Business leaders cite workers’ rights, human rights and climate change as top CSR priorities over the coming 12 months, finds survey
After a gradual increase in the number of companies measuring the return on investment (ROI) of CSR efforts, the number has dropped slightly in 2012 and fewer companies indicate an interest in starting such measurements, according to a study by sustainable business solutions consultant BSR.
The number of companies saying they measure the ROI of CSR and sustainability efforts has fallen to 38 percent this year from 39 percent last year, according to the survey of 556 business leaders worldwide.
At the same time, the number of companies saying they intend to start measuring the ROI of their CSR activities has dropped to 20 percent from 29 percent.
Almost a quarter (24 percent) of the companies that have stopped measuring, or say they don’t intend to start, say it is ‘too hard to measure’ effectively, while 22 percent perceive no interest or demand. About 8 percent of respondents say their resources are too limited and 7 percent say they don’t know how to start measuring.
The survey also shows that businesses consider climate change, workers’ right and human rights to be the top focus of their organization’s sustainability efforts for the next 12 months.
Climate change, however, has fallen slightly in priority over the last year, registering as a top concern with only 61 percent this year, from 63 percent last year. Workers’ rights, meanwhile, have risen from 61 percent to 63 percent.
Water quality and availability comes fourth in the list, rising to 55 percent this year from 54 percent last year.
When asked about their organization’s priorities for reducing their carbon footprint in the future, 71 percent of the respondents cite ‘energy management in operations’. Working with the supply chain is cited by 43 percent while 41 percent say they prioritize waste management and recycling.
Asked to name the areas that will likely undergo the most progress in the coming 20 years, 39 percent of the respondents say sustainability reporting while another 38 percent name water management. Supply chain responsibility is cited by 29 percent and waste management by 28 percent.
‘The survey reinforces our view that businesses have made great strides to integrate sustainability into their activities, and that much more progress is required for truly sustainable outcomes,’ says Aron Cramer, president and CEO of BSR, in a press release.
He adds that the survey ‘underlines the essential need for renewed business leadership to mobilize and engage consumers, investors and governments to enable sustainable prosperity for all.’
