The significance of ESG is growing rapidly across the world. Companies have started hitting the pedal to the metal to structure their ESG strategy, and so we thought it would be great to list down the top 5 best ESG focused companies in the world to inspire other organizations to go the extra mile and change the shape of their business.
- Microsoft
This Trillion-dollar company has been heavily ESG-driven for years now. 2019 was the year when they received the maximum recognition for their ESG practices. The organization was awarded numerous awards for its focus on sustainability. To share a few instances, let’s take the example of Sustainalytics, an independent global ESG, and corporate governance research, ratings, and analysis firm that awarded Microsoft an “Outperformer” rating. Another company called ISS Quality Score ranked Microsoft’s #1 rating for both Environmental and Social scores. This company evaluates corporate performance on 200+ factors. Microsoft also bagged the number 1 position on the list that ranks companies based on their commitment to providing benefits and development programs for the betterment of the employees.
2. Linde
Just like Microsoft, a leading global company called Linde didn’t get cold feet from prioritizing ESG. The company strongly believes that sustainability targets are key to success. Not only that, but Linde also helps its customers improve their environmental performance and mitigate carbon footprint. If there’s any organization that has been strictly following the ESG norms, it’s without a doubt, Linde. In May 2021, they were awarded “Best-in-Class Sustainability Disclosure Practices” by ISS Environment Quality Score. Additionally, in September 2021, Linde was included in the FTSE4 Good Index for the sixth consecutive year.
3. Accenture
This humongous organization has set the goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2025. Julie Sweet, one of the core members of Accenture stated that “We will reuse or recycle all our e-waste and ensure reduction in water usage”. Through their actions and work with clients and ecosystem partners, Accenture is helping transform the global economy into a more sustainable marketplace. Accenture started its environmental journey in 2007, it has saved 2.43 million megawatt-hours of electricity, more than 1.22 million metric tons of CO2, and generated more than US$326 million in energy savings.
4. J.B. Hunt
Yet another gem in the world of ESG. Let’s look at some of the highlights from the year 2020: J.B. Hunt helped their drivers avoid about 4.3 million miles with the help of J.B. 360-degree (an in house software that focuses on sustainability), avoided an estimated 3.5 million MT CO2e emissions by converting over-the-road loads to intermodal, finished their first heavy-duty class 8 electric vehicle delivery, championed inclusion in 2020 by adding a fifth employee resource group, PLUS(+), which provides a safe, authentic space for LGBTQIA+ employees and supporters, celebrated their first 5-million-mile safe driver, increased their annual revenue by 5% despite disruptions caused by COVID-19.
5. Xylem
For a company whose tagline is “Let’s Solve Water”, you know for a fact where they are heading. For years now, Xylem aimed to bring access to sustainable, clean, and affordable water to more people around the world without damaging the environment. The company has been efficiently battling water scarcity by creating a more water-secure world for the future generation. In 2020, Xylem received numerous recognitions for their sustainability efforts such as an AAA ESG rating from MSCI, Top Sustainalytics score for the Industrial Machinery Industry, Barron’s Most Sustainable Companies, Forbes & JUST Capital: America’s Most JUST Companies, Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies and received a score of 100 on Human Rights Campaign Equality Index.
