Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

DEFINITION: A concept which encourages a company to take responsibility for its impact on environmental and social wellbeing. CSR is a broad movement which encompasses a variety of issues such as human rights, corporate governance, responsible sourcing and environmental footprints.

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Converting production lines from steel to aluminium between the next two to four years could account for an 18% reduction in carbon emissions

Molson Coors aims to halve carbon intensity by 2025

US-based brewer Molson Coors is targeting a zero-waste-to-landfill status across all of its major manufacturing facilities and a 50% reduction in carbon emissions as part of an ambitious new sustainability strategy that seeks to offset recent business growth.
For future targets, waste will be tackled alongside existing goals to conserve water as part of a wider aim of “improving resource efficiency”

Interserve updates sustainability targets to account for business growth

Construction firm Interserve has set new sustainability goals for 2020 and 2025 to better reflect the "sheer scale and change" of the business, which has reduced construction waste by a quarter and carbon emissions by almost 20% since 2013.
A growing trend of rival companies joining the same global coalitions shouldn't negate the need for competition

Compete and collaborate: The balancing act that will accelerate corporate sustainability

EXCLUSIVE: Businesses that thrive in the low-carbon economy will be those that can balance the necessity of collaboration to tackle global megatrends with an inherent competitive nature that drives efficiency improvements.
The company is also trialling onsite solar panels at its Chapelfield shopping estate

Shopping centre owners launch innovation lab after closing in on CSR targets

Shopping centre owner intu has launched a new Green Lab to identify new solutions to reduce environmental impacts, as outlined in a sustainability report that announced the firm had reached a zero-waste-to-landfill milestone.
AB InBev has aligned its sustainability strategy to the SDGs, focusing on water, carbon and human rights goals as a result

World's largest brewer saves £50m through sustainability strategy

The world's largest brewer has saved $60m (£46.5m) in the past four years through energy-efficiency improvements, while also passing key water stewardship and carbon reduction targets.
Olam’s 29% carbon reduction was driven by “upstream productivity” and a carbon positive agenda at plantations in Gabon

Olam International pairs sustainability and financial reporting for the first time

Agri-business supplier Olam International has announced cuts to carbon intensity and water usage in its own operations in a sustainability report that has been merged with its annual financial report for the first time.
The carbon neutral aspect of the strategy is already in full swing. H&M, which operates more than 4,300 stores globally, reduced carbon emissions by 47% in the last 12 months

H&M eyes 'climate positive' status by 2040

International fashion brand H&M has unveiled a new sustainability strategy to become climate positive by 2040 through ambitious closed-loop and renewable targets.
BlackRock is calling for companies to build environmental, social and governance management into their business models

World's largest investor to vote out directors failing to act on climate risks and mitigation

The world's largest investor has warned that high-level directors could be voted out of companies that are failing to mitigate climate-related risks posed to individual firms.
During 2017 Heineken will define its 2030 ambitions in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and COP21

Heineken couples sustainability and financial reporting as emissions tumble

A "firm belief" that business growth and sustainability go hand-in-hand has seen Heineken publish its latest sustainability report alongside a financial report for the first time, with the report highlighting rapid business expansion alongside a decrease in emissions.
The new M&S range is fitted with biodegradable leather patches and recycled thread and zip tape

Sustainability sewn in: M&S launches low-impact jeans

Marks & Spencer (M&S) is introducing new men's jeans that have been produced using five time less water than conventional methods, as well as having a reduced energy and chemical footprints.
When family members of the farmers are accounted for, CmiA reaches more than 6.7m people on the African continent

Brands driving economic boon for sustainable cotton in Africa

A growing focus on sustainable procurement from textile companies such as ASOS, Aldi and Jack & Jones has helped the largest label for sustainable cotton from Africa increase licensing revenues by 47% over the last 12 months.
Carnival's AIDAprima is the first cruise ship in the world with a dual-fuel engine that can be powered by LNG when in port

World's largest cruise operator closes in on 2020 emissions target

The world's largest leisure travel company, the Carnival Corporation, looks set to achieve a 25% reduction in carbon emissions before a 2020 deadline, after championing liquefied natural gas (LNG) on cruise ships.
Sophie Walker became JLL UK's head of sustainability in 2016, joining from the firm's Upstream Sustainability Services division

