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The Responsible Business Trends Report 2019
THE ETHICAL CORPORATION GLOBAL RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS BENCHMARK REPORT Outlining the global trends, opportunities and focus for sustainable business in 2019
#RBSEU
The Dawn of Full Impact Reporting - Assess, Report and Drive Change
The 13th Annual
SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING AND COMMUNICATIONS SUMMIT16-17 October, 2019 | Amsterdam
Shape future strategies through full impact assesments:Develop systems and strategies that provide holistic assessments on current and future impacts
Investor preference:Report accurate data, demonstrate long-term value and deliver ESG disclosures fit for Investors
Robust climate-related disclosure:Engage key stakeholders on future climate risks and opportunities through TCFD-driven reporting
Impact-driven communications:Demonstrate leadership and build trust through transparent, impact-driven communications
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THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
Our mission is to help businesses around the globe do the right thing by their customers and the world. We believe
this is not only how to guarantee a future for all, but makes good business sense. We serve CSR, compliance,
risk and governance communities with topical and insightful business intelligence and meeting places.
We provide business intelligence to more than 3,000 multinational companies every year. Our customers are also NGOs, think-tanks, academia, governments
and consultancies. We publish the leading responsible business magazine, website, and research reports. Our
conferences are widely recognised as the best in the field.
For more information, visit: www.ethicalcorp.com© Ethical Corporation 2019
3
Editor and Researcher: Liam Dowd
We would like to thank the 1,051 business professionals within the Ethical Corp community that took the time to share their experiences and outlooks in our survey.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABOUT ETHICAL CORPORATION
4
Ethical Corporation’s Responsible Business Trends 2019 report provides unique insights into current trends,
investments and foci of sustainable business professionals from across the globe. Throughout the report there
will be comparisons made against our past four annual reports dating back to 2015. On average, across the 5-year
period, the report has featured feedback from over 1,700 business executives. Exclusively driven by primary data
from the Ethical Corporation global community, the report can serve as a benchmark for organisations to
understand how sustainable and responsible business is evolving and being operationalised around the globe.
Introduction 4 Chapter 1Our respondents 7 Chapter 2SDGs driving future business strategy 10 Chapter 3Climate Action 18Chapter 4The responsible business horizon 21
ABOUT THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT
CONTENTS
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
INTRODUCTION
5
Welcome to Ethical Corporation’s fifth iteration of the Responsible Business Trends report. The report features insight and feedback from 1,051 senior practitioners from across the globe. The trends report builds on previous editions to showcase how sustainability strategy is being adopted across the globe, how companies are looking to take support action on the SDGs and climate change plus potential key opportunities in the coming 12-18 months.
The past 12 months has presented a somewhat mix-bag for the sustainability agenda. Towards the end of 2018 the IPCC and WWF published independent reports that both painted a stark picture – our planet is on the brink of irreversible collapse. And at COP24 Sir David Attenborough echoed these sentiments stating that climate change is our greatest threat in thousands of years and current action is nowhere where it needs to be.
However, there’s still reason to be positive… In March 2019 the UK Government announced that businesses who want to secure future Government contracts will be urged to show how they’re tackling modern slavery and climate change. Later that month The Government Pension Fund Global, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund with £770bn under management, announced it will divest Norway’s sovereign fund from oil and gas exploration. As well as these recent announcements, the global action on plastics and increasing focus on new circular models are signs that greater action is being taken both in the private and public sectors.
The need for greater climate action and impact against the SDGs are a core component of this year’s report. It is critical for companies to set business targets that are in line with the SDGs and Paris Agreement. This will allow businesses to showcase their actual impact against the Goals. In 2018, 56% of respondents stated their company wasn’t measuring their contribution to the SDGs. This has
risen to 62% in this year’s report which is a disappointing finding. Whilst companies are increasingly using the SDGs as a framework to communicate impact, this needs to evolve so that companies start demonstrating a tangible contribution to the SDGs. The report’s finding echo that of Oxfam’s Walk the Talk 2018 report which found a number of concerns regarding the level of SDG ambition shown by business.
