The Corner House

Jump to main content | Jump to navigation menu


home | about | subjects | briefings | links | search | help | notifications | contact


Corporate accountability

The CO2 Alibi (video)

by Zembla (The Netherlands)

presentation | published August 2008 | summary | full document

Exploring both ends of the carbon market through research and interviews in Uganda and The Netherlands, this video (available in Portuguese and English versions) brings new clarity to the debate over climate change solutions.

The Struggle of Villagers in Chana District, Southern Thailand in Defence of Community Land and Religion against the Trans Thai-Malaysian Pipeline and Industrial Project (TTM) 2002-2008

by Chana activists and others

compilation | published August 2008 | summary | PDF

For many years, Southern Thai Muslim communities have been fighting a destructive gas development backed by Barclays and other foreign banks that has violated their human, religious, environmental and land rights alike. In words and pictures, this book (now in an updated and revised edition) recounts their struggle.

Offset Standard Is off Target

by Kevin Smith

article | published April 2008 | summary | PDF

Widely-publicized frauds in the carbon "offset" market have led to governmental and corporate proposals to apply standards. But no one has any standards that are working. And the more onerous any attempted regulation becomes, the more the market comes to be dominated by big corporate polluters with the money to work the system.

Documents reveal that Blair urged end to BAE-Saudi corruption investigation

by The Corner House and CAAT

news | published December 2007 | summary | full document

Documents released in the UK High Court indicate that the Serious Fraud Office investigation into BAE's Saudi arms deals was dropped only after the then Prime Minister Tony Blair sent a personal minute to the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith. They show that Goldsmith did not believe that the case should be dropped in response to alleged Saudi threats to withdraw intelligence and security co-operation.

Corner House Research and Campaign Against Arms Trade Skeleton Argument For Permission Hearing for Judicial Review

by lawyers on behalf of The Corner House and CAAT

submission | published November 2007 | summary | PDF

On 9 November 2007 at a High Court hearing, lawyers for The Corner House and Campaign Against Arms Trade presented this outline (or 'skeleton') of their arguments as to why a judicial review should be held of the Serious Fraud Office's decision in December 2006 to cut short its investigation into alleged corruption by BAE Systems in recent Al Yamamah arms deals with Saudi Arabia. (132KB pdf)

CAAT and The Corner House win landmark ruling on BAE-Saudi corruption case

by Campaign Against Arms Trade and The Corner House

news | published November 2007 | summary | full document

On Friday 9 November 2007, two High Court judges granted permission to Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) and The Corner House to bring a full judicial review hearing against the UK Government's decision in December 2006 to cut short a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into alleged corruption by BAE Systems in recent arms deals with Saudi Arabia.

Oral hearing BAE-Saudi arms deals investigation legal challenge

by The Corner House and CAAT

news | published November 2007 | summary | full document

At an oral hearing in the UK High Court on Friday 9 November 2007, lawyers for Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) and The Corner House will argue that permission should be granted for a full judicial review hearing against the UK Government's decision to cut short an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) into alleged corruption by BAE Systems in recent arms deals with Saudi Arabia.

The Carbon Neutral Myth Offset Indulgences for your Climate Sins

by Kevin Smith

report | published February 2007 | summary | PDF

Buying "carbon offsets" to "neutralize" your carbon emissions is all the rage in middle-class society in Europe and North America. This book, published by Carbon Trade Watch, explains why offsets are not a constructive approach to climate change.

A Seriously Funny Attempt to Get The UK's Serious Fraud Office In The Dock!

by CAAT and The Corner House with Mark Thomas

compilation | published September 2007 | summary | PDF

On 23 September 2007, activist comedian Mark Thomas organised a comedy benefit night of Britain's top comedians to raise public awareness of the UK's Serious Fraud Office decision to drop its investigation into bribery allegations involving BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia and to support the legal challenge to this decision. This "secret file" programme was given to all those who attended. (971KB)

Pollute and Profit

by Kevin Smith

article | published May 2007 | summary | PDF

When will it be publicly admitted that the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme is not working?

Why Investment Matters The Political Economy of International Investments

by Kavaljit Singh

report | published April 2007 | summary | PDF

This book details the central role of transnational corporations in determining foreign direct investment (FDI) patterns. Using case-studies, statistical data and cogent analysis, it makes a critical appraisal of contemporary investment issues as it maps investment flows, trends and regulatory frameworks. It shows how FDI can lead not to economic growth but to an outflow of capital instead of an inflow, prompting a growing backlash against foreign investments in many Latin American and Asian countries, and Russia.

