Managing for Sustainability

Sustainable principles in business were once the preserve of the minority. Over the past decade, these principles have begun moving into the mainstream of business. An increasing number of firms are moving beyond merely cultivating a green image, and are fully embracing sustainability.

Many executives see in sustainability opportunities for future growth; some see sustainability as the only option, in the long term. Today, it is businesses that have no ambitions in sustainability that form the minority.

Managing for sustainability is an Economist Intelligence Unit report that discusses why firms are embracing sustainable practices, how companies are embedding corporate social responsibility into their businesses, and how they are gauging and reporting their success.

The research, which was sponsored by ENEL, is based on a survey of over 200 senior executives in the areas of sustainability, corporate social responsibility and finance, as well as ten in-depth interviews with corporate executives, academics and industry experts. The research examines the ways that companies are embedding sustainability across the enterprise; how firms are involving their supply chains in the effort; how management is measuring progress towards sustainability goals; and how companies are presenting progress to outside stakeholders.