The UN estimates that achieving the goals will require approximately USD $5-7 trillion of investment per year, currently there’s a shortfall of USD $2-3 trillion. With the private sector accounting for approximately 70% of the world’s GDP, billions of investments will have to be realised through private sector ambitions and initiatives.
At our recent Responsible Business Summit New York, attended by over 400 CEOs, investors and heads of business, many in attendance shared this viewpoint that business must lead the way to a new sustainable future. And we expect this sentiment to be echoed at our flagship Responsible Business Summit Europe, taking place 10-12 June 2019 – Europe’s leading business conference focused on shaping the future of responsible and sustainable business.
INTRODUCTION
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
This year’s report presents more data and insights on three key areas:
◗ SDGs driving future business strategy. Are the SDGs being integrated into business strategy, which SDGs are the main focus for business, what are the challenges of incorporating the SDGs into business strategy, the level of communication and measurement on SDG impacts?
◗ Climate Action. The need for business showcase leadership and act against climate change, the adoption of Science-Based Targets and do these Targets need to be more ambitious?
◗ Future prospects. How will sustainability evolve in the year ahead, what’s important and not important for businesses and which companies are pioneering the way for transformational change?
The responses from those who participated in our survey backed up and built on those that we had received last year: that organisations and businesses are increasingly seeing the value of being both responsible and sustainable in the way that they conduct their business.
As much as this report highlights the ways in which sustainability is becoming increasingly ingrained in mainstream business, there’s also evidence that there’s a long way to go.
And finally, we hope you find this report of value. We hope it helps you get a sense of how responsible business is evolving across the globe, and also that it serves as a way to benchmark what you’re doing against your peers. If you are interested in being involved in or supporting the 2020 Trends report then please do get in touch.
Happy reading!
Liam
➔
LIAM DOWDManaging DirectorEthical [email protected]@liamdowd10
6
INTRODUCTION
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
CHAPTER 1 OUR RESPONDENTS
CHAPTER 1OUR RESPONDENTS
Ethical Corporation’s Responsible Business Trends 2019 report features feedback from 1,051 business professionals from across the globe. The survey was conducted between 10 December 2018 – 14 January 2019. The entire dataset can be accessed here
As with our previous reports, the Responsible Business Trends 2019 report offers a truly global perspective, with representation from all regions:
NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS
GLOBAL SCOPE
43%29%
4%3%
6%
13%2%
7
2015
1,500 2,045
2016
1,542
2018
1,051
2019
2,428
2017
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
CHAPTER 1 OUR RESPONDENTS
CORPORATEBRAND
NGO
MEDIA
38%
10%
3%
21%
8%
2%
4%
3%
11%
CORPORATEAGENCY, SERVICE OR
SOFTWARE PROVIDER, CONSULTANT
ACADEMIC
ASSOCIATION / TRADE BODY
INVESTOR
GOVERNMENT
OTHER
Feedback was sourced from the following sectors:
SECTOR INSIGHTS
NGO
8
Identifying the role that respondents hold in their respective organisations:
SENIORITY
Board level / business owner 10%
C-Suite / Director / VP 13%
Manager 24%
Executive 11%
Consultant 22%
Researcher 6%
Professor 4%
Other (Please specify) 10%
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
CHAPTER 2 SDGs DRIVING FUTURE BUSINESS STRATEGY
10
Over the past two iterations of our Trends report we’ve seen an increasing number of respondents state they are integrating the SDGs into their business strategies. This trend has continued for this year’s report with 71% stating that the SDGs are being incorporated within the core business. This is an increase of 2% on last year’s study and a 11% increase since our 2017 report.
The region where there’s the highest level of integration within business strategies is Asia/Pacific 80% (76% in 2018 and 66% in 2017) followed by Europe 74% (74% in 2018 and 59% in 2017), and finally North America 64% (61% in 2018 and 56% in 2017).
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are increasingly being adopted by companies to inform future strategies and shape current impacts. Are companies using the SDGs as a framework for reporting their impacts, are they measuring their impacts against the SDGs and which SDGs are corporates most engaging are all questions explored in this section.
