Top 10: Sustainability Metrics

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Sustainability metrics can help businesses set goals
The top 10 sustainability metrics, and companies leading, the way include ESG & JPMorgan Chase, life cycle assessment & Ford and renewable energy & Amazon

Sustainability is broad and there are many different ways companies approach adapting tier business for the future.

Metrics help to bring visibility to sustainability goals, allowing companies to set achievable goals and make a difference.

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Some of the world’s most successful companies are forging a path to more sustainable long-term business value through sustainability metrics. 

We’ve ranked 10 of the top sustainability metrics and companies leading the way.

10. Water use – Coca-Cola Company

CEO: James Quincey
Founded: 1892
Headquarters: Georgia, USA
Revenue: US$45.8bn (2023)

Bea Perez, EVP and Global Chief Sustainability, Communications and Strategic Partnerships Officer at the Coca-Cola Company

Water stress could cost countries up to 6% of their GDP and cause the collapse of ecosystems across habitats. Businesses who understand their water footprint can mitigate the risks of water scarcity proactively.

The Coca-Cola Company has been focussed on water use since 2004. Since 2015, it has replenished more than 100% of water used in its finished beverages, reaching 159% in 2022. 

Bea Perez, EVP and Global Chief Sustainability, Communications and Strategic Partnerships Officer at the Coca-Cola Company, says: “I'm proud of our team's dedication to making a difference and helping ensure a water-secure future in the communities we serve.”

9. Waste reduction – Procter & Gamble

CEO: Jon Moeller
Founded: 1837
Headquarters: Ohio, USA
Revenue: US$84bn (2023)

P&G's more sustainable Ariel packaging

Landfills, ecosystems and even the air are being filled with waste every day. Reducing this prevents pollution and, through reuse and recycling, reduces the amount of raw materials consumed. 

P&G aims to create a circular future where products avoid becoming waste and instead remain useful. The company is nearly 80% of the way to designing all of its consumer packaging to be reusable or recyclable. 

The company has already reduced its use of virgin petroleum resin by 8% between 2017 and 2024 and aims to reach a 50% reduction by 2030. 

8. Energy efficiency – Intel

CEO: Patrick Gelsinger
​​​​​​​Founded: 1968
Headquarters: California, USA
Revenue: US$54.2bn (2023)

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Until energy has transitioned to renewable sources, reducing energy consumption can lead to huge greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Intel aims to achieve 100% renewable energy use across its global operations by 2030 and conserve 4bn kWh of electricity through improving efficiency. 

“We have conserved more than 970m kWh of energy cumulatively since 2020 — the equivalent of more than 90,000 US homes’ annual electricity use," says Todd Brady, Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of Global Public Affairs at Intel.

“This is a complex challenge. Getting to net zero isn’t something companies tackle overnight — not even in a year or two. 

“This enormous goal has been part of Intel’s journey for many years, and we’re continuing to work with stakeholders across industry, government and academia.”

7. GHG emissions – General Motors

CEO: Mary Barra
Founded: 1908
Headquarters: Michigan, USA
Revenue: US$171.8bn (2023)

GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are directly linked to climate change, posing serious threats to humans and the environment. To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, GHG emissions need to halve by 2030.

General Motors (GM) tracks its GHG emissions through a company-wide carbon management system. 

"Sustainability is not just good policy. It's good business — good for the company, for employees and for recruiting and retaining the best people, people who will help us achieve our vision," says GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. 

"We've made tremendous strides through our investments and innovations in electric and autonomous technology and we're going to expand our reach, especially with many important EV launches across a wide range of price points and segments this year."

6. Sustainable sourcing – L'Oréal

CEO: Nicolas Hieronimus
Founded: 1909
Headquarters: Clichy, France
Revenue: US$45.8bn (2023)

Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO at L'Oréal Group

L'Oréal Group’s Buy & Care programme helps the company to select, support and evaluate suppliers responsibly across the whole organisation. The policy is based on protection, empowerment and positive impact. 

The company’s Inclusive Sourcing social programme helps to co-create inclusive programmes with tenders and aims to employ people from vulnerable communities to ensure access to work and income. 

Audrey Izard, Chief Purchasing Officer Indirect Sourcing of L’Oréal, and Séverine Théry-Cave, Chief Purchasing Officer Direct Sourcing of L’Oréal say: “Along with our suppliers, it is our everyday mission to bring positive and sustainable impact to communities with which we engage. Our teams are united to contribute to sustainable development and social inclusion.”

5. Carbon offsetting – Shell

CEO: Wael Sawan
Founded: 1907
Headquarters: London, UK
Revenue: US$316.6bn (2023)

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Carbon offsetting allows companies to take immediate action to compensate for hard-to-abate emissions whilst working on longer term reduction strategies. It helps to support emissions reductions projects and can fund sustainability innovations.

