This is a bit long, came in without proper formatting and offers no
conclusive truths, but shows that things are starting to take form in a
more congruent way. EVERYONE is looking hard for real answers. In
relation to sustainable development, this ends with:
"We are just beginning to explore what to do about it in our company. It
seems important, but we don't know where to start."
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From: "Steve Berley" <steve@berleygroup.com>
To: <srb-list@srb.org>
Subject: FW: Arthur D. Little Sustainability Survey Results
Date: Wed, 13 May 1998 14:51:13 -0700
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FYI...
-----Original Message-----
Arthur D. Little Survey results show that American and European executives
believe "Sustainable Development" can add real value to business, but have
not
yet taken large strides forward to capture that value
CAMBRIDGE, MA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 1998--In its recent Sustainable
Development and Business Survey of executives in Europe and North America,
Arthur D. Little found that an overwhelming majority of respondents (83
percent) believe that companies can develop real business value and economic
growth from sustainable development initiatives.
Yet despite their belief sustainable development strategies can act as
business drivers, when asked to report where their companies are making real
progress towards implementing such strategies, the executives pointed to
traditional environmental areas, such as improving environmental
performance,
preventing pollution, and increasing energy efficiency. The respondents
indicated that little progress has been made towards implementing more
progressive concepts of sustainability, such as full-cost accounting,
industrial ecology, or performance measurement.
"Sustainable development" refers to the global push for companies to build
their long-term business strategies around three interconnected goals:
economic growth, environmental excellence, and social responsibility. The
concept of sustainable development first received wide exposure as a
"win-win"
pathway for economic growth at the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil summit in 1992,
where world leaders convened with scientists and other experts to explore
new
ways to address the challenges of issues that affect us all-such as global
climate change, decreasing biodiversity, deforestation, population growth,
and
the social and environmental challenges created by the globalization of
industry.
Commenting on the survey results, Stephen Poltorzycki, Vice President of
Arthur D. Little, states: "Many companies are still focused on short-term
and
efficiency-driven environmental initiatives because they know how to do them
extremely well, and they are relatively easy to implement. These include
proven ways to cut back on energy and water use, reduce emissions, and
monitor
facilities for compliance. However, a significant number of companies that
see
themselves as well on the way to meeting sustainable development goals
report
real progress in more innovative, business-focused areas. Examples include
closed-loop manufacturing systems, industrial ecology, organizational
learning, and design for environment. These advanced sustainable development
opportunities can deliver high business value and help companies outpace
competitors."
The survey also shows that significantly more European companies (22
percent of total European respondents) are "well down the road to
integrating
sustainable development into strategy and operations," as compared with a
reported 13 percent of North American executives, Poltorzycki continues.
"The
concepts surrounding sustainability were first developed in Europe (and in
Canada), so it is not surprising that more European companies say they have
taken steps to integrate sustainability into business initiatives. However,
we
should take note that leaders can be found on both sides of the Atlantic-
including companies like Interface and Monsanto in North America, and BP,
Daimler-Benz and Electrolux in Europe."
Significantly, the majority of respondents believe that product design
and R&D harbor the greatest promise for companies to reach their
sustainability goals, with 57 percent of all respondents pointing to product
design versus 35 percent for manufacturing. This may indicate that companies
are looking beyond the borders of their own facilities to understand and
manage the impact of their products wherever they are used. But, in order to
make progress, the respondents say that the first step is getting the vision
and strategy aligned within their companies. They also indicate that the
need
for technology investment ranks high.
Another of the survey's interesting revelations is the large percentage
of respondents indicating the importance of sustainable growth to building a
better public image and improved social/ethical performance, ensuring a
license to operate, innovate and grow. Of the respondents judging such
growth
to offer "very high value," 58 percent cited the value of improved
environment
performance. Improved public image (54 percent) and social/ethical
performance
(52 percent) run a close second and third.
Arthur D. Little is one of the world's premier consulting firms, with
more than 50 offices and laboratories around the globe. For more information
about the Sustainable Development and Business Survey, please contact Arthur
D. Little, Inc., Acorn Park, Cambridge, MA 02140-2390, U.S.A. Telephone:
1-800-248-3298. Internet: www.arthurdlittle.com.
*T
Results of Arthur D. Little's 1998 Survey on
Sustainable Development and Business
Survey Participants
* Environmental, health, and safety management and other executives
in North America (52%) and Europe (48%) from industry (96%) and
government (4%).
* Representing a range of industries, including chemicals (19%), energy and
utilities (15%), general manufacturing (8%), pharmaceuticals (6%),
mining/metals (5%), food (5%), pulp and
paper (5%), automotive (4%), electronics/computers (4%), transportation
(3%), and others.
Survey Questions and Responses
Question:
If a company can successfully implement a sustainable development approach
to strategy and operations across its organization do you think the company
can derive real business value from those efforts?
Response:
Yes 83% No
4% Don't know 13%
Question:
In which of the following tools/methodologies has your organization made
progress that is supporting or could support sustainable development
initiatives?
Response:
Pollution prevention 51% Environmental
audit 48% Energy efficiency
37% Performance measurement 20% Industrial
ecology 11% Full-cost accounting
7%
Question:
Which of the following statements best describes how you feel about
Sustainable Development and your company?
Response:
Total N. America Europe
It is important and...
We are well down the road to
implementing it in our
business strategy/operations. 17% 13% 22%
We are making some progress
implementing our vision. 46% 45% 49%
We are just beginning to explore
what to do about it in our company. 22% 22% 22%
It seems important, but we don't
know where to start. 10% 12% 7%
It is a philosophy that is too
difficult to convert into a strategy
CONTACT:
Alyssa Burns
Arthur D. Little, Inc.
617/498-5582
or
Sallie Gotoff
Outlook Marketing Services, Inc.
513/569-9445
Email: gotoff@one.net
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