Walking the Talk
These companies have moved beyond pledges and are making good on their commitments to pursuing a purpose beyond profit.
Palm Oil — Redeeming an ‘Evil Crop’
Cross-Posted from Supply Chain. In this excerpt from his new book, Honor Thy Label, Dr. Bronner's Gero Leson shares the company's years-long journey to establishing a stable supply chain for fair trade, organic palm oil.
New WeSpire Research Finds Significant Drop in Corporate DEI Programs in 2020
Cross-Posted from Organizational Change. The 10th annual study reveals that HR departments apparently underestimated employee concerns about racial equity and social unrest. Was the pandemic, or lack of company buy-in, to blame?
‘Net-Zero Emissions by 2050’ and ‘2°C’ Climate Targets: The Devil’s in the Details
If you are truly looking for ways to maintain or establish your company as a leader in sustainability, and to minimize backlash from critical stakeholder groups, get thee to a 1.5°C science-based target as soon as you can.
Trending: AB InBev, Carlyle Ante Up on ESG Commitments
Cross-Posted from Finance & Investment. Two first-of-their-kind revolving credit facilities support Carlyle’s goal of 30% diverse board directors across its portfolio companies and progress toward four of AB InBev’s 2025 sustainability goals, respectively.
SB’21 Trend Watching: Brands’ Role in Reshaping the World in 2021 and Beyond
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. At SB’s latest Trend Watching event, experts across a variety of fields and industries offered insights into how purpose-driven brands can effectively activate on everything from marketing to effective leadership to climate justice in our post-pandemic world.
For Those Still Wondering About the Business Case for Purpose …
Cross-Posted from Business Case. In its latest research to understand consumer expectations of responsible brands, Porter Novelli used social psychology to unpack why consumers prefer Purpose-driven brands — and the importance of strong storytelling to complement sound business strategies.
What Will Be Your Organization’s Authentic Purpose in 2021?
The power of authentic purpose comes from integrating it into an organization such that it generates shared value for all stakeholders. Here are my suggestions for organizations to define and integrate a truly authentic, activated purpose.
To Be an Anti-Racist Brand: Start by Being Aware, Additive and Alive
The next frontier of sustainability is regeneration — building brands that actively restore and renew a system. And that’s as true for our systems that continue to allow racial injustice as for our environmental ecosystems.
Dole’s ‘Sunshine for All’ Fund Strives to Close Gaps on Good Nutrition
Cross-Posted from Finance & Investment. The $2M annual fund will aim to address gaps of food affordability and waste, as well as accessibility and acceptability, around the world. Dole is seeking strategic partners to help develop solutions.
Corporations Can Support BIPOC Communities by Putting Their Money to Work
Cross-Posted from Finance & Investment. It is critical to understand and address the intersectional links between access to affordable housing, education, job creation and improved public health; and we look forward to continuing our work with organizations that target their dollars towards these needs within the communities they seek to serve.
Corporate Political Responsibility: The Missing Link in Companies’ ESG Strategies
The disconnect between many companies’ public sustainability ambitions and their non-public lobbying efforts can no longer be excused. The Erb Institute’s Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce is helping companies connect the dots.
B Lab Outlines How, Why to Adopt Public Benefit Governance with New Playbook
More and more businesses are embracing the idea of stakeholder capitalism, but many are likely at a loss as to how to actually adapt their business models. B Lab’s new playbook is designed to help purpose-driven companies do just that.
What Would You Do with $6M? Quantifying the Social Impact of a Super Bowl Ad
Cross-Posted from Marketing and Comms. Reaching 100 million people at once comes at a high cost — but the sticker price of a Super Bowl ad comes with deeper implications, both for brands and society. What if that money was used for good?
Finally, a New Era for the Voluntary Carbon Market
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. Thanks to some long-overdue digital transformations, carbon offsets can now be verified and issued on a near-real-time basis, software solutions handle costs and complexity, and accuracy is significantly enhanced. This is a win-win-win for project developers, carbon-offset buyers and the planet.
Introducing the Natural Next Step for Science-Based Targets
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. Setting science-based targets for nature — as Seventh Generation and other leading companies are doing — can bolster climate targets while also helping to protect and restore water, oceans, land and biodiversity.
#WhoMadeMyClothes: Transparency Has Become a Fashion-Industry Imperative
Cross-Posted from Supply Chain. When it comes to one of the world’s most polluting and exploitative industries, more and more consumers are demanding transparency. We have the technology to deliver end-to-end transparency and to support the reinvention of the fashion industry.
Study: No Brand Is Immune to Cancel Culture, But Purpose Helps
Cross-Posted from Marketing and Comms. The explosion and proliferation of social media has given power to the masses to share their opinions about brands — and sway others’ opinions in the process. But 73% of those surveyed said they’re less likely to cancel a purpose-driven brand.
330+ Companies with Ambitious Science-Based Targets Exceeding Paris Emissions Goals
SBTi target-setters are ahead of schedule: Since setting targets, these companies are reducing annual emissions at a rate that exceeds the rate needed to limit warming to 1.5°C.
Trending: Welcome to the Age of Stakeholder Capitalism
Cross-Posted from Finance & Investment. Two global coalitions have committed to make good on their companies’ DEI commitments; and adhere to a new set of Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics, respectively. Larry Fink’s annual CEO letter expounds on the need for both.
Apple, Starbucks Expand Efforts to Foster Racial Equity, Opportunity
If 2020 was the year major corporations pledged to do their part to help end systemic racism and inequities, 2021 will see whether many of them walk their talk. Here is how Apple and Starbucks are attempting to make good on their commitments …
