Business and Economics

Transitioning to a net zero economy will impact every asset class so businesses of all types must take notice. The far reaching economic repercussions of the climate crisis means that businesses can either adapt or die. Those that view sustainability as nothing more than a buzzword will be punished while those who respond to the risks and seize the opportunities will reap the rewards. Sustainability is a culture not a buzzword on a company website. However, as highlighted by the failure of sustainability focused certification schemes,  companies are guilty of greenwashing. In many quarters sustainability is little more than jargon...

Thousands of companies joined millions people in the recent student led climate strikes on September 20 and 27. These strikes are an urgent call for governments to act on climate change. Some companies gave their employees paid time off to participate in the strike while others closed their doors. Well known corporate brands like Patagonia, Ben & Jerry's, Burton, and Lush Cosmetics shut down both their manufacturing and their bricks and mortar retail outlets. They also encouraged their employees and customers to attend the strikes. On September 20th more than 7,000 businesses and websites participated in a digital climate strike...

The UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative with 9,913 companies participating in 161 countries. This broad coalition of more than 20 businesses, civil society and UN leaders encourages companies to set more ambitious climate targets consistent with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement which seeks to keep temperatures from increasing more than the prescribed upper temperature threshold limit of 1.5°C. They focus on three key areas, environment, social and governance issues. They help companies to align their strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption, and take actions that advance...

Leveraging action across supply chains is a critical part of efforts to address the climate crisis.  We are seeing tremendous growth in companies investing in sustainability and these corporations are helping to drive the transition to a low-carbon economy. Reports demonstrate that this is both an indispensable strategy to manage risk and an important part of cost cutting efforts. The financial and environmental benefits include energy and resource efficiency. According to a 2019 CDP/Carbon Trust global supply chain report, over the last decade some of the world's biggest purchasers have leveraged their buying power and demanded transparency from their suppliers....

The results of a recent sustainability poll, indicate that Unilever, Patagonia, and IKEA are the world's top sustainability leaders. According to the 2019 GlobeScan* / SustainAbility** Leaders Survey these are the most recognized sustainability leaders on the planet. The survey conducted in partnership with Sustainable Brands*** found that  Patagonia and IKEA have made substantial gains, narrowing the gap between themselves and first place finisher Unilever. The survey asked over 800 experts and stakeholders from 78 countries to name companies that they see as being leaders in integrating sustainability into their business strategy. Although the survey has been published for a...

UK businesses support the ruling government's ambitious climate leadership. Theresa May has announced that her Conservative government is amending the Climate Change Act and ratcheting up ambitions with a net zero energy emissions objective by 2050. "This country led the world in innovation during the Industrial Revolution, and now we must lead the world to a cleaner, greener form of growth," May said in a statement announcing the plan. Under May the UK has taken steps to support the business community's efforts to lower emissions including a 2017 plan to help energy consumers and industries save as much as 40...

Alberta's new premiere Jason Kenney claims that by prioritizing the fossil fuel industry he can increase jobs and grow the economy. This was the central plank in Kenney's United Conservative Party (UCP) election platform. It is also an oft repeated refrain from conservative politicians.  However, this view fails to acknowledge that market forces are powering the demise of traditional energy. There is mounting evidence demonstrating that macroeconomic trends are driving the transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy. Despite the politically motivated rhetoric of conservative politician, the evidence shows that the fossil fuel industry is dying. Alberta is not...

Few companies chew up resources and generate more waste than the IKEA Group. However, the world's largest furniture retailer has made tremendous strides that have enabled the global brand to emerge as a leading sustainability-focused company. Apple may have an enormous customer base, but it is dwarfed by the IKEA. With approximately one billion people served the Dutch company of Swedish origin has almost almost twice as many customers as the tech giant. IKEA recently pledged to make all of the 12,000 products they sell from renewable and recyclable materials by 2030. They have also adopted science-based emission reduction targets...

Companies are showing that change is both possible and profitable. As we stare down the barrel of a dark future companies are acknowledging the emergence of a new reality that forces them to change the way they do business. Embracing sustainability makes sense even for those who were slow off the mark. Apple proves that it is possible to transition from a climate Luddite to a climate leader. Leading corporations are helping to show the way forward and no company has come further in recent years than Apple. The tech leader has not always been an environmental leader. That changed...

Sustainability leaders have earned respectability over the years. Now that sustainability is becoming a mainstream phenomenon, they are gradually being recognized for their contributions. Many of the sustainability pioneers will be venerated by future generations. The word is derived from peonier, an Old French word for foot soldier. These pioneering men and women have broken ground, laid the foundation, and cut a path that others can follow. A few names stand out for their audacity and the scope of their visions. The search firm Weinreb Group polled 100 sustainability experts to create a list of six leading sustainability pioneers. These...