Cranfield School of Management and the Corporate Responsibility Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School launched a joint report examining the creation of The World Gold Council Conflict-Free Gold Standard®. The report provides an important case study for Corporate Responsibility Coalitions and trade associations looking to develop common standards and self-regulatory mechanisms.
The World Gold Council Conflict-Free Gold Standard® provides a common approach through which gold mining companies can provide assurance that their gold has been extracted in a manner that does not cause, support or benefit unlawful armed conflict.
The report’s findings include the need for Corporate Responsibility Coalitions and trade associations to demonstrate:
- Top-level and sustained commitment by individual business leaders and their companies.
- Widespread stakeholder engagement and meaningful consultation.
- Identification and inclusion of advice from credible, third-party technical experts.
- Effective ecosystem-mapping and co-ordination with other relevant initiatives.
- Credible, independent third-party convenors to facilitate stakeholder dialogue.
