Month: July 2023

A recent study by Brand Finance reveals that the world’s biggest brands are at risk of losing billions of dollars if their perceived sustainability doesn’t match their actual sustainability performance.

See Top 10 Potential Added Value Brands

Brand Finance used CSRHub data in its inaugural Sustainability Gap Index that measures the gap between sustainability perceptions and the performances of big global brands. The results show that many brands are either putting their value at risk or not utilizing their full potential by not meeting stakeholders’ sustainability perceptions.

CSRHub’s overall rating scores were used to calculate the gap value for each brand based on their divergence from their sector median sustainability performance score.

See Sustainability Gap Value

Among the brands analyzed, Tesla is found to have the most at risk, with over $4.1 billion on the line. On the other hand, Microsoft has the highest positive gap value, indicating that its sustainability performance exceeds its perceived sustainability. Microsoft has the opportunity to generate an additional $1.5 billion if they prioritize effective communication of its sustainability initiatives.

Chanel serves as an example of a brand that successfully aligned its sustainability performance with its perception by engaging with stakeholders and effectively communicating its authentic sustainability efforts. Chanel demonstrates how brands can improve their sustainability perception and protect their value.

View the full report for more details and analysis of the huge risk and opportunities for big brands and their sustainability gaps on Brand Finance.

About Brand Finance PLC

Brand Finance is the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy. We advise strongly branded organizations on how to maximize their value through the effective management of their brands and intangible assets. We have conducted thousands of brand valuations for clients of all sizes and across most sectors. Our clients include international brand owners, tax authorities, lawyers, government bodies and investment banks. See www.brandfinance.com.

About CSRHub, LLC

CSRHub provides access to corporate social responsibility and sustainability ratings and information on over 7,000 companies from 135 industries in 90 countries. By aggregating and normalizing the information from 200 data sources, CSRHub has created a broad, consistent rating system and a searchable database that links millions of rating elements back to their source. Managers, researchers and activists use CSRHub to benchmark company performance, learn how stakeholders evaluate company CSR practices and seek ways to change the world. See www.csrhub.com.

Originally published in International Paper’s 2022 Sustainability Report

At International Paper, we prioritize and structure responsibility and sustainability. We rely on the daily actions and personal accountability of each of our employees and business partners. We instill trust and respect — the underpinnings of our reputation — through sound governance practices.

Stakeholder engagement 

Our stakeholders span our entire value chain: customers, employees, shareholders, communities, governments, non-governmental organizations and suppliers. By consistently engaging with them, we identify material issues that are important to us and prioritize emerging global issues and industry trends.

Ethics and integrity 

We’ve codified our ethics in the International Paper Code of Conduct, which serves as an ethical compass to keep us on course as we pursue our vision to be among the most successful, sustainable and responsible companies in the world. The Code helps us successfully navigate ethical challenges as they occur in the course of our day-to-day job duties. Our policies, guidelines and best-practice processes support the messaging in the Code by reinforcing our values and standards, including our commitment to treat each other with respect and dignity, act fairly and honestly in all our business dealings, safeguard natural resources, and protect and advance human rights around the world. Our commitment to integrity and excellence is at the heart of our business operations and relationships, and we seek out partnerships with suppliers and other third parties who share our high standards.

Responsible sourcing 

Our global fiber procurement policy is the foundation of our commitment to healthy and abundant forests and states, “We will not knowingly accept fiber from illegally logged forests or from forests where high conservation values are threatened by management activities.” To that end, we engage in responsible fiber sourcing, which includes:

Conducting due diligence throughout our supply chainValidating origin on direct uncertified purchasesUsing best-in-class digital mapping systems to monitor harvest activities and policy compliance via ForSite™, our innovative, GIS-based mapping system

A critical supplier network 

Our global network of more than 80,000 suppliers is critical to our business success and the implementation of our Vision 2030 strategy. So we seek out suppliers who are as committed as we are to our core values.

We embrace innovation and collaboration with these suppliers, and expect quality products and services that are competitive, sustainable and meet our stakeholders’ expectations. To ensure that commitment, our Third Party Code of Conduct is built into contractual agreements. It outlines expectations regarding the workplace standards and business practices required of suppliers, their affiliates and others in their supply chain. In addition, we screen potential suppliers for a wide variety of risks, including corruption risks.

To track, analyze and address risks and operate responsibly and sustainably, we incorporate environmental, social and governance considerations (ESG) into our everyday processes. See the Sustainability Oversight section on page 17 for details.

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of planet-friendly packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of North America’s largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what’s next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2022 were $21.2 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting InternationalPaper.com.

About International Paper – EMEA

In Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and pulp, employing approximately 4,200 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Pulp production is centered in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include Kraft linerboard and recycled containerboard, as well as pulp.

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