Flexibility essential for post-Brexit sustainability, says JLL UK

Sustainability professionals must be flexible in their pursuit of long-term CSR goals during the current period of political and business uncertainty created by Brexit, the head of sustainability at property and investment management firm JLL UK has said.
Currently, around one in three women’s pyjamas in the UK are purchased from Primark stores, potentially creating a wide market for the new range

Pyjamas become first products made using Primark's Sustainable Cotton Programme

Cotton sourced from Primark's Sustainable Cotton Programme, which has helped rural female farmers increase average profits, is being used in production for the first time.
Green & Black's new edition bars will be sourced using Mondelez International's Cocoa Life initiative

Green & Black's removes Fairtrade from new UK chocolate range

Mondelez International is expanding the new branding initiative of its sustainable sourcing commitment, after it was revealed that a new edition of a Green & Black's bar would go on sale without any Fairtrade branding.
In 2016, CFP found that 42% of participants calculated chemical footprints

Chemical footprinting 'moves to the mainstream' for big businesses

Companies with more than $670bn in revenue, including Adidas, HP and Walmart, have collectively reduced the use of hazardous chemicals in products by around 416m pounds in the last two years, according to a new report.
The majority of shareholder resolutions were withdrawn because companies agreed to make changes following preliminary engagement

Shareholder demands driving commitments on deforestation, report finds

Shareholder resolutions are an increasingly viable way to drive company action on deforestation, with more than half of proposals to address risks leading to business commitments from the likes of Kraft, DuPont and Mondelez, according to new analysis.
28% feel that ESG issues should be considered to legally protect the company

Survey: Nearly half of UK workers feel sustainability and profits can grow hand-in-hand

A quarter of UK workers would by "unwilling" to sacrifice profitability for the sake of higher environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, although almost half feel that standards can be improved alongside benefits to a company's bottom line.
Capgemini also has goals in place to reduce office energy use by 20% by 2020 and by 40% by 2030 against a 2014 baseline

Capgemini closes in on science-based emissions reduction target

Global IT consultancy Capgemini is three-quarters of the way towards its verified science-based target for 2020, and has also launched a supplier assessment tool and case studies to push towards a Net Positive goal.
Other notable achievements include a 70% waste recycling rate at JLL UK’s Norwich and London headquarters

JLL UK targets 100% renewables and zero waste to landfill in new 2020 targets

Real estate specialists and investment management firm JLL is chasing 100% renewable electricity and zero waste to landfill offices as part of a new corporate sustainability agenda for 2020.
Just under half of respondents said they would not work for a business that they considered to act unethically

Put purpose ahead of profit, say more than a third of British public

New research released today (12 July) reveals that 37% of UK consumers believe that businesses should put social purpose ahead of making profits.
All projects certified under the Gold Standard for the Global Goals will have to contribute to at least three SDGs, with the Climate Action goal being a mandatory requirement

New standard launched to certify business commitments to SDGs

A new standard was launched on Monday (10 July) to quantify, certify and maximise the business contributions to the development of climate change mitigation and other key targets listed by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Waitrose has said that its customers are

Waitrose commits to 100% Fairtrade tea amid Sainsbury's alternative scheme controversy

British supermarket chain Waitrose has strengthened its commitment to source Fairtrade tea, as fellow retailer Sainsbury's continues to face criticism for launching its own 'Fairly Traded' sustainability standard.
Mars has acknowledged that farmer poverty poses a serious risk to long-term business reliance and growth

Mars launches Farmer Income Lab to help eradicate smallholder poverty

Nutritional giant Mars has today (10 July) launched a programme which aims to foster cross-sector collaboration to improve smallholder farmer incomes across agricultural supply chains.

