Gartner Survey Finds 87% of Business Leaders Expect to Increase Sustainability Investment Over the Next Two Years

Gartner Survey Finds 87% of Business Leaders Expect to Increase Sustainability Investment Over the Next Two Years

ByThe Circular Economy Team

A new Gartner, Inc. survey revealed that 87% of business leaders expect to increase their organisation’s investment in sustainability over the next two years. Customers are the primary stakeholder group creating pressure for organisations to invest or act on sustainability issues, selected by 80% of executives, followed by investors (60%) and regulators (55%).  “Sustainability enables businesses to cope with disruption,” said Kristin Moyer, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner. “Economic uncertainty, geopolitical conflict and escalating materials and energy costs are forcing businesses to reexamine all forms of expenditure. This focus on essentialism, in combination with increasing stakeholder desire to see progress on environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, creates new opportunities for enterprises to grow while mitigating cost and risk.”  The survey was conducted in June and July 2022 among 221 respondents in North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific. Respondents were executives in director roles or above within organisations with enterprise-wide annual revenue of at least $250 million for fiscal year 2021, which are currently engaged in sustainability-related activities. 

Dell’s sustainability program envisions a better future

Dell’s sustainability program envisions a better future

ByThe Circular Economy Team

At Dell Technologies World this week, one of the most interesting briefings I received was from Cassandra Garber, vice president of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). That’s because when I first talked to Dell in the early 2000s on this topic, it was on the wrong side of the ESG effort.  There are two kinds of companies that talk about sustainability. One kind treats it as a marketing tool with little substance; the other treats it more like a religion. Dell’s initial effort was basically, “if you buy a product, we’ll plant a tree.” It sounds nice, but is also a clear indicator it’s just giving this important topic lip service. Since then, Dell has embraced its ESG commitment, funded it, and created showcases of its efforts — like Concept Luna, the sustainable design project that could redefine the technology market and make it far greener. 

UM Today | Office of Sustainability | UM committee tackling responsible investment opportunities

UM Today | Office of Sustainability | UM committee tackling responsible investment opportunities

ByThe Circular Economy Team

Did you know the University of Manitoba is a signatory of the Investing to Address Climate Change: A Charter for Canadian Universities? The charter is a coalition of Canadian universities that have agreed to adopt a set of guiding principles that will govern the investment policies of university assets as they relate to climate change.  In fall 2020, UM established the Responsible Investment Committee to provide advice and make policy recommendations on matters related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues; socially responsible investing; climate change; divestment; impact investing; and shareholder engagement.