The Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) released its second study looking closely at sustainability reporting trends in North America.  Sustainability Reporting Trends in North America 2017 provides a valuable representation of Sustainability (Corporate Social Responsibility) reporting by companies and organizations that are based in North America.  This research identifies links between having a sustainability strategy, goals and reports to improved financial performance.

An important insight to be covered during the Oct. 11, 2017, CSE live webinar is the less than stellar adoption of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  Since the SGDs came into force on 1 January 2016, they have not been widely used by the companies in North America. Of the 551 companies in the study, only 6.2% integrated SDGs in their sustainability reports.

While the introduction and implementation of SDGs is in the initial stage, there are many opportunities for businesses to incorporate these universally adopted goals. We estimate that 41% of businesses will embed SDGs into their strategy and the way they do business within the next five years, and 71% of businesses say they are already planning how they will engage with the SDGs.

The SDGs provide a global framework for national efforts to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity.  They provide specific targets for each goal, defining global priorities and aspirations for 2030. Companies can maximize their contribution to the SDGS by aligning their strategies with the goals. However, most companies are not engaging despite the key role they play in achieving the SDGs’ ambitions.  The Sustainability Academy, with online courses and free modules, offers a quick and efficient way for companies to acquire SDG basics to begin this process.

For North American companies reporting SDGs, not all are equally represented. Only 6% have integrated all 17 SDGs in their reports. Notable stand-outs include Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Intel, Biogen, Cisco and Praxair.  Also included are Coca Cola, MillerCoors, Merck and Pepsi, managers of whom have trained with CSE’s Certified Sustainability Practitioner Program.

 Of the companies in the report, most (74%) have integrated some of the SDGs, and 21% of companies at least mentioned them, stating going to review, assessment and intent to integrate the goals.  This percentage is considered extremely high, given that for this reporting period, the SDGs are a recent development.

 Register for free, live webinar on Sustainability Reporting Trends in North America

October 11, 2017, 10amET

 We expect the prominence of SDGs in company strategy and reporting to rise significantly in the next reporting period as companies see their importance for strategy and sustainability goal setting practices.  CSE’s upcoming Certified Sustainability Practitioner Programs (Advanced Edition 2017) offer corporate trainings in Toronto, Oct. 26-27, San Diego, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2017, and Atlanta, March 8-9, 2018. 

Centre for Sustainability & Excellence (CSE)

Centre for Sustainability & Excellence (CSE)

CSE is a global Leading network providing Sustainable Development Solutions to organizations & a Think Tank with offices in Brussels Athens & Dubai. CSE cooperates with international organisations, such as the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management), GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), UN Global Compact (United Nations Global Compact), EBEN (European Business Ethics Network), Forum for International Communications and the European Commission. CSE supports, on their journey towards sustainability, leading organizations such as Lloyds TSB, Eurocontrol, Dell, BP, DHL, Lafarge (Aget Heracles), Mc Cain, Bank of Cyprus and many others including the European Investment Bank, the largest financial Investment Institution of the European Union and the Government of Dubai (Dubai Center for Corporate Values ,DIFC, TECOM, DAFZA). The global presence of CSE is enhanced by numerous activities carried out in many countries/regions including the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Russia, China and the Middle East.

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