These companies have moved beyond pledges and are making good on their commitments to pursuing a purpose beyond profit.
When Kevin Murphy announced that all of its packaging would be made from “plastic pulled from the ocean,” it had every intention of delivering that. While the claim was doomed from the start, the company quickly communicated its mistake with tact, transparency and a plan to make it right.
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. At a recent virtual event, Dame Ellen MacArthur and an esteemed lineup of business and policy leaders discussed how to push siloed circular efforts to scale. And while the unknown and upfront costs are delaying progress, MacArthur asserted: “Everybody loses if we continue with business as usual.”
Cross-Posted from Collaboration. Companies including HP, IKEA, Kimberly-Clark, Lowe’s and Williams-Sonoma are working with WWF to create lasting change that makes tangible differences in people’s lives and the health of our natural world.
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. When organisations start measuring performance beyond the balance sheet, we can make real progress on our most pressing social issues. The UK Government's new procurement policy could provide a model for other countries to move closer to a more sustainable and equitable world.
Cross-Posted from Collaboration. This year’s International Forum on SDGs for Regional Revitalization examined the acceleration of sustainable development initiatives in and outside Japan, through corporate and government cooperation, and the positive ripple effects on communities around the world.
Cross-Posted from Leadership. The good news: According to a new report from the Weinreb Group, hiring of Chief Sustainability Officers surged in 2020 in the US, and women now account for 54% of CSO positions. The not-so-good news: The field remains overwhelmingly white.
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. For those who cultivate innovation and invention, it is our responsibility to provide opportunity for those historically marginalized. Our society must take the harsh realizations uncovered by the pandemic and use them to fuel ambition and drive, to ensure access and opportunity for every student.
Schendler is clearly most right in his assertion that sustainable business has not achieved its potential. But I believe it is still possible for the field to become the hero we need more than ever, along with other complementary and synergistic changes from others.
Cross-Posted from Organizational Change. At Sustainable Brands’ latest Just Brands event, experts from across the spectrum of business discussed corporate efforts to support diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) issues — and how stakeholders will no longer tolerate a gap between commitments and actions.
Cross-Posted from Finance & Investment. There’s been some skepticism regarding the announcements of big corporate investments in CDFIs and minority deposit institutions — are these one-offs just to generate a press release or first steps on long-term commitments?
It will take many things to address society’s many immense problems. But there’s no reason an elevated sustainable business sector (or better, someday, a sustainable business-centric economy) can’t play a disproportionately positive and critical role.
Cross-Posted from Organizational Change. We caught up with Reimagine Gender CEO Lisa Kenney, to discuss why it's critical for businesses to embrace a broader understanding of gender as part of their inclusivity efforts.
Cross-Posted from Organizational Change. As immense disruption continues around the globe, the spotlight on the role of business in tackling social and environmental challenges is intensifying. Here, Dr Sally Uren, Chief Executive of Forum for the Future, outlines why now is the time to re-evaluate corporate purpose.
Cross-Posted from Organizational Change. More companies are outlining policies and setting targets for DEIJ, but meeting those commitments remains a challenge. At Just Brands ‘21 (May 6-7), major companies share keys to implementation of authentic strategies, to realize the moral and business imperative of becoming a truly inclusive brand.
Cross-Posted from Supply Chain. Three of VF Corporation’s top outdoor apparel brands have committed to bold goals around circularity and scaling regenerative ag practices — including having all of their top materials be recycled, regenerative or renewable by 2025.
Cross-Posted from Organizational Change. Carbon neutral since day one, we see our next task as going beyond sustainability towards an approach that preserves, heals and actually improves the planet. So, we’ve charted a path to become the world’s first climate-positive grocery store by 2025.
Whether environmental or social, luxury brands will have to contend with issues related to corporate social responsibility — it’s in the zeitgeist. “Being your best self” is the essence of luxury. Values and purpose are thus luxury essentials, not just nice-to-haves.
In a call to action to the fashion industry, Allbirds is open-sourcing its proprietary tool to enable wider industry action to increase transparency and accountability for the often-dirty business of fashion.
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. Carbon markets connect the growing demand from companies and consumers committing to net zero, with the small but growing supply of removal and avoidance solutions. Carbon credits make the most of tangible solutions that are possible and available now.
It’s becoming more common for companies to put their weight behind a range of urgent social issues. This isn’t about partisanship or “wokeness” — it’s about the core values held by many Americans and a desire among forward-thinking corporate leaders to prove they share them.