Sustainability leaders in the business world have made significant strides towards promoting sustainable business practices and advocating for urgent action to address the climate crisis. In this blog post, we celebrate sustainability leaders who have made an impact in their respective industries. These individuals have been recognized for their innovative and impactful work, and we highlight their efforts and accomplishments. From advocating for renewable energy to reducing environmental impact, the leaders have made a significant contribution towards a more sustainable future.
Under García Arbeláez’s leadership as the Global Director of Sustainability at AB InBev, the company has made significant progress in sustainability, including achieving 100% renewable electricity in the US and Europe in 2022, and launching several sustainability initiatives in partnership with various organizations. She is the author of the climate change book “Cambio climático: lo que está en juego” and author of the booklets “El Acuerdo de París: así actuará Colombia frente al cambio climático”, amongst others.
Under the leadership of Simon Boas Hoffmeyer as the Senior Director, Group Sustainability & ESG, Carlsberg Group has concluded its sustainability initiative, Together Towards Zero (TTZ), which aimed to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy. The company achieved a 7% reduction in value chain emissions in 2019 and is on track to meet the 15% target this year. Water conservation efforts were also successful, with a 31% reduction in water usage across all breweries and a remarkable 43% reduction at high water risk sites. The company has now published Together Towards Zero and Beyond (TTZAB), outlining new goals for net zero emissions in its value chain by 2040.
Under the leadership of Claire E. K. Cutting, Marriott International has achieved remarkable sustainability milestones. The company successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 25% and increased renewable energy usage to 25%. Additionally, Marriott recycled 75% of its waste and saved over 1.5 billion gallons of water through water conservation efforts. The company eliminated single-use plastic straws and implemented the Serve 360 platform to track sustainability progress. Claire E. K. Cutting’s leadership was recognized when she was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2019. Marriott International remains committed to sustainability, aiming to become a net-zero company by 2050.
Katie Hoard, the Director of Sustainability at New Belgium Brewing, has been a vocal advocate for sustainability in the craft beer industry. Under her leadership, New Belgium Brewing became the first US brewery to receive certification as a B Corp, meeting strict standards for environmental and social responsibility. Hoard’s efforts have earned her awards such as the Green Building Council’s LEED Platinum certification for New Belgium’s brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado.
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Beyond the beer industry
Under the leadership of Chief Sustainability Officer Douglas Cabo since 2008, Visa has achieved notable sustainability milestones. These include obtaining carbon neutrality across its operations in 2020 through 100% renewable electricity usage and emissions offsetting. Visa has also set science-based targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. Moreover, Visa has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 60% since 2008. Visa remains committed to its sustainability goals and aims to become a climate-positive company by 2040.
Paul Polman, the former CEO of Unilever, has been a prominent advocate for sustainable business practices. He played a pivotal role in driving Unilever’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2039, and his efforts have been recognized with awards such as the UN Global Compact’s CEO Leadership Award.
Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, a certified B-Corp outdoor clothing company, has long been a proponent of sustainability in the fashion industry, even before he donated his business to fund environmental projects. Patagonia has made significant strides in reducing its environmental impact, and Chouinard’s leadership has earned him accolades such as the Champions of the Earth award from the UN Environment Programme.
Jay Coen Gilbert, the co-founder of B Lab, has been a prominent advocate for using business as a force for good. He has been recognized for his efforts with awards such as the Social Entrepreneurship Award from the World Economic Forum and the Skoll Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Award.
Now, you have read a piece written by ChatGPT. While there may be a few minor errors scattered throughout the piece, we believe these are innocent mistakes made in the interest of recognizing even more individuals who have made a significant impact on sustainability. In conclusion, the sustainability leaders mentioned in this article have demonstrated remarkable dedication and achievement in advancing sustainable practices within their respective industries. Their visionary leadership has resulted in substantial progress towards reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, conserving water, and implementing environmentally responsible practices.
