Walking the Talk
These companies have moved beyond pledges and are making good on their commitments to pursuing a purpose beyond profit.
More Companies Are Stating a Social Purpose; But Are They Implementing It?
Corporate Knights has developed the world’s first rating system to assess companies’ implementation of their social purpose commitments. Its research finds that the gap between ‘say’ and ‘do’ varies from one company to the next.
Profit, Performance and Impact: The Success Criteria of a Whole Brand
The reality of living in a capitalist society is that we can't simply cut off the production of products and services; the brands that will succeed in the upcoming decades will be those that function holistically, with sustainable actions built in.
What SEC ESG Disclosure Mandates Might Mean for Your Business
Cross-Posted from Marketing and Comms. Earlier this month, Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose convened 17 CEOs and key legal leaders to discuss newly proposed environmental and social governance disclosure requirements from the SEC. Here are four key takeaways from the conversation.
Organic Cotton Industry Still Sowing Seeds for Sustainability
Cross-Posted from Supply Chain. As consumer demand for organic cotton soars, so does skepticism over the sustainability of the sector. The response must not be to retreat from organic cotton, but to invest more in supporting farmers to help them make the often-difficult conversion to organic on the ground.
Brands, Ukraine and Upping the Ante on Corporate Social Responsibility
More and more brands are cutting business ties with Russia, but it will not be particularly painful for them; those that do not will suffer greater losses in terms of public support. New criteria for corporate social responsibility have arrived.
It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint: How to Avoid Burnout in Social Impact Careers
Here, Roshan Paul and Ilaina Rabbat, co-founders of the Amani Institute, provide a dashboard for both aspiring and established changemakers to reflect on their motivation, their limitations and their overall fortitude for life in a social impact career.
Sustainability or Spin? Why Straight Facts Matter Most
Cross-Posted from Marketing and Comms. As demand for better brands continues to increase, we can expect an exponential increase in two things: ‘green’ brand claims and the level of public scrutiny. Before your brand team loses time, money and precious brand equity, check out this summary of resources to help you stay the course.
The Sustainable Brands Network, Ukraine & the Power of Community
SB amplifies the actions of its global community and governments in support of Ukraine and reflects on the conflict’s potential impacts on long-term sustainability efforts.
Asian Companies Can Now Find Their Way to Sustainability with the Brand Transformation Roadmap
Sustainable Brands’ proprietary tool was launched in Asia at the 2022 edition of the Sustainable Brands Asia-Pacific conference.
‘Greenwashing Is Dangerous’: Lessons for Purpose-Driven Brands from Innocent’s Recent Lashing
Cross-Posted from Marketing and Comms. Brands now understand the immense benefits of touting their sustainability and purpose credentials; but those with sustainability ‘halos’ aren’t immune to scrutiny over their claims. As Innocent drinks was recently reminded, the stakes have never been higher for getting it wrong.
New Platform to Help Apparel Brands Illuminate Darkest Corners of Supply Chains
Cross-Posted from Supply Chain. Laudes Foundation’s Transparency in Action portal features best practices, expert advice, tools and resources — including information on existing and upcoming legislation — for brands to take informed steps towards transparency and expand their current efforts.
IPCC to Global Business and Government Leaders: The Jig Is Up
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. The latest IPCC report provides further detail about just how far we’re careening off the proverbial rails and our ever-narrowing window for getting back on a habitable track. But it also provides deeper insight into a potential path forward — if we take definitive, collective action immediately.
Why the Business World Should Use India as a Model for Corporate Social Responsibility
In India, CSR is approached with a rigor not found anywhere else in the world. Here, we see how businesses around the world can learn from the Indian approach to CSR — to ensure that every dollar spent has the best societal impact, while improving your brand value.
Will Carbon-Labeled Products Sell More? Here’s What We Know
Cross-Posted from Marketing and Comms. Even with an uptick in consumer knowledge of climate issues and food brands sharing carbon-footprint data for their products, the CPG world is still wondering if carbon-labeling is worth the effort and investment. Here are 5 key takeaways from recent peer-reviewed literature and industry papers.
There’s an Opportunity for Purpose Leadership in the Metaverse Gold Rush
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. Companies getting into the gold rush of the metaverse can, like many before them in burgeoning industries, put profit first with little thought to the implications on society. Rarely have we been able to proactively factor in brand purpose and ESG planning into the early stages of an industry; and we have the unique opportunity to get it right this time around.
Fossil Free Banking Alliance to Help Conscious Consumers Put Their Money Where Their Mouths Are
Cross-Posted from Finance & Investment. Bank.Green’s new Alliance, made up of 8 founding members, aims to fuel the global movement towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient financial sector.
Super Bowl Ads Cost $6.5M This Year – What If Brands Used That Money for Good?
Cross-Posted from Marketing and Comms. Advertising is a critical element for business success; and successful businesses are better positioned to give back to society. But we believe the societal impact of $6.5M can do far more to authentically connect stakeholders with brands than a half-minute of airtime.
Attention, Corporations: Creative Accounting Will Not Save Us from the Climate Crisis
The first Climate Corporate Responsibility Monitor dissects the climate pledges of 25 of the world’s leading companies — and finds they fall well short of the action required to help the world avoid the effects of catastrophic climate change.
Meet the Olive Oil Brand on a Mission to Reunify a War-Torn Country
Bringing new gravitas to the term, ‘purpose-driven,’ the team behind Colive is using their uniquely delicious olive oil to help end the civil unrest that has divided their native Cyprus since the 1970s — and exemplify the benefits of social entrepreneurship and peace through cooperation.
WSL: Riding the Wave to Sports Industry Leadership in Sustainability
The World Surf League has chosen to focus on the specific threats to its “playing field.” This risk-turned-opportunity approach to building a sustainability strategy is the best way for other leagues and teams to ‘find their wave,’ addressing the specific reasons to inspire action.
