United Nations Global Compact Reports

Since the publication of last year’s study, A New Era of Sustainability, we have been reflecting further on the story that we heard, and looking deeper into the story at the industry level. In these industry focus reports, we discuss the ways in which CEOs see sustainability as a disruptive trend impacting their individual industries, and as an increasingly important part of their response to the key strategic challenges of the sector.






A New Era of Sustainability
UN Global Compact–Accenture CEO Study 2010

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Through our conversations with fifty CEOs, fifty board executives, academic experts and civil society leaders, supported by a survey of 766 CEOs worldwide, we uncovered a picture of corporate sustainability much changed since the last study in 2007. Sustainability, CEOs told us, was more important than ever to the future success of their business, and we heard how the world’s leading companies are integrating environmental, social and governance issues into core business.

Industry Reports

Automotive
Banking
Communications
Consumer Goods


Energy
Infrastructure and Transportation
Utilities







Towards a New Era of Sustainability in the Automotive Industry

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Macro trends are shaping new opportunities for companies in the automotive sector: resource scarcity, technological innovation, urbanization, changing demographics, increased regulation and intense competition are starting to create a market environment where CEOs see sustainability as critical to future success.


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Towards a New Era of Sustainability in the Banking Industry

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In the wake of the downturn, CEOs believe that demonstrating a commitment to sustainability is important in regaining and building trust. Beyond repairing those relationships damaged by the financial crisis, CEOs see new opportunities in financing the transition to a low-carbon economy.

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Towards a New Era of Sustainability in the Communications Industry

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Just 22 per cent of CEOs in the sector – compared to 54 per cent globally – believe that these issues will be ‘very important’ to their future success. Our conversations, however, suggest that leading companies are beginning to realise the potential of new opportunities in enabling new solutions to sustainability challenges.

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A New Era of Sustainability in Consumer Goods

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Fully 100% of CEOs of large multinational companies in the sector believe that sustainability will be important to their future success. As consumer demand grows for products and services which address their own environmental footprint, and sustainability issues play an ever greater role in shaping brand perceptions, consumer goods companies see opportunities in taking sustainability seriously.


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Towards a New Era of Sustainability in the Energy Industry

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In addressing rising demand in new markets, regulatory uncertainty and the transition to a low-carbon economy, sustainability issues have perhaps never been more significant for CEOs in the energy industry. CEOs believe that the effective management of sustainability will play a critical role in determining the winners and losers of the coming decades.

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Towards a New Era of Sustainability in the Infrastructure & Transportation Industry

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In an era when sustainability has been steadily rising up the corporate agenda, environmental issues have long been of fundamental importance in the sector. As the rise of smart buildings and intelligent infrastructure has begun to reshape demand from governments, customers and end users, sustainability has become an ever more critical part of companies’ route to success.


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A New Era of Sustainability for the Utilities Industry

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Government pressure, regulatory requirements, resource scarcity and commodity volatility all present a challenging operating environment for utilities companies, but new waves of investment in advanced technologies, smart infrastructure and Intelligent Cities present new opportunities for those companies able to master the new dynamics of the industry.


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