INTEGRATING THE SDGS INTO BUSINESS STRATEGY
Is your organisation integrating the SDGs into the business strategy?Corporate-Brands only
71%
23%
6%
Yes
No
Not applicable
CHAPTER 2SDGs DRIVING
FUTURE BUSINESS STRATEGY
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
11
In terms of where companies are in integrating the SDGs into corporate strategy, 77% of respondents stated their business is either mapping or currently integrating the SDGs into business strategy.
CHAPTER 2 SDGs DRIVING FUTURE BUSINESS STRATEGY
Is your organisation integrating the SDGs into the business strategy? - By region (Corporate-Brands only)
How far have you got with the integrating the SDGs into your business’ strategy? (Corporate-Brands only)
Yes No Not applicable
29%
64%
7%
NORTH AMERICA
74%
21%
5%
EUROPEASIA PACIFIC
80%
4%
16%
Just started to map out the SDGs into future strategy
Currently integrating the SDGs into broad business strategy
The SDGs are now integrated across departments with clear goals set
Don’t know
34%
46%
13%
7%
INTEGRATING THE SDGS INTO BUSINESS STRATEGY CONTINUED
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
12
THE CHALLENGES
CHAPTER 2 SDGs DRIVING FUTURE BUSINESS STRATEGY
Funding to support the
program implementation
Lack of prioritisation
from key and vocal
stakeholders
Mapping the SDGs to financial and investment
indicators.
Seeking investment
Executive buy in / Integrating into operations
Clear standards and benchmarks
Identifying ROI for initiatives
Political and regulatory
issues
Raising awareness and importance at
C-level
Aligning metrics, measuring
progress and reporting impact
Aligning SDGs with business
KPIs
Educating suppliers and
integrating across the
supply chain
Creating tangible goals that are
linked to business success
Balancing short term Cashflow
needs with SDGs
The SDGs were designed for national and regional Governments so the task of adapting the 17 Goals and 169 Targets into measurable and actionable business goals represents several challenges. Understanding the challenges and areas of difficulties that business face when adopting the Goals across their business can highlight where more work and collaboration is required.
The respondents were asked what has been the most challenging aspect of integrating the SDGs into business strategy. The below word graph highlights some of the most common sighted issues.
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What has been the most challenging aspect of integrating the SDGs into the business strategy? (Corporate-Brands only)
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
13
The past couple of years has seen increasing focus and discussions at our Ethical Corporation events on how companies can use the SDGs as a tool to help communicate and engage stakeholders on their business impacts. 53% of Corporate-Brand respondents stated their company is using the SDGs as a reporting and communications framework, a rise of 2% on last year’s report findings.
SDG MEASUREMENT, REPORTING AND COMMUNICATION
CHAPTER 2 SDGs DRIVING FUTURE BUSINESS STRATEGY
Are you using SDGs as a framework to report and communicate your sustainability impacts? (Corporate-Brands only)
Yes No
53%47%
ASIA PACIFIC
67%
33% EUROPE44%
56%
55%
45%
NORTH AMERICA
Whilst it’s encouraging to see more companies using the SDGs as a way of framing their impacts, it appears we’re going backwards in terms of companies understanding and reporting their contribution to the SDGs. In 2018, 56% of respondents stated their company wasn’t measuring their contribution to the SDGs. This has risen to 62% in this year’s report. It’s concerning to see that a large of number of companies are using the SDGs a tool to communicate impacts, without knowing their actual contribution to the respective SDGs.
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
All 1,051 respondents (including NGOs, Investors, Consultants…) were asked whether Business will be the driving force in ensuring the SDGs are met, a resounding 85% of the responded Yes. It would be prudent to forecast that in the coming years there will be an expectation on businesses to prove their impacts and contributions to the SDGs.
