The RELX SDG Customer Awards
Recognising our customers' exceptional work to achieve the united nations' sustainble development goals
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
At RELX we support the goals through our unique contributions to society, including universal, sustainable access to information.
For the first time in 2020, we are recognising the exceptional efforts of our customers who share our ambition to achieve the SDGs. We congratulate them on their successes and are delighted to spotlight their work through these awards.
Here are the four winners.
Nominated by Elsevier
The University of Southern Denmark, Aurora Universities Network and Auckland University – The Netherlands and New ZeaLAND
Improving peer-reviewed research queries on SDG research
Maurice Vanderfeesten, VU-Library Innovation Manager Research Services, of Aurora Universities Network, said: "The nine European universities in the Aurora network embrace their diversity. We were looking for a way to demonstrate both the societal relevance and societal impact of our research. The SDGs provide an excellent frame to demonstrate societal relevance of research. To demonstrate societal impact we looked at open accessibility and citations in policy documents of that research. As proof-of principle, we made a visually compelling dashboard combining all those aspects. This interactive dashboard sparked new discussions on how to change the narrative about research and its role in society. Still, accurately mapping the relevant research output that moves the needle for the SDG's in a dynamic and multi-lingual field, isn't an easy task. With the data resources from Elsevier, technology and expertise in this group, we're confident we will meet that challenge."
Jingwen Mu, Strategic Planning Manager of the University of Auckland, said, “The University of Auckland has a long history and commitment to the idea of public service, equity, and social justice. We embrace the Sustainable Development Goals as this framework will bring our university and like-minded partners and academics together to solve some of the most pressing issues of our times. I wish to thank Elsevier for the richness of the bibliometric data, and the enthusiasm and expertise of the partners in our group who are making the SDG mapping possible. It will be challenging, but we will get there.”
Maéva Vignes, Analytical Research Support Consultant of Southern Denmark University said, “The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) has launched ambitious initiatives incubating cutting-edge academic research, inclusive education and dynamic businesses to work for and with society towards all of the 17 UN’s SDGs. SDU researchers, research managers and data analysts jointly developed an AI algorithm that links research publications to SDGs. Out of this initiative arose the synergistic collaboration with the Aurora Universities Network and Auckland University supported by Elsevier data resources. It highlights how the UN’s SDGs sparks new global partnerships that feed the progress towards the SDGs in return.”
Nominated by LexisNexis Risk Solutions
Standard Chartered Bank – South Africa
Helping raise banking standards to improve rule of law
The phenomenon of de-risking has made it harder for banks in countries where the rule of law is not strong to partner with banks and countries with a strong rule of law program. It leads to shadow banking and these banks struggle.
Standard Chartered Bank runs a Correspondent Banking Academy to help raise the standards in the international banking departments of banks in developing countries. This helps increase the ability for international banks to partner with banks in developing countries.
Nominated by LexisNexis Legal & Professional
Asian Development Bank – Philippines
Strengthening environmental and climate law
For over a decade, the Asian Development Bank, under its Law and Policy Reform Program, has been working with judges in Asia and the Pacific to strengthen environmental and climate law adjudication and enforcement. Through the provision of customized training and development of the Asian Judges Network on Environment, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided a platform for judges and other legal stakeholders to share best practice and knowledge and develop seminal jurisprudence in this area. ADB assisted a number of countries in the region to establish specialised environmental courts. Several landmark decisions from the Asian courts have now been cited in the courts of US, Germany and other developed countries.
Irum Ahsan Advisor, Office of the Compliance Review Panel, Asian Development Bank said, “The central premise of the Law and Policy Reform Program is that a functioning legal system— anchored on the rule of law that establishes, implements and enforces laws and regulations fairly, consistently, ethically and predictably—is an essential component of inclusive and sustainable development.”
Nominated by Reed Exhibitions
ScottishPower – United Kingdom
For advancing clean and affordable energy and taking climate action
ScottishPower has integrated the SDGs into its business strategy, focusing on two key SDGs specifically (SDG 7 and 13) while also recognising their contributions to the other goals. Their extensive environmental management system, certified to the ISO14001 standard, is evidence of their strong commitment as a responsible and sustainable business.
Barry Carruthers, ScottishPower’s Head of Innovation, Sustainability & Quality, said: “We’re pleased to be recognised in these inaugural customer awards and take a real pride in our sustainability credentials. As part of the wider Iberdrola Group, the Sustainable Development Goals are embedded in everything we do – from business strategy to daily employee and stakeholder engagement.
“At ScottishPower, we have led the way in driving the transition from a history of fossil fuel usage to becoming the first integrated energy company in the UK to generate 100% green electricity and that’s a record we’re very proud of. We will continue to take action to ensure clean affordable energy is central to reducing our carbon emissions and allows us all to play our part in tackling climate change and achieving a better future, quicker.”
RELX SDG Inspiration day event
Creating the world we want: One decade, 17 goals now and post-pandemic
The four customer awards were presented during the RELX SDG inspiration day in June 2020. The customers were nominated by colleagues in each RELX business area and were judged by a panel of internal experts.
The RELX SDG Inspiration Day event is a bi-annual event hosted by RELX. Hundreds of attendees come together for networking, facilitated expert discussions and insightful addresses from leaders such as Graça Machel, Deputy Chair of the The Elders.
To keep informed of future events, sign-up to the RELX SDG Resource Centre newsletter here.
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