Business Surveys

As much as recent natural gas industry dynamics are influenced by price, the reality is that the global market always is truly driven by supply and demand. Where gas reserves reside, where energy demand is needed, and how supply is being transported all tell a more holistic story of the market’s dynamics. The current disparity in supply and demand is giving natural gas buyers the upper hand in negotiating contracts and is affecting how organizations throughout the value chain are planning for the future.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) releases its new guide “Microgrids for commercial and industrial companies.” Presented by ABB, CLP Group, Eaton Corporation, EDP, Enel Group and Schneider Electric, the report explains when, why and how commercial and industrial (C&I) companies can benefit from low-carbon microgrids.

Alice Korngold, President and CEO of Korngold Consulting, and author of two highly acclaimed books on board governance, service, and global problem-solving, releases a new study evaluating the leadership development value of nonprofit board service. The study also shows how companies can enhance nonprofit board-matching services for their employees.

The Taproot Foundation recognizes that most organizations tackling social problems don’t have access to the marketing, design, technology, strategy, or planning resources they need to succeed. Nonprofits are understaffed, under-resourced, and need support. In the 2017 State of Pro Bono Service Survey, Taproot focused in on the challenges nonprofits experience each day, and in this report, identified how pro bono can be a high-impact resource in overcoming these common barriers.

Aggressive innovation among energy solutions providers, in response to pressures such as corporate demand and policy changes including the Paris Climate Accord, has accelerated development of new clean technologies.

With up to 400 million Indians lacking a reliable energy supply, the country is planning major investments in its power generation and distribution infrastructure. Most of the investment in new capacity will be for renewable energy.

Women continue to serve as pioneers in sustainability, leading the way through advocacy and implementation. The Cox Conserves Sustainability Survey (CCSS), which focused on small and medium-sized business owners (SMBs), found that 42 percent of female-run SMBs are committed to increasing sustainable business practices versus 35 percent of male-run SMBs. Women recognize sustainability as an important part of running a business.

Trust is down. Expectations are up. And like never before, the world’s consumers are turning to brands to address the social and environmental challenges that affect their aspirations for a better life in divided times.

According to a new global study by BBMG and GlobeScan, Brand Purpose in Divided Times, net trust in global companies to act in the best interest of society is negative (-2). And for the first time since 2009, more consumers say they have punished companies for their behavior (28%) rather than rewarded them (26%), and the number of those who are punishing brands is up by 9 percentage points since 2013.

Whether it is extreme poverty, income inequality, corruption, human rights abuses or the ever-increasing impacts of climate change on agriculture and coastal living, more consumers are making the connection between corporate actions, the quality of their lives and the success of their communities – providing new challenges and opportunities for brand leadership.

Facing inevitable attacks to their networks by hackers, electric utilities are making progress in prioritizing cybersecurity to ensure that they can deliver and maintain safe, secure utilities for all. However, this year’s Strategic Directions: Electric Industry Report shows even as leaders work to ensure grid security, major gaps remain in the areas of asset security control and security risk awareness.