CHAPTER 2 SDGs DRIVING FUTURE BUSINESS STRATEGY
14
North American respondents stated the lowest level of measured targets against the SDGs (26%), followed by Europe (42%) and finally Asia/Pacific (55%). Investors, Governments and other key stakeholders will increasingly expect companies to report their contribution to SDGs, especially when other peers in that region start reporting their contribution.
In Ethical Corporation’s upcoming events and analysis, more focus will be on helping companies understand how they can measure and report their contribution to the SDGs.
Is your organisation measuring its contributions to the SDGs? (Corporate-Brands only)
Yes No
ASIA PACIFIC
55%
45%EUROPE
58%
42%
74%
26%NORTH AMERICA
38%
62%
SDG MEASUREMENT, REPORTING AND COMMUNICATION CONTINUED
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
To ascertain any differences in SDG focus and adoption around the globe respondents were asked to highlight the SDGs that their business is engaging in. Goal 13: Climate action came out on top, with 62% (65% in 2018) already working to help meet this SDG. Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth with 61% (60% in 2017) and Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production with 61% (57% in 2018) were the second and third most cited goals.
SDG FOCUS ACROSS THE GLOBE
CHAPTER 2 SDGs DRIVING FUTURE BUSINESS STRATEGY
15
23%
46%
62%
23%
61%
16%
53%
49%
21%
34%
32%
16%
51%
42%
36%
38%
61%
Goal 13: Climate action came out on top, with
62% (65% in 2018) already working to help
meet this SDG
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
SDG FOCUS ACROSS THE GLOBE CONTINUED
CHAPTER 2 SDGs DRIVING FUTURE BUSINESS STRATEGY
16
When looking at responses from different geographical regions, those in Asia/Pacific chose Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production with 66% (49% in 2018) Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth with 59% (57% in 2018) and Goal 13: Climate action with 57% (64% in 2018) as the three main SDGs.
In Europe, respondents stated Goal 13: Climate action with 73% (69% in 2018) as the goal they would be engaging in most, followed by Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth with 67% (62% in 2018) and Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production with 66% (60% in 2018).
In North America, respondents indicated Goal 5: Gender equality with 60% (53% in 2018), Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production with 57% (59% in 2018) and both Goal 13: Climate action with 56% (64% in 2018) and Goal 3: Good health and wellbeing with 56% (59% in 2018) as the top SDGs that they’reengaging in.
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPE
ASIA PACIFIC
57%
73%
56%
52%
60%
67%
59%
50%
54%
55%
51%
56%
66%
66%
57%
Time to lead: Identify new innovations, materials, technologies and partnerships that will help your business deliver ambitious social and climate impacts
Data-driven materiality and impact: Develop systems and strategies that provide accurate data on future risks, opportunities and impacts
Communicate, engage and report: Demonstrate leadership and become a trusted voice on material issues
New for 2019 – Investor focus: Opportunity for investors and corporates to share ideas on future risks and opportunities through focussed workshop discussions
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RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS SUMMIT EUROPE10th-12th June, 2019 | London #RBSEU
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JOIN 600+ OF WORLD’S LEADING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES FOR 2 DAYS OF IN-DEPTH DISCUSSIONS AND NETWORKING. SECURE YOUR PLACE TODAY AND SAVE £100
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Be part of the change
150+speakers
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5tracks
CEOled discussion
Jürgen MaierCEO UK
Niamh WhooleySVP ESG Strategies
Hari SundaresanGroup Chief
Procurement Officer
Helen MetsPresident, Resins & Functional Materials
Magnus Billing CEO
Per Heggenes Chief Executive Officer
Catherine HowarthCEO
Filippo VeglioManaging Director
Ovais SarmadThe Deputy Executive
Secretary
Gilbert GhostineCEO
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
CHAPTER 3 CLIMATE ACTION
It’s been over three years since the landmark Paris Agreement and 88% of 1,051 global respondents stated companies aren’t taking ambitious enough action on climate change (falls to 85% when focusing on Corporate / Brand respondents). In light of last year’s IPCC report and WWF report, we need to see transformative action from companies to help ensure we address the environmental challenges and keep global warming beneath the 1.5 degree temperature rise.
