2Sustain

Apple released it 2010 Progress Report on Supplier Sustainability yesterday –two days ahead of its annual shareholder meeting on Thursday.

As I’m sure you’re aware, Apple’s manufacturing business is located primarily overseas, and the company has been dogged with labor problems ever since allegations of sub-par working conditions in China first surfaced in 2006. Since then, Apple has implemented training programs and increased factory audits to help ensure that its suppliers are adhering to the company’s Code of Conduct.

The new 24-page progress report offers details about Apple’s proactive approach to working with suppliers to protect worker rights and improve factory conditions. It includes an outline of the Apple Supplier Code of Conduct, a summary of 2009 audits, plus details about violations and corrective actions to address them.

According to the new report, Apple does see positive progress –but also recognizes that much more work needs to be done to make sure suppliers meet expectations.  The company says it will continue to improve and expand its supplier responsibility program, which includes not only supplier audits, but also: (more…)

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…)

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…)

On Friday, Nike released its fiscal 2007 to 2009 Corporate Responsibility (CR) report in which it outlines long-term strategies designed to prepare the company to thrive in a sustainable economy.

Nike says these new strategies represent a shift from a previous CR model based on risk management, philanthropy and compliance. Now, the company will focus on innovation, collaboration, transparency and advocacy. This new push for “Sustainable Business and Innovation” (SB&I) will be more seamlessly integrated across Nike’s business strategies, creating a more sustainable approach aimed at providing greater returns to its business, communities, factory workers, consumers and the planet, according to a press release.

The Nike CR report outlines some important initiatives for the company including: (more…)

It’s becoming increasingly commonplace for companies to present environmental information on their websites, but most can do better on data substance and timeliness, according to new research from AltaTerra Research.

The new report, “Greening the Company Website: A New Era in Sustainability Reporting,” details the results from a study of the websites of 60 recognized corporate sustainability leaders, representing 13 different industries.

Here are a few findings that caught my eye: (more…)