Top 5

How will corporation tax change under Making Tax Digital?

As part of ‘Making Tax Digital’, an initiative to make tax administration more effective, the UK government is opening a consultation for the design of a digital platform for filing corporation tax

Social Impact: Embedding social impact into the heart of business

By partnering with social enterprises, businesses can accelerate growth and ensure their operations include a positive humanitarian and environmental impact

Climate change: Managing the ‘Green Line’ to address climate action

Traditionally, the top and bottom lines of a business are its most important metrics. But companies need to start treating their “green line” – the measurement of their environmental efforts – with just as much importance

The circular economy: Enabling the transformation to circular business

The circular economy could unlock $4.5trn in economic growth. To capture this growth, transparency and collaboration within business are crucial

Top 5 most sustainable companies

Sustainability in the corporate sector is more crucial than ever. Fortunately, some companies are going above and beyond their competitors’ sustainable efforts, leading the way for future change

Valeo earned itself third place on Corporate Knight's list of the 100 most sustainable companies for its commitment to energy efficiency and reducing pollution

With greenhouse gas production, deforestation and pollution rapidly increasing, it is now more important than ever for companies to be environmentally friendly. In light of this, Corporate Knight released a report listing the 100 most sustainable companies globally. From aerospace and defence systems to biopharmaceutical companies, The New Economy details Corporate Knight’s five most sustainable companies in the world:

Dassault Systemes
Established in 2002, Dassault Systemes has quickly become a world leader in product innovation platforms, offering software systems in fields such as aerospace, defence, industrial equipment and natural resources. Dassault Systemes virtualises the design process by creating 3D designs and digitally simulating and optimising products. This method eliminates the need to make physical prototypes, saving resources and materials.

With a heavy focus on achieving safe, compliant and sustainable operations, as well as an awareness of its environmental responsibility, the French company gained first place on Corporate Knight’s list.

Neste
The Finnish oil refiner was ranked as the second most sustainable business in the report and the best in the oil and gas industry. Using sustainable and renewable raw materials for its fuels, Neste produces premium quality traffic fuels that generate 90 percent less emissions than conventional crude oil. Neste provides environmental training across all its sites and ensures the palm oil it uses is certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.

Neste produces premium quality traffic fuels that generate 90 percent less emissions than conventional crude oil

Valeo
Valeo is an automotive supplier and partner to automakers worldwide, designing innovative solutions for smart mobility. Since 2009, the French company has decreased its direct and indirect carbon dioxide emissions by five percent. Moreover, it has spent €17.2m ($19.9m) on environmental protection, reducing its water use and improving energy efficiency.

Eco-design is also a big focus at Valeo, with the company striving to improve its recycling processes, use less raw materials, reduce the weight of its materials and produce less pollution during re-treatment.

AR Metallizing
Packaging has been recognised as a pressing issue as of recent, with many firms recognising the effect the production of plastic, and other materials, can have on the environment. Organisations are feeling more pressure than ever before to ensure their packaging is as sustainable as possible. One major player working towards this goal is AR Metallizing, a Belgian firm which produces metallised papers and paperboards. These offer vital environmental benefits compared to plastic products, aluminium foil or metallic links. All of the company’s products are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, and have helped organisations around the world to be more eco-friendly.

Outotec
Another Finnish company, Outotec provides construction and engineering solutions. Outotec has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 6.2 million tonnes and had no significant spills in operations or project sites in 2017.

Outotec’s diligent care for the environment includes pollution prevention and sound environmental management for all its operations. Using minimal energy and materials throughout its operations makes it one of the world’s most sustainable companies.