Key Impact Points: Google Expands Carbon Removal Investments Google announced it has committed over $100 million in carbon removal credits in 2024, significantly exceeding its initial pledge of $35 million. This investment supports a range of carbon removal technologies, including restoration of natural carbon sinks, ERW, biomass capture and biochar,
Key Impact Points: Driving Mars’ Sustainability Agenda Mars, Incorporated, maker of Pedigree, M&M’s, and Ben’s Original, has announced Alastair Child as its new Chief Sustainability Officer. Child, currently VP of Global Sustainability at Mars Snacking, will take charge on February 3, 2025, leading the company’s overarching sustainability strategy. Child will
Key Impact Points: Significant Shifts in ESG for 2025 Businesses in 2025 are predicted to undergo transformative changes in how they approach Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. Companies are redefining sustainability, emphasizing material risks and opportunities, strengthening governance, and embedding ESG into core strategies. Prediction 1: ESG Label Evolves
Key Impact Points: The Global Shift to Mandatory ESG Reporting Mandatory ESG reporting is expanding worldwide, impacting organizations across sectors. While the EU’s CSRD is already in effect, Canada is gearing up to adopt its own standards. Businesses need detailed compliance roadmaps and audit committee oversight to meet the stringent
Originally posted on Skadden Publication I. ESG: 2024 Sees Greater Implementation in Europe and Increasing Divergence With the US In this article, we reflect on key trends in ESG over the second half of 2024 and look ahead at trends that may emerge in 2025. We analyze developments in the
Key Impact Points: A Shift to Value Architects The Chief Financial Officer’s (CFO) role is undergoing a profound transformation, moving beyond financial stewardship to becoming a Value Architect. This shift is fueled by sustainability imperatives and the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). In today’s “Age of And,” CFOs must
Key Impact Points: McDonald’s Shifts Focus to Inclusion McDonald’s has announced a significant shift in its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy, emphasizing “inclusion” while phasing out the terms “diversity” and “equity.” The company’s updated approach is outlined in a letter from CEO Chris Kempczinski, who stated, “We are immensely
Key Impact Points: Consumer Expectations Drive Change Retailers are facing increasing pressure to meet consumer demands for availability and supply chain transparency. Shoppers not only want products when and where they need them but also expect insight into sourcing, logistics, and environmental impact. This creates a challenging balancing act for
Key Impact Points: Information sourced from PwC Article by Robert Kammerer, Nadja Picard, and Gilly Lord Building Trust Beyond Financials For decades, businesses have relied on high-quality financial reporting to build trust with stakeholders, including investors, regulators, and consumers. Today, as sustainability reporting becomes a global priority, companies face a
Key Impact Points: Global and State Regulations Drive Sustainability Forward While federal policies may shift with the incoming administration, sustainability momentum is expected to endure. Historically, US corporations voluntarily built sustainability programs, driven by stakeholder demands, resource management needs, and opportunities for growth in sustainable products. “The most significant corporate
