How to Embed Sustainability Into Your Company's DNA

Green Biz - The nonprofit Ceres unveiled a comprehensive report today to help companies embed sustainability into their DNA in order to successfully compete in today's changing business landscape.

"The 21st Century Corporation: The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability" makes the business case for why companies should be rethinking their corporate structures, processes and performance, while also offering advice and case studies of how companies are putting these practices to work. The report lists 20 key expectations in four broad areas: governance, stakeholder engagement, disclosure and performance. Tips for achieving each expectation are given, along with an example illustrating how companies are approaching the challenge.

The performance category, which Ceres deems the most significant, covers five areas -- operations, supply chain, transportation and logistics, products and services, and employees -- with 20 sub-expectations, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, ensuring supply chain policies align with sustainability goals, and promoting sustainable lifestyle choices across their employee populations.