CEO Leadership the Sustainability Challenge

Nearly two thirds of all respondents in a GlobeScan survey clearly show that it is difficult for a company to be recognised as a sustainability leader without a strong and committed CEO. The Sustainability Challenge is being launched in Australian cities this month and early November.

The previous major GlobeScan survey was on climate change which found that a meaningful global agreement on climate change would unleash a wave of innovation and investment in renewable energy and low carbon products and services.

A committed CEO is seen by nearly 2/3 of respondents as critical to defining corporate leadership. The results are strong enough to suggest that it is difficult for a company to be recognized as a sustainability leader without a strong and committed CEO. Globescan survey

Sustainability experts believe that a committed CEO is a defining element of corporate sustainability leadership, not just one of many important factors.

• Short term focus, lack of alignment with the business and limited personal expertise are identified as key obstacles facing CEOs in the transition to sustainability.

• Vision, goals, targets and actions are seen as paramount for CEOs to advance the sustainability agenda. Working beyond the corporate boundaries is also seen as important, while being “exposed” in the media and elsewhere is viewed as less critical. Experts highly prize substance over style.

• The list of identified attributes of individual CEO sustainability leadership is consistent with what experts generically believe is necessary for corporate leadership on sustainability – integration, commitment, action, vision.

• Being a charismatic or an influential leader, as well as being outspoken, are also mentioned as characteristics of leading CEOs.

Most of the obstacles identified can be overcome by becoming personally involved in developing and stewarding a strategy which is core to business and long-term in nature.

The greatest obstacle is short term focus.

One stakeholder noted: “Being able to communicate their sustainability mission and purpose to the rest of the management team – enable commitment from the team and the stakeholders and be able to implement the necessary changes for the companies to become truly sustainable.”

1,300 sustainability thought leaders from The Sustainability Survey panel were invited to participate in a survey to help provide feedback to SC Johnson.

• 236 sustainability experts completed the on-line questionnaire September 15-18, 2009.

• Senior and influential respondents were drawn from: corporate, government, non-governmental, academic/research, and service (e.g. consulting) organizations.

• Experts surveyed span more than 40 countries in Asia, Africa/Middle East, Europe, North America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, and comprise a highly-experienced respondent pool:

• 47% have more than ten years of experience working on sustainability issues.

• 32% have five to ten years.

• 16% have three to four years.

• 4% have one to two years

Source: www.globescan.com

The Sustainability Challenge is being launched in Australian cities this month and early November.

The Sustainability Challenge organisation has been setup in association with MOSS – Models of Success and Sustainability. It is supported by many organisations, including Baker & McKenzie and ABC Carbon. The academic partner is Swinburne University of Technology and the National Centre for Sustainability. 

What is the Sustainability Challenge?

The Sustainability Challenge is a revolutionary new training and auditing tool that will assist organisations and communities in the shift to long-term sustainability.

Transitioning an organisational culture from short term “take, make, waste” thinking to one of long term sustainability is becoming a survival imperative for organisations operating in a world of increasingly scarce resources.

Leveraging the successful Challenge methodology, the Sustainability Challenge will develop essential understanding and capability around complex issues such as emissions reduction, sustainable supply chains and social responsibility whilst auditing your culture’s attitudes towards sustainability.

¨  Helps leaders and employees recognise sustainability as a key strategic imperative.

¨  Challenges knowledge and expands thinking on a broad range of issues around trust, reputation, innovation and sustainable development.

¨  Builds the sustainability capabilities of management and employees in organisations of any size and throughout all levels of government.

¨  Leverages strategic action to embed sustainability across the whole organisation including the supply chain.

¨  Collects valuable data on sustainability understanding and practices, enabling organisations to audit achievement of their stated sustainability objectives and policies on an ongoing basis.

¨  Helps all stakeholders understand and live their vision of building a sustainable, responsible organisation.

Events will be held across the country starting with Melbourne 16 October,  Sydney 29 October and 4 November and  Brisbane 5 November.  The Sydney (29 October) is booked out. If you cannot make it to one of these events, Sustainability Challenge is proposing events for Perth, Canberra and Adelaide.  It will go further afield if there is sufficient interest.

More information from MOSS – Models of Success and Sustainability.

Source: www.moss.org.au