Sustainable Solutions
Business cases
Selected projects showing how sustainability, risk assessment and governance create value for organisations and communities.
Our track record
Business cases
These business cases have been conducted through the leadership of Exceptional Woman in Sustainability Isabel B. Franco, Ph.D, MBA, WSF Founder and Director, or in collaboration with IBF International Institute for Better Futures.
- Client
- United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
- Partner
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Higher Education for Sustainable Development: Actioning the Global Goals in Policy, Curriculum and Practice
Action research · Policy based research · Industry based research · Mainstreaming sustainability in higher education
Higher education institutions are responsible for equipping the next generation of sustainability leaders, yet many try to action the Sustainable Development Goals through scattered and isolated initiatives that are not supported by a governing approach or coordinated to tackle social and environmental sustainability.
Using a qualitative research strategy, theory building and techniques such as surveys, policy and literature review, and group and individual interviews, the project found that advancing higher education for sustainable development depends on understanding the gaps, target areas, commonalities and differences across regional agendas. It gave institutions and their stakeholders conceptual and practical tools to integrate sustainable development into policy, curriculum and practice in line with the SDGs.
Led by Isabel B. Franco, Ph.D, MBA, WSF Founder and Director
Related publications (3)
- Higher education for sustainable development: actioning the global goals in policy, curriculum and practice I. B. Franco, O. Saito, P. Vaughter, J. Whereat, N. Kanie and K. Takemoto. Sustainability Science, 2019.
- Community capacity-building for sustainable development I. B. Franco and J. Tracey. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 2019.
- SDG 13 Climate Action I. B. Franco, R. Tapia and J. Tracey. Actioning the Global Goals for Local Impact, Springer, 2020.
- Client
- FIFCO USA
FIFCO Trasciende
ESG strategy · Sustainable branding · Corporate purpose
FIFCO USA wanted to reactivate and refine its business strategy to align its corporate purpose, heighten its sustainable brand relevance in the marketplace and drive sustainable growth by responding to customer demands. It chose a combination of services: ESG strategy, sustainable branding and corporate purpose.
An interactive masterclass brought shareholders and stakeholders together, in person and online, to discuss ESG, brainstorm ideas and develop strategic solutions. It explored the business case for brand purpose and ESG, and walked brand leaders through how a strong brand purpose can drive ESG impact and growth, leaving them with a business ready roadmap for transformative change.
Led by Isabel B. Franco, Ph.D, MBA, WSF Founder and Director
Related publications (2)
- A Review of Corporate Purpose: An Approach to Actioning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) D. Jimenez, I. B. Franco and T. Smith. Sustainability, 2021.
- Corporate Purpose: An Emerging Approach to Corporate Sustainability D. Duell, I. B. Franco, D. Jimenez and S. Lamont. Corporate Approaches to Sustainable Development, Springer, 2022.
- Client
- Hatch
- Exceptional Woman in Sustainability
- Isabel B. Franco, Ph.D, MBA
Hatch: Social and Environmental Risk Assessments and Confidential Due Diligence
Master class · Confidential due diligence reports · Mergers and acquisitions
A master class equipped Hatch personnel with the knowledge and skills to undertake robust social risk assessments of mining, oil and gas projects, and introduced methodological advances in risk assessment tools. It covered the requirements of a social risk assessment based on the sustainable livelihood framework and IFC methodology, an approach IBF pioneered for large mining projects.
Confidential due diligence reports on large gas and mining projects in Asia and the Pacific and the Americas, delivered through Hatch, gave detailed recommendations to help companies respect human rights and avoid contributing to conflict through their mineral purchasing decisions, and informed decisions on mergers and acquisitions. The work aligns with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance and has been presented at the OECD Forum on Responsible Business.
- Client
- Sun Cable
- Partner
- Hatch
- Exceptional Woman in Sustainability
- Isabel B. Franco, Ph.D, MBA
AAPowerLink, Sun Cable
Social Impact Management Plan · Community and Stakeholder Engagement Technical Study
In line with Australian legislation and IFC international standards, Dr Isabel B. Franco was commissioned to deliver the Social Impact Management Plan for the AAPowerLink, Sun Cable project, planned as the world’s largest solar farm and battery storage facility in the Northern Territory, with a 5,000 km transmission system to supply Darwin, Singapore and Asian markets with reliable renewable electricity.
