4 inspirational lessons from the most sustainable companies

As the debate around climate change intensifies, many businesses are facing increasing pressure to adopt more eco-friendly practices in response to the demands of the media and the public. Corporate Knights, a Toronto-based media and research company, regularly publishes lists of the 100 most sustainable companies in the world. The companies in these lists represent a variety of different industries, and all serve to demonstrate ways that other enterprises might be able to introduce practical and achievable targets for greater sustainability.

Adidas

One of the best ways companies can reduce their carbon footprint is by engaging in a mix of recycling and more efficient use of waste products. Adidas has taken great strides in achieving the way they develop new products, with initiatives such as their partnership with Parley to create their “Ultraboost” shoe line.

Around 75% of the design incorporates recycled plastic dredged from the ocean, manufactured via a low energy, low water printing process.

As more and more designers move into sportswear, the efforts by one of the biggest names in the industry to promote more sustainable standards can only help raise standards across the board.

Biogen

As one of the largest and most profitable pharmaceutical companies in the world, and operating in an industry with a reputation for poor standards of sustainability, Biogen’s track record is something to be lauded. It is one of the few companies that have successfully achieved carbon neutrality, meaning that it has eliminated carbon-emitting activities thanks to a combination of general reduction and offset projects.

Additionally, it has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to using sustainable sources in the development of its drugs. Given the fact that 71.4% of shoppers now take the environmental impact of their shopping choices into account when making their purchases, a move by such a large provider as Biogen makes as much commercial sense as it does ethical.

Ford

Companies dedicated to the manufacture of carbon-producing cars would be surprising entries on any list of climate-friendly corporations, but Ford has achieved great strides in their bid to minimise their impact on the environment. The ten-part environmental policy that they have been working and developing for the years includes, among other programmes, drastically improving fuel efficiency, investing heavily in hybrid and electric engines, using only sustainable fabrics in vehicles and ensuring all vehicles are 100% recyclable upon end-of-life. They have also committed to smaller, practical changes, like owning the world’s largest “green” roof.

Nestle

Corporate Knights’ 2019 list labelled Nestle as the third highest scoring company in terms of sustainable practices, and they seek to maintain that record with a variety of environmental policies covering all elements of the business. They focus on choosing materials based on the impact they have on the environment, recycling as much as possible, and where it is not possible, using only products with a low carbon footprint. They have even gone so far as to promote greater public involvement in recycling with the creation of their mobile app, Recycle123.