European Corporate-Brand respondents is the most damming when it comes to a perceived lack of action, with 90% of respondents stating companies are not ambitious enough in their approach. North America follows with 84% and finally Asia/Pacific reflects the least pessimistic viewpoint with 73% stating a lack of ambitious action from corporations on climate change.
73% of Corporate-Brand respondents agreed with the statement “I expect my company to take a lead in helping meet the Paris Agreement” (an increase of 5% on last year’s report).
A LACK OF ACTION FROM BUSINESSCHAPTER 3CLIMATE ACTION
18
In your opinion, are companies taking ambitious enough action on climate change? (Corporate-Brands only)
Yes No
ASIA PACIFIC
27%
73%
EUROPE
90%
10%
84%
16%
NORTH AMERICA
15%
85%
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
19
To take meaningful action against climate change, companies are being tasked to set GHG emission reduction targets in line with climate science. Only 26% (25% in 2018) of this year’s Corporate / Brand respondents stated that their company has set and adopted or is finalising Science-Based Targets.
The below charts highlight that Europe is the most advanced in terms of adopting or looking to integrate Science-Based Targets within their operations, followed by Asia/Pacific and finally North America.
SETTING TARGETS IN LINE WITH SCIENCE
CHAPTER 3 CLIMATE ACTION
Is your company adopting science-based targets in line with the 2C target? (Corporate-Brands only)
ASIA PACIFIC
25%
14% 16% 18% 17%
8%
20%30%
17%
8%
14%
29%
25%
9%
36%
7%EUROPE NORTH
AMERICA
Yesmy company has set and
adopted targets in line with the
2C target
Yesmy company is currently
finalising targets in line with
the 2C target
Yes my company
is looking at this
Noit’s not an area of focus for my
company at present
Not sure Not applicable
16%
10%
27%28%
12%7%
2% 5%
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
In February this year the Science Based Targets Initiative announced that their updated criteria will request companies to be well-below the 2C Degree limit and more in line with a 1.5C Degree target. This survey was conducted in December 2018 / January 2019, before the announcement, and over half of the respondents agreed that the Science-Based Targets should be re-aligned to a 1.5C Degree Target. Based on the stark findings from the recent IPCC and WWF reports, limiting actions and targets to a 1.5C Degree should be the minimum expectation.
SETTING TARGETS IN LINE WITH SCIENCE CONTINUED
CHAPTER 3 CLIMATE ACTION
20
Do you feel the Science-Based Targets should be re-evaluated so they're in line with a 1.5C
Degree target? (Corporate-Brands only)
55%
8%
37% Yes
No
Not sure
UPCOMING EVENTSAMSTERDAMAMSTERDAMLONDONLONDON SAN DIEGO
Sustainability Reporting and Communications Summit300+ professionals will focus on how companies can fully assess and report their impacts across their whole operationswww.ethicalcorp.com/reporting
Transform 2019250+ attendees will share new ideas and strategies on how companies can innovate, collaborate and transform the value chainwww.ethicalcorp.com/transform
The Responsible Business Summit West300+ attendees to discuss the impacts of technology on delivering the Sustainable Develoment Goalswww.ethicalcorp.com/rbs-west
Responsible Business Awards250+ attendees celebrate the leading sustainable strategies from across the globewww.ethicalcorp.com/awards
The Responsible Business Summit EuropeIt’s time to Act, it’s time to Lead: Innovate, Invest and Collaboratewww.ethicalcorp.com/rbs
OCTOBER 16-17
2019
OCTOBER 16-17
2019
OCTOBER
22019
JUNE
10-122019
OCTOBER 9-10
2019
55% of respondents feel the Science-Based Targets should be re-evaluated in
line with a 1.5C Degree target
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
21
CHAPTER 4 THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS HORIZON
Since this reports inception five years ago there’s been great strides made in terms of sustainability becoming a critical factor in future ambitions. However, we can no longer accept incremental changes – we need transformatonal change to meet the challenges ahead of us. Business must take action and build strategies and investments to address the encroaching issues. This chapter will highlight where respondents are focusing their efforts.
