WEC hosts 2023 Gold Medal Symposium: Aligning Business Strategy with the UN SDGs
2023 Gold Medal Symposium Summary
On the occasion of awarding the Gold Medal 2023 to Jacobs, WEC convened a Symposium for Business Executives to discuss with thought leaders and practitioners how to align business strategy with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Held under the Chatham House Rule, this Symposium was a dialog designed to learn from companies that made the SDGs the center of their business strategy.
All panelists were current or former WEC Gold Medalists, which underlines that they are successful and leaders in sustainability. Participants Speakers represented the United Nations as well as three Gold Medal awardees.
The Roundtable was held in the beautiful premises of the Planet Word Museum, with approx. 50 senior executives from WEC member companies, other international corporations, as well as from government, science, and think tanks.
World Environment Center to recognize Jacobs as the 2023 WEC Gold Medal Awardee for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development
The World Environment Center is pleased to announce that its 39th Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development will be awarded to Jacobs. The Gold Medal Award will be presented to Jacobs at an in-person ceremony at Washington, DC’s Planet Word on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
The Gold Medal Award is presented annually to a global company that has integrated sustainability into its business practices, created ground-breaking solutions to critical environmental and social challenges, and demonstrated global leadership to accelerate progress toward a sustainable future. An independent Gold Medal Jury comprised of recognized sustainability experts selects the Gold Medalist through a global competition among nominated companies invited to apply for the Award.
The Gold Medal Jury selected Jacobs this year in recognition of Jacobs’ initiatives that integrate sustainability across their organization and client solutions. The Jury recognized Jacobs for its sustainable business strategy PlanBeyond 2.0 which integrates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals across the entire organization that has led to the creation of corporate strategies, programs, and partnerships that deliver positive impact globally.
Gold Medal Jury Chair Linda Fisher, former Vice President & Chief Sustainability Officer of Dupont, said “on behalf of the Jury, I extend my sincere congratulations to Jacobs for its thoughtful approach to sustainability. Their commitments coupled with a global initiatives & partnerships have a far-reaching and positive sustainability impact around the world.”
In acknowledging receipt of the prestigious global sustainability award, Jacobs Office of Global Climate Response and ESG Senior Vice President Jan Walstrom said, “over the last several years Jacobs has been on a purposeful journey to integrate sustainable principles into the solutions we develop and deliver to respond to our clients’ greatest challenges, including those directly focused on addressing climate challenge. We know we have a pivotal role to play in addressing the climate emergency and channeling our technology-enabled expertise and capabilities toward benefiting people and the planet. We’re honored that our efforts have been recognized by the World Environment Center and are delighted to receive this prestigious Gold Medal Award.”
“We congratulate Jacobs and salute the company’s commitment to sustainable development,” said WEC President & CEO Glenn Prickett. “In these challenging times, we hope that recognizing Jacobs’s leadership with the Gold Medal Award will inspire other companies to aim higher in their commitments to sustainability.”
About the Gold Medal
The World Environment Center’s Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development was established in 1985 to recognize significant industry initiatives in global environmental excellence and sustainable development. Recent recipients of the WEC Gold Medal Award are AB InBev (2022), Microsoft (2021), the Ford Motor Company (2020), Trane Technologies (formerly Ingersoll Rand; 2019), Ecolab, (2018), HP Inc. (2017), Jacobs – formerly CH2M (2016), SC Johnson (2015), Unilever (2013), IBM (2012), Nestlé (2011), and Wal-Mart Stores (2010).
The Gold Medal Jury is independent of WEC and its programs, and is composed of international leaders from academia, government, non-governmental organizations, and retired industry professionals.
About the World Environment Center
The World Environment Center advances sustainable development through corporate business practices. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Europe and Latin America, WEC creates business solutions through executive roundtables on key sustainability challenges, builds capacity of small enterprises in emerging markets, and honors industry excellence through its annual Gold Medal Award. WEC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization. For more information, please visit www.wec.org.
Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Value Chains Summary
Gold Medal Symposium Hosted with 2022 Winner, AB InBev
The World Environment Center along with 2022 Gold Medal Winner AB InBev hosted the Gold Medal Symposium on Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Value Chains. Speakers included sustainability executives from AB InBev, Mastercard, Inter-American Development Bank, Colgate-Palmolive, APCO, U.S. State Department, and UNDP
WEC will award the CEO of the Independent Jury selected recipient the 2023 Gold Medal Award on May 17th, 2023 in Washington D.C. Learn more about the Gold Medal Award here.
