Our Work
WEC collaborates with businesses, governments, academia and NGOs to advance sustainable development. We provide technical, educational, project management and other services to industry, governments or others worldwide to achieve concrete business and societal value.
Our History
Founded in 1974 in New York City with a grant from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Environment Center has been a non-advocacy, non-profit organization since its inception. WEC creates sustainable business solutions through individual projects in emerging markets; convenes leadership roundtables to shape strategic thinking across a range of sustainability topics; and honors industry excellence through the annual awarding of its Gold Medal Award.
Thought Leadership
Strategic insights, learnings and best practices
Since 1997, the WEC has convened over 200 thought leadership events in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Our events provide executive leaders with a platform to share strategic insights, learnings and best practices. WEC’s Thought Leadership agenda is member driven, providing companies with the opportunities to learn about current topics that are of greatest importance. Our events offer leading perspectives and include stakeholders from industry, NGOs, academia and the government.
Capacity Building
Around the world, WEC sets up projects in collaboration with businesses, governments, academia and NGOs to advance sustainable development. We provide technical, educational, project management and other services to industry, governments or others worldwide to achieve concrete business and societal value.
Honoring Industry Excellence
The WEC Gold Medal Award for International Achievement in Sustainable Development is one of the most prestigious forms of recognition of a global company’s ongoing commitment to the practice of sustainable development.
Recipients demonstrate global vision and a commitment to sustainable development through innovative application of policies, and international economic, environmental, and social responsibilities. An independent Jury of international leaders selects the Gold Medal recipient.
Future Leaders
Upon Member/University request, WEC collaborates with business and universities to prepare leaders to achieve a sustainable future through Board Service and University engagement.
Prior Programs
For over 25 years, WEC has performed capacity-building services in Latin America, Eastern Europe, The Middle East, Northern Africa, and Asia Pacific. Learn more about our prior programs here.