Shell is investing in nature-based solutions that work with ecosystems to absorb or prevent the release of greenhouse gases alongside delivering benefits to local communities and biodiversity. 

Shell says: “We believe that high-quality nature-based solutions are those that reduce or remove CO₂ while also delivering benefits for communities and the natural environment.”

4. Biodiversity impact – Danone

CEO: Antoine de Saint-Affrique
Founded: 1919
Headquarters: Paris, France
Revenue: US$30.7bn (2023)

Henri Bruxelles, Chief Sustainability and Strategic Business Development Officer at Danone

Many businesses rely directly or indirectly on biodiversity and ecosystem services which could pose severe supply chain disruptions if harmed. Maintaining biodiversity can support resilience in the face of climate change. 

Danone maintains close relationships with more than 58,000 farmers worldwide and is implementing regenerative agriculture practices with a holistic approach focussed on people, planet and animals. Danone France is committed to sourcing 100% of ingredients produced in the country from regenerative agriculture by 2025. 

“The future of food systems and agriculture depends on collective action,” says Henri Bruxelles, Chief Sustainability and Strategic Business Development Officer at Danone.

“That’s why, for years, Danone has been working with farmers and many other partners to achieve Danone Impact Journey sustainability goals.”

3. Renewable energy – Amazon

CEO: Andy Jassy
Founded: 1994
Headquarters: Washington, USA
Revenue: US$574.8bn (2023)

Amazon Wind Farm in Texas, US

Renewable energy sources produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions during use and provide energy independence and security. Reducing use of fossil fuels conserves resources whilst also reducing pollution. 

In 2024, Amazon met its goal of matching 100% of electricity consumed across its global operations with renewable energy seven years ahead of schedule. The company became the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in the world for four consecutive years and invested in more than 500 solar and wind projects globally. 

“Reaching our renewable energy goal is an incredible achievement, and we’re proud of the work we’ve done to get here, seven years early,” says Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon.

“We also know that this is just a moment in time, and our work to decarbonize our operations will not always be the same each year — we’ll continue to make progress, while also constantly evolving on our path to 2040.”

“Our teams will remain ambitious, and continue to do what is right for our business, our customers, and the planet. 

“That’s why we’ll continue investing in solar and wind projects, while also supporting other forms of carbon-free energy, like nuclear, battery storage and emerging technologies that can help power our operations for decades to come.”

2. Life cycle assessment – Ford

CEO: Jim Farley
Founded: 1903
Headquarters: Michigan, USA
Revenue: US$176.2bn (2023)

Bob Holycross, VP, Chief Sustainability, Environment and Safety Officer at Ford

Life cycle assessment (LCA) provides a holistic view of a product or service’s environmental impacts across its entire life cycle, helping to identify significant areas of environmental impact. It allows for informed decision making and optimisations to improve sustainability.

Ford uses life cycle assessment metrics to evaluate the environmental impact of its vehicles from the very beginning, where raw materials are extracted, to the end at disposal. Ford says the main source of life cycle GHG emissions today is vehicle use which is dependent on factors such as energy source and how vehicles are driven, so it is working to improve the efficiency of its products. 

Bob Holycross, VP, Chief Sustainability, Environment and Safety Officer at Ford, says: “Our industry is experiencing rapid and significant change. And we’re right where we need to be: at the forefront. 

“For over 120 years, our commitment to innovation and sustainability has set us apart. We were pioneers in publishing the first automotive sustainability report 25 years ago and that commitment to innovation and sustainability continues to drive us forward today.

“By investing in our people, communities and innovation, we are driving toward a brighter future for all.”

1. ESG – JPMorgan Chase

CEO: Jamie Dimon
Founded: 2000
Headquarters: New York, USA
Revenue: US$158.1bn (2023)

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ESG (environmental, social and governance) provides a holistic framework to evaluate a company’s overall sustainability performance. Individual metrics can leave an incomplete picture, and goals based on these could miss large areas of non-sustainable impact. 

ESG metrics provide a standardised way for companies to disclose sustainability performance, providing transparency and accountability. Some studies have shown that strong ESG performance correlates with improved financial outcomes. 

JPMorgan Chase uses ESG to inform its investment decisions and align its portfolio with sustainability outcomes. Its Sustainable Development Target aims to finance and facilitate more than US$2.5tn over 10 years to address climate change and contribute to sustainable development. 

“At JPMorgan Chase, we know that maintaining a healthy and vibrant company that takes care of employees, customers and communities helps build shareholder value,” says Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO at JPMorgan Chase. 

“Our Sustainable Development Target includes actions that support our Green, Development Finance and Community Development objectives. 

“We believe that economic growth, energy security and sustainability are interconnected. 

“In 2023, amid ongoing global uncertainty, we continued to support energy security and the ongoing transition to low-carbon energy sources. 

“We are focused on doing what's right for our business and our people.”

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