Information and forums as catalysts for change

A suite of tools is available for catalyzing changes in institutions: tools that provide information to enhance the voice of neglected stakeholders, and forums held for collective problem solving. Unaccountable power structures are often vulnerable-and thus potentially responsive-to the exposure of information, so having more information available can be a catalyst for change used by reformers, entrepreneurs, and civil society. A broad set of studies shows the power of information disclosure in environmental performance, in both developed and developing countries (chapter 7).⁵⁰ A growing number of firms and NGOs provide investors and markets with information on the social and environmental performance of companies (chapter 8)-information that facilitates decisions by investors and customers, and catalyzes changes in the behavior of firms. In the realm of governing widely held corporations for profits, better financial accounting is sought to improve actual behavior. Also, public disclosure of weakness drives pressure, both for adherance to rules and for better rules (see box 3.7).

Enhancing the voice of stakeholders can dramatically shift the balance of forces that favors institutional reforms. Cultural translators (see chapter 4) can bring new ideas and ways of working together that increases the self confidence and voice of groups previously excluded from participating in or authorizing institutional change. In Cubatão, Brazil, the state environmental protection agency was able to reduce pollution by joining forces with a vocal citizens' movement during Brazil's transition to democracy (box 6.3). Stakeholder forums can facilitate conflict resolution and the sharing of ideas, and the consensus building associated with international environmental treaties has allowed steady progress on issues ranging from wetlands conservation to preventing oil pollution at sea (chapter 8).