The World Environment Center Presents The Clean Tech Fair
The World Environment Center (WEC) and its international partners are excited to present the Clean Tech Fair this November 3rd, 7th, and 14th from 9AM to 12PM ET.
Our partners for this event include The Royal Scientific Society (RSS) in Jordan, La Confédération Générale des Entreprises du Maroc, (CGEM), Bank of Africa (BMCE Group) and EDIC Consulting in Morocco.
Topics on the agenda include Solid Waste, Water and Wastewater, and Energy and Air Emissions.
Presenters from these organizations will speak on strategies and solutions within these domains for how companies can improve their environmental performance, implement current technological solutions and increase sustainable practices within their operations.
This free Virtual Fair is open to all and is designed to connect international experts and key stakeholders of the industrial sector with current technological solutions for their business challenges.
The United States Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs has funded the World Environment Center to promote environmental governance through improved practices and technologies in Morocco and Jordan. The purpose of this initiative is to strengthen environmental governance that will lead to the adoption of improved environmental practices, technologies, and services, particularly in addressing air pollution, water and waste management challenges. WEC has partnered with EDI Consulting in Morocco and Water and Environment Center/Cleaner Production Unit at the Royal Scientific Society in Jordan to provide their on-the-ground knowledge and support to achieve project objectives.
WEC and its local partners will create public-private partnerships involving priority sectors to address those environmental challenges, while fostering the use of U.S. environmental technologies.
About World Environment Center
WEC is an independent, global non-profit, non-advocacy organization that advances sustainable development through the business practices and operations of its member companies and in partnership with governments, multi-lateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, universities and other stakeholders. WEC’s mission is to promote business and societal value by advancing solutions to sustainable development-related problems. It manages projects for companies across their global operations, builds executive level learning and competency in incorporating sustainable development principles across a number of business sectors, and recognizes performance excellence through an annual awards program. WEC is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in China, El Salvador and Germany.
World Environment Center Welcomes New Gold Medal Jury Members
The World Environment Center’s (WEC) is honored to have three new members join this unique group of sustainability leaders, which independently selects the recipient of the annual WEC Gold Medal Award for International Achievement in Sustainable Development winner each year. The jury represents leaders from academia, civil society, and the private sector. .
The new WEC Jury Members:
Olufunmilayo “Funmi” Arewa – Shusterman Professor of Business and Transactional Law at Temple University – James E. Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, USA
Olufunmilayo (Funmi) Arewa’s major areas of scholarly research include business law, music, entrepreneurship, technology, copyright, film, and Africana studies.
Prior to becoming a law professor, Professor Arewa practiced law for nearly a decade, working in legal and business positions primarily in the entrepreneurial and technology startup arena, including law firms and companies in the Silicon Valley and New York. She also served as Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel of a venture capital firm in Boston. Before becoming a lawyer, she was a Visiting Lecturer at the Center for Afroamerican and African Studies (CAAS) at the University of Michigan and served as a Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. and Montevideo, Uruguay.
She received an M.A. and Ph.D. (Anthropology) from the University of California, Berkeley, an A.M. (Applied Economics) from the University of Michigan, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and an A.B. from Harvard College. In addition to writing about music, Professor Arewa has studied classical voice for many years.
Karen Fawcett – formerly Global CEO Retail, and Global Head Brand and Marketing for Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore
Karen Fawcett was formerly CEO Retail, Brand and Marketing for Standard Chartered Bank, which focused primarily on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Her broad career across complex global businesses covers wholesale and retail banking, global strategy, technology transformation, and brand & marketing.
Ms. Fawcett holds several non-executive director positions, with a portfolio across financial services & digital transformation, education, and climate change mitigation. These positions are with the following entities: the LGT Private Bank Foundation Board; INSEAD; Temus Pte. Ltd.; Global Evergreening Alliance; and BetterTradeOff Pte. Ltd. And and Aegon’s Supervisory Board.