Twelve industry experts came together in London to discuss how a sustainability report can effectively produced and disseminated to build trust and maximise engagement

Sustainability reporting: 10 steps to build trust and increase engagement

Sustainability and corporate responsibility managers from a range of businesses across the country recently gathered in London for an exclusive roundtable hosted by edie and DNV GL, which explored the steps required to take sustainability reporting onto the next level.
Previous Bio-Bridge projects have successfully attracted wildlife back to the area, such as the Muntjac deer in Malaysia

The Body Shop allocates £2m for 'World Bio-Bridges Mission'

As part of its latest efforts to "re-wild the world", The Body Shop has today (4 July) launched a new funding platform aiming to raise more than £2m to add ten more regenerative Bio-Bridges around the globe by 2020.
Research shows that the SDGs could add $12trn to the global economy by 2030

Mastercard and HP pledge support to SDG principles

Financial services provider Mastercard and global tech firm HP have this week shown their commitment to the doctrines of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with respective pledges around food poverty and education.
The aim from Virgin is to share the report via “assets that are timeless” – that aren’t tied to a particular launch day

Gift of the GIFs: Virgin Media unveils 'highly shareable' sustainability report

Telecoms giant Virgin Media released its latest sustainability report update on Wednesday (5 July), utilising social media and GIFs to engage people about the latest sustainability efforts, which included a 7.5% annual reduction in carbon emissions.
A commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was identified as key reasons why companies are considered to be leaders in corporate sustainability

Sustainability will distinguish leading businesses in next decade, survey finds

The world's leading organisations in the next decade will be defined by their ability to integrate sustainability into their core business model, according to a new survey conducted by strategy consultancies Globescan and SustainAbility.

The company attributes some of the success of its carbon reduction goal to its LEAN Energy scheme, which engages employees in a “culture of conservation”

Kimberly-Clark struggles with post-consumer waste as it surpasses carbon goal

Personal care consumer product manufacturer Kimberly-Clark has surpassed a 2016 emissions goal, and is forging ahead towards a 20% reduction by 2022, as outlined in the company's latest sustainability report.
CCEP continues to ensure that all of its packaging is recyclable

Coca-Cola European Partners closing in on 100% renewables target

Multinational bottling company Coca Cola European Partners (CCEP) has almost cut emissions in half over the past six years, as it closes in on a target to purchase 100% of its electricity from renewable sources.
Half of the respondents claimed that developing CSR initiatives was “too time consuming”

Survey: Corporate responsibility improves staff recruitment and customer relations

Corporate responsibility, with an emphasis on environmental action, is resonating amongst staff and consumers, offering better recruitment options for firms that embrace sustainability agendas, a new survey has found.
Malaysian and Indonesian companies dominate global palm oil production, but have been linked to deforestation and slash-and-burn clearance methods

Unilever suspends sourcing from Indonesian palm oil supplier amid deforestation allegations

Global consumer goods firm Unilever has suspended sourcing from an Indonesian-based palm oil supplier which was found to be in breach of policy on deforestation and peatland clearance.
GSK works across 190 countries with 100,000 suppliers to research, develop, manufacture and distribute the medicines, vaccines and other products

GSK partners with Schneider Electric to manage online supplier forum

Global chemicals giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has confirmed that energy management specialist Schnieder Electric will lead its online community that enables suppliers to share best practice on energy efficiency and environmental performance.
Royal Mail delivers letters and parcels to around 30m UK addresses and is anticipating an increase in parcel volume, and therefore a greater demand on fuel consumption and heavy truck uses

Royal Mail delivers carbon reduction goal four years early

The UK's largest delivery company Royal Mail, has surpassed a 20% carbon reduction target four years early, and will strive to maintain carbon intensity levels over the next few years as business demands evolve.
The reductions were delivered though investments into the Boeing 787 aircraft

Virgin Atlantic cuts aircraft emissions by 22% in 10 years

A multi-billion-dollar Boeing fleet investment, engine taxiing and weight management have together contributed to Virgin Atlantic reducing total aircraft carbon emissions by 22% since 2007, with similar footprint reductions generated for other carbon-efficiency measurements.
One-third of business leaders surveyed characterised their company’s purpose as bringing value to customers

EY: Corporate purpose crucial in uncertain global economy

The majority of businesses believe that having a well-integrated corporate purpose, rather than maximising shareholder value, holds the key to succeeding in the uncertain global climate, according to new research from EY.
IKEA has also today become a member of the Champions 12.3 coalition – a partnership of 30 government, business and civil society leaders from around the globe

