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A stronger brand reputation is the top cited benefit of sustainability action across all markets
How do you think your organization will benefit in the future from sustainability actions?
(% of senior leaders selecting as one of their top 5)
Global - Senior Leaders
How do you think your organization will benefit in the future from sustainability actions?
(% of senior leaders selecting as one of their top 5)
ANZ - Senior Leaders
How do you think your organization will benefit in the future from sustainability actions?
% of senior leaders selecting as one of their top 5)
France - Senior Leaders
How do you think your organization will benefit in the future from sustainability actions?
(% of senior leaders selecting as one of their top 5)
Germany - Senior Leaders
How do you think your organization will benefit in the future from sustainability actions?
(% of senior leaders selecting as one of their top 5)
Spain - Senior Leaders
How do you think your organization will benefit in the future from sustainability actions?
(% of senior leaders selecting as one of their top 5)
Sweden - Senior Leaders
How do you think your organization will benefit in the future from sustainability actions?
(% of senior leaders selecting as one of their top 5)
UK - Senior Leaders
How do you think your organization will benefit in the future from sustainability actions?
(% of senior leaders selecting as one of their top 5)
US - Senior Leaders
Why the Motivation Divide matters
If you only look at sustainability through the brand lens, you’re less likely to truly integrate it across the fabric of your organization—and, in the process, hamper its full potential to drive long-term success.
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Senior leaders who see sustainability as an opportunity to create value for their business and communities are 1.4x more likely to report that sustainability progress has been made and will continue to be made. |
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Senior leaders who see sustainability as an opportunity to create value for their business and communities are 1.5x more likely to deeply integrate sustainability across decision-making. |
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Senior leaders who see sustainability as an opportunity to create value for their business and communities are 2x more likely to deeply integrate sustainability across daily work practices. |
Embracing sustainability as a lever for growth empowers leaders to unlock innovation, gain a competitive edge, and secure long-term success. It’s often the differentiator between talk and action.
Kurt Harrison, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates
2023 Survey 2021 Research Report Download full report
How world-leading organizations are infusing sustainability across strategy
Sustainability trailblazers understand the importance of fully integrating sustainability across their organizations. Rather than treating it as an isolated initiative, they align sustainability to their overarching business strategy and goals, ensuring it guides everything they do.
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Lynn Good
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Lynn Good, CEO of Duke Energy, a major utilities company headquartered in North Carolina, has pushed sustainability to the heart of business strategy to deliver stand-out sustainability results. Every investment is now reviewed through the lens of how it positions the company to take on more renewables or reduce carbon emissions. Since 2010, Duke Energy has retired 56 units at coal-fired power plants. And as of 2021, it has decreased carbon dioxide emissions by 44%, sulfur dioxide emissions by 98%, and nitrogen oxides emissions by over 83%.
"Sustainability is not an adjunct; it’s not another initiative; it’s not something we keep track of on the side. Rather, it is completely integrated with the overall strategy of the company, which is to be a leader in the clean energy transition."
Source: Sustainable Leadership, Russell Reynolds Associates, 2021
Divides and Dividends | 2023 Report
Deliver stand-out sustainability success.
Discover other risks that may stop you from reaching your sustainability goals
It’s not enough to just commit to sustainability. To make a positive impact, you need to deeply integrate sustainability across your entire organization—from strategy and operations to daily decisions. Our research shows four gaps that, unless addressed, will prevent this from happening.
CEOs often lack the vision and courage that’s needed to take risks, navigate complex trade-offs—and ultimately pivot their organizations toward a more sustainable future.
In the rush to make visible commitments to sustainability organizations are forgetting to ensure their executive team is incentivized to make change happen—and stick.
Senior leaders are missing multiple opportunities to harness the collective potential of employees to accelerate sustainability transformation, at scale.