Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Effective date: 17 May 2018
Last update: 27 Nov 2023

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) ("us", "we", "our", "WBCSD" or the "Organization") is committed to protecting the privacy of individuals who visit our websites. We are committed to protecting the privacy for legal entities only if it may apply as per an applicable law in force. This privacy statement is to inform of our policies regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal data when you are browsing our websites and the choices you have associated with that data.

By using our website, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

If you have any questions or complaints regarding the Organization’s privacy practices, please contact us using through this email.

This privacy statement covers the following websites & microsites operated by us:

Our main website, https://wbcsd.org, is a Platform used to communicate to the public about who we are as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and what we do.

Below are a list of other WBCSD owned websites:

https://humanrights.wbcsd.org http://careers.wbcsd.org; https://lwa.wbcsd.org; https://sdghub.com; https://chennai2016.wbcsd.org; https://events.wbcsd.org/ld17; https://events.wbcsd.org/cm17; https://events.wbcsd.org/ld18; https://events.wbcsd.org/cm18/;https://events.wbcsd.org/cm19/; https://events.wbcsd.org/ld19; https://events.wbcsd.org/cm20/; https://events.wbcsd.org/ld20/; https://flagshipevents.wbcsd.org/; https://tacklinginequality.org/; https://timetotransform.biz/; https://sdgessentials.org/; https://wbcsdpublications.org/scf/; https://responsiblemeat.org/; https://cep2030.org/; https://50lhome.org/, https://www.b4ig.org/, https://academy.wbcsd.org     

What do we collect?

We collect the following types of information for various purposes (listed below) to provide and improve our service to you:

• Personal Data
• Usage Data
• Location Data
• Tracking Cookies Data

Personal Data

When you contact us about receiving information about our services, when you register to attend our events or when you apply to work for us, the WBCSD requires you to provide personal contact information that can be used to contact or identify you. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to:

• First name and last name
• Company name
• Email address
• Work or home address
• Phone number
• Credit card information (processed by a third party)

We may use your personal data to contact you through newsletters or promotional materials and other information that may be of interest to you. You may opt out of receiving any, or all, of these pieces of communication from us by following the "unsubscribe" link or instructions provided in any email we send or by contacting us directly.

Usage Data

We may also collect information how the service is accessed and used ("Usage Data"). This usage data may include information such as your computer's Internet Protocol address (e.g. IP address), browser type, browser version, the pages of our websites that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data.

Location Data

We may use and store information about your location if you give us permission to do so (“Location Data”). We use this data to provide features of our service and to improve and customize the service we offer.

You can enable or disable location services when you use our websites at any time, through your device settings.

Tracking Cookies Data

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on our websites and hold certain information.

Cookies are files with small amount of data which may include an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to your browser from a website and stored on your device. Tracking technologies also used are beacons, tags, and scripts to collect and track information and to improve and analyze the service we provide.

You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our websites.

Examples of cookies we use:

• Session cookies. We use session cookies to operate our websites.
• Preference cookies. We use preference cookies to remember your preferences and various settings.
• Security cookies. We use security cookies for security purposes.

Learn how to change your preferences and control cookies by visiting the website cookies.insites.com. 

How do we use your data?

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) uses the collected data for various purposes detailed hereafter.

WBCSD uses personal data about our members and customers to perform the services requested. For example, if you register to receive our newsletters or to attend to our webinars, we will use the information you provided to send you communications about sustainability and information about our members, our services and our organization.

We also use personal data about our meeting participants when you register to our events. We use this information to plan and host our events. WBCSD does not store credit card information. Such information is stored and processed by third parties.

We may also use personal data about our customers and our members for marketing purposes. We may use the information you provided to us to further discuss your interest in our services and to send you information related to our organization.

Retention of Data

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) will retain your personal data only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. We will retain and use your personal data to the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations (for example, if we are required to retain your data to comply with applicable laws), resolve disputes, and enforce our legal agreements and policies.

WBCSD will also retain usage data for internal analysis purposes. Usage data is generally retained for a shorter period, except when this data is used to strengthen the security or to improve the functionality of our service, or we are legally obligated to retain this data for longer time periods.

Transfer of Data

Your information, including personal data, may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of your state, province, country or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ than those from your jurisdiction.