IKEA commits to halve food waste by 2020

The world's biggest furniture retailer has today (19 June) launched a new smart device-based initiative which aims to cut in half the amount of food waste in its operations by 2020.
Trewin Restorick is concerned that the current choppy waters of British politics means the Government isn't “part of the picture” when it comes to resource efficiency

How positive psychology can bring consumers along on the sustainability journey

EXCLUSIVE: Businesses that force their sustainability agenda upon consumers through prescriptive orders and instructions are in a "dangerous place", the founder of social enterprise Hubbub has warned.
Through a partnership with Thread and the First Mile Coalition, HP has arranged to purchase the recycled content from suppliers in Haiti

HP launches new supplier emissions target and cartridges made from plastic bottles

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has unveiled new ink cartridge prototypes made from recycled plastic bottles from Haiti, while the company's newly-released sustainability report has outlined goals to target emissions in supply chains.
From CFO to CSR: Christine Hodgson's move from finance to CSR has given her a unique insight into how to secure buy-in for sustainability projects

Bridging the gap: How Capgemini's new CSR head has gained valuable insight into boardroom buy-in

EXCLUSIVE: Global IT consultancy Capgemini has appointed its former chief financial officer, Christine Hodgson, as its head of group corporate social responsibility. edie took the opportunity to sit down with the new promotee to discuss the key challenge of securing funding for sustainability projects.
Together Towards Zero sets 2030 targets for carbon, water, zero irresponsible drinking and a zero accidents culture that are “much bigger in scale and scope” than previous aims

Carlsberg targets zero-emission breweries under industry-leading sustainability strategy

EXCLUSIVE: Carlsberg has launched a new "industry-leading" sustainability strategy that aims to push beyond the company's own group strategy and exceed science-based recommendations by eliminating carbon emissions and halving water usage at breweries by 2030.
The coalition marks the first time that companies from Asia, Europe and the US have partnered to signal the end of unsustainable marine activities

Major seafood firms unite to pledge ocean stewardship

Nine major seafood companies, with a combined annual revenue of around £23bn, have committed to establish sustainable supply chains through the prevention of prohibited activities such as overfishing and slave labour.
182,000 cocoa, coffee and tea farmers are certified under both standards, and a single standard will allow farmers and businesses to invest in sustainable practices more easily

Rainforest Alliance and UTZ to 'redefine sustainability standards' with merger

EXCLUSIVE: Businesses look set to benefit from a streamlined certification process within agriculture supply chains, after the Rainforest Alliance announced an intention "redefine the certification landscape" by merging with fellow sustainability certifiers UTZ.
The farm to fork aspect of the manifesto will be rolled-out as part of a series of blogs, videos and infographics that highlight the need for large-scale changes

Unilever's Sustainable Nutrition Manifesto aims to prove that food shouldn't 'cost the earth'

In a change of pace from the numerous electoral manifestos, Unilever has launched a new agenda that commits to creating "food that tastes good, does good and doesn't cost the earth".
Plan A has so far delivered 296 eco and ethical commitments, saving more than £750m for M&S

Plan A 2025: M&S updates flagship initiative to 'embrace a sustainable future'

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has today (1 June) launched a new roadmap for its Plan A sustainability programme, which includes targets to reduce emissions by 80% and turn the company into a zero-waste business.
The H&M Foundation has so far donated more than £5.3m to WaterAid, and will match that donation as part of the second-phase

H&M Foundation donates £5m in second stage of WaterAid partnership

The H&M Foundation is launching the second stage of its partnership with WaterAid to deliver safe water and sanitation to four of the world's poorest communities.
Middle-management and wider employees remain “disconnected from the narrative” of the SDGs

Middle-management 'disconnected' from Sustainable Development Goals, report finds

A "strong appetite" to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is being hindered by a lack of engagement and understanding in mid-management and employees, a new report described as the "wake-up call to the importance of working together" found.
The technology will be introduced at three high profile and highly polluted central London locations

The Body Shop unveils London bus stop air quality technology

The Body Shop has partnered with a scientific research organisation to launch a new technology which aims to deliver up to 95% cleaner air at bus stops across London.
Select Tesco stores will sell only reusable bags in a 10-week trial that could lead to the single-use bags being phased out in all of its stores

Tesco to trial a phase-out of single-use 5p plastic bags

Shoppers at a handful of Tesco stores in the UK will no longer be able to buy 5p "single-use" plastic carrier bags, in the first such trial by a supermarket.
Businesses need to strike a balance between targeting consumers on sustainability issues but not appearing to 'preach' CSR, the edie Live discussion concluded

Resource efficiency: Should we be socially engineering consumer behaviours?