For companies to stay at the forefront of their industries, it’s imperative they understand the opportunities available to them and also the key opportunities as identified by their peers.
Corporate-Brand respondents see Driving sustainable innovation across the business (26%) as the most exciting opportunity for their business in the next 12 months. Identifying new circular innovations and opportunities was second most cited (12%). Creating long-term, transformational cross-industry collaborations and Activating the SDGs as a driver for future strategy and success were both the third most cited opportunities (11%).
When focussing on the geographic regions the “Top Three” held true for respondents based in Asia/Pacific. In Europe the top three highlighted opportunities were Driving sustainable innovation across the business (21%), Activating the SDGs as a driver for future strategies and success (15%) and Identifying new circular innovations and opportunities (14%). In North America the top three highlighted opportunities were Driving sustainable innovation across the business (28%), Engaging Investors on sustainable vision (13%) and Identifying new circular innovations and opportunities (13%).
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
CHAPTER 4THE RESPONSIBLE
BUSINESS HORIZON
Driving sustainable innovation across thebusiness (26%) is the most exciting opportunity for business in the next 12 months
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
Creating long-term, transformational cross-industry collaborations
Which one area holds the single most exciting opportunity for your organisation in 2019? (Corporate-Brands only)
Engaging investors on sustainable vision
Integrating Artificial Intelligence and IoT within the business
Implementing Blockchain and automation within the business
Portraying the total impacts of the business
Identifying new circular innovations and opportunities
Identifying opportunities to address water risk
Driving sustainable innovation across the business
Activating employees as brand advocates on sustainable vision
Activating the SDGs as a driver for future strategy and success
Other
11%
3%
26%
9%
9%
9%
6%
12%
11%
2%
2%
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUED
These slight variances in perceived opportunities echo the research and agendas for this year’s Responsible Business Summit New York and Responsible Business Summit Europe. Across all three regions one can see that sustainability is very-much a central business considering, both from a business strategy and innovation perspective to attracting future investment and growth. This represents a great opportunity for new models, technologies and ways of doing business to arise in the coming months and years. Aligning these innovations and investments to the Global Goals will be critical.
Aligning these innovations and investments to the Global Goals will be critical
22
CHAPTER 4 THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS HORIZON
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
23
CHAPTER 4 THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS HORIZON
WHAT’S IMPORTANT IN 2019
From a list of suggested sustainability issues, respondents were asked to rate on a scale their level of importance – ranging from “no importance” to “extremely important”. Driving sustainable innovation across the business is deemed of being most important and Engaging employees as brand advocates on sustainable vision as the second most important issues in 2019 with 78% and 71% (71% and 69% in 2018) of Corporate-Brand respondents respectively indicating it as being either “very important” or “extremely important” to their organisation. This was closely followed by Portraying the total impact of the business with 66% of respondents stating it as being of high importance to the business.
Understanding the impacts of AI, IOT and automation on the business
How important are the below issues for your organisation in 2019? (Corporate-Brands only)
Portraying the total impact of the business
Driving sustainable customer behaviour change
Driving sustainable innovation across the business
Engaging employees as brand advocates on sustainable vision
Adopting science-based targets in line with 2C target
Identifying opportunities to address water risk
Engaging investors on the sustainable vision of the business
Identifying new circular economy innovations and investments
Activating the SDGs as a drive for future strategy and success
53%
78%
64%
66%
71%
52%
55%
36%
36%
48%
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
24
CHAPTER 4 THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS HORIZON
WHAT’S NOT IMPORTANT IN 2019
Sometimes it can prove more insightful when focussing on what’s deemed not important. Identifying opportunities to address water risk is the least important issue for Corporate-Brand respondents with 15% highlighting it as ‘Not Important’ in the next 12 months. Adopting Science-Based Targets in line with the 2C Target (11%) and Understanding the impacts of the TCFD guidelines on our reporting activities (9%) were identified as being the 2nd and 3rd least important issues in 2019.
