2Sustain

A blog focused on sustainable business issues and challenges

adidas Group Publishes New Sustainability Report

March 04, 2010 | No Comments →

The adidas Group has released its tenth annual sustainability report, providing an overview of the company’s strategies to reduce environmental footprints of its own operations while continuing to help suppliers reduce their environmental impacts, as well.

In particular, adidas Group reports that it is focusing its 2010 efforts on actions directed at these specific 2015 targets (each measured against a baseline of 2008 unless specified) : (more…)

How Well Does a Brand’s Sustainability Performance Align with Consumers’ Sustainability Perception?

February 11, 2010 | Comments (2)

Results of a new study confirm findings I reported to you last summer: There’s a disconnect between a brand’s actual sustainability performance and consumers’ perceptions of its sustainability performance.

The new research –conducted by Change, a Vancouver consultancy focusing on green brand innovation, Angus Reid Public Opinion and the nonprofit Climate Counts –is reported in MapChange 2010, a brand investigation of nearly 100 top North American  companies, spanning 10 product and service sectors. (Note: Change is being acquired by Maddock Douglas, a Chicago innovation agency.)

Here’s an example of the kind of disconnect I’m talking about. In the report, commercial shippers UPS and DHL score about equally well in green performance, based on Climate Counts criteria. However, when it comes to consumer perception of the two brands, UPS is the clear winner, scoring almost five times higher than DHL. (more…)

Most Business Execs Recognize Link Between Sustainability and Profits in the Long Term

February 10, 2010 | Comment (1)

Most executives (69 percent) in an Economist Intelligence Unit survey believe there is a strong link between financial performance and commitment to sustainability in the long term (five to 10 years). However, only 24 percent feel there is a strong link in the short term (one to two years).

The survey, which polled more than 200 finance and corporate social responsibility executives in December 2009 and January 2010, defined sustainability as “operating in a way that preserves the long-term productive capacity of the natural and social environments.” Interestingly, the results also revealed that: (more…)

New CSR Insight Report Is Guide to Sustainability Trends, Metrics and Regulation

February 09, 2010 | Comments (2)

If you’re curious about what’s new regarding sustainability reporting, sustainability investments and sustainability regulation, I suggest you spend a few minutes with the newly released CSR Insight Report, available at www.csr-insight.com (registration required).

The 93-page report gives a comprehensive overview of the field, including perspective on a variety of fundamental factors, including: (more…)

Clorox Launches New CSR Website

February 02, 2010 | Comments (3)

Yesterday, the Clorox Company launched a new CSR website devoted entirely to increasing communication about the company’s CSR initiatives.

These CSR initiatives fall into five broad categories, defined by Clorox as:

  • People: treating employees and partners with dignity and respect
  • Products: delivering safe, high-quality products that meet consumer need
  • Performance: running business operations responsibly and ethically while targeting strong financial results
  • Planet: decreasing the company’s environmental impact
  • Purpose: supporting the communities where Clorox does business (more…)