Businesses must focus on the granularity of consumer needs to drive behaviour change over resource efficiency matters, according to sustainability experts speaking at edie Live this month.
Juniper said that despite the volatile policy landscape, the underlying case for private sector leadership is stronger than ever

Tony Juniper: Sustainability will determine business survival by 2050

Businesses that fail to integrate sustainability as a core business principle will struggle to survive by 2050, leading environmentalist Tony Juniper said on the opening day of edie Live this week.
A scientific study carried out last week found that more than 70% of plants tested from garden centres at firms such as Aldi, Wyevale and Homebase contained neonicotinoid pesticides

British public urges retailers to remove bee-harming pesticides from plants

Garden retailers are facing increased pressure to stop the sale of plants using pesticides linked to bee decline, as a new survey shows that more than three quarters of UK citizens oppose the practice.
Co-op has worked with scientific advisors to produce special packaging and vacuum packs that increase product shelf life

Co-op votes to make 100% of own-brand packaging recyclable

Co-op has pledged to make all of its own-brand packaging recyclable, in the same week as the head of food policy told edie the retailer is exploring the option to publicly release all of its food waste data.
More than 100 sustainability, communications and marketing professionals gathered in London for edie's Sustainability Communications Conference

How can we forge a deeper connection with consumers on sustainability?

EXCLUSIVE: Sustainability practitioners need to personalise their communications strategies to drive engagement with an increasingly ethically-conscious consumer base, a cross-sector panel of experts has concluded.
Carillion also surged past a 20% reduction goal for electricity consumption in offices, with current reductions sitting at 70%

Carillion surpasses carbon goal five years early

UK construction firm Carillion is "working hard" to set science-based targets for their sustainability programme, after the firm's latest sustainability report revealed that a carbon reduction target has been surpassed five years ahead of schedule.
The update reveals that Unilever is on track to meet the majority of the targets set out in the Sustainable Living Plan

Unilever's Sustainable Living brands outstrip rest of business

Unilever has continued to present the business case for sustainability, with the consumer goods firm's 'Sustainable Living' brands delivering more than 60% of its growth last year, and growing at twice the rate of the rest of the company.
Brands will be invited to provide lessons and insight on how to promote sustainable cotton sourcing, so that others might learn from them

Cotton 2040: Brands unite to develop the business case for sustainable cotton

Brands and retailers including Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Target have teamed with Forum for the Future to convene a new cross-industry initiative aimed at turning sustainable cotton into a mainstream commodity.
Hubbub has said that the Trashconverter Van will tour the country if the pilot project is successful

Hubbub and Lucozade launch 'vandetta' against countryside waste

Drinks firm Luzocade Ribena Suntory has teamed up with social charity Hubbub in a behaviour change campaign aimed at encouraging road users to dispose their litter responsibly.
Balfour Beatty is also a member of the Supply Chain School, an initiative which represents a common approach to sustainability within supply chains

Balfour Beatty 'leading the way' on ISO 20400 sustainable procurement standard

UK construction contractor Balfour Beatty has become the first company globally to be assessed to the ISO 20400 standard for sustainable procurement, which was formally published last month.
Sainsbury’s has launched pop-up ‘banana rescue’ stations across more than 500 stores nationwide

Britons waste 1.4 million edible bananas a day, research shows

The UK general public throws away 1.4 million edible bananas every day, according to research from Sainsbury's, which values the waste stream to cost around £80m a year.
edie's exclusive webinar explored what 'getting it right' looks like when it comes to developing an engaging sustainability report

Maximising value: How can your sustainability report drive engagement?

