Three of the world’s biggest suppliers this week revealed, in separate announcements, they are smashing their targets to cut their environmental impact.
But unless you follow certain US websites or green publications, this will probably be news to you, as the announcements went completely unmentioned by the national press this side of the pond - even though it’s been one of the quietest weeks for news for some time (apart from at The Grocer, of course).
It must be pretty galling for Procter & Gamble, United Biscuits and British American tobacco, the firms in question, to see their battles to reduce carbon emissions, water usage and waste to landfill attract such little interest.
But it is part of a bigger pattern. Experts working with the major companies report they are increasingly flummoxed as to how to connect their corporate social responsibility messages to a public that has grown somewhat jaded towards green issues.
As one source puts it bluntly: “They are pretty much over it and don’t really care.”
Sustainability reports aren’t just public facing: they also serve to attract investors and employees. In some cases, they even drive huge cost savings by providing a framework for more efficient use of resources.
Nonetheless, the challenge remains to re-engage with consumers, and find a more aspirational approach that will turn them back on to the sustainability agenda. Such an approach could make reports such as those published this week less of a waste of paper (even if it was recycled).
You can read more about the work by P&G,UB and BAT in this week’s Grocer.
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