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In This Issue
Editor's Note
Tools for Climate Change Accounting
This week, we offer two resources to help global companies measure and manage their climate impacts.
The first is our buyer's guide to tools companies can use to track their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With the increasing demand from customers, investors, and regulators for more climate information, the global market for "green" accounting systems is expected to reach US$595 billion through 2015. Our guide provides an overview of the tools available now and how to select the one that is right for your company.
Next, BSR climate expert Ryan Schuchard previews our new report on how companies can work with suppliers in China to improve their energy efficiency. China emits more GHGs than any other country, yet investing in energy efficiency there is relatively inexpensive—which means unlocking energy efficiency in China is good for both the bottom line and the planet.
Lastly, we provide an update on trends in investor surveys that track companies' environmental, social, and governance performance.
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In Depth
Buyer’s Guide to GHG Accounting Tools
As an increasing number of customers, investors, and regulators pressure companies to report on their climate impacts, the market for tools measuring corporate greenhouse gas emissions has nearly doubled since 2008. Our guide will help you examine the tools on the market and choose the solution that works best for your company’s needs.
Read more →
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Spotlight
Trends in Investor Sustainability Surveys
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As new sustainability issues emerge and practices evolve, so, too, do the investor surveys that track companies' environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. BSR has noticed several new trends emerging in these surveys that signal investors' increased sophistication in evaluating companies' ESG performance.
Noteworthy changes in this year’s surveys relate to:
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Key performance indicators: Overall, surveys are asking for more key performance indicators, particularly on companies’ environmental performance, but also on other topics such as governance and the impact of philanthropy.
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Assurance: More surveys are asking about the assurance processes companies are undertaking to verify their ESG data.
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Innovation management: New questions focus on research and development and investments in social and environmental innovation.
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Supply chain: The number and type of questions indicate greater expectations by investors that companies have established solid supply chain compliance programs.
For more information on ESG investing trends, read our reports on overcoming barriers preventing ESG progress, ESG investing in the mainstream, and sustainable investment in China.
Toolbox
Unlocking Energy Efficiency in China: A Guide to Partnering With Suppliers
By Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy, BSR
BSR's new guide helps global sustainability professionals establish supply chain energy-efficiency programs, with a focus on China. The report outlines how companies can succeed with a four-step process that includes building foundations for a comprehensive program, helping suppliers take the first steps, facilitating progress over time, and enhancing the program's impacts.
The report also makes the following recommendations to help companies drive progress with their suppliers:
Learn more about this subject at our Sustainability Matters webinar tomorrow. Register now.
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Orient suppliers with best energy-management practices and share staff, trainers, and other resources that that can help suppliers address challenges such as garnering support from senior management.
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Offer tools such as data-reporting systems that provide suppliers with instant feedback and analytics that help them make better decisions on their own.
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Make energy efficiency more attractive by introducing incentives such as linking purchase orders to progress and telling suppliers that further collaboration will depend on responsible energy use.
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Despite recent events in the Gulf of Mexico, the energy industry has made great strides in its safety performance. At the same time, we need to draw on as many lessons as possible from this episode in order to continue advancing corporate responsibility as a cornerstone of private-sector activity.