If you are located outside Switzerland and choose to provide information to us, please note that we transfer the data, including personal data, to Switzerland and process it there.

Your consent to this Privacy Policy followed by your submission of such information represents your agreement to that transfer.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and no transfer of your personal data to an organization or a country will take place unless there are adequate controls in place including the security of your data and other personal information.

Security of Data

The security of your data is important to us but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

You agree and accept the risks associated with the use of the internet.

Your Rights

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) aims to take reasonable steps to allow you to correct, amend, delete, or limit the use of your personal data.

If you wish to be informed what personal data, we hold about you and if you want it to be removed from our systems, please contact us.

In certain circumstances, you have the right:

• To access and receive a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• To rectify any personal data held about you that is inaccurate
• To lodge a complaint with a competent supervisory authority
• To request the deletion of personal data held about you (“right to be forgotten”)

You may have the right to data portability, if applicable to your situation as per the law in force, for the information you provide to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).Should we have a duty to comply with the portability, you can request to obtain a copy of your personal data in a commonly used electronic format so that you can manage and move it.

Please note that we may ask you to verify your identity before responding to such requests.

Service Providers

We may employ third party companies and individuals to facilitate the service we provide ("Service Providers"), to provide the service on our behalf, to perform service-related services or to assist us in analysing how our service is used. In particular, we may use the support of third parties for the Client Relationship Management and profiling (“CRM”).

These third parties have access to your personal data only to perform these tasks on our behalf and are obligated not to disclose or use it for any other purpose.

We decline our liability and we are not responsible for any costs and/or damages that may be caused to you by Service Providers, as per article 101 of the Swiss code of obligations.

Analytics

We may use third-party service providers to monitor and analyze the use of our service.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google uses the data collected to track and monitor the use of our Service. This data is shared with other Google services. Google may use the collected data to contextualise and personalize the ads of its own advertising network.

You can opt out of having made your activity on the Service available to Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The add-on prevents the Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js, analytics.js, and dc.js) from sharing information with Google Analytics about visits activity.

For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy Terms web page: http://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy

Payments

We may provide paid products and/or services within the service. In that case, we use third-party services for payment processing (e.g. payment processors).

We will not store or collect your payment card details. That information is provided directly to our third-party payment processors whose use of your personal information is governed by their Privacy Policy. These payment processors adhere to the standards set by PCI-DSS as managed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which is a joint effort of brands like Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. PCI-DSS requirements help ensure the secure handling of payment information.

The payment processor we work with is:

iATS Payments

Their Privacy Policy can be viewed at http://home.iatspayments.com/privacy-policy

We may change the Service Provider to process payment. You accept that your data will be managed and stored by another Service Provider chosen by WBCSD in order to process with payments.

Links to Other Sites

Our service may contain links to other sites that are not operated by us. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of every site you visit.

We have no control over and we assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third-party sites or services.

Children's Privacy

Our service does not address anyone under the age of 16, or a younger age if applicable as per a specific law that may apply but not younger than 13 years old ("Children").

We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 16. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal data, please contact us. If we become aware that we have collected personal data from children without verification of parental consent, we take steps to remove that information from our servers.

Disclosure for Law Enforcement

Under certain circumstances, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) may be required to disclose your personal data if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g. a court or a government agency).

Legal Requirements and limit of responsibility

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) may disclose your personal data in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to:

• To comply with a legal obligation
• To protect and defend the rights or property of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
• To prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the service
• To protect the personal safety of users of the service or the public
• To protect against legal liability

Our liability is limited to unlawful intent or gross negligence as per article 100 of the Swiss code of obligation.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page.

You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

Email fraud

Email fraud has grown dramatically in recent years, cybercriminals are getting smarter and we need your help to combat them.

Cybercriminals will use any means they can to trick you into sharing your personal information, your financial information or even request you to make unsolicited and criminal payments. Most cybercriminals will try contacting high-level representatives of the company and will try creating a sense of urgency.

Please remember there are many fraudulent techniques and even with current technologies a lot of email fraud will bypass security measures put in place by companies.

We have prepared the guide to help you stay safe while browsing online.

