Who Are Your Sustainability Leaders?

As a corporate entity, the pursuit of sustainability can initially appear to be a daunting challenge. It requires a series of highs and lows along with unwavering dedication for organizations to truly embrace it. They must measure themselves against diverse standards and regularly assess their growth concerning their sustainability initiatives. In general, prevailing expert opinions suggest that merely setting ambitious goals and showcasing commitment is no longer sufficient.

However, to earn the title of sustainability frontrunners, businesses must focus on three essential drivers. These include the degree and manner in which they weave sustainability into their fabric, the demonstration of tangible impacts, and for some, the intricate management of Scope 3 emissions stemming from their supply chains.

We have consistently observed organizations emerging as pioneers in sustainability. For two consecutive years, brands like Patagonia have been hailed as sustainability champions in the eyes of numerous experts in the field. Others, such as Unilever and Natura & Co, have been gaining traction following recent insights from Globe Scan.

Yet today, let’s shift our focus from corporate sustainability performance to exploring the actions of nations and identifying which governments can be deemed sustainability leaders. The Globe Scan Sustainability Leaders Survey for 2024 highlights several European nations in the spotlight.

Globally, experts are likely to identify the Swedish government as the pinnacle of sustainability leadership, with other Nordic countries and Germany also shining in the rankings. Meanwhile, the efforts acknowledged in the UK and New Zealand appear to have waned, while Costa Rica's government stands out with significant recognition among Latin American countries, particularly among NGOs.

The question posed to you today is: How and at what levels are these governments embedding sustainability into their overall national development to create meaningful and visible impacts for their citizens and the world at large?

The GlobeScan/ERM Sustainability Institute Leaders Survey gathers insights from hundreds of sustainability experts worldwide regarding the priorities and forces influencing the sustainable development agenda. This survey delves into sustainability leadership across governments, NGOs, and corporations, tracking key issues as well as the most significant recent advancements.

To delve deeper, please click to access and review the full report.