Prior to her career in banking, Ms. Fawcett was a Partner at global management and information technology consultancy firm Booz, Allen & Hamilton, where she advised insurers, banks, and asset managers on a wide range of strategic, technological, and operational transformations.
Tim Mohin, Experienced Sustainability Leader, PA, USA
Tim Mohin is a globally recognized sustainability leader. He served as chief executive of the Global Reporting Initiative; he also held sustainability leadership roles with Intel, Apple, and AMD and worked on environmental policy within the U.S. Senate and Environmental Protection Agency. He is the author of Changing Business from the Inside Out: A Treehugger’s Guide to Working in Corporations and a founder and former Chairman of the Responsible Business Alliance (formerly the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition). Currently, he is living in Pittsburgh, PA where he bikes with the N+1 cycling team and spends time with his grandchildren.
Glenn Prickett, WEC’s President & CEO shared, “WEC is truly delighted to have access to such a well-respected group of leaders to help support our efforts as we work to advance sustainable development.”
About the World Environment Center
WEC is an independent, global non-profit, non-advocacy organization that advances sustainable development through the business practices and operations of its member companies and in partnership with governments, multi-lateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, universities and other stakeholders. WEC’s mission is to promote business and societal value by advancing solutions to sustainable development-related problems. It manages projects for companies across their global operations, builds executive level learning and competency in incorporating sustainable development principles across a number of business sectors, and recognizes performance excellence through an annual awards program. WEC is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in China, El Salvador and Germany
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If you would like more information on the Gold Medal Award or the nomination process, please contact Smitha Konduri at info@wec.org
Call for Nominations for the WEC 2023 Gold Medal Award are now OPEN!
As the world moves to rebuild our economies and to tackle climate change and systemic injustices, corporate leadership on sustainable development is more important than ever. The Gold Medal Award recognizes excellence and provides inspiration to other companies worldwide. Nominations are now being accepted for the World Environment Center’s (WEC) 2023 Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development. The Gold Medal Award is presented annually to a global company that demonstrates deep, organization-wide commitment to sustainability in its business practice and beyond. Learn more about the WEC Gold Medal Award here.
Submissions of the 2022 WEC Gold Medal Award Nomination Formmust be received by Friday October 21, 2022. Self-nominations are welcome. WEC membership is not required as a criterion for submitting a nomination nor for receiving the award.
Now in its 39th year, the WEC Gold Medal Award is the most prestigious recognition of a global company’s contributions to sustainability, as embodied by the winning company’s global engagement and ongoing commitment to sustainable development. An independent jury of international experts in business and sustainability selects the Gold Medal awardee.
In 2022, the independent Gold Medal Jury selected AB InBev’s application in recognition of the company’s strong sustainability track record, ambitious commitments, and its focused ESG strategy aimed at creating shared prosperity across its value chain. The Jury recognized AB InBev for catalyzing impact beyond its own operations through its 2025 Sustainability Goals and ambition to achieve net zero across its value chain by 2040; its engagement with suppliers, business partners and consumers to scale impact; and its commitment to innovation through the award-winning 100+ Accelerator Program.
Previous recent recipients of the WEC Gold Medal Award include AB InBev (2022), Microsoft (2021), The Ford Motor Company (2020), Ingersoll Rand (now Trane Technologies, 2019) Ecolab (2018), HP (2017), CH2M (now Jacobs, 2016), SC Johnson (2015), Unilever (2013), IBM (2012), Nestlé (2011), Walmart (2010), The Coca-Cola Company (2009), and Marks & Spencer (2008).
About the World Environment Center
WEC is an independent, global non-profit, non-advocacy organization that advances sustainable development through the business practices and operations of its member companies and in partnership with governments, multi-lateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, universities and other stakeholders. WEC’s mission is to promote business and societal value by advancing solutions to sustainable development-related problems. It manages projects for companies across their global operations, builds executive level learning and competency in incorporating sustainable development principles across a number of business sectors, and recognizes performance excellence through an annual awards program. WEC is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in China, El Salvador and Germany.
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If you would like more information on the Gold Medal Award or the nomination process, please contact Smitha Konduri at info@wec.org
World Environment Center Awards the 2022 Gold Medal for International Corporate Sustainability to AB InBev
World Environment Center presents the Gold Medal Award to AB InBev at Planet Word Museum on Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 in Washington. (Joy Asico / Asico Photo)
The World Environment Center was pleased to award its 38th Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development to Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), the world’s leading brewer. The Gold Medal Award was presented to AB InBev CEO Michel Doukeris at an in-person ceremony at Washington, DC’s Planet Word on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.