Businesses can maximise stakeholder engagement with sustainability through their reporting by encouraging internal participation in product design and exploiting digital tools to present data in new and exciting ways.
easyJet’s emissions per kilometre travelled by passengers fell from more than 82g to 79.98g last year

easyJet sets new carbon goal after emissions tumble by 31%

Airline company easyJet has set a new emissions reduction goal for 2020, after a range of fuel-saving techniques helped record a 31% reduction since 2000.
The report found that 70% of retailers were experiencing enhanced employee engagement as a result of sustainability commitments

Responsible forestry sourcing demonstrates multiple business values for retailers, says WWF

Retailers that place a strong emphasis on sourcing polices that promote sustainable forestry are building better relationships with both consumers and employees, a new WWF report has revealed.
New seafood sustainability benchmarks were launched to halt concerns that supermarkets were using terms such as ‘responsibly farmed’ with no set criteria against which to make the claim

Most supermarket seafood products now sustainably sourced

The overwhelming majority of seafood products in UK supermarkets are now responsibly sourced and labelled consistently in line with industry guidelines, new research from environmental law firm ClientEarth has found.
The 'Maximising the value of your sustainability report' webinar will take place on 4 May at 11am

Last chance to register for sustainability reporting webinar TODAY

Sustainability and CSR professionals are invited to tune into a free-to-watch live webinar today (4 May) at 11am (BST), which will focus on maximising the value of reporting.
The standard will act as a guideline to establish methodologies that take into account the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Agreement objectives

ISO 14080: New standard set to play 'essential role' in climate agenda

A new international standard for climate action is set to play an "essential role" in helping businesses achieve emissions reductions in line with the Paris Agreement goals, according to industry experts.
The incoming Government should force the UK's major retailers to publicly report data on food waste, MPs say

Food waste: Ambitious national reduction target needed, MPs say

A national food waste reduction target and greater transparency from retailers are among the steps required to reduce UK food waste levels, according to a group of MPs who claim the issue is costing the average British citizen £200 per year.
It is hoped that five million cups will be collected and recycled by the end of the year

London's Square Mile Challenge on course to recycle 500,000 coffee cups

A joint campaign coordinated by major coffee retailers and business in the London Square Mile is on course to reach its target to recycle half a million coffee cups in the capital in one month.
The new current account will begin with a phased rollout from June this year

Triodos launches UK's 'most sustainable' personal current account

Sustainable banking group Triodos has today (26 April) ramped up efforts to disrupt the "dysfunctional" banking sector through the launch of a new personal current account that embraces responsible finance.
Fashion Revolution Week 2017 will feature events and activities worldwide to encourage people to think differently about the clothes they buy and wear and inspire them to make a positive difference

Fashion Revolution Week: Spotlight turns to supplier transparency as reports reveal slow progress

At the start of a week dedicated to generating awareness over sustainability issues in the fashion sector, a flurry of new reports have demanded greater transparency to help improve working conditions and wages in the clothing supply chain.
Walmart was the first retailer to adopt a science-based-target emissions reduction plan

Walmart to cut one billion tonnes of supply chain emissions by 2030

The world's largest retailer has launched a sustainability platform which aims to slash one billion tonnes of emissions from its supply chain by 2030, as the company's latest CSR report reveals that 40 million tonnes of CO2 emissions have been avoided in the past decade.
In the open message, business leaders claim that a backing from G20 nations would create greater visibility on climate risks, while also uncovering new opportunities for business growth

Major firms implore G20 to act on climate-disclosure risks

The chief executives of 27 global businesses, including HSBC, Unilever and PwC, have called on G20 governments to adopt recommendations that call on companies to disclose climate-related financial risks.
Apple doesn’t necessarily need to recover as much tin, compared to aluminium, due to an existing market of recycled content

Apple vows to 'pioneer' closed-loop mining supply chain

Tech giant Apple has pledged to "go deeper" in developing new products that promote the circular economy by using only renewable resources or recycled materials that negate the need to mine materials.
A pilot project aimed at tackling slum housing has recently started in Jakarta, Indonesia

