Global Sustainability Survey: Companies Report Progress While Public Demands Faster Action
November 18 2024 - 12:00PM
Business Wire
Veolia North America (VNA), a leading provider of environmental
services in the U.S. and Canada, has released its second annual
Triple Net Zero Industry Progress Report. The study is based on a
comprehensive interview survey of 300 major corporations across 12
industries and 60 countries, assessing the progress made by
companies in their journey toward achieving net-zero environmental
goals in carbon, water and waste.
As global companies face mounting pressure from investors,
regulators and the public, sustainability has become a critical
aspect of business strategy. This latest report reveals the
important factors that help companies overcome challenges toward
climate progress, and highlights gaps and barriers to meeting
corporate climate targets.
Some of the key findings of the study, which is available for
download, include:
Companies are on the right track, but the public demands more
action: A significant gap exists between corporate and public
sentiment on climate change. While 98% of companies consider
sustainability important, only 30% see climate change as a "high
risk" to their operations. In contrast, 89% of the public believes
climate disruption is happening, and two-thirds of the world's
inhabitants feel “exposed and vulnerable to a risk linked to
climate change or pollution,” according to Veolia’s Barometer of
Ecological Transformation 2024 survey. This disparity underscores
the need for businesses to align with public sentiment and take
decisive action to reduce their environmental impact.
Beyond decarbonization – water, waste goals offer the
greatest opportunity for immediate progress: The greatest
opportunities to quickly and inexpensively address “low hanging
fruit” exist in the water and waste sectors. Companies report
having made more progress on decarbonization strategies than their
waste and water management initiatives. The study found that fewer
than 20% of companies had an “excellent understanding” of the
pathway to reach their water and waste reduction goals.
Education and partnership can accelerate corporate
sustainability programs: Although 72% of companies claim to be
“on track” with their sustainability plans, only 21% report having
advanced sustainability programs in place. This finding suggests an
important role for corporate education and industry partnerships to
accelerate the adoption of advanced sustainability practices and
technologies. Public sentiment supports this, and Veolia’s
Barometer study found that 90% of citizens believe that ecological
transformation requires the joint commitment of all stakeholders:
local authorities, governments, international institutions,
business, and individuals.
The study also provides regional and industry breakdowns of
sustainability progress. For example, the study found that 25% of
European companies surveyed reported “Advanced” sustainability
programs, compared with 20% of companies in Asia Pacific and 10% of
companies in North America. The study also reports that the top
barriers to sustainability progress include cost, knowledge gaps,
and reporting complexities, which companies in these regions must
overcome to achieve success in sustainability efforts.
Fred Van Heems, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Veolia North America said: “Companies have the means, the will
and the public support to bring about this ecological
transformation. By continuing to invest in sustainable innovation
and collaborating with all stakeholders, they can not only meet
citizens' expectations, but also create long-term value for society
as a whole. This is what Veolia intends to do, in particular
through GreenUp, a strategic plan designed to reconcile ecology and
the economy.”
Dave Ross, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs and
Sustainability, and Chief Purpose Officer of Veolia North
America said: “Today, companies are best placed to lead the
ecological transformation, and our results show that they are
taking this responsibility seriously. Their capacity for innovation
and investment is a major asset in meeting environmental
challenges. These figures show a tremendous opportunity for
companies to align their sustainability strategies with public
expectations. Consumers are ready to support green initiatives,
paving the way for sustainable innovations and new business
models.”
ABOUT VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA
A subsidiary of Veolia Group, Veolia North America (VNA) offers
a full spectrum of water, waste and energy management services,
including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous
waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource
recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher
education and municipality customers throughout North America.
Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has more than
10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the
continent.
www.veolianorthamerica.com
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241118793099/en/
VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA Nate Pepper Vice
President, Communications 346-351-0024
nathan.pepper@veolia.com
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