CR magazine last week released its 2013 100 Best Corporate Citizens List, which ranks companies based on disclosure and performance measures covering environment, climate change, employee relations, human rights, governance, finance and philanthropy.
This year, AT&T dethroned Bristol-Myers Squibb, which fell to number three, for the list’s number one spot while toy maker Mattel took second. Eaton, Intel, Gap, Hasbro, Merck, Campbell Soup Co. and Coca-Cola Enterprises made up the remaining top ten.
To determine the ranking, CR documents 298 data points of disclosure and performance measures from companies listed in the Russell 1000 Index. The methodology is determined by a Ratings and Rankings Committee of the Corporate Responsibility Officers Association.
“By advancing accountability and transparency through this research we empower those closest to these companies to make better decisions and ultimately judge these companies and their behaviors,” CR states on the rankings website. “In that way, we move us all closer to a world where everyone has the information they need and markets function more effectively.”
Johnson Controls was ranked best company in the environment category, followed by IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Sprint-Nextel and Advanced Micro Devices. UPS was deemed the best company for climate change efforts, followed by Exelon, PepsiCo, IBM and Spectra Energy Corp.
The 2013 list saw much variation from the previous year, with 26 new companies joining the rankings.
The CR list is the latest of a series of lists, rankings and indices that have emerged to measure everything from business codes of ethics to sustainability practices and public perceptions. These include Newsweek’s Green Rankings, Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies and Corebrand’s Top 100 BrandPower Rankings Report, to name a few.
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Founder & Principal Consultant, Hower Impact
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering best-in-class strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published Apr 14, 2013 9pm EDT / 6pm PDT / 2am BST / 3am CEST