Make business work for people and planet

There are over 63,000 multinational companies around the world. They are responsible for two-thirds of global trade.

Some corporations are more powerful than national governments. Many behave responsibly but others have abused their powers.

Big business has often been responsible for damaging the environment, causing harm to local communities and violating workers' rights

In South East Asia rainforests have been cleared to produce palm oil for UK Supermarkets. In Nigeria, communities are suffering because of Shell's failure to stop gas flaring. There are countless other examples of why we need legislation urgently to allow companies to profit without damaging people and the environment.

The Company Law Reform Bill

The UK Government published its Company Law Reform Bill in November 2005. The Bill is the biggest shake-up of company law for 150 years. It's our big chance to make UK business fit for the 21st Century.

But at the moment the Bill tells company directors to put profits first. And it offers justice only to shareholders.

Friends of the Earth is calling for MPs to support amendments to the Bill to make all UK companies:

• Transparent - by reporting their social and environmental effects

• Responsible - by taking concrete action to minimise the damage they do

• Accountable - by giving legal rights to people harmed by company behaviour

**See Diary Dates for meeting on this subject**

Ask your MP to support FoE's changes to the Company Law Reform Bill. Go to www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/corporates to send an email or fax or get a letter to print out.