Make sure the message comes from a WBCSD email address
All our communications are sent from one domain. We never use any subdomain. Our domain is @wbcsd.org

Make sure the email address and the name in the email match
Most of the time cybercriminals will use techniques to spoof email addresses tricking you into believing the email was sent from someone they pretend to be. Sometimes when you reply to the email address you can see the fake email.

Do you know the person?
It is not likely that someone with whom you don’t have a current relationship from WBCSD will contact you. If you are solicited by someone pretending to work with or for us, please check that relationship with your project owner.

What do to in case of doubt?
If you are unsure if the email is legit, your best friend is your ICT / IT / Security department. They can help in investigating the origin and legitimacy of the email.

How to report fraudulent emails?
You can contact us at privacy@wbcsd.org to report a fraudulent email or to get help in protecting your data. We will try our best to ensure maximum protection.

Privacy Policy & Events Terms & Conditions

Event Code of Conduct

• The WBCSD event code of conduct is intended to outline the expectations for professional decorum at our events. WBCSD prides itself with creating an environment of kindness and mutual respect, a place where all participants are able to engage on important topics in global business, sustainability, finance and society. This code of conduct is in effect for all virtual, hybrid and in-person events, may be revised at any time and is not negotiable.
• All Registered Attendees/Participants or Third Parties are expected to behave in a professional manner and in accordance with local laws and regulations with regard to workplace behavior.
• Harassment will not be tolerated in any form, including but not limited to harassment based on gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion or any other status protected by laws in which the conference or program is being held.
• WBCSD reserves the right to exclude any individual from participation in any event, or expel any individual currently in attendance in any event, who engages in unprofessional, disruptive or harassing behavior.
• Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties are expected to be honest and transparent with one another in their interactions with other participants with regard to the participant’s name, title, company, and business intention during networking opportunities throughout the event.

Personal property

• Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties are solely responsible for the safekeeping of their personal property and, as such, WBCSD, the Venue(s), its affiliates, their Staff or any other Person involved in the organization of the Event do not accept any responsibility or liability for any loss, theft or damage of Registered Attendees/Participants or Third Parties’ personal property while at the Venue(s). Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties will release WBCSD, Venue(s), its affiliates, and any other Persons involved in the organization of the Event from any liability for any loss or damage to personal property they may suffer in relation to their attendance at the Event.

Liability

• Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties acknowledge and accept the risks and dangers inherent in attending the Event. Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties are required to pay the maximum attention and exert the maximum due care and prudence in and near the Venue(s).
• Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties acknowledge and accept they are responsible for their own safety and for the safety of any accompanying guests while attending the Event, at all times, including during workshops and shows.
• Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties acknowledge and agree that WBCSD shall not be held liable or responsible for any injury, loss, damage, or claim sustained by the Registered Attendees/Participants or any Third Party while participating in any organized event hosted or sponsored by WBCSD.
• Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties expressly assume any and all risks associated with participation in such events, including but not limited to, risks of personal injury, property damage, or any other loss that may be incurred.
• Personal arrangements including travel, accommodation or hospitality relating to attendance at the Event which have been arranged by or on behalf of the Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties are at Registered Attendees’/Participants’ and Third Parties’ own risk.
• In consideration of being allowed to participate in WBCSD events, the Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties hereby agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless WBCSD, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and volunteers from any and all claims, actions, suits, demands, costs, and liabilities, including reasonable attorney’s fees arising out of or related to any injury, loss, damage, or claim incurred during participation in the events.
• This indemnity shall extend to any claims or liabilities asserted by Registered Attendees/Participants or any Third Party, their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns. Registered Attendees/Participants acknowledge that they have carefully read and fully understand the terms of this indemnity and voluntarily agree to be bound by its provisions.
• This indemnity shall be binding upon Registered Attendees/Participants or Third Party and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns.
• Neither WBCSD, its affiliates, their Staff or any other person involved in the organization of the Event shall be responsible or liable to Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties for any failure to perform any obligation under these Terms and Conditions to the extent that the failure is cause by an event of Force Majeure.
• Neither WBCSD, its affiliates, their Staff or any other person involved in the organization of the Event shall be responsible or liable to Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties for any incidental and indirect losses or damages including, but not limited to, loss of employment, goodwill or profit and/or travel, parking or accommodation expenses.
• WBCSD, its affiliates, their Staff or any other person involved in the organization of the Event shall not be liable for any breach by Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties of these Terms and Conditions.
• If a Registered Attendee/Participant or Third Party causes WBCSD to incur loss, damage, costs or expense due to breach of these Terms and Conditions or otherwise, then the Registered Attendee/Participant or Third Party shall be liable to WBCSD for this.
• If a Registered Attendee/Participant or Third Party causes a third party to incur loss, damage, costs or expenses due to its breach of these Terms and Conditions or otherwise, then the Registered Attendee/Participant or Third Party shall be liable to the third party for this.
• Except as required by law, WBCSD and its affiliates or any other Person involved in the organization of the Event shall have no other liability to Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties.
• In no event shall WBCSD nor any of its officers, directors and employees be liable to Registered Attendees/Participants or Third Parties for anything arising out or any way connected with your use of the WBCSD Website, whether such liability is under contract, tort or otherwise, and WBCSD, including but not limited to its officers, directors and employees shall not be liable for any direct or indirect, consequential or special liability arising out of or in any way connected to your use of the Website.
• Registered attendees/Participants and Third Parties hereby agree to indemnify to the fullest WBCSD from and against any and all liabilities, costs, demands, causes of action, damages and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of or in any way related to your breach of any provisions of these Terms and Conditions.