She also delivered the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Technical Study, a component of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement, helping ensure investment is directed to the areas with the greatest potential to benefit communities and the environment.
- Client
- ESCAP Business Advisory Council
- Partner
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
A Model for Sustainable Value Creation: Socially Responsible Business
Sustainable Value Creation Business Model, pioneered in 2017
Commissioned by the Investment and Enterprise Development Section of UNESCAP and funded by the ESCAP Business Advisory Council, this project pioneered the Sustainable Value Creation Business Model in 2017. The model helped companies that adhere to the UN Global Compact foster more inclusive and sustainable business practices, and helped businesses meet the long term economic, social and environmental expectations of investors, stakeholders and communities.
The project engaged corporate and government leaders in Asia and the Pacific with conceptual and practical frameworks, supported capacity building materials, and mainstreamed an SDG impact assessment across its work.
Led by Isabel B. Franco, Ph.D, MBA, WSF Founder and Director
Related publications (4)
- A Review of Corporate Purpose: An Approach to Actioning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) D. Jimenez, I. B. Franco and T. Smith. Sustainability, 2021.
- Policy Responses to COVID-19: Climate Finance and Carbon Markets I. B. Franco, M. Abe, D. Nieto, G. Sunol and S. Lamont. Corporate Approaches to Sustainable Development, Springer, 2022.
- An Overview of Sustainable Finance: Linkages with the Sustainable Development Goals I. B. Franco and N. Sethpornpong. Corporate Approaches to Sustainable Development, Springer, 2022.
- CSR Disclosure through the Principles of UN Global Compact in the Manufacturing Industry in Bangladesh S. Mehedi, S. Mondol and I. B. Franco. Corporate Approaches to Sustainable Development, Springer, 2022.
- Client
- Government of Angola
- Partner
- ENDIAMA and CATOCA; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
UN 2030 Roadmap to Sustainable Resource Development
A review of alignment between Angola’s extractives legislation and policy and the Africa Mining Vision
Under the guidance of UNDP, the study assessed how far Angola’s legal, institutional, policy and regulatory framework aligned with the Africa Mining Vision, and recommended improvements. It showed that alignment had to involve every stakeholder in the extractive industry, so CATOCA Diamond Mining Company and ENDIAMA became key participants.
The project helped define a sustainable resource development roadmap for Angola and other resource based economies in Africa. It was presented in English and Portuguese in a workshop for 15 senior corporate and government executives from the Ministry of Mines and Geology, UNDP Angola and CATOCA ENDIAMA, to close capacity building gaps.
- Client
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
- Partner
- United Nations Business Advisory Council
Corporate Agenda of Sustainable Development: Toward Responsible Business 2.0
Responsible Business 2.0 model
Co-led by Dr Isabel B. Franco, the project developed the Responsible Business 2.0 model, a form of corporate self regulation that helps firms deliver long term social, environmental, financial and ethical value to their direct and indirect stakeholders.
The model bridges the gaps between the theory and practice of the 3Cs (corporate social responsibility, corporate sustainability and corporate governance), helping businesses put socially responsible principles into action, build more sustainable corporate policy and management agendas, and integrate the needs of employees, partners and society into daily operations.
- Client
- Government of Angola
- Partner
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries
Progress report for the mid term review
The Istanbul Programme of Action, adopted in May 2011 at the Fourth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries, is the international policy agenda to overcome the structural challenges these countries face, eradicate poverty and achieve the internationally agreed development goals.
This report presented Angola’s progress in implementing the programme. As an interim evaluation of the period 2011 to 2015, it covered the sectors relevant to human development and identified good practices, lessons learned, obstacles, the actions needed to overcome them, and new and emerging challenges, informing the mid term review.
- Client
- The University of Queensland
- Partner
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; International Mining for Development Centre
Decentralization, Corporate Community Development and Resource Governance
Stakeholder engagement, mapping and community consultation
Through capacity building, institutional partnerships, action research and executive advice to corporations, governments and affected communities, the project advanced social responsibility agendas in poorly governed, resource rich regions, grounded in substantive stakeholder engagement, mapping and community consultation.