All three options will have a profound impact on business, the environment and society – either directly or indirectly – so it’s somewhat surprise there’s a significant number of respondents indicating they’re of no importance.
Identifying opportunitiesto address water risk is the
least important issue forCorporate-Brand respondents
with 15% highlightingit as ‘Not Important’
15%9% 11%
How important are the below issues for your organisation in 2019? (Corporate-Brands only)
Identifying opportunities to address water risk
Understanding the impacts of AI, IOT and automation on the
business
stated no importance stated no importance stated no importance
Adopting science-based targets in line with 2C target
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
25
CHAPTER 4 THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS HORIZON
THOSE THAT ARE LEADING THE WAY
The global Ethical Corporation community were asked to highlight the company and person’s they feel are leading the way in delivering a new sustainable business climate. Echoing findings from the previous three iterations of this report, Unilever is most the most mentioned company and likewise its Former-CEO Paul Polman emerged as the individual that’s driving the required change.
Business can’t rely on the few companies that are highlighted year-on-year as the one’s that will deliver the required change. There’s an opportunity for individuals, and companies, to show leadership and realise the business opportunities of transforming the business behind a sustainable vision. When looking at this year’s report feedback, compared to the 2016 report there is hope. The likes of Emmanuel Faber, Danielle Azoulay and Ellen MacArthur (11th) didn’t make the Top 25 in 2016 – and the same can be said for Walmart and Siemens. So there are new individuals and companies entering the fray, however there needs to be more if the the challenges are to be met.
Business can’t rely on the few companies
that are highlighted year-on-year as the
one’s that will deliver the required change
1 Unilever -
2 Patagonia -
3 Tesla -
4 IKEA 1
5 Interface 2
6 Siemens 3
7 Walmart 9
8 Marks & Spencer 4
9 Nestlé 1
10 Google 4
1 Paul Polman -
2 Elon Musk -
3 Rose Marcario -
4 Bill Gates -
5 Emmanuel Faber 3
6 Michael Bloomberg 3
7 Larry Fink 4
8 Richard Branson 3
9 Yvon Chouinard 2
10 Danielle Azoulay Was not in 2018’s top 20
WHICH COMPANIES ARE LEADING THE WAY IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION?
WHICH INDIVIDUAL EXECUTIVES ARE LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABILITY?
Paul Polman
Unilever
Elon Musk Tesla
Rose Marcario
Patagonia
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS TRENDS REPORT 2019
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SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED
AWARDS CEREMONY
MARCH222019
JUNE3
2019
JUNE242019
OCTOBER2
2019
WWW.ETHICALCORP.COM/AWARDS
Lead The Sustainable FutureTransform, Innovate, Invest
Hugh WelshPresident & General Counsel
Maureen KlineVice President, Public Affairs & Sustainability
Satya TripathiAssistant Secretary -General
Betty Cremins Director
Rebecca LucoreHead of Sustainability & CSR
Mitch JacksonVP of Environmental Affairs & Chief Sustainability Officer
Tim RingChief Sustainability Officer
Christopher Wellise
Chief Sustainability Officer
Cynthia CurtisSenior Vice President of Sustainability
Lenny MendoncaChief Economic & Business Advisor
THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS SUMMIT WEST 2019October 9-10, 2019 | San Diego
Lead the Change
Explore the technologies, innovations and strategies that will help you deliver ambitious social and climate impacts
Close the Loop to Shape a New Economy
Transition from a linear to a circular economy and grasp the unique opportunity for business that circularity presents
Investor Preference
Disclose accurate data, demonstrate long-term value and deliver transparent ESG disclosures fit for Investors
You Can’t Do It Alone
Engage employees, communities and suppliers to deliver a responsible and prosperous future for all
JOIN 250+ OF USA’S LEADING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES FOR 2 DAYS OF IN-DEPTH DISCUSSIONS AND NETWORKING. SECURE YOUR PLACE TODAY AND SAVE $500
www.ethicalcorp.com/rbs-west
Be Part of the Change
250+Attendees
10+CEOs
60+Speakers
10+Hours of Networking
#RBWEST