Deloitte's 2023 CXO Sustainability Report examines the perspectives and actions of global executives on sustainability, including their strategies, investments, and future outlook. The report highlights the growing importance of sustainability as a strategic imperative and provides insights into the opportunities and challenges facing businesses in their sustainability journeys.

Deloitte's research explores the views of the world’s future business leaders when it comes to climate change and their careers. The study presents that these generations want to enact change within their organisations. Gen Z and Millennials are also keen to gain climate skills and strive to work for an employer who shares their sustainability values.

Published in 2023, this study says that companies which place sustainability at the forefront of their office design are favored by employees. According to the research, nearly all staff members feel happier when in their job when working in an environmentally-friendly office. The report finds that a third of staff members would contemplate resigning if their employer did not show a genuine dedication to sustainable practices.

The global report by Accenture finds that, so far, over a third of the world's largest corporations have made their net zero ambitions public. Companies that have committed to net zero objectives have managed to reduce emissions at a quicker pace compared to counterparts who have yet to make such a pledge. Nonetheless, unless companies expedite their efforts to decarbonise, a staggering 93% of them are tipped to fall short of reaching their net zero objectives. Developing a thorough understanding of carbon impact, often referred to as carbon intelligence, can serve as a valuable tool in this endeavour.

In its report for 2022, South Pole conducted an in-depth analysis of more than 1,200 privately owned enterprises spanning 12 nations and 15 industries. The study investigates the current status of the net zero endeavours of environmentally conscious companies in the market and explores their progress on this critical path.

Released in 2022, the latest Employee Expectations report delves into the shifting perspectives of employees and the implications for businesses. In particular, the document says that employers must show active commitment to ESG matters in order to attract and retain staff. The report goes on to offer actionable steps to enhance the overall employee experience.

Gallup's report examines the latest workplace trends and offers insights into how corporations can create a more satisfactory work environment for their staff. The research reveals that "quit quitting" remains rampant, with one in every two employees either actively or passively job seeking. The report also highlights that companies need to focus on engagement to win over "quiet quitters".

ita group's report finds that there is a growing expectation from employees, consumers, and investors for companies to enhance the transparency of their initiatives related to ESG. Yet at the same time, numerous ESG endeavours have been somewhat superficial and failed to deeply resonate with employees on a personal level. The report delves into the impact of sustainability on employee experience and retention. It also provides insights into the potential reasons why employees might have reservations about particular ESG strategies and outlines ways to effectively engage staff in corporate sustainability initiatives.

Kite Insights' report, Every Job is a Climate Job, highlights the importance of engaging employees in climate action. While employees believe businesses have a moral responsibility to act, there is a gap between their willingness and ability to do so. The report warns that not bridging this gap could compromise the private sector's ability to meet climate goals. The survey covered 7,000 respondents from various countries and industries.

Harvard Business Review (2021)

This article argues that traditional top-down method of establishing company culture is no longer effective due to various reasons. Firstly, the dynamics of leader-employee interactions and coworker relationships have been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, recent notable crises at well-known companies have underscored the rising necessity of investing in company culture. A fresh approach to cultivating culture has emerged within certain organisations, where the responsibility is distributed across the entire workforce.

Stanford Social Innovation Review (2019)

The article explains why employees are prepared to make concessions in order to take part in CSR activities. One key takeaway is that staff members also view such CSR initiatives as a chance for career development.

Stanford Social Innovation Review (2018)

While CSR initiatives are often seen as a mark of prestige for companies, they also frequently struggle to gain momentum. However, recent studies suggest that corporate social efforts initiated by employees hold more potential for success compared to conventional programs.

Harvard Business Review (2016)

Citing various evidence, the writers argue that sustainability is becoming a widespread trend. Business leaders must now view sustainability not merely as a “nice to have” feature, but as an integral component embedded with the fundamental operations of their organisation. The authors further claim that the companies which integrate sustainability into their core business strategy will also foster innovation and cultivate a sense of passion and dedication from their workforce, clients, suppliers, local communities, and investors.

Stanford Social Innovation Review (2016)

The article discusses the importance of engaging employees in creating a sustainable business. Engaged employees are more committed, motivated, and productive, and companies that involve their employees in sustainability efforts are more likely to achieve their sustainability goals. The article explores the benefits, challenges, and best practices of engaging employees in sustainability initiatives.

Anthropocene Magazine (2017)

One simple habit can yield major environmental benefits. The piece offers a striking breakdown of the ecological impacts of using the same coffee cup over several years. It further highlights how additional habits, like using less soap and hot water during washing-up, can also lead to greater sustainability.

EY (2023)

According to EY research, more than a third of businesses surveyed say that upskilling employees on sustainability will serve as a major hurdle to achieving net-zero ambitions. Around a third of businesses also listed challenges in recruiting staff with climate change skills as another a significant obstacle.

Nonetheless, EY says that many companies remain hesitant when it comes to investing in climate talent. The article reveals why this is a “missed opportunity” for global businesses.

Chengyi Lin , INSEAD, and Truke Smoor , Cargill (2022)

This article explains the process of shifting from designing a global water conservation strategy towards actually putting the plan into action. The study offers striking insights into implementing ESG concepts.

World Business Council for Sustainable Development (2021)

This piece argues that promoting environmentally-friendly methods of commuting for work has a positive influence across three levels: individuals, businesses, and society as a whole. Citing recent research, the article also says that work-related travel can yield significant impacts on the wellbeing of employees.

INSEAD Knowledge (2015)

According to the article, offering employees a way to contribute to society while allowing them to still pursue their business careers has emerged as a significant motivating factor for retaining valuable staff. Likewise, companies are increasingly recognising that to achieve a meaningful, widespread social impact, their societal goals must be integrated into their core business operations. By employing innovative thinking, it is possible to create novel business models that facilitate social impact without undermining commercial objectives.