It found that a lack of regional connectivity in governance, and conflict, prevented companies from playing a stronger role in forging sustainable livelihoods. The project produced tools, methodologies and training material, and institutional partnerships in resource regions of Latin America, to help deliver sustainable legacies for communities next to mining operations.
Led by Isabel B. Franco, Ph.D, MBA, WSF Founder and Director
Related publications (7)
- Decentralization, corporate community development and resource governance: A comparative analysis of two mining regions in Colombia I. B. Franco and S. Ali. The Extractive Industries and Society, 2017.
- Peace with Hunger: Colombia’s Checkered Experience with Post-Conflict Sustainable Community Development in Emerald-Mining Regions I. B. Franco, J. Puppim de Oliveira and S. Ali. Sustainability, 2018.
- Study of Conflicts for Water in the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework: The Role of the Mining Industry in Cajamarca, Colombia K. De la Hoz Pertuz, I. B. Franco and E. Derbyshire. Corporate Approaches to Sustainable Development, Springer, 2022.
- Sustainable Communities in Resource Regions: Exploring the Case of the Mining Industry Resettlement in Colombia I. B. Franco, N. Cano, Y. Y. Díaz Soraca, R. I. Machado Serrano, L. García Martínez and S. Lamont. Corporate Approaches to Sustainable Development, Springer, 2022.
- Mining and Sustainable Development in Colombia I. B. Franco, N. Cano, W. G. Marin Lopez, K. De La Hoz Pertuz and E. Velez Jaramillo. Corporate Approaches to Sustainable Development, Springer, 2022.
- SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation N. Cano Londoño, J. Osorio Velasco, F. Castañeda García and I. B. Franco. Actioning the Global Goals for Local Impact, Springer, 2020.
- SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure I. B. Franco, F. Gonzalez Arduz and J. A. Buitrago. Actioning the Global Goals for Local Impact, Springer, 2020.
- Client
- Australia-Latin America Business Council; The University of Queensland
- Partner
- COALAR
The University of Queensland UQ-ALABC Latin American Sustainability Symposium
Digital event and policy brief
Partnering with ALABC and UQ, this digital event showcased sustainability good practice presented by corporate leaders from Orica, the Embassy of Peru, BHP Foundation, South Pole, MMG, Geovia Dassault Systèmes, CSIRO and Santos, reaching more than 500 participants across regions.
The event and its policy brief focused on SDGs with a strong link between industry and sustainability, and aimed to increase collaboration between government, industry, academia, communities and civil society, build trust and transparency between governments, communities and businesses, and grow global partnerships for cross border knowledge sharing and innovation.
Led by Isabel B. Franco, Ph.D, MBA, WSF Founder and Director
Related publications (2)
- SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production I. B. Franco and L. Newey. Actioning the Global Goals for Local Impact, Springer, 2020.
- Zambia’s Mining Industry: A Closer Look at the Corporate Approaches to Sustainable Development of Konkola and Mopani Copper Mines I. Mutale, I. B. Franco and S. Lamont. Corporate Approaches to Sustainable Development, Springer, 2022.
- Client
- United Nations University
- Partner
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
Gender Mainstreaming in the 2030 Agenda: A Focus on Education and Responsible Consumption and Production
Gender impact assessment · Gender mainstreaming in supply chains · Gender policy analysis
Gender equality cuts across every dimension of sustainable development, yet progress on gender mainstreaming is uneven across the SDGs. This policy brief examined education (SDG 4) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), finding progress in both but significant gaps and no holistic approach.
The United Nations University was advised to increase multi stakeholder collaboration for women’s access to education and fair work across production chains; provide educational opportunities aligned with women’s own aspirations; develop gender sensitive, context specific interventions that address power structures; and use gender assessment tools and public awareness to advance gender mainstreaming.
Led by Isabel B. Franco, Ph.D, MBA, WSF Founder and Director
Related publications (3)
- SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy I. B. Franco, C. Power and J. Whereat. Actioning the Global Goals for Local Impact, Springer, 2020.
- SDG 5 Gender Equality I. B. Franco, P. Salinas Meruane and E. Derbyshire. Actioning the Global Goals for Local Impact, Springer, 2020.
- SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions I. B. Franco and E. Derbyshire. Actioning the Global Goals for Local Impact, Springer, 2020.
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