Q&A: What is the most critical driver of sustainability within a business?

A new report answers that question, and more. According to Sustainability Insights: Learning From Business Leaders, some 44% of companies say engagement with business leadership is the most important factor in successfully implementing a sustainability strategy. A top-down approach, however, won’t work unless the business community puts sustainability at the heart of its operations.

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit for Coca-Cola Enterprises

Other key findings of this report include the fact that sustainability remains a key focus of businesses despite the economic downturn. In fact, 52%of companies say they have been able to maintain their sustainability agenda despite financial concerns. The benefits of sustainability cited by respondents include differentiation from competitors, enhanced stakeholder engagement and boosted profits.

According to the report, 61% say that technological developments contribute to sustainability-related innovations and 41% say they have successfully harnessed technology to improve their environmental impact.

From the report: “These findings suggest that progress is being made but also highlights important gaps, with room for greater collaboration with external partners and forgone opportunities to use senior management to integrate sustainability through all aspects of the business.”

Read the rest of the November 2013 newsletter

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