The occasion marked the launch of Heineken's 2009 Sustainability Report "Brewing a Better Future".
‘Many thanks for excellent moderation before, during and after the Symposium.’
Symposium panellist, 16 April
April: Former Dutch Minister for the Environment & Spatial Planning Jacqueline Cramer called on leaders in the business community to deploy their expertise to help hasten the transition to sustainable development.
April: Opening Heineken Symposium "The Challenge of Sustainable Development", Amsterdam, 13 April
March: Article in Ethical Corporation on the need for more diverse inputs on the sustainability debate.
March: Pursuing efficient water management on the Amstel, 27 March. (Photo: Kees Veling)
March: Interviewed on sustainability issues for Delfi, Lithuania's most popular web portal.
February: Thanks to progressive energy policies, grid linked solar power has become an increasingly common feature across Australia, including rural areas.
February: With Debbie Spring (National Corporate Responsibility Manager, Australia Post) and Leeora Black (Managing Director, Australian Centre for CSR) following internal strategy workshops at Australia Post, 22-23 February.
February: With Kien Seebregts, cycling the Yarra Valley, Melbourne, 20 February. Despite recent heavy rains (five times the monthly average fell in February), the city's dams are still only 35% full after a decade of drought. Melbourne has a high profile ‘save water’ campaign which is sparking technological and consumer changes.
February: With closing panel of ACCSR Annual Conference (l/r) PH, Elana Rubin, Louise Sylvan, Leeora Black and the Hon. Jason Clare.
‘Congratulations on another successful ACCSR event — your moderating and speaking styles are really quite inspirational ...’
Participant feedback
February: The closing session of the ACCSR Annual Conference on 19 February featured (l/r) The Hon. Jason Clare, MP (Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Employment), Louise Sylvan (Commissioner, Productivity Commission), Heather Campbell, (CEO, Landcare Australia), Elana Rubin (Chair, Victorian Workcover Authority) and Leeora Black.
February: Jonathon Hanks (Incite Sustainability, South Africa) in discussion with Vanessa Zimmerman (Legal Advisor to the UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights) and Stephanie McCarthy (Manager, UN Global Compact Cities Programme RMIT), Melbourne, 19 February. (Photo: Michael Silver)
February: Dr Leeora Black presenting on the State of CSR in Australia at the 4th Annual ACCSR Conference, Melbourne, February 19. Leeora's groundbreaking work maps the CSR management capabilities of organisations.
82% of the ACCSR Annual Conference participants were 'satisfied or very satisfied' by Paul's contributions to plenary and roundtable sessions.
February: Dr Alan Finkel, Chief Technology Officer of Better Place, makes the case for the battery powered vehicle revolution at the ACCSR Annual Conference, Melbourne, 19 February. Canberra has been selected as the site of the first city-wide roll-out of the Better Place electric vehicle infrastructure in Australia.
February: Revisiting Australian ecosystems with Kien Seebregts, Wineglass Bay, Tasmania, 15 February. Nearby Coles Bay was Australia's first ‘plastic bag free’ town.
February: Dr Ivan Eržen MD, State Secretary, Slovenia, chairing the multi-stakeholder consultation, with Lesley Onyon of the SAICM secretariat.
February: Facilitating a UNEP/WHO SAICM multi-stakeholder consultation on improving the engagement of the health sector in sound chemicals management, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 4-5 February.
January: Article on ISO 26000 in Ethical Corporation admires the draft standard's process and content, but asks whether national standards bodies will agree.
January: Checking out South African Cape fynbos biodiversity with Jonathon Hanks (Incite), Chapman's Peak, Hout Bay, 24 January
January: Celebrating the nuptials of Marta Seoane and Cornis van der Lugt, Stellenbosch, 21 January. (l/r) Mrs & Mrs van der Lugt (Senior), Mr & Mrs van der Lugt (Junior)
January: With Rob Worthington-Smith and colleagues from Trialogue, Cape Town.
January: Breakfast business briefing on global sustainability trends organised by Trialogue, Cape Town, 20 January
January: On the set of the Dutch consumer TV Programme 'Kassa' at the launch of 'foodwatch' Netherlands, Hilversum 9 January. (l/r) Anne Markwardt & Matthias Wolfschmidt ('foodwatch' Germany) , PH, Kassa presenter Felix Meurders, Bart van Opzeeland (Director, 'foodwatch' Netherlands) and Thilo Bode (Executive Director, 'foodwatch' Germany).
January: Release of Henderson's SRI Advisory Committee Commentary. PH with colleagues Gwen Ruta (EDF) and Ram Gidoomal.
See also Year in Pictures 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012