Filming, Photography & Recordings

Registered Attendees/Participants consent to be photographed, filmed or taped by WBCSD, its affiliates, any supplier appointed by WBCSD or their Staff during the Event.

Personal Information and Use

• By purchasing, accepting and/or holding a Ticket, Registered Attendees/Participants hereby acknowledge that they have read and agree to the contents of WBCSD’s Data Privacy Policy which are incorporated into these Terms and Conditions.
• WBCSD shall only use, process, store and transfer the personal information and data provided by Registered Attendees/Participants or a Third Party strictly in accordance with WBCSD’s Data Privacy Policy.
• WBCSD is committed to ensuring that the Registered Attendees’/Participants’ and Third Parties’ personal information and data is secure, and, as such, WBCSD has put in place suitable procedures to safeguard it, in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
• Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties acknowledge that WBCSD may share their personal information and data with relevant authorities, such as police and security personnel, for safety and security reasons, which may include security checks on the names of Registered Attendees/Participants.

• CCTV is in use in the Venue(s) for the purpose of crime prevention and public safety. Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties consent that WBCSD may use such images for the purpose of maintaining and investigating safety and security at the Venue(s). Such CCTV recording shall be used, stored, transferred and destroyed in accordance with applicable laws.

Force Majeure

• “Force Majeure” means any cause or event beyond WBCSD control including, without limitation, Royal bereavement, pandemic, fire, flood, earthquake, strike, lock-out, public health emergency, acts or regulations of government, national calamity or riot, civil commotion, malicious damage, act of God, explosion, war, weather any cause or event arising out of or attributable to terrorism, or any other event (whether of a similar or dissimilar nature) beyond the reasonable control of WBCSD.

• An event of Force Majeure (as determined solely at WBCSD’s discretion) may force WBCSD to cancel, modify the dates and/or the time of the Event, the Venue and or certain events to be held during the Event. The responsibility and liability of WBCSD is expressly excluded in the presence of such event of Force Majeure.

Intellectual property Rights

• By purchasing Tickets or holding or using Tickets, Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties receive no rights to use, license, assign or transfer any intellectual property rights of WBCSD including, without limitation, the names, trademarks or logos of WBCSD . Registered Attendees/Participants and Third Parties agree that any unauthorized use, licensing, assignment or transfer or any intellectual property rights of WBCSD is a breach of these Terms and Conditions, and may be a criminal offence under applicable laws.
• Nothing in the Terms and Conditions grants Registered Attendees/Participants or Third Parties a right or license to use any trade mark, design right or copyright owned or controlled by WBCSD or any other third party except as expressly provided in the Terms and Conditions.
• WBCSD owns all the intellectual property rights and materials contained in it’s WBCSD Website, and all such rights are reserved. All copyright, trademarks, design rights, patents and other intellectual property rights (registered and unregistered) in and on the WBCSD belong to WBCSD and/or third parties.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us through this email.