Sustainable business

Sustainable
business
Sustainability – what is it about?
Sustainability implies meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs and encompasses environmental, social and
economic aspects.
Companies and institutions are increasingly facing demands from a variety of stakeholders
to be transparent about their performance in these three key areas.
Increasing regulation
Growing customer
expectations
Environmental
Materials, energy,
water, biodiversity,
emissions, waste,
transport
Social
Ethical conduct,
corruption, labor
practices, working
conditions, social
justice, community
engagement
Sustainability
Economic
Corporate
governance,
­economic
­contribution,
local economic
­development
Growing employee
expectations
Change in analysts’
evaluation criteria
Embedding it in your business
In the business context, sustainability management means taking an integrated approach
to risks and opportunities related to environmental, social and economic factors, allowing
organizations to create long-term value and secure sustainable growth.
Companies striving to achieve business excellence need to incorporate sustainability in their
strategy and establish it on the management agenda. Policies have to be developed and
executed across all areas and levels of the company. Finally, it is important that reporting
offers a credible view of the company’s sustainability performance. These endeavors pose
various challenges, but at the same time offer many opportunities.
What are the opportunities and challenges?
A company with a clear sustainability strategy, consequent management practices and
transparent performance reporting can take advantage of the multitude of opportunities that
sustainability offers (e.g. differentiating products and services, addressing new market
segments, anticipating upcoming laws and regulations, reinforcing the company’s image, etc.).
However, embedding sustainability in the daily business does not come without challenges
and a comprehensive approach is needed to overcome these hurdles.
EY – your sustainability partner
EY helps clients navigate their journey towards sustainable business excellence in order
to create long-term shared value. With a global network of more than 700 sustainability
professionals worldwide, EY has a wealth of experience in addressing the challenges and taking
advantage of the opportunities that sustainability offers.
Our solutions are customized around
these key areas:
Sustainability management
• Strategy development
• Risk management
• Supply chain management
• Performance improvement
• Low carbon transformation
Sustainability reporting
•P
erformance measurement and
reporting
• Integrated reporting approach
• Certified trainings on Global
Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards
Sustainability assurance
• Assurance on sustainability reports
• Assurance on selected data and
information
Contact our Climate Change
and Sustainability Services team
Roger Müller
Partner
[email protected]
+41 58 286 33 96
Dr. Mark Veser
Senior Manager
[email protected]
+41 58 286 36 79
Chiara Rinaldi
Manager
[email protected]
+41 58 286 42 31
EY | Assurance | Tax | Transactions | Advisory
About the global EY organization
The global EY organization is a leader in assurance, tax,
transaction, legal and advisory services. We leverage our
experience, knowledge and services to help build trust
and confidence in the financial markets and in economies
all over the world. We are ideally equipped for this task –
with well trained employees, strong teams, excellent
­services and outstanding client relations. Our global
­mission is to drive progress and make a difference by
­building a better working world – for our people, for our
clients and for our communities.
The global EY organization refers to all member firms of
Ernst & Young Global Limited (EYG). Each EYG member
firm is a separate legal entity and has no liability for
­another such entity’s acts or omissions. Ernst & Young
Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does
not provide services to clients. For more information,
please visit www.ey.com.
EY’s organization is represented in Switzerland by
Ernst & Young Ltd, Basel, with ten offices across Switzerland, and in Liechtenstein by Ernst & Young AG, Vaduz.
In this publication, «EY» and «we» refer to Ernst & Young
Ltd, Basel, a member firm of Ernst & Young Global
Limited.
© 2013
Ernst & Young Ltd
All Rights Reserved.
SRE 0913-173
ED None
This publication contains information in summary form and is therefore
intended for general guidance only. Although prepared with utmost care
this publication is not intended to be a substitute for detailed research or
professional advice. Therefore, by reading this publication, you agree
that no liability for correctness, completeness and/or currentness will be
assumed. It is solely the responsibility of the readers to decide whether
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­purposes. Neither Ernst & Young Ltd nor any other member of the global
EY organization accepts any responsibility. On any specific matter,
reference should be made to the appropriate advisor.
www.ey.com/ch/ccass
Self-assessment – how far are you along the sustainability journey?
Is your company prepared for the sustainability challenges and ready to seize the opportunities? To get a first overview, you
can conduct a self–assessment with your executive and supervisory boards. This short check will help you to identify the main
areas that need further attention. Please send us the filled in questionnaire and we will contact you for a first discussion.
Fitness check for your executive committees and board of directors
a.Have you identified the most relevant sustainability topics in environmental, social and economic areas in alignment with your corporate strategy? b. Are you aware of the sustainability risks and opportunities that are material to your company?
c. Is sustainability sufficiently embedded in your existing policies, structures and processes? d. Do you have the necessary skills within your company to manage sustainability?
e. Have you a defined management approach and are systems in place to optimize your sustainability performance over time?
f. Do you have transparency across your entire supply chain and do you know the impact sustainability issues could have on it?
g.Do the executives and board of directors receive regular updates on sustainability which allow them to recognize new trends and opportunities?
h.Do you have procedures in place to generate reliable internal and external reporting including documented guidelines, as you have for financial reporting?
i. Is the reliability and consistency of your sustainability performance data sufficient to support your management decisions?
j. Do you get external assurance on your sustainability data?
k. How do you rate your sustainability performance overall?
Sender
First name, surname
Company
Address
Telephone
Email
Please contact me
Ernst & Young AG
Roger Müller
Maagplatz 1
Postfach
8010 Zürich