10 Sustainable Business Trends Worth Knowing for 2012

What can the World’s Most Ethical (WME) companies teach us about business success? Well, on average, companies that go beyond simple ‘ethical’ claims out-perform their peers. In fact, this year’s WME honorees generated 30% greater returns than the S&P 500, demonstrating a strong correlation between responsible actions and business success.

2012 business planning is well underway. How is your business embracing sustainability? Are you aware of the growing sustainability trends and how they might impact your business? Here's what our sustainability consulting practice sees on the horizon for sustainable business trends in 2012:

Big and small firms continue to join forces. Continued B2B collaboration.
Continuation of private/ public NGO forces uniting for greater good
Continued focus on biodiversity from a business perspective (see, Dow Asks, What's the Business Case for Protecting Nature?)
Water: access to water, water management, water in the supply chain
Transparency and reporting - especially integrated reporting of financial and sustainability reports. A growth in the number of organizations reporting as noted by the Carbon Disclosure Project.
Green Supply Chain - elevating sustainable supply chain management as a strategic business sustainability function
Local and organic food gains more momentum
Emerging markets and their impact
Wider adaptation of social media for stakeholder engagement
The role of boards: oversight and inclusion of business sustainability mandates

While some argue that sustainability is a passing trend, profitable businesses are not. Sustainable business strategies are designed to bring eco awareness and sustainability concepts to employees, customers, and suppliers which brings value to the organization and also broaden and expand sustainability concepts into the communities and lives of the individuals. How does your business plan to embrace these sustainability trends in 2012?