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Paul Polman

Paul Polman

6 commentaries

Paul Polman, a former CEO of Unilever, chairs the UN Global Compact for the Secretary-General, and is the author of Net Positive: How Courageous Corporations Thrive by Giving More Than They Take.

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  1. An Interview with Paul Polman
    Polman_SayMore_Igor-Borisenko-via-Getty-Images_ESGdigitalmap Igor Borisenko via Getty Images

    An Interview with Paul Polman

    Oct 5, 2021 Paul Polman considers how to get investors to go green, identifies three urgent priorities for governments in the climate transition, and offers advice to businesses at risk of being left behind.

  2. Building a Nature-Positive Economy
    zabey2_iStock Getty Images Plus_business finance iStock / Getty Images Plus

    Building a Nature-Positive Economy

    Apr 28, 2021 Paul Polman & Eva Zabey propose three ways to increase the rewards for sustainable, long-term corporate performance.

  3. A Marshall Plan for the Planet
    polman4_Britta Pedersenpicture alliance via Getty Images_climate protest Britta Pedersen/picture alliance via Getty Images

    A Marshall Plan for the Planet

    Dec 30, 2020 Paul Polman hopes that 2021 will be a much better year for international efforts to combat climate change.

  4. A Business Model for Sustainability
    polman2_Sean GallupGetty Images_wind energy Sean Gallup/Getty Images

    A Business Model for Sustainability

    Dec 19, 2018 Paul Polman says solving the world’s sustainable-development challenges requires a new approach by global companies.

  5. The Financial Sector’s Climate Imperative
    plant growing money Khongtham/Getty Images

    The Financial Sector’s Climate Imperative

    Dec 4, 2018 Bertrand Badré, et al. call for new incentives for market participants to weigh sustainability in their operations and investments.

  1. yoon32_Han Myung-GuGetty Images_southkoreaimpeachment Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images

    South Korea’s Constitution Needs Fixing

    Yoon Young-kwan

    South Korea's latest political crisis is further evidence that the 1987 constitution has outlived its usefulness. To facilitate better governance and bolster policy stability, the country must establish a new political framework that includes stronger checks on the president and fosters genuine power-sharing.

    argues that breaking the cycle of political crises will require some fundamental reforms.
  2. vbadre2 image Frédéric BAZILLE, Edouard MANET, L’Atelier de Bazille Studio, 1870

    The Lost Art of Collaboration

    Vanessa Badré mines a nineteenth-century painting for insights into trust-building, creativity, and cooperation.
  3. op_aschechter2_BRENDAN SMIALOWSKIAFP via Getty Images_trump Brendam Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

    PS Commentators’ Predictions for 2025

    PS editors

    Among the major issues that will dominate attention in the next 12 months are the future of multilateralism, the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the threats to global stability posed by geopolitical rivalries and Donald Trump’s second presidency. Advances in artificial intelligence, if regulated effectively, offer a glimmer of hope.

    asked PS contributors to identify the national and global trends to look out for in the coming year.
  4. adebajo12_FADEL SENNAAFP via Getty Images_USmilitaryafrica Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images

    What Trump’s Return Means for Africa

    Adekeye Adebajo expects a continuation of America's longstanding attitude of benign neglect toward the continent.
  5. hodgkins1_Ulet IfansastiGetty Images_mine Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images
    Free to read

    The False Promise of “Responsible Mining”

    Chelsea Hodgkins lambasts a corporate-led voluntary global standard that would harm communities and pose risks for automakers.
  6. elerian175_Spencer PlattGetty Images_nyse Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    A Baseline Scenario for the Global Economy in 2025

    Mohamed A. El-Erian offers his predictions for the new year while acknowledging that the range of possible outcomes is widening.
  7. ruto6_LUIS TATOAFP via Getty Images_africafloods Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images

    A New Deal for Developing Countries

    William Ruto explains what climate-vulnerable Africa will need to strengthen their resilience and sustain economic growth.
  8. mazzucato78_James Glossop - WPA PoolGetty Images_starmerinvestment James Glossop/WPA/Pool/Getty Images

    Good Growth Requires Getting Public-Private Partnerships Right

    Mariana Mazzucato worries that a recently unveiled industrial strategy is not structured properly.
  9. delong266_Michael SwensenGetty Image_musk Michael Swensen/Getty Images

    American Idiots

    J. Bradford DeLong considers the implications of Donald Trump and friends' effort to orchestrate an unnecessary government shutdown.

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