2013 Business Sustainability Challenges Report

A new report released by the Network for Business Sustainability, a research group based at the Ivey School of Business and produced in part by Deloitte, reveals that effective external collaboration is key issue facing Canadian business.

Collaboration is just one of 10 challenges facing Canadian industry in 2013 as defined by a roundtable of leading “green” companies in this report.

Representing the private, public and non-profit sectors, the roundtable includes organizations well known for their environmentally sound practices and public support of sustainability such as LoyaltyOne, TD Bank Group, Tim Hortons Inc. and Suncor Energy.

“Leading companies have already secured the easy wins, such as reducing emissions, going paperless and reduced packaging,” said Tima Bansal, Executive Director of NBS and management professor at the Ivey Business School. “To continue on their sustainability journey, these leaders recognize the need to tackle system-wide challenges beyond the boundaries of their organizations.”

NBS convenes the roundtable annually to outline business barriers to adopting environmental practices and publicly promoting sustainability. NBS partnered with Deloitte this year to understand how these challenges fit into Canada’s economy. Academic researchers then study selected issues, producing answers that help managers everywhere overcome similar barriers.

The challenge of how to engage with value chain and industry partners to achieve their sustainability goals was selected by the roundtable as one of the most important. “Big brands need to share best practices and solve mutual sustainability problems,” said Tim Faveri, Director, Sustainability and Responsibility for Tim Hortons Inc. “If other organizations see no value in collaborating – and they’re buying from the same suppliers as us – how can we advance the sustainability agenda?”

Read the full document: Changing the System: The 10 Sustainability Challenges for Canadian Business in 2013

The Top 10 Canadian Business Sustainability Challenges

1. How can businesses contribute to effective, integrated public policy on the right issues?
2. How can companies best engage value chain, industry and NGO partners to achieve sustainability goals?
3. How can businesses help Canadians become informed, inspired and engaged in a national dialogue about responsible consumption?
4. What corporate structures enable companies to deliver on sustainability goals?
5. How can companies keep their long-term sustainability agenda on track despite leadership changes?
6. How should companies navigate issues regarding Aboriginal rights and entitlements?
7. How can Canadian organizations become more innovative?
8. How can companies embed social license to operate into their strategy?
9. How can business and society prepare effectively for the impacts of climate change?
10. How can companies respond to the proliferation of voluntary and mandatory reporting requirements?

About the Network for Business Sustainability

The Network for Business Sustainability is a Canadian not-for-profit organization that connects thousands of researchers and business leaders worldwide, with the goal of creating new, sustainable business models for the 21^st century. NBS receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University, the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and industry partners.

NBS Leadership Council Members

BC Hydro, Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, Environment Canada, Home Depot of Canada Inc., Holcim (Canada) Inc., Industry Canada, LANXESS Inc., LoyaltyOne, Inc., Pembina Institute, Research In Motion, SAP Canada Inc., Suncor Energy Inc., TD Bank Group, Teck Resources Limited, TELUS Corporation, Tembec Inc., Tim Hortons Inc., Unilever Canada Inc.

About Deloitte’s Sustainability Practice

Globally, some 800 Deloitte partners and professionals deliver sustainability-related services to clients in more than 50 countries. Deloitte’s Sustainability professionals apply a unique integrated systems approach across the areas of governance, workplace, workforce, supply chain, operations, products and information technology to help organizations make the connection between sustainability and economic performance. They draw on the extensive experience of their risk management, consulting, financial advisory, tax and audit professionals to drive a client-centric approach to protecting and creating economic, environmental and social value. Their approach is built on deep knowledge of industries and sectors, focused technical credentials, and a broad complement of time-tested methods and capabilities.

Network for Business Sustainability

Network for Business Sustainability

A Canadian non-profit, the Network for Business Sustainability produces authoritative resources on important sustainability issues - with the goal of changing management practice. We unite thousands of researchers and business leaders worldwide to develop sustainable business models for the 21st century.

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