SOCIAL THRESHOLDS #1-12: It’s time to mind the gap in pursuit of social justice

In support of the World Day of Social Justice today, and its theme of ‘closing the inequalities gap’, we examine the scale of social injustice and the role of business in helping to address it.

As part of our annual research, we monitor the progress of the world’s largest companies in setting targets to help address 12 social thresholds, representing the basic resources needed to meet human rights, and to ensure that no one falls short on life’s essentials (from food and housing to healthcare and political voice). Kate Raworth maintains, when introducing her theory of social thresholds, that ‘there is always a question of how limited resources are to be distributed and used. If that question is left unspoken, it can lead to political stalemate, injustice, and suffering.’ 1

This blog summarises the state of the twelve social thresholds and how injustice and inaction in these social realms lead to real costs not just to society, but to business too. In particular, we examine where there are gaps, and where the opportunities lie in closing the gaps.

Article 13 research 2019

ARTICLE 13 VIEWPOINT

As is apparent from this data, we have a very long way to go before we can safely say that the gaps are narrowing, that companies are playing their part and that we are on our way to achieving social justice around the world - not just in ‘developed’ countries. It will require action from governments and corporations to use their influence and resources to make really meaningful change. Social justice can only be realised if we understand that there are real business opportunities to be had from the unacceptable inequities in wealth and privileges.

If the concept of target-setting for impact on social thresholds is of interest to your organisation (even if you find the facts distressing), then please contact us https://www.article13.com/d-is-for-doughnut-slides

References

For full references and links, please contact Article 13 at info@article13.com

[if !supportLists]1. [endif]Kate Raworth, Defining a Safe and Just Space for Humanity, 2012

[if !supportLists]2. [endif]FAO The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020

[if !supportLists]3. [endif]UNICEF 2017

[if !supportLists]4. [endif]Business Commission, Better Business, Better World, 2016

[if !supportLists]5. [endif]University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 2017

[if !supportLists]6. [endif]UNICEF 2019

[if !supportLists]7. [endif]UNESCO

[if !supportLists]8. [endif]Business Commission, Better Business, Better World, 2016

[if !supportLists]9. [endif]OECD, 2015

[if !supportLists]10. [endif]World Bank

[if !supportLists]11. [endif]ILO 2019

[if !supportLists]12. [endif]Oxfam, 2014, STEPS TOWARDS A LIVING WAGE IN GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS

[if !supportLists]13. [endif]World Resources Institute 2019)

[if !supportLists]14. [endif]WHO 2019

[if !supportLists]15. [endif][World Bank, 2017, Reducing Inequalities in Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene in the Era of the Sustainable Development Goals : Synthesis Report of the WASH Poverty Diagnostic Initiative

[if !supportLists]16. [endif]World Bank 2017

[if !supportLists]17. [endif]Shell Corp, 2014 Accelerating Access to Energy Report

[if !supportLists]18. [endif]ITU 2019

[if !supportLists]19. [endif]Deloitte, 2014, Value of Connectivity report

[if !supportLists]20. [endif]UN SDG’s

[if !supportLists]21. [endif]London Assembly

[if !supportLists]22. [endif]Sourced from Devex, Why proper housing for the poor makes economic sense, 2015

[if !supportLists]23. [endif]World Economic Forum

[if !supportLists]24. [endif]ONS 2019

[if !supportLists]25. [endif]McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) report, The power of parity: How advancing women’s equality can add $12 trillion to global growth,

[if !supportLists]26. [endif]Oxfam 2020

[if !supportLists]27. [endif]Inequality.org 2020

[if !supportLists]28. [endif][xxi] Business Commission, Better Business, Better World, 2016

[if !supportLists]29. [endif]Transparency International

[if !supportLists]30. [endif]Ernst & Young, 'Corruption or Compliance – weighing the costs 10th Global Fraud Survey'

[if !supportLists]31. [endif]Global Corruption Report: Education TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

[if !supportLists]32. [endif]Global slavery Index 2019

[if !supportLists]33. [endif]World Bank

[if !supportLists]34. [endif][ILO, 2017