WALKING THE TALK -
Yes, Virginia … There is a way to deliver both convenience and community this holiday season. It requires brands and retailers to lead with purpose, knowing that profit — both short- (i.e., purchases) and long-term (customer loyalty) — will follow.
WALKING THE TALK -
In the midst of all the unrest and uncertainty, where did we see innovation, progress and possibility in 2020? Porter Novelli analyzed a year’s worth of Purpose-driven news, activities, campaigns and announcements; and distilled our 10 need-to-know trends for today and tomorrow.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
The reduction in total carbon emissions due to COVID-19 just about equals the annual reduction we need to put in place over the next decade. That’s quite a challenge — and it will require us to examine every aspect of our organizations’ operations.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Countless studies have shown companies no longer need to choose profits over people; valuing people and sustainability is profitable. Consumers vote every day with their dollars and are rewarding the brands that embed sustainability into their ethos.
LEADERSHIP -
ESG governance is now an established imperative for boards; and a new report sheds light on steps companies should pursue to ensure the long-term viability of their organizations.
CLEANTECH -
Unilever, Starbucks and Dairy Farmers of America have joined the historic alliance, which calls on the food industry to embrace the simple, circular relationship between food waste and its potential to reduce greenhouse gases.
WALKING THE TALK -
A new ebook compiles insights from dozens of interviews with business leaders from the Purpose 360 podcast. The ebook is designed to be easily shared with colleagues, to help advance discussions about purpose into actionable strategy and practice.
WASTE NOT -
Since scientists first raised the alarm about plastic pollution in the environment, brands have been slow to respond. Will the 2020 Brand Audit and new plastic-stewardship guidelines help accelerate an overdue shift away from single-use plastic?
MARKETING AND COMMS -
The most creative marketers bring their passion to help brands drive positive change. But what does that actually look like? Here are three key takeaways for marketers looking to stay relevant in a changing world, and take a stand for good.
COLLABORATION -
Shaw is spotlighting organizations making a positive impact through initiatives that support the wellbeing of people and the planet. Here, we discuss a new sustainability initiative led by three of the most influential organizations working to transform health care: Health Care Without Harm, Practice Greenhealth and Greenhealth Exchange.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
To be effective, sustainability and purpose work should create positive business change, not positive media stories. They are management tools, not PR initiatives. So, should brands stop communicating until they’ve got something concrete to say?
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The ability to not only eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, but actually sequester carbon, would transform buildings from net negative to net positive entities. Here, we examine several approaches making this possible.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Urban mobility has continued to evolve along with humans’ changing need for transport. Here are a few emerging technologies, public-private
partnerships and city design initiatives fueling the transition to a sustainable future for urban mobility.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
The murals were part of a Fairtrade America campaign during October for Fair Trade Month, to raise awareness of Fairtrade’s positive impacts.
Shoppers voiced their choice for Fairtrade and won various Fairtrade prizes.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Based on research conducted by the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol in 2020, here are three trends we can expect from the apparel industry — as we emerge from COVID-19 and toward a more sustainable future.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
With the global plant-based meat and foods markets growing like a tsunami, it’s no wonder that more and more global food companies are positioning themselves to ride the wave.
BEHAVIOR CHANGE -
New GlobeScan research found that 77% of consumers are interested in choosing products that last longer, and 53% said they were interested in buying fewer things, in general. But there remains a gap between intention and action.
WASTE NOT -
H&M’s latest collection includes garments made from recycled metals; circular, bio-based fabrics and food waste; while Houdini Sportswear has open-sourced the design of its Mono Air Houdi, to guide the industry toward further circularity.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
The industry-led Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials' new methodology enables banks to measure and disclose the emissions associated with their financed activities.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The tremendous work to reduce operational carbon from buildings in recent years can be seen in the rise of net-zero energy buildings. But without a
comparable focus on reducing embodied carbon in construction materials, that work will not lead to the hoped-for mitigation of climate change.