AkzoNobel launches sustainable cities coalition to manage rapid urbanisation

Dutch paints manufacturer AkzoNobel has brought together an alliance of major businesses, NGOs and government representatives to focus on building sustainable cities and communities across the world.
Disruption will come partly through the need to avoid runaway climate change, and partly through the increasingly urgent need to reinvent capitalism

Disrupt or die: Preparing for the next generation of sustainability

edie's Sustainability Leadership month continues, and today it's Forum for the Future founder-director Jonathon Porritt's turn to pen an exclusive thought leadership opinion piece, offering an eye-opening insight into the future of corporate sustainability.
The 'Maximising the value of your sustainability report' webinar will take place on 4 May at 11am

Maximising value: edie to host free webinar on sustainability reporting

Individuals and organisations looking to improve their sustainability reports and increase engagement with key stakeholders are are being encouraged to tune into a free, live edie webinar next month, focusing on maximising the value of reporting.
The standard acts as the world’s first independent certification for organisations that are measuring and managing supply chain emissions

O2 becomes first company to receive highest Carbon Trust Standard for supply chains

As the United Nations launches a framework to help businesses assess sustainability impacts, digital communications provider O2 has been named as the first organisation in the world to receive the highest Carbon Trust Standard for supply chains.
The announcement means there are now more than 2,000 restaurant locations across the UK serving MSC-certified traceable and sustainable seafood

Premier Inn pledges to deliver three million sustainable fish and chip meals

Premier Inn has become the world's largest Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified national hotel chain, meaning an extra three million sustainable portions of fish and chips will be served across the UK each year.
Almost 70% of sustainability practitioners surveyed said that they are already collaborating with others to achieve tangible impacts

Report: Private sector entering new era of collaboration on sustainability

Businesses are embarking on a "new era" of collaborative ventures to solve the world's greatest social and environmental challenges, a new study has found.
Philippe Joubert believes the unique position of power held by company boards makes them ideal candidates to drive the long-term global sustainablility agenda

Philippe Joubert: Boards must realise business purpose in Trump era

EXCLUSIVE: Boardroom bosses need to consider the fundamental "purpose of the business" to ensure long-term sustainability, especially in an uncertain international political climate, according to sustainable business expert Philippe Joubert.

A guide to effective sustainability communications

Whether it's driving engaging with employees to maximise results, with stakeholders to translate progress, or with consumers to drive awareness and brand value, getting sustainability communications right is crucial, and getting it wrong can be disastrous.
The partnership will spend the remainder of 2017 “fine-tuning” the supplier strategy, which includes training events in countries such as Turkey, India, Spain, Hungary and Italy

BMW and Volkswagen lead 'next level' automotive supply chain partnership

Ten global automotive giants including BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Volkswagen (VW) have launched a new partnership to integrate a common approach to sustainability throughout the automotive supply chain.
Improved transparency has seen Apply identify and solve 196 environmental issues since 2012, including 23 last year

Apple triples supplier sites enrolled in energy efficiency programme

Apple has tripled the number of supplier sites listed in its energy efficiency programme aimed at reducing onsite emissions, and has also introduced a "first-of-its-kind" risk assessment tool covering supply chain risks related to material sourcing, environmental impact and health and safety.
Mark Wilson's company Aviva was the first global insurance group to go carbon-neutral

Aviva chief: It's time to make sustainability a competitive sport

Sustainability should be treated as a competitive sport, driven by public league tables on corporate climate performance to incentivise businesses to strive towards industry climate leadership, Aviva's chief executive has said.
The Bullring in Birmingham, one of Hammerson's many retail properties

Hammerson launches all-encompassing Net Positive strategy

Retail property specialist Hammerson has become the first firm in its sector to launch a pan-European Net Positive strategy covering carbon, resource use and water consumption across internal and tenant operations.
Concerns have been raised that a lack of specialist focus on ESG could undo the stability of the global economic system

BlackRock headlines green bonds push, but is investor action ambitious enough?

