CorpComms Magazine

Almost two thirds of global companies have an active sustainability programme in place, while 11 per cent are currently developing one, according to 'Corporate Sustainability: a progress report'. Just five per cent of companies have no plans to launch a sustainability programme.

The KPMG International-commissioned report, which has been conducted by Economist Intelligence Unit, found a 'clear increase' in the number of companies with active programmes.

A similar survey conducted in February 2008 found that just over half of all respondents had a sustainability strategy in place, while the latest analysis, of 378 companies across 61 countries, found 62 per cent are active.

Pressure from regulators and growing concerns over the potential for brand and reputational damage, particularly in the wake of the BP Oil Spill, were among the main reasons for companies pushing the sustainability agenda.

Just over one in four companies cite the need to reduce costs as the main impetus to sustainability. Their view is borne out by the findings. Six in ten companies reported that, after an initial investment, the benefits clearly outweighed the drawbacks. For companies with revenues in excess of $5 billion, this figure rose to 72 per cent, while IBM claims that, for every dollar it spends on sustainability, it gets back between $1.5 and two dollars.

Benefits included significant reductions in energy costs, improved relationships with customers and suppliers, and more efficient use of resources, especially water, while some companies have found that a focus on sustainability has stimulated innovation in their companies, leading to new product lines and opening up new markets.'

Indeed, 44 per cent of those surveyed found that sustainability programmes drove innovation while 39 per cent found it created new business opportunities.

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