March 11, 2024

Beyond Checking the Box – How to Create Business Value with Embedded Sustainability

Almost one-third (30%) of executives say they have made significant progress in executing their sustainability strategy – up from 10% a year ago – but turning ambitions into impact remains a challenge, according to a study from the IBM Institute for Business Value, "Beyond Checking the Box – How to Create Business Value with Embedded Sustainability."

Data collected from 5,000 global c-suite executives shows organizations that embed sustainability within their operations see better financial outcomes while spending less money than their peers. Even so, almost half (47%) of executives surveyed struggle to fund sustainability investments, with six in 10 saying they have to make trade-offs between financial and sustainability outcomes.

The findings also indicate that many organizations are focused on managing complex, varied reporting requirements rather than real business value and results. The study found that spending on sustainability reporting exceeds spending on sustainability innovation by 43%. Only 31% of executives surveyed report they are incorporating sustainability data and insights into operational improvements to a great extent, while 14% say they do so with innovation initiatives.

Download this report to learn why tying sustainability to business value is key.

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