Regardless of size, companies are feeling the pressure from employees, customers and the market to develop a sustainability strategy. But a company looking to implement environmentally responsible practices for the first time faces a number of challenges: determining priorities, setting goals and measuring results, just to name a few.

This Pike Research report examines the value of creating a sustainability plan, issues of consideration, areas of exploration and ways to communicate plans and goals to constituents. This report also includes three case studies that detail how Research In Motion, Shaw Industries Group, and CA have approached sustainability within their own firms. Finally, the report provides guidance for companies as they move from the planning stage to execution, and work toward meeting long-term sustainability goals.

What Does This Report Answer?

• Why should companies address corporate sustainability and adopt environmentally responsible practices?
• What are the first steps a company must take in order to develop a corporate sustainability plan?
• How does a firm decide upon short-term, mid-term and long-term goals?
• How do companies get buy-in for sustainability efforts from constituents?
• What is the best way to communicate sustainability efforts to employees, customers and other stakeholders?
• How does a company keep the momentum behind its sustainability efforts?

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary

1.1 Company Overview

1.2 Sustainability Overview

2. Creating a Sustainability Strategy

2.1 The Starting Point: Executive Buy-In

2.2 Establishing a Sustainability Committee and Developing High-Level Priorities

2.3 Outlining Specific Projects and Execution

3. Sustainability Areas to Consider

3.1 Approaches

3.2 Starting Point for Measurements: Carbon Footprinting and Life Cycle Analysis

3.3 Elements to Consider

3.3.1 Energy Use

3.3.2 Green and LEED Certified Buildings

3.3.3 Water and Wastewater

3.3.4 Toxins and Other Pollutants

4. Internal, External, and Community Efforts

4.1 Internal Sustainability Efforts

4.2 External and Community Sustainability Efforts

5. Case Studies

5.1 Research In Motion Limited

5.2 Shaw Industries Group Inc

5.3 CA

6. Continuing the Momentum

7. Acronym and Abbreviation List

8. Table of Contents

9. Table of Figures

10. Scope of Study, Sources, and Methodology

List of Figures

• Reasons for Implementing a Corporate Sustainability Plan
• Designing a Sustainability Strategy
• Sustainability Approaches and Focus Areas
• Sustainability Next Steps