Peter Paul Van De Wijs
Global Senior executive, Sustainability, Communication, AND Government Affairs
About
Summary
Peter Paul Van De Wijs is a versatile executive recognized for his strategic leadership at the intersection of government affairs, communications, and sustainability. Over two decades, he has guided global businesses and nonprofits to protect their reputations and achieve results that align with rising societal expectations.He has led global advocacy and branding initiatives at the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and the LEGO Foundation, repositioning these organizations and establishing innovative media partnerships. By fostering collaboration across cultures and industries, he has shaped policy engagements, most notably with the European Institutions, and secured top sustainability rankings for major companies such as Dow Inc.Peter Paul's inclusive yet decisive leadership style encourages robust debate, continuous improvement, and cohesive teamwork, ensuring high-impact outcomes wherever communications, public policy, and sustainability converge.
When government affairs, communications, and sustainability unite, organisations find their voice, earn trust, and build a future that truly benefits both people and planet.
Value Creation samples
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Member of the executive teams of GRI, WBCSD and LEGO Foundation
Responsible Policy and Comms Strategy, budget and teams up to 10 FTEs
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Established GRI as the co-developer of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards
lead the political engagement with the European Institutions around the Corporate Sustainability Re
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Developed a set of policy options to stimulate role of business in creating a sustainable world
Enabled a constructive dialogue with 4 countries following UN Rio+20 conference
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Created global media partnerships
enabled informed debate on key topics around the agendas of the WBCSD and the LEGO FOundation
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Innovative communication approach for whisky maker
Broadened the audiences reached and generated 1.5 million guilders in media attention
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M&A communication
retention of 95% of business critical employees, no supply disruptions and 80% overall satisfaction
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Drove sustainability communication at Dow
Extensive program, including new repporting approach lead to Dow being named DJSI Leader
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Initiated a temporary global business coalition
Enabling business to provide a coordinated voice at the UN Conference on sustainable development
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Rebranded and positioned the WBCSD
allowing it to retain its membership and engagement and maintain its thought LEADERSHIP position
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Developed a global approach to identifying, assessing and managing reputational risks
helping a global fast food and an oil company proactively address risks RELATED to societal concerns
Education Highlights
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Business & Sustainability Programme
Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership - certificate 2018
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Advertising and public relations, bachelor degree
Hogeschool eindhover, netherlands
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Executive International Master of Corporate Communication
1st module, Erasmus University Rotterdam
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Risk Communication Challenge
Harvard School of Public Health
Timeline
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Chief External Affairs Officer, GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)
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Member Stakeholder Engagement Task Force (hon), Foreign Trade Association
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Early career: account manager, consultant & writer, PLP/BBDO, Beachez PR, freelance copy writer
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Increasingly challenging international roles, The Dow Chemical Company
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Managing Director, Communications and Advocacy , World Business Council for Sustainable Development
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Owner, Managing Director, Van de Wijs & Partners GmbH
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Vice President, Communications and Engagement, LEGO Foundation
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Senior Global Communications & PA Strategist, Consultant; also open for new opportunities
Skills
- Stakeholder engagement
- Media relations
- branding
- Issues and crisis Management
- Corporate Communications
- Team leadership
- Government affairs
- Business Acumen
- Sustainability strategy
Resources
Opinions
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Impact materiality supports financial resilience
tinyurl.com/344ptepn
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Corporate transparency critical during conflict
www.globalreporting.org/news/news-center/due-diligence-on-conflict-is-a-business-necessity/
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The role of data to protect biodiversity
www.globalreporting.org/news/news-center/the-role-of-data-in-securing-a-biodiversity-positive-recovery/
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EU Mandatory Reporting System With Global Reach
investesg.eu/2021/02/03/eu-mandatory-reporting-system-with-global-reach-required-gri/
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Using Impact Measurement to advance SDGs
www.salesforce.org/impact-measurement-helps-advance-sdgs/
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Virtual HLPF – It’s Time for Action
http://sdg.iisd.org/commentary/guest-articles/all-aboard-for-a-virtual-hlpf-its-time-for-transparency-and-action/
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Call for mandatory non-financial reporting in EU
medium.com/@GlobalReportingInitiative/call-for-mandatory-non-financial-reporting-in-eu-built-on-gri-5f83ab210743
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Now is the time to raise the ambition for climate
medium.com/@GlobalReportingInitiative/now-is-the-time-to-raise-the-ambition-for-climate-action-bbd57dff05fb
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Practical help for businesses to up pace on SDGs
medium.com/@GlobalReportingInitiative/practical-help-for-businesses-to-up-the-pace-of-sdgs-progress-138fc9ca8679
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Businesses Key Role in Safeguarding Human Rights
http://www.ipsnews.net/2019/11/businesses-key-role-safeguarding-human-rights/
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Unlocking the power of reporting to support SDGs
medium.com/@GlobalReportingInitiative/unlocking-the-power-of-reporting-businesses-and-the-sdgs-69326949ed9c
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How can stock markets support ESG reporting
the-european.eu/story-18161/fostering-a-culture-of-transparency.html
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Business critical to success of SDGs
http://www.ipsnews.net/2019/07/businesses-crucial-success-sdgs/
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Stakeholder engagement as more than a PR tool
blog.zhaw.ch/marketingmanagement/treating-stakeholder-engagement-as-merely-a-pr-tool-is-missing-the-point-part-1/
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Three Reasons Why NGOs Have Lost Some Attractivene
http://www.globescan.com/news-and-analysis/blog/entry/three-reasons-why-ngos-have-lost-some-attractiveness-as-partners-for-companies.html
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Business is tackling climate change while the worl
www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/blog/business-tackles-climate-change?INTCMP=SRCH
Files
Blog
"But we had such a good plan!"
Why stakeholders programs still fail
Over the past 5 weeks I have made the case that in today’s interconnected world of well-informed individuals not engaging with stakeholders is costing companies money and can potentially even threaten their existence. In this last post of the series, I want to discuss some practical reasons why stakeholder engagement, despite all the best intentions, still often fails. These reasons can be traced back to ill-defined strategies, underestimated organisational barriers or external developments.
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