This Briefing Document, by Tomorrow's Company, summarises the strengths and weaknesses of both aid and trade within a poverty reduction strategy. It shows that it is important to distinguish between different types of aid, as the efficacy of each is dependent on the context in which it is administered. An assessment of the success of trade led growth strategies in reducing poverty is made and the difficulties faced by developing nations in following such a strategy are explored. The Tomorrow's Company Briefing Documents are intended to provide the reader with a comprehensive introduction to a particular topic. You can find the full list of Briefing Documents on forceforgood.com here.

 This Briefing Document, by Tomorrow's Company, summarises the steps taken by Interface, a global carpet manufacturing company, to eliminate its environmental impact on the planet by the year 2020. This project, ‘Mission Zero’ is amongst the most ambitious of its kind. Ray Anderson, chairman of Interface and ex-Chief Executive, set Interface on this path to becoming fully sustainable and since his ‘epiphany’ in 1994, Interface have led the way in sustainable business, achieving superb environmental results as a consequence. The Tomorrow's Company Briefing Documents are intended to provide the reader with a comprehensive introduction to a particular topic. You can find the full list of Briefing Documents on forceforgood.com here.

SMEs make a vital contribution to our economy - they are huge sources of jobs, innovation and are essential to our communities. But when we talk about the low-carbon economy of the future, it is all too often large businesses that lead the way. In these difficult economic times, many small and medium-sized businesses may well be missing opportunities to not only reduce their cost, but also to open up to new possibilities in the low-carbon economy. We believe that this can largely be explained by the confusing and often contradictory information that is out there - not to any failing on the part of SMEs. Tomorrow's Company works with and for the business community to develop effective solutions to the problems companies face: we have created this guide in partnership with companies, government departments and organisations to assist leaders of businesses large and small, to make the low-carbon transition in a way that makes good business sense and helps secure future business...

In the UK, the US and many other countries, existing board election processes mean shareholders rely almost entirely on existing board members to identify board candidates. In the vast majority of cases, shareholders have no real say over who is chosen to represent their interests and those of the company they own. Board nomination committees are sub-committees of the board itself. Over the last 10 years, Sweden has moved away from such a system. This report examines the Swedish experience of shareholders taking this key governance function into their own hands. The report also considers lessons that can be drawn for governance in the UK and other countries with dispersed shareholdings.  It  concludes with an agenda for action by listed companies, institutional investors, the Institutional Shareholders Committee  and the Financial Reporting Council. 

In the UK, the US and many other countries, existing board election processes mean shareholders rely almost entirely on existing board members to identify board candidates. In the vast majority of cases, shareholders have no real say over who is chosen to represent their interests and those of the company they own. Board nomination committees are sub-committees of the board itself. Over the last 10 years, Sweden has moved away from such a system.This report examines the Swedish experience of shareholders taking this key governance function into their own hands. The report also considers lessons that can be drawn for governance in the UK and other countries with dispersed shareholdings.  It  concludes with an agenda for action by listed companies, institutional investors, the Institutional Shareholders Committee  and the Financial Reporting Council.