The Gold Medal Award is presented annually to a global company that has integrated sustainability into its business practices, created ground-breaking solutions to critical environmental and social challenges, and demonstrated global leadership to accelerate progress toward a sustainable future. An independent Gold Medal Jury comprised of recognized sustainability experts selects the Gold Medalist through a global competition among nominated companies invited to apply for the Award.
The Gold Medal Jury selected AB InBev this year in recognition of the company’s strong sustainability track record, ambitious commitments, and its focused ESG strategy aimed at creating shared prosperity across its value chain. The Jury recognized AB InBev for catalyzing impact beyond its own operations through its 2025 Sustainability Goals and ambition to achieve net zero across its value chain by 2040; its engagement with suppliers, business partners and consumers to scale impact; and its commitment to innovation through the award-winning 100+ Accelerator Program.
Gold Medal Jury Chair Linda Fisher, former Vice President & Chief Sustainability Officer of DuPont, said “on behalf of the Jury, I extend my sincere congratulations to AB InBev for its thoughtful approach to sustainability. AB InBev has demonstrated its commitment to renewable energy, water stewardship, smart agriculture, circular packaging, and human rights. These commitments coupled with a global supply chain have a far-reaching and positive sustainability impact around the world.”
“We are honored to receive the 2022 Gold Medal Award for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development. Beer is inclusive, natural and local. We envision a future that is more sustainable and more inclusive. This award recognizes our ambition on sustainability, and I want to thank our team for their commitment as we continue to dream big to create a future with more cheers,” said Michel Doukeris, Chief Executive Officer, AB InBev.
“We congratulate AB InBev and salute the company’s commitment to sustainable development,” said WEC President & CEO Glenn Prickett. “In these challenging times, we hope that recognizing AB InBev’s leadership with the Gold Medal Award will inspire other companies to aim higher in their commitments to sustainability.”
Preceding the award ceremony, WEC hosted its annual WEC Gold Medal Symposium, which this year focused on the theme “Leadership for a Sustainable Future: Building a Next Generation Business Today.” Featured panelists included Ezgi Barcenas, Chief Sustainability Officer, AB InBev and Thomas L. Friedman, Foreign Affairs Columnist, The New York Times.
About the Gold Medal The World Environment Center’s Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development was established in 1985 to recognize significant industry initiatives in global environmental excellence and sustainable development. Recent recipients of the WEC Gold Medal Award are Microsoft (2021), the Ford Motor Company (2020), Trane Technologies (formerly Ingersoll Rand; 2019), Ecolab, (2018), HP Inc. (2017), Jacobs – formerly CH2M (2016), SC Johnson (2015), Unilever (2013), IBM (2012), Nestlé (2011), Wal-Mart Stores (2010), The Coca-Cola Company (2009), and Marks & Spencer (2008).
The Gold Medal Jury is independent of WEC and its programs, and is composed of international leaders from academia, government, non-governmental organizations, and retired industry professionals.
About the World Environment Center The World Environment Center advances sustainable development through corporate business practices. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Europe and Latin America, WEC creates business solutions through executive roundtables on key sustainability challenges, builds capacity of small enterprises in emerging markets, and honors industry excellence through its annual Gold Medal Award. WEC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization. For more information, please visit www.wec.org.
On the occasion of awarding the 2022 Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development to AB InBev, the World Environment Center (WEC) convened a Symposium for business executives to discuss with thought leaders and practitioners how to navigate the business risks (and opportunities) from a more unpredictable global economy than any time in recent memory. The war in Europe, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the catastrophic climate crisis are changing the world like nothing else in the past 80 years. Business leaders must assure business continuity in the near term while taking action to build a resilient, next-generation business. Held under the Chatham House Rule, this Symposium was a dialogue designed to share goals, strategies, and practical solutions, and to lead the global transformation towards resilience and sustainability.
To read the full summary, key point details and additional information, click HERE.
Note: WEC Executive Roundtables are conducted under the Chatham House Rule.
