10 CGs Ranked ‘Most Sustainable' in 2022
Corporate Knight has released its annual ranking, now in its 18th year, of the world’s most sustainable corporations. Of the 100 companies listed, the 2022 list recognized 10 consumer goods (CG) companies.
These companies are showing higher investor returns in correlation to strong performance on key environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics.
The 2022 Global 100 companies obtained 47% of their earnings from products or services categorized as “clean” under the Corporate Knights Clean Taxonomy, investing 48% of their capital expenditures, R&D, and acquisitions to clean investments.
“Strong performance on these metrics is foundational to achieving a clean and carbon-neutral economy in the necessary time frame,” said Corporate Knight’s CEO Toby Heaps, “and the sustained momentum is encouraging.”
Climate Commitments
- The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting.
- Florida Clinicians for Climate Action (FCCA) is a coalition of health professionals and health organizations concerned about the impacts of climate change on Florida residents.
- The 2015 Paris Agreement commits countries to limit the global average temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to aim for 1.5°C.
- The Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM) initiative is an international group of asset managers committed to supporting the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
The rankings are based on an analysis of 6,914 companies with more than $1 billion in revenue.
The 10 Consumer Goods Companies That Ranked:
McCormick & Company Inc — Rank 6
- Climate Commitments: SBTi
- Country: United States
- Overall Score: B+
Kering SA — Rank 7
- Climate Commitments: SBTi, FCCA
- Country: France
- Overall Score: B+
Arçelik A.Ş. — Rank 57
- Climate Commitments: 1.5°C, SBTi
- Country: Turkey
- Overall Score: C+
Henkel AG & Co KgaA — Rank 63
- Climate Commitments: 1.5°C, SBTi, NZAM
- Country: Germany
- Overall Score: C+
Puma SE — Rank 77
- Climate Commitments: SBTi, FCCA
- Country: Germany
- Overall Score: C
Unilever PLC — Rank 78
- Climate Commitments: 1.5°C, SBTi
- Country: United Kingdom
- Overall Score: C
Gildan Activewear Inc. — Rank 79
- Country: Canada
- Overall Score: C
Adidas AG — Rank 82
- Climate Commitments: SBTi, FCCA
- Country: Germany
- Overall Score: C
Natura & Co Holdings SA — Rank 88
- Climate Commitments: 1.5°C, SBTi
- Country:
- Overall Score: C-
Campbell Soup Co. — Rank 89
- Climate Commitments:1.5°C, SBTi
- Country: Brazil
- Overall Score: C-
According to Corporate Knight, 65 of the Global 100 companies have signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative, aligning their emissions reductions with the requirements set by the Paris Agreement, an increase from 60 in 2021.
A Look Into Some Sustainability Efforts
According to industry experts, sustainability is a retail and consumer goods trend to watch in 2022. How are some of these ranked companies implementing sustainable strategies?
In 2021, Arçelik A.Ş. announced at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference that it has re-submitted more ambitious science-based targets, pushing for a 50.4% reduction across all three scopes.
"We are delighted to rank on the Corporate Knights' 2022 Global 100 Index,” said Arçelik CEO Hakan Bulgurlu. “As a business, we understand we have a commitment and a responsibility to sustainability and this recognition continues to spur us on."
"At Arçelik, we've taken great steps on our sustainability journey and are continuing to," added Bulgurlu.
In a 2019 progress report, McCormick outlined several initiatives related to its sustainability goals, introducing Grown for Good, a sustainable sourcing framework and a sustainability certification program: Herbs & Spice
This year, McCormick & Company retained its top position among its food industry peers.
"On behalf of our 14,000 employees around the world, I am truly honored to make this prestigious list for the sixth consecutive year," said Lawrence E. Kurzius, chairman, president and CEO of McCormick & Company.
"This recognition underscores our continued commitment to purpose-led performance and doing what's right for people, the communities where we live, work, and source, and the planet we all share," he added.
