The operating environment for business is radically different than it was a decade ago, and it’s evolving every day.
Businesses must navigate the heightened expectations from investors, regulators, customers, employees, and other stakeholders; increasing geopolitical volatility and fragmentation; challenges of the accelerating energy transition; climate disruption; and emerging AI and other disruptive technologies.
All of this has massive implications for how we can achieve a more just and sustainable world and demonstrates the value of strategic resilience as businesses adapt to this new reality.
The companies that will remain competitive are embracing sustainability. Treating sustainability as a tack-on is no longer sufficient: Today’s leading companies understand the imperative to manage a holistic company renewal effort across the entire enterprise.
A strong sustainability strategy helps businesses to see around the corner, to maximize value creation opportunities, minimize financial risk, understand stakeholder expectations, and address the ethical imperative to avoid harm to people, the environment, and livelihoods.
At the center of all of this is the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO)—the indispensable linchpin responsible for steering a company to success while aligning with long-term business strategy. The CSO will be expected to collaborate with other experts in teams like Finance, Risk, Audit, Legal, and Corporate Affairs to design a robust governance approach across the entire business. The CSO will also dialogue with external stakeholders and engage with the Board of Directors. With the right focus on material risks, opportunities, and impact, combined with oversight at the highest levels, they will help guide the company to a more resilient, sustainable future.
74%
74 percent of employees would consider leaving their company if it wasn’t meeting their sustainability expectations.
90%
90 percent of Gen X consumers are willing to spend 10 percent or more for sustainable products.
91%
91 percent of banks monitor ESG, along with 24 global credit rating agencies, 71 percent of fixed-income investors, and over 90 percent of insurers.
How We Can Help
Adding Value to Your Business and Society
BSR’s experts can help your business transform to meet existing and emerging sustainability challenges. We partner with our member companies, helping them to see around the corner and be prepared with strategies and roadmaps that anticipate risks and capture opportunities on emerging environmental, societal, and governance issues. Our work with members, including those just starting their sustainability journey, is an iterative process that starts with understanding the context of your market and continues through strategy development, stakeholder engagement and performance reporting.
Full BSR services considers a four-step process:
- Set Direction
- Understand Context: Survey internal and external landscape.
- Prioritize: Build consensus on focus areas.
- Develop Strategy
- Design and Position Strategy: Define your sustainability vision and ambitions.
- Create Roadmap: Establish clear goals and actions.
- Implement Strategy
- Design Governance: Ensure accountability and resourcing.
- Measure and Report Performance: Disclose annual progress.
- Engage and Refine
- Activate the Board: Build board capacity.
- Formalize Engagement: Design mechanisms for ongoing stakeholder dialogue.
Case Studies
Building a Social Performance Framework Aligned with the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
BSR worked with Inter IKEA, a global home furnishing brand, to design a social performance framework aligned with the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), international frameworks, and existing company best practices.
Sustainability Insights
Blog
So, You’ve Completed a Materiality Assessment. Now What?
Materiality assessments are a key part of companies' effective sustainability and business management. Explore next steps that companies can take after this exercise.
Tools and Resources
Sustainability Management Resources
BSR Members Only
Collaboration
Collective Solutions for Meaningful Impact
Our collaborative initiatives enable companies to transform their businesses while creating shared solutions to global challenges and make a meaningful systemic impact.
Our Experts
Depth of Experience and Knowledge
Our Sustainability Management team consists of global experts across multiple industries, bringing a depth of experience in developing sustainable business strategies and solutions.
Let’s talk about how BSR can help you to transform your business and achieve your sustainability goals.