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Sustainable development requires social sustainability. Understand what it means and how your business can contribute.
Social Justice
All people have equal rights and should have equal access to opportunities. That’s the principle of social justice and its linked concept, human rights.
Those ideals can seem abstract. But frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals aim to translate social justice into concrete goals and metrics.
For businesses, addressing social justice includes treating workers fairly and engaging respectfully with communities. That approach benefits everyone. For example, employees, suppliers, and partners who feel respected and safe are more loyal and productive.
NBS guidance on social justice covers a host of topics, from best practices in stakeholder engagement, to ever-evolving issues like climate justice, modern slavery and inclusive workplaces. This page aims to help you navigate our resources by connecting articles to key questions – taking you on a knowledge journey through the realm of social justice in business.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, try the search bar, resource library, or contacting NBS.
Table of Contents
What is Social Justice?
Dive into the foundations of social sustainability, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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Learn to recognize the barriers employees face and use diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure all employees can thrive.
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Modern slavery is more widespread than most people realize. Here is what everyone should know about the ugliest phenomenon of our time.
Action on Social Justice is Good for Business
Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives can be a powerful catalyst for positive change. Delve into the advantages for businesses embracing social justice principles and supporting employees to build a sustainable future.
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Racial diversity in upper and lower management leads to better strategy and implementation — and greater productivity
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Companies that consistently treat customers, employees, and other stakeholder groups well perform better financially than those that play favourites.
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Studies show being a good employer fosters productivity in your workforce – and drives performance.
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Managers should co-create CSR strategies with employees and encourage identification with the company.
How to Enact Social Justice
Enacting social justice in businesses requires deliberate policies that consider employees and stakeholders. Explore the social and political levers your organization has, and how to use them to address pressing issues.
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Companies' political engagement should actively support the systems on which we all depend. Learn about the essence of Corporate Political Responsibility.
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In unstable environments, businesses increase conflict — unless they commit to inclusive development. Learn more.
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We can’t address Sustainable Development Goals without considering their social context. Energy and gender provide an example.
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How can ethics training in organizations have greatest positive impact? Draw on 7 best practices and 8 key questions.
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More than 40 million people worldwide are in forced labour. Some of them may be in your supply chain. Here’s how to target modern slavery.
Social Justice in Action
Bringing theory into practice, examine real-world examples and case studies of social justice in action. Learn about socially sustainable business initiatives occurring across Southern Africa, Australia, and the global economy.
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African countries can thrive amidst climate change. But the international community needs to support a Just Transition. Climate expert Eunice Sampson explains.
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Businesses in Africa are trying to fight COVID-19. But they’ll need to refocus their response to help the poorest communities.
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Five steps can ease the climate transition for those most affected by a changing electricity market: low-income consumers and coal plant workers.
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The Chilean city of Antofagasta is using participatory design to work with companies and government to create a community people want to live in.
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In countries shattered by conflict or poverty, multi-stakeholder partnerships are difficult. Here's how to pursue them.
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Business has shaped southern Africa; now it can help the region move forward. Dr. Ralph Hamann describes business's past and envisions its future.
How Businesses Can Support Indigenous Communities
Indigenous communities play an important role in economies worldwide – they are often leaders in land stewardship. Gain insights into strengthening relationships with Indigenous partners to advance sustainable development.
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Indigenous insights show how to advance all forms of development, from the economic to the social. A project in Aotearoa/New Zealand shares lessons.
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“Efficiency culture” poisons partnerships between Western organizations and Indigenous peoples. Here are 4 tips for better partnerships.
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Partnerships between organizations and Indigenous peoples can help reverse a history of oppression – but require deep relationships and trust.
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For social justice and for human survival, the Indigenous worldview needs to become our guide for decisions. Businesses can play a role in this transition.
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Filter Our Resources
All Social Justice Resources
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Dr. Turcotte introduces fundamentals of stakeholder engagement, including key terms, issues, steps to implement strategy, and further resources.
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Multinational corporations are standardizing their environmental policies worldwide based on pressures from government, industry and consumers.
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To limit their conflicts with local communities, managers of multinational corporations (MNCs) must consider three interrelated factors: power inequality, perception gaps and cultural context.
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Managers can evaluate which are the most mutually-beneficial social causes to become involved with – and which ones their firm should avoid.