Sustainability: 5 things you can do to incorporate it into decision-making processes
According to the Richmond-Ipsos Doxa survey, in Italia only 37 per cent of companies incorporate ESG principles into their business models. The risks of climate change
“It’s easier said than done,” goes one of the most famous Italian proverbs. In the world of sustainability, this concept is particularly apt because, despite the global visibility of ESG metrics, there remains a significant gap between awareness of the importance of sustainability and its actual operational implementation. Specifically, the Noesis – Richmond Executive Observatory survey, conducted in collaboration with Ipsos Doxa, reveals that in Italia only 37 per cent of companies actually integrate ESG principles into their decision-making processes and business models. This figure highlights a significant structural barrier, although in large companies strategic commitment reaches 46 per cent, confirming that, for the majority of the business sector, the transformation remains incomplete. The current state of play was discussed at the Richmond Sustainability Business Forum at the Hotel Billia in Saint-Vincent.
Five key elements
Sustainability, yes, but in practical terms. The Richmond-Doxa research highlights the five areas on which companies should focus to ensure that the concept of sustainability does not remain merely on paper.
1) For stakeholders, it is essential to have “external support” (63 per cent): the majority believe that ESG investments “must be accompanied by innovation and effective public policies”.
2) Then there is the issue of greenwashing (47 per cent): almost half of those surveyed believe that they are often used solely for marketing purposes, i.e. for greenwashing.
3) 37% refer to ‘strategic value’, emphasising that these investments are ‘strategic for the company’s success’.
