Recent reports by McKinsey and PricewaterhouseCoopers find more companies are managing sustainability to improve process and pursue growth instead of focusing on reputation alone. In this article, guest contributor Venkat S. Somasundaram analyzes these reports and presents three key challenges to the future of corporate sustainability.
82% of consumers have good green intentions, but only 16% are dedicated to fulfilling these intentions, according to an Ogilvy study. This puts 66% in what is called the ‘Middle Green’, a group that is neither active environment crusaders nor anti-greens. How do we turn mainstream consumers’ green intentions into green action?
Canadian companies such as Talisman Energy are showing leadership in corporate social responsibility on the global stage. In a globalized world, it is important for companies that are operating in other countries or those seeking to establish international subsidiaries to act responsibly and furnish reports to prove the credibility.
93% of CEOs see sustainability as important to their company’s future success, as found by a UN-Accenture study. But how does one embed sustainability into a company’s core culture? Dr. Stephanie Bertels of Simon Fraser University conducted one of the most extensive researches in this subject. Her findings in the 74-page report are distilled into a core framework diagram. This cheat sheet will guide you through the key points.
reThink Waterloo 2012: A Business Sustainability Forum. May 11, 2012. Waterloo. 
Carbon Economy Summit 2012: Regulation, Risk, Revenue. June 6, 2012. Toronto.