How to make the most of a chief sustainability officer
A company can improve its ESG performance by appointing a CSO to the C-suite and embedding sustainability principles into its core business.
Image: Petrmalinak/Shutterstock
A novelty in the C-suite not so long ago, the chief sustainability officer (CSO) is fast becoming a fixture in companies of note as climate change and inequality increasingly dominate global attention.
In the past year alone Citigroup, General Motors and International Paper have each appointed their first CSO. They join Diageo, P&G, Mastercard and Tyson Foods on the growing list of firms that have added a CSO to their top management team in recent years. Yet these firms are hardly trailblazers. Between 2004 and 2014, the number of S&P 500 companies that have a CSO increased from 25 to 90.
The ranks of CSOs can only swell from he
For thoughtful journalism, expert insights on corporate governance and an extensive library of reports, guides and tools to help boards and directors navigate the complexities of their roles, subscribe to Board Agenda
Related Stories
-
Better sustainability disclosures require clear reporting boundaries
Sustainability reporting needs to be internally consistent, theoretically sound and a useful source of data for decision-making. We're not there yet.
-
Australian CEO pay scales new heights
Figures reveal that chief executive pay in Australia has reached record levels for the ASX 100.
-
The changing face of activism
Comment: A report suggests that activist investors are softening their approach as they increasingly target European companies. So who are they targeting and what can boards do to prepare?