As a new briefing paper highlights that up to $6.9trn in controlled assets are covered by investors with little to no environmental, social and governance (ESG) responsibility, the world's largest investor has headlined a stream of new green bond announcements.
The 12 companies will now implement a planning and consultation process with governments, NGOs and stakeholders to build the framework in time for its unveiling at COP23

Major firms commit to ending deforestation in cocoa supply chains

Senior executives from 12 leading coca and chocolate companies, including Mars, Mondelēz International and Nestlé, have heeded the advice of the Prince of Wales and agreed to end deforestation in the global cocoa supply chain.
Alongside energy provided by one of the largest rooftop installations in Europe at Wolverhampton, JLR will now source 100% renewable electricity from EDF

Jaguar Land Rover continues energy efficiency drive amid business expansion

A increased investment in a range of energy efficiency and low-carbon initiatives, including an agreement to purchase 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, has seen Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) decouple energy consumption per vehicle produced from a business expansion and wider data capture.
APP is now entering its fifth year of exclusively sourcing fibre generated from “responsibly managed plantations” throughout its supply chain

Asia Pulp & Paper advances forest conservation initiatives

One of the biggest pulp, paper and packaging firms has taken strides to cease all natural forest clearances within its suppliers and operations and promote best practice working standards for peatland management in Indonesia.
The World Bank's head office. Photo: World Bank

World Bank unveils first green bonds linking business actions to SDGs

The World Bank has issued its first ever set of green bonds that directly link financial returns to companies performing to the standards and aims on the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The amount of Fairtrade cocoa sourced by Co-op will increase five-fold to 2,848 tonnes

Co-op becomes first UK retailer to source 100% Fairtrade cocoa

Co-op has become the first UK retailer to only sell and use 100% Fairtrade cocoa in its products, and has called on other retailers to increase their commitments to the Fairtrade initiative.
The panel raised concerns that broad reporting frameworks have created a

Sustainability reporting frameworks lack comparability to attract investment, say experts

EXCLUSIVE: Sustainability reporting frameworks should be developed to encourage businesses to compete on performance and attract investors rather than simply being used as compliance mechanisms, a panel of experts have agreed.
Links to deforestation were found in Brazil, Bolivia and Chile (pictured)

Burger King linked to alleged South American deforestation practices

The world's second largest burger chain, Burger King, has been accused of fuelling deforestation in Brazil and Bolivia through its "seeming unwillingness" to address practices linked to key soybean suppliers in South America.
An increasung number of companies are now experimenting with various new technologies and media platforms to push their sustainability strategies to wider audiences

Captivating CSR: How to produce an engaging sustainability report

Ahead of edie's Smarter Sustainability Reporting conference, Matt Mace investigates how companies are going beyond compliance with their reports to drive engagement on a range of CSR issues among key stakeholders.
Finance projects include the first energy-from-waste (EfW) plant to be supported under the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme

Barclays delivered £21bn for sustainability projects in 2016

Multinational bank Barclays raised £21.1bn in finance for environmental and societal schemes in 2016 as part of a fresh strategy that focuses on enhancing the sustainability of its business model.
The new H&M Conscious Exclusive collection (left) and Mango's new Committed Life collection (right) are a step in the right direction for the wasteful fast fashion industry. Photos: H&M/Mango

Sustainably attired: H&M and Mango launch ethical fashion collections

Multinational clothing brands H&M and Mango have unveiled new sustainable fashion collections made from organic and recycled materials.

10 top tips to drive engagement with your CSR report

What are the key components required to produce a sustainability report which drives engagement on a range of CSR issues among key stakeholders? edie brings you the secrets to sustainability reporting success with this latest top-tips guide for businesses.
IEMA’s response to the consultation lists five key recommendations to ensure that sustainability grows hand-in-hand with the competitiveness of UK businesses

Corporate Governance Reform must account for long-term sustainability, says IEMA

Attempts to enhance the competitiveness of UK businesses through the Corporate Governance Reform should account for long-term financial performances covering environmental and social factors, the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) has claimed.
Retail ready packaging from Smurfit Kappa, which has strict sourcing policies for its virgin and recovered fibres

Smurfit Kappa hits certification goal for sustainably-sourced packaging

Global paper-based packaging firm Smurfit Kappa has completed its goal of ensuring that 90% of all packaging sold to consumers is Chain of Custody certified, demonstrating full-transparency and a willingness to source from verified certification systems.