2Sustain

Recent research by KPMG found that even though corporate responsibility reporting has reached an all-time high among the Global Fortune 250 (G250), many of the reports lack rigor.

Now, another new study offers an even harsher critique.

After analyzing more than 4,000 corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports, rankings and surveys published by companies worldwide over the past 10 years, researchers at the University of Leeds and Euromed Management School (France) found that most included significant errors, such as unsubstantiated claims, gaps in data and inaccurate figures.

In fact, out of 443 European Union companies featuring in the FTSE All World Index between 2005 and 2009, fewer than one in six reported greenhouse gas emissions that covered all corporate activities, while others were vague, failing to reveal precisely how the data applied to specific activities.

The research uncovered some glaring examples of misinformation. (more…)

Tiffany & Co. has launched its first annual web-based Corporate Responsibility Report.

Developed in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative’s voluntary sustainability reporting framework, the online report includes highlights regarding environmental and social performance, and also provides intriguing insight into the jewelry giant’s standards and operations for the sourcing of precious materials.

For example, Tiffany says that:

• In order to minimize environmental and social risks, gold, silver and platinum used in its workshops are sourced from responsibly mined metal deposits and recycled sources in the US.
• The company has implemented a multiphase assessment process of its supply chain. Accordingly:
  • Vendors are required, when applicable, to complete a self-assessment of their performance against the Tiffany Vendor Code of Conduct.
  • Tiffany performs internal audits of its vendors.
  • Tiffany contracts with a third-party social responsibility auditing firm to provide audits on its suppliers.

In addition: (more…)

In what’s being billed as the most comprehensive survey of corporate responsibility (CR) reporting ever published, KPMG found that CR reporting has reached an all-time high –but unfortunately, the reports lack rigor.

KPMG’s International Survey of Corporate Responsibility Reporting 2011 reviewed trends of each of the Global Fortune 250 (G250), as well as 3,400 companies worldwide, representing the national leaders in 34 countries and 15 industry sectors.

The research showed that:

• Nearly all (95 percent) of the G250 companies report their corporate responsibility activity.
• More than half (64 percent) of the largest 100 companies (N100) in each country report –that’s up 11 percent since 2008, with developing nations showing fast uptake.

KPMG also compared CR reporting activity across different countries and found some significant differences: (more…)

In April 2006, Toyota began working to meet the guidelines of its second consolidated Environmental Action Plan (EAP), an aggressive five-year roadmap for improving and enhancing sustainability efforts across the company’s North America operations.

Last week, Toyota reported on its progress and affirmed its commitment to sustainability with the release of its 2011 North America Environmental Report.

Among the energy consumption, recycling and resource management achievements outlined in the 2011 report: (more…)

The corporate sustainability agency Two Tomorrows has released its Tomorrow’s Value Rating 2011, an analysis of the sustainability practices of 92 companies widely recognized as sustainability leaders.

These companies were selected to be in the Tomorrow’s Value Rating for 2011 based on their inclusion in three or more leading sustainability rankings. Companies in the 2011 Fortune Global 100 and listed in two of these rankings were also included.

Which companies top the list?

The highest rating, Aaa, went to: Campbell’s, Danone, General Electric, Glaxosmithkline, HP, Intel, Nestlé, Nike, Panasonic, Siemens, and Unilever.

“None of our leading companies are held back by fundamental questions about their sustainability. Where there are concerns, we can see that they have mapped out a clear path to transitioning their business into a different model,” Mark Line, executive chairman of Two Tomorrows Group, said. “The leaders are starting to go one step further than the rest of the pack, such that their machinery for delivering sustainability is becoming part of the way they do business. Their staff and management get it and they want it. These companies tend to exhibit huge brand strength – and they have wedded their sustainability approach to all of those things that made their brand strong in the first place.”

See a detailed list of results and key findings here.

Two Tomorrows’ research also revealed five emerging trends in corporate sustainability. The data shows that sustainability leaders: (more…)