35. Too Many Grannies? Private Pensions, Corporate Welfare and Growing Insecurity

by Richard Minns with Sarah Sexton

briefing | published May 2006 | summary | full document | PDF

This briefing outlines the different ways in which countries have financed both social security for older people and economic production. It describes the rise of the private model of pensions and the influence of pension funds on capital flows around the world. It then summarises and critiques the main justifications given for expanding private pension schemes, and analyses the motivations of the groups that perpetuate this model.

OECD Working Group on Bribery Its comments and recommendations on public procurement and bribery of foreign officials

by Susan Hawley

paper | published February 2006 | summary | full document | PDF

The OECD Working Group on Bribery's reviews of how countries are implementing the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention are an invaluable source of information about practice in different countries in combating bribery. This paper pulls together all the Group's comments and recommendations about public procurement, and summarises the procedures countries have developed to exclude companies convicted of bribery from public procurement.

The UK National Contact Point's Promotion and Implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises Response to the Stakeholder Consultation

by The Corner House and RAID

submission | published January 2006 | summary | full document | PDF

The OECD "Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises" are a set of voluntary principles and standards to which multinationals are expected to adhere. Since 2000, NGOs and others can submit complaints against OECD-based companies to OECD government offices set up to promote adherence to the Guidelines. This document is a submission to the UK Government's assessment of the Guidelines' implementation in the UK.

Holding Funders and Companies to Account Litigation and Standards

by Nicholas Hildyard

presentation | published December 2005 | summary | full document | PDF

International finance institutions promise that the projects they back will comply with international environmental and social standards -- but these standards are frequently flouted. NGOs can document such violations so as to bring concerns to decision-makers, the wider public and the courts.

Corner House submission to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Africa Enquiry on Corruption and Money Laundering

by Susan Hawley

submission | published December 2005 | summary | full document | PDF

There need to be considerable improvements to the UK's enforcement regime to combat corruption and money laundering. Laws on non tax-deductibility of bribes are not being adequately enforced. The UK government should take further measures to raise awareness of bribery; introduce preventative measures and new corruption legislation; and establish a fair and workable debarment system.

Redesigning the Northern state to combat global corruption

by Susan Hawley

presentation | published November 2005 | summary | full document | PDF

Northern institutions have a significant impact on corruption in developing countries, particularly in the form of bribery by Northern companies and money laundering by Northern banks of the proceeds of corruption. Northern states have been directly and indirectly complicit in these activities, primarily by turning a blind eye and failing to take action. If corruption is be tackled internationally, the Northern state itself needs to be redesigned.

30. Underwriting Bribery Export Credit Agencies and Corruption

by Dr Susan Hawley

briefing | published December 2003 | summary | full document | PDF

The taxpayer-backed export credit agencies of industrialised countries are underwriting the bribery and corruption of large, mainly Western, companies operating abroad.

Turning a Blind Eye Corruption and the UK Export Credits Guarantee Department

by Dr Susan Hawley

article | published June 2003 | summary | full document | PDF

Institutional practices within the taxpayer-funded UK Export Credits Guarantee Department have exacerbated bribery and corruption by Western companies.

26. Codes in Context TNC Regulation in an Era of Dialogues and Partnerships

by Judith Richter

briefing | published February 2002 | summary | full document | PDF

25. Financial Market Lobbying A New Political Space for Activists

by Mark Mansley and Nicholas Hildyard

briefing | published January 2002 | summary | full document | PDF

Lobbying financial markets has become a major way of halting or lessening the impact of environmentally-damaging and socially-inequitable projects. This briefing provides several case studies, traces the rise of ethical shareholding, and explores the limits and potential pitfalls of financial market activism.

Campaigners’ Guide to Financial Markets Effective Lobbying of Companies and Financial Institutions

by Nicholas Hildyard and Mark Mansley

report | published July 2001 | summary | PDF

The Guide includes a comprehensive directory of the best web sites and library resources for researching companies and the sectors in which they operate.


home | notifications | search | help | contact |


validate: | XHTML | CSS | RSS | 508

powered by Action Apps | hosted by GreenNet | Credits