The 2022 Earth Day theme is, “Invest in our Planet”. This can manifest in more ways than the obvious financial contribution. Investing in something can mean many things, like consciously separating trash from recycling, using reusable grocery bags and water bottles, and supporting companies that prioritize sustainability. Making gradual lifestyle changes is easy enough for an individual to control, but how can we be sure that the companies we support are also making changes towards a more sustainable future? Let’s take a closer look at what some of the most well-known global Consumer Product Goods (CPG) companies are saying about ESG and Sustainability.
Procter & Gamble – USA
“Environmental Sustainability has been embedded into how P&G does business for decades. We continually work to improve our environmental impact and enable consumers and suppliers to do the same. In September, we announced a comprehensive Climate Transition Action Plan — Net Zero 2040 — to accelerate action related to climate change. We set a new ambition to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across our operations and supply chain by 2040, with interim 2030 goals to ensure meaningful progress this decade.” – President & CEO Jon R. Moeller
Unilever – UK
“Before the Covid-19 crisis, it was already clear that the current capitalist model is in need of repair. Globalization and capitalism are good for a business like ours, but globalization and capitalism at the expense of people and the planet are not. It’s therefore up to businesses like us, working with partners– NGOs, government organizations, academics, suppliers, customers – to drive a new model of capitalism, and build a better future.” – CEO Alan Jope
L’Oreal – France
“Now is the time to reconcile innovation, sustainability and progress, to make the shift to a circular economy and to reduce the impact of our products.” – Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, Global Brand President of L’Oréal Paris
Reckitt Benckiser – UK
“Climate change is affecting both planetary and public health. Our core business helps protect people’s health, and to enable that we have to help combat climate change. We have a duty to combat climate change across all we do, from sourcing our ingredients and cutting the energy we use, to designing our products and their packaging. To minimize our impact on the planet, we look to make our own operations and our whole value chain more sustainable.” – Reckitt Sustainability Insights 2021
Henkel – Germany
“Looking ahead, we are well prepared: sustainability is deeply anchored in our business strategy and alive in our purpose. With that foundation, our sustainable transformation continues!” – Sylvie Nicol, Executive Vice President Human Resources and Chair of Henkel’s Sustainability Council
Kimberly-Clark – USA
“…we know that the next 10 years will be decisive. We know our consumers are concerned about the impact our products have on the environment, and we are concerned too. That’s why we will focus on the areas where we can make the biggest difference – climate, forests, water, and plastics.” – CEO Mike Hsu
Colgate-Palmolive – USA
“We’re committed to ensuring sustainability is integrated into all aspects of our company – from what we make to how we work to how we go to market.” – Chairman, President & CEO Noel Wallace on Sustainability & Social Impact
Estee Lauder – USA
“Sustainability has long been central to how The Estée Lauder Companies and its brands have operated and is a key part of our corporate strategy for the future. We know this work is more important than ever, and we are committed to accelerating our efforts to contribute to the health and well-being of people and the planet.” – Nancy Mahon, Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability
Kao Corp. – Japan
“The Kao Group’s core mission- to enrich the lives of people- remains unchanged. But at this moment in history, it is crucial that we focus on both supporting human lives and the global environment. We renew our commitment to making essential contributions to saving future lives. However, we cannot do that by simply continuing on our current business trajectory.” – President & CEO Yoshihiro Hasebe
Essity – Sweden
“Sustainability has always been at the core of Essity. Contributing to a better tomorrow is what drives our business forward.” – President & CEO Magnus Groth
Each of the quotes above displays how the world’s biggest, most popular, household companies are doing their best to invest in our planet and contribute to a better future. But it can’t stop there. It’s our responsibility as individuals and business professionals to do more and invest in practices, technologies, and mindsets that will inspire change and preserve our planet. At Cority, Sustainability has recently been added as one of our core values – along with integrity, quality, community, diversity, and customer-centricity. Our sustainability initiatives are supported by a 10-member sustainability committee that’s focused on identifying company-wide goals, establishing and maintaining a system of collecting and analyzing data for reporting, and educating employees on how they can engage with these initiatives.
To learn more about the relationship between ESG and big businesses, check out our eBook, The Certainty Factor: How Sustainability and ESG is Driving Corporate and Investment Decisions.
