Corporate Sustainability: A progress report is a KPMG research report, conducted in cooperation with the Economist Intelligence Unit. It reviews the importance of sustainability within business today and executive attitudes toward this issue. According to the report, sustainability is rapidly becoming a strategic priority for businesses.
Around the world, there are encouraging examples of pioneering companies that have recognized the imperative of sustainability and created strategies and solutions. For a growing number, the concept of sustainability goes far beyond corporate social responsibility (CSR). It has become the strategic lens through which they view their businesses. For these organizations, sustainability offers an undeniable opportunity to gain competitive advantage, drive innovation and generate real bottomline results. Despite a complex array of challenges, these companies are already taking great strides towards shaping the global approach to sustainability. What propels these organizations past their competitors is the recognition that sustainability goals must be tied to operational strategy and measured in the same way as other investments. By treating sustainability as an investment rather than a cost, they have adjusted their business models to drive long-term change and make them more competitive in the market.
This research report is based on an October 2010 global survey of 378 senior executives encompassing a range of industries and evenly split among North America (US and Canada), Asia Pacific and Europe, with a smaller representation from the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Organizations of all sizes were represented: 40% of respondents worked for firms with revenues of at least US$ l billion, whereas 47% were from firms with revenues of US$ 500 million or less. The respondent base was very senior: 26% were CEOs, presidents or managing directors of their firms; half represented the C-suite or board; and all respondents were in a management position. To complement this and to provide specific context, the Economist Intelligence Unit conducted extensive desk research and in-depth interviews with numerous corporate sustainability executives and experts.
