Walking the Talk
These companies have moved beyond pledges and are making good on their commitments to pursuing a purpose beyond profit.
A Common Thread: Timberland on Its Company-Wide Culture of Sustainability
News Deeply, in partnership with Sustainable Brands, has produced a series of profiles looking at how brands are tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. The goal is to examine trends and gather insights from a new wave of corporate citizenship – in an era when the private sector is increasingly expected to play a positive role in improving our lives and societies. This is the 11th article in the series.
Why Strong Data Is Key to Any Sustainability Effort
It’s increasingly clear that becoming more sustainable is a business imperative. And it’s not enough to “go green”; companies and industries need to factor in the social and economic impacts of their decisions locally and across their supply chains.
Organizational Culture *Is* Strategy
It’s said that Peter Drucker, world-renowned business management superstar, once famously commented, “Culture beats strategy.” Or “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” While neither version has been authenticated as being said by Drucker, I understand the proposition, which places an importance on the value of culture to a business. That said, I think it’s really missing the point because organizational culture is strategy.
JP Morgan Commits to 100% Renewables, Launches $200B Clean Financing Fund
After recently announcing plans to retrofit 4,500 Chase branches across the US in partnership with Current, powered by GE, JP Morgan has pledged to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2020 and facilitate $200 billion in
Tesco Reveals New Plans to Axe Toxic Chemicals, Slash Building Emissions
While UK supermarket giant Tesco has focused the majority of its sustainability efforts on slashing food waste, the company is now setting its sights on reducing impacts across its F&F clothing line. The retailer has announced that it is joining Greenpeace’s DETOX campaign in an effort to phase out the use of toxic chemicals in its own-brand clothing label’s supply chain.
Business Has Much to Do If It Wants to Be a Climate Leader
If there’s one group that’s basking in the long shadow cast by Donald Trump’s ill-fated decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord, it’s business.
#BusinessCase: REI Proves Values-First Approach Leads to Longevity
News Deeply, in partnership with Sustainable Brands, has produced a series of profiles looking at how brands are tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. The goal is to examine trends and gather insights from a new wave of corporate citizenship – in an era when the private sector is increasingly expected to play a positive role in improving our lives and societies. This is the 10th article in the series.
The Body Shop Progresses on Renewables, Traceability, Fossil-Fuel-Free Packaging
A year after launching its ambitious Enrich, Not Exploit CSR strategy, The Body Shop has released its 2016 sustainability report, highlighting the progress it has made on its packaging, renewable energy and supply chain footprint goals.
Volvo Shifts Gears, Says 'Sayonara' to Internal Combustion Engines
2019 is slated to be a big year for Swedish automaker Volvo, which has announced that in two years’ time, it will no longer produce vehicles that only have internal combustion engines. Between 2019 and 2021, Volvo will launch five fully electric cars, three of which will be Volvo models and two of which will be high performance electrified cars from Polestar, the company’s performance car arm.
Food Is a Human Right, Not a Commodity
Food is not a business like others. Food is not a commodity; it is not a consumer good - It is far more important. It is a human right, so defined by the United Nations. Food is part of each of us. Our food tells a point of view on the world, a meaning in life. But we have lost this meaning.
As Coca-Cola, IBM Kick CO2 to the Curb, UK Private Sector Lags Behind
While tech heavy-hitter IBM and beverage giant Coca-Cola rev up efforts to kick climate change to the curb, the UK private sector continues to lag behind in cutting CO2 emissions. IBM has ticked two major to-dos off of its sustainability checklist. Set in February 2015 and assigned by the American Business Act on Climate Change Pledge, the company exceeded both commitments four years ahead of schedule.
Dell Exceeds 2020 Goal of Using 50M Pounds of Recycled Materials in Products
First articulated in 2013, Dell’s Legacy of Good Plan builds on the idea that technology should be a driver of human progress, unlocking opportunities for health, happiness and prosperity. Now in its fourth year, Dell has introduced an update to the plan that recognizes key CSR achievements for the company following its merger with EMC. 2020 Legacy of Good outlines Dell’s long-term commitment to society, team members and the environment and reveals considerable progress on the tech company’s 2020 goals.
Harris Poll: Consumers Split on Companies' Social Responsibility Motivations
Long gone are the days when acting in a socially responsible manner was optional. Consumers now demand it and expectations are shifting to include how companies can create social value for stakeholders across the value chain. The annual Harris Poll Reputation Quotient, which quantifies reputation ratings for the 100 most visible companies in the U.S., as perceived by the general public, provides a glimpse at how companies are stacking up in the changing corporate reputation landscape. In its latest study, U.S.
Together Towards Zero: Carlsberg Commits to Decarbonise Its Breweries by 2030
Carlsberg Group has pledged to eliminate carbon emissions and halve water usage at its breweries worldwide by 2030, as part of a new sustainability drive, launched today. The beer maker also intends to switch to 100 percent renewable electricity for its breweries by 2022, as one of several intermediate goals.
Unilever: Reconnecting with Nature to Build Better Food Systems
The Farm to Fork Disconnect Nowhere is the disconnect between people and planet more evident than in our broken food system. For the vast majority of human history, people lived in rural communities shaped by the natural environment. The ebb and flow of seasons, the right amount of rainfall and its impact on the all-important harvest, dominated lives and livelihoods. But today, over half the world’s population lives in an urban dwelling and by 2050 this is predicted to increase to 70 percent. With the rise of sprawling mega cities comes obesity and its related health problems; with a shrinking and aging rural population comes poverty and malnutrition; in the meantime, the gap between the farm and our forks grows ever wider.
HPE Becomes First IT Company to Set Science-Based Targets for Supply Chain
To meet the growing demand for connectivity while managing emissions throughout the value chain, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has launched the world’s first comprehensive supply chain management program based on climate science. The initiative will provide suppliers with the tools they need to develop a customized plan to reduce emissions and drive a global standard for supplier greenhouse gas engagement and reduction.
SB'17 Detroit Highlights, Day 2: Consumer Preferences, Unintended Consequences and 'Leading with Delicious'
Day two of SB'17 Detroit picked up the momentum from day one and ran with it. ... Transforming Consumption Norms Around Food By Hope Freedman
SB’17 Detroit Highlights, Day 1: Redefining the Good Life with Courage, Reinvention and Pashon
We jump-started an incredibly action-packed week here at SB'17 Detroit with powerful plenaries from thought leaders, researchers and on-the-ground change-makers working to Redefine the Good Life in Detroit and beyond.
Ant Financial Harnesses Blockchain Technology to Finance Solutions for Global Sustainability Challenges
Alipay parent company Ant Financial Services Group has released its first-ever Corporate Social Responsibility Report and committed to leveraging the company’s technology, partners and employees to tackle issues such as climate change, inequality and poverty. The report includes the company’s progress update on Ant Forest, the in-app carbon tracking and tree planting initiative in Alipay, and Ant Love, its philanthropic platform.
Sustainable Living Products Continue to Drive Unilever's Growth
Six years after launching its Sustainable Living Plan, Unilever’s efforts to deliver brands and products with purpose and sustainability at their core are finally paying off.