Insight

2020 Vision

What Does Corporate Environmental Concern Look Like in 2020?

Best Lawyers Ones to Watch Canada Legal Insights
SD

Sean Devlin

October 17, 2019 01:30 PM

The new year is just around the corner, and 2020 will see the further entrenchment of a world in which labor, quality of life, and environmental issues are major societal—and indeed corporate—concerns. Depending on who wins, the U.S. presidential election next year could bring about new policies that may guide companies in different directions in regards to sustainability. In many cases, large corporations have taken on sustainability goals that they’re aiming for a number of reasons to hit in 2020 and—depending on political and market influences over the next year—going forward.

Consider Coca-Cola. In 2015, the ubiquitous soft-drink giant established a series of goals across seven categories, aiming to “[drive] system-wide change beyond small operational improvements.” As of last year, Coke had successfully achieved some of its aims, but much work remained. Last year, the company reported that it had exceeded its goal of returning 100 percent of the water it uses to make its beverages back to the communities it came from; in 2017, it returned 150 percent. Coke’s strategy, it says, includes protecting the watersheds from which its water comes, providing infrastructure for safe water access, and providing water for productive use such as irrigation in farming. It also exceeded its goal of donating 1 percent of annual operating income back to local communities every year since 2015.

So far, though, Coke has yet to make progress on the share of its bottles that get recycled; it has been stuck at 59 percent since 2015, well below its desired 75 percent. With the election nearing, it’ll be interesting to see whether the stricter environmental policies championed by Democrats or looser ones backed by Republicans will most affect Coca-Cola’s sustainability actions going forward.

One major marketing component of corporate sustainability is the business’s environmental impact. What can be said by and about companies, particularly luxury brands, whose business model necessarily incorporates carbon emissions? Consider Carnival Cruise Line. The largest cruise company in terms of passengers carried annually, Carnival arranges its sustainability targets in three sectors: environmental, safety, and labor/social.

According to a report in Forbes, cruise ships are among the worst offenders in terms of environmental impact. Another study cited in Popular Science indicated that a person’s carbon footprint can increase threefold when on a cruise. How, then, can a company in the business of building and sailing these floating cities commit to making an environmental difference through sustainable practices?

"Hard-to-reach goals are important for a reason: If a company falls just short, they're still making an impact."

In its most recent sustainability report, released at the end of the 2018 fiscal year, Carnival said it achieved its goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 25 percent—three years ahead of schedule, no less. As part of that, Carnival in 2018 delivered the world’s first cruise ship powered by liquefied natural gas, both at sea and in port. As public attention regarding human influence on climate change increases, it remains to be seen whether cruise lines in general will need to up their environmental game to keep passengers onboard and profits healthy.

Another interesting study concerns Diageo, the British conglomerate that’s one of the globe’s largest producers of alcoholic beverages. Owner of Crown Royal, Johnnie Walker, and innumerable other brands, Diageo is notable because its products in many cases aren’t just spirits but cultural icons, readily identifiable with their regions of origin.

According to Diageo’s 2020 sustainability report for Guinness, it takes 65 liters of water and 175 grams of carbon dioxide to create one pint of the black stuff. The company says it’s aiming for 50 percent improvement in water efficiency and a 30 percent carbon-emissions reduction throughout its supply chain. However, one of Diageo’s sustainability goals goes beyond typical environmental targets: The company has a stated commitment to promoting “positive drinking.”

The ill effects of excess drinking are well known, and Diageo has aligned its aims with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals mission of cutting problem drinking by 10 percent worldwide. Diageo and some of its larger competitors have also partnered to work with the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking. Among the IARD’s goals: strengthening marketing to more accurately warn of the dangers of alcohol, reducing drunk driving, and preventing underage drinking. Diageo’s sustainability goals paint a compelling picture because the company isn’t simply trying to make its products more environmentally responsible but to mitigate their social toll as well.

Corporate sustainability in all its guises has become a major factor in the way big companies behave. Consumers are more aware and educated than ever, so it’s important for companies at least to set goals that show they recognize the need to do their part to improve their workplaces, the processes through which they create their products, and the environment more broadly.

Achieving those stated ambitions isn’t even necessarily imperative. Hard-to-reach goals are important for a reason: If a company falls just short, it’s still making an impact. The attention paid to better labor practices and environmental and societal standards will only increase in the years ahead. Smart companies will look hard at how their sustainability goals will affect their public image—and their bottom line—going forward. Likewise, they’ll also be able to read the market, societal, and political influences that might pose challenges to these goals in the future.

Sean Devlin is a journalist and communications professional based in New York City. He's written for the New York Daily News, the Irish Echo, Brownstoner Magazine, and more. A 2015 graduate of the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, Sean has extensive experience writing about real estate, business, arts and culture, and local news.

Headline Image: Best Lawyers

Related Articles

A Climate Duty


by Lara Douvartzidis and Samantha Daly

Converging trends in Australia and the Netherlands: reasonable foreseeability in climate change law and other novel developments.

Climate Change Law in Australia

Hotter and More Intense


by Lori Tripoli

Multiple Category 5 hurricanes. Drought. Wildfires. Climate change isn’t just damaging the environment and our health. It’s impacting the bottom line.

Climate Change

Going Global


by Joseph K. Reinhart, Esq. and Meredith Odato Graham, Esq.

Expanding the scope of environmental review for the energy sector.

Environmental Review

Paris Agreement on Climate Change: Overview and Update


by Beatriz Paulo de Frontin and Márcio Pereira

An overview of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Paris Agreement Climate Change

U.S. Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement


by Violaine du Pontavice

What will be the future for the world’s climate issue?

U.S. Withdrawal Paris Agreement

A Better Bottom Line


by Margaret Pierce

How Benefit Corporations are leading the charge to save the world.

A Better Bottom Line

9 Ways Lawyers Are Addressing Climate Change Through Environmental Law


by Best Lawyers

To combat climate change and protect depleting resources, Best Lawyers assesses how lawyers play a pivotal role in addressing ongoing environmental problems.

Animated sky polluted with smoke

ESG Changing Texas’ Legal Landscape


by Gregory Sirico

Best Lawyers breaks down the growing industry trend of ESG standards and how its altering the field of law in the state of Texas.

Texas’ Ever Changing Legal Landscape

Tampa 2022 "Lawyer of the Year"


by Best Lawyers

George F. Gramling III is honored as 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Environmental Law for Tampa.

Tampa 2022 "Lawyer of the Year"

The Great Debate Between Agriculture, Mining and Environment


by Rebecca Hoare

Can we really have it all?  The pursuit of the harmonious intersection of Australia’s agricultural and resources industries and the environment.

Australia Agriculture, Mining & Environment

Great Rebuild


by Best Lawyers

Néstor Méndez discusses labor peace, junk-bond repercussions, and the laudable resilience of those who call this storm-battered island home.

An Interview With Pietrantoni Méndez & Alvare

Turning Down the Heat


by Janice Zhou

What sort of legal and legislative action is necessary to help put Pennsylvania on the front lines of the battle against climate change?

Depleting Natural Resources in Pennsylvania

Easy Being Green


by Best Lawyers

Markus Deutsch discusses the impact of climate change on the firm and its clients.

An Interview With Dolde Mayen & Partner

Impact of Climate Change on Real Estate Law


by Best Lawyers

Dr. Christian Schede discusses rent in large cities, the effect of Airbnb, and more.

An Interview With Greenberg Traurig

Government of the People


by Allyn Stern

A baker’s dozen tips for working with the Environmental Protection Agency

Tips for Working With the EPA

The Generals’ Next War


by Alison Torbitt and Gayatri Joshi

Businesses’ Sense of Corporate Social Responsibility Is Increasingly Driving Long-Term Growth. Here’s How General Counsel Can Best Confront CSR’s Numerous Challenges and Opportunities.

The Generals’ Next War

Trending Articles

Announcing the 2023 The Best Lawyers in America Honorees


by Best Lawyers

Only the top 5.3% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Gold strings and dots connecting to form US map

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers® in the United States


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers listed in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and in the 2nd Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2022.

2022 Best Lawyers Listings for United States

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue


by Best Lawyers

The 2021 Global Issue features top legal talent from the most recent editions of Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch worldwide.

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue

The U.S. Best Lawyers Voting Season Is Open


by Best Lawyers

The voting season for the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and the 5th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America is officially underway, and we are offering some helpful advice to this year’s voters.

Golden figures of people standing on blue surface connected by white lines

How To Find A Pro Bono Lawyer


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers dives into the vital role pro bono lawyers play in ensuring access to justice for all and the transformative impact they have on communities.

Hands joined around a table with phone, paper, pen and glasses

The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2024 Launch


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce The Best Lawyers in Australia™ for 2023, including the top lawyers and law firms from Australia.

Australian Parliament beside water at sunset

How Palworld Is Testing the Limits of Nintendo’s Legal Power


by Gregory Sirico

Many are calling the new game Palworld “Pokémon GO with guns,” noting the games striking similarities. Experts speculate how Nintendo could take legal action.

Animated figures with guns stand on top of creatures

What the Courts Say About Recording in the Classroom


by Christina Henagen Peer and Peter Zawadski

Students and parents are increasingly asking to use audio devices to record what's being said in the classroom. But is it legal? A recent ruling offer gives the answer to a question confusing parents and administrators alike.

Is It Legal for Students to Record Teachers?

Inflation Escalation


by Ashley S. Wagner

Inflation and rising costs are at the forefront of everyone’s mind as we enter 2023. The current volatile market makes it more important than ever to understand the rent escalation clauses in current and future commercial lease agreements.

Suited figure in front of rising market and inflated balloon

The Upcycle Conundrum


by Karen Kreider Gaunt

Laudable or litigious? What you need to know about potential copyright and trademark infringement when repurposing products.

Repurposed Products and Copyright Infringemen

8 Different Types of Criminal Defenses in Law


by Best Lawyers

Learn about the different types of criminal defenses available in law, including innocence, self-defense, insanity and more. Protect your rights today.

Silver handcuffs laying on finger printed papers

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2023


by Best Lawyers

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ highlights the legal talent of lawyers who have been in practice less than 10 years.

Three arrows made of lines and dots on blue background

A Celebration of Excellence: The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024 Awards


by Best Lawyers

As we embark on the 18th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™, we are excited to highlight excellence and top legal talent across the country.

Abstract image of red and white Canada flag in triangles

Wage and Overtime Laws for Truck Drivers


by Greg Mansell

For truck drivers nationwide, underpayment and overtime violations are just the beginning of a long list of problems. Below we explore the wages you are entitled to but may not be receiving.

Truck Driver Wage and Overtime Laws in the US

Choosing a Title Company: What a Seller Should Expect


by Roy D. Oppenheim

When it comes to choosing a title company, how much power exactly does a seller have?

Choosing the Title Company As Seller

The 2024 Best Lawyers in Spain™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Spain™ and the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain™ for 2024.

Tall buildings and rushing traffic against clouds and sun in sky