Sustainability Means Integration, Engagement and Resilience for Leadership Companies
Jan. 22, 2014 /3BL Media/ - The one-time promise that sustainability could become a business management paradigm has started to take hold within leadership companies, according to “Planning for a Sustainable Future”, a trends report published today by the National Association for Environmental Management (NAEM).
NAEM is the largest professional association for corporate environment, health and safety, and sustainability decision-makers.
Based on more than two dozen interviews with corporate leaders and sustainability experts, the report reveals that among leadership companies, sustainability has evolved from a collection of programs into a risk-based business management strategy.
“The leadership companies we spoke with have overcome the inertia and even the initial excitement that came with picking the low-hanging fruit, and are more thoroughly integrating the concepts of sustainability into their operations and beyond their gates,” said Carol Singer Neuvelt, Executive Director of NAEM.
The hallmarks of this transition are reflected in several of the 12 trends that the report identifies as the ideas that will shape EHS and sustainability management in the year to come. These include:
- The new programs focus on the environmental risks within the supply chain
- There's a new emphasis on employee engagement
- Effective risk management now includes environmental considerations
- Companies are beginning to make plans for climate adaptation
- There’s a growing awareness that resilience will require a longer timeframe for strategic planning
- Advancing sustainability will require new thinking and systemic changes
In addition to outlining the core drivers of decision-making in 2014, the report also provides insight into the emerging issues that are on the horizon.
“The conversations that EHS and sustainability leaders are having internally today will become the programs of tomorrow,” Ms. Neuvelt said. “This report provides a unique inside look at what is on the minds of the professionals who are guiding this transition to a more sustainable future.”
To download a copy of the free report please visit: http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.naem.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/survey-2014-naem-trends.pdf
About this report
“Planning for a Sustainable Future” is an in-depth analysis of the ideas that will shape environment, health and safety (EHS) and sustainability management in the year to come. The 28-page report was developed from qualitative interviews with corporate EHS and sustainability leaders and recognized experts in the environmental business movement. It is being offered free of charge to the public thanks to the financial support of Dakota Software and KMI. To download a copy of the report, please visit www.naem.org. A free webinar presentation of research results will be offered on Feb. 11. To register, please visit http://www.naem.org/events/event_details.asp?id=395749.
About NAEM
The National Association for Environmental Management (NAEM) empowers corporate leaders to advance environmental stewardship, create safe and healthy workplaces, and promote global sustainability. As the largest professional community for EHS and sustainability decision-makers, we provide peer-led educational conferences and an active network for sharing solutions to today’s corporate EHS and sustainability management challenges. Visit NAEM online at www.naem.org.
