With climate disasters apparent in every part of the globe today, from the devastating Australian wildfires to the flooding in China, the issues have taken centre stage. The number of climate-related disasters has tripled in the last 30 years and are estimated to go higher.
Some companies have emerged as warriors to develop innovative and impactful solutions that can alleviate sustainability issues worldwide. These pioneers are leading the revolution to carbon neutrality and inspire other companies to follow their innovative approaches.
Here are the top 4 companies in 2021:
The company provides building and construction materials around the world and is located in Stockholm. Skanska focuses on sustainable practices within the organization and emphasizes green building design leading the world to carbon neutrality one building at a time.
In its sustainability report, Skanska identifies the explicit goals of the company and its target to achieve net-zero status by 2045, not just within the company’s facilities but throughout its value and supply chains. Most remarkably, it was the first company to meet ISO 14000 standards across all locations. This standard aimed to reduce industrial waste and environmental impact, making Skanska a forerunner in corporate responsibility. Skanska also encourages everyone to cycle more, which can be seen in the UK’s Supply Chain Sustainability School to educate and promote construction suppliers throughout the industry. While numerous companies are actively involved, Skanska was a founding member.
The company was awarded the winner of the Sustainable Brand Index in 2019. The Dutch company focuses on making the cocoa industry fair trade and free from slave work. In a statement, they said, “calculate the true social cost of their chocolate bar, including all negative social impact and impact on the environment, like child labour or CO2-emissions.”
While this is praise-worthy, Tony’s Chocolonely is also doing its part to protect and conserve the environment. According to Rank a Brand, they do not consume palm oil. They have implemented several measures to reduce their carbon emissions, such as measuring the climate impact of its activities and collaborating with Justdiggit. This non-profit organization focuses on restoring landscapes and ‘regreening’ drylands in Africa to impact the climate positively. It is also an excellent idea for tie-ups as sustainability initiatives for companies.
3. LPP
LPP is a Polish retail giant that owns Mohito, Reserved, Sinsay, House, and Cropp. Its sustainability initiatives have given the company the status of one of the best companies that sell green products in the fashion sector globally.
LPP’s Eco-Aware program aims to ensure 25% of its products are entirely produced through sustainable means by the end of 2021, which is a massive feat for any brand in the retail sector. These products use recycled fibres and organic materials and are actively highlighted in stores, enabling consumers to make eco-friendly purchases.
Most of their stores include donation boxes to drop off unwanted clothing along with any unsold goods to charitable causes. In doing so, the brand encourages sustainable practices within their consumers and gets rid of their unsold clothing without any waste ending up in landfills. LPP’s visible effort and clear transparency across all brands mark LPP as one of the top environmentally responsible companies.
4. WWF
According to Hays Journal, WWF’s ‘Living Planet Centre’ workspace was awarded by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). It includes a central, tall room with trees that reduced CO2 emissions by 25 percent, and the centre produces 50 percent of its water by collecting rain and recycling used water. Other green initiatives include their electricity production via solar panels and water pumps that contribute to 20 percent of their electricity needs.
WWF also has an environmental purchasing policy wherein suppliers are expected to pursue environmentally-friendly policies within their objectives. In addition to this, the company promotes an internal sustainable travel policy, which imposes restrictions on how far and often staff are allowed to travel.
In conclusion, as Robert Swan, Renowned Author, said, “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
