5 Retailers Ranked ‘Most Sustainable' in 2022
Corporate Knight has released its annual ranking, now in its 18th year, of the world’s most sustainable corporations. Of the 100 companies listed, the 2022 list recognized five retailers.
These companies are showing higher investor returns in correlation to strong performance on key environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics.
The 2022 Global 100 companies obtained 47% of their earnings from products or services categorized as “clean” under the Corporate Knights Clean Taxonomy, investing 48% of their capital expenditures, R&D, and acquisitions to clean investments.
“Strong performance on these metrics is foundational to achieving a clean and carbon-neutral economy in the necessary time frame,” said Corporate Knight’s CEO Toby Heaps, “and the sustained momentum is encouraging.”
Climate Commitments
- The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting.
- Florida Clinicians for Climate Action (FCCA) is a coalition of health professionals and health organizations concerned about the impacts of climate change on Florida residents
- The 2015 Paris Agreement commits countries to limit the global average temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to aim for 1.5°C.
- The Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM) initiative is an international group of asset managers committed to supporting the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
The rankings are based on an analysis of 6,914 companies with more than $1 billion in revenue.
The 5 Retailers That Ranked:
Sprouts Farmers Market Inc — Rank 43
- Country: United States
- Overall Score: B-
Apple Inc. — Rank 48
- Climate Commitments: 1.5°C, SBTi
- Country: United States
- Overall Score: B-
Puma SE — Rank 77
- Climate Commitments: SBTi, FCCA
- Country: Germany
- Overall Score: C
Adidas AG — Rank 82
- Climate Commitments: SBTi, FCCA
- Country: Germany
- Overall Score: C
Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd. — Rank 98
- Country: Canada
- Overall Score: D
According to Corporate Knight, 65 of the Global 100 companies have signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative, aligning their emissions reductions with the requirements set by the Paris Agreement, an increase from 60 in 2021.
Sustainability Case Study
According to industry experts, sustainability is a retail and consumer goods trend to watch in 2022. What types of sustainability practices has CTC implemented?
According to the company, CTC’s sustainability efforts center around four key areas: Sustainable Products, Energy Efficient, Reduce Resources, and Reduce Waste.
In 2021, the company helped co-found the Canada Plastics Pact, a consortium of companies who aim to end plastic waste and pollution. This marks the third year CTC ranked on Corporate Knight’s list, leading as the top general merchandiser in the country.
"Corporate Knights' Global 100 ranking evaluates over 6,900 companies around the world, and the fact that CTC ranks among the top 100 — and is first among our peers in Canada — is no small feat," said Robyn Collver, SVP, regulatory affairs and chief sustainability officer, Canadian Tire Corporation.
"Across our group of companies, we continue to make it a top priority to be more energy efficient, use fewer resources, produce less waste, and provide our customers with more options to reduce